Hels omit 2 : stn Stanton oa tuiatete enh rhein Ses) Se eo tp ae Boorno (939 HARVARD UNIVERSITY TA jig Wy LIBRARY OF THE MUSEUM OF COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY 3S BFE Whe CANADIAN 1 FIELD-NATURALIST WOLEIVEE El 1938 eShop RS Someta een a a i 2 3 ’ f i r VOL. LI, No. 1 | JANUARY, 1938 fai iy f 4 A | A " vi \" M ‘avi i ane NY) \ thi FY aa = peerage mene ISSUED JANUARY 6, 1938 Entered at the Ottawa Post Office as second-class matter P41). THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB Waar Oe, Patrons: THEIR EXCELLENCIES THE GOVERNOR GENERAL AND LADY TWEEDSMUIR President: P. A. TAVERNER ist Vice-President: R. E. DELURY 2nd Vice-President: A. E. PORSILD Secretary: C. R. LOUNSBURY Treasurer: WILMOT LLOYD, 582 Mariposa Ave., 180 McLeod Street, Ottawa Rockcliffe Park. 7 Additional Members of Council; F. J. ALCOCK, R. M. ANDERSON, REV. F. E. BANIM, HENRY BOWERS, M. E. Cowan, H.G CraAwrorp, F. J. FRASER, H. Grow, G.H. HAMMOND, C. E. JOHNSON, E. M. KINDLE, W. H. LANCELEY, A. LARocQquE, DoUGLAS LEECHMAN, MIsS GRACE S. LEWIS, Harrison F. Lewis, Hoyes Lioyp, MARK G. MCELHINNEY, C.M. STERNBERG, MALCOLM M. THOMSON, E. F. G. WHITE, Miss PEGGY WHITEHURST, 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: DEISNNESSE ec) Gorn ten an Anthropology CLYDE) Lv PATCH. 2) 5 oe . Herpetology TP ADAMS Ho 5 Une Oe a iis 9% aan Botany R. M. ANDBRSON.............. Mammalogy F.R. LATCHFORD ............... Conchology A. G. HUNTSMAN......... .. Marine Biology ARTHUR GIBSON ... .._....... Entomology P."Ay TAVERNER » 6 see Ornithology Be SAE COCK 55250 to eae ee Geology EB. MaKINDEB 2 ees Palzontology CONTENTS PAGE polation of the Timiskaming Outlier with description of a New Cephalopod. By A. E. ; DES OND eos UAE sesronse o Satie carats soe dude choot eelair ec iasnes ive ie A NRY BU abie cebecsise Nr wiseteer AARON Creal ee Mal UabeR en ears m irene att aWelie Heaeeaee i Nesting of the White-Winged Crossbill. By James Bond......................0.eeeee> 3 Vascular Plants from Mansel (Mansfield) Island, N.W.T. By Nicholas Polunin.......... 5 Some Marine Algae from Labrador, Hudson Bay, and Arctic Canada By Hugh P. Bell and Constance MacFarlane........ eens Dene een eG RR NE ea be se eS Ss 3 iy c Some Marine Algae from Anticosti Island and Gaspe Peninsula. By J. Adams............ 10 59th Annual Meeting of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club Report of Council. ......... 11 Statement of Financial Standing, Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club, at the Close of Year, 1937 13 Notes and Observations:— Ho 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 i# %# been continued by The Canadian Field-Naturalist to date. The Canadian Field-Naturalist is #3 ## 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 ae | AON, . WILMOT LLOYD, ; Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club, \ 582 Mariposa Ave., Rockcliffe Park, OTTAWA, CANADA. Ree oe | RS Be BES a fi Puate I 35343 The Canadian Field-Naturalist VOL. LII OTTAWA, CANADA, JANUARY, 1938 No. 1 CORRELATION OF THE TIMISKAMING OUTLIER WITH DESCRIPTION OF A NEW CEPHALOPOD* By A. E. WILSON *Published with the permission of the Director, Mines and Geology Branch, Department of Mines and Resources, Ottawa, Canada. HE FALAEOZOIC outlier of Lake Timiskaming, consisting of sediments of Ordovician and Silurian age, hes within the Precambrian shield. Accord- Hume’ who studied it in detail, it ing to occupies 250 square miles. In 1935 J. EF. Henderson of the Geological Survey of Canada, found two forms of cephal- opoda about 50 feet above the contact of the Precambrian with the basal sandstone of the Ordovician near Ville Marie, Quebec, on the east side of Lake Timiskaming. One of is here described as new. The other is a Nar- thecoceras which genus has hitherto been found in the Selki kk member only of the Red formation of Manitoba. tion of the age of the Ordovician beds of the Timiskaming Palaeozoic outlier. The which these fossils were found correspond to the these River M4 he = 4] c This reopens the ques- beds in more calcareous upper part of the Lower Sand- stone member of the Liskeard formation as des- cribed by Hume. He stated that the is of Trenton age, that the 50 feet of red shale; cecurring below the sandstone at one point may be of Trenton or Black River age, and that a covered interval of 40 feet Liskeard and below the Silurian Richmond age. The whole of the Liskeard was correlated with the Galena-Trenton of Manitcba The finding of the Nar- Hume’s Liskea: d lying above the may be of as it was then called. thecoceras sustains correlation of the Liskeard, with the Lake Winnipeg bittmit 4S recognized that the Manitoba fauna is of Richmond not of Trenton was supposed by Whiteaves’. Ordovician, now age, as 1. Hume, G. S. Geol. Surv. Canada, Mem. 145, DOs 6, lite oleh. 2. Whiteaves, J. F. Geol. Surv. Canada, Pal. Boss. 3, pt.-3, 1897. The possibility of the Richmond age of the Manitoba fauna was first suggested in 1915 by Bassler? in American Ordovician and. Silurian Index Fossils. The Richmond age was definitely recognized by the writer in 1925 from fossils found in 18-inch cores of wells drilled a few miles north from Winnipeg for the water supply of that city. Rhynchotrema capax was present. and forms very similar to the Richmond Whitei- la were found by the writer and Miss M. A. Fritz in 1920 in the basal sandstone at Grind- stone Point, Lake Winnipeg. This was communi- cated* to Foerste’ who recognized the Richmond aspect of the Cephalopoda, but reserved definite- ly ascribing the rocks to that age until further study was completed on the other phyla. He introduced the name Red River for the Manitoba formation. Meanwhile a similar fauna brought from Baffinland by Soper is referred to the Richmond by Wilson’. This was later described in more detail. About the same time, when discussing the cephalopoda of the McMillan expedition to Foxe Peninsula, Baffin Island, Foerste’ correlates tke Red River fauna but 1etains his In the same publica- them with reservation as to the age. tion Hussey® definitely assigns the fauna to the Richmond age. A similar Arctic fara from Greenland has been described Part. on it re ascribes definitely to the Richmond and part he Manitoba fauna which he by Troedsson’. correlates with the 3. Bassler, R. S. U.S. National Museum Bull. Gy4, ale alles. 4. Personal correspondence. 5. Foerste, A. F. Denison Univ. 1929. 6. Wilson, A. E. pp. 124-129, 1928. pp. 285-306, 1928. 7. Foerste, A. F. 3, pp. 25-70, 1928. 8. Hussey, R. C. op. cit. pp. 71-75. 9. Troedsson, G. T. Medd. om Gronland, B. 72, Nhl joe. UGE ali )4e)2 Bull. 24, p. 130, Geol. Surv. Can. Mus. Bull. 53, Dar Roy. Soc. Canada 3) ser; 25, Univ. Michigan, Con. Mus. Pal. DO refers to under the old conception of Galena- Trenton. It is probable that the later publi- cations had not reached him when preparing his manuscript. Cox” recorded the same fauna in Akpatok Island, Ungava Bay, Labrador and definitely considered it to be of Richmond age. It seems fairly well established, then, that the Manitoba Red River formation is of Richmond If the correlation of the correct, and the writer Liskeard formation Timiskaming believes that is also of age. outlier is it is, then the Richmond age. The Richmond age of the Liskeard is. stilt further corroborated by a comparison with the fauna from the outlier at Lake St. John, Quebec. The fauna, Joh the, Walke exposures is Closely allied to that of the “Coral Reef” horizon of the Lake St. John outcrops which Foerste’ considered to be of Richmond age, In 1930, Miller” tion of the coral Timiskaming in a paper on the ‘“Correla- Bighorn noted the sunila ity between the faunas of the Liskeard Formation”, and the lower horizon of the Bighorn suggesting the possibility that both were younger than the Trenton. While the writer definitely considers the Ordo- vician rocks of the Timiskaming outlier to be of Richmond age, it is recognized that there are certain features that are quite suggestive of the Cobourg horizon of Trenton age. Besides some rather generalized forms such as Liospira, the two described as Ihynchotrema increbescens and FR. inequivalvis are much more forms closely allied to the then undescribed form of R. intermedia than to the Black to which they are The trentonensis is similar to the River forms referred. Hormotomna form in the There has long been a theory ve y Cobourg beds. that the Richmond is a recurring Black River fauna, but recent studies have suggested to the writer that there is a close similarity between both these faunas and the Cobourg fauna, which may explain some of the earlier correlations of the Arctic Richmond faunas with the Trenton. oF NEw The specimen here illustrated is so remarkable that it is thought advisable to make a record of it, although its interpretation is DESCRIPTION Fosstt, somewhat 10. Cox, I, Geol. Mag. 70, pp. 3, 73, pp. 289-306, 1936. 11. Foerste, A. F. joy) Ibi, Sale, 9a Miller, A, K. Amer, Jour, Sci, (5) 20, p. 211, 399-373, 1933; Geol. Surv. Canada, Mem. 83, THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST [VoL. LIl obscure. Considered as’ a siphuncle it has an unusual striation which is normally indicative of the external surface of a conch. Considered as a conch, not only is the siphuncle not continuous but, as each camera was superseded by the progressing living chamber it was completely filled by the siphuncle. In addition, only periodically spaced septa are connected with the siphuncle. It is thought, then, that less violence is done to established Cephalopoda by considering the specimen a siphuncle. Family Endoceratide Genus Hendersonia Wilson, nov. gen. Siphuncle only known. Since the material at hand is fragmentary it is difficult to separate generic and_ specific characteristics. Those features are given as generic in which it differs most widely from other forms. prs Long, comparatively slender forms; exterior of conch and septal necks unknown; exterior of siphuncle longitudinally striated between the septal scars; apparently double walled, funnel-shaped, rapidly expanding anteri- orly and having three supports extending out endocones from the siphuncle wall. FHendersonia apparently belongs to the Endo- and is related to Hndoceras and but it differs from both these genera in the presence of the endocone supports and in the considerably greater length and fewer number of the endocones. ce atidze V aginoceras Cenotype: Hendersonia sola. Flendersonia sola Wilson, n. sp. Plate I Specimen evidently large. Siphuncle only One speci- 10% dia- known, long and gradually tapering. incomplete at both ends, leneth. The transverse meter at the end is 2 inches, at the smaller end 1 Cross section subtriangular, longer diameter 2 inches, shorter diameter 1% inches but slightly crushed ventro-dorsally. One wakeiul, measures inches in longest larger inch. side, limited by obtuse angles, is only slightly convex, and is considerably longer than the others. The two remaining sides are more convex, equal to one another and meet in a narrow cu ve rather than an angle. It is thought that the living form lay on the more flattened surface. There are 7 septa in a fragment 2% inches in length. The anterior half of the space between the septal scars is very slightly concave. The apical half is slightly convex, giving the faintly annulated T.ongi- specimen a aspect January, 1938] tudinal striz, 4 to 5 in % inch, mark the ventral! surface. They may have been oblite ated by weathering from the dorsal side. The septa are slightly oblique ventrally, trending more to the anterior on the right, and have a very gently curved lobe dorsally. The siphuncle contains large cone-shaped endocones with ventral side slightly flattened confo:ming to the exterior wall, becoming a true cone at the tip. Each cone overlaps the succeeding one for at least one quarter of its length. One cone fragment, lacking the upper part and the tip, measures 2%4 inches in length. The complete cone would attain a length of 3% to 4 inches. The largest diameter of a 2-inch fragment tapers from % inch to % inch. The anterior of the endocone is apparently attached to the wall of the siphuncle. Decreasing in size it is swung within the siphuncle. excentrically at the apical end, somewhat near the right and ventral sides. The endocone is hollow, except perhaps for the acute apex. and double walled at the smaller end, perhaps throughout. The finer details are obscured by secondary calcite. A unique feature, however, is its almost equi-distant longitudinal supports to keep it steady within the siphuncle. Two of these are quite evident, and there are indications of a third.. The strongest support, which is ventrally placed, may have had some part in weighting the ventral side. Like the whole speci- men, however, its strength and thickness have been increased by secondary deposits, though the quantity of lime in the water must have been limited judging from _ the amount in the matrix. The on the upper right hand sector. It may small second support is appears to THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST Q) be the left in the illustration in figure 4. Both of these supports show a thin median division which suggests that they may have been a fold from the outer endocone. A third support is indicated in the corresponding position on the upper left hand side This’ sector is badly preserved in the cross section illustrated and is only vaguely suggested, but it can be seen in another section. It is thought that what appears to be the third wall of the upper third of the inner cone in Figure 4 is a broken fragment of this support. The longitudinal section shows a double wall but no trace of a third wall. These supports are continuous longitudinally. Horizon and locality — Near Ville Marie, Timiskaming district, Quebec, from the upper part of the basal sandstones of the Liskeard formation of Richmond age. National Museum of Canada, Holotype number 9132. Plate I 1. Hendersonia sola x %, showing the rate of tapering. Holotype, National Museum of Canada, Number 9132. Fragment from the top in figure 1, showing the striation, septal scars, and form «=f the interspaces between the septa. x 2/3. 3. Longitudinal section of the upper centre piece of the holotype showing an _ unfilled part of the double wall, the rate of tapering of one endoccne, its position within the siphuncle in that plane, and the broken posterior tip of the next anteriorly placed endocone. x 2/3. 4. Tangential section of the lower centre piece of the holotype, showing double wall of one endocone and its supports extending to the wall of the siphuncle. x 2/73. NO NESTING OF THE WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL By JAMES BOND HE WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL (Loxia Icucoptera) is, like the Red C ossbill (L. curvirostra), a bird of undependable habits. On three visits to the Magdalen Islands, during the month of June in 1934, 1935 and 1936, this species was found by me, but it was rare in 1934 and 1936. In 1935 it was exceedingly abundant everywhere, ranking second in numbers, among forest birds, to the ubiquitous Blackpoll Warbler. These birds appear to have a very protracted breeding season. A number of young, which had probably hatched in April, were seen being fed by the adult females, while other individuals obviously nesting or were about to nest. were Males were observed singing here and there in the woods and examination of certain of these showed enlarged testes. This was noted not only in the adult male but in the immature as well. I found but one nest (on June 8, 1935), which was situated near the top of a small spruce ‘ about seven feet above the gorund. When found, the female was on the nest, covering THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST (VoL. LIT January, 1938] her four young. On being flushed, she returned immediately to within a few feet of the nest, emitting an incessant, querulous pit, while the nest was being examined and photographed. The following morning the female was absent for some time but appeared at the nest about 9 o'clock with a flock of her kind that had been feeding in a stand of taller spruce a quarter of a mile distant. As the flock flew high overhead, she descended and immediately began her monotonous calling, whereupon several others joined her, although for a short time only. One of them, an adult male, was collected but proved not to be the owner of the nest, which | never saw. The males evidently take little or no pa-t in the care of the young. The nest was a rather roughly-built cup composed of dry spruce twigs THE CANADIAN FieLpD-NATURALIST 5 and was heavily lined with rabbit fur. ‘he young had hatched about three days prior to its discovery. They were covered with down and it was noted that the inside of their mouths was rather bright purplish red in colour. All the crossbills that I observed in the Magdalen Islands were leucoptcra and during the many summer months that I have spent during the past ten years in Maine, New Bruns- wick and Nova Scotia, this was the only crosshil! I encountered I mentioned this fact to that able ornithologist, Mr. R. W. Tufts of Wolfville, N.S., who informed me that he likewise has noticed that, in recent years, the White-winged Crossbill has increased and the Red Crossbill decreased in numbers in his Province. VASCULAR PLANTS FROM MANSEL (MANSFIELD) ISLAND, N.W.T. By NICHOLAS POLUNIN Department of Botany, Oxford University Research Associate, Grey Herbarium, Harvard University. HIS RATHER large island lies around lat. 65°N. 80°W. near the mouth of Hudson Bay. It was named about 1612 by Sir Thomas Button in honour of a friend named Mansel. hence the frequently applied appellations ‘“Man- sell’ and ‘Mansfield’ are incorrect. Except for occasional low rolling hills and small outcrops the island is almost flat, having more- over a rounded coastline and low, barren shores. Although supporting many archaeological sites, it was in more recent times uninhabited until a few decades ago when a number of Eskimos drifted across on ice floes from the and had to spend some years there managing to return home. Subsequently the Hudson’s Bay Company imported a few families and long. rocky mainland before of Eskimos who live on the island but make contact each summer by motorboat with the trading post situated on the mainland of Quebec near Cape Wolstenholme. now The chief. impo tance of Mansel Island lies in its proximity to the Churchill “Grain Route” (as recently as 1936 a large European freighter became a total loss on its desolate shore) and in its having been “reserved for the purpose of grounds for reindeer musk ox” by Order-in-Council of the Canadian Government, March 10, 1920. At the same time and with the same end in view, the providing grazing and special closely adjacent Coats and Southampton Isiands were likewise set aside at the request of the “Royal Commission upon the possibilities of the Reindeer and Musk-ox industries in the Arctic and Sub-Arctic Regions”; that Mansel might prove suitable than the other islands for this purpose was, however, soon realised by the Commissioners since they say in their report, (Anon. 1922 p. 25) that they “understand from less the evidence” that it “is very rugged and short although it might possibly, on investigation, be found adapted for reindeer’. While the necessary to settle this question have not yet been made it does indeed seem highly probable of vegetation, further well detailed observations that Mansel Island would be useless for experi- ments on the introduction of domesticated reindeer perhaps to that animals cannot live in such extremely exposed since the (except show these and barren places!) conditions and sparse plant communities on it appear from all accounts to be like those on the limestone surface of Akpatok Island not so far away (cf. Polunin 1934b). For the scientist Mansel Island offers another feature of peculiar interest — its highest point being only about 300 ft above sea level, and the adjacent shores of Hudson Bay having risen, (according to unimpeachable evidence supplied by Mr. D. A. Nichols of the Geological Survey very similar 6 THE CANADIAN Fieip-NaAtTuRALIST Post-Pleistocene doubt that the whole of the island has risen out of the sea since the last period of glaciation’. It follows that all the phanerogamic and other plants now at least 600 ft in there can of Canada) times, be practically no comp:ising the land flora of Mansel Island mus* have migrated subsequently to the final recession of the Pleistocene ice, which in this region is supposed to have taken place only a few thousand years ago. Now the recent phyto- geographical studies of Fernald (1925), Lynge (1933), Gelting (1934), Nordhagen (1935) and others on the ‘persistence’ of plants on un- glaciated areas in many parts of the northern hemisphere have discounted the teachings of such geologists as would have had us visualise a complete scouring of northern lands during the Pleistocene, with a consequent expulsion of all forms of life; indeed this botanical evidence has actually in led geologists revisiting such regions to areas which on further some instances investigation they had to admit have not been glaciated after all! But the. other side of the picture must not be forgotten, viz. that just as migration has obviously taken place from these unglaciated “nunataks” of plants whose descendents subsequently came to populate the (generally much larger) intervening areas which had previously been glaciated but are now wet! vegetated, so too has there been much naturn: migration over greater distances, and across such “barriers” as the 40 miles wide straits separating Mansel Island from the adjacent mainland of Quebec At least this is true in the Arctic, where the agencies of dispersal are so. efficient, and presumed to include as principles little if at all active elsewhere (1) with the may be unfortunate Eskimos Mansel Island), (2) wind propulsion on the smooth and continuous ice of (the straits between Mansel Island and the mainland freeze ove- completely in exceptionally severe winters) and (3) trans- portation of seeds and other small disseminules ice-raftine (as who were blown over to frozen seas frozen to the fur and feathers of migrating animals and birds. Thus bere, for exmple, there is very litthe room fo~ doubt that the whole of the very considerable land flora of Mansel Island, whose phanerogams alone will probably be found on further investigation to 1. Mr. Nichols assures me that the isostacy in these regions is nowhere known to be sufficient to allow of any other possibility, although in view of the great local effects observed in southern Nor- way (I write from Greenland where no literature is available and quote in this instance merely from memory) it would he comforting to have some future expedition find marine shells on the highest point of Mansel TIstand.—N.P. [Vout. 111 exceed 100 species, has immigrated from the mainland or elsewhere by natural means during the last few thousand years. Mansel Island was first explored botanically by Dr. Robert Bell in the summer of 1884. In his report (1884 p. 33DD) Bell gives a vivid picture of the terrain and a running commentary on the geology of the island but fails to mention the plants he collected. Nor does he say any- thing about the vegetation, although from his description of the island in general, we get the impression that this must be extremely poor, if not wellnigh absent, for he says of “the eastern part... about midway down” that “it resembled a gigantic ridge of gravel; but stratified rocks, in low horizontal ledges, appeared here and there, through the débris, at different levels’ and, later “I landed again near the south end of the island, and found the water very shallow in approaching the shore. No rock was detected m situ at this place: but a great extent of gravel and coarser shingle, derived from lime- stone like that found in situ farther north, was thsown into a succession of long, low ridges and terraces, all curving with the contour of the land. Behind most of the ridges I met with long ponds of clear, fresh water.” No other scientist is known to have visited Mansel Island until August 1936, when Mr. Douglas Leechman of the National Museum of Canada, during the Eastern Arctic Patrol of that year, effected a landing fo: a few hours on the north end of the island From Mr. Leechman’s verbal account it would appear that the terrain in this part is much the same as in those described by Dr. Bell; plants are scarcely in occasional damp otherwise in evidence at all except and sheltered dep essions’ in the barren expanses of light-coloured limestone. As during expeditions which we have made together, when his co-operation has been of the utmost value, Mr. Leechman very kindly collected for me all the plants he in some other cases could find during his visit to Mansel Island, unfortunately (but necessarily) brief as this was; they fom rather more than half the substance of the list given below of all the vascular plants so far known to ocecur on the island. The individual specimens are mostly of reduced stature, many being pulvinate, and the 2. In one of these denressions, where the vegeta- tion was locally closed, Mr. Leechman gathered plentiful material of what is perhaps the most in- teresting plant yet found on Mansel Island, viz. Petasites sagittata (Pursh) Gray which has only onee before (Polunin 1934a, p. 203) been recorded from anywhere in the Arctic Archipelago. January. 1938] species are almost all of rather high arctic and circumpolar distribution, although a few (such as Stellaria crassifolia Ehrh. and Pedicularis flammea L,.) are of more vestricted range, at least in the Arctic, while just one, /Petasites sagittata (Pursh) Gray, is relatively southern. Indeed, as on some other similarly windswept and inhospitable areas elsewhere, when these are predominantly or especially wholiy of limestone, the flora of Mansel Island is much more arctic in its affinities than the latitude would lead us to expert®, and includes one species at least (Draba subcapitata Simmons) which here appears to have its southermost limit in the world. In the botanical appendix to Bell’s report (1884), comprising the “List by Professor Macoun of the plants collected...” the records are unfortunately obscured by the “lumping” together, as if they constituted a single locality, of “Mansfield, Digges and Nottingham Islands, at the western end of the straits”. However the ma‘ority of the records are cited individually for Mansel Island in one or another part of Macoun’s great “Catalogue of Canadian Plants”, while Bell’s collection, which is disseminated through the National Herbarium of Canada, has recently been worked over and the identifications revised by the present who _ finds represented therein a total of 28 species and 2 writer, subsidiary forms. Mr. lLeechman found 30 species and 3 subsidiary at the one point at which he landed — of which no less than 14 species and 2 subsidiary forms are new to the island, whose known vascular plant flora now following 45 species and 4 sub- These are all plants ; but there can be no doubt that with their easily disseminated, light distribution reached the comprises the sidiary forms. flowering spores and pteridophytes and found with further exploration, as well as many many more circumpolar several must have island will be phanerogams. GRAMINAE Hierochloe pauciflora R. Br. Leechman 1936. Alopecurus alpinus Smith: Bell 1884, Leech- man 1936, Arctagrostis latifolia (R. B-.) Griseb, Bell 1884, Leechman 1936. 3. Thus I know an area in Spitsbergen, at a latitude of nearly 80° N. and some 2500 miles dis- taunt on the other side of the Atlantic, whose sim- ilarly low and exposed limestone surface supports a flora (and probably also vegetation) which is almost identical with that of Mansel Island, while most of the surrounding sheltered areas are almost incomparably hetter vegetated.—N.P. THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST Catabrosa algida (Soland.) Fries (Phippsia algida (Soland.) R. Br.) Bell 1884 — no speci- men seen, the one originally in the National Herbarium of Canada, whose identify is con- firmed in the handwriting of Theo. Holm, having become detached from its sheet and lost; however there can scarcely be any doubt about the report by Macoun (1888 p. 196 sub Phippsia algida), if the only remaining portion of Bell’s material on which this report nom. even was based belongs to Puccinellia paupercula (Ee) OG Ornctica IN Bi (be centsta Nil) a sBell 1884, Leechman 1936. Poa alpina VL. forma Obrevifolia (Gaudin) Polunin ». comb. (Poa alpina brevifolia Gaudin, Agrostologia Helvetica I, p. 193, 1811) Leech- 1936. Dupontia Fisheri R. Br. min Bell 1884, Leechman 1936. Bell’s collection is the source of the persistent reports of Colpodium (usually sub nom. Arctophila) from Mansel Island — egs. (1888 p. 229), Holm (1907 p. 337 by Macoun and 1922 p. 8B), Simmons (1913 p. 51) and even Malte & Ostenfeld (MS.). The specimens, which [ have seen (National Herbarium of Canada nos 14712 & 14713), although they formed part of Holm’s type of his “Arctophila trichopoda sp. nov.” awnless lemmas an:: have shining spikelets and clearly belong to Dupontia. (Holm) Fernald & Weathe by: Rell 1884 — the specimen in the National Herbarium of Canada (no. 34782) is the type of Glyceria paupercula Holm. It forms part of the collection which constituted the basis for Macoun’s report of Catabrosa algida from Puccinelliia paupercula Mansel Island, which report is almost certainly to be upheld, as has been explained above. Festuca brachyphylla Schultes (/. var. brevifolia (R. Hart) Bell ovina I,. 1884. Sti) CY PERACEAE Eriophorum Scheuchseri Leechman 1936. Herbarium of Bell 1884, Bell’s specimen in the National Canada 34721) first named “FE, vaginatum” but clearly belongs to Ly. Scheuchzert (fide Fernald). Hoppe: (no. was Carex maritima. Gunnerus (C. incurua Lightf.) Leechman 1936. Carcx misandra R Br. Leechman 1936. Carex aquatilis Wahlenb. var. stans Boott: Leechman 1936. (Drej.) membrano- Hook. Leechman (Ee 1936. membranacea H. Bailey) Carex pacta 1, 8 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST SALICACKAE Sahx reticulata L. Bell 1884 — no specimen seen, but recorded by Macoun (1886 p. 454), Leechman 1936. Solos cincwco lal (sy 1b) man 1936. (Salix fullertonensis Schneider ? Bell 1884 — cited by Schneider (1918 p. 342) as “Mansfield Island... no, 24622... specimen mancum incer- tum” but, as with his similarly tentative reports Bell 1884, Leech- of S. fullertonensis x groenlandica (later named S. hudsonensis Schneider), the specimens are intermediate and seem best referred to other species — generally to S. arctica Pall.) POLYGONACEAE L. Bell 1884 — labelled “damp mossy places” and mixed with seedlings of Cochlearia officinalis 1. (s. 1.) and scraps of Cerastium sp. and Stellaria humifusa Ehrh. (see sheet in National Herbarium of Canada). Koenigia islandica Polygonum viviparum 1, Leechman 1936. CAR VOR Hyver AGH AE Silene acaulis 1. (var. exscapa (All) DO) Bell 1884 — no specimen seen, but the head form recorded by Macoun (1886 p. 494). Ali plants from Arctic Canada belong, however, to var. exscapa. Lychnis apetala 1, Bell 1884, Leechman 1936 Bell’s no. 2621 in the National Herbarium of Canada is the type specimen of Holm’s Lychnis nesophila but, as will be fully explained in my forthcoming “Botany of the Canadian Eastern Arctic, Part I’, this is merely an insignificant phase of L. apetala. Cerastium alpinum L. (s. 1.) Bell 1884 37%. Leechman 1936. Stellaria longipes Goldie: Leechman 1936; also f. humilis (Fenzl) Ostenfeld ex Grontved: Bell 1884 — named “var. Edwards Torrey & Gray”. Stellaria crassifolia Ehrh. Bell 1884 — mixed with Koenigia islandica etc. (see ahove) and not previously reported from Mansel Island or any other part of the Arctic Archipelago, in the southern-most portions of which it is, how- ever, widespread and fairly common. RANUNCULACEAE Kanunculus nivalis L. Bell 1884. Ranunculus sulphureus Soland. 1936. T.eechman 4. The scrap of Cerastium among Bell's Koenigia (see above) probably belongs to this species. [VoL. LIL PAPAVERACEAE Papaver radicatum Rottb. (P. nudicaule of Authors, not L.) Bell 1884, Leechman 1936. CRUCIFERAE Cochlearia officinalis I, (s.1.) Bell 1884. Cardamine pratensis 1. var. Hook. Leechman 1936. Draba alpina |. Bell 1884; also var. graci- lescens Simmons: Leechman 1936; also var. nana Hook. emend. Fernald: Bell 1884, Leech- man 1936. Bell’s specimen of var. nana in the National Herbarium of Canada (no. 1902) is the type of Draba Bellii Holm, which appears to be a mere forma rather than a true variety, and surely cannot be maintained as a distinct species — cf. Fernald (1934 p. 285). Draba subcapitata Simmons: Leechman 1936 — apparently the farthest south record of this usually high-a:ctic species. Draba fladnizensis Wulfen (s. 1.) Bell 1884, Leechman 1936. Bell’s specimen was reported by Macoun (1886 p. 488) as “Draba androsacea Wahl.” and has since been variously named by the late Mrs. Ekman and others. Arabis alpina 1, Leechman 1936. SAXIFRAGACEAE L. Bell 1884, Leechman angustifolia Sarvifraga 1936. Saxifraga caespitosa L. Bell 1884, Leechman 1936; also f. untflora (R. Br.) Engler: Bell 1884. Savifraga aizoides L. Bell 1884 — no speci- men seen, but :ecorded by (1886 p. 525s Saxifraga tricuspidata Rottb. Bell 1884. Sarifraga Hirculus 1, Bell 1884, Leechman 1936. Saxifraga oppositifolia 1. Leechman 1936. CCYNUa Macoun ROSACEAE ; Dryas integrifolia M. Vahl: Leechman 1936. PYROLACEAE grandiflora Radius — no specimen seen. Recorded without details of collector or date in Malte & Ostenfeld (MS.) as occurring on Mansel Island, perhaps me~ely because it can searcely be absent. Exactly the same remarks apply to the next two species. Cassiope tetragona (1,.) D. Don — no speci- men seen (cf. above). Pyrola January, 1938} Vaccimum uliginosum L. var. alpinum Bigel. — no specimen seen (cf. above). SCROPHULARIACEAE Pedicularis flammea 1. Bell 1884 — no speci- men seen, but recorded by Macoun (1886 p. 573.) COMPOSITAE Matricaria inodora |, var. nana (Hook). Torrey & Gray: Bell 1884. Petasites sagittata (Pursh) Gray: Leechman 1936. REFERENCES. Anon. 1922 “Reindeer and Musk-ox” Report of the Royal Commission upon the possibilities of the Reindeer and Musk-ox Industries in the Arctic and Sub-Arctic Regions. Ottawa: Department of the Interior (pamphlet). Bett, R. 1884 “Observations on the Geology, Mineralogy, Zoology, and Botany of the Labrador Coast, Hudson’s Strait and Bay” Geological Survey of Canada (1884). FERNALD, M. L. 1925 “Persistence of plants in unglaciated a.eas of Boreal America’. Wem. American Acad., XV. VERNALD, M. L. 1934 “Draba in eastern North America”. Rhodora, XXXVI GELTING, PAuL. 1934 “Studies on the vascular plants of East Greenland between Franz Joseph Fjord and Dove Bay”. Meddelclser om Gronland, CI. THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 9 Hoitm TuHeEo. 1907 “New plants from Arctic North America” in Fedde, Repertorium novarum specierum regnu vegetabilis, III. Hoim, THro. 1922 “Contributions to the mor- phology, synonymy, and geographical distri- bution of arctic plants”. Report of the Canatian Arctic Expedition 1913-18, Vol. V: Botany. LyNncE, Bernt 1933 “On Dufourea and Dacty- lina, three arctic lichens’. Skrifter om Svalbard og Ishavet, no. 59 (pamphlet). Macoun, J. 1886 “Catalogue of Canadian Plants: III Apetalae’. Montreal. Macoun, J. 1888 ‘Catalogue of Canadian Plants: IV Endogens”. Montreal. Mautrr, M. O. & C. H. OstENFELpD. MS. Pre- liminary notes for a “Flora of Arctic Canada”. Manuscript in National Museum of Canada. NorDHAGEN, Royer 1935 “Om Arenaria hunifusa We. og dens betydning for utforskningen av Skandinavi as eldest floraelement”’. Bergens Museum Arbok, I. Povunin, NicHoias 1934a “The flora of Akpa- tok Island, Hudson Strait”. Journal of Botany, XXII. PoLuntIn NicHoias 1934b “The Akpatok Island, Part I”. Ecology, XXII. ScHNEIDER, C. 1918 “Notes on willows: II The species related to glauca 1... Rotantcal Gazette, LXVI. Simmons, H. G. 1913 “A survey of the phyto- vegetation of Journai of American Saltx geography of the Arctic American_ Archi- pelago”. Lunds Universitets Arsskrift, IX, no 19. SOME MARINE ALGAE FROM LABRADOR, HUDSON BAY, AND ARCTIC CANADA By HUGH P. BELL and CONSTANCE MacFARLANE HE SPECIES mentioned below were collected by Mr. Douglas Leechman, of the National Museum of Canada, Ottawa, during the vovage of R.M.S. Nascopie to the northern parts of Canada in the summer of 1934. Although Mr. Leechman’s special line of work was the collection of information dealing with the life and customs of the people along the coast and although the conditions for collecting algae were rather restricted, depending not only on the weather but on the state of the tide, a considerable number of species were obtained from about fifteen localities. The list is of value as extend- ing our knowledge of the detailed distribution of the 30 species mentioned in localities which are seldom visited by an experienced algologist. For purposes of convenience of reference the names are grouped in alphabetical sequence under the three recognized subdivisions, namely, ercen, brown, and purple. CHLOROPH YCEAM Chaetomorpha Melagoniwim Kuetz. Dundas Harbour, Lake Harbour, Pond’s. Inlet, Wakeham Bay. Chaetopteris plumosa Kuetz. ©n floe ice between Belcher Islands and Cape Henrietta-Maria. Enteromorpha intestinalis Link. Charlton Island, Churchill, Pangnirtung. Enteromorpha Linza J. Ag. Pond’s Inlet. 10 THE CANADIAN FYELp-NATURALIST Enteromorpha prolifera J. Ag. Charlton Island, Southampton Island. Rhizoclonium sp. Cartwright, Island, Wakeham Bay. Ulva Lactuca JV, Churchill, Lake Harbour. Charlton PHAEOPHYCEAE Agarum Iurneri Post. & Rupr. Cape Wolstenholme, Churchill, Dundas Har- bour, Pond’s Inlet. Alaria esculenta Grev. Cape Wolstenhoime, Pond’s Inlet, Wakeham Bay. Ascophyllum nodosum Le Jolis. Cartwright. Desmarestia aculeata Lamour. Cireraes; Harbour, Dundas Harbour, Lake Har- bour, Pond’s Inlet, Southampton Island. Desmarestia viridis Lamour. Pangnirtung. Fucus evanescens Ag. Cape Smith, Cape Wolstenholme, Cartwright, Churchill, Craig Harbour, Lake Harbour, Pond’s Inlet, River Clyde, Southampton Island, Wakeham Bay. Fucus vesiculosus L. Cartwright, Pangnir- tung. Laminaria digitata Lamour. Cape Wolsten- holme. [VoL. LII Laminaria Phyllitis lamour. Charlton Island, Pond’s Inlet. Sphacelaria sp. Wakeham Bay. RHODOPH YCEAE Ahnfeltia plicata Fries. Charlton Island; on floe ice between Belcher Islands and Cape Henrietta-Maria. Delesscria sinuosa Lamour. Charlton Island. Dumontia filiformis Grey. Dundas Harbour, Pond’s Inlet. Halosaccion ramentaceum J. Ag. wright, Wakeham Bay. Odonthalia dentata Lyngb. Charlton Island. Phycodrys rubens Batt. Churchill. Phyllophora Brodiaect J. Ag. Pond’s Inlet. Polysiphonia urceolata Grev. Pond’s Inlet. Porphyra laciniata Ag. Wakeham Bay. Ptilota pectinata Kjellm. Cape Wolsten- holme, Cartwright. Ptilota plumosa Ag. Cartwright. Rhodomela subfusca Ag. Wakeham Bay. Rhodymenia palmata Grey. Charlton Island, Pond’s Inlet, Wakeham Bay. Canta Churchill, SOME MARINE ALGAE FROM ANTICOSTI ISLAND AND THE GASPE PENINSULA‘ By J. ADAMS *Contribution No. 524 from the Division of Bo- tany, Experimental Farms Branch, Department of Agriculture, Ottawa, Canada. N SCHMITT’S “Monographie de I’Tle d’Anticosti” mention is made of about 20 species of seaweeds belonging mostly to the brown group Phacophyceae. It is probable that the list needs revision as the occurrence of some of the species mentioned seems to be very doubtful if the present system of nomenclature is followed. One species in particular Halidrys siliquosa WLyngb. should be deleted from the list as it has not been found elsewhere in Eastern Canada. During two short visits to the island in the summer months of 1933 and 1934 although mainly concerned with the higher plants I collected some marine algae consisting partly of material washed ashore and partly of plants growing in their natu~al habitat. A few specimens were also obtained from several points on the Gaspé coast. For the correct identification of most of the above material I am greatly indebted to Prof. H. P. Bell” of University and to Miss Dalhousie Constance MacFarlane. For convenience of reference the names are grouped in alphabetical order under the three main colour-groups, namely, green, brown, and purple. Of the localities cited Ellis Bay and Baie Ste. Claire are at the west end of Anticosti Island while the others are cn the Gaspé Peninsuia. CEE @OROPRENY Claus Cladophora flexuosa Harv., Ellis Bay. Enteromorpha intestinalis Link. Ellis Bay and Ste. Anne des Monts. E. intestinalis Link forma clavata J. Ag,, . Ellis Bay. Monostroma fuscum Wittr., Ellis Bay and Percé Rhizoclonium tortuosum WKuetz., Ellis Bay and Percé. Spongomorpha arcta Kuetz, Ellis Bay Ulva lactuca 1, Ellis Bay. Un iinea New bliss Bag PHAEOPHYCEAE Agarum Turnert Post. & Rupr., Ellis Bay. January, 1938] Chorda Filum Stackh, Ellis Bay. Chordaria flagelliformis J. Ag., Ellis Bay and Ste. Anne des Monts. Desmarestia aculeata Lamour., Ellis Bay. Dictyosiphon foeniculaceus Grey., Ellis Bay. Ectocarpus confervoides le Jolis, Ellis Bay. Elachistea fucicola Fries., Ellis Bay. Fucus evanescens Ag., Ellis Bay and Ste. Anne des Monts. F. vesiculosus V,., Ellis Bay. Leathesia difformis Aresch., Ellis Bay. Ralfsia verrucosa Aresch., Ste. Anne des Monts. Scytosiphon lomentarius J. Ag., Baie Ste. Claire and Ste. Anne des Monts RHODOPHYCEAE Ceramium rubrum Ag., Ellis Bay. Corallina officinalis 1... Ellis Bay. THE CANADIAN FiEeLD-NATURALIST 11 Cystoclonium Kuetz., Ellis Bay. Delesseria sinuosa Vamour., Ellis Bay and Cap des Rosiers. Dumontia filiformis Grev., Ellis Bay. Halosaccion ramentaceum J. Ag., Ellis Bay and Percé. Lithothamnicn polymorphum Aresch., Ellis purpurascens Bay. Melobesia Rosan., On marina in Ellis Bay. Polysiphonia nigrescens Grev., Ellis Bay. P. urceolata Grev., Ellis Bay. P. violacea Grev., Ellis Bay. Porphyra laciniata Ag., Ellis Bay and Ste. Anne des Monts. Ptilota pectinata Kjellm., Ellis Bay. Rhodemela subfusca Ag., Ellis Bay. Rhodymenta palmata Grey., Ellis Bay and Ste. Anne des Monts. Lejolisit Zostera 59TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURAL!STS’ CLUB REPORT OF COUNCIL Transaction of the Council's business during the year required four meetings and an adjourned session, the average attendance being 16. These meetings were held at the following homes: December 28, 1936, Mr. and Mrs. F. J. Fraser: April 6, Dr. R. E. DeLury; April 10, Mr. and Mrs. H. G. Crawford; October 28, Mr. and Mrs. P. A. Taverner; and November 30, Mr. and Mrs. Hoyes Lloyd. Lectures —A very successful public lecture, attended by His Excellency, the Governor General and party, and some 1200 people, was held in the Glebe Collegiate Institute, January 26. The speaker was Dr. Wm L,. Finley of the American Nature Association, who spoke to a showing of five reels of motion pictures. The Committee also co-operated Committee in exceptionally — fine with the Excursions arranging monthly lectures throughout the winter. taken Canada Bird Census—The annual bird in conjunction with other Societies in and the United States, held December 26, 1936. in nine parties, reported 1380 individuals of 22 species. Of special interest were the Great Horned Owl, Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker. Golden-crowned Kinglet and Evening Grosbeak. census was locally on Twenty observers organized Excursions—Two meetings of this Committee Twelve excur- spring and fall! were held to arrange activities. held during the months as follows. sions were Apvil—to Rideau River near Hog’s Back. May—to McKay Lake, Pink’s Lake, Lake and Experimental Farm Arboretum. June—to Britannia and Black Rapids, the latter as guests of Dr. M. G. McElhinney, on his yacht. Fairy September—to Black Rapids, repeating the boat trip. October—to Gatineau Point, Meach Lake and Arboretum. November—a conducted trip through the National Museum. Lectures, reviving in some degree the old- Club, have been continued or two, with a gratifying time soirées of the as in the past year attendance. Through the courtesy of the Rev. Father Banim these have been held in the library On Sie and topics were: Patrick’s College. Speakers December 10, 1936. Mr. G. W. Sinclair on “Fossils”. Ie, IDF. with Arthur Gibson on particular January 21, “Spiders and Insects, reference 12 THE CANADIAN Fre_p-NaATURALIST to the work of the Dominion Entomological Laboratories at Belleville.” February 18) 19374) Miz wAR Eo Rorsild von “Canada’s Reindeer Experiment’. Marche 18s 9372 Nis Vine EL. “Botany”. Apmlvls, 19375 Dr He Eo Lewiston) Binds November 25, 1937. Father F. E. Banim on “How to Know the Flowers”. Minshall on An interesting outcome of the latter lecture is a laboratory class in botany meeting weekly now for study of mosses of the Ottawa district. The Committee’s financial statement shows a balance of $14.55, turned over to the Club This comprises receipts from excur- sion tickets $19.00. and profits on three trips involving transportation charges, $405: and expenditures on a circular, statione y and_ post- age, $8.50. Treasurer. Garden farty—An innovation this year was a garden party held on June 19th, on the grounds of Dr. DeLury’s home, Fairmont Ave., which proved a happy means of bringing to- gether many older members and those chiefly active on excursions, etc. The success of this initial venture warrants its repetition. International Commuttee for the Protection of the Birds of the World—Mr. Hoyes Lloyd and Dr. Harrison F. Lewis were the rep-esentatives Publications —The Canadian Field-Naturalist has appeared regularly and has been maintainea at the size and standard which the finances of the Club have permitted in recent years. Various recommendations for improvement have given careful consideration and are to be intro- duced as finances allow. The magazine performs a needed service to Canadian and _ othe: naturalists requiring a medium for publication; been and puts before the public valuable matter which would otherwise not appear». Fauna and Flora Commuttee-—A systematic effort has been made to have local species lists [Vou. LII prepared by specialists in every department of natural history. It was hoped that a publication might be ready for 1938 on the occasion of the American Association summer meeting to be held at Ottawa, but the difficulties in some directions proved insuperable. The various manuscripts already received or nearing com- pletion are, however, to be got out in mimeo- graphed form at a nominal charge, or, in the case of matter largely original, will be publish- ed in The Cana ian Field-Naturalist. The annotated list of Reptiles and Amphibia has already done useful service. Membership —The Committee held two meet- ings, and has worked in-close collaboration with the Excursions Committee, feeling that the local field held the greatest promise for immediate increase of membership. Two circulars wee issued which were well distributed at the Finley and Porsild lectures, and brought some results. The of every present Club member actively canvassing known prospects is stressed. necessity Finance.—An order for one complete set of the Club’s has been secured, for delivery as soon as it can be made up, at $160.00, Apart from this the year will be closed with a balance of $52.29. publications Achnowledgements——The Council wishes to take this opportunity to express its appreciation of the work and co-operation of many of its members, and especially to thank the Rev. Father F. E Banim and his colleagues for kind accomodation for the winte- meetings, Dr. M. G. McElhinney for enjoyable outings each summer, Miss Peggy Whitehurst, recently resigned Secretary, for much hard work faith- fully and enthusiastically performed, and the leaders of the various excursions. To the in- coming Council the hope is exp essed that their rounding out of 60 years of Club activity may be a source of satisfaction in every way.— HERBERT Grou, President. January, 1938] THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 13 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL STANDING OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB, DECEMBER 3, 1937 ASSETS Balance in Bank, December 3, 1937 . $ 18.89 Bills PEGS. |. sa cakacaoscccooede 38.40 $52.29 RECEIPTS Balance on hand, November 26, 1936 SS BelB Hees=— Current sae eae ah, a 813.40 ioe ANCVAN COy CL Criss errno an eats 81.00 Separates and Illustrations.......... 151.96 Single and back numbers............ 35.385 Muiscelliamecoust-aseeeeace een anor 244.49 $1329.32 WiLMoT LLoyYD, Treasurer. STATEMENT—PUBLICATION FUND DECEMBER 3, 1937 ASSETS Canadian Government Bonds........ $900.00 Balanceniiiel nlcernsr aire iene 105.85 $1005.85 RECEIPTS Balance in Bank, November 26, 1936. . $103.41 BondGinteresty 2 eee ae ee 39.50 Bankslnterestcc. cease ce esac 2.44 $145.35 Witmot LioyD, Treasurer. LIABILITIES NIL— Balan Cee scl emcee td wegh Oot re teen pect aa 52.29 $52.29 EXPENDITURES Printing and mailing The Canadian Rield=Natunaliste see ee oe 5 SOO) B.Gitorms: Honorarlumine era 90.00 Postagexand= Stationery, nee 36.81 Separates and Illustrations.......... 80.17 IBaniksdiscounita sere eee Ge 18.62 Miscellancoussaeeerse ate eee 102.65 Repaid to Reserve Fund............ 80.08 $1815.48 Balance in Bank, December 3, 1937 .. 13.89 $1329.32 Audited and found correct December 6, 1937. HARRISON F. LEWIS, W. H. LANCELEY, Auditors. LIABILITIES NIL— Balan@erse 4 Are seec. Sg wcttts 7 ato iona Ravine $1005.85 $1005.85 EXPENDITURE Payment of Bond Int. to Current Account 39.50 Balance in Bank, December 3, 1937. . 105.85 $145.35 Audited and found correct. December 6, 1937. HARRISON F.. LEWIS, W. H. LANCELEY, Auditors. 14 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST STATEMENT—RESERVE FUND DECEMBER 3, 1937 ASSETS Canadian Government Bonds.... . $1200.00 Bealiniee tin Beale, 55 o5c585e000ec05 00 OAL $1507.27 RECEIPTS Balance in Bank, November 26, 1936. $ 169.40 Bondeelnterestaes Saeineeeee eeee 54.00 Beak MMWR. ofa hon cewegordsooecs 3.79 Repaid from Current Account...... 3 80.08 $307.27 Epwarp F. G. WHITE, Chairman, Reserve Fund Committee. WiILMoT LuLoyD, Treasurer. (Von. LII LIABILITIES NIL— Balance! Meee ose $1507.27 $1507.27 DISBURSEMENTS NIL— Balance in Bank, December 38, 1937. . $307.27 $307.27 Audited and found correct December 6, 1937, HARRISON F, LEwIs, W. H. LANCELEY, Auditors. NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS “Helix rufescens’” RE-DISCOVERED AT OTTAWA. —While hunting for land shells in Rockcliffe Park on May 24th, 1937, I found a few speci- Fruticicola striolata (Pfeiffer) (formerly known as “Helix rufescens” Pen- nant), under a pile of leaves that had apparently seen raked up somewhere in the park. Search at all likely places where a colony might be failed to bring any results. On leaving the park I had a look along the embankment between the road and the new iron fence around Govern- mens. of ment House, where they were found to be plentiful under grass and leaves about two hundred feet east of the main entrance. This is not the first time that the species has been mentioned for the district. Many years ago Latchford introduced “several hundred” speci- mens which were set out on the Exhibition G.ounds, but the colony failed to survive. The Rockcliffe colony is so far removed from the Exhibition Grounds that it is believed to be an independent introduction; its fate in the future will be watched with interest—G. FE. Fatr- BAIRN. A New Bat For THE Toronto Recion List.— On September 11, 1937, upon the occasion of the fall field day of the Toronto Ornithological Club at the Holland River, four south- west of Bradford, Simcoe county, a few of us were pitching tents under a g-ove of hemlocks, when the writer noticed a small brown bat crawling over the bark of one of the trees. By was able to secure miles placing my hat over it, I it. Examination revealed its exceptionally long ears, which when laid forward reached well past the tip of the nose, denoting the form Myotis keenti septentrionalis (Trouessart). This specimen of the Long-eared Brown Bat, the first to be taken in the Toronto region, was p.eserved and is now in the collection of the Royal Ontario Museum of Zoology. The writer is indebted to Mr. L. A. Prince and Mr. S. C. Downing of the museum’s staff for valued assistance in the identification of the specimen and for pointing out certain dif- ferences between this species and the Little Brown Bat Myotis lucifugus lucifugus. Keenu is distinguished which overlap the nose; in Jucifugus they scarcely reach to the nose; a longer and narrower tragus; almost equal 3rd. and 5th. fingers; and a more slender skull. by having longer ears, The specimen was a female and measured: total length, 93 mm,; tail, 42 mm.; thumb, 6 mm.; hind foot, 8 mm.; expanse, 239 mm.; humerus. 24 mm.; tibia, 17 mm.; ear, 16 mm.; 3rd. meta- carpal, 31 mm.; 5th metacarpal, 30 mm. While records over for this species are scattered most of the province of Ontario, its presence had not been previously detected within the Toronto region. There are specimens in the collection of the Royal Ontario Museum of Zoology from Wingham, Huron county, Lake Kashi, Muskoka district; and Lake Timagami, all of which have been recorded by Dymond (1929) (Gan, Fiela=Nati 4321387). ee DEVIT’. Affiliated Societies NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF MANITOBA 1936-37 President Emeritus: C. E. BASTIN; President: A. G. LAWRENCE; Past Presidents: M. SPEECHLY, M.D., V. W. JACKSON, M.Sc., C. W. Lows, M.Sc., J. B. Wauuis, M.A., A. A. McCousrey, 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 LowWE, 317 Simcoe St., Winnipeg; Auditor: R. M. Tuomas; Executive Secretary: J. HADDow, Social Convenor: Miss O. A. ARMSTRONG. Secretary A. M. MACKIE Miss M. F. PRATT Mrs. I. M. PRIESTLY P. H. STOKES Section Chairman Ornithological A. H. SHORTT Entomologieal G SHIRLEY BROOKS Botanieal H. F. Roserts, M.Sc. Geological A.A. McCouBREY Mammalogical V. W. JACKSON, M.Sc. Ichihyological G. D. RUSSELL Seerétary: 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, Ont.; 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 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 Honorary President. L.S. KuLInK, (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; 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. Cummine; Mr. J. D. TURNBULL, Mr. CurTIs JOHNS, Mrs. J MorTion; Auditors. H. G. Spuwoop, W.B. Woops. Chairmen of Sections: Botany: PRor. JoHN DAVIDSON, Geology: Mr. J.J. PLOMMER, Photography: Mr. PHILIr 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; Firat Vice-President. HAMILTON M. LAING; Second Vice-President: Dr. 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.TmprrRiItL, Mr. NAPIBR SMITH. Mr. W. S. Hart, Mrs. C. L. HENDERSON; President: PROF. V. C WYNNE-Epwarps, 495 Prince Arthur Street, Apt. 4, Montreal; Vice-Presidents: Mrs. H. HIBBERT, DR. A. N. JENKS; Vice-President and Treasurer: MR. HHNRY MOUSLBY; Secretary: Miss MAUD SBEATH. Committee: Mr. J. D. CLEGHORN, Mrs. C. F. DaLB, 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. McL. 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 LoRpD TWEEDsSMUIR, 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; 2iéme_ vice- président: ROBERT HUNTER. Secrétaire-trésorier: Louis -B. Lavolsn; 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 ROUSSEAU, Chef de la section d’information scientifique et pratique: EMILE ALTHERR, Directeurs: IAL BRBAKEY, JR., JAMES PRICE, DR. VIGER, PLAMONDON, ALPHONSE DESILETS, I.A., REX MEREDITH, N.P., EpGar ROoOCHETTE, C.R., STUART ATKINSON, ADRIEN FALARDEAU, C.R. 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. ft. P. IpE, Vice-President: F C. Hurst, Hon. Vice-Presidents. Hon. H.C. Nixon, Mr. J.H Friemine. SecretaryTreasure : HucH M. HALLipay; (ounci—Prope J.R. Dymonp, C. S. FARMER, ARNOTT M PATTERSON, PrRoF. T F. MCIiLWRAITH, Dr. NorMAForD, Rupert Davips, G.S, BELL, 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-Presiden of Junior Club: Mrs. A. R. WHITTEMORE. Leaders: — Birds—Messrs. S. L. THompson, L. LL. SNyprr, J. L.. Baiuur, Jr.. Pror. T. F. McItwraitH, R. M. Speirs, F. H. EMERY. Mammale—Pror. A. F. Coventry, MEssrs. Fi. C. Cross, D A. McLuuicu. 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LH, No. 2 FEBRUARY, 1938 lf 5 ip \ WW . ra TEN uf : ; fat \ \ \ \ H ; : gett om (e = = dhs ) it \ i Sy y \ 4 —CUdAT DN TI IRAT ICN ue | : XN 4 ; " N : eee AS Ce GEE di | TT dl ie Ley \ : | Bey | Ky re a a \ iM 3 ve r | \ 4 \ “Are i ue ISSUED FEBRUARY 5, 1938 Entered at the Ottawa Post Office as second-class matter THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB pateahe: THEIR EXCELLENCIES THE GOVERN OR ST ota AN D LADY TWEEDSMUIR : President: P. A. TAVERNER ist Vice-President: R. E. DELURY 2nd Vice-President: A. E. PORSILD Secretary: C. R. LOUNSBURY - . Treasurer: WILMOT ‘LLoyp, 582 Mariposa Ave., 180 MeLeod Street, Ottawa Rockeliffe Park. Additional Members of Council; F. J. ALCocK, R. M. ANDERSON, Rev. F. E. BANIM, HENRY BOWERS, M. E. Cowan, H.G CRAWFORD, F. J. FRASER, H. GROH, G. H. HAMMOND, C. E. JOHNSON, B. M. Kinpie, W. H. LANcELEY, A. LARocqug, DoucLas LEECHMAN, Miss GRACE §. LEWIS, HARRISON F. Lewis, HoYES LLOYD, Mark G. MCELHINNEY, C. M. STERNBERG, MALCOLM M. THomson, E. F. G. WHITE, Miss PeGcy WHITEHURST, R. T. D: WICKENDEN, M. E. WILSON a 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: De JENNESS Oh ye oy .. Anthropology CLYDE L. PATcH...... i . be: Herpetology J ADAMS pice ne ee TESTE INE ean ncn ane Botany R. M. ANDERSON....... Ge antes Mammalogy F. R. LATCHFORD .;.............. Conchology A. G. HUNTSMAN. ........”.. _. Marine Biology ARTHUR GIBSON.............. Entomology P. A. TAVERNER.....%.. 22.0205 Ornithology Heed. ATROCK ona ne er Mone Geology E. M.KINDLE....... Poe ae .Palzontology CONTENTS PAGE Geology of South Nahanni River, N.W.T. By A. E. Cameron and P. S. Warren....... Mec ek ite) Christmas Bird Censuses, 1937.............000--003¢ Rae a Ohi Cis ne Sere Be 2 LS aaa ale 21 William Herriot, Botanist: By H: Groh .: 0.00.20... ee Notes and Observations:— sina : Ber Ua A Wolf Record from the Winnipeg Area. By Burt Gresham. ........ ree whe oe.) Reviews:— Sea 5 See ef The Microscope, By Daye irc. 5 be ‘gues SURE eS ERPS A ee 30 Snakes Alive and How They Live. By DL. ....... ee De ac de 30 Bird: Portraits.in- Colors: By Duss hc se ae tes ee 80 aay ee 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 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. if Price of this volume (9 numbers) $2.00; ‘Single copies 25¢ each The Membership Committee of The Ottawa Field- Neturalicte 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 IEE among the leading Natural History publications in America. Subscriptions ($2.00 a year) should be forwarded to WILMOT LLOYD; Ottawa Field-N aturalists’ Club, 582 Mariposa | Ave. - Rockcliffe Park, “OTTAWA, CANADA. 35343 FEB 1 4 1933 The Canadian Field-Naturalist VOL. LII OTTAWA, CANADA, FEBRUARY. 1938 No. 2 GEOLOGY OF SOUTH NAHANNI RIVER, N.W.T. By A. E. CAMERON AND P. S. WARREN INTRODUCTION HE GEOLOGY of ithe Mackenzie Mountains, forming the divide between the Mackenzie and Yukon drainage systems, is but vaguely known. Their inaccessibility and the absence of minerals of economic importance are probably both contri- butory to this lack of - knowledge. Our information regarding the geology of these mountains is based largely on the reconnaissance early explorers. In 1888-89, surveys of McConnell’ made a traverse down the IJjard River which. skirts the southern end _ of Mackenzie Mountain and found rocks of Cambro-Silurian, Devonian, Triassic and Creta- ceous age. McConnell states: “No rocks holding Silurian fossils were found in any part of the district” (1, p. 14 d). Hume * * in 1922 showed that at least part of McConnell’s Devonian is Carboniferous in age. 1907-8’ traversed the north end of Ross River down Gravel He found rocks of the Keele in the mountains from River to the Mackenzie. following ages:—Cambrian, Ordovician, Silu- rian, Devonian and Cretaceous. In 1921, Hume’ investigated North Nahanni and Root tributary to the Mackenzie at Camsell Bend and reports only Devonian rocks within the front ranges of the Mackenzie Mountains, though the same Camsell Malcolm® show Silurian rocks in this 1923 Hume’ examined the Dahadinni and Little Bear Rivers, tributary to Mackenzie River and both Mackenzie The range in this area was found to include Silurian rocks. Rivers year and section. In heading in Mountains. front In 1935 Cameron® made a reconnaissance trip up the South Nahanni River for a distance of 80 miles, and made a few general observations on the geology of the area. As this part of the Mackenzie Mountains has had no_ previous geological study, it is considered that the results are of sufficient interest for further elaboration. TOPOGRAPHY The Mackenzie Mountains, though considered as a part of the Rockies, lie to the east of the general strike of the front ranges of that system. Their southern end rises abruptly from the plains, strikes in a north-westerly direction and finally im a westerly direction as they are affected by the Yukon and Alaskan system of mountains. Though altitudes have not been obtained with any degree of exactitude, the average mountains seldom reach an elevation o1 more than 6,000 to 7,000 feet. The lLiard River traverses the plain im- mediately to the south of the Mackenzie Mountains, in some places passing quite close to the limestone ranges in their most southerly extension. Probably the closest contact of the river with the ranges is at Nahanni Butte, some 60 miles from the mouth of the Liard. Nahanni Butte is the southermost mountain of the front ranges of the Mackenzie Mountains. Its base is skirted by the Liard and it rises precipitously some 5000 feet above the river. It is at this point that the South Nahanni enters the Liard from the north. The general course of South Nahanni River few points to the west of the strike of is a the principal ranges of the Mackenzie Mountains. Through most of its course, there- fore, it is a subsequent stream flowing between the ranges, but occasionally it cuts through a range the valley to the east. Its course through the mountain valleys is marked by strong meanders and much braiding and usually low banks. Where the cuts through a mountain range its valley assumes the form of a canyon with cliffs attaining in some places a height of 4,000 ft. The of the river, therefore, is divided into canyons “splits”, the latter being the local for the shallow, meandering course the 8&0. traversed into river preciptous course and name appellation of the river between the of the lower of the canyons. In miles part river Spirifer: cf tullia Clathroaiictyon Favositles SF tes g Za aN Ve CI WAHANNI BUTTE =—_—=_ ag) Scale of Miles Ss IOP 2 AG By © (i CC LIARD R. Sketch map showing lower PCACNES of South Nahanni River, MMT February, 1988] by Cameron, he encountered two “splits” and two canyons. The “gate” of the Nahanni, the farthest point reached, is on the upstream side of the second canyon. Certain peculiarities of the course of the South Nahanni make it appear that the valley is largely antecedent to the main structure o1 Mackenzie Mountains. The river cuts its way through high ranges of hard rock making immense canyons, when it could have gone round the end of the ranges by flowing a few miles farther and have traversed softer rocks all the way. It is just possible that glaciation may have had some influence in producing these drainage anomalies, but evidence of glaciation is not strongly marked in this area. One indication of the effect of glacial action on the course of the Liard River is notable. Originally the Liard must have flowed up the valley of the South Nahanni to the north Elbow, a distance of 40 miles, and thence out to the valley of the Mackenzie by the North Nahanni. This passage was apparently blocked by glaciation forcing the Liard to swing south at Nahanni Butte and cut a new channei to the Mackenzie. It should be mentioned that Hume (1923, p. 120). reports a drainage anomaly of a similar nature in the North Nahanni drainage basin and comes to the same conclusion as did the writers regarding the antecedent pattern of the -Mackenzie mountain drainage. GEOLOGY The geological section as worked out by Keele on Gravel River at the north end of the Mackenzie Mountains, by Hume in his traverses on Little Bear, Dahadinni, Root and North Nahanni Rivers, tributary to Mackenzie River on the east face, and by McConnell and Hume on Liard River’ at the: south end of the mountains, shows a thick series of Palaeozoic sediments ranging from Ordovician to Carboni- ferous in age, overlain by Mesozoic rocks of Triassic and Cretaceous age. Keele found Ordovician on the Gravel Rive- but Hume found no Ordovician in any of his. traverses south of the Gravel. McConnell reports Ordo- vician fossils on the upper reaches of the Liard. The only definite occurrence of Carboniferous rocks is that reported by Hume on Liard River, south and west of the mouth of the South Nahanni. It would thus appear that at least in the east half of the Mackenzie Mountain system, the Palaeozoic rock is essentially of Silurian and Devonian age. THe CANADIAN FrELp-NATURALIST 17 The Mesozoic rocks. reported in the genera! area are ‘Triassic and Cretaceous. ‘Triassic rocks, however, are known only on the upper reaches of the Liard and have not been observed in the Mackenzie Mountains where McConnell reports the Cretaceous lying on the Devonian. The traverse made in 1935 by Cameron up the South Nahanni was the first geological investigation of the interior of the Mackenzie Mountain system. It was found that the system consists of a series of more or less parallel folds and fault blocks striking generally North. Folding appears to be more characteristic of the outer ranges, whereas in the interior, sharp serrated ridges are prevalent which are more expressive of faults than folds. Each of the faulted or folded blocks appears to represent the same succession of beds and to consist of a thick series of massive limestones overlying an equally thick series of calcareous and arenaceous shales or slates. Apparently below the shales anothe- massive bed of limestone occurs. The definite position of this bed of limestone 1s uncertain. Nahanni Butte, at the mouth of the South Nahanni, and forming the termination of the front range of Mackenzie Mountains, has been reported by Hume, as previously stated, to be Devonian limestones overlying a Silurian series Cameron at this point collected a coral identified as Favosites cf. F. niagarensis Hall. This specimen has corallites about 11% mm. in diameter and all about equal in size. Tabulae are closely spaced, about 2 to 1 mm. Mural pores and spines were not observed. This fossil was obtained in a limestone horizon over- lying a shaly series at an elevation of about 800 feet above the river. The horizon is probably massive of Niagaran age. At the top of the first canyon, on the east fank of Deadman’s Valley, a fault brings up limestones from which a_ stromato- poroid was collected. This fossil deter- mined as Clathrodictyon, a type with “cauno- but too badly broken down for massive was pore” tubes, specific determination. The genus occurs mainly This limestone is overlain by floor of Deadman’s in the Silurian. shale which forms the Valley to the north and west, and is closely on strike with a similar shale series on Prairie River which, as will he discussed later, yielded definite Silurian fossils. About half way through the second canyon a fault brings up a_ thick and arenaceous_ shales light-coloured limestones. No fossils were noted series of calcareous overlain by massive, 18 Tur CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST in the shales at this place, but the overlying limestone yielded the following fauna: Schuchertella chemungensis (Conrad) ELeiorhynchus sp. ov. Camarotoecha sp. _ Atrypa reticularis (Linn) Spirifer cf. tullia Hall Athyris. sp. The horizon is Upper Devonian as shown by Spirifer cf. tullia and Schuchertella chemungensis. The Letorhynchus has been obtained from the Upper Devonian, at other localities in the Mackenzie valley. Though the underlying shales yielded no fossils at this locality, graptolites of Silurian (Clinton) age were collected from shale beds on Prairie Creek from a locality on strike with These graptolites were submitted determi- to this this horizon. to Dr. Rudolph nations and discussions Ruedemann whose are appended paper. Underlying the broad valley occupied by the section.of the South: Nahanni known as_ the — first “splits”, and caught in some of the fault blocks of the second canyon was a section of soft, black fissile shales which apparently overly the Devonian limestones. No fossils were obtained from any of the exposures of these shales but they are lithologically ‘similar to Cretaceous shales of the Peace and Liard River sections, and would appear to represent remnants of the Cretaceous beds caught in the mountain building movement. Local t-appers report the occurrence of.coal seams on the west side of the Nahanni. River valley in the first “splits”, giving further confirmation of Mesozoic hori- zons in, this section. the geological evidence on Nahanni -River, there is definite evidence of two. Silurian the Clinton~ and Niagaran. No evidence of Devonian other than the upper. was discove-ed, though probably the middle is present. The finding of Cretaceous infolded . with the Palaeozoics confirms Hume’s interpretation that Mackenzie Mountain To. summarize South horizons, beds structures, like those of other Rocky Mountain structures, are Post-Cretaceous in age not ascend the South Nahanni “Gate”, but Precambrian rocks are said to occur in the upper reaches of the Flat and Caribou Rivers tributary to the South Nahanni from fhe west. In recent years a con- siderable amount of Cameron. did above the placer gold activity has developed on these rive-s and their tributaries. A specimen of a carbon mineral determined by Drak) low Ruthertondaeas shungite was given anthraxolite or to Cameron by a_ local [Vou. LIT Indian and was reported to have been obtained on the headwaters of Meilleur Creek, a tributa:y of the South Nahanni. So far, minerals of this type have been obtained in the North West Territories of Canada, only in Precambrian horizons. BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. MceConnenm; R. G.; Geol. ))Suryeye yor Canada, New Series, Vol. IV, 1888-89. 2. Hume, G. S:; Geology of Norman Oil Fields and Reconnaissance of Part of Liard River, 1922, Part B 3. Hume, G. S.; A Kinderhook Fauna from N.W.L. oG:S: Cae Suma ixenin Liard River, N.W.T, Canada. Am. Jour. Sct, Vol. VI, Now 31; July 1923: 4, Keere, J.; Recconnaissance across Mac- kenzie Mts. on Pelly, Ross ‘and Grave! Rivers, G.S.C. Report No. 1097; 1908. — 5. Hume, 'G. S.; North Nahanni-~and Root Rivers Area and Cariboo Island, Mac- kenzie River District, G.S.C. Sum. Rept. 1921, Part B. 6. CAMSELL AND Matconm: The Mackenzie River Basin. G.S.C. Memoir 108. 7. Hume, G. S.; Mackenzie’ River Area, District of ‘Mackenzie, . N.W.T.: “G.S:C Sum. Rept. 1923, Part B. ‘ 8. Gamerron, ‘A. E.: The South Nahanni River, NW.T. Canadian Geographic Journal Vol. 13, May, 1936. APPENDIX BY Rupo_F RUEDEMANN Graptolites from Silurian shale at Galena Creck, tributary of Prairie River, 14% mules cast of gates of South Nahanni River, N.W.T. Collector _A...E. ‘Cameron 1935 (Sent by Professor ,P. S. Warren.) Dark gray somewhat sandy skale contains the following: faunule: Monograptus cf. convolutus (Hisinger) and M.. spiralis (Geinitz) M. pandus Vapworth M. cf. priodon (Bronn) and MM. clinton- ensis (Hall). Retiolites (Gladiograptus) gcinitzsianus Bar- rande var. maximus nov. This faunule points distinctly to the Clinton age of North America and the Gala-Tarannon age of Great Britain. M. convolutus is characteristic of a zone (20) of the Upper Birkhill, but the form before us has characters leading to M. spiralis which occurs’ in all zones of the ‘Tarannon (22-25). M. pandus occurs in zones 22-24, M February, 1988] priodon in zones 23-29, doubtfully in zone 22. Retiolites geinitzianus in zones 23-26. While close relationship of the horizon with the Gala-Tarannon of Great Britain is indicated by these forms, the presence of the MW. priodon- clintonensis group and of Retiolites geinitsianus points to the Clinton age of the formation, as M. clintonensis and the var. venosus of R. geinitzianus are the index fossils of the Clinton (Williamson) graptolite shale. It is very probable that the same graptolite horizon is present in the Silurian graptolite shale band in the Brisco limestone of Sinclai- Canyon, British Columbia. The writer (see Walcott, 1924) has recorded from the band: Monograptus cf. spiralis (Geinitz) M. marri Perner. Retiolites (Gladiograptus) geinitzianus Bar- rande. This faunule, on closer study, may prove identical with that from Galena Creek. Also in Idaho occurs a fauna with M. cf. pandus and Cyrtograptus murchisoni which may belong here or as indicated by Cyrto- graptus murchisoni to the base of the Wenlock. Monograptus ctf. convolutus (Hisinger) and M. spiralis (Geinitz) Plate 1, Figures 1-5. Prionodus convolutus, Hisinger, Leth. Supplem. p. 114, pl. 35, fig. 7. 1837. Graptolithus convolutus Carruthers, Geol. Mag. VO Ve apanl27, Pl Ve fig: 1s W868: Suec. Monograptus convolutus, Tornquist, Siljan- somnadsmGrapt, Deeps sO) pla wily fess 5=l1, 1892. Monograptus convolutus, Perner, Grapt. de Bohéme, p. 13, pl. XII, figs. 26-29, pl. XIII, fig. 41, text fig. 10, 1897. Monograptus convolutus, Elles & Wood. Pal. Soc. vol. for 1916, p. 467, pl. 47, figs. la-d. text fig. 324 a & b. 1918. Diagnosis by Elles & Wood. “Polypary often of considerable size and length, coiled into a flat spiral, except at the distal extremity which is slender, but widening few whorls, then maintaining a constant breadth of 3 mm. for the remainder of its extent. Thecae ten to seven in 10 mm., on the convex margin; those of the proximal portion of the narrow, isolate Rastrites type, those of the distal portion triangular, in contact only, with fully four-fifths of length free, of which the outermost fifth is merely gradually for arcuate 3 the first involved in reflexion to THe CANADIAN FIeLD-NATURALIST 19 form a small inconspicuous barb, or this barb may appear to be more or less completely replaced by a distinct spine.” Horizon and locality: Dark gray Silurian shale, collected by A. E. Cameron 1935 at Galena Creek, tributary of Prairie River 14% miles east of gates of South Nahanni River, NG AWi sl Remarks: We have before us a small slab bearing remains of six specimens, the two largest and most complete are figured here. They agree in most characters with the British species as elaborately described by Elles & Wood, but approach also M. spiralis (Geinitz) in the smaller proportion of the theca isolate (4%2-%) and the greater proportion of the barb and may lead over to that species. A slab densely covered with Monograptus cf. pandus etc. on side, exposes on the opposite bedding plane besides some specimens of the same species a large impression of a rhabdosome of M. cf. convolutus, with a dia- meter of 32.5 mm. (See fig. 5.) one (Gladiograptus) geinitzianus MAXIMUS Retiolites Barrande var. noy. Plate 1, Figure 6. A single specimen of a Gladiograptus from the dark gray Silurian shale of Galena Creek Monograptus stands out by In its general with convolutus its size surpassing all congeners. outline, character of thecae and reticula it well agrees with the well-known European Silurian Retiolites (Gladiograptus) geinit- surpasses it, however, distinctly in size. The rhabdosome attains a length of 10.2 cm. and a width of 8 mm. The thecae number 11-8 graptolite 1anus, in 10 mm., are hence slightly larger than in the typical geinitsianus. We distinguish the form as a variety maximus. From the species KX. perlatus Nicholson this form differs in the gradual widening, coarser reticula and more distinct ventral and apertural margins of the thecae which are much more closely arranged in perlatus (16-12). Monograptus pandus Lapworth Plate 1, Elles & Wood’s diagnosis: Polypary several cm. in length, approximate- ly straight; fairly robust even at the proximal end and widening steadily till a breadth of 2.5 mm. is attained.. Thecae nine to ten in 10 of the type of M. priodon, but shorter, and set so that the hooks, only of the Figure 7. maximum mm., general involving one-third thecae, are often nearly in contact, and only occupy one- [Vor LIT THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 20 February, 1938] fifth of the total breadth of the polypary. Horizon and locality: Dark gray Silurian shale, collected by A. E. Cameron 1935 at Galena Creek, tributary of Prairie River, 14% miles east of gates of South Nahanni River, No We 40 Remarks: The form here figured agrees well in its general outline and the character of the thecae with the common European graptolite and although the material is not well preserved it is certain that the form belongs to the pandus- marrt group and in the relatively smaller breadth of the hooks and their close arrangement is nearer to VW. pandus than to marri. Monograptus cf. M. clintonensis priodon (Bronn) (Hall) Plate 1, Figures 8, 9. A graptolite of the Monograptus priodon- clintont group was found covering a slab of dark gray Silurian shale from Galena Creek, tribu- tary of Prairie River, 14% miles east of gates of South Nahanni River, N. W. T. The are preserved as impressions only in a somewhat sandy shale and therefore not as distinct as might be desired. The material leaves, however, no doubt that it belongs to the group of M. priodon and M. clintonensis Hall, which are closely related and by many considered as identical. The specimens writer Tue CANADIAN FIeELD-NATURALIST 21 the sicular or not available the nature of the thecae of proximal end which however 1s here, as no similar ends are shown. O. T. Jones remarks that in his opinion M. clintonensis as labelled in American collections, includes more than one form and that the species calls for careful re-examination. The writer has already recognized one or several varieties as var. chapmanensis from Maine. EXPLANATION OF PLATE Monograptus cf. convolutus (Hisinger) and M. spiralis Geinitz Fig. 1. Specimen No. Si. 264 x 4 Fig. 2. Specimen No. Si. 265 x 4 Fig. 3. Specimen No. Si. 265 x 1 Fig. 4. Specimen No. Si. 264 x 1 Fig. 5. Specimen No. Si. 266 x 1 Reliolites geinitzianus Barrande var. Maximus nov. Fig. 6. Specimen No. Si. 267 x 1 Monograptus pandus Lapworth. Fig. 7. Specimen No. Si. 268 x 4. Monograptus cf. priodon (Bronn) and M, clintonensis (Hall) Fig. 8. Specimen No. Si. 269 x 1 Fig. 9. Specimen No. Si. 269 x 4 The numbers of the specimens refer to the catalogue of the Geological Museum, University of Alberta. CHRISTMAS BIRD CENSUSES, 1937 (1908, p. 453) saw a differential character in MOoNn’TREAL, QuE. — December 26, 1937; 8 30 am. to 4.15 p.m. Snow flurries; 19 inches snow on ground; wind fresh, east veering to north-west; temp. 14° at start, 18° at return. Five parties of observers covered 25 miles on skis, snowshoes, and on foot, and 20 miles by automobile. The census area includes Mount Royal, Westmount Mountain, Montreal West, St. Lambert, and Caughnawaga. American Golden-eye, 30; White-winged Scoter, 37; Red- breasted Merganser, 2; Great Horned Owl, 1: Fairy Woodpecker, 3; Downy Woodpecker, 12; American Crow, 4; Black-capped Chickadee, 43; White-breasted Nuthatch, 7; Brown Creeper, 2; American Robin, 1; Common _ Starling, 180 (est.) ; English Sparrow, 292 (est.); Pine Gros- beak, 10: Common Redpoll, 10; Tree Sparrow, 1. Total, 16 species, about 635 individuals. Seen recently: Snowy Owl, December 24th. — Ye 1D), CLecHorN, J. A. Decarte, JoHN Fry, W. S. Fry, Georck How, G. M. Hyoe, H. A. C. JAck- son, Corin Nicot, H. F. Seymour, Mr. AND Mrs. L. M. Terrinn, A. M. TERRoux, members of the Province of Quebec Society for the Pro- tection of Birds, Incorp. 7.30) and December 26, 1937; am, to 5.00 p.m. Completely overcast snowing until 10.30 a.m.; rest of day partly cloudy, with 50 per cent clear sky as maximum, occasional snow-flurries; wind east, light, to 2.00 OTTAWA, ONT. — 22 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST p.m., then calm to 3.30 p.m., then strong west wind to dark; 18 in. snow on ground; temp NOR ar ASO Asie, UK aie SO em I remnny observers in 9 parties, in various directions about Ottawa. American Golden-eye, 81; Hooded Mer- Pheasant, 2; Rock Dove, ganser, 1; Common 24; Hairy Woodpecker, 5; Downy Woodpecker, 8; Blue Jay, 13; American Crow, 28; Black- capped Chickadee, 128; White-breasted Nut- hatch, 22: Red-breasted Nuthatch, 4; Brown Creepe , -4; American Robin, ~1; Northern Shrike, 2: Common _ Starling, 327; English Sparrow, 1254; Pine Grosbeak, 7; Redpolled Linnet, 154; Pine Siskin, 15; American Gold- finch, 99: Lapland Longspur, 3; Snow Bunting, 473. Total, 22 species, 2655 individuals. The Hooded Merganser, a female or young bird, was identified by Dr. R. E. DeLury, who found it a sho t distance below small on the Rideau River, Hoe’s Back. Merganser beak, dark coloration were noted. This bird may have been injured, as it was not seen to fly, but it appeared well otherwise. The Lapland Long- spurs, in the company of a Redpolled JLinnet, were feeding in a weedy field near Aylmer, Quebec, where they were identified by Dr. Harri- F. Lewis. Characteristic markings were clearly observed. The Hooded Merganser and the Lapland Longspur have not previously been found in Christmas. Bird Censuses at Ottawa.-— Ovrawa FIeELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB. Observers: R. M. ANperson, F. E. BAnim, RaeE. Crarke, Ds By DELURY, Re Bs DELuURY, B. A. Fauver, G. H. Hammonp, T. S. HEn- NESSEY, C. EF. JoHNSON, GIFFARD JOHNSON, REVELL JOHNSON, W H. LANCELEY, BARNARD Mcl, Lewis, C. R. Lewis, Harrison EF: Lewis, Hoyvrs [|Loyp, ArtHur D. Neries, A. E. Por. sinp, LL. K. Pouporrt, PEccy WHITEHURST. size, and son PAKENHAM, LANARK Co., On'v.—December 24, 8:10) ams to 12 noom and 1:30) pms tos3-15 Dull sky, visibility good, fresh east with heavy snow after 2.45 p.m. 12 inches Temperature 2° below zero at start, 15 miles on foot, 20 by automobile. Four observers separate. Eastern Hairy Woodpecker, 2; Northen Downy Wood- pecker, 2 = Blue way.) 10-) “astern” Crow} 95 Black-capped Chickadee, 39+; White-breasted Nuthatch, 6; Eastern Robin, 1; Eastern Golden- crowned Kinglet, 2; Common _ Starling, 29; English Sparrow, 84; Canadian Pine Grosbeak, 2; Common Redpoll, 99+; Eastern Snow Bunting, 32. Total, 13 species, 313 individuals. p.m, wind, snow on ground. 11° above at finish. miles [Vious ain Seen recently, Snowy Owl, 1 (December 18): Canada Ruffed Grouse, 2, and Brown Creeper, 2 (December 26). Numerous flocks of birds were observed but were not definitely identified. These may have been Goldfinches or Pine Siskins, as both have been unofficially reported in the ‘listrict. Redpolls are ve.y plentiful this season. On December 18th four Pine Grosbeaks; in- cluding one rosy male, were seen. No Evening Grosbeaks have been noted. The one Robin was found in a clearing in the woods that is sheltered on one side by small cedars. It was feeding on bittersweet. A Robin, presumably the same bird, was also observed in the same clearing on December 14th. The lack of Grouse in this census was disappointing. At least six are resident in the woods on the outskirts of Pakenham, but none could be found on census day.—EFEpNA G. Ross, VERNA M. Ross, ALLAN F. Ross, Witmer Ross. ARNPRIOR, ON?.—December 25; 9.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Fine, 12 in. snow; moderate n. w wind; temp. 11° at start, 15° at return. 18 miles on foot and snowshoes. Observers separate. Canada Ruffed Grouse, 3; Eastern Horned Owl, 2; Northern Pileated Woodpecke-, 2; Eastern Hairy Woodpecker, 3; Northern Downy Wood- pecker, 6; Blue Jay, 1; Eastern Crow, 2; Black- capped. Chickadee, 36; White-breasted Nuthatch, 7; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 6; Eastern Brown Creeper, 1; American Robin, 1; Common Sta-- ling, 1 plus; House Sparrow, 1 plus; Eastern Purple Finch, 2; Canadian Pine Grosbeak, 2; Common Redpoll, 22 plus; Common Snow Bunting, 29. Total, 18 species, 127 (plus) indi- viduals. Subspecies determined geographically. No attempt made to count Starlings or House Sparrows. recently, flock of 1000 Snow Buntings. Evening Grosbeaks are absent this year.—LiIcuori GORMLEY AND CHARLES MaAc- NAMARA. Seen GANANOQUE, ONT. — December 27. Cloudy moderate temp.; wind west. Two observers in the vicinity of Gananoque and along the partiv open St. Lawrence River. American Common Me-ganser, 2; Bald Eagle, 1; Herring Gull, 2: Great Horned Owl, 1; Hai-y Woodpecker, 1; Plue Jay, 3; Black-capped Chickadee, 8; White- breasted Nuthatch, 1; Bronzed Grackle, 1: Snow -Bunting, 12. Total, 10 ‘species, 32 in- dividuals. — W. E. Epwarps, G. C. Toner. February 1938] THe CANADIAN Cloudy at changing to ATHENS, ON?.—January, 1, 1938. first, north-east wind, with sleet, snow, then clearing; icmp. 6° at start, 12° a return. Observer alone. 18 to 24 in. snow on the level. 5 miles on snowshoes. Ruffed Grouse, 13; Great Hovned Owl, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 1: Blue Jay, 2; Black-capped Chickadee, 15; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Pine Siskin, 100 (3 flecks). Total, 7 species, 134 individuals. Siskins feeding on seeds of conifers. Each flock seemed to keen to its own locality. Have identified no Redpolls so far this winter. Snow Buntings very plentiful, not found during Murray W. Curtis. CENSUS HALIBURTON, ONtT.—December 21; 800 a.m. to ilOM p-measandil SOS panseto: 3.50% (p.m. = Mostly cloudy, snowing in p.m.; about 1 ft. snow; wind southerly, moderate; temp 6° at start; about 12 miles afoot Ruffed Grouse, 1; Great Horned Owl, 1 (heard); Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Blue Jay, 7; Black-capped Chickadee, 55 approx.; Brown-headed Chicka- dee, 4; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 2; Brown Creeper (2), 1; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 3: Pine Grosbeak, 40 approx.; Redpoll (sp. ?), 60 approx.; White-winged (probably) Crosshill, 85 approx.; Snow Bunting, 5. Total, ebout 267 individuals. Othe- recent records are: 16th, Barred Owl and Pine Siskin; 19th, Pileated Woodpecker; 20th, Evening Grosbeak. Crossbills seen at close range during the month proved to be White-winged Crossbills—E. W. CALVERT. 14 species, ERADFORD, SIMCOE CouN'ty, On't.—December 25: 10 a.m. to 4.15 p.m.; sky overcast: 2S Wwe SUS north-west snow. 4 miles on foot along the Holland River, west from Bradford and return. gether. Common (Ring-necked ) Eastern Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Blue Jay, 3; Black-capned Chickadee, 30; White-breasted Nuthatch, 1; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 4; Brown Creeper, 2; Eastern Golden-crowned Kineglet, 1; Common Starling, 3; English Sparrow, 10; Pine G osbeak, 2; Redpolled Linnet, 25; Pine Siskin. 150; White-winged Crossbill, 10. Total, 14 species, 243 individuals — D. SuTrnertaNnp AND ©. EF. Devir’. temp. moderate wind; 2 in. Observers to- Rheasant, li: Toronto, Ont.—The census of December 26, 1927, was the 13th consecutive Christmas bird census carried out by the Brodie Club. Although Friryp-NATURALIS£ 23 this number may give a reasonably accurate picture of our usual winter bird population there is an erratic tendency in winter records of many species which suggests that at least 20 will be necessary before sufficient figures are available to justify any conclusions as to periodicity effects of weather, etc. There has been littie tendency in the census figures to form periodic peaks and depressions, either in number ot individuals, but this period. species or may become apparent over a longer On this census, with 42 observers in the field, we reco-ded 58 species, which is 12 more than census and 18 more than last year when there were 43 observers. There are other indications that birds are present in greater numbers this winter than for some time. The number of common birds is probably more significant in this respect than the number of erratic visitors and if we take the ten species which have been seen on all of the 13 censuses, which might be considered as our basic winter bird population, we find that in 8 of the 10 more individuals were seen this year than ever before. The two exceptions are the Downy Woodpecker and the English Sparrow, the number of the former having been exceeded only once, 1936, and the latter being counted for only the third on any previous year. The other eight species seen on every census ave: American Golden-eye, Old-squaw, Blue Jay, Common Starling, White breasted Nuthatch, Black-capped Chickadee, Tree Spar- row and Song Sparrow. There are indications northern of a fairly pronounced invasion of forms, although this is balanced by a high count of species which are normally only summer residents. There is no doubt that some of the increase in numbers of birds seen on recent censuses is attributable to more observers but as this usually only means larger groups covering the same ground it can be discounted to some extent. On the other hand censuses tend to become more thorough. Following the same routes year after year we come to know just where to look for certain birds. As a good example, the .Swamp Sparrow was practically unknown here in winter prior to 1927 but for the past 6 years we have or three on every census. This Sparrows but seen one, two does not indicate only that we know where and how to look for more Swamp them. Three species were seen this year which were new on our census lists, viz., the Red-breasted Merganser, Pileated Woodpecker and Hudsonian ° Chickadee, The two last-named were seen by 24 THE CANADIAN no. 8 party at Nancy Lake, about 20 miles north of the city, where the Pileated breeds and where a few of the Chickadees have been present since CHRISTMAS BIRD CENSUS OF Freip-NATURALIST late autumn. At Nancy Lake, too, was found a of Red- quite extraordinary concentration breasted Nuthatches, 26 being counted. THE BRODIE CLUB— TORONTO [Vor. LII DECEMBER 26, 1937 SPECIES PARTIES : 1 2 3 4 5 6 ii 8 ToTraLs Redheads. wo A ER PR SERIE Set eee 3 Babe 1 Ree 1 Greater Scaup Duck AMR diiiney Bett oe rises 4 4.5 10 Bid 45 240 1030 Pay, No Us pNimnemncayn (GONG 66 56 ou e654. 00 eodoce “phy 83 300 60 epee. ae) Bitleshea ders: 1. ate es ae esaaae aie neg ac ae eRe pe Sheath 1Oveaee aay 19 Old-squaw .. . Baca Rana eee alice 40) 73. 812: sce American Common ‘Merganser MAP ASE I Niches oh: see Zorn ae 9 ae ee 11 Redebreasted= Mergansen se ansassrem ne eee ae Mit 2 RAL 7 0 Z Aimieinicam: (GORMENWS 66.55 “60 86. 66 06 ob obo4 1 Hee ae Fs; atl 1 Shhanp=shunre dawelarwi eee ee ea eee a 1 ‘- tee 1 Red-tailed Hawk .. . Dat Soe Go ee ] 1 1 aay Lam 3 American Rough- legged Hawk ve se Wen apa ae Be sot Meee ee 1 Marsh Hawk .. .. igh ik Oe Nee eae 2 1 were aie 3 American Sparrow Hawks Gu cans eee 1 fee Is he ee Z Ramtheds “Grouse. .subics wars gine nok ose ee ees ata s 1 2 3 Common Pheasantue over wer con nO. 8 5 10 11 6 14 HO) Wal Sonus Snipe, seouess Sasi Sea oR ee oe li eae oe ae 1 Glaucous Gull .. .. By ogee pee ye cere a = ae 1 1 se Zz Great: Blackbacked) Gull’ |...) “sf = lec. mt 7 4 15 5 eee 31 HerungaGulle 2. asta er oc 7 54 261 355 905 43°>2.% 1625 Ring-billed Gull .. .. . AGS hr tu 3 Ae ie 2 1 2. gtk oe eee 5) American Screech Owl. DRAG ene Pee 2 Fs 1 as ae: 1 Great Horned Owl .. . 1 oe Deere ore 3 Snowy Owl re Siisdes Rien eermerss adie ne ote 1 ees 1 Barred 4Owlw 2h. Bic soa inane ile teas. aa Pe See 1 Shortzeared Owlig ie Sees nee eee acca i reece Be 1 Beltedm@Kaingtis herein) Gta een es ot Oe Be eae 1 Aas 1 Northern blickert hatin seccet. pemeeeee oe Pe 1 Pere 1 Rileateds Woodpeckers, soo Oe oe Re a 1 1 Hairy: \WWoodpecketcrnuih: (ewe eee ee WH tte ae 2 2 DowmnyanVoodpeckenmay- sits akc armies cae 7 g 18 Dye a ae 4 2 45 Bitter Faye eae pos eae te | Sg ij cas aM 2 5 17 Onecare 2 20 56 American Crow .. Arh ee ase 4 Sy eee he ane One 37 Black-capped Chickadee .. .. ty coe eee 21 39 70 26 7 26 10 e259 eltird so mia ela Ckrald € ery sy eae mere ee eer Facts Gaara PP ibec sie 2 1 1 Wiite=breasteds Nimthatchics 9) 15s eeeteee se ae 5 14 4 ye Dp 1 24 Red-breasted Nuthatch ~. siieaane 2 2 Sie 1 : 3 26 35 Browne Creepers Seta.) wna Sere os sigs ad 2 3 10 2 19) 1 20 American Robin .. .. eee ia hc ean ta 1 eine x 1 2 Golden-crowned Kinglet ue 5 a Rte 5 1 2 4 12 CedaieWiaxwitiGee a one eels nee peer eee 1 1 Northern Shhniker i. He eee oe unre rane Verh e Fees tis ee OE SS tes ee 1 Common Starling .. 424 588 66 428 270 114 17 1907 English Sparrow Ba as 162nie OSes 149 a SS el SO peerlon 57 1200 Eastern Meadowlark .. AO see aaa ee eeee cae er OE LS , 2 RUIStyse black idee. ce: cy ame Mee yey he ee ss Sheree 3 Cardinal .. BS oon cents capi EE Seas ae 6 1 1 8 Common Purple SRiinGhi afk Rate Gn oie: 2 WZ 10 32 p 61 BinejiGrosheakcs-\easbay:) +. e ey digi eee eee See he See 3 3 Redpotledultimmet (ten. pu ce ha. Meare ner gan. 11 2 6 90: 3255) 209 Rinesorskan en. Fe PMNS URES: co Ol ee LAUER Rises nt 225 7) BOS American (Goldfinch (2 (eee a, ae : g 6 17 44 10) Sa eansS Red-evedatowhee! a eit eee, (8S) Bias Ore metre? gan tor ae 1 Slate=colouned s)uncolyae erie = eee 16 23 20 9 20 2 90 Tree. Sparrow ..,,. BS Aig ied Os ees) 18 OS) WY 10 9 Aas eee) White-throated Sparrow ae Eo 1 ae eee et 1 a 1 Swamp ySparrow. eco. ley cere eee ameers es eee 1 Tem sereae Pe Z Song Sparrow .. .. 1 5 5 11 2 Lee 25 Snow Bunting .. .. 1 ae 50 51 iL otaleindividials-.e40 ee oe nS 16901181" 1056" 17653297 853 ese ano 2a5 otal’: Species eth aas er eas oes 22 26 30 26 18 21 58 18 February, 1938} Our census counts of the Common Pheasant show a fairly steady increase of this bird in the Toronto region. The first census record was in 1928 when 1 was seen and since then the figures have been: 1929, 2; 1930, none; 1931, 5; 1932, 17; 1933, 61; 1934, 44; 1935, 43; 1936, 74; 1937, 110. In spite of a falling off of the Starling count for the preceding two years and general reports of a decrease, more were seen on this census than on any other, or 1907 as against the next highest number, 1514 in 1934. English Sparrows were more than 1000 below the records of the previous two years and_ this agrees with the opinion of most observers that lately the population has decreased. The number of Cardinals seen is twice the highest former census figure and encourages one to think that, barring accidents, this desirable bird will yet become firmly established in this region. The weather at Toronto during December has been a little colder than last year but not extreme. Snowfall has been light and on census day, although there was from 2 to 3 inches of snow in the woods, the ground in the open was practically bare. The weather was fair, with a maximum temperature of 37° and a minimum of 23° and a west wind of from 29 to 35 miles. Those taking part in the census and_ thet: parties were as follows: 1. H. M. Halliday, W. Vee Crichsae2eb beeSnyder, Gens, Belly GRa J. Rutter, J. Oughton, P. Oughton, D. Miller, F. Barratt, S. Troyer. 3: C. E. Hope, J. Walty, F. Banfield, G. Beare. 4. O. Devitt, M. Boisson- neau, A. Boissonneau, FE. Boissonneau, W. Man- Sel DeEtonbess CrlCooksuos je) i. Barllres se Harrington, M: Speirs, L. Beldan. B- Beldan, Dre Cummings, Eis divor, FE. Mowat, (62) EH: Southam, F. Emery, R. Lindsay, F. Norman, R. Carreau, D. West, R. Hicks, G. Lambert. 7. R. Bennett, R. Saunders. 8. E. G McDougall, R. Ussher, W. Gunn=-THE BRODIE CLUB. Per: R. J Rurrer, Secretary. VINELAND STATION, ON’t.—December 27.—9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. One party of 4 observers in a.m., only 2 observers in p.m. Cloudless: ground bare; light wind varying from south to east; temp, min. 23°, max. 35.3°. West bank of Jordan Pond, Lake shore, Experimental Farm, Ball’s Falls. 8 miles on foot, 5 by auto- mobile. ~“Scaup’ Duck (7), 2; Marsh Hawk, L: Herring Gull, 2; Eastern Mourning Dove, 16 (J Flicker, 1; Northern Downy Horned Lark, 7; Common Pheasant, 2; Ring- billed Gull, 1; fleck) ; Northern Woodpecker, 3, Black-capped THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 25 Chickadee, 4; White-breasted Nuthatch, 3; Brown Creeper, 1; Eastern Golden-c:owned Kinglet, 4; Common Starling, 15; English Sparrow, 80+; Red-winged Blackbird, 2; Cow- bird, 4; Eastern Purple Finch, 9; Redpoll (7), 30+ :. Eastern Goldfinch, 2; Slate-coloured Junco, 43; Tree Sparrow, 45+; Song Sparrow, 2. Total 22+ species, 270+ individuals. — W. J. K.-Harkness,: R.-C. Ross,-J. Strone, DB. A. Ross. ; HAMILTON, ON’. (Burlington Bay and Beach, Aldershot, Dundas Marsh, Escarpment to An- caster, Bronte and Lake Medad).—December 27: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Clear; traces of snow; wind east, light; temp. 26° to 34°. Eight parties on foot, one by car. Mallard Duck, 3; Black Duck. 250: Greater Scaup Duck, 600; Lesser Scaup Duck, 3: American Golden-eye, 270; Buffle-head, 6; Old-squaw, 2; American Common Mergan- ser, 300: Red-breasted Merganser, 2; Sharp- shinned Hawk, 1; Cooper’s Hawk, 2; Red-tailed Hawk, 1; Red-shouldered Hawk, 1; Common Rough-legged Hawk, 4; Bald Eagle. 1; Marsh Hawk, 6: American Sparrow Hawk, 2; Ruffed Grouse, 18; Gray Partridge, 4; Common Pheasant, 26: Glaucous Gull, 1; Iceland Gull, 2; Great Black-backed Gull, 82; Herring Gull, 5200: Mourning Dove, 3; American Screech Owl. 3: Eastern Horned Owl, 3; Arctic Horned Owl, 1: Snowy Owl, 1; Northern Flicker, 5, Hairy Woodpecker, 15; Downy Woodpecker, 35: Blue Jay, 80; American Crow, 69; Black- capped Chickadee, 124; White-breasted Nut-_ hatch, 40: Red-breasted Nuthatch, 8; Brown Creeper, 13; Winter Wren, 1; Brown Thrasher, 1 (J: Martini) ; American Robin, 4; Golden- crowned Kinglet, 8; Cedar Waxwing, 101; Common Starling, 886; English Sparrow, 360 ; Bronzed Grackle; 1; Cardinal, 9; .Common Purple Finch, 34; Redpolled Linnet, 88; Pine Siskin, 86; American Goldfinch, 68; Slate- coloured Junco, 206; Tree Sparrow, 411; White- throated (Mrs. Morton, H. C. Nunn): Swamp Sparrow, 2; Sparrow, 6: Snow Bunting, 50. Total 56 species, 9511 individuals.—Hamilton Bird Protection Society (F. H. Butcher, Leroy Dove, Mrs. J. G. Farmer, Dr. R. BE. ‘Haist;* Kenneth Hannigan, Peter _ Henderson, Oliver Hewitt, Gavin’ Lawrason, Miss Edith McEwin, Mrs. F. E. McLoghlin, Dr. and Mrs G. O. McMillan, Rev. Calvin McQuesten, Miss J. Magee, Miss Eleanor Malcolm, Jack Martin, Miss Ruby Mills, . Mrs. J. P. Morton, Douglas Mundell, H.C. Sparrow, 2 Sone Maurice Hackman, 26 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST Nunn, Leonard Pollard, Blair Ronald, Douglas Simpson, Miss Laura Stewart, Clifford Swan, Ivor Thornewell, Vernon Trott, J. H. Williams, George W. North.) KITCHENER AND WATERLOO, ON'’t.—December 29: 8.45 a.m. to 5.15 p.m. Sky overcast in a.m.; mainly clear, with much-improved _ visibility after noon; somewhat variable wind, averaging most of afternoon; 8 in. crusted snow on ground; temp. 20° to 25°. Eighteen observers were afield in four parties, three by auto, one on foot. Largest list of one party, 24 species. Birds appeared considerably more plentiful, both in numbers and in species, than during our Christmas Bird Census in 1930. This winter certain “northerners” preponderated, especially the (Common) Redpoll and the Pine Siskin, which are occurring largely in mixed flocks, though pure flocks of either species often seem to segregate, at least temporarily, apparent- moderate, - easterly ly for special foraging or roost-resorting purposes. The Snow Bunting, typically found here at such times, was missed in this census. The single Rusty Blackbird, found in active forage near the Bridgeport Dam, constitutes the first known winter record for at least the County of Waterloo. Black Duck, 26 (1 flock) ; Merganser, 6 (1. group, close to Black Ducks); Red-tailed (?) Hawk, f2(RcA- B= Rufted - Grosse, 2: (Common (“Ring-necked”) Pheasant, 3; Herring Gull, 55: Ring-billed. Gull,;. 2; Great Horned Owl, 1 (observed in late afternoon in “Beesley” swamp, by two hunters who know the species well) ; Hairy Woodpecker, 3; Downy Woodpecker, 11; Blue Jay, 130+; Black-capped Chickadee, 45; White-breasted Nuthatch, 16; Red-breasted Nut- hatch, 33; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 10; Common Starling, 110+; English Sparrow, 275+; Rusty Blackbird, 1 (vigorous male); Common Purple Finch, 12; Pine Grosbeak, 2 (Hilliard Swamp) ; Common Redpoll, 210+; Pine Siskin, 275+ .; American Goldfinch, 25; Slate-coloured Junco, 17: Tree Sparrow, 32; Song Sparrow, 5. Total, 26 species, 1308+ individuals. American Common Other recent observations of interest: Great Blue Heron, 1 (about Dec. 22); Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 (Dec. 30); Bald Eagle, 1 (mature bird Puslinch Lake, Nov: 7); Mou-ning Dove;.. 1 (Dee. 31) ; American Screech Owl, 1 (Dec? 25) ; Belted Kingfisher, 1 (shortly before Dec. 29) ; Pileated Woodpecker, 1 °(Dec 28 and 30); American Crow, 1 or more (about Dec. 18) ; Brown Creeper, 3 (Dec. 30); American Robin, [Vo.. LIl 1 (about Dec. 15); Cedar Waxwing, about a dozen (late in Dec. or early in Jan.) ; Bronzed Grackle, 1 (Dec. 1); Snow Bunting (casual reports of small flocks since early December ).— Observers | A; Bain, Re A. .Boothbyasaa\Vemee Dickson, G. W. Knechtel, F. H. Montgomery, C. B. Price, K. Robbins, Miss D. Russell, F. A. Shantz, Miss V. Snyder, and eight public school senior boys. — F. H. BENpER, Secretary, Kit- chener-Waterloo Naturalists’ Club. Woopstock, ONn't.—December 26; 9 am. to 9 p.m. Fair, wind south-west, 3 in. snow, with heavy ice crust, temp. 25° at 9 am., rising slightly later. Eleven observers, in two parties, along Cedar Creek, hardwood areas and cedar swamp around Hodges’ Pond and Sweabure. Distance travelled: 5 miles by automobile, 9 miles on foot. Great Blue Heron, 1 (seen several times) ; Black Duck, 2; Cooper’s Hawk, 1; American Rough-legged Hawk, 1; Common. (Ring-necked) Pheasant, 9; Herring Gull, 2; Great Horned Owl, 1; Blue Jay, 5; American Crow, 100+; Black-capped Chickadee, 50+; Cedar Waxwing, 1; :Common Starling, un- counted; English Sparrow, uncounted; Pine Siskin, 40; American Goldfinch, 2; Slate- coloured Junco, 10; Tree Sparrow, 6; Song Sparrow, 9. Total, 18 species, 240+ individuals. Dec. 25,.a flock of Snow Buntings, 150+; Dev. 27, Hairy Woodpecker, 1, and Mourning Dove, 1.—Observers: F.. Dutton, C. Cooke, G. L. Nutt, E.-Long, J.. Woodham, T. Best, S. Best. E. Farmer, Mrs. Illbury, Misses F. Jones ana D. Best—H. Mines, for Woodstock Naturalist Society. LONDON, ON’. (Vicinity oF).—December 18; daylight until dark. 14 observers-in 6 parties. Great Blue Heron, 2; Black Duck, 19; American Golden-eye, 32; American Common Merganser, 31; Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1; Red-tailed Hawk, 2; American Rough-legged Hawk, 2; Bald Eagle, 1; American Sparrow Hawk. 1; Bob- white, 14 (1 covey); Common (Ring-necked) Pheasant, 9; Herring Gull, 75; Mourning Dove, 1; American Screech. Owl, 1; Great Horned Owl, 2; Belted Kingfisher, 4; Red-headed Wocdpecker, 6; Hairy Woodpecker, 5; Downv Woodpecker, 23; Blue Jay, 67; American Crow, 96: Black-capped Chickadee, 111; White-breasted Nuthatch, 34; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 15; Brown Creeper, 13; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 6; Northern Shrike, 1; Common Starling, 281; _ February, 1938] English Sparrow, not counted; Cardinal, 32; Common Purple. Finch, 9; -Redpolled Lainnet, 325: Pine Siskin, 24; American Goldfinch, 19; Slate-coloured Junco, 87; Tree Sparrow, 82; Song Sparrow, 11; Snow Bunting, 4. Total, 38 species, 1448 individuals, plus English Sparrows. In many ways, despite several decidedly cold “snaps’’, the winter of 1937-38 has proven rather remarkable, ornithologically. After a week of sub-zero weather, a Killdeer Plover was found and taken, along the Thames River, on Decem- ber 17 — the first winter record for this species in Middlesex County, although this bird is regularly found in winter not many miles to the south of our borders. Next in the list of unusual occurrences were four Eastern Blue- birds, found on December 17, a few miles west of London, and, on the same date, in the same place, two Swamp Sparrows. The former were discovered feeding on the ground where several horses had pushed aside the snow in search of food, thus leaving scattered patches of ground clear of snow. The Sparrows were not located together, one being found. frequenting a frozen stretch of reeds and rushes that in summer harbours several pairs of this species. The second Swamp Sparrow noted was_ selected’ from a flock of Tree Sparrows feeding along a stretch of ground left bared of snow by a small stream of water. Other recent bird records of interest include: Ruffed Grouse (Dec 12), Winter Wren (Dec 12), Northern Flicker (Dec. 15), Snowy Owl (Dec. 25); American Robin (Dec. 23 and 25), Pine Grosbeak (Dec. 26), Marsh Hawk (2 on Dec. 27), Evening Grosbeak (Dec. 27). The census, in itself, presents little of special interest, although the number of wintering Red- breasted Nuthatches is noteworthy. To many the number of Cardinals. here recorded may seem rather high, when one takes into account the fact that this species unrecorded in this county 40 years ago. Late in any afternoon last winter, writer count nearly 60 Cardinals as they made their> way to a roost near London, and a survey of four such gatherings early this spring (1937) netted a total of nearly 180 birds. — McIiwrarrn ORNITHOLOGICAL CLuB, per KeitH REYNOLDS, Chairman Census Committee. Was however, the could MEAForD, ONntT.—December 28; visibility good, temp. about 40°, 8 observers, visiting the shore line at Meaford and one mile and a half east- Tue CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 27 ward. American Golden-eye, 18; American Common Merganser, 3; Ruffed~ Grouse, 4; Common (Ring-necked) Pheasant, 1; Gulls (mostly Herring Gulls, but including also a few Ring-billed Gulls), 122; Great Horned Owl, 1; Hairy Woodpecker, 3; Downy Woodpecker, 2: Blue Jay, 6; Black-capped Chickadee, 110; White-breasted Nuthatch, 12; Brown Creeper, 2; Common Starling, 9; House Sparrow, 19; Common Purple Finch, 1; Pine Grosbeak, 1: Common Redpoll, 25; Tree Sparrow, 1; Snow Bunting, 200. Total, 20 species, 540 individuals. Other species reported commonly during Christmas week are:, Snowy Owl, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch. — LL. H. BEAMER for Meaford Natural History Club. Branpon, Man. — December 22. Common (Ring-necked) Pheasant, 2; Hairy Woodpecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 2; Canada Jay, 3; Blue Jay, 7: Chickadee (sp. ?), 5;. White-breasted Nuthatch, 3; American Robin, 1; Bohemian Waxwing, 9; Evening Grosbeak, 3; Redpoll (sp. 2), 5. Total, 11 species, 41 individuals.— (Miss) G. I. Topp. CAMROSE, ALTA.—December. 29; °10 a.m © tc’ 4.30 p.m. (dusk). Clear and cold, windy. 10 in. of snow on ground, temp. all day 15°. By train to Battle River, six miles south of Camrose, then on foot through spruce woods east and west from bridge, a total of six miles. Ruffed Sharp-tailed Grouse, 1; Gray Part- Hairy Woodpecker, Grouse, 2; ridge, 10; Snowy Owl, -1; 2: Downy Woodpecker, 2; Arctic Three-toéd Woodpecker, 2; Canada Jay, 2; Blue Jay, 1; Magpie, 5; Black-capped Chickadee, 25; Brown- headed Chickadee, 3; Bohemian Waxwing, 10; Pine Grosbeak, 50. Total, 14 species, about 116 individuals, excluding House Sparrows. The most outstanding bird-life of this part of Alberta this year is the unprecedented invasion of Canada Jays into the settled country. They have taken farms and seem to be quite at home and are-able to procure satisfactory food around the buildings These event in the winter parts of the parkland up residence on many wanderers have been reported from as far south as Donalda, 30 miles south of Camrose. Some have fed in Camrose at feeding stations provided for Chickadees and Woodpecke’s. No reason can be given for the wide-spread invasion from their usual haunts, the spruce and tamarack . muskegs. Red-breasted Nuthatches are winter- 28 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST ing in the spruces along the Battle River, but were not encountered when taking the census. From 20 to 25 Rusty Blackbirds are spending the winter on a farm at the south end of Dried Meat Lake, about 20 miles south of Camrose. — Epwarp ENcs?rrom and F. L. FARLEY. EDMONTON, ALtTA.—January 2, 1938. . Sky partly overcast, light north-west wind, temp. 25°. 7 miles on foot along North Saskatchewan River and White Mud Creek and back along the top of the bank. Downy Woodpecker; 1; Canada Jay, 2; Blue Jay, 6; American Magpie, 3; Long-tailed Chickadee, 12; Brown-headed Chickadee, 12; Bohemian Waxwing, 6; Evening Grosbeak, 11; Pine Grosbeak, 18; Common Red- poll, 16; White-winged Crossbill, 29. Total, 11 species, 116 individuals. —ArpBert L. WiLk and HARMAN BURPPE. VEDDER CRossINc, B. C.—December 26, 10.30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sky mostly but partly cloudy with snowflurries about 1.30 p.m, strong south-west wind, 20 in. snow on ground, temp. 36°-38°, following several days at about 20°. One observer, northwest shore of Cultus Lake, to Vedder Crossing by way of logging railway. returning by the main road, 6 miles on. foot. Numbers greater than 15 are estimated. Mallard Duck, 2; Ring-necked Duck, 4 (one examined in the flesh); Lesser Scaup Duck, 2; American Golden-eye, 8; Barrow’s Golden-eye, 6; Turkey Vulture, 1; Bald Eagle, 4; American Coot, 110: Glaucous-winged Gull, 30; Gulls (not further identified), 300; Red-shafted Flicker, 3: Woodpecker, 1; Downy Woodpecker, 4: Steller’s Jay, 5; Raven, 1; American Crow*, 40: Black- capped Chickadee, 3; Brown Creeper, 1; Ameri- clear, *I believe these are the same as the ‘“North- western (Fish) Crow” listed in last year's census of Brooks and Pearse, being small and feeding on dead salmon along the river. Hairy: [Vo.. LII can Dipper, +; Winter Wren, 2; Bewick’s Wren, 1; Varied Thrush, 10; Golden-crowned Kinglet. 80; Spotted Towhee, 15; Oregon Junco, 25; Song Sparrow, 12. Total, 25 species, about 674 individuals. — W, E. RIcKeEr. CRESCENT District, SuRREY MUNIcIPALITY, B. C.—December 27, 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4: pm. Snowing in morning, changing to rain in afternoon, visibility poor, wind north-east, 4 in. snow on ground, temp. 30°. In the morning walking eastward through second- growth timber to Elgin and back to Crescent along the Elgin Road. In the afternoon from the south end of Crescent Beach along the shore line in a northerly direction to the end of Blackie’s Spit, then east along the dyke to the Great Northern track, turning south to Crescent Station. Distance covered, about 10° miles. Two observers, together. Common Loon, 3; Horned Grebe (?), 6; Western Grebe, 1; Northwest Coast Heron, 4; Black. Brant, 100; Mallard Duck, 8; Pintail, 1; Green-winged Teal, 2; Canvas-back, 1; American Golden-eye, 6; Buffle- head, 2; Surf Scoter, 12; Ducks (not further identified), 100; Marsh Hawk, 1; Pigeon Hawk, 1; Hawk (sp. ?), 1; Killdeer Plover, 2; Black- bellied Plover, 2; Sandpipers (not further identified), 1000; Short-billed Gull (2), .50; Red-shafted Flicker, 1; Gairdner’s Woodpecker, 1; Western Crow, 42; Oregon Chickadee, 9; Western Winter Wren,. 1; Seattle Wren, 1; Varied. /Thrushy 29; -Kangletss Gpy aes) eeecoe Brewer’s Blackbird, 7; Oregon Towhee, 10: Savannah Sparrow, 1; Slate-coloured Junco, 1; Oregon Junco, 25; Rusty. Song Sparrow, 10. Total, 32 species, 1466. individuals. Subspecies determined geographically, Larger. numbers estimated.. American Robin seen December 28, when weather much milder. Martin W. Hotpom and Mary W. Horpom. WILLIAM HERRIOT, BOTANIST By H. GROH Contribution No. 528 from the Division of Bo- tany, Experimental Farms Branch, Department of Agriculture, Ottawa. Canada. )T IS FITTING that those who have contributed from their obscurity to the sum total of our existing knowledge should share with others, more offi- placed, in our grateful. recognition of cially services rendered. It is already more than seven years since the passing of William Herriot, respected citizen of Galt, Ontario, keen. and competent student of the natural history of his locality, and erstwhile member of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club, to the present members of which organization- these belated notes are offered. February. 1928) THE CANADIAN As almost a fellow townsman of the late Mr. Herriot I might have come to know him pe sonally, to participate in the pleasures of exploration of our adjoining townships; but before I even heard of him my absences from home had begun, and it is real regrets that I never met him, and have to draw now, for some of my information, on an appre- appeared in the Eighteenth of the Waterloo Historica! one of my ciation which Annual Report Society, 1930. Only for one brief period did Mr. Herriot engage in wider exploration, when “by govern- ment appointment, he accompanied Prof. Macoun on a three months’ investigation to the Reckies and British Columbia”. The fruits of tis expedition are to be seen in the Nationat He barium at Ottawa. Most of his botanizing was done in the vicinity of Galt, and papers based on this work appeared in the Ontario Natural Science Bulletin during the eight year span of its publication at Guelph. They comprised the following titles: Some New or Little Known Canadian Plants. The of the of Galt, Ontario. The Grasses of Galt, Ontario, and Vicinity. Cyperaceae Vicinity The Ericaceae and Orchidaceae in the Vicinity of Galt, Ontario. The Compositae of Galt, Ontario, and Vicinity. The Rosaceae and Leguminosae of — Galt Ontario, and Vicinity. The Crowfoot and Poppy Families and thei: FIELD-NATURALIS'T 29 Allies around Galt. To the repoits of the Waterloo Historical Society, of which he was a member, papers were contributed on “Trees of Waterloo County” and “Aboriginal Agriculture in South Western Ontario.” The Ottawa Naturalist, for a period around 1908, was favoured with a number of notes. ornithological as well as botanical, indicating, what. is known of him, ‘that fis) imterest included the fauna, butterflies, etc., of his field. In the March, 1916, issue of The Naturalist, a valuable paper “Data on Seed Maturity of Some Ontario Plants’, reports a piece of work done at the instance of the Seed Branch, Ottawa. “Borns anunGaltaeeltatayae Uist mls 7 Oe eeN tr. Herriot served his apprenticeship in the machine shops of Messrs. Goldie and Mc- Culloch. There he became an expert workman and won the respect and confidence of the firm which he served for forty-five years”. His of love of his that he was a was @ betany was therefore the labour hours. It is said of him born naturalist with pleasure to tramp the woods. detected anything out of the enabled him to add not a few Canadian flora, volume of regular plant survey. The death of Mr. Herriot October 10th. 1930, followed two years of rather poor health, but immediate result of a _ paralytic stroke. daughters. spare whom _ it rare His quick eye ordinary, and records to the most creditable along with a On. was the He was survived by his wife and two NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS A WotFr Recorp From THE WINNIPEG AREA. — On Saturday, 13th November, 1937, a large wolf was killed at Dacotah, Manitoba, twenty miles south-west of Winnipeg, Manitoba, by W. & J. Rasmussen. The animal was an extremely large male, weighing 924% pounds and measuring 68 inches. It was a dark grey, almost black, and showed a silver tipping on the guard hairs. The Rasmussen brothers sighted the wolf on a stubble field and gave chase in their car. They wounded the animal with a shotgun fired at close range and then succeeded in running over Although coyotes are still seen occasionally in the Winnipeg district timber wolves have been practically unknown for many years.—BuUR?T GRESHAM. it and killing it. Note.—Wolves are so widely ranging that it to subspecific determinations without specimens. From the locality the speci- men would likely belong to Canis lupus nubilis, the Buffalo Wolf of the M. ANDERSON. is risky make prairies. — R. 30 THe CANADIAN FIeLD-NATURALIS?T [Vor. Lil REVIEWS by Simon Henry Gage, Six- Comstock Publishing Com- U.S. $4. There was a time, and not so long ago was it either, when the field man depended largely upon his rifle, his traps and his vasculum, but today he is growing to realize ever more clearly calling the microscope to the Tite MICROSCOPE, teenth Edition. pany, Ithaca, New York, the necessity of aid of his eyes. The last ten years or so have seen great advances in microscopy; not only in the instruments themselves, but also, and more especially, in the technique of their use. To the man who uses his microscope only occasionally certain routine work, a textbook will often be a necessity, for on it -he must rely for preparation and examination out- side his normal field. Dr. Gage’s “The Micros- cope’ has long been the standard text, and’ the appearance of the sixteenth edition (1936) marks another milestone on a long avenue of successes. Fully illustrated, clearly written and adequately indexed, thoroughly up-to-date with chapters on ultra-violet microscopy and micro- incineration, it leaves nothing to be desired as a standard reference book. The section on photemicrography and the bibliographical notes are particularly useful, and the final (historical) is of great interest—D. LL. and for methods of chapter, SNAKES ALIVE AND How Tuey Live by Clifford Hl. Pope. The Viking Press, 18 East 48th Street, New York, $2.50. This is without doubt the best of the recent popular books about snakes. Raymond L,. Dit- mars, a world autho-ity on reptiles, says: “Here is a book that will long endure. as it should he a part of every reptile student’s library and of interest to any one keen about natural history”. Mr. Pope has not confined his attention to the snakes of the United States but ranges the world over in his search for interesting facts and new and valuable information. The numerous illustrations are not merely good pictu-es, — they actually «llustrate and clarify the point under discussion. Many of the old myths and superstitions are exploded, let us hope, for the last time, but they die very hard. The chapters on the homing instinct and hibernation are of particular interest and recalled the occasion on which I saw a sluggish “tangle” of a hundred and thirteen rattlesnakes hibernating in a rock slide in the southern interior of British Colum- uncovered by a_ steam-shovel Canadian matter, in- They were during the construction of the National Railway. The technical cluding a key to the species occurring in the United States, is appended to the end of the book. A recent letter from Mr. Pope leads me to hope that the next edition will extend this key to cover Canadian distributions also . Roberts describing the birds. their range and individual characteristics. Its large size makes the book particularly useful in the schoolroom, its accuracy and artistic beauty will make it a treasured possession of every bird man wise enough to secure a copy.—D. L. M.Sc., C. W. Lowe, M.Sc., J. B. WALLIS, McCousrey, A. M. M.Sc., G. _ WRIGHT, H. C. Prarcs, L. T. S. NORRIS-ELYB, B.A., Mrs. L. _ R.Smpson, W. H. RAND; Treasurer: Dr. W. G. CAMPBELL, 216 Medical Arts Bldg., Winnipeg, re peerclary. NorMAN Lowe, 317 Simcoe St., Winnipeg; Auditor: eee igs geod pre. ts 4 7 ad _ Ornithological _ Entomologieal G Geological 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. DaviIpDson, M.D., R. A. WARDLE, SHIRLBY Brooks; Vice-Presidents: B. W. CART- NATURAL Manitoba; General . M. THomas; Executive Secretary: J. Happow, Social Convenor: Miss O. A. ARMSTRONG. Section Secretary A. M. MACKIE Miss M. F. PRATT Mrs. I. M. PRIESTLY P. H. SToKEs Chairman A. H. SHORTT SHIRLEY BROOKS H. F. Roserts, M.Sc A.A. McCouBREy Mammalogical V. W. JACKSON, M.Sc. Botanieal Ichthyological G. D. RUSSELL Seerétary: 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- ooon 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, 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. 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. L.S. 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. FARLEY; 6507 Laburnum St., Vancouver, B.C. First Arsistant Secretary: Mrs. LAURA ANDERSON, 2nd Aasistant Secretary: Miss Nora Swirt, Honorary Treasurer: A. H BAIN, 2142 Collingwood Street, Vancouver, B.C.; Librarian: Mrs. F. McGinn. Members of Executire: C. F. CONNor, M.A. Mz.R. J. CuMMING; Mr. J. D. TURNBULL, Mr. Curtis JOHNS, Mrs. J MotTIon; Auditors: H. G. SELWoop, W. B. Woops. Chairmen of Sections: Botany: PRor. JOHN DAVIDSON, Geology: Mr. J. J. PLoMMER, Photography: Mr. PHiLie Timms, Entym- ology: Mr. WooTTON, Microscopy: Mr. J.A. JOHNSTON, Ornith- ology: Mr. J. D. TURNBULL. All meetings at 8 p.m., Auditorium, Norma! Schoo}, 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: Dk. 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.TSRRILL, Mr. NaPipr SMITH. Mr. W. S. Hart, Mrs. C. L. HENDERSON; President: PRor. V. C WyYNNE-Epwarps, 495 Prince Arthur Street, Apt. 4, Montreal; Vice-Presidenits: Mrs. H. HIBBERT, Dr. A. N. JENKS; Vice-President and Treasurer: MR. HBNRY 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. EB. L. JuDAH, MR. FRASER KEITH, Miss P. B. MaTTINSON, Miss L. MuRPHY. MIss M. S Nicoison, Mr. R. A. OUTHET, Mr. 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 Patron Honoraire: Son Excellence, LE TRES HONORABLE Lorp 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 1987: Président: JAMES F. Ross; ler vice-président: DR. GUSTAVE RATTE; 2i@me_ vice- 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 ROUSSEAU, Chef de la section d’information scientifique et pratique: EMILE ALTHERR, Directeura: IAL BREAKEY, JR., JAMES PRICE, Dr. VIGER, PLAMONDON, ALPHONSE DESILETS, I.A., REX MEREDITH, N.P., EDGAR ROCHETTE, C.R., STUART ATKINSON, ADRIEN FALARDEAU, C.R. Seer$taire-trésorier: Louis-B. LAVOIB 88, rue Sherbrooke, Québec. THE TORONTO FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB OFFICERS FOR 1936-37. Honorary President. Dr. A. P. COLEMAN; President. Dr. F. P. [pE, Vice-President: F.C. Hurst, Hon. Vire-Preaidents. Hon. H.C. Nixon, Mr. J.H Fremine. SecretaryTreasure:: HucuH M. HAuumay; Council—Propg J.R. Dymonp, ©. FARMER, ARNOTT M.PATTERSON, PRoF T F. MCI.WRAITH. Dr. NoRMAForD. RureRtT Davins, G.S, BELL, Dr. R. M. SAUNDERS, Mrs. 0. 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-Presiden of Juntor Club: Mrs. A. R. WHITTEMORE. Leaders: — Birds—Messrs. S. L. THompson. L. J.. SNypER, J. L. BAILLIE, JR.. Pror. T. F. McILwraita#, R. M. Speirs, F. H. EMERY. Mammals—Pror. A. F. Coventry, MEssrs. FE. C. Cross, D. A. MCLULICH. Reptiles and Amphibiane— Messrs. E. B.S. Locier, Wm LERAy. Fish— ProrF. J. R. DymMonp, 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. Tayvrior: 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 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? Mariposa Avenue Rockcliffe Park, Ottaw 582 Mariposa Avenue 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, Ottaw 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 : Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa e | i 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 1938. Name Address City, Proo. or State ee FORM OF Of oe. ie BEQUEST be Date. 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. 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I do hereby give and bequeath to The Ottawa Field- Naturalists’ Club of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada the sum Signature). ee > > SSSSSSSSSSsSsss SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSESsSsSsssSssSsSsssssssssssssessssss SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSsSSsSsSssSssssssssssssy Kindly mention The Canadian Field-Naturalist to advertisers ee Dollars SSSSSSSSssssssssss TOEXCHANGE | I have the following ornithological publications to exchange for volumes of the *‘Ottawa Field-Naturalist’’ issued prior to 1905: Life Histories N. A. Birds, Bendire, 2 vols. oe : Life Histories N. A. Birds, Bent, Bulletins 146-162. Birds of N. and M. America, Ridgway, parts IV-¥V-VI-VIII. Also many numbers of the ‘‘Auk’”’ | and ‘‘Canadian Field-Naturalist” _ Frank L. Farley, Camrose, Alberta SSSSOSSSHSSss ; Sie oS AG ist - VOL. LII, No. 3 + a % 4 \ Al SS f MARCH 1938 MAN \ {cia ANALU ISSUED MARCH list, 1938 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: P. A. TAVERNER 4 ist Vice-President: R. E. DELURY 2nd Vice-President: A. E. PORSILD 4 Secretary: C. R. LOUNSBURY Treasurer: WILMOT LLOYD, 582 Mariposa Ave., — 130 McLeod Street, Ottawa Rockeliffe Park. Additional Members of Council: F: J. ALCOCK, R. M. ANDERSON, REV. F. E. BANIM, HENRY BOWERS, ~ E. Cowan, H.G CrAwrorpD, F. J. FRASER, H. Grow, G.H.HAmmonpD, C. E. JOHNSON, ~ E. M. KINDLE, W. H. LANcELEY, A. LARocquEé, DouGLAS LEECHMAN, MIsS GRACE §. LEWIS, ~ HARRISON F. Lewis, Hoyes Luoyp, Mark G. McCELHINNEY, C. M. STERNBERG, MALCOLM — M. THOMSON, E. F. G. WHITE, Miss Peccy Wuiteuurst, R. T,. D. WICKENDEN. M. BE. WILSON © and the following Presidents of Affiliated. Societies: A. G. LAWRENCE, CHARLES MADDEFORD, | JOHN DaviIDSON, M. Y. WILLIAMS, V. C. WYNNE-EDWARDS, R. MEREDITH, ARNOTT M. PATTERSON. A Auditors: W. H. LANCELEY and HARRISON F. LEWIS. Editor: DouGcLAS LEECHMAN National Museum, Ottawa, Canada. _ Associate Editors: D. JENNESS....... epee eaters Ba Anthropology CLYDE L. PATCH 2.20 4. Be Herpetology — JRA DAMS Seep cc ca ieee ike -.... Botany R. M. ANDERSON.............. Mammalogy — Be tA ECHE ORD fie). 3 Fa ne os Conchology A. G. HUNTSMAN............ Marine Biology — ARTHUR GIBSON: 640 00) 203 Entomology P.-As TAVERNER ) 3.2) ae eee ith yo BAR OOOK a ei te ode Why BESS Geology E. M.KINDLE CONTENTS PAGE A Study of the Snowshoe Rabbit. By Stuart Criddle....................c0-cceeeeeee’ 31 Cold-Blooded Vertebrates of Grippen Lake, Leeds County, Ontario. By G. C. Toner and a Wee Wd wards. 36 30555 ee Oe 8 Se aa ee eRe a a ee 40 Notes on Introduced Capercailzie. By William J. K. Harkness....................---- 43 George Frederick Dippie 1873-1985. By J. H. Fleming ...................22----- cease 44 Notes and Observations:— at Botanical Meeting in Nova Scotia. By Muriel V. Roscoe................-e.0000: Ad An Extralimital Record of the. Magpie in Ontario. By L.L. Snyder............. 45% Reviews:— : g A Beast Book for the Pocket. By D.L........ SAAS AN KO AN ORE ES 2 er 45 The Lore of the Lyre Bird: et.al. By Dole. es oe Ne ee ee 46 Plant: Heology.* By Diba Poe ee ee ea 46 aaa 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, i ie two volumes; the next, The Ottawa Naturalist, 1886-1919, thirty-two volumes; and these have 3 — 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. an i i 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. j Subscriptions ($2.00 a year) should be forwarded to i ee WILMOT LLOYD, 2 Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club, 582 Mariposa Ave., Rockeliffe Park, OTTAWA, CANADA. MAR 4 35 343 1938 The Canadian Field-Naturalist VOL. LII OTTAWA, CANADA, MARCH, 1938 No. 3 A STUDY OF THE SNOWSHOE RABBIT By STUART CRIDDILE Treesbank, Manitoba HE FOLLOWING ARTICLE, with some alterations and additions, is part of a report prepared for the Dominion Entomological Branch of the Depart- ment of Agriculture, Ottawa, which, besides the life history notes as given here, dealt with the economic importance and control of the rabbits. These studies are to be continued throughout the next cycle which started towards the end of April, 1936. The experiments on reserved for another paper. control are Most of the wooded and semi-wooded parts of Canada are inhabited by different geo- graphical races of hares which are closely related to the species Lepus americanus Erxle- ben. These hares are commonly known as snowshoe rabbits, varying hares or bush rabbits. The information given in this paper deals only with the geographical race Lepus a. phaeonotus Allan which is the common rabbit found in the deciduous and Manitoba. mixed forests of southern The following data have been procured during part of my spare time which has been devoted to the study of the wild animals of the district over a number of years, but perhaps more especially with the snowshoe rabbits during the last great periodic cycle of their life history which started in 1923 and ended soon after the close of 1935. I do not wish it to be thought that I consider the information given to be in any way complete, as it is realized that years of close study will have to be spent before we can hope to learn the finer details which govern the life habits of the rabbit when living under natural conditions. However, the table showing the actual birth rate, made through a study of pregnant females, is, I think, sufficient to show that there was no sudden decrease in the litters forth at during the whole cycle given. increase or number of or young brought any time In fact, it clearly shows that the birth rate of the individual rabbit remains the same during years of abundance and scarcity. The chart (p. 37) showing the relative yea ly abundance of the rabbits in the district is approximately correct. It is hoped that these points, with those dealing with the life habits of the rabbit, will be of some little interest to our readers and a help to those who are making similar studies of this and other closely related races. Acknowledgment of assistance is made to Dr. Arthur Gibson, Dominion Entomologist and Dr. R. D. Bird, Entomologist in Charge for Mani- toba, who secured some financial aid for the advancement of the work during the winter of 1935-36 and gave other help during part of the study. As usual, all members of the Criddle family at Aweme gave valuable assistance. To one and all I wish to tender my grateful thanks. DISTRIBUTION While the general distribution of the snow- shoe rabbit in Canada is closely governed by the suitability of her forests, that of phaeonotus is restricted more closely to the mixed and deciduous forests, probably commencing in the southwest corner of Ontario, thence in a north- westerly direction across Manitoba into the adjoining parts of Saskatchewan. My Manitoba records for the race South Junction, Winnipeg, Belmont, Ninette, Wawanesa, Stock- ton, Treesbank Aweme, Spruce Woods Forest Reserve, Brandon Hills and Kenton. Specimens Forest Geysia ancl are referred to as L. a. there are: from Sandilands Reserve, Riding Mountains americanus. marked race that exact boundary It is thought that the most. satis- that coniferous However, is such a variation in the individuals of each it is impossible to define an for either. factory boundary in Manitoba is more or the which less divides and deciduous forests. 32 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS A rusty or greyish brown rabbit with large ears and feet, much smalle~ than the jack rabbit, seldom weighing more than four and a quarter pounds, while the jacks occasionally weigh over eleven pounds. Both are hares and turn white in early winter. Larger than the cottontail rabbit which remains greyish or greyish brown throughout the year and has inuch smaller ears and feet than those of the hares. CoLouR Summer—The coloured phases of this race of rabbits are so varied that no attempt is made to enumerate them all here. Roughly speaking, they embrace the rusty and greyish browns, with an occasional specimen being lighter or darker than these colours would indicate. Seldom are two seen of the same shade. This has been found true of adults, young and foetus a day or so before birth.. The colours are always darkest along the back and on top of the head. These dark colours become imper- ceptibly lighter as they recede down the sides until they meet the chaste white of the belly. There is an indistinct colour pattern on the face and upper parts of the body. This is often intensified by the dark guard hairs being separated in some places and drawn _ together in others. These indistinct patterns and the dull brownish colours harmonize to a marked degree with the rabbit’s surroundings of decaying leaves, wood and the ever-changing shadows cast by the surrounding vegetation. Winter.—The long guard hairs of the summer coat lose their dark colour and change to almost snow white late in the fall or early in the winter, the old rabbits making the change some weeks before the young of the year. In fact, the young born towards thé middle of Septem- ber do not turn fully white until late in December. The under fur retains its band of dark colour which varies from a_ yellowish buff to almost a blue grey. The ears are usually tipped with black and the front feet washed with brown. Early in spring the white guard hairs of the back break, or are rubbed, off, so that the dark colours of the under fur are exposed, thus making the rabbit harmonize more closely with its drab surroundings. MEASUREMENTS The average measurements given below were made from carefully selected rabbits which showed that they were fully mature and at least They were taken soon after and fifteen Linear one year of age. death and are of fifteen females, and the largest of each sex. measurements are in millimetres males IMore ri Tail Total Verte- Hind Length brae Foot Ear Weight Average 472-- 41.77 124.65. 82.12 male Average 483 48 139 83.12 female Largest 499 42 138 87 3 Ibs. male 10 oz. Largest 498 49 146 81 Anse female . =) leo A mixed lot of 75, sex undetermined, weighed 231 pounds. These were killed during February and March, 1934, and the majority of them were young of the previous year and so were not fully grown. RUNWAYS Well-kept runways are, perhaps, of greater importance to the welfare of the snowshoe rabbit than is its protective colouring as by their aid the rabbits are able to dash through the thickest underbrush at great speed and so escape their fleetest enemies. Thus, we can understand the necessity for the intricate network of runs made and the importance of their being kept free of all obstructions. If we examine the runways in different woods we shall see a marked similarity in each. This might lead to the belief that the rabbits have come‘to adopt a plan which has proved most satisfactory after generations of’ experience. There are always several main runways which lead, more or less directly through the thickest parts of the wood. At short intervals cross runs connect these and form the whole into an intricate maze. Besides these, a well kept run follows closely round the edges of the wood or thicket. This enables the rabbits to double back and so get behind any predator which might be hunting them. Summer work—The amount of work required to keep the runways free of obstructions during the summer is very great. To do so the rabbits work for many hours each night and often during cloudy days. I have repeatedly watched rabbits cutting the vegetation from what had become overgrown runways. Everything whicn might interfere with them when running is cut off close to the ground, the rabbits moving slowly forward as the work proceeds Short stops are made every few minutes when the rabbit sits up, looks about and listens. Seldom is as much as fifty yards cleared before the rabbit takes alarm,: usually at some imaginary danger and scuttles away to cover where it will remain for some time, to either return to its work or dash off to some other part of the wood where work is waiting to be done. March, 1938] Winter work—This commences with the first fall-of snow and for some time consists of keeping the snow packed firmly along the run- ways. It is most important, as, even with their large, snowshoe-like hind feet, they have ne chance of escaping from a wolf, fox or lynx if once driven from their runways into the soft snow. It is quite interesting to watch rabbits packing the snow down. It appears as if they were hopping up and down in an aimless sort of way yet a slight advance is made at each hop. The work done in this way by a single rabbit is so good that it looks as though it might have been done by a dozen rabbits. During prolonged and heavy snow storms the rabbits work day and night in an effort to keep it packed down along their main runways. If the snow is deep and soft, the rabbits may dig or shove themselves through it, often tunnelling under leaning trees and overhanging brush which have partly held the snow up. When an opening has to be crossed the rabbits do so on the run, taking leaps of thirty or forty inches. In returning, they jump into the first tracks and so after a few crossings have firm places to land in and take off from. As the snow deepens and the runways become built up, many overhanging branches and other obstructions have to be cut away or avoided and so the winter work continues until the spring thaws remove the snow and once again expose the summer runways for the rabbits to work upon. Use oF Hoes While the snowshoe rabbit does not dig holes in the ground, it makes full use of those made by other animals, if these are large enough for it to crawl into This is clearly shown by the runways which lead to them, by the worn appearance of their mouths and the amount of hair caught on projecting roots. However, their greatest value shown on those rare occasions we have an almost snowless winter and the rabbits are abundant. The pure white of their winter coats then shows up in clear relief against their dark surroundings. A is only when few of the rabbits which have procured holes may be partly concealed in their mouths, but the majority will be fully exposed to view, sitting well out on the earth which has been thrown from the hole. If we approach one of these rabbits it will bound away along a run- way, but should a hawk be seen approaching the rabbit will back into the hole or even dash down head first if suddenly alarmed. THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIS? 33 During winters when the snow is deep the rabbits dig holes into it. Such holes are usually found among tangled scrub which has _ partly held the snow up. In such places there may be several holes connected by passages beneath the snow. Holes are also dug into snow banks and under leaning trees. If we examine such holes we find that there a-e well worn forms at their entrances, but that there are no signs of the rabbits’ having made any prolonged stay beneath the snow or at the lower end of the hole. Snowshoe rabbits seldom take refuge in holes when pursued by dogs or wolves and will only do so when other means of escape are practically impossible. This has led us_ to conclude that their chief value to rabbits is that they afford safe retreats when danger is threatened from birds of prey. SEXUAL ACTIVITIES The sexual development of the male snow- shoe rabbit usually becomes noticeable by the middle of March and mating takes place two or three weeks later. This depends somewhat on the weather. The melting.of the snow which take place during warm, dry springs, exposes an abundance of more succulent food which may advance the mating period by as much as two weeks, while a late, cold, damp spring often retards it by nearly as much. Pre-mating activities are quite pronounced, although the term, “as mad as a March hare”, cannot be applied to the snowshoe rabbit with the same amount of truth as it can to the European hare or our Jack rabbit. However, the snowshoe rabbit does go through strange antics. It is a common sight when the rabbits are abundant to see several males following a female, drumming and chasing one another in rather a fantastic manner. On one occasion I had nine rabbits pass sedately within a few feet of me doing their rather queer- looking kick hop, that is, kicking the ground resounding blows, drumming at each rather high jump. It was thought that this strange procession was made up of eight males following a rather large female but this was not verified. some Drumming is done by both sexes and may have different meanings. It is heard most often during the mating season, so may be done at that time for the purpose of attracting mates. If so, it may be of some value to the species especially when they are and widely scattered, as the strange thump, thump, thump, heard at a considerable rare can be distance on a 34 THE CANADIAN FreL_D-NATURALIST favorable night. Both sexes often give a few drumming hops as they dash from cover and the female repeatedly does so to attract enemies away from her young. Males do it as a warning or threat to other males and it is often done before a fight and by the victor when the fight is over. Fighting seems to be a matter of the combatants’ striving to deliver a smashing kick with their hind legs as they jump over thei- opponent who does his best to avoid the blow and deliver one himself. When a kick is fairiy landed it can be heard fifty yards away and usually ends the fight. A good deal of squawk- ing goes on during the fight which seldom lasts longer than a few seconds. I have never seen rabbits stand up to each other during a fight, nor have I seen any sign of their attempting to bite one another. Rabbits torn ears, or other signs of having been bitten about the head, have not been recorded here and _ they must be extremely rare. Fighting seems to be only indulged in during the breeding season, and even then it seems to be a very harmless with affair. MotTHER AND YOUNG The snowshoe doe is, in many respects, an ideal mother and like most mothers of the wild,’ will repeatedly risk her life in an effort to save that of her young. I have often had an anxious doe come bounding back and forth only a few feet from me, kicking the ground resounding, drumming blows in an endeavour to attract my attention to her and away from the young which I was examining. On one occasion a_ very excited mother rushed right at me when one of her babies, which I was handling, screamed with fright. I have often seen our dog led away from the vicinity of young and have no doubt coyotes and other predators are led off in a like manner. Considering the climatic conditions under which the young are born, especially in early spring, we might expect the snowshoe rabbit to prepare a well-made nest for her young but the most she does is to make a_ shallow, saucer-shaped depression, in the dead_ leaves beneath a fallen or leaning tree or even among some tangled scrub which affords little or no protection from above. The reason for this apparent neglect is found in the fact that the young are born with a thick coat of fairly long, fluffy hair which provides them with sufficient warmth even when covered by snow and _ the temperature near to, or even, below zero. Then, severe [Vou. LI also, the young usually leave the place of birth when only a few days of age to scatter among the undergrowth where they are much safer than they would be if huddled together in a well-made nest for a prolonged time. The young of the snowshoe rabbits, like those of all hares, are born in a high state of develop- ment. They are fully clothed in thick, fluffy hair and their eyes open soon after birth, though it is doubtful if they can see sufficiently well to identify any object until they are two or three days old. This is borne out by many close observations, of which the following is an example. Five young, found by Percy N. Criddle on the morning of June 8, 1933, were only able to squirm about in a weak manner. On _ the second day they were just able to stand. Twe of them were brought up and weighed 79.34 grams and 64.95 grams respectively. The third day they were much firmer on their feet but made no attempt to walk. They showed no objection to being handled and when placed back in their depression snuggled down together. At this stage they showed no sign of being able to distinguish objects by sight. When the place was visited late on the- fourth day they had gone. A close search in the surrounding scrub failed to reveal any of them or their mother who was usually seen close around. We are unable to say how they left or were removed but evidence pointed to their having been found by some predator. NATURAL, INCREASE An attempt to find out the natural increase of the snowshoe rabbit. through a study of pregnant females, was started in 1923. During the thirteen years- this work has been carried on we were able to procure a few records each year. Those for April, May and June -are perhaps sufficient to give us a fairly accurate conception of the rate of increase which does take place during those months, but the other three, July, August and September, hold far too many blanks for any conclusion to be arrived at other than that the rabbits do continue breeding well on towards the end of September and perhaps occasionally into October, as young not half-gown and still partly in their juvenile pelage have been taken well on towards the middle of December. While these records do not perhaps give relative monthly increases, they do show that as long as the rabbits are in a normal state of good health, the birth rate remains the same through the years of scarcity as in those of great- March, 1938] THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST SNOWSHOE RABBIT ios) Or BREEDING RECORD CHART April May June July August September n n n n n n @ S © St ® 2) © 2 © St © 2 S 5 Ge 5 s q 3S Sees a Z rs S| @ Si = iS 2 Si 2 a 2 Ss é) Year g g a a R rk il i 3 3 End of cycle. April 14. — 5 females 1923 3 6 gs Abs Rabbits rare by Drcep from abundance all about to have 1 3 Az August. very sudden. young. Embryos fully : developed. 2 4 1 4 1 4 1 5 April 17.— A female 1924 1 3 1 5 Start of cycle. with two small. em- bryos. iL 1 2 8 i 4 1 4 1 4 April 2.—1st pregnant 4 8 1 5 female. April 23.— 2 1925 G » 18 females with embryos iL 4 fully deveoped. 5 10 YB ee 8 April 14.—2 pregnant 1926 6 618 1 4 1 4 females with embryos 1 4 Saks) 4 20 well developed. it 6 1 3 1 4 1 4 1 5 il 3 April 14. — lst em- 1927 iL 5 1 5 bryos. Last breeding 1 6 record September 23. 1 3 1 3 1 4 1 4 April 28.—1st preg- 1928 1 4 HI 5 nant female, embryos well developed. 1929 2 6 1 5 il 4 April 23. — Embryos fully developed. 1 2 1 4 it 5 1 4 April 23.—2 females 1930 i 3 1 5 with well developed embryos. Dy; 6 it 4 1 4 i 3 April 19.—2 females 1931 1 5 with embryos’ well developed. 4 8 Zz Se a5 5 1 4 1 4 April 3.—1st pregnant 1932 2 6 1 5 female. 1 if 1 3 3 12 1 2 1 3 April 4.—1st pregnant 1933 2 4 1 Ae a, 78 15 AL alls 1 4 female. June 8. - P. N. 2 6 1 as Criddle found 5 young. 2 4 1 3 1 4 1 4 April 4.—1st pregnant 1 3 1 4 female. April 26.— 2 1934 7a ANDY young a few days old. il lesa May 24. - young nearly 1 yee half grown. 2 6 1 4 * December 31—Rabbits 1935 1 5 End of cycle of abundance quite rare. Reached their lowest point in April, 1936. 13 years 56 141 51 194 24 10 Sipeclslee es 44 By Ms} Zyl * Shot May 26. ** Shot May 31. *** Shot May 15. Total females—149 Total embryos—512 36 Tue CANADIAN Fryeip-Naturalist est abundance. There is nothing to indicate that there is a decline in the birth rate during years of scarcity or anything to prove it is accelerated as they approach and reach their greatest abundance There are several important reasons for a much greater number of records being made during the early months of the breeding season than for the later ones, the most important of which is, a limited amount of time tor collecting which becomes less as the season advances. This restricts the size of the area hunted over, and means that the number of rabbits within it become fewer as the season draws to a close. Besides these factors, the rabbits are much easier to see and, therefore, shoot before the vegetation is in leaf than when the plants are well grown and their leaves fully expanded. Lastly, harvesting starts in July and continues until the breeding season is over so that the few records made during August and September have been. procured more by chance than by careful hunting. These reasons will at least partly explain the discrepancies which are shown in the list of monthly records. We are unable to: state definitely how many litters are brought forth during the breeding season. Our records would indicate that thee are at least three, often four and occasionally five. Probably the age of the rabbit has some influence on the number and size of the litters. The two records for September were from fully adult females, probably two or three years ctf age. CycLE OF ABUNDANCE In this study of the numerical yearly fluctua- tions of the snowshoe rabbits made during the last great periodic cycle, I have had the hundred acres of wood in which the studies have been carried on under fairly constant observation through the whole period The cycle has been rather unusual in some ways, more especially in its length, in the evenness of the yearly increase, and in there being no sudden increase or decrease in numbers during the whole cycle like those which are supposed to have occurred during earlier periods. The figures given for the yearly number of rabbits per hundred acres are only approximately correct, as it’ was found impossible to make an exact count of them even when they were relatively rare so that the number of errors made when they were abundant may have been quite large. However, I am inclined to think that I rather over-estimated their numbers than under-estimated them. [ Vor. LIT The relative abundance of the rabbits from 1922 to 1936 is shown on the accompanying graph which has been made froin the infor- mation as stated above. See page 37. Foon The great variety of plants which are eaten by the snowshoe rabbit during the summer months are so different from their~winter~ food of bark and twigs that it is thought advisable to treat the two seasons under separate headings, (1) summer food and (2) winter food. Summer food is that provided by growing vegetation and plants which remain green and are available until they become covered by snow. Winter food consists of bark, small branches, twigs and young shoots of many kinds of trees and shrubs (1) Summer food—A full list of the different species of plants eaten by the snowshoe rabbit during the summer months would include most of those growing in the district. In fact, it would be hard to find a dozen that were not fed on at some time or another. Many are eaten only when in certain stages of growth, while others are fed on during the whole of their growing period. The blue grasses, Poa spp., are outstanding examples and in districts where the woods have been pastured for some years and the blue grass has become established it provides a large percentage of the rabbits’ food. Brome, timothy and a host of other kinds of grasses are eaten quite largely. Growing oats, wheat and barley are eaten when sown in_ rabbit country and fall rye is greatly liked during early winter and spring. In fact it is keenly sought when well covered by snow. Among the broad-leaved plants, the dandelion has of late years become a favourite in the spring, and when it can be had alfalfa is greatly appreciated. Clovers, vetches, peas and _ wild asters hold a strong place as food plants. Many kinds of garden vegetables are liked and eaten when opportunity affords. The plants mentioned above, with the host of others eaten to a lesser degree, furnish the rabbits with an ample supply of food during the summer even when they are in their greatest numbers. (2) Winter food—The number and _ variety of plants available for food during the winter are much more restricted than in summer. How- ever, there is always a thick stand of young trees and shrubs which have grown up during the previous season. These provide the rabbits with an abundance of choice food during the years when they are in normal numbers and March, 1938] 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1922 Tue CaNapIAN FIELD-NATURALIST oe 600 500 only fail to do so when the rabbits are in their greatest abundance or the winter is unusually long. Snowshoe rabbits show a decided preference for certain trees and shrubs. This is governed to some extent by the tree, or trees, which are most common to the district. Here, where the white poplar, Populus tremuloides, pre- dominates, it seems to be preferred, with the bur oak, Quercus macrocarpa, a close second. In the mixed forests to the north the white spruce, Picea canadensis, is fed upon nearly as largely as poplar. Besides these, all other trees provide their share of food excepting the Manitoba maple, Acer negundo, which is seldom or never eaten. When we examine the shrubs we notice that the rabbits show a decided preference for the hazelnut, Corylus sp., bog birch, Betula glan- dulosa, wolf willow, Eleagnus argentea, rose, Rosa spp., and all of the different kinds of willow, Salix spp., hawthorn, Crataegus spp.. plum, Prunus spp., cherry, Prunus spp., and most of the lesser shrubs are eaten to a large extent. High-bush cranberry, Viburnum opulus, is seldom eaten and_ saskatoon, Amelanchier alnifolia, and snowberry, Symphoricarpos, only rarely. Trees which are exceptionally rare, strangers in a district, are usually so severely and persistently cut back that they rarely manage to grow to maturity. Strange foods—During the winter of 1933- 34 a horse died among some willows on the side of a road I was using daily. Soon after the horse became frozen rabbits commenced eating its ear and nose. In three nights the ear, a large hole in the head, and most of the nose were eaten, and tracks showed that more and more rabbits were coming to the horse each night. The horse was removed on _ the fourth day so I am unable to say how much of it would have been eaten if it had been allowed to remain where it was for the rest of the winter and had not been found by coyotes or dogs. A ruffed grouse put in one of my poison stations was eaten in a few days during the same winter. Deer antlers and bones have been found partly eaten by rabbits and leather straps and: old boots will be gnawed when opportunity offers. MIGRATION To what extent snowshoe rabbits migrate is not known but from general observations it . 38 ‘THE CANADIAN FreL_D-NATURALIST has been noticed that there are two distinc: periods when migration takes place. The first of these commences towards the middle of February and continues until the first week in This migration is probably brought the approach of the breeding season, although sexual development does not com- mence until a month later. The second period of migration is largely a matter of the rabbits’ leaving the outlying bushes and thinner parts of large woods for those which will afford them better protection. It starts in October about the time the trees shed their leaves and, if the rabbits are abundant, continues well on into December. This depends somewhat on the season and depth of snow. April. about by I have not been able to determine how far rabbits travel in a night or to what distance they may ultimately go during their migration. However, we have often seen tracks which showed that they go back and forth across the three to five miles of prairie dividing our woods from those along the Assiniboine River. 1933, I found the tracks of seventeen rabbits which had crossed the plain northwest of here in a wave They had evidently travelled from eight to fifteen miles that night. In November, large During the time when the rabbits are abundant a certain amount of migration takes place throughout the year but more especially during the winter months. This is caused by overcrowding and a lack in variety of food. Home Raptus When living in dense woods or_ willow thickets rabbits may travel only a few hundred yards from a central point, but if the trees are sparse and the underbrush thin, thev often have a home radius of a mile or more. This has been seen in the sand hills when the rabbits are white and the ground free of snow. By having one or two hunters following along the valleys, one will see from the hills the rabbits below running, stopping, standing bolt upright. listening, looking back and then dashing on again. In such places they follow the valleys for a mile or before cutting across a ridge in an effort to circle back to their starting By their actions, one can see that they with the whole district more point. are well acquainted travelled and that every runway is well known to them. DUSTING most mammals and in the like dusting, Rabbits, rolling, or birds, like sand. What the Wow. LACT rabbits’ object is in doing this, I am unable to say but there is no doubt that a good deal of old hair is rubbed off, and it may be of some value against ticks. Outside of these objects there is the probability that it is done for the pure joy it affords. SWIMMING Snowshoe rabbits, like all hares, are good swimmers and can travel quite long distances in water. There is not much water for them to swim in here but along the Assiniboine River they often swim back and forth from the main land to islands well out in the stream. FREDATORS: TODAY AND YESTERDAY In the past many species of predators were in sufficient numbers to influence the life cycles of the snowshoe rabbit to a much greater extent than they do today. They increased and decreased with the rabbits, and caused the fluctuations to be much more severe than any- thing shown on the chart given for the last Today many of the predators that were fifty years ago, “yesterday”, are now extinct in the district while others that were then common are now rare, so rare indeed, that the only time when their influence has any effect on the rabbit population is when the rabbits are rare. This was noticed quite clearly during the latter part of one winter: February and March, 1936. Eight or ten wolves, coyotes, and several large horned owls were in _ the district, evidently having a hard time finding sufficient food for their daily requirements Owls were seen hunting early and late, and coyotes’ tracks showed that they were searching the woods very thoroughly in. the hope of finding a rabbit or so. Their search was so thorough that by April there were not more than’ two or three rabbits left in our woods. In the denser woods and willow thickets they managed to survive in larger numbers. While the rabbits are relatively safe in such thickets today, they were not so when the lynx, martin and other predators were common and most of them on the verge of starvation. Their for rabbits must have been terrific then is that sufficient survived to cycle. rare search and tlhe wonder carry on the race. DISEASE: TICKS AND Cysts No. scientific study of rabbit diseases has been possible, or attempted here, although diseased rabbits have been found on a number of occasions; these have been opened up and investigations made. The most striking instance March, 1938] of disease was that which occurred in 1923. It reduced the rabbits from almost the peak of their abundance to great scarcity in a few months. During April and May some forty rabbits were examined. All showed marked signs of internal disease of the liver and lower intestines in different stages of development. The diseased parts were dark and appeared to_ be highly inflamed. Those in which the diesase was far advanced had an unpleasant, appearance inside and were very thin. evident that the rabbits lived for several after catching the disease, as many of the females brought forth their young which evidently survived them. All the rabbits killed by us later on, or in October and November, rotten It was weeks were young of the year in perfect health, and from close observations it appeared as though all the adults had been killed by the disease. Ticks and tapeworm cysts were recorded during the cycle as follows: 1923—ticks severe and cysts common 1924—ticks and cysts below normal 1925—ticks and cysts rare 1€26—ticks and cysts below normal 1927—ticks severe, especially on young, and cysts fairly common 1928—ticks and cysts common 1°29—ticks and cysts rather severe 1930—ticks and cysts rare 1931—ticks and cysts rare 1932—ticks and cysts rare 1933—ticks and cysts very rare 1934—ticks and cysts rare 1935— ticks and cysts below normal SUMMARY The experiments and observations made at Aweme, Manitoba, during the last fourteen years have enabled us to gain a much _ better understanding of the life habits of the snow- shoe rabbit than was possible before. This is especially true of those habits relating to their natural increase, resulting from the study of 149 pregnant females collected through the breeding seasons of a complete cycle of their life history. These observations were made in a suitable wood in which I the actual yearly during the was able to check increase which took place whole period. This showed that while the birth rate was constant through the whole cycle, it may have little influence on the actual increase which takes place due to the fact that disease, ticks, and to a lesser degree, when the work was started. Since then, THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 39 predators often kill a much larger percentage of young during certain years than they do in others, so that an expected increase which has been indicated by early breeding records may be turned into a decided decrease by _ these causes before the winter sets in. Very little was known about these questions some excellent work has been done with rabbits kept in captivity. However, observations made under such conditions do not always agree with those made with the same animals living under natural conditions in the wilds. For example, Mr. W. B. Granger in his capable article published in the Journal of Mammalogy, Vol. 13, No. 1, 1932, found that the gestation period was approximately 36 days and that the young were suckled from six weeks to two months. My breeding records would lead us to the belief that the gestation period was not’ more than thirty days and that the mother seldom suckles her young for as long as three weeks. This is borne out by the fact that the young become widely separated soon after leaving the place of their birth, eat green food when very and that we have often watched them feeding about our grounds when not more than two weeks old without their mothers being seen anywhere within their vicinity. This has led us to the belief that the young snowshoes are well able to take care of themselves when not more than three weeks old and that they can probably do so when less than two weeks of age. The old fallacy, or belief, that the great increase which takes place in the snowshoe population just preceding and during the years of greatest abundance was brought about by there being a sudden increase in the number of young born at a time, and in there being a greater number of litters during the seasons of abundance than there were when the rabbits were scarce, has been proven to be erroneous here. This is shown by the table giving the number of embryos. carried by pregnant females during the months and years of the last cycle. The great increase which does take place is brought about through there being a number of rabbits to breed and _ the absence of ticks and disease. We well understand that when there are only six rabbits to one hundred acres their increase of perhaps twenty mature young would only be noticed by an expert, while when there are a hundred or more in the same area the increase from them that the most casual observer young, greater can is such would notice it. 40 THE CANADIAN The work of recording the number of rabbits killed, the examination of females during the breeding season, the increase and decrease which may take place from year to year with the study of the general habits of the snow- shoe rabbits is being continued with that of othe: mammals occurring in the. district. It is FreLp-NATURALIST PNromerele iit hoped that by these records we shall eventually be able to foretell- the years when they will be abundant and those when they will be rare These, with other data which are being collected about each species, may, we hope, prove of some biological value in years to come. COLD-BLOODED VERTEBRATES OF GRIPPEN LAKE, LEEDS COUNTY, ONTARIO By G. C. TONER AND W. E. EDWARDS HROUGHOUT Ontario are lakes that are heavily overfished at the present time. The increase in the number of ang.ers and the resulting decrease in the catch for the time expended have brought to the fore the question of maintaining the fishing in them. Means must be found to stop this constant drain, either by increasing the yield or by decreasing the number of anglers. The last named could be regulated by legis- lative action but other means must be found to change the yield. Vazious methods been suggested but, whatever these may be, an inventory of the number of species present is of prime importance. In 1934 the authors were asked to report on the fishes of Grippen’ Lake, Leeds County, Ontario. Several days were spent on the lake at various seasons each year between 1934 and have 1€38. In the cou-se of the survey other forms in addition to the fishes were collected and recorded. The reptile and amphibian records are included in this paper but the birds and mamma's must wait until further field) work has been done. Grippen Lake is moderate in depth, largely spring fed and with very clear, cold water. The chemical and physical features, the plants and invertebrate animals are unknown and uni! these are investigated stock ne pelicy should be past this lake was noted for its good angling and good catches’ are made but considerably more fishing effort is needed for comparable results. The main axis of the lake is no theast and scuthwest. nearly two miles in length and the greatest width is about three quarters of a mile. Topographic survey maps were used to estimate the size and gave a total area of 14 4 only a’ provisional formulated. In the even now Square ‘miles. The deep basin of the north end of the lake follows the shore contour rather closely: Between the shore and the basin is a wide shelf the outer edge of which drops from ten to sixty-five feet very rapidly. The depth. at the south end of the lake is rather less, not over forty-five feet in the deepest portion and averaging much less. It is estimated that eighty per cent of the lake is over forty feet deep and only ten per cent is less’ than ten feet deep. Fringing the north and west shores of the lake are g avel hills, the remains of a glacial moraine. Springs from these hills are the main source of the water entering the lake for only streams flow into its basin, one at the end and the other two at the southwest corner. The outlet, Grippen Creek, flows into Long Point Bay of the Furnace Waters of the Gananoque River. three north The north shore is sandy, the east and west are rocky, while the south end contains extensive areas of fairly shallow water. In the shallows around the shores, except where there are sand beaches or rocks, Typha is the pre- dominant plant, with Scirpus occur ing in beds alone the west and south shores. The so-called forage fishes, suckers, cyprinids and darters, are almost enti ely lacking in Grippen Lake. Over thirty species of these fishes have been recorded from Leeds County,* but only Ayborhynchus notatus, one cf the cyprinids, was found during the survey. Possibly, their place in the economy of the lake is taken by the killifish, Foundulus da- phanus, and the brock silverside, Labidesties sicculus These occur in great numbers and while no food studies were made they ave the *Torer, G. C. Preliminary studies on tie fishes of Eastern Ontario. Bull. East. Ont. F. & G. Pro. Nssne Size Viol 2h) Suis oul March, 1938] THe CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 41 only source available in sufficient amount. residents do not distinguish between the two Considering the number of game fishes taken species of Ameiurus. each year the focd value of both species must 8. Mun Prxr. Esox vermiculatus (Le be high. Further studies on this important Syeur), — This little pike was found to be problem are- necessary. The authors wish to thank W. Slack of Montreal and C. L. Gordon of Kingston: for assistance’ and information while making the SUtaVey ee ienOne a) Rk Dymond sand mss Ban5: Logier of the Royal Ontario Museum — of Zoology gave invaluable help in confirming identifications. Among others who helped in many ways were Ray Sweet and Wilmer Tye. The work was done at the request of the Grippen Lake Fish and Game Protective Asso- ciation. a 1. Herrinc. Leucichthys artedi (Le Sueur). —These fish were taken by E.- O. Ebersole during the course of the Department Survey in 1932. We were unable to obtain specimens and the subspecies present 1s unknown. 2:- Brown. Trout. Salmo trutta Linnaeus. —Residents told us that brown trout had been planted but we could find no verification of this either in -the literature or by the taking of specimens. 3. Brook Trout. Salvelinus fontinalis (Mit- chill). — We were told by one of the cottagers that he took a brook trout from the small spring creek near the north end of the lake. 4. LAKE Trout. Cristivomer namaycush (Walbaum). — The Game and_ Fisheries Department made a plant in 1924 of 10,000 fry but is was evidently a failure as none have been taken since. 5. BLUNT-NOSED MINNow. Hyborhynchus notatus (Rafinesque). — This cyprinid was the only one we could find despite the fact that numerous seine hauls were made at various times by both authors. This minnow was very common on the stony beaches at the east side of the lake where it was usually found hiding among the boulders. Our specimens were identified by Prof. J. R. Dymond. 6. BrowN BULLHEAD. (Le Sueur). — The brown bullhead was found to be common all over the shallow portions of the lake. Seine hauls in July along the sandy beaches yielded numbers of fingerlings. 7. YELLOW (Le Amewurus nebulosus. natalis yellow bullhead present but few fingerlings were taken in the seine hauls. Nearly all our specimens came from the hoop net sets on the slope of the deep basin of the north end. The BULLHEAD. Amecurus The numbers Sueur). — in fair Was common in the inlet brooks and appeared to be the only fish that occurred regularly in these streams. 9. Common PIKE. Esox Iucius Linnaeus. — This pike is an important angler’s fish in Grippen Lake and many are taken each year. 10. Ee. Anguilla bostoniensis Le Sueur. — Eels are sometimes taken by the anglers but are not very common. 1]. KarnrmisH. Fundulus diaphanus (Le Sueur). — We found the killifish very abumn- dant on both sand and rock beaches. They seem to prefer water a few inches in depth and in this lake find conditions very much to their liking. 12. Prrcu. Perca flavescens Mitchill. — We found the perch to be very abundant in the shallows at the north end of the lake and also took it in fair numbersw#in the gill nets. It grows to a large size here and would be caught more frequently if there were not so many game fish in the lake. 13. PIKE-PERCH. Stizostedion vitreum (Mit- chill). — Pike-perch were reported to us by the anglers but we were unable to find them during the survey. 14. SMALL-MouTH BLack Bass. Muicropterus dolomieu Lacepede. — The small-mouth black bass.is very common in the lake and the stock has been kept up by frequent plants made by the Department. Seine hauls made in late July over the beaches yielded numbers of finger- lings that varied in length from one to two inches. 15. Larce-moutH Brack Bass. Aplites salmoides (Lacepede). — The large mouth black bass is common and frequently taken bv the anglers. Young of the year were plentiful over the beaches in late July. 16. Biueciny. AHelioperca macrochira nesque). — Bluegills were taken numbers during the survey. (Rafi- in moderate 17. ComMMoN SunrFisH. Eupomotis gibbosus (Linnaeus). — The common sunfish was found to be very abundant. Like the other Centr- archidae it is sought by the anglers as a panfish, for all of these grow to a large size in this lake and farmers will drive for miles to fish here using a long cane pole and baiting with worms. 4? THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 18. Rock Bass. Ambloplites rupestris (Rafi- nesque). — The rock very large in size and immense numbers are present. They seem to favour the slope of the shore shelf where they can range either into deep water or up into the shallows. Most of those taken during the survey came from the hoop net sets. 19. Crappie. Pomoxis sparoides (Lacepede). — The crappie is eagerly sought by the angle: as a panfish and as it is abundant many are bass grows taken each year. 20. Brook SinversipE. Labidesthes sicculus (Cope). — The brook silverside is the most common forage fish in the lake. In early September examination of the bottom at night showed these fish in great numbers particularly over the sand shoals at the north end. An examination of several areas with a flashlight disclosed from ten to twenty in each circle of the light. Ze SEIN ota (Le Sueur). — Ling were reported as present in great numbers. They are said to spawn on the gravel of the bays in the east shore. The Protective Asso- ciation has asked the government to remove some of these during the spawning run. AMPHIBIANS 1. Mup Puppy. Necturus nesque). — The mud puppy may be present as we have records from Seeleys Bay, about three and a half miles west of the lake. maculosa maculosus (Rafi- 2. SPoTreD SALAMANDER. Ambystoma macu- latum (Shaw). — The spotted salamander was taken by the senior author at Black Rapids. four miles east, near the Furnace Waters into which Grippen Creek empties. On April 21st, 1932, they we-e spawning in a woodland bog pool associated with wood frogs. Much ice still remained under the debris.- Specimens secured at this pool were sent to the Royal Ontario Museum of Zoology. 3. JEFFERSON'S jeffersonianum SALAMANDER. Ambystoma (Green). — _ Jefferson’s — sala- mander was seen once near the lake concealed under a flat stone in the woods. It may be common but its secretive habits cause it to be overlooked. 4. AMERICAN Toap. Bufo americanus Hol- b ock. — The toad is common about the lake. It may spawn along shore or in nearby ponds for very small transformed specimens were noted near the lake during our survey. 5. SPRING PErEEPER. Hyla crucifer Wied. — The spring peeper is rather common in the vicinity of the lake. [Von. LIT 6. TREE Toap. Hyla versicolor (LeConte). — Specimens of the tree toad were sent to the Royal Ontario Museum from Black Rapids. 7. BurLrroc. Rana catesbiana Shaw. — The bullfrog is common in the lake. Comparatively few tadpoles were seen during the survey but adults could always be found around the shores. A few are taken each year by the campers. 8. GREEN Free. Rana clamitans Latreille. — The green frog is very common and although tadpoles were not taken we have reason to believe that it spawns in the lake. Specimens from Black Rapids are in the Royal Ontario Museum 9. MerApow Frocs. Rana pipiens Schreber. — The meadow frog was found in numbers in the wet meadows near the inlet brooks and was taken in many other situations around the lake. The anglers sometimes use them for bait. 10. Woop Froc. Rana sylvatica LeConte. — The wood frog is the most abundant amphibian of the region. On April 21, 1932, they were calling in a woodland pool near Black Rapids, associated with spotted salamanders. In one instance a wood frog was taken while clasping a salamander. The breeding chorus sounds very much like the quacking of ducks. REPATES 1. SMooTH GREEN SNAKE. Liopeltis vernalis (Harlan). — This snake is rare in this region but the senior author noted one specimen at the south end of the lake. 2. Pmor Brack Snaxn. Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta (Say). — The senior author has discussed the occurrence of the pilot snake in eastern QOntario.* It is rather common in the woods surrounding the lake. Specimens were given to us on two occasions by nearby residents. 3. MILK SNAKE. Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum (Lacepede). — The milk snake was noted at various times in the vicinity of the lake. A specimen from here is in the Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan. 4. WateR SNAKE. WNatrix sipedon sipedon (Linnaeus). — The water snake, known locally as the black water snake, is abundant despite the constant persecution by the campers and others. In Grippen Creek they grow to an immense size. *Toner, G. C., Pilot black snake, Elaphe o. ob- soleta, in Ontario. Copeia, 1934 :47. March, 1938] Tuer CANADIAN FiIeELD-NATURALIST 43 5. RED-BELLIED SNAKE. Storeria occipito- 7. SNAPPING TuRTLE. Chelydra serpentina maculata (Storer), — We did not take any (Linnaeus). — Snapping turtles are common. specimens of the red-bellied snake but are In July, 1934, three small specimens were taken including it on reports of residents who gave us good descriptions of it. 6. GARTER SNAKE. Thamnophis sirtalis sir- talis (Linnaeus). — This species is quite abun- dant all through the region. in the lake. They are often killed on the nearby roads while wandering away from the water. 8. PAINTED TurRTLE. Chrysemys belli margi- nata (Agassiz). — This small turtle is common throughout the region. NOTES ON INTRODUCED CAPERCAILZIE By WILLIAM J. K. HARKNESS February 6, 1937. Dea- Mr. Editor: I have recently had my attention drawn to a notice of the release of eight Capercailzie in Ontario which has not been recorded. Although I have had this information at hand for some years, I have neglected to forward it to you. I believe that it should be reported as it will doubtless be of interest to many people. The Honourable Wallace Nesbitt is now dead. I have obtained permission from Mr. C. W. Beatty, 121 St. George Street, Toronto, to publish this extract from the Tadenac Club record book. The Tadenac Club is on the Georgian Bay shore between Midland and Parry Sound, at about latitude 45°4’ N. and longitude 79°58’ W. (Signed) WirttAmM J. K. Harkness. Copy of entry for November 6, 1903, from The Tadenac Club Record Book: “On this day were released eight capercailzie imported from Sweden consisting of five hens and three cocks. They were confined in large boxes during the voyage from Copenhagen which port they left about the 12th of October, arriving at the Club in good condition. The boxes were taken to the lagoon just East of Shanty Hollow and landed on the South side at about latitude 45°4’ N. and longitude 79°58’ W. The fastenings were then loosened and the party concealed themselves as well as possible and long strings were used to remove the coverings. On emerging one of the hens at once rocketed and took flight over the trees. The largest cock walked into the dense cover followed by one of the hens. The other three hens flew off in a moment through the trees. The remaining two cocks took each a_ short flight, one falling near the water, and thence running on into cover being apparently unable to use his wings through weakness, the other alighting at once and running into cover. An informal meeting of the Club being held it was decided that the birds should have a _ close season till the year 1909. (Nineteen hundred and nine). The party consisting of Drs. Davison and Walker and Messrs. Mitchell and Mickle had an excellent view of the birds. The hens are a good deal lighter in colour than the ruffed grouse and nearly twice as large. The breast is ash coloured and general appearance like the hen pheasant properly so called. The cocks are magnificent birds 8 to 11 pounds in weight, old birds weighing more than 11 Ibs at times and are of a glossy purplish black colour about the head and upper parts assuming much the colour of the wild turkey about the lower parts, beak is grey with a yellowish skin about it on the upper mandible. W. S. G. Beatty having offered to bet that in the year 1909 no member of the Club will see any capercailzie upon the Club property and that neither in that nor in the following year will any member of the Club kill one while at the Club his bet is taken by W. Mickle the stakes being a case of Burgundy to be provided for the deer shooting party of 1910. (Copy of letter from Wallace Nesbitt, K.C.) WALLACE NESBITT, K.C. 801 Dominion BANK BuiLpIne TORONTO May 9, 1929.” My dear Professor Harkness: The Capercailzie apparently flew to the North Pole on the first occasion they were disturbed and were never seen again, and I think the other party to the bet never drew Mr. Mickle’s attention to it, and now payment of the bet would be prohibited by law. At least, Sir Henry Drayton would think so. Sincerely, (signed) Watiace NEssrr’. 44 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST [Vo.. Lil GEORGE FREDERICK DIPPIE 1873 - 1935 There died at Calgary, Alberta, on February visited Banff, making important collections 14th, 1935, a man whose good fortune it was to have been a pioneer in natural history collecting in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. Fred Dippie was born on September 3rd, 1873, at Scarborough, Yo:kshire; he early came under the influence of the Scarborough naturalist, W. J. Clarke, and from him learned something of taxidermy, and a great deal of general natural history. Coming to Toronto with his parents in 1892, he found employment with Oliver Spanner and _ soon competent taxidermist under that able tutor. A knowledge of Canadian birds was quickly gained from field collecting and from_ the material passing through Mr. Spanner’s estab- lishment. In 1893, Fred Dippie collected birds and eggs at Reaburn, Manitoba, with short trips to Lake Manitoba, returning to Toronto on June 23rd. 1894 was spent at Toronto, with short collecting trips. During 1895 Fred Dippie was absent from Toronto from June 15th to September 18th, collecting in Alberta, princi- pally at Blindman River, Buffalo Lake and Red Deer; returning to Calgary in August, he became a there of birds and small mammals. May to October, 1896, were spent at Calgary, at the shack of his friend Fred Milner on the Blindman Rive , and at Burnt Lake near Red Deer. This was repeated in 1897. In 1898 collections were made at Rush Lake in Saskat- chewan and at Banff, Alberta. At the latter place, special attention was paid to small mammals. In 1899, collections were made at Banff. I have no record of 1900 but the summer was probably spent at Calgary. In 1901, Fred Dippie settled permanently at Calgary, forming a partnership with W. Grant Mackay under the name of Mackay and Dippie Ltd., Fur Dealers and Taxidermists. From this time on, there was little field collecting; the firm had a branch at Banff and here Fred Dippie spent most of his summers. In Calgary he was known as a successful business man but there were few who knew of his contributions to the natural history of the Canadian west. Fred. Dippie was careful in all he did, his specimens were well prepared and his data accurate.—J. H. FLEMING. NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS Botanica, MEETING IN Nova Scotia: — A joint meeting of the Botanical Society of Amer- ica and the American Society of Plant Taxon- omists was held at Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, August 18-21, 1937. Ideal weather favoured the carrying out of a programme which consisted largely of field excursions. Informal discussions and the care of plants presses occupied the evenings. Registration was held during the afternoon of Wednesday, the 18th, and was followed by an inspection of the laboratories of the Biology Department. In the evening, Dr. F. W. Pat- terson, President of Acadia University, and the Honourable John A. MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture for the Province of Nova Scotia, welcomed the visitors to Acadia and to the province. Dr. E. W. Sinnott, President of the Botanical Society of America, and Dr. H. A. Gleason, President of the American Society of Plant Taxonomists, replied to the words of wel- come and gave short botanical addresses. Fol- lowing this formal meeting, interest centered about an interesting exhibit of about 125 species of fleshy fungi prepared by Mr. K. A. Harrison of the Dominion Experimental Station at Kent- ville. On Thursday morning there was an excursion to the Dominion Experimental Station at Kent- ville. Dr. W. S. Blair, Superintendent, conduct- ed the party about the Farm and during the pic- nic luncheon period gave an inte~esting talk on the history of the Kentville Station. The after- noon was featured by field trips, first to a new salt marsh being formed at Wolfville from March, 1938] THe CANADIAN flooded dyke-land and later to a “sunken forest” at Long Island. This is one of the Minas Basin regions showing forest stumps in situ 33 feet below high tide level and exposed only at low tide. An all day trip on Friday took the party to the Corema barrens at Auburn, then to the extensive bogs of Aylesford, and later to Halls Harbour on the Bay of Fundy. Following a picnic lunch, there was intensive collecting of marine algae and of shore plants. Finally, a visit to a sphagnum bog at Centerville gave an opportunity to study a particularly rich and varied bog flora. Those with a paleoboianical interest visited Horton Bluffs and returned with large collections of fossils. Motor trips to Blomidon, through the sur- rounding orchard ‘country, to the Wolfville Ridge and to Grand Pré rounded out a full programme for the visitors. Registration showed an attendance of over sixty members. Prominent among those from the United States were: E. W. Sinnott, Columbia University; L. C. Petry, L. H. MacDaniels and H. H. Whetzel, Cornell University; J. B. 8. Norton, University of Maryland; F. H. Stein- metz, University of Maine; G. S. Avery, Con- necticut College; R. H. Wetmore, Havard Uni- versity; N. C. Fassett, University of Wisconsin; R. P. Wodehouse, Yonkers; H. A. Gleason, New York Botanical Garden. Canadian botanists at- tending were: J. Adams and H. Groh, Central Freip-NATURALIST 45 Experimental Farm; C. W. Argue, University of New Brunswick; A. E. Roland, Nova Scotia Agricultural College; Margaret Brown, Halifax; H. P. Bell, Dalhousie University; Constance Macfarlane, Charlottetown; Frances Wallace, Montreal; J. F. Hockey, K. A. Harrison and L. Grant, Kentville Experimental Station. Mourtet V. Roscor, Chairman of the local com- muttee. AN EXTRALIMITAL RECORD OF THE MAGPIE IN OnTarRIO — Recently the Museum received for identification the skin of a Magpie (Pica pica hudsonia) which had been killed near Mamma- mattawa (or Mammawemattawa or Mammawi- matta) Cochrane District, Ontario. This place is some fifty miles northeast and down the Pagwachuan River from Pagwa_ River. station on the C.N.R. Mr. J. L. Charlton, Manager of the Hudson’s Bay Company’s Post in the area forwarded the specimen and stated that “it was caught in the early spring of 1937 by an Indian, who said it was in very poor condition.’ Mr. Charlton further remarked that he had “never seen any similar bird up in this part of Northern Ontario and neither have the Indians.” The specimen rep:esents another of those strange extralimital occurrences of the Magpie which are occasional- ly reported. — L. U. Snyper, Foyal Ontario Museum of Zoology. REVIEWS A Beast Book For THE Pocker by Edmund Sandars, Oxford University Press, London, England and Toronto, Canada. $2.25 There are some books from which one cannot avoid quoting, some books whose matter is presented either so well or so vividly or whose matter is so interesting that it doesn’t matter a whit how it is presented. Listen to this: (All references are to animals in Great Britain. ) Mole. They have a special, blind flea. Food, chiefly worms; the Mole bites off the tail, turns the worm round, takes the head in its mouth and squeezes all earth out at the tail end. Can swim, even long distances, high in water, tail up. Hedgehog. During hibernation the blood al- ters in character, nearly all the white corpuscles going to the stomach to absorb all bacilli of decay and returning to the blood when this is done. Kill vipers by biting tail, rolling up and allowing the snake to kill itself on the spines. Can run quite quickly. Will roll or drop, ball- wise, down steep slopes, or from high ledges, landing on spines. Horse. Some horses sleep afoot, but this is a vice, as they often fall and hurt themselves. He will make repeated efforts at an impossible task, even unto death. Mule. Without pride of ancestry or hope of posterity. Unlike horses, mules will test a strain once and, if they fail, refuse to try again. Ass. The reputation for stupidity is utterly undeserved. Brown Rat. Nests formed of any _ soft material — 1,728 shredded napkins were found when the old Gaiety Restaurant was destroyed. Omnivorous. Believed once to have nibbled the toes off Elephants at the Zoo! 46 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST Black Rat. Regret has been expressed at the extermination of the noble old English Black Rat by the Hanover (norvegicus) Rat — the The Black Rat has not been extermi- but a nuisance second Brown. nated; he is not noble; only to the Brown Rat, did not. come from Hanover (or Norway), and the only matter for regret is that they did not behave as Felis kilkenmcus. Toad. A large Toad will even eat a Mouse, Wo.ms are gripped in the hand while eaten. Invaluable in gardens, only fools kill them. Man. A Man usually produces nothing his own use, very rarely much. He gets every- thing as the result of a highly complex system of ownership, contract, payment and credit. .This enables him to exchange his work for that of others, or for property which he or his children can exchange. Men clothe, shave, paint and adorn themselves; they build, tunnel and mine; they speak, sing, make music, draw, paint, and record by writing, photography, phonography, and wireless, so as to inform and _ mislead, soothe and excite, amuse and annoy. The voice of the Males is louder and deeper, of Females higher pitched and, perhaps, less usually silent. which for I fear that I have trespassed on a reviewer’s privilege of quotation: but, as I said, there are some books from which one can not avoid quoting. The distribution, both in space and density, is shown by means of an inset map for each species and this book really will fit in your pocket. When you get your copy don’t. show it to your friends if there is bridge to be played or other duties await you.—D. L,. THE LORE OF THE LyRE Birp by Ambrose Pratt (55). Koata by Charles Barrett (2s). THE CALL OF THE Koara by Ambrose Pratt (6s). AUSTRALIA’S ENTAIL by A..O. Barrett. (6s). All published by Robertson & Mullens, 107- 113 Elizabeth St., Melbourne, Australia. Two of the best known members of the anti- podean fauna (the lyre-bird, pictured on the (Von. LIT of Australia, and the koala, made famous by the teddy-bear), are here treated at length by Ambrose Pratt, who now has a long list of books to his credit. As President of the Royal Zoological and Acclima- tization Society of Victoria, the author is in a position to draw on many sources for assistance and for information to supplement his own observations. The photographs of the lyre-bird in singing posture and dancing are excellent. while the story of the voluntary semi-domesti- cation of one of these usually shy birds makes fascinating reading. The photographs of koalas, too, are remarkably good. It is with a good deal of pleasure that-one notes that the proceeds from the sale of “The Call of the-Koala” are to be devoted. to the preservation of this rapidly disappearing animal and the eucalyptus tress on which it feeds. “Australia’s Entail” by A. O. Barrett is devoted to conservation, especially to soil erosion prevention, which seems to be just as serious a problem there as on this continent, and, perhaps, equally due to man’s lack of fore- sight—D. L. recent shilling stamps PLANT Econrocy by Hilda Drabble. Longmans, Green & Co.. Toronto, Ontario, $2.25. Ecology is rapidly assuming its rightful position in the forefront of field research, but to many of our readers it remains largely unknown, partly because of the lack of adequate textbooks. The present volume deals with the ecological aspect of botany in England and its clear style and the excellent photographs of typical habitats provide an excellent intro- duction to the subject. Some of the typical habitats in England have their corresponding physiographic areas here in Canada and, though the actual plant species are not the same, the general ecological principles do not differ. The sections on moorland, grassland, marsh and aquatic plants, sand dunes and pine woods are of especial interest to us in this part of the world.—D. L. 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. Wa.uis, M.A., A. A. i McCousrey, A. M. Davidson, M.D., R. A. WARDLE, M.Sc., G. SHIRLBY Brooks; Vice-Presidents: B. W. CART- ‘WRIGHT, H. C. Pearce, L. T. S. Norris-ELye, B-.A., Mrs. L. __R. Smpson, W. H. RAND; Treasurer: DR. W. G. CAMPBELL, 16 Medical Arts Bldg., Winnipeg, Manitoba; General ecretary: NORMAN LoWE, 317 Simcoe St., Winnipeg; Auditor: R. M. TuHomas; Fzecutive Secretary: J. Happow, Social Convenor: Miss O. A. ARMSTRONG. Secretary A. M. MACKIE Miss M. F. PRATT Mrs. I. M. PRIESTLY P. H: STOKES Chairman A. H. SHORTT G SHIRLEY Brooks i H. F. Roserts, M.Sc _ Geological A.A. McCouBREY Mammalogical V. W. JACKSON, M.Sc. chikyological G. D. RUSSELL : Seerétary: J. P. KENNEDY. R. A. WARDLE, M.Sc. C. W. Lows, M.Sc. Secretary: H. C. PEARCE. Section _ 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. ea _McILWRAITH ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB, LONDON, ONT. _ President: J. H. CAMERON, 355 Dufferon Ave., London, _ Ont.; Vice-President: Mr. E. D. BRAND, 148 William Street, ve London, Ont.; Recording Secretary: MisS FRANCES JACOBS, _ 353 Princess Ave., London, Ont.; Migration Secretary: MR. E. _ M.S. Date, 297 Hyman Street, London, Ont.; Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer: KEITH-RmYNOLDS, 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 me ‘Tecumseh Avenue, London, Ont.; E. M.S. DALB, 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. Kink, (D.Sc.), President Univer- _ 3ity 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. Fartey; 6507 Laburnum St., Vancouver, B.C. First _ Ansistant Secretary: Mrs. LAURA ANDERSON, 2nd Assistant _ Secretary: Miss Nora Swirt, Honorary Treasurer: A. H - Batn, 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. Setwoop, W. B. Woops. _ Chairmen of Sections: Botany: Pror. JoHN DAVIDSON, Geology: _ Mr. J.J. PLOMMER, Photography: Mr. Poitier Timms, Entym- _ ology: Mr. WooTTON, Microscopy: Mr. J.A. JOHNSTON, Ornith- _ ology: Mr. J. D. TURNBULL. 3. : All meetings at 8 p.m., Auditorium, Normal School, 10th _ Avenue and Cambie Street unless otherwise announced. BRITISH COLUMBIA BIRD AND MAMMAL SOCIETY be 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 Presidenis: Mr. L. McL.TeRRILL, Mr. NAPIBR SMITH. Mr. W. S. Hart, Mrs. C. L. HENDERSON; President: PROF. V. C 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 SBATH. 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 IL. MURPHY. Miss M. S. Nicotson, Mr. R. A. OUTHET, Mr. C. Sarr Mr. L. McIL.SpackmMan, Mr. L. MchL. 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 Lokp TWEEDSMUIR, G.C.M.G., C.H., Gouverneur- Général du Canada; Vice-Patron Honoraire: HONORABLE E.-L. PATENAUDE, Lieutenant-Gouverneur dela Province de Québec; Bureau de Direction pour 1987: Président: JAMES F. Ross; ler vice-président: DR. GUSTAVE RATTS; 2téme vice- président: ROBERT HUNTER. Secrétaire-irésorier: 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: J.-PAUL ROUSSBAU, Chef de la section d’information scientifique et pratique: EMILE ALTHERR, Directeurs: IAL BREAKEY, JR., JAMES PRICE, DR. VIGER, PLAMONDON, ALPHONSE DESILETS, I.A., REX MBREDITH, N.P., Epcar RocHETTE, C.R., STUART ATKINSON, ADRIEN FALARDEAU, C.R. Secrétaire-trésorter: Louis-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. I[pE, Vice-President: F.C. Hurst, Hon. Vice-Presidenis. Hon. H.C. Nixon, Mr. J. H.- FLEMING, SecretaryTreasurea: HucuH M. HAuumay; Council—Prop J.R. DymMonp, 5 FARMER, ARNOTT M.PATTERSON, Pror. T. F. McILWRAITH. Dr. NoRMAForD, RupERT DAvips, G.S, BELL, 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-Presiden of Junior Club: Mrs. A. R. WHITTEMORE. Leaders: — Birds—Messrs. S. L. THompson, L. L. SNyper, J. L. BAILLIZ, JR., Pror. T. F. McILWRAITH, R. M. SPEiIRs, F. H. EMERY. Mammalse—ProrF. A. F. CoveENtRY, Mpssrs. E. C. Cross, D. A. McLu.icu. Reptiles and Amphibians— Messrs. BE. B.S. Logisr, Wm LbERaAy. Fish—Pror. J. R. Dymonp, Pror W. J. K. HARKNESS. Insects—Dr. E. 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—Dr. A. P. COLEMAN: Pror. A. MCLBAN. 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 Naturalists’ Club of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada the sum ie FORM OF Of io BEQUEST ; Date 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 areapproximate. If more than 2 pages, count in mul- tiples of four, to provide for wire stitching. 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Kindly mention The Canadian Field-Naturalist to advertisers I do hereby give and bequeath to The Ottawa Field- {| SSSSSSSSHSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSGSSSyY — | 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 582 Mariposa Avenue Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa’ oT ~ WILMOT LLOYD, i Treasurer, Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club, 582 Mariposa Avenue, Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa. Enclosed please find $2.00 as membership in The O.F.-N.C.: and Subscription to the Canadian Field-Naturalist for the year 1938. Name pace e ene nn nn nn oe ee en enn nee nn eee nn we nnn nn na - oa e een enn enetenneee Address mee nn were n ene nnn non een nn nnn n nen nn ween en nnn nae enn wn eww enenoewenncnnoenes a City, Proo.or State. eee eee | j ft SESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSssssss: ~ TO EXCHANGE I have the following ornithological publications to exchange for volumes of — the “Ottawa Field-Naturalist’”’ issued — prior to 1905: Life Histories N. A. Birds, Bendire, 2 vols. Life Histories N. A. Birds, Bent, Bulletins 146-162. Birds of N. and M. America, Ridgway, parts IV-V-VI-VIII. Also many numbers of the “ Auk’? and ‘‘Canadian Field-Naturalist”’ Frank L. Farley, Camrose, Alberta c SS$SSSSSGSGSSGOSSOOOS OOOO VO Sx ESSSOOGOS: i ; 4 p . i a 9 E; VOL. LII, No. 4 APRIL, 1938 3. Fl ISSUED APRIL 2nd, 1938 Entered at the Ottawa Post Office as second-class matter THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB . jpatrons: ; ; : THEIR EXCELLENCIES THE GOVERNOR GENERAL AND LADY TWEEDSMUIR il i: President: P. A. TAVERNER a 1st Vice-President: A. E. PORSILD _ 2nd Vice-President: H G CRAWFORD, | Secretary: C. R. LOUNSBURY Treasurer: WILMOT LLOYD, 582 Mariposa Ave, — 130 McLeod Street, Ottawa ; - Rockcliffe Park. — Additional Members of Council: F. J. ALCOCK, R. M. ANDERSON, Rev. F. E. BANIM, HENRY BOWERS — M. E. Cowan, R. E. DELurY, F. J. Fraser, H.Gron, G. H. HAMMOND, C. E. JOHNSON, — E. M. KInDLE, W.H. LANcELEY, A. LARocquE, DoucLAS LEECHMAN, HARRISON F. LEWIS, — Hoyes Luoyp, MARK G. McELHINNEY, C.M. STERNBERG, MALCOLM M. THOMSON, E. F.G. Waite, Miss Peccy Waitexurst, 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: Ms DS JENNESS Se he eee Anthropology CLYDE Ly) PATCH oO). ae Herpetology — ADAMS 2 Aue CUE re) AAR sy Botany R. M. ANDERSON.............-. Mammalogy — FP. R. LATCHFORD .............-. Conchology A. G. HUNTSMAN......... ... Marine Biology | ARTHUR GIBSON........... ... Entomology P. A; TAVERNER? ..03.65.2 :2 eee Ornithology — Hee ATR OCK 2. Fe OE es Geology EK. M -KINDLE...........-..-. Palzontology — CONTENTS Ha The official publications of THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB have been issued 1% i! since 1879. The first were The Transactions of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club, 1879-1886, : # two volumes; the next, The Ottawa Naturalis!, 1886-1919, thirty-two volumes; and these have i# # been continued by The Canadian Field-Naturalist to date. The Canadian Field-Nuturalist is i i issued monthly, except for the months of June, July and August. Its scopevis the publication : # of the results of original research in all departments of Natural History. iy Price of this volume (9 numbers) $2.00; Single copies 25¢ each He 4 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-Naturalisis’ Club, 582 Mariposa Ave., Rockcliffe Park, OTTAWA, CANADA. 936 73 (June 12) 937 58 (June 12) APR 7 35, 23 1938 The Canadian Field-Naturalist Vou. LIT OTTAWA, CANADA, APRIL, 1938 No. 4 NOTES ON BIRDS OF THE LABRADOR PENINSULA IN 1936 AND 1937. By HARRISON F. LEWIS BSERVATIONS of birds along the southern shore of the Labrador Penin- sula, between Shelter Bay and Blanc Sablon, in Saguenay County, Quebec, were made by me in 1936 from May 26th to August 29th and in 1937 from May 25th to August 28th. The records contained in _ this paper are based on the more significant of those observations and, in some cases, as indicated by appropriate statements, on specimens taken. The name of a species not hitherto recorded from the Labrador Peninsula is marked herein with an *. Oceanodroma leucorhoa leucorhoa. VL kAcH’S PETREL.—I seldom see more than one or two individuals of this species near the southern shore of the Labrador Peninsula in the course of a summer. On June 23, 1937, however, the species appeared to be fairly common in the area immediately to the westward of Long Point of Blanc Sablon and Greenly Island, at the western entrance of the Strait of Belle Isle. In coming from the westward, we saw the first Leach’s Petrel about four miles west of Long Point. In a direct course from the place of this observation to Long Point we observed more than ten Leach’s Petrels, scattered here and there. When sailing over the eastern part of the same area on June 24th, we found no Petrels. Phalacrocorax carbo carbo. EUROPEAN Cor- MORANT.—I observed occupied nests of this species as shown in the following tabulation. No. of occupied nests of European Cormorants ‘occupied nests of European Cormorants, Lake Id. Outer Wapitagun Ids. Cliff Id. 25 (June 12) 48 (June 12) Total 32 (July 6) 130 ae (dieohy 71) 161 Several foxes spent the summer of 1936 on Lake Island and were very destructive to the eggs and young of the European Cormorants and Double-crested Cormorants (Phalacrocorar auritus auritus) nesting there. Although - these birds nest on ledges of the cliff that forms the southern side of the island, the foxes were able to reach most of the nests. Broken egg-shells scattered here and there formed evidence of their activities. Apparently they affected first the smaller species, the Double-crested Cormorant, for, on June 12, 1936, when I did not suspect what was taking place, I recorded in my notes, after examining the cliff in detail to count the that the number of Double-crested Cormorants nesting on the cliff was greatly reduced, as compared to the number found there in 1935. Only about half-a-dozen nests of each of these species of Cormorant successfully produced fledged young on Lake Island in 1936. Foxes have summered on Lake Island in some previous years without having any observable adverse effect on the Cormorants nesting on the cliff. The foxes that were there in 1936 were trapped during the following winter and there were no foxes on Lake Island in 1937, yet the population figures recorded above appear to indicate that, in the latter year, a number of pairs of European Cormorants that had _ previously nested on Lake Island nested on Outer Wapi- tagun Islands, about a mile farther east. This may have been due to their experiences on Lake Island in 1936 and to their failure to raise young there in that year. It is practically certain that the increase in the breeding population of European Cormorants on Outer Wapitagun Islands in 1937 was not entirely composed of birds that had been hatched at that place, for European Cormorants had not nested there for many years prior to 1935, when 12 pairs nested there. The young of this species do not nest before the second summer after hatching. The increase in nesting European Cormorants at Outer Wapitagun Islands in 1937 was 23 pairs, or 46 birds, and it is quite incredible that so 48 THE CANADIAN Fityp-NATURALISi' many, or even half of them, should have been survivors from the production of 12 pairs in 1935. On Cliff Island, in St. Mary Islands Burd Sanctuary, Double-crested Cormorants nested with the European Cormorants in 1937 for the first time since the latter species re-estzblished itself there in 1930. There were three nests of Double-crested Cormorants on the cliff of this ~ island in 1937. *Casmerodius albus egretta. GREAT AMERICAN Ecret.—A fine adult of this species in breedin;, plumage was shot a short distance below the first falls of the Little Mecatina River, in the vicinity of Harrington Harbour, on May 12, 1937, by Mr. Albert Monger, of Whale Head. Mr. Monger told me that this bird was _ first observed about May Ist in the same, area in which it was taken. The skin is now in the collection of the National Museum of Canada. It is unusual for this species to move —north- ward so early in the year. There was much snow and ice about the lower part of the Little Mecatina River when the. Egret arrived. there. This is the first- record of the American Egret in the Labrador--Peninsula and, except for one record from Lake Wirnipegosis, Manitoba’, is the northernmost record for this subspecies. An American Egret-was seen on the Godbout River, south-west of the limits of the Labrador Penin- sula, on June 9, 1882’. Querquedula discors. BLUE-WINGED TEAL—A duck and ‘a-drake of this species flushed +to- gether, on June 9, 1937, from a small pool in the rock of the Gull Island near the mouth oi Kegashka River. They alighted on the salt water near the island and flew about, here and there,-so that I -had good them, through X6-binoculars, both: when they were in flight and when they were resting on:the water. They were easily identified -beyond question. This is apparently the second record of the Biue-winged Teal in the Labrador Peninsula. views . of Somateria mollissima — borealis. NortTHERN EmeR.—An almost completely albinistic speci- men of this race of Eider, presumably a female, was taken near Whale Head, Saguenay County, Quebec, by Mr. Cyril Mercier, of that place, a few days before Christmas, 1936... Its eyes were yellow and its feet were rosy. Its plumage is almost entirely pure white, but shows a_ faint brownish tinge on a few scattered feathers on back and flanks. It. was alone when Mr. Mercier 1 Seton, Awk, 251451, 2 Merriam, B.N.O.C.. 7:239. [Vor eis found it. Its skin is mow preserved in the collection of the National Museum of Canada. Haliaeétus leucocephalus alascanus. NORTHERN Bap EactE—The nest of this species at Mascanin Bay* was visited on June 7, 1936. At that time it contained three eggs. Both aduit Eagles were seen near the nest, but were very One seen at close range was in ragged plumage. On the ground below the nest were several flight feathers, one tail feather, and numerous body feathers. This nest was visited again on June 7, 1937, but on this occasion, on account of the progressive weakening of the dead tree in which the nest is placed, no one climbed to the nest. Only one Bald Eagle was seen in the vicinity on this date. It was silent and very shy and did not come near the nest nor near us while we were in the neighbourhood. - On June 8, 1937, a Bald Eagle was seen at Aguanish, about 15 miles east of Mascanin Bay. EASTERN PurRPLE SAND- range for shy. _ Arquatella maritima. PIPER.—QOne was observed at close ‘some time on June 2, 1937, as it moved slowly about the rocky shore of Sugar Loaf Islet, in Birch Islands Bird Sanctuary, near Mingan. Larus delawarensis. . RING-BILILED GULL.—A nesting colony of about 200 birds of this species was found: on July 2, 1936, on a small island. one of the group knewn as Flat Rocks, a short distance. south-east of the eastern point at the entrance. to Belles. Amours Harbour (long. °7°21\'. W.)., From information obtained from :esidents in that vicinity, it is believed that this colony. has been in existence for many years, but had previously been overlooked by me. Hydroprogne. caspia imperator. AMERICAN CASPIAN ‘TERN.—I have previously recorded* that in 1935 the aesting colony of Caspian Terns on Fog Island, which is the only known colony of this species in the Province of Quebec, failed. presumably on account of unusual scarcity of small food fishes in that vicinity, to raise any young. Whether because of this fact or for some other reason, no Caspian Terns nested on Fog Island in 1936 or 1937. Directed by Mr. Daniel Stubbert, I visited, on June 10, 1936, a group of these Terns that had chosen a nesting area on a hill-top on an island known locally as Frenchman’s Bay Gull Island, about four and one-half miles north- east of Fog Island. Here I counted 25 of their nests, I doubt if this group included all the 3 Can. Field-Nat., 51:103. 4 Can. Field-Nat., 51:100. ' April, 1938] survivors of the former Fog Island colony, for there were 84 adults in that colony in 1935’. I do not, however, know of any other nesting group of Caspian Terns on the north shore of - the Gulf of St Lawrence in 1936 or 1937. On- June 11, 1937, I counted 35 nests of Caspian Terns on Frenchman’s Bay Gull Island. Uria lomvia lomvia. BRUNNICH’S MURRE.— On June 11, 1936, I had an excellent view of an individual of this species at a distance of about 20 feet. The bird was resting on rough water in Wolf Bay Bird Sanctuary and I observed it from a rowboat. An Atlantic Murre on the water only two or three feet from it made comparison easy. The blacker head and neck and the shorter bill of the Brunnich’s were very clearly seen and were very distinctive. In 1937 I observed Brtinnich’s Murres along the southern coast of the Labrador Peninsula as follows: June 7—Mascanin Bay, 1. June 8—Mascanin to Natashquan, 7 (about 5 additional individuals reported by other members of the party). June 9—Natashquan to Kegashka River, 2. June 23—Several miles west of Long Point of Blane Sablon, 1. June 24—Vicinity of Long Point Sablon, 2. June 25—Blane Sablon to Belles Amours, 5. of. Blanc Brunnich’s Murre is well known as a breeder on the eastern and northern coasts of the Labrador Peninsula and is often numerous as a non-breeder on the southern coast of the peninsula in autumn, winter, and early spring. Prior tc 1936 I had not, however, succeeded in finding it along the southern coast in late spring or in summer, although I had spent a good deal of time in that region each year since 192i and had sought particularly for this species. It seems evident that the numerous occurrences of Brunnich’s Murre along the south coast of the peninsula in June, 1937, were unusual. The individuals seen appeared to be lively and well. Fratercula arctica arctica. ATLANTIC PUFFIN. —QOn July 7, 1937, Mr. Hiram Osborne showed to me, on Cliff Island, in St. Mary Islands Bird Sanctuary, where many Puffins breed, an unusual nest of this species. It is well known that the nests of Puffins are usually placed at the ends of subterranean burrows, commonly excavated by these birds themselves, and that some nests 5 Can. Field-Nat., 51:52. THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIS?T 49 are situated in sheltered places under boulders or in clefts in the solid rock. The nest shown to me by Mr. Osborne was, however, entirely above ground. It was in an old nest of the Southern Eider (Somateria mollissima dressert), which formed a slight concavity in the soil beneath the densely intertwined branches of a stunted black spruce tree (Picea mariana ( Mill.) B.S.P., f. semiprostrata (Peck) Blake) that was growing against the foot of the slope of a low bank of earth. This dwarfed tree, though doubtless many years old, was not more than eight inches high at any point, and its gnarled, outspread branches, with their dense growth of twigs and “needles”, evidently provided a shelter so substantial as to be acceptable to the Puffin. Scattered spruce trees as stunted as this one, or even more so, are frequent in the region’. The nest was composed of a few straws and contained one egg. The incubating Puffin was present when we examined the nest. When the sheltering branches were parted to enable us to see nest, egg, and bird, the bird slipped off its egg turned its back to us, and moved away as far as the dense growth of twigs would permit (two or three inches), so that it was resting on the edge of the nest hollow. When the site was re-visited, on July 17, 1937, no Puffin or egg was present. Chordeiles minor EASTERN NIGHT- HAWK.—At Mingan I saw one Nighthawk on August 26, 1937, and seven Nighthawks in one group on August 27, 1937. The birds were entirely silent and were flying about the village in the evening, in foggy, rainy weather. The dates are surprisingly late in the season for the minor. occurrence of this species so far north (lat. SO mom Nis Archilochus colubris. Ruspy-THROATED Hum- MINGBIRD.—Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ross, of Seven Islands, inform me that one of these birds, with white throat, frequented their garden, in Seven Islands village, for a fortnight or more in August, 1934, and again in August, 1935, and in August, 1937. I questioned them at some length about these occurrences and am satisfied that what they saw in their garden was indeed a Hummingbird. There are one or two earlier records of the accidental occurrence of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird in the Labrador Peninsula, but this is the first indication that, in the extreme southwestern part of the penin- sula, it occurs with some regularity. 6 Can. Field-Nat., 45:178 and 199. 50 Tr CANADIAN Colaptes auratus. YELLOW-SHAFTED FLICKER.— At Sandy Harbour Mr. Thomas Francis Lessard showed to me on August 10, 1937, the skin of a Yellow-shafted Flicker which he said he had caught in a muskrat trap on a post, on the north-west branch of the St. Augustin River, about 75 miles inland from St. Augustin Post, in the latter part of May, 1937. He told me that he had several times seen Flickers in that general region. Iridoprocne bicolor. TREE SWaLLow. -—— On August 17, 1937, a hazy, sunny day, with a strong south-west wind, at least eighty ‘Tree Swallows, including both adults and young, grouped in several flocks, were seen coursing about, high and low, over a marshy area on Hospital Island, at Harrington Harbour. It is unusual to see so many Tree Swallows together as far east on the southern shore of the Labrador Peninsula as Harrington Harbour. Hirundo erythrogaster. BARN SwaLlow.—On May 26, 1937, a handsome adult Barn Swallow was clearly seen and identified as it coursed back and forth over the beach at Seven Islands. The deeply forked tail, the characteristic colours of upperparts and underparts, and the character- istic manner of flight were all noted. ‘This species has been recorded only a few times in the Labrador Peninsula. Sturnus vulgaris. Common STARLING. — A flock of 6 was seen on the outskirts of Seven Islands village on’ May 29, 1937. A flock of 5 was seen at Mingan on June 2, 1937. In a letter dated October 30; 1937,:Mr. J. W. Osborne, of Kegashka, Saguenay County, Quebec, informed me’'that a pair of Starlings nested in a cavity in his house at that place in 1937. They were first seen in the latter part of May. On July 7th they successfully brought out a brood of six young. They remained in the vicinity until some time in August. Kegashka is 25 miles farther east than Natashquan, the easternmost place in the Labrador Peninsula at which Starlings have previously been known to nest. Mmotilta varia. BLACK AND WHItt WARBLER. —At about 7.00 o’clock on the morning of June 21, 1937, a Black and White Warbler was repeatedly heard singing, in dense fog, in a small tract of woodland near the salmon cannery at St. Augustin. Pressing duties prevented any attempt to find the singer. Dendroica Cape May Warsler—A male in song was well seen and identified, early in the morning of May 31, 1937, in spruce and tigrina. Freip-NATURALIST [ Vou. LIT fir woods at Pointe aux Basques, at the eastern entrance to Seven Islands Bay. This is the second record of this species in the Labrador Peninsula. The first record was made, on June 2, 1935, at a place about a quarter of a mile east of where this bird was seen in 1937". Dendroica palmarum. YEI1OW RED-POLLED W ARBLER.—In the vicinity of Seven Islands this Warbler is much more common that I have found it elsewhere on the north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Curiously enough, the birds of this species about Seven Islands do not live in sphagnum bogs, as Yellow Palm Warblers do in Nova Scotia, but are inhabitants of the extensive dry, sandy plains covered with a growth of Jack Pine (Pinus Banksiana Lamb.). Two male specimens taken near Seven Islands on May 29, 1937, and now in the collections of the National Museum of Canada, are not as strongly yellow on belly and under tail-coverts as specimens from Nova Scotia, but are nevertheless considered to be Yellow Palm Warblers (D. p. hypochrysea). Agelaius phocnicus. RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD. —On the morning of May 27, 1936, a fine, cool day, an adult male Red-winged Blackbird was seen in a wet, boggy clearing beside the road, about three and one-half miles north of Seven Islands village. It was observed through X8 binoculars and its characteristic size, epaulets, etc., were clearly seen, both when it was perched and when it was flying. The only note that it was heard to utter was “chuk”, frequently repeated. on This is the second record of the Red-winged Blackbird in the Labrador Peninsula, the first being that of a specimen obtained by Mr. Johan Beetz and observed in his collection, at Baie Johan Beetz, by Dr. Charles W. Townsend*. Molothrus ater ater. EASTERN CowsBirRv.—On August 12, 1937, I saw and identified a male Cowbird at close range near buildings on the mainland at Bradore Bay. Mr. William Vatcher, of that place, said that this bird and anothe- one, lighter in colour (a female?) had been in the neighbourhood for about a week and that they commonly accompanied either his horse or his cow. This is the third record of the Cow- bird in the Labrador Peninsula, and is much farther north-east than the previous occurrences, which were at Matamek and _ Harrington Harbour. 7 Can. Field-Nat., 51:122. 8 Awk, 34:136. April, 1938] Acanthis linaria linaria. ComMMON REDPOLL.— On August 11, 1937, in the village of Lourdes du Blanc Sablon, on the north side of the western entrance to the Strait of Belle Isle, an THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIS? 51 adult Redpoll was seen feeding two young birds well able to fly. This species is present every summer in this general vicinity. THE OV POSITION AND CANNIBALISTIC HABITS OF THE NARROW- WINGED KATYDID (Phaneroptera pistillata Brunner) By F. A. URQUHART, M.A. Royal Ontario Museum of Zoology HILE collecting Orthoptera at Cons- tance Bay, Ontario, on September 8th, 1937, a number of specimens of Phaner- optera pistillata, Brunn., which were abundant among the willows and deep grass, were taken. Eight females and six males were placed in live jars and taken back to the Depart- ment of Agriculture at Ottawa where they were transferred to larger jars. A variety of food plants including leaves of red oak, willow grass, sheep laurel, blueberry, aspen poplar and sugar maple (all of which were common at Constance Bay) were offered to them and a marked preference for poplar and grass was noticed. However, any of the above leaves were readily eaten when offered alone. On September 12th a female was observed Ovipositing and, on examining the leaves contained in the jar, a marked preference on the part of the katydid for grass and poplar leaves in which to deposit her eggs was noticed. (Table I) Oak | Willow | Grass No. of 4 1 16 2 SEs | | It was later shown that the katydid would deposit her eggs in any of the other leaves if single representatives of each kind of leaf were present. In one case, in which only oak leaves were supplied, a female katydid deposited twenty-two eggs in aé_ single leaf. Partly withered or dried leaves were rejected if fresh leaves were present. It had always been a source of wonder to the author as to the method of oviposition of the katydid. The peculiar shape and size of the ovipositor, together with the fact that it is turned upwards, did not appear to lend itself to its insertion into the stems or leaves of plants. The method of oviposition was there- fore studied and a brief account of this interesting phase of the life history of the katy- did is now offered. Before selecting one of the leaves in wihch to deposit her eggs, the female katydid first tested the various leaves present. This testing appeared to be in the nature of a slight pinching of the leaf with her mandibles since no injury to the tested leaf could be found. Dried or Sheep Laurel Blueberry Poplar Maple 0 14 0 partly withered leaves were rejected when fresh leaves were present. In the absence of fresh leaves, however, the katydid would deposit her eggs in withered or partly dried leaves. A suitable leaf having been selected, the katydid com- menced to chew away a portion of the outer edge of the leaf (Fig. 3) in preparation for the insertion of her ovipositor. This preliminary preparation accomplished, she then crawled slowly along the edge of the leaf until the prepared portion of the leaf was directly beneath her abdomen. Then grasping the leaf firmly with her feet the ovipositor was drawn beneath her abdomen so that the latter was bent at right angles. The apex of the ovipositor was then inserted into the prepared opening in the edge of the leaf and, by a series of downward thrusts of the abdomen, assisted by the open- ing and closing of the valves of the ovipositor, the latter was gradually inserted into the leaf (Fig. 1; from a drawing made at the time of observation). Except for slight pulsations of the abdomen the katydid remained motionless in this attitude for some few minutes. Finally, with a slow jerky motion, the ovipositor was 52 Tur CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST \ [Vion ier se Patel ds} SAT) oid PS OK Peak IU 5 Oo Read * °, a OI IE. Fig. 1\—Straight-winged katydid with ovipositor embedded in grass. («X 125) Fig. 2—Eggs (X 5.) : ic ase aren Bs *ouspeel tes rete blade of Fig. 3—Eggs deposited in blade of grass (X 5.) a; edge of grass chewed away. b; portion of egg protruding. gradually withdrawn and at the same time an oval-shaped egg was deposited in the cavity thus made in the leaf. Riley (1) (1874) describes a similar procedure in the oviposition of Phaner- optera furcata Brunner, under the name of Scudderia curvicauda. Unlike the latter, how- ever, Phaneroptcra pistillata did not appear to cuide the insertion of her ovipositor by means of the mandibles and maxillae. No attempt was made by the katydid to close the opening in the edge of the leaf as described by Hancock 1 Riley, C. V., 1874—Katydids; Sixth Ann. Rep. on the Insects of Missouri, 150-169. (2) (1904) for Orchelimum glaberrimum Burm. and, in some cases, a portion of the egg protruded from the edge of the leaf. (Fig. 3) Having deposited this solitary, oval-shaped egg in the leaf, the katydid then set diligently to clean her ovipositor. This process was most amusing to observe. The abdomen was bent in a manner previously described to that the ovi- positor was brought towards the mouth of the katydid The ovipositor was held in position by 2 Hancock, J. L. 1904—The Oviposition and Car- nivorous Habits of the Green Meadow Grasshopper (Orchelimum glaberrimum Burmeister) Psyche, 11. 69-71. April, 1938] means of the front legs and the entire surface of this egg-laying apparatus was judiciously cleaned. Such an operation is probably necessary since the juice exuding from the wound made in the living leaf would tend to cling to the surface of the ovipositor thus hindering its future operations. When the katydid had cleaned the ovipositor to her thorough satis- faction, she walked slowly along the edge of the leaf and, choosing another likely spot, she again went through the performance, laying a second egg. The eggs of Phaneroptera pistillata are oval in shape and yellow in colour. Their extreme flatness may be judged by the fact that if they are laid between the upper and lower layers of a blade of grass there is only a slight distortion of the plane surface of the latter. The eggs are approximately 5 mm. in length and 2 width, tapering slightly towards the anterior pole and broadly rounded at the apex. The dorsal edge of the egg is relatively straight and the ventral edge is broadly rounded (Fig. 2) mm. in CANNIBALISTIC HABITS Although the specimens of Phancroptcra were LIST OF GRASSES (Gramineae) By W. G. DORE *Contribution No. 522 from the Division of Bo- tany, Experimental Farms Branch, Department of Agriculture, Ottawa, Canada. HE LIST following represents the results of a study of specimens in the National Herbarium, Ottawa, and in the herbarium of the Division of Central Experimental Farm. It is Botany, doubtless still incomplete for the district, which is taken to be the area within a 30 mile radius of the city. This area includes a variety of features: Laurentian plateau, flat St. Lawrence plain, and gently rolling terrain, as well as some bog, sand dune and other diversification. The city of Ottawa at the centre, and the agriculture surrounding it, together contribute numerous adventive species, indicated by an asterisk. The considerable proportion of these which have been introduced as cultivated grasses is a reflection of the economic importance of the family. Native grasses, on the other hand, have come but little into use, belonging largely to the flora of originally forested country rather than of meadow and arable land. THE CANADIAN FrieLp-NaATURALIS'T ion oP) given an ample supply of fresh leaves yet on two occasions a female was observed eating the body of a male. It had not been my good fortune to witness the struggle, if such took place, between the female and its unfortunate companion but, in both cases, the male was still living and feebly attempting to crawl while the female gnawed away at its body. It is doubtful whether such a habit is normal or due to con- finement, but I have never witnessed such cannibalism in the field. Hancock (1904) describes a similar occurrence in the case of Orchelimum vulgare Harris (O. glaberrimum, Burm. of Hancock) and explained the presence of long spines on the first and middle tibiae of this grasshopper as of use in holding its prey in connection with this carnivorous . habit. Blatchley (1920) describes the carnivorous habit of Orchelimum vulgare, Harris, stating that it has been found “feeding upon the bodies of small moths which in some way it had managed to capture.” It is quite likely that a similar carnivorous habit is exhibited among certain members of the Phaneropterinae although I have never witnessed such in nature. OF THE OTTAWA DISTRICT and H. GROH The alphabetical arrangement of names makes for convenience, since botanical sequence in recent works has been undergoing change. Nomenclature is according to A. S. Hitchcock, North American Flora, Vol. 17, and Manual of the Grasses of the United States, 1935. Agropyron pauciflorum Schur. (=A. trachy- caulum var. tenerum, var. trichocoleum, and var. nevaec-angliae) — rare. *Agropyron repens (1,.) Beauvy.—very common. Agropyron subsecundum (Link) Hitche. (=A. trachycaulum var. unilaterale, var. ciliatum, and var. glaucum) — rare. * Agrostis alba 1, (=A. stolonifera var. major) — common. (Walt) Bai Saa ee scabra) — frequent, light soils. Agrostis hiemalis (Al, *Agrostis palustris Huds. (=A. stolonifera var. compacta; A. alba var. maritima) — frequent, wet land. Agrostis perennans (Walt.) Tuckerm. — frequent. 54 THe CANADIAN Agrostis stolomfera L. — rare. Alopecurus aequalis Sobol. (=A. geniculatus var. oristulatus) — frequent, stream banks and wet places. *Alopecurus pratensis 1, — rare, meadow, Exper. Farm. Andropogon furcatus Muhl. (=A. provincialis) — rare, river-banks. Andropogon scoparis Michx. (var. septen- trionalis and var. nceo-mexicanus) — rare, river-banks, *Anthoxanthum odoratum 1, — rare, Beech- wood. *Avena fatua 1,. — rare, in cultivated oats. *Advena sativa 1, — escaped from cultivation. Brachyelytrum erectum (Schreb.) Beauv. (== Dilepyrum) — frequent, woods. Bromus ciliatus 1, — frequent. «Bromus inermis Leyss — frequent, fields and waste places. Bromus Kalmii A. Gray — rare, Rockcliffe. *Bromus secalinus 1, — rare, introduced. Calamagrostis canadensis (Michx.) Beauv. — frequent, marshes. Calamagrostis neglecta (Ehrh.) Gaert. — rare, Aylmer. Cinna arundinacea 1,. — frequent, woods. Cinna latifolia (Trevir.) Griseb. — _ rare, woods. *Dactylis glomerata |, — common, naturalized in fields and roadsides. Danthonia compressa Austin — rare, Chelsea. Danthoma spicata (L,.) Beauv. —_ frequent, light soils. Deschampsia caespitosa (.) Beauv.—frequent. *Digitaria Ischaemum (Schreb.) Muhl. (=D. humifusa) — frequent, lawns. «Digitaria sanguinalis (1) Scop. —. rare, gardens. *Echinochlea crusgalli (1,.) Beauv. — frequent, waste places. (including EF. Wrie- Elymus canadensis 1,. gandwu) — frequent. Elymus glaucifolius L. (=. robustus var. vestitus) — rare, Tetreauville. Elymus villosus Muhl. (=E.' striatus) — frequent. (including var. hirsuti- submuticus) — frequent, Elymus virginicus LL. glumis and var. moist places. *FEragrostis cilianensis (All.) Link (=C. megas- tachya) — rare, Exper. Farm. Frerp-N ATURALIST Mii. JEL Eragrostis hypnoides (Lam.) B. S. P. — rare, wet ground, Hull. Eragrostis pectinacea (Michx.) Nees — rare, railway, Ottawa. «Eragrostis poacoides (1,.) Beauv. (=E. minor) — frequent, railways. *Festuca elatior 1,. (=F. pratensis) — frequent, meadows. Festuca obtusa Spreng. (=. nutans) — frequent, woods. ‘Festuca ovina 1, — rare, introduced, sandy soil. *Fesiuca rubra 1, — rare, lawn, Ottawa. Glyceria borealis (Nash) Batchelder—frequent, shallow water. ‘Glyceria canadensis (Michx.). Trin. (including var. parviflora Malte) — frequent, moist places, Glyceria granais S. Wats. — frequent, along streams. Glyceria melicaria (Michx.) F. T. Hubb (=G. Torreyana) — rare, moist woods. Glyceria neogaea Steud. (=G. pallida var. Fernaldii) — rare, wet ground. Glyceria striata (Lam.) Hitche (including var. stricta (Scribn.) Fern.) (—=G. nervata) — common, moist soil. Hierochloé odorata (l,.) Beauv. — Shirley Bay and Aylmer. Hordeum jubatum L. — frequent, waste places. Hystrix patula Moench (var. Bigeloviana (Fern.) Deam) — frequent, moist woods. Leersia oryszoides (L.) Swartz forma inclusa Eames) — common, streams. Leersia virginica Willd. (var. ovata (Poir.) Fern.) — frequent, wet woods. rare, (including along *Lolium perenne 1,..— rare, sometimes seeded. Milium effusum 1, — frequent, wet woods. Muhlenbergia foliosa (Roem. & Schult.) Trin., including var. setiglumis (S. Wats.) Scribn. — common, waste land and on shove of Ottawa river. Muhlenbergia racemosa (Michx.) B. S. P. — rare, Gatineau River. Muhlenbergia sylvatica Torr. (=M. umbrosa) —frequent, moist woods. Oryzopsis asperifolia Michx.—common, woods. Orysopsis pungens (Torr.) Hitch. — Constance Bay, Aylmer. Oryzopsis racemosa (J. E. Smith) Ricker — frequent, woods. rare, April, 1938] Panicum boreale Nash — _ frequent, open ground. Panicum Boscu Poir. — rare, Kingsmere. Panicum capillare L., including var. occidentale Rydb. — common weed. Panicum depauperatum Muhl. (var. psilo- phyllum Fern.) — rare, Constance Bay. Panicum flexile (Gattinger) Scribn. — rare, along River above Ottawa. Panicum huachucae Ashe, var. fasciculatum (Lorn) 2h i Hubb. 9 (G=Re lenugmosum var. fasciculatum) — common, fields. Panicum implicatum Scribn. (=P. lanuginosum var. 1mplicatum) — common, fields. *Panicum miliaceum 1, — frequent, waste places. Panicum tennesseense Ashe (=P. lanuginosum var. Sseptentrionale) — trequent, fields. Panicum Tuckermant Fern. — rare, thin soil. Pamcum Wernert Scribn. (=P. linearifolium var. Werneri) — rare, Aylmer, Ironsides, Rockcliffe. Panicum xanthophysum A. Gray — sare, Aylmer, Wakefield, Constance Bay. Phalaris arundinacea \,., including var. picta L. — frequent, moist soil. *Phalaris canariensis 1,. — frequent, waste land in city. Phragmites communis Trin. (var. Berlandert (Fourn.) Fern.) — rare, Rideau River, Ottawa. *Phleum pratense 1,— very common, meadows. Poa alsodes A. Gray — rare, woods. *Poa annua 1, — common, roadways, lawns. gardens. *Poa compressa 1,,— common, dry soil. *Poa nemoralis 1, — rare, Arboretum, White Bridge. Poa palustris L. (=f. triflora Gilib.) — frequent, moist ground. THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST ivat on *Poa pratensis L — very common, lawn, pastures, roadsides. Poa saltuensis Fern. & Wieg. — rare, woods. Schizachne purpurascens (Torr.) Swallen (=Melica striata) — frequent, woods. *Secale cereale 1, — rare, escape from culti- vation. *Setaria italica (1,.) Beauv. — rare, waste places. *Setaria Iutescens (Wiegel) F. T. Hubb (=S. glauca) — common weed. *Seturia viridis (1,.) Beauv. — common weed. Sorghastrum nutans (1,.) Nash — _ frequent, along rivers. *Sorghum vulgare Pers. var. sudanense (Piper) Hitche. — rare, escaped from cultivation. Spartina pectinata Link (=S. Michauxiana) — frequent, along rivers. Sphenopholis intermedia (Rydb.) Rydb. (=S. pallens) — rare, moist woods. Sporobolus cryptandrus (Torr.) rare, sand, Constance Bay. Sporobolus heterolepis (A. Gray) A. Gray — rare, Little Chaudieére. A. Gray — Sporobolus neglectus Nash — frequent, sandy soil. Sporobolus vagintflorus (Torr.) Wood (var. inaequalis Fern.) — rare, dry scil, Merivale and Bell’s Corners. Trisetum melicoides (Michx.) Scribn. (=Gra- phephorum melicoideum var. Cooleyi) — rare, Chelsea. Trisetum spicatum (1,.) Richter var. molle (Michx.) Piper — rare, rocky shores. *Triticum aestivum Ll, — rarely escaped from cultivation. Zizania aquatica I, var. angustifolia Hitche. — frequent, shallow water. ON THE NEST OF THE SORA RAIL (Porzana carolina Linn.) By A. C. NICOL HE USUAL type of nest built by the Sora Rail is a basket-like structure of dry leaves fastened at its circum- ference to reed or cat-tail stems several inches above the surface of the water. As a rule it is composed of last season’s dead leaves of aquatic plants such as the blue flag (/ris), bur-reed (Sparganium), cat-tail (Typha), and others. Surrounding vegetation is usually bent over the nest so as to form a canopy, which effectively conceals the eggs and protects the brooding bird beneath. 56 THE CANADIAN Eggs exposed NEST OF THE SORA RAIL Firip-N ATURALIST Eggs covered. [Vou. LI April, 1938] On June 17, 1934, while investigating a local swamp, I found an interesting variation of the above nest-type. It was situated in a rather open part of the swamp on a bed of twigs and branches which formed a strong foundation and raised the nest above the surface of the water. The plants round about, mainly water plantain (Alisma Plantago-aquatica Linn.), were rather short and scanty and consequently the sora had been unable to build the usual canopy of over- arching leaf-blades above its nest. To conceal its eggs when away from the nest, therefore, it had carefully covered them with a laver of leaf-scraps, probably raked up from the edges of the nest. At first glance the nest seemed nothing more than a mass of sodden vegetation but on closer scrutiny patches of light brown could be seen peeping through the leafy cover- ing. The above habit of covering the eggs ar once brings to mind analagous cases, such as the Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps Linn.) and other birds which regularly cover their eggs with nest material before leaving. In the nest were seven whole eggs and frag- ments of two more, while floating in the water THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST ay/ below were two. others which had _ been accidently dislodged by the brooding bird. | have observed a similar loss of eggs on an- other occasion, this time from a_ sixteen-egg clutch. Again in this case two eggs had fallen out and were floating in the water beneath the nest. Such large sets are usually arranged in two or three layers or tiers so that all the eggs can be covered by the incubating bird. Shifting and rearranging such a mass of eggs so that all may mature equally must present a task of considerable difficulty to the parent bird. SPORED Hypholoma capnoides Fries F. 7562. - Burnet, Que. -Oct.” Il) 1937 F.°7539. Eardley, Ques “Oct lO mi1G57 Hypholama incertum var sylvestris Kauffman F. 7046. Burnet, Que. Sept. 20, 1936. Psalliota comtula Fries F. 6983. Central Exp Farm, Ottawa, Ont. Sept. 16, 1936. Psalliota micromegetha Peck F. 6968. Ottawa, Ont. Sept. 24, 1936. BLACK SPORED Psathyrella disseminata Fries : F, 7025.:- Ottawa, Ont; Sept-al6 i030" NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS Tue INFLUX OF THE RED Fox AND ITs COLOUR PHASES INTO THE BARREN LANDS.—From Fort Churchill on the west side of Hudson Bay, the timber line runs roughly northwest till about 120 miles due west of Eskimo Point, (which is about 160 miles north of Churchill) ; from here it bears away to the west. The fringe of the timber line is composed of sparse clumps of spruce, varying in height from three to ten feet. In 1926, (when I first came to Eskimo Point) and until 1932, the only fur caught and traded at this point was the white fox. During the winter of 1932, one or two red foxes were caught and traded into the inland post of Padley. These came from the timber line, or at least near it. Though this was unusual, it was not surprising as such an event might possibly be due to these foxes straying from the bush. April, 1938] The following year, several more were caught, and of these two were caught close to the coast. Since then, year by year the number has increased, and with a northward spread. Just how rapid this has. been can be seen from the fact that during the winter of 1933-34 several red foxes were traded. at Chesterfield. These were caught in an area well over 160 miles north of here and stretching in, half way to Bake- Lake Post. In 1934-35, seven or eight red foxes were caught in this area. The increase has naturally been coriespondingly great in the area around Eskimo Point, for last year (1936-37) about 60 red, silver, black and cross foxes were caught. That the increase is not due to ‘runs’ into the country from the bush,.is proved by the fact that in 1934 a pair of coloured foxes (a.silver and red) reared a litter of pups near Tavanne, (90 miles north of Eskimo Point). Again in 1935, and 1936-other litters were noted in this vicinity. About 40 miles to the south of Eskimo Point, ‘coloured fur was exceptionally thick -in the winter of 1935-36, but few were caught. As many as 13 to 15 were seen in one day. These figures do not give a fair idea of the increase of coloured foxes in the country,’ for the Eskimos set their traps for the white fox which, compared with the red, is a _ foolish animal. Each year, on the edge of the timber, many tracks of coloured fur are noted. This autumn (1937) it is most noticeable, that there are no white foxes in those portions of the country where red foxes have their dens The Eskimos often find that a red fox has attacked’ a white in the trap and, more often than not, killed it. As to the result of this incoming migration and the trend northward of the coloured fox, time alone can give the answer.—Dona.p B. MarsH. The natural cycles of the fluctuations in num- bers of both white and red foxes are not mentioned in this paper and should be considered by natural- ists in drawing deductions from the interesting statement of facts presented by the author.—-EpD. WINTER Birps In Nova Scorra.—The follow- ing. observations were made from the train which leaves Sydney, Cape Breton, N.S. at 7 a.m. and arrives in Halifax that evening. The average temperature was approximately 10° above zero and there were about 6 to 10 inches of snow on the ground. Birds observed: Black- THe CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 61 backed Gull, 2; Herring Gull, 14; Eastern Crow, 26; Golden-eyes (Sp. 2), 5; White- winged Scoter, 2; Mergansers (probably Ame- rican), 150 to 200; Northern Hairy Wood- pecker, 1; Black Duck, 10; Pine Grosbeak, 1; Northern Raven, 2; Sharp-shinned Hawk (carrying some victim), 1; Old Squaw, 18; House Sparrow, 17; “White-winged” Gulls, 75 to 100. In addition to the foregoing several small flocks of birds were seen flying over the country-side which might have been Goldfinches, Redpolls, or possibly Crossbills. All ducks reported above were seen along the Bras d’Or Lakes, Cape Breton. A number of ducks in rafts off-shore were seen but I was not able to identify them because they did not take flight. The “White-winged” Gulls were seen while crossing the Strait of Canso, concentrating around the ports of Mulgrave and _ Port Hawkesbury.—R. W. Turrs. ALBINO WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW (Zonotrichia leucophrys nuttalli) —On April 29th, 1937, when Surrey Centre about 12 miles southeast of New Westminster, British Columbia, I noticed a small white bird in the bushes at the side of the road which I look at first sight to be a Snow Bunting. Closer investigation proved it to be a White-crowned Sparrow. Albinism was complete, except for the black crown and white median stripe. The general colour of the bird was cream and slightly darker on the wings and back. It was in company with a couple of other White- crowned Sparrows in normal plumage. These birds are very common in this area. The sight gave me a great deal of pleasure as it was beautiful and I should think rare—M. W. Hoipom, Crescent, British Columbia. driving in a car at RARE Guius At Fort Eriz oN THE NIAGARA RIVER,—It is probable that there are few places so eminently well suited to the close study of water fowl, and gulls in particular, as is the Niagara River bank in the vicinity of Fort Erie, Ontario. Here from late summer until the following spring may be seen an ever changing pageantry of the family Laridae. Bonaparte Gulls, Ring-billed Gulls, and Herring Gulls are the three commonest forms, the predominance of one or the other of these species varying as the season advances. Three other species of Gulls occur more or less regularly; namely the Great Black-backed Gull, the Iceland Gull, and 62 Tur CANADIAN the Glaucous Gull, the occurrence of the two last mentioned species being considerably less frequent than that of the black-backed bird which in some years could almost be considered common. Any other species of Gull occurring on the Niagara river can only be considered as an ‘extreme rarity, and it is with such that this note is now concerned:—On January 29, 1937. an excellent view was obtained of an undoubted Kumlien’s Gull (Larus kumlient Brewster) at a point between the Peace bridge and the Ferry docks. at Fort Erie south. When first seen the bi d was standing on a rock jutting out from the water. only a few yards from the river bank. It allowed a close approach and was studied carefully through 8X glasses at twenty yards, and at even closer range. with, and without, the aid of glasses. The general plumage closely paralleled that of a fully adult Herring Gull in winter plumage; but was some- what paler on the mantle, while the primaries which were white at the tips, showed only a few well-defined dusky blotches or spots when the bird was at rest the bird by its unusual appearance for as it stood on the rock with a background of pale silvery-grey water, it seemed to be foreshortened as though it had lost a large part of its tail and the tips of the wings. A closer approach soon dispelled this illusion which was apparently caused by the pure white tail, and the long white tips on the outer primaries, and the shorter white tips of the inner flight feathers, not showing up against the background of pale water. The bird was alone when first observed, but upon taking wing, after our very close approach, a passing adult Herring Gull provided excellent comparison and_ striking contrast of wing-tip pattern. Harold D. Mitchell (Auk, 51: 393, 1934) was seemingly the first to draw attention to the occurrence of Kumlien’s Gull on the Niagara River, and in writing of this species he mentions that two or three were seen during the winter of 1933-34, and that a specimen was collected at Buffalo, N.Y., on March 25, 1934. Since that time Kumlien’s Gull has been reported quite a number of times by members of the Buffalo Freip-NATURALIS'? Attention was first drawn to © [Vor. LI Ornithological Society; but the order and sequence of the reports, as appearing in the Society's mimeographed journal “The Protho- notary”, would tend to indicate that at least several of the records referred to the same bird seen at approximately the same location on different days by different members of the club. — While searching for shore birds, or anything else in the bird line that might offer, along the river bank near old Fort E-ie, on September 18, 1937, in company with Mr. G. J. Clout of St. Catharines, excellent views were obtained of a Laughing Gull (Larus atricilla V,.). The bird stood cut very conspicuously among a large flock of Ring-billed, and Bonaparte, Gulls, which were resting on rocks along the sho-e line. The Laughing Gull, a brown mantled bird, appeared to be in transition plumage, with the suspicion of a dusky head, the dusky area ‘exactly covering that portion of the head which would be sooty black in summer plumage. In size, it appeared to be approximately midway between the two species with which it was so closely associated, while the general colour was greyish on head, neck, and under parts, with the wings and back brown of an earthy shade.- When at rest, some whitish edging to the secondary wing feathers was noted, and when in flight, the white edging to the entire inner edge of the wings showed up very conspicuously against the other- wise uniform dark wings and mantle. Although according to Eaton (Birds of New — York Vol. 1, p. 133, 1910) the Laughing Gull - was reported as occuring near Buffalo by Dr. Bergtold (apparently in that ornithologist’s “List of the Birds of Buffalo and Vicinity” 1889), there would appear to be no further available records of this species in the Niagara River area until some forty six years later when one was seen at Niagara Falls on October 21, 1935, by Roger Peterson, Warren Eaton, and others, while on their way to the A.O.U. meeting in Toronto. The following year, on September 6, 1936, H. D. Mitchell of the Buffalo Ornithological Society saw a Laughing Gull at Fort Erie and recorded the observation in that Society’s mimeographed journal “The Prothonotary”, (Vol. 2 No. 9, 1936).—R. W. SHEPPARD, Niagara Falls, Ontario. NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF MANITOBA 4 1936-37 Be esident Emeritus: C, B. BASTIN; President: A. G. LAWRENCE; Past Presidents: H. M. SPEECHLY, ‘M.D., V. W. JACKSON, M.Sc., C. W. LowEe, M.Sc., J. B. WALLIS, M.A., Ae A. -McCousrery, A. M. DavipDson, M.D., R. A. WARDLE, M.Sc., G. SHIRLEY Brooks; Vice-Presidents: B. W. CART- "WRIGHT, H. C. Pwarce, L. T. S. NORRIS-HLYE, B.A., Mrs. L. R. Simpson, W. H. RAND; Treasurer: Dr. W. G. CAMPBELL, 216 Medical Arts Bldg., Winnipeg, Manitoba; General i Secretary; NORMAN LOWE, 317 Simcoe St., Winnipeg; Auditor: R. M. THOMAS; Hzecutive Secretary: af Happow, Social 3 “Convenor: Miss O. A. ARMSTRONG. PESOS Secretary A. M. MACKIE : Section Chairman Orntthological A. H. SHORTT _Entomologieal G SHIRLEY BROOKS Miss M. F. PRATT Botanieal H. F. Rosperts, M.Sc. Mrs. I. M. PRIESTLY Geological A.A. McCouBRry P. H. SToKEs _Mammalogical V. W. JACKSON, M.Sc. Tehthyological: G. D. RusSsELL Seerttary: J. P. KENNEDY. i ier cscony _ Zoology R. A. WARDLE, M.Sc. W. Lowe, M.Sc. _ Botany ‘ 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. F ; ‘McILWRAITH ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB, i 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, $53 Princess Ave., London, Ont.; Migration Secretary: Mr. E. M.S. DALB, 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, 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.), eee ey sity of B.C: President: JOHN Davipson, F.L.S., F.B.S.E., University of B.C.; Vice-President: Dr. M. Y. iia Geology Dept., University of B.C.; Honorary Secretary: Mrs. F. W. FARLEY; 6507 Laburnum St., Vancouver, B.C. First Aasistant 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; Auditors: H. G. SELWoop, W. B. Woops. Chairmen of Sections: Botany: PRoF. JOHN DAVIDSON, Geology: Mr. J. J. PLOMMER, Photography: Mr. PHILIP Trums, Entym- ology: MR, Wootton, Microscopy: Mr. J.A. JOHNSTON, Ornith- ology: Mr. J. D. TURNBULL. All meetings at 8 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. LAINnG; Second Vice-President: Dr. C. J. BAstTIN: Secretary-Treasurer: C. H. BASTIN, 4484 West 9th Ave. Vancouver, B.C. ; _ C. Sarr Mr. Affiliated Societies OFFICERS & COMMITTEE: PROVINCE OF QUEBEC SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS INC. Past Presidents: Mr. L. M. TSRRILL, Mr. NaPipr SMITH. Mr. W. 8S. Hart, Mrs. C. L. HENDERSON; President: PROF. V. C WyYNNE-Epwarps, 495 Prince Arthur Street, Apt. 4, Montreal; Vice- Presidents: MR. J. A. DECARIE, Miss MAUDE SBATH; Vice- President and Treasurer: Mr. HENRY Mous.Lny; Secretary: Mr. J. D. CLEGHORN. Committee: Mrs. C. F. DALE, Mr. W.S. Hart, Mrs. C. L. HENDERSON, Mr. H. A. C. Jackson. Mr. E. L. Jupan, Mr. Fraser S. Keith, Miss P. B. MATTINSON, Muss L. Murpuy, Miss M.S Nicotson, Mr. R. A. OUTHET, Mr. NAPIER SMITH, Mr. L. McI.SPACKMAN, Mr. L. M. Terri, Mrs. L. M. 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 dela Province de Québec; Bureau de Direction pour 1937: Président: JAMES F. Ross; ler vice-président: DR. GUSTAVE RATTH; 2iéme vice- 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 ROUSSEAU, Chef de la 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., EDGAR ROCHETTE, C.R., STUART ATKINSON, ADRIEN FALARDEAU, C.R. Secrétaire-trésorier: Louis-B. LAVomn 38, rue Sherbrooke, Québee THE TORONTO FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB OFFICERS FOR 1936-37. Honorary President. Dr. A. P. COLEMAN; President: Dr. F P. Ip, Vice-President: F.C. Hurst, Hon. Vire-Presidents. Hon. H.C. Nixon, Mr. J.H. FLEMING, SecretaryTreasura : HucuH M. HAuupay; Couneil—Prog J.R. DymMonpD, FARMER, ARNOTT M PATTERSON, PRoF. T. F. MCILWRAITH. Dr.-NoRMAFoRD, RUPERT Davips, G.S, Brut, Dr. R. SAUNDERS, Mrs. O.S. MITCHELL, Pror. T. M. C. TAYLOR, 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. lL. Snyper, J. L. BaAILLig, JR., Pror. T. F. McILWRAITH, -R. M. SPEIRs, F. H. EMERY. Mammals—ProrF. A. F. CoveNntTRY, Mmssrs. F. C. Cross, D. A. McLuticna. Reptiles and Amphibians— Messrs. FE. B.S. Locipr, Wm LERay. Fish— Pro. J. R. Dymonp, Pror. W. J. K. HARKNESS. Insects— DR. FE. M. WALKER, Dr. N. Forp, Mr. F. P. Ipp. Botany—Pror. R. B. THomson, Dr. H. B. Sirton, Dr. T.M.C. Taytor: Mr. W. R. Watson, Mr. L. T. Owns. 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 z 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 OF BEQUEST @ Prices of Separates Notes to Contributors, Etc. Papers for publication should be addressed to the Editor, a> te the appropriate Associate Editor. 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Field- | Naturalists’ Club of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada the sum 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 ae Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa WILMOT LLOYD, Treasurer, Ottawa’ Field-Naturalists’ Club, 582 Mariposa Avenue, Rockclifie 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 1938. 4g Natt ween omen nen eee nee mee een ne nan anew nee meee noceeneess an enas esereessesuseserees Name Address eee enn enna enn non nen teen ene n een nnn mene cere cree nccenn sees erenenneencnens City, Provo. or States. 6 ee ees SSGOGSSSOSSSSHsSsHGSSHS HH sHsoowss ~ TO EXCHANGE | I have the following ornithological XY publications to exchange for volumes of the “Ottawa Field-Naturalist’’ issued & prior to 1905: Life Histories N. A. Birds, Bendire, 2 vols. Life Histories N. A. Birds, Bent, Q Bulletins 146-162. Birds of N. and M. America, Seo : Ridgway, parts IV-V-VI-VIII. _ Kh Also many numbers of the ‘‘Auk’’ and ‘‘Canadian Field-Naturalist” d =~ Frank L. Farley, Camrose, Alberta - SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSsSsessssssessssssg een SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSsSsSSsSs9sSsoss sys 3s Kindly mention The Canadian Field-Naturalist to advertisers ss VOL, LIT, No. 5 : MAY, 1938 ae eae ‘ Ls Boeri pena a | A 4 - . s=—, FON nV at x ) Teme ISSUED MAY 6th, 1938 Entered at the Ottawa Post Office as second-class matter THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB s Patrons: : THEIR EXCELLENCIES THE GOVERNOR GENERAL AND LADY TWEEDSMUIR President: P. A. TAVERNER 1st Vice-President: A. E. PORSILD and Vice-President; H. G. CRAWFORD, Secretary: C. R. LOUNSBURY : Treasurer; -WILMOT LLOYD, 582 Mariposa Ave., — 180 McLeod Street, Ottawa ‘Rockcliffe Park. — Additional Members of Council: F. J. ALCOCK, R. M. ANDERSON, REV. F, E. BANIM, HENRY BOWERS, — M. E. Cowan, R. E. DELury, F.J. Fraser, H.Grou, G. H. HAMMonpD, C. E. JOHNSON, — E. M. KINDLE, W.H. LANCELEY, A. LAROcQUE, DOUGLAS LEECHMAN, HARRISON F. LEWIS, — Hoyes LuoypD, MARK G. MCELHINNEY, C. M. STERNBERG, MALCOLM M. THOMSON, E. F. G. WHITE, Miss Peccy WHITEHURST, R. T. D. WICKENDEN. M. E. WILSON, and the followin 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 Ediiors: D.JENNESS. ............... Anthropology CLYDE L. PatcH.............. . 3 J. ADAMS...... SOSA Str NRE Re _.. Botany R. M. ANDERSON.............. F.R. LATCHFORD ........ ...... Conchology A. G. HUNTSMAN...........-. Marine Biolog ARTHUR GIBSON. ........... Entomology P. A. TAVERNER.............--.- i Fe ADO OOR 808) acoN se La Geology BE. M. KINDLE S302 oe CONTENTS i The Snowshoe Rabbit Enquiry 1936-37. By Dennis Chitty and Charles Elton........... Red Spruce in the Lower Gatineau Valley. By C. Heimburger and A. E. Porsild........ Information Concerning the Occurrence of the Snowy-Owl................00. ccc eee s eee: Members of The Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club and Subscribers to The Canadian Field- Naturalist; sMay,; 1938 020 he ei ORE a RR ee ey eee se ag SESEESESSESERSSSceSSCSeSsSEseescesccscsscessssssesesscssssssssesscssssnesssssssassacssascossssasssnassssssecssssssascasssssecsssaccgscesvesssceessssssesasessee sessnescatees tebeteeatecseess i if 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, i 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 ; Hi 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 EH Price of this volume (9 numbers) $2.00; Single copies 25¢ each SSESSESESESERSSSESSSESSEqSqz¢Ssescsstsssesesssscsssessssscssessssesesssesesessesssssssrstesssvesstascesessssecesseessansucssszesesseaesssnsnerssevassezseeseacesesesaseerasssadeasmetaeta® 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 reade 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. 3.5, 343 Lignan? The Canadian Field-Naturalist Vou. LIT OTTAWA; CANADA, MAY, 1938 No. 5 THE SNOWSHOE RABBIT ENQUIRY 1936-37 By DENNIS CHITTY and CHARLES ELTON 1. GENERAL INTRODUCTION. HEN THE Snowshoe Rabbit Enquiry begun in 1931, the approac\ ing its. peak, and it - was possible to follow and map during the next four years the progress. of the periodic crash which affected snowshoe rabbits in most parts of Canada. By 1935-36 there: was almost universal scarcity. The present report, which is the sixth to be issued, shows that in 1936-37 there were signs of the beginning of an upward trend once more in certain regions, mostly in the prairie provinces and _ British Columbia. 1935-36. was therefore the bottom of the cycle, in the country as a whole, and_ continued recovery may be expected during the next few years. was cycle was The two. main sections of the present reporr, (which is based upon the results of question- naire enquiries mapped in the Bureau of Animal Population, Oxford University) deal with Canada, and with the United States and Alaska respectively. Altogether, a considerable sample of the whole area: of distribution of Lepus americanus and some of its allied species has been covered. Previous reports are to be found in The Canadian Field-Naturalist, 47 :63-69, 84-86, 1933; 48 :73-78, 1934; 49:79-85, 1935; 50:71-81, 1936; and 51 :63-73, 1937. To these reference should be made for the details of the methods used in drafting the questionnaire and compiling the maps. We need only note here that the replies give observers’ estimates of comparative abun- dance from year to year, which are mapped in as objective a manner as possible by a method which makes allowance for the area covered by each observer. A great deal of other in- formation is also elicited, about habitats, predators, disease, etc. The replies and working maps are available for consultation in the Bureau of Animal Population; while the Canadian data are also deposited in duplicate in the National Parks Bureau, Ottawa. 2. CANADA, (D.C.) INTRODUCTION AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Altogether 557 reports were available for 1936-37. None was received this. year for Newfoundland or Anticosti, but the published notes of the Newsom-Watson expedition to Anticosti have been drawn upon. (Newsom W. M. (1936). J. Mammalogy, 18:435-42). The continued maintenance of the enquiry on a large scale has been due to the excellent replies sent in by observers and to the care with which several large organizations have managed the collection of data. Material has been obtained from the following sources: 1. 403 reports from observers National Parks Bureau of the Department of Mines and Resources, Ottawa. We are indebted to the Controller, F. H. H. William- son, the Staff of the Parks Bureau, and the following, whose services made this result possible: the Royal Canadian Mounted Police; the Game Officers of the Provinces through the of Canada; Honorary Game Officers and Holders of Scientific Pérmits under the Migratory Birds Convention Act; Taxi- dermists; Superintendents and Wardens of the. National Parks, and other observers throughout Canada. 2. 131 zoological reports from Hudson’s Bay Company posts, supplied by courtesy of Mr. Ralph Parsons, the Fur Trade Commissioner of the Company in Winnipeg, and published by permission of the Governor and Com- mittee in London. 3. 23 reports from officials of the Biological Board of Canada engaged on fishery work in the Maritime Provinces, obtained the kind assistance of Dr. A. G. through Huntsman. 64 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST indebted to Mrs. Jane Baden-Powell for copying the provincial map tracings from this enquiry. Mr. Hoyes Lloyd, of the National Parks Bureau, has continued to give valuable support and advice METHODS. changes have been introduced. We are once more The following 1. Observers are now asked to “attach a sketch map .showing limits”. A | gratifyingly large number of such maps has been submitted, many of them drawn with considerabie care and with attention to local variations in rabbit numbers. The ease and accuracy of mapping these replies has been greatly increased, and to such observers we wish to extend a special acknowledgement. (Mapping is done as before on tracing paper over large scale provincial maps.) bo Question 3 now reads: Were snowshoe rabbits abundant or less abundant this year than last year? MOre (a) indicate one of the following :— “More abundant”, “No change”, “Less abundant”. (b) “Remarks”. The wording of 3 (a) has reduced the number of replies that cannot be used. because couched in ambiguous terms such as “yes” and “no”, or “scarce” without stating whether this implies “no change’ or “de- crease”. Some of the most useful “remarks” are those that give the number of rabbits seen within a stated period. 3. A new blank map has been prepared by the Bureau, based on the 1937 edition of the map of the Natural Resources of Canada issued by the Department of Mines and Natural Resources, scale 100 miles to 1 inch This map has been ruled into squares, as before. with sides of 30 miles, but the orientation has been changed. (Corresponding squares cover the provincial maps and each square filled in on the final map has been overlapped entirely or in part by an observer’s area.) 4. Areas covered by observers of the Hudson’s Bay Company have been mapped as described in their reports and not (as hitherto) as circles of 50 miles radius. 5. Reports from several observers whose areas exceed 100 miles across (the previous limit to the size of areas mapped) have this year been included. A limit of 16 squares has been placed on the number that may be over- lapped by one observer, and any number [VoL. LII above this is omitted by striking out the squares least overlapped. Since 16 squares is the most usual number overlapped by a circle of 50 miles radius this convention, while permitting more reports on large areas to be used, dees not in actual fact increase the effective area allowed to one person. 6. Where the observer gives as his area a river. road or railway, “from... to...” etc. these are mapped as lines, not as strips 10 miles wide (as hitherto). Such lines are in any case expanded in the final map into a series of squares with 30 mile sides. 7. Several technical changes have been made, designed to facilitate the work of mapping. These in no way affect the final result and need not be discussed here. These changes have probably left the results compa~able statistically with those of previous years, while the accuracy of the maps, it is hoped, has been increased. It should be noted that changes 4 and 5 do not affect reports at random but chiefly those from the north. However, it is not ce-tain that this has made any difference to the relative extent to which the results are influenced by reports from the north and the scuth. The inclusion of more large areas of observation may have been off- set, because the reports of some observers of the Hudson’s Bay Company refer to areas less than that of the previous conventional circle allotted them. Calculations are made as_ follows. The number of squares overlapped by one type of reply only (say “decrease”) is counted. This number is expressed as percentage of all the squares overlapped, and is considered to be the minimum fraction of country to which that type of answer is applicable. Besides the squares reporting “decrease” only there will be others reporting “increase” and/or “no change’ as well. The total number of “decrease” squares is expressed as percentage of all the squares to give an upper limit to the fraction of country over which decrease took place during 1936-37. The true probably lies between these limits. value RE SUES: As predicted in the last report there has been a notable increase in the amount of conflicting opinion. This is only to be expected when a population has reached a very low (or high) level. For example, the following two replies are not really in disagreement though they would appear so on the maps: “More abundant; May, 1938] THE CANADIAN but very little change” and: “No change. Possibly a slight increase.” More replies stating “no change” have yeen received than in any Fin_p-NATURALIST 65 previous year. Regionally the situation presents several differences and a very arbitrary selection of replies has been made to illustrate these. TABIEE, 1 State of the Snowshoe Rabbit population in Canada, 1936-37 (numbers of squares). oO —IeooooeeeS<_e___ OEE (9) % (a) Total Increase Increase Decrease | Decrease |No Change |No OS Epidemic Epidemic IKON 4s. 60 19 27-32 44 68-73 0 0 10 17 North west Territories . 182 1 4-9 165 65-31 51 4-28 16 9 British Columbia. . 241 97 17-40 149 27-62 104 17-43 4 Ap ertam aaa 214 120 18-56 138 25-65 84 10-39 4 2, Saskatchewan 170 74 12-44 Jalil 34-65 69 14-41 23 14 Manitoba . 210 67 16-32 134 36-64 78 16-37 0 0 Ontario... .. 331 77 3-23 285 64-86 82 6-25 12 4 Quebec &.... Labrador 266 12 *0-5 257 85-97 27 3-10 48 18 New Brunswick. 29 17 7-59 22 21-76 19 3-66 1 3 Nova Scotia . 41 33 15-80 21 2-51 25 10-61 0 0 Tota! | 1744 tes 10-31 1326 49-76 539 9-31 123 Ul * Actually 0.4% (a) YUKON, NorrHwest TERRITORIES AND “More abundant. There was great scarcity BRITISH COLUMBIA. about 1930 or 1931 but there is now great In the Yukon decrease started in 1935-36 and had spread during 1936-37 to a few more areas, accompanied by epidemics. However, there still remained a few places (the last in Canada) in which rabbits had not yet passed their peak of abundance. In the Northwest Territories, where widespread decrease occurred suddenly in 1935- 36, practically no recovery was reported. Signs of increase were apparent in British Columbia. Dawson City, Y. T. and radius of 10 miles (No name) : “The peak of abundance would appear to have been reached during the period October 1936— December 1937. During the past six months or so very many remains of rabbits have been visible everywhere in the woods. While some few have doubtlessly been killed by hawks, the great majority are probably the victims of an epidemic disease.” Mayo District, VY. T. Re CP): (A. Rooke, Mason abundance. Fieldmen (who spend much time snaring rabbits for dog feed etc.) forecast an epidemic this coming winter (1937-38) similar to those of 1904, 1913 and 1925.” Whitehorse District, Y. T. (lL. S. Kingston, Ra@e Vises) re “Tess abundant. Last fall (September-Decem- rabbits were to be found everywhere. Examination showed boils on neck and water blisters on liver.” Wood Buffalo Park, District No. 5 (a sketch map shows the trails covered) (1. H. Nice): ber) “Although I have not seen more than three rabbits in the past 12 months, I have seen a considerable number of tracks which shows that there are now more rabbits in my district than there were last year. Most of the trappers say rabbits have just started to come back again.” Fort Swuth District, N.W.T.. (F. Cook. ee (CAEL) « ; THe CANADIAN FIrLD-NATURALIST Fig. 1. State of the snowshoe rabbit population in 1936-37. Dotted areas are groups of squares overlapped by areas of observers reporting — relative INCREASE in 1936-37 over 1935-36. Larger black dots are Hudson's Bay Company posts. Broken lines in Canada show main vegetation zones. Thick black lines are Province or State boundaries (VoL. LIT May, 1938] Tue CANADIAN Freip-NATURALIST 67 | all | nN ik Fig. 2. State of the snowshoe rabbit population in 1936-37, V ertical hatched areas, are groups of squares overlapped by areas of observers reporting relative DECREASE in 1936-37 over 1935-36. Horizontally hatched areas, NO CHANGE. For Alaska see text. Larger black dots are Hudson’s Bay Company posts. Broken lines m Canada show main vegetation zones. Thick black lines are Province or State boundaries. 68 THE CANADIAN FYIELD-NATURALIST “Less abundant. There were a few rabbitts last year; but except for an odd track, rabbits now seem almost extinct.” Lower Parsnip River, Peace River, Finlay River, B.C. (A. J. Jank, Game Warden): “More abundant on jackpine ridges, less abundant on lowlands and swampy country, in While passing through other no signs of snowshoe some areas only. parts of the district rabbits could be seen.” Quesnel District, B.C. (J. P. Atwood): “Inc easing in isolated spots (spruce swamps and jackpine reproduction). Still scarce in the district as a whole.” Revelstoke, B. C. & radius of 20 miles. (H. V. Morgan): “Trappers coming from the northern part of the district report that there appeared to be more rabbits than for the last few years.” Lytton to Salmon Arm, B.C. (W. J. Fergu- SON): “Less abundant. Haven’t seen a rabbit in the past 12 months. They appear to be a thing of the past.” (b) ALBERTA, SASKATCHEWAN AND MANITOBA. The large area of increase reported from these provinces shows that recovery had _ definitely started, though as indicated by the following replies, rabbits were still very scarce. ‘That recovery was of a “patchy” nature is indicated by the amount of conflicting opinion as well as by definite statements to this effect. Northern Alberta, Tps. 69-94, Rgc. 3 W. 5th M. to B. C. Boundary. (W.H Bannister.) - “Much less abundant. I have never seen so few rabbits in 27 years. I have only seen about 20 rabbits in all my travelling since December Ist, 1936. now.” Northern Alberta, Tps. 69-73, Rges. 20-27 W’. sth M. (R. W Duff, R.C.M.P.): “About the same. Very few rabbits have been It is almost a curiosity fo see one seen in this district during the past few seasons.”’ Vicinity of Belvedere, Alta. (A. D. Hender- son): : “Less abundant. Rabbits are now at lowest point in numbers in the cycle. In a day’s walk I have seen one or two individuals. In a 21 days’ collecting trip 35 miles north only one individual was seen. Young jackpine 1—2 feet high were abundant. These seedlings never [Vout. LII survive when rabbits are numerous and it is then impossible to find a jackpine under 7 or 8 feet high.” N. W. corner of the Prince Albert National Park, Saskatchewan. (No name) : “Tess abundant. In some localities rabbits were plentiful, then one could drive for miles without seeing a single track.” Tps. 50-55, Rges. 13-18 W. (J. Barnett) : 3rd M. Saskat- chewan. “No change, very scarce. They do not seem to be coming back very fast.” Interlake’ District im Manitoba. ._(E.. § Norman) : “For the whole winter generally: no change. Within the last month I have seen more than during any month this winter.” (c) ONTARIO AND QUEBEC PENINSULA. The noticeable recovery in the prairie pro- vinces is in marked contrast to conditions generally in Eastern Canada. In most places a third year of decrease is said to have been experienced, though it is likely that much of this should more correctly have been stated as “no change, great scarcity”. Weenusk, Ont. 80 miles N., 20 miles S., 100 mules inland. (R. B. Carson, H. B. Co. post manager ) : “Rabbits have been exceptionally scarce, not more than 10 being killed by the whole Weenusk Band, who cover a large stretch of country. Have never seen rabbits so scarce as they have been here for three winters now.” Fort William to Ignace, Ont. (A. E. Frazer, Overseer, Game and Fisheries) : “Less abundant. There has been a gradual decrease for the past three years. They are scarcer now than at any other period that I can remember.” Between Tatnal, mile 216 Algoma Central Railway and Franz: W. to White River and E. to Lochlash on the C.P.R. S. to mile 103 A. C. R. (O. D. Lewis): “Possibly a very small gain. Some localities have a considerable number of rabbits and within two miles there appear to be only a small very few.” Algonquin Park, Ont. (J. R. Dymond, Director Royal Ontario Museum of Zoology): “None seen in a quite extensive trip through the park. None seen last year either. Probably no change.” May, 1938] THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 69 Fig. 3. Epidemics among snowshoe rabbits. squares overlapped by observers reporting EPIDEMICS in 1936-37. Larger dots are Hudson's Bay Company posts, etc. Broken lines show main vegetation zones. Fort George, P.Q. and 100 miles radius. (W. T. Watt, H. B. Co. post manager) : “Not more than 100 rabbits have been caught amongst a population of over 700 Indians this outfit.” Vicimty of Oskelaneo, P. QO. H. B. Co. post manager) : Gian Hateht “Snowshoe rabbits continued to die off during the early part of the year from the same disease which has killed them off in the past.” Up the St. Marguerite R., E. to L. Ashuanipi & L. Atikonak, down the Romaine R. to St. Jean and the St. Lawrence. (J. A. Bourdeau, RaC MEPs): “Tt is reported that there have been less rabbits this year than ever before. What few rabbits there were in the interior were not eatable: they had some sort of disease which affected their lungs. Hunters stated that when they were opened there was pus gathered in and around the lung of each.” Dotted areas are groups of Thick black lines are Province boundaries. (d) Nova Scot1A AND NEw BRUNSWICK. Such huge local differences are again apparent in the Maritime Provinces that it is practically impossible to draw any conclusions from the present analysis. Particularly in Nova Scotia, however, there appear to be areas where rabbits have reached an appreciable density. Se, UnvernessnGos INESn (bs) Weasinith)): “More abundant. Snowshoe rabbits are at present very plentiful, more so than for the past number of years.” Two important papers on the ecology of the snowshoe rabbit have recently appeared. These give the results of careful studies carried out in Manitoba and in Ontario. Unfortunately, it is impossible here to do more than cite the references which are: Criddle, S. (1938) Can. Field Nat. 52:31-40;: and MacLulich, D. A. (1937): Umiv. Toronto Stud. Biol. 43: 1-136. 70 THE CANADIAN 3. UNITED STATES AND ALASKA (C.E.) UNITED STATES. The U. S. Bureau of Biological Survey for a third year sent out questionnaires to their agents in various states, and to certain organizations who cooperated. We wish to thank the Chief of the Biological Survey, Dr. Ira N. Gabrielson; the Chief of the Division ot Wildlife Research, Dr We Bs Bellvand sDiew Hee iiacksonmor the Section of Wildlife Surveys, who handled The Michigan State Department of Conservation again obtained some _ well-docu- mented replies, while other useful information was obtained through the U. S. Forest Service. Copies of the questionnaire replies are on file with the Biological Survey at Washington, D.C. and at Oxford. the enquiry. Since the first two years’ results from the United States had established fairly clearly that periodic regional fluctuations are not strongly marked in the Western (especially the mountain) part ef the country, it was decided to confine the enquiry this year to the Eastern and Central States. Although fluctuations do undoubtedly occur in areas like the Rocky Mountains, the reports afforded the strongest evidence that these were rather slight, and that the questionnaire method would therefore not Fretp-N ATURALIST (Vou. LII object. We are now in a position to state that the cycle operates over most of Canada and in these Central and Eastern United States where snowshoe rabbits occur. This statement requires, of course, the qualification that fluctuations may southern limits of the any case be very slight at the range, where the population is in rather sparse. The results for 1936-37 are based on a much smaller number of observers than those for Canada; but counterbalancing this is the fact that the observers were in most instances highly trained field men, accustomed to study wild life conditions, and familiar with their area of country. Accordingly some of the areas on the map are larger than those normally accepted in mapping the Canadian data. The total number of observers was 22, and the total number of thirty-mile sided squares overlapped by them was 114. As one square cut by the State boundary of Vermont and New Hampshire had “decrease” reported for the former and “increase” for the latter, this has been counted as two separate squares, bringing the total up to 115. For estimating total area the lower figure is to be used. This gives a maximum square mileage of about 103,000. The actual area covered by observers is, owing to the convention adopted (marking any square on the yield a reliable running record of the changes grid overlapped at all, as a whole square) in numbers. However, in so far as the present probably less than heolf this figure. In making enquiry is designed to study the distribution of | comparisons between different categories of the main and well-marked ten-year cycle in relative abundance, this exaggeration does not snowshoe rabbit numbers, it has achieved its matter. AUANIBIEID, 2 Kecords of the Snowshoe Rabbit population in the United States, 1936-37. (Number of squares). _ 9 z Bs So 2 3 3 a 2 s a 2 ; a 3 S f= oe eons Bo) eB Ue | gd eee 3 =a 3S o ry o aa] ° o a ; a3 2 = 5 fa e Z MS} ica] fo) omer vo ao ° 2 | 4 as gS a se Z Be m | ts ! Connecticut 1 7 0 0 7 0) Maine .. 2 28 | 28 0 0 0 Massachusetts 1 8 3 0 0 0 Michigan .. 1] 48 |14-19 15 14-19 0 Minnesota 4 12 3 @ 2 0 New Hampshire es] 18 13 0 0) 0 | Pennsylvania. . Tee itor 3 0 0 0 Vermont lu Miri. oie eal ean 0 4 0 0 19 |aa-e8| 22-24 May, 1938] The detailed results are given in Table 2. The figure for percentage increase, 56-60%, is high this year, comparing with 47-60% in 1935 36 and 5% in 193435. The figure may have been even higher than this, as certain parts of Northern Michigan that had no change, with possible slight increase, were counted as no change ‘This partly accounts for the relatively high percentage of no change, which appears as a feature also of the Canadian figures for this season. Although the figures are sufficiently small to be subiect to fairly large errors (of opinion or the weighting of classes by single observers reporting from large areas), yet they indicate that the snowshoe rabbit cycle in the Eastern States was either near its bottom or on the upgrade once more, recovering frem the last peak in the early thirties. Space prevents quotation of more than one or two of the original replies, which contain many interesting obse-vations. These will be incorporated into) a more comprehensive report on the results of the three years’ enquiry in the United States, which is being prepared. As regards the northern counties of Connecti- cut, the report (Paul D. Dalke) indicates that the absence of change in numbers is due to the general scarcity of snowshoe rabbits there at all times, and not to the state of the cycle: “At no time is snowshoe abundant in Conn., southern limit of distribution in New England.” Some comparable reports from New York State were not mapped. They indicate either usual or periodic scarcity. W. J. Hamilton mentions that “there is a widespread belief among hunters, perhaps not unfounded, that the smaller cottontail is responsible for driving out the snowshoe when it invades the latter’s range. It is true that the cottontail is spreading into the foothills of the Adirondacks and now occurs where it did not previously” Future research may show whether this connection is a coin- cidence. or not. Some reports from Wisconsin, Southern Michigan and Virginia provide useful informa- tion on the present limits of the range of the snowshoe rabbit, but have not been mapped. Notes from Maine (B. E. Smith, L. F. Brackett) indicate that snowshoe rabbit increase has been seen in the cut-over areas and burnt lands, but not in the heavily timbered country. The normal habitats and possible periodic spread into others when density becomes high form an interesting subject on which these questionnaires will throw a good deal of light, when data have accumulated for a number of years. THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 71 A general report covering Northern Minnesota and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (S. E. Aldous) states: “If any change took place du ing the past year, it was slight increase in Northern Michigan; but the animals are still at a very low point in the cycle.” This conclusion is fully confirmed by the detailed reports supplied by the Michigan Department oi Conservation. In regard to the situation in Minnesota, and the question of the nature of the rabbit crash, special attention is drawn to the Minnesota Wildlife Disease Investigations that have been carried on for several years by R. G. Green in cooperation with other workers, and in particular to the remarkable evidence that is accumulating about “shock disease”. The Report Dye Cas NE Aldouse Ge 1937, 18 :46-57) gives additional data from this investi- gation, on habits, movements and reproduction. These data suggested that there was no abnormally high reproductive rate associated with the peak of the cycle in numbers, a conclusion also reached by Criddle in the paper already mentioned. The conclusions tentatively reached from the United States enquiry are (1) the snowshoe rabbit has a marked periodic cycle in north- east and north-central United States (2) the period is probably the same (round about ten years) as that of tne main Canadian populations (3) the bettom of the cycle has been passed in many areas (4) the Eastern United States snowshoe rabbits are showing recovery sooner than those in Ontario and Quebec The United States enquiry is being continued by the Bureau of Biological Survey for the next year. snowshoe Mammalogy, II ASTOAY In view of the evidence obtained through the Canadian enquiry that snowshoe rabbits were still high in some parts of Northwest Canada in 1936-37, the following report from an observer in Alaska, who has followed the cycle for several years is of great interest. From Otto W. Geist, of the University of Alaska, transmitted through the U. S. Bureau of Biological Survey: “Period 1936-37. Area: Central Alaska: vicinity of Fairbanks, bordered approximately by Chatnika on the N., Ester towards the W., Chena Hot-springs towards the E, and Richardson towards the S. Habitat: Chiefly brush country with small stands of black - spruce, birches. alders, but chiefly consisting of low alder and willow brush scattered throughout 72 THE CANADIAN ravines in tundra country and low hills. Numbers: Apparently no change from last year. Rabbits are plentiful. Disease: No epidemic whatsoever. Dissections of rabbits this summer showed in many cases that the majority of rapbits are infected with tapeworms as well as ticks.” Two boys hunting on 17 October 1937 for about seven and a half hours shot with rifles 64 snowshee rabbits over a distance of some seven miles from Fairbanks. About three- quarters of these were killed on less than a quarter of a square mile. On 17 October one man killed 11 rabbits within about an eighth of a square mile. SUMMARY. 557. reports for the season 1936-37 were received from Canada. In limited areas in the Yukon the crest of the cycle had not yet beén passed In the Northwest Territories almost no recovery had occurred. In British Columbia and the prairie provinces, however, local but definite signs of increase were apparent. Over most of Fastern Canada (including Anticosti) snowshoe FieLp-NATURALIS? [VoL. LII rabbits were extremely scarce. Except possibly for parts of Nova Scotia, signs of recovery were much less in evidence than further west. For the Dominion as a whole the bottom of the cycle was reached in 1935-36. 1936-37 thus marks the first of several years in which the reappearance of the snowshoe rabbit may be looked for in gradually increasing abundance. 22 reports from the United States provide evidence that a similar recovery had begun in some parts of the north-eastern and _ north- central States, although great scarcity — still prevailed. One report from Alaska was received, stating that numbers were still high, as in some parts of the Yukon. ERRATUM. In the last report (Canadian Field-Naturalist, 1937, Vol. 51) there is one correction to be made. p. 68 Omit “less” Simpson. from report from Fort RED SPRUCE IN THE LOWER GATINEAU VALLEY By C. HEIMBURGER NEW TREE was added to the flora of the Ottawa district. recently when red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.’) was 9 discovered in the Gatineau district on the property of the Ottawa Ski Club. A few young trees were first seen in a small marsh on the “Pleasant Valley” trail, a short distance southwest of the “Top of the World”. A search for the parent trees soon located fifty or more old and middle-aged trees. Later a second group of old and young trees was found growing just east of the Meach Lake road, not far from Old Chelsea There is reason to expect, f-om the oc- currence of the trees seen, that further botan- izing will show the red spruce to be tolerably common in the lower Gatineau district on well drained, but moist and well sheltered slopes. Red spruce has been definitely recognized as native to the flora of Canada only. in fairly recent times. The first Canadian record probably being 1 Fernald & Weatherby, Rhodora 34 :211, 1932, have pointed out that according to the ‘“homonym”’ rule of 1930, P. rubra (DuRoi) Link cannot be maintained and that Sargent’s name, therefore, be- ing the first-wnequivocal one, must be used. and A. E. PORSILD from Prince Edward Island, Macoun Cat. v. p. 362, 1890 as P. nigra var. rubra Gray’s Manual, for example, 7th ed., in 1907 gave its distribution thus: “Nfld. to Pa. south in the Alleghennies tc _ Ga., west to Minn.” although Sargent two years before in Manual of Trees of North America, p 41, had correctly said: “from P.E.I. and the valley of the St. Lawrence etc’. In Native Trees of Canada, ed. 1933 (Forest Service Bull. 61), the range given includes Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Quebec south of the St. Lawrence, incorrectly including Gaspé and Baie de Chaleur. Victorin, on the other hand, in his Flora Laurentienne, in 1935, merely states: “il se trouve probablement dans le sud de laire”. The océurrence of red sp uce to the north of the St. Lawrence has long been suspected by foresters, but until now, as far as we are aware, no records have been officially verified. Thus in the autumn of 1932, C. Heimburger, during a trip to the headwaters of Montmorency River, P.Q., saw red spruce growing near Laval, at the south- ern edge of the Laurentians. During the same autumn he again found it on the middle Lievre May, 1938] River, cousiderably west of its then known range. Again, in the summers of 1936 and 1937, it was found abundantly represented in the forests of the Lake Edward Forest Experiment Station, near Lac la Péche, P.Q. Thus it seems that red spruce is found along the southern edge of the Laurentians, from Laval to the Lievre. The recent find on the lower Gatineau extends its range still further to the westward. Picea rubens (Red Spruce), like P. mariana, (Black Spruce) is easily distinguished from P. glauca (White Spruce) by the finely pubescent young branches. The leaves of white spruce, also, have an unpleasant, pungent taste that, once learned, readily distinguishes fresh material. Typical material of red and black spruce may THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIS' 72 Picea rubens leaves: long, slender, sharply pointed, lustrous fresh green. cones: green when young, becoming light red- dish brown and lustrous at maturity, ovate-oblong, gradually narrowed to- wards the acute apex, from 1% to 2 in. long, falling soon after maturity; scales obovate, entire or slightly denticulate. P. mariana leaves: shorter, somewhat curved, blunt, dull bluish-green. cones: purplish when young turning dull brown at maturity, ovoid, % to 1% in. long, persisting on the branches for many years; scales finely denticulate or erose on the notched, pale margins, be distinguished by the following characters: INFORMATION CONCERNING THE OCCURRENCE OF THE SNOWY OWL The National Parks Bureau is gathering information concerning the oc- currence of Snowy Owls in southern Canada during the winter of 1937-38. It would be appreciated if persons who have observations to report in this connection would give any particulars concerning Snowy Owls observed since November 1, 1937, and any comments as to whether or not Snowy Owls were unusually abundant during the past winter. MEMBERS OF THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB AND SUBSCRIBERS TO THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST, MAY, 1938 PATRONS His ExCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR GEN- ERAL, Rideau Hall, Ottawa, Ont. HER EXCELLENCY, LADY TWEEDSMUIR Rideau Hall, Ottawa, Ont. 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 Dr Lury, RALPH E., (1933) Dominion Observatory, Ottawa, Ont. HALKeTTr. Miss M., (1932) 216 Lyon St., Ottawa, Ont. LIFE MEMBERS Grou, H., (1933) Botanical Division, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Ont. PauLtson, C. W. G., (1936) c-o John Harkness Co, 69 Great Queen St, Kingsway, London, W.C.2 England. Puiuiep, 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. WIiLson, M.E., (1936) Department of Mines, Ottawa, Ont. MEMBERS AND SUBSCRIBERS A ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCE, 1900 Race Street, Philadelphia, Pa., U.S.A. ADAMS, JOUIN, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Ont. AGRICULTURE, DEPARTMENT OF, Division of Botany, Library, Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Ont. 74 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 Lands and 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., 332 S. Syndicate Ave.. Fort William, 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, VBRNON, 1834 Kalorama Rd., Washington, D.C., U.S.A. BAILLIE, J. L. JR., Royal Ontario Museum, Bloor Street, Toronto, Ont. BAKER, FRANK C., Natural History Building, Urbana, Ill., U.S.A. BALDWIN, L. H., 2 Kilbarr Place, Toronto, 5, Ont. BALDWIN, S. P., 11025 East Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A. BANIM, F. E., St. Patrick’s College, Ottawa, Ont. BASTIAN, EMIL, 216 Wilmot St., Kitchener, Ont. BEAMER, L. H., Box 344, Meaford, Ont. BENT, A. C., 140 High Street, Taunton, Mass., U.S.A. BERNARD, H., Editor, ‘‘lLe Courier’, St. Hyacinthe, P.Q. THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST BERNIGAUD, J. P., E20: Box 229, Station B., Montreal, P. Q. BIoLoecy, LIBRARY OF, Mont Saint-Louis, 224 Sherbrooke Street East, Montreal, P.Q. BIRD, RALPH JD., Box 250, Brandon, Man BISHOP, LouIs B., 450 Bradford Street, Pasadena. Cal., 17.S.A. BOSTON SOCIETY OF NATURAI. HISTORY, 234 Berkeley Street, Boston, Mass., U.S.A. Bowers, HENRy, 303 Flora Street, Ottawa. Ont. BoypD, MrR., 98 Renfrew St., River Heights, Winnipeg, Man. Boy Scouts’ ASSOCIATION, Canadian General Council, Wellington Street, Ottawa, Ont. BRANDT, H. “‘W., 11945 Carlton Road, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A. BRERETON, E. L., Box 99, Barrie, Ont. BRIGDEN, F. 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DoBIgE, EF F., Apartment 5, 189 Laurier Ave., E , Ottawa, Ont. DoLEeMAN, Miss S. A., Box 604, Mount Dora, Florida, U.S.A. DorE, W. G., 16 Aylmer Ave., Ottawa, Ont. DOWNES, P. G., Belmont Hill School, Belmont, Mass. U.S NG DyMOND, J. R., Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto. Ont. E EASTHAM, J W., Court House, Vancouver, B.C. EDMONTON PUBLIC LIBRARY, Edmonton, Alta. EDWARDS, D. K., Bayswater Avenue, Ottawa, Ont. EIFRIG, C. W. G., 1029 Monroe Avenue, River Forest, Il]., U.S.A. ELLIS, RALPH, 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. FRRINGTON, P. L., Iowa State College, Ames, Iowa, U.S.A. F Farco, W. G., 506 Union Street, Jackson, Mich., U. SaAts 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 General Library, Chicago, Ill., U.S.A FLETCHER, J. F.S., e-o Hudsons Bay Company, Tacla Landing, B.C. FLEMING; J. H., 267 Rusholme Road, Toronto, Ont. 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 IM hie, dis 1b 1221 Osborne Sitar Montreal, P,Q. FRYER, Ralph, 348 Lynwood Street, St. James, Manitoba HISTORY Tur CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST Furniss, O. C., 2203 First “Avenue West, Prince Albert, Sask. G GEOLOGICAL SURVEY LIBRARY, e/o Mrs. Forsey, Dept. of Mines and Resources National Museum, Ottawa, Ont. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY LIBRARY, Department of Interior, Washington, D.C., U.S. A. GIRLING. W. G., 530 English Street, London, Ont. GODFREY, FiARL, Wolfville, N.S. GoopWILL, E. V , 36 Albemarle Ave., Toronto, Ont. Gorpon, H. K., 34 Glen Ave., Toronto, (12) Ont. GOTEBORGS STADSBIBLIOTEK, Goteborg, Sweden. GOULD, HARRY, High River, Alta. GRINNELL, J., University of California. Berkeley, Cal., U.S.A. 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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. 75 HEIMBURGER. C. C., Dominion Forest Service, Department of Mines & Resources, Ottawa, Ont. HEMING, W. E., MeGraw Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. U.S.A HICKEY, P., Game Division, Dept of Conservation, Lansing, Mich., U.S.A. HopGson, Mrs. E. IN 156 Third Avenue, Ottawa, Ont. Ho.pom, M. W., Lindsay Cottage, Crescent, B.C. .; HUBER, WHARTON, 225 St. Mark’s Square, Philadelphia, Pa., U.S.A. HUMPHREY, S., Unity, Sask. AuNTER. E. 59 Chestnut Park: Toronto, Ont. HUNTER, FENLEY, Box 97, Flushing, Long Island, US.A HUNTSMAN, A. G., University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont. HUuRLBURT, W. E., Vineland, Ont. (pg, F. P., Department of Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont. {[LLINOIS UNIVERSITY LIBRARY, Urbana, IIl., U.S.A. INDIANA UNIVERSITY LIBRARY, Bloomington, Jnd., U.S.A. INT. POLJURNOGO ZEMLEDELIJA, Zhivotnovodstva I, Promijslov, Hence Ul. Gercena 42, Leningrad, U.S.S.R. Iowa STATE COLLEGE, Ames, Iowa, USIA- Jackson, H. A. C., 35 Campbell Avenue, Montreal West, P.Q. JAMES, F. L.., Eston, Sask JAMIESON, D. B., Durham, Ont JENNINGS, OTTO E., Carnegie Museum, Pittsburgh, Pa., U.S.A. JOUANSEN, F., Zoological Museum, Copenhagen, Denmark. JONES. G W., 38 Stanley St., Halifax, 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. 76 Kipp, H. M., Nordegg, Alberta. KINDLE Dept. of Geology, City Colleeee New York, N.Y., U.S A. KINDLE, E. M., Geological ‘Survey, Ottawa, Ont. KINGSTON. Miss. Lots, 202 Elgin Street, Ottawa, Ont KITTO, V., 36 Patterson Ave., Ottawa, Ont. Kurata, T. B., 359 Ellis Park Road. Toronto, Ont. L LAIDMAN, G. H. R., c-o Boy Scouts’ Association, Queenston, Unt. LaInG, H. M Comox, B.C. LAMBERT, Mrs. A. J. F.. 2321 Halifax Street. Regina. Sask. LANCELEY, W. H., 23 Flmdale Avenue, Ottawa, Ont. ILANGELIER, GUS., Re Eells. Faubourg St. Jean Baptiste, Quebee, P.Q LA RocQugE, A., National Museum, Ottawa, Ont. LATCHFORD, F. R., Osgoode Hall, Toronto Ont. LATHE, Mrs. F. E , 180 Cartier St., Ottawa. Ont. LAVAL UNIVERSITY, Bibliotheque, Quebec, P.Q: LAWRENCE, A. G., City Health Department, Winnipeg, Man. LEECHMAN, J)., National Museum, Ottawa, Ont. LEEs, W. A. D., P.O. Box 1388, Wetaskiwin, Alta. Lem, 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., e-o National Parks Bureau, Department of Mines & Resources, Ottawa, Ont. Linpsay, R. V., 61 Brookfield Street, Toronto, Ont. LLoyD, HoyYEs, 582 Mariposa Avenue, Rockceliffe Park, Ottawa, Ont. LLOYD LIBRARY, Cincinnati, Ohio, U. S.A. LiuoypD, WILMO’, 582 Mariposa Avenue, Roekeliffe Park, Ottawa, Ont. LOCBHEAD, D.. 389 Third Avenue, Ottawa, Ont LOGIpR, SHELLY, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Ont. LONDON PUBLIC LIBRARY, London Ont Lowe, C. R., University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man. LownsBury, C. R., 180 MeLeod Street, Ottawa, Ont. THe CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST Lyon, W. L., 124 Washington Street, Waukegan, IIl.. U.S.A. M MACAULAY, T. B., Hudson Heights, Que. MACGREGOR, H_ A., Foremost, Alberta. Mack, H.G., c/o Gilson Manufacturing Co... Guelph, Ont. MacLuLIcu, D. A., 144 Mavety St, Toronto, Ont. MACNAMARA, CHAS., Arnprior, Ont. MaGprE. M. J., 603 South Street. Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., U.S.A. MaGuIRE, W.S., YMC.A, New Westminster, B.C. MAINE, UNIVERSITY OF, Library, Orono Maine, U'S.A. MANITOBA NATURAL HIST RY SOCIETY, Winnipeg Auditorium Museum, Memorial Boulevard, Winnipeg, Man. MANITOBA UNIVERSITY, Seienee Library, Fort Garry Site, Winnipeg, Man. MARCOTTE, LEON, St. Charles Seminary, Sherbrooke, P.Q. McCaBg, T. T., 2620 Benvenue Ave. Berkeley, California, U.S.A McConkEy, C A, 730 Echo Drive, Ottawa, Ont. McDouGAL.L, E. G., Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Ont McELHINNEY, M.G., c-o James Word, Federal Dist. Com Boat House, Dow’s Lake, 1 Ottawa, Ont. McFappkENn, R. W.E., 4 Hart Street, Brantford, Ont. McGAHEY, MIss PEARL, 193 O’Connor Street, Ottawa, Ont. McGEkE, Mrs. T. D.. 12 Marlborough Ave, Ottawa. Ont. McGILL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY, 3459 McTavish Saree Montreal, P.Q. McILWRAITH ORNITHOLOGICAL c-o Keith Reynolds, 3 McDonald Ave, London, Ont. McI.wrRalITH, T. F., 50 St. Leonard’s Avenue, Toronto 12, Ont. McKEanp, D. L., Buena Vista Road, Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa, Ont. McKINNON, Mrs. J.S., 24 Jeanne d’Arc Street, Hull, P.Q. McKINNON, Dr. S.B., Box 697. Rouyn, Que. McLAINB, L. S., Entomological Branch, Ottawa, Ont. McMANus, JR. R., Memramcook, N. B McMASTER UNIVERSITY LIBRARY, Westdale, Hamilton, Ont. MEREDITH, R., 93 St. Peter Street, Quebec, P.Q. CLUB, (Vou LIL MERRIAM, C. H., 1919 - 16th Street, Washington, D.C., U.S.A. MERRIMAN, Miss IDs, 185 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. MITCHELL, Miss P., 187 Holmwood Ave., Ottawa, Ont. MOoNnTREAL 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. MorGan, IAN, 3462 Peel St, Montreal. PQ. Morris, FRANK, 694 Aylmer Avenue. Peterborough, Ont. Morris, RoBErT T., Box 554, Stamford, Conn., U.S.A. ‘Mous.ey, H., 4073 Tupper Street, Westmount,_ Montreal, EQ: Munro, J. A., Okanagan Landing, B.C. Mureuy Miss L., 1535 Summerhill A venue, Montreal, P.Q. ° N NATIONAL PARKS BUREAU, Department of Mines & Hes Ounccs, Ottawa, Ont. NEEDLER, A. W. H., Ellerslie, P.E.I. NEWCOMBE, W. A., 138 Dallas Road, Victoria, B.C. NEwToNn, 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- NicHo.s, D. A., : National Museum, Ottawa, Ont. NicoL, COLIN, 111 Wolseley Ste Montreal West, P. Q. NORMAL SCHOOL, The Principal, North Bay, Ont. May, 1938] NORMAL SCHOOL, Elgin Street, Ottawa, Ont. O OBERHOLSER, H. C., 28)5 18th Street N.W., Washington, D.C., U.S.A. O’CoNNOR, J. L., Dominion Observatory. - Ottawa, Ont. Op.uM, G. C., 188) Grant St., Vancouve’, B.C. OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, Library, 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. OSLO ZOO’ OGICAL MUSEUM, Oslo, Norway. P PAcIFIC BIOLOGICAL STATION, Nanaimo, B.C. PARASITOLOGY, INSTITUTE OF, MACDONALD COLLEGE P.Q. PARLIAMENTARY I.IBRARY, 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. PETTINGE.L, O. S. JR, Dept. of Zoology, Carleton College, Northfield, Minn., U.S.A. PHELPS, FRANK M., 312 Fifth Street, Elyria, Ohio, U.S.A. PHILLIFs, JOHN C., Wenham. Mass., U.S.A. PorsILp, A. F., 569 Mariposa Avenue, Roekeliffe Park, Ottawa, Ont PorsIup, M. P., Director, Den Station, Disko, Greenland. Port ARTHUR PUBLIC SCHOOL, St. James St., Port Arthur, Ont. PotrerR, LAWRENCE B., Gower Ranch, East Fnd, Sask. PREBLE, FE. A., 3027 Newark Street, Washington, D.C., U.S.A. PRESTON PUBLIC LIBRARY, Preston, Ont PREUSSISCHE STATS-BIBLIOTHEK, Unter den Linden 38, Berlin, N.W. 7, Germany. PRINCETON UNIVERSITY LIBRARY, Princeton, N.J., U.S.A. PRITCHARD, A. T.., Pacifie Biological Station. Nanaimo, B.C. PuTMAN, W. L., Entomological Laboratory, Vineland. Ont. Danske Arktiske THrE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST Q QUEBEC SOCIBTY 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. R 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. RICHARDSON, L. R., Dept of Zoology, MeGill University, Montreal, P.Q. Ricker, Miss H.S., 94 Park Street, Truro, N.S RICKER, WM. E., International Salmon Commission, Westminster Trust Building, New Westminster, B.C. RosBerts, T. S., Director, Museum of Natural History, Minneapolis, Minn., US A ROBINSON, J. M., 39 Second Ave., Ottawa, Ont. Rocesrs, Mrs. R. P., 215 Metcalfe Street, Ottawa, Ont. RONAYNE, JOHN, Pemberton Meadows, B.C. Ross, D. A., Vineland Station, Ont. ROYAL CANADIAN INSTITUTE. 198 College Street, Toronto, Ont. RUSSELL, Loris S., University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont. RuTTER, R.J., c-o Brodie Club, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto. Ont SALT, W. RAy, Rosebud, Alberta SANSON, N. B., Banff, Alta. SARNIA COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE, Sarnia, Ont. SASKATCHEWAN PROVINCIAL MUSEUM, Normal School Regina, Sask SAUNDERS, W. E., 240 Central Avenue, London, Ont. SCHUURMAN, J., Box 95, Ottawa, Ont. Scott, W. L., 383 Stewart Street, Ottawa, Ont. . SHaw, W. T., 1002 Cambridge Avenue, Fresno, Cal., U.S.A. SHELDON, Miss C., R.F_D. No. 1, Woodstock, Vermont, U.S.A SHEPPARD, R. W., 1805 Moreland Ave., Niagara Falls, Ont. SHERMAN, Miss A. R., National, via McGregor, Iowa, U.S.A. 77 SHERWOOD, E. S., 140 Wellington Street, Ottawa, Ont. SHIRAS 3RD, GEO., 4530 Klingle Street, Washington, D.C., U.S.A. SuutTt, F. T., 230 Mariposa Ave, Rocekcliffe Park. Ottawa, Ont. Sirton, H. B., 10 Rathnally Ave., Toronto, Ont. SKINNER, M. P., 1316 Harding Street, Long Beach, Cal., U.S.A. SMITH. A. G., Wainwright, Alberta. SMITH, FRANK, 79 Fayette Street, Hillsdale, Mich., U.S.A. SMITH, GORDON, 509 Victor Street, Winnipeg, Man. 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. SoclIETE PROVENCHER D’HISTOIRE Na- TURELLE DU CANADA, 38 Sherbrooke Street, Quebec, P.Q Sopsr, J. D., 827 Riverwood Ave., Fort Garry, Winnipeg, Man. SoutHam, W. M., Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa, Ont. SPEECHLY, H. M., 232 Home St. Winnipeg, Man. Speirs, 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. NAYS UES SAM STEPHENS, T. C., Morningside College, Sioux City, Iowa, U.S.A. STERNBERG, CHAS. M., Geological Survey, Ottawa, Ont. STEWART, DAVID, 382 Spence St., Winnipeg, Manitoba STEWART, TOM, 165 Carling Ave, Ottawa, Ont. SwepIsH ROYAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCE, Stockholm, Sweden. SWEDISH ROYAL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY, Lund, Sweden T TAVERNER, P. A., National Museum, Ottawa, Ont. TayLor, B. W., Director of Fish Culture, Room 206, Biological Building, Montreal, P.Q. TERRILL, LEwIs M., 216 Redfern Avenue, Westmount, P.Q. THACKER, T. L., Little Mountain, Hope, B.C 78 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, Edmonton, Alta. Turts, R. W., Wolfville, N.S. TURNBULL, J. F., R.R. No. Bh, Orillia, Ont. TURNER. G. H., Fort Saskatchewan, Alta. TURNER, J. P., 117 Cooper Street, Gln. Ont. TYRRELL, J. B., 1312 Metropolitan Building, Toronto 2, Ont. U URQUHART, F.A., | Royal Ontario Museumof. Zoology, Toronto. Ont. UssHER, R. D., Nancy Lake Farm, King, Ont. Utan STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, Forestry Dept., Logan, Utah, (Ok S.A. Vv VAN .CLEAVE, H. J., Department of Zoology, University of Ilinois, Urbana, Ill., U.S.A. __. H VANCOUVER NATURAL “HISTORY ‘So- CIETY, c-o W. F. ‘Connor, 3222 W. 36th Street, Vancouver, B.C... THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIS? 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. 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 Watsu, M.J., Box 1338, Ottawa, Ont. WALSHE. MIss N., Apt. 1, : 2 Becetand Ave., Ottawa, Ont. WARREN, FE. R., : 1511 Wood Avenue, Wishart Colorado Springs, Col., U.S.A. WARREN, J., 3 129 Acacia Ave., Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa, Ont. : WASHINGTON STATE COLLEGE LIBRARY, Pullman; Wash., U.S.A. p WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY LIBRARY, Seattle, Wash., U.S.A. WEEMS, F: C., 23 Wall Street, New York, N. Ya U.S.A. WHELEN, R. V., Smoky Falls, via Kapuskasing, Ont. WHITE, ED. F. G., 185 Wurtemburg Strest, Ottawa, Ont. WHITEHEAD, A. B., 302 Grande Allee, Quebec, P.Q. WHITEHURST, Miss P., Westboro, Ont. WICKENDEN, R. T. D., 380 Pretoria Ave., Ottawa, Ont. (VoL. LIT WICKSTEED, MISS W., 412 Sparks Street, Ottawa, Ont. WILLEY, PRoFr. ARTHUR, Walsingham, Willingdon Road, Eastbourne, England. WILLIAMS, M. Y., University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C WILK, A.L., R.R. 2, Camrose, Alberta WILson, Miss ALICE E., Geological Survey, Ottawa, Ont. WI‘SON, Miss W. E., 231 Elm Ave., Westmount, P.Q. Woop, CASEY, g c-o Emma S. Wood Library, McGill University, Montreal, P.Q. : Woop, WM., 59 Grande Allee, ~ “Québec, P.Q. WoovsTock NATURALIST SOCIETY, c-o G. L, Nutt, 11 Beale’ St. Woodstock, Ont. WricGut, A. H., Zoological ‘Vaboratory, Cornell Univers eg Ithaca, N.Y., U.S Wricut, H. H., 326 Metcalfe Street, Ottawa, Ont. Wricnt, 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. ' Past Presidents: H. M.- NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF MANITOBA 1936-37 President Emeritus: C. EB. BASTIN; President: A. G. LAWRENCB; SPEECHLY, M.D., V. W. JACKSON, _M.Sc., C. W. Lows, M.Sc., J. B. Watts, M.A., A. A. ' McCousrey, A. M. Davipson, M.D., R. A. WARDLBE, 'M.Sc., G. SHIRLBY Brooks; Vice-Presidents: B. W. CART- WRIGHT, H. C. Pmarce, L. T. S. NORRIS-ELYB, B-A., Mrs. 6. _ &. 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. THOMAS; Hxecutive Secretary: J. Convenor: Miss O. A. ARMSTRONG. Secretary A. M. MACKIn Miss M. F. PRATT Mrs. I. M. PRIESTLY P. H. SToKsEs Section Chairman Orntthological A. H. SHORTT Entomological G SHIRLEY BROOKS Botanical H. F. Roperts, M.Sc. Geological A.A. McCouBREY 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- aoon 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, 3653 Princess Ave., London, Ont.; 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 Avenue, London, Ont.; E. M.S. DALB, 297 Hyman Street, London, Ont. Meetings held the second Monday of the month, except during the summer. VANCOUVER NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OFFICERS FOR 1938-39 President: C. F. CONNOR, M. A., Vice-President: Mr. J. J. PLoMMER, Henorary Secretary: Mr. Gro. ROGER Woon, B.A., First Assistant Secretary: MISS VIRGINIA HOLLAND 2nd Assistant Secretary: Mrs. MARY SIBBURTH, Honorary Treasurer: Mr. F.J. SANFORD, Librarian: Mr. A. A. Scott, Additional Members of Executive: Mr. A. H. BAIN, MR. W. Ciark, Mrs. H. FaRLBY, MR H.C. FRESHWATER, MR. K. Racpy, Mrs. J. MorTion, Mr. P. L. Tait, Chairmen of Sections: Botany: Pror. JoHN Davipson, F.L.S., F.B.S.E., F.RH..S., U.B.C., Geology: M. Y. Wituiams, PH.D, F.G.S.A.,F. RSC., UBC... Entomology: Mr. A.R. Wootton, Ornithology: MR. J.D. TURNBULL, Microscopy: Mr. H. P. CLARK, Photography: Mr. Parr Timms, Mammalogy: Mr. G.L Pop, Astronomy; Mrs. LAURA ANDERSON, B.A., Marins Biology; Mr. A.V. QuIGLEY, Auditors: H. G. Setwoop, W. B. Woops. All meetings at 8 p.m., Auditorium, Normal School, 10tb 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 Happow, Social — Affiliated Societies OFFICERS & COMMITTEE: PROVINCE OF QUEBEC SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS INC. Past Presidents: Mr. L. M. THRRILL, MR. NapPinR SMITH. Mr. W. S. Hart, Mrs. C. L. HENDERSON; President: PROF. V. C WYNNE-Epwarps, 495 Prince Arthur Street, Apt. 4, Montreal; Vice-Presidents: Mr. J. A. DECARIE, Miss MAUDE SBHATH; Vice-President and Treasurer: Mk. HWNRY MOUSLBY; Secretary: Mr. J. D. CLEGHORN. Commitiee: Mrs. C. F. DALE, Mr. W.S. Hart, Mrs. C. L. HENDERSON, Mr. H. A. C. JacKSoN, Mr. E. L. JUDAH, Mer. FrasER S. KuitH, Miss P. B. MATTINSON, Muss L. MurrHy, Miss M. S. Nicotson, Mr. R. A. OUTHET, MR_ C. Sarr Mr. Napier Smite, Mr. L. McI.SpacKMAN, Mr. L. M. TERRILL, Mrs. L. M. TERRILL. ~ Meetings held the second Monday of the month except dur- ing summer. SOCIETE PROVANCHER D’HISTOIRE NATURELLE DU CANADA Son Excellence, LH TRES HONORABLE LorpD TWEEDsSMUIR, G.C.M.G., C.H., Gouverneur- Général du Canada; Vice-Pairon Honoraire: HONORABLE E.-L. PATENAUDE, Lieutenant-Gouverneur dela Province de Québec; Bureau de Direction pour 1987: Président: JAMES F. Ross; ler vice-président: DR. GUSTAVE RATTE; 2iéme ovice-- 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 TESSIER, Chef de la section de protection: J.-PAUL RoussHAU, Chef de la section d’information scientifique et pratique: EMILD ALTHERR, Directeurs: IAL BREAKEY, JR., JAMES PRICH, DR. VIGER, PLAMONDON, ALPHONSE DESILETS, I.A., REX MEREDITH, N.P., EpGAR ROCHETTE, C.R., STUART ATKINSON, ADRIEN FALARDEAU, C.R. Secrétaire-trésorier: Louis-B. LAvorr 38, rue Sherbrooke, Québec. Patron Honoraire: THE TORONTO FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB OFFICERS FOR 1936-37. Honorary President. Dr. A. P. COLEMAN; President: D * P. Ip, Vice-President: F.C. Hurst, Hon. Vice-Presidents: Hon. H.C. Nixon, Mr. J.H. FLEMING, SecretaryTreasure:: HuGH M. HauumpaAy; Council—Pror. J.R. Dymonp, C. S. FARMER, ARNOTT M.PATTERSON, PrRoFr. T. F. McILWRAITH, Dr. NorRMAFoRD, RUPERT DAvins, G.S, Beit, Dr. R. M. SAUNDERS, Mrs. 0. 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-Presiden of Junior Club: Mrs. A. R. WHITTEMORE. Leaders: — Birds—Messrs. S. L. THompson, L. 1... SNypDER, J. L. Batis, Jr., Pror. T. F. McluwraitH, R. M. SPeirs, F. H. Emery. Mammals—Pror. A. F. Coventry, Mussrs. B. C, Cross, D. A. McLuLicu. Reptiles and Amphibions— Messrs. BE. B.S. Locrmer, Wm LeRay. Fish—Pror. J. R. DyMonpD, PrRor W. J. K. HARKNESS. Insects—Dr. E. M. WALKpmR, Dr. N. Forp. Mr. F. P. Ipp. Botany—Pror. R. B. THomson, Dr. H. B. Sirton, Dr. T.M. C. Tayvior: Mr. W. R. Watson. Mr. L. T. Owns. 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 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 OF OE Se Se ere Noon BEQUEST Date 2.60) Prices of Separates Notes to Contributors, Etc. Papers for publication should be addressed to the Editor, or to the appropriate Associate Editor. 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KINDLE Special profusely illustrated number of The | y ‘‘Naturalist’’, 86 pages, 31 illustrations. Every | A Canadian should know this prize essay. Ai PRICE FIFTY CENTS WILMOT LLOYD 582 Mariposa Avenue Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa WILMOT LLOYD, Treasurer, Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club, 582 Mariposa Avenues, Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa. oo Enclosed please find $2.00 as membership in The O.F.-N.C. and Subscription to the Canadian | Field-Naturalist for the year 1938. - f Name momen neon nnn ewe ene n ewe nn rem nen ce an cn an pee ennea cena + anna ann eweccccnwosccscoeses Address City, Prov. or State__._.............-.- Seven See “100 Dollars TO EXCHANGE I have the following ornithological } publications to exchange for volumes of the “Ottawa Field-Naturalist’’ issued prior to 1905: Life Histories N. A. Birds, Bendire, 2 vols. Life Histories N. A. Birds, Bent, Bulletins 146-162. Birds of N. and M. America, Ridgway, parts IV-V-VI-VIII. Also many numbers of the ‘‘Auk’’ and ‘Canadian Field-Naturalist”’ Frank L. Farley, Camrose, Alberta VOL. LI, No. 6 SEPT., 1938 ) uM ol Noe 8 Seek tat “NA (4 rN Mi id Bi \i4 i sunt ISSUED SEPT. Ist, 1938 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: P. A. TAVERNER : 4 ist Vice-President: A. EK. PORSILD and Vice-President: H. G. CRAWFORD, Secretary: C. R. LOUNSBURY Treasurer: WILMOT LLOYD, 582 Mariposa Ave., 180 McLeod Street, Ottawa Rockceliffe Park. Additional Members of Council: F. J. ALCOCK, R. M. ANDERSON, Rav. F. E. BANIM, HENRY BOWER E. Cowan, R. E. DELury, F. J. FRASER, H. Grou, G. H. HAMMOND, C. E. JOHNSO KE. M. KINDLE, W. H. LANcELEY, A. LARocquE, DouGLAS LEECHMAN, HARRISON F. LEWwI Hoyes Lioyp, Mark G. McELHINNEY, C. M. STERNBERG, MALCoLM M. THomson, E. F. WHITE, Miss Peccy WHITEHuRST, 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: DouUGLAS LEECHMAN National Museum, Ottawa, Canada Associate Editors: ID IENNESS 6 eed, Anthropology CLYDE L. PATCH............... Herpetology J. ADAMS.......... Per uae . Botany R. M. ANDERSON.............. Mammalogy AS ier OER MACE ra) oa Conchology A.G. HUNTSMAN..... . __. .Marine Biology ARTHUR GIBSON.............. Entomology P. A. TAVERNER......... .....-Ornitholo Re) ALCOCK 2 oe oy Se SOUL es isk Geology Be Me ROIND iB 505 ee ae Palzontolo CONTENTS , Summer Notes from Blue Sea Lake, Quebec By Ira N. Gabrielson................-.- sh The Relation of the Marine Fauna to the Physiography of the West Coast of the Queen Charlotte Islands. By C. Mclean Fraser...) 22) 5000..20.. 25/20) 2 ee Notes and Observations: ; Occurrence of the Lapland Longspur in the Ottawa District. By Harrison F. Lewis Musical Warble of the Savannah Sparrow. By Harrison F. Lewis..............- Greater Yellow-legs and Pigeon Hawk. By Harrison F. Lewis...........-....- Book Reviews:— ae _ Leguminous Forage Plants. By Harold A. Senn...................+--05- re B83 i 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 Naturalis!, 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 # 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 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 a Subscriptions ($2.00 a year) should he forwarded to fa q WILMOT LLOYD, Ottawa Field-Naturalisis’ Club, 582 Mariposa Ave., Rockcliffe Park, OTTAWA, CANADA. Zu of C Comps; ra NS Zoclogy “ SEP 2 193s LIBRARY } So ial Ss The Canadian Field-Naturalist Vou. LIT OTTAWA, CANADA, SEPTEMBER, 1628 No. 6 SUMMER NOTES FROM BLUE SEA LAKE, QUEBEC By IRA N. GABRIELSON MONTH beginning July 3, 1937, spent on Blue Sea Lake, Quebec, lying in the Gatineau Valley, some 80 miles nortk of Ottawa, afforded me an opportunity to become acquainted with the summer birds of the eastern Canadian Zone. My _ interest was particularly directed to the breeding war- blers, a group much less abundant than that with which I was familiar in the same zone farther west. As breeding was well advanced at the time, my interest turned toward fledgling plumages During the period July 3 to 31, in- clusive, I spent some time each day in the field and noted 94 species of birds. Blue Sea Lake lies in the Laurentian high- lands and is similar to numerous other lakes in the vicinity. The surrounding rocky hills tend to produce precipitous banks, and the water is often deep at the shore line. The lake is about 10 miles long, 2 or more miles in width, and in places 200 feet deep. The adjacent country is wooded execpt where small farms have been cleared. Aspen, birch, and red maple are the most common deciduous trees, and the cut-over or burnt-over lands are usually revegetated by one or more of these species, sometimes in dense jungles of mixed brush. Raspberries and _ blue- berries grow in profusion along the roads and in the more recent clearings. Most of the coun- try has been cut over, and the original coniferous forest of spruce, pine, cedar, and hemlock are represented only by small islands of timber or scattered young second growth. The best sample of woodland was on Big Island, the largest of the numerous islands in the lake, and the one on which our cottage was built. A virgin forest of hemlock, yellow birch, cedar, black spruce, and some pine (both white and Norway repres- ented mostly by younger trees) covered the slopes of this rocky bit of land. Balsam, butter- nut, basswood, ash, and other deciduous trees were fairly well distributed over the surround- ing territory and pure or almost pure stands of red oak crowned several of the higher hills. Most of the field excursions were by row boat on the shores of Blue Sea Lake. Trips to neigh- bouring lakes and north along the highway to Maniwaki, some 10 miles north of Messines post office on the eastern shore of the lake, also were made occasionally. On July 14 a trip was made by car to Mount Laurier about 50 miles to the northeast, stops being made to observe birds. July 21 and 22 were spent on Little and Big Cedar Lakes in company with Dr. R. M. Ander- son. These lakes lie immediately to the north of Blue Sea Lake and were reached by a short portage. On July 24 Anderson and I also visited Grant Lake, a small body of water connected with Blue Sea Lake by a short stream. On July 29 we drove to Lake Baskatong 60 miles to the north and returned the same day, stopping fre- quently to see the bird life in different types of vegetation. The rest of the time was spent.in the im- mediate vicinity of Blue Sea Lake, and most of the following notes were made within a mile of its shore line. To the west of this lake lies an almost unbroken second-growth forest with scat- tered small-farm clearings on its southern and notthern ends and about adjacent small lakes. A fire tower on a hill in this vicinity afforded a geod view of the surrounding country, and the trails and wood roads leading to it were good bird territory. Bits of cedar swamps and an occasional rocky point covered with fir or hemlock broke the “brush” cover somewhat, but otherwise it was uniformly deciduous. The eastern side of the lake was more open and contained more farm and pasture lands. The territory along the northern shore of the lake and from the town of Messines to Maniwaki, especially the imme- diate vicinity of Messines, harboured most of the open country forms recorded The first few days of study revealed that many of the young warblers were already fledged. The black and white, magnolia, black-throated 80 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST blue, and Canada warblers were already leading their youngsters thrqugh the bush along the lake shores. By July 15 the majority of the broods had left their nesting sites and were concentrated iv small mixed companies. A rain storm on July 16 and 17 was followed by the first evidence of migration. On July 18 the tree tops on Big Island were filled with warblers, difficult to see because of the dense foliage tossed about hy the wind. Moving bands of warblers, evidently mi- grants, were frequently seen from that time on, the most notable being a flight of redstarts on July 19, and a second on July 26 composed largely of redstarts and Blackburnians. Flights of swallows arrived on July 27 and July 29. No thern migrants in general were becoming much more common by August first, at which time field work ceased. Gavia immer immer (Briinnich). Common Loon. — The loon was the most conspicuous water bird of the region. Four pairs lived on Blue Sea Lake, and every one of the large’ lakes visited had one or more breeding pairs I saw three pairs with young on Blue Sea Lake, a pair on Little Cedar Lake, and one pair with young on Big Cedar Lake. Other birds were noted on several other lakes but no young were seen. Not a day passed during the stay there but that loons were seen and heard, although toward the end of the month they became much less noisy. Every day several were noted high over the lake as they circled about in morning flight. On July 4 a pair with two downy young were noted for the first time, though they were seen frequently later. On July 5 a nest containing two eggs was discovered. on a little island across an arm of the lake from our cottage. These eggs hatched on July 8, and on the same day the old loon, which as we approached had been slipping quietly from the nest to swim under water for a safe distance before coming to the surface, made a great fuss and stayed close to the boat. One egg was then pipped and on the following morning, when we again went by the island, the nest was empty. On July 21 a pair of loons on Little Cedar Lake became greatly excited when Anderson and I tried to get close to them and their three-to-four-weeks-old babies. One led the two young away while the other stood up in the water with breast pushed forward and neck arched. This performance, accom- panied by wild cries, was repeated many [Moran times, sometimes interspersed with short dives and a somewhat sketchy “wounded- bird” performance. At 6:30 on the morning of July 31 six adult loons in front of the cottage were holding a meeting which, judging from the cries, was not all peace and harmony. As we rowed away we saw two other adults and two half-grown young, so that 10 birds, the greatest number seen at one time, were in sight. As I left the lake on the morning of August 3 a loon resting quietly on the water, was the last bird I saw in this area. Podilymbus podiceps podiceps (Linnaeus). PIED-BILLED GREBE. — The only pied-billed’ grebes noted were on a tiny pond just north of Messines on Highway 11. A single bird, possibly the same individual, was seen there on July 14, 28, and 29. Ardea herodias herodias Linnaeus. GREAT BLUE — Herons were not common any- where in the region. Single birds were noted on five different days as follows: July 8 and 12 at Blue Sea Lake: July 21 at Little Cedar Lake; July 22 at Big Cedar Lake; and July 24 at Grant Lake. Botaurus lentiginosus (Montagu) AMERICAN BITTERN. — Only three bitterns were noted during the entire month. The first, on July 22, was flushed from a little swampy spot on the north end of Blue Sea Lake as we returned from the Cedar Lake trip; the second was at Grant Lake on July 24; and the third at Lake Baskatong on July 29. Anas rubripes Brewster (Subsp. ?). BLacx DucKk. — Single individuals were seen flying over the lake on three days, July 4, 14, and 30. All were in the part of the lake near- est to Grant Lake, a small pond with weedy margins and bits of marsh along the shore. I visited this place several times but found no evidence of the breeding of the black or any other ducks. Dafila acuta tzitzthoa (Vieillot). AMERICAN PINTAIL. —- Six pintails were seen in a shal- low pond near Lake Baskatong on July 29. Nettion carolinense (Gmelin). | GREEN-WINGED TEAL. — A flock of 12 green-winged teals was observed in a small pond near Lake Baskatong on July 29. Lophodytes cucullatus (Linnaeus). Hoopep MERGANSER. — Hooded mergansers were not common, being observed only on three oc- Two were seen at close range on HERON, casions. September, 1938] «~ July 4 on Blue Sea Lake, a single bird on Big Cedar Lake on July 21, and an adult female and four half-grown young on a tiny woods pond northeast of Maniwaki on July 29. Mergus merganser americanus Cassin. AMERICAN MERGANSER. — Mergansers were seen fre- quently and were presumably of this sub- species. An adult followed by 30 or more young, probably two families, was seen on Big Cedar Lake on July 21, and three adult males were noted at close range on July 22. A female merganser and 11 young were herded by boat for a couple of hours on Blue Sea Lake July 29 and finally allowed close approach and observation. Mergus serrator Linnaeus. RED-BREASTED MER- GANSER. — The only certain record of the - red-breasted merganser is of an old male - observed on Blue Sea Lake late in the eve- ning of July 27. This bird was accompanied by either two well-grown young or females that kept well inshore in the shadows. The next morning efforts again to find the birds to learn definitely whether they were young as yet unable to fly were unsuccessful. Accipiter velox velox (Wilson). SHARP-SHINNED Hawk. — On July 12, while I was walking near the top of Big Island, a sharp-shinned hawk made such a fuss that it was obvious her nest was in the vicinity. The next day the nest was located about 30 feet up in a dense hemlock. On July 18 Anderson climb- ed to the nest and found four downy young, two of which were taken and fed until July 24, at which time they had well- developed quills in both tail and wings and were spotted over back and breast with new feathers showing through the down. On July 27 the young remaining in the nest left at our approach and flew some distance into 1. hemlock thicket. On the 24th and again on the 29th, the male was found sitting on a tall, dead snag on the opposite side of the island from the nest. He was evidently using it as a lookout because frequent sallies through surrounding areas always ended in a return to the perch. The sharp-shins did most of their hunting on an adjoining is- land and were seldom seen about Big Island unless the nest was approached. In this event one or both parents soon appeared. Accipiter coopert (Bonaparte). Cooprr’s HAwk. — A single individual, which dashed through the edge of a little clearing in pursuit of a Falco columbarius THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 8l small bird, was seen on July 10 — the only record. Buteo platypterus platypterus (Vieillot). Broap- WINGED Hawk. — A _ broad-winged hawk flew across the creek between Big and Little Cedar Lake just ahead of our boat on July 21, and a second individual was noted at Grant Lake on July 24. Haliaeetus leucocephalus (subsp. ?). BALD EAGLE. — An adult bald eagle flew over our boat on the morning of July 26 as we fished near Big Island. Circus hudsonius (Linnaeus). MarsH Hawk. — A single marsh hawk was seen on July 12 in a little clearing to the west of Blue Sea Lake, and a second was seen at Lake Bas- katong on July 29. The first bird, a female, was being harried by four crows as I came into the edge of the little farm clearing. A lone white pine with a rather open top stood in the center of this 10-acre hay field. The marsh hawk paid little attention to the crows but continued hunting over the field. Grad- ually she worked her way toward the tree, the crows following somewhat perfunctorily. Suddenly the hawk swerved and darted toward the center of the tree, tipped until _she stood almost in a vertical plane as she grazed the trunk, straightened out, and drove directly at a robin sitting on the end of one of the longer branches. The robin let out a startled squawk and took wing for the edge of the forest with the marsh hawk close behind. The hawk overtook the robin; there was a flurry of wings and the hawk passed from sight behind a screen of trees, carry- ing the bird I could not see exactly what happened but did note that as the predator disappeared the smaller bird was clutched in its talons. A sharp-shinned hawk could not have made a neater catch. Pandion haliaétus carolinensis (Gmelin). OSPREY. — Single birds were noted over Blue Sea Lake on July 10, 13, and 26. Hawks were scarce through the district, and ospreys were no exception to the rule. columbarius Linnaeus. EASTERN PickoN Hawk. — While fishing in Big Cedar Lake, Anderson and I saw a pigeon hawk fly to a small, heavily wooded island. After we tired of fishing we visited the island and soon located a female bird feeding a newly fledged male Though a careful search was made we failed to find others on the island. Water in the day twa 82 THe CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST shed primaries of a pigeon hawk were found back of our tent on the mainland, and it is possible that the rest of the family was somewhere in the dense forest growth, which at this point came to the water’s edge. Falco sparvertus sparverius Linnaeus. EASTERN Sparrow Hawk. — Only two individuals were observed, the first near Messines on July 7 and the second north of Maniwaki on July 29. Bonasa umbeilus togata (Linnaeus). CANADA RUFFED Grouse. — A single ruffed grouse was found on the west side of Blue Sea Lake on July 15, and an adult female and severat half-grown chicks were flushed in the edge of a little cedar swamp on July 20. Others were heard in the same localities at various times. Oxyechus vociferus vociferus (Linnaeus). KILLDEER. — The killdeer was not common, but one or two birds could usually be found in open fields between Messines and Mani- waki. Two birds were also seen near Lake Baskatong on July 29. Actitis macularia (Linnaeus). SpPoTrTED SAND- PIPER. — Spotted sandpipers and killdeers were the only shore birds noted, and neither was-common One pair of the present spe- cies was frequently noted on Big Island, and single birds, or at most two, were seen oc- casionally on other lakes in the vicinity. Larus argentatus smithsomanus Coues. HERRING GuLL. — Several herring gulls, including at least two adults and one in sub-adult plu- mage, were on the lake throughout the month. I never saw more than two at a time, although I suspect the total population was probably five or six. On several oc- casions two adults were noted, but never more than a single bird in gray plumage. The number of rocky islands used as roosts, however, made it impossible to be sure of the total population as individuals might be noticed either resting on the rocks or flying in any part of the lake. No evidence of breeding was found. Coccyzus erythropthalmus (Wilson). BiacK- BILLED Cuckoo. — Cuckoos were not cam- mon. Single birds were seen near the rail- way station at Messines on July 14, 15, 28, and 30, and others were both seen -and heard on Big Cedar Lake on July 22 Antrostomus . vociferus vociferus (Wilson). EASTERN © WHIP-POOR-WILL.—Whip-poor-wills were heard calling on the north shore of [Vo.. LIT Blue Sea Lake on July 18 and again on July 23, and four or more birds were calling near the tent that Anderson and I pitched on the shore of Big Cedar Lake on the evening of July 21. Chordeiles minor minor (Forster). EASTERN NicHt Hawk. — Two night hawks were fly- ing over Big Cedar Lake on the evening of July 21, and two were circling in front of the cottage on Big Island on July 27. Chaetura pelagica (Linnaeus). CHIMNEY Swift. — Chimney swifts were noted almost daily, particularly on the western side of the lake. Three to six birds could always be found here over cleared areas and adjoining logged-off land. Archilochus colubris (Linnaeus). RUBY-THROAT- ED HUMMINGBIRD. — This species was first noted en July 14 and became somewhat more abundant toward the latter part of the month when several a day were seen about patches of jewel weed (/mpatiens). Megaceryle alcyon alcyon. (Linnaeus). EASTERN BELTED KINGFISHER. — A pair of these birds was found on each of the larger lakes. Four birds were seen on July 24 on Blue Sea and Grant Lakes. This was the greatest number noted on one day. Colaptes auratus luteus Bangs NorTHERN FLICKER. — Flickers were observed regular- ly in small numbers from July 6. On the 29th the birds became more conspicuous, if not more common, and remained more notice- able, particularly along country roads and farm buildings, than they had been previous- ly. Sphyrapicus varius varius (Linnaeus). YELLOW- BELLIED SAPSUCKER. — Sapsuckers were seen on July 8 and July 12 in a little creek bottom to the west of Blue Sea Lake. Two birds were noted on each day. Woodpeckers of all kinds were rather scarce in comparison with their number in other wooded countries that I have observed. Dryobates villosus ((subsp. ?) Hatry Woop- PECKER. — A single bird noted in the jungle of aspen, dogwood, and maple on the west side of Blue Sea Lake was the only record. Others were heard but not seen. Dryobates pubescens medianus (Swainson). _ NortHERN DowNy WoopPECKER. — The downy was only fairly common; one or two birds could usually be found in half a day in the woods. One pair bred on Big Island, and adults and young could usually be ob- September, 1938] served at two different spots on the eastern shore of Blue Sea Lake. Tyrannus tyrannus (Linnaeus). EASTERN KING- BIRD. — The kingbird was a conspicuous and fairly common bird about the--smail farms and along the country. roads. near ». Messines. Myiarchus crinitus boreus Bangs. NortHEeRN CRESTED FLYCATCHER. — Crested flycatchers were observed on July 8 and 12 on the shore of a small lake west of Blue Sea Lake, and a pair was seen on the latter lake on July 31. Others were -heard calling at various times in about the same localities. — Sayornis phoebe (Latham). EASTERN PHOEPRE. — Phoebes ‘were fairly common about buildings and farms. One nest with four half-growr young was found on Sheep Island in Blue Sea Lake on July 18, and a nest at the. boat landing of Blue Sea Lodge contained young until July 29. cyt Empidonax minimum (Baird and Baird). Least FLYCATCHER. — Small flycatchers were fre- quently heard and occasionally seen in the stream valleys. While I’m sure that both this species and the Alder Flycatcher were present, the two specimens collected (the first at Blue Sea Lake on July 8 and the second at Maniwaki on July 14) proved to be of this species. Mytochanes virens (Linnaeus). EASTERN Woon PEWEE. — The wood pewee was fairly com- mon throughout the timbered country; one Dair was noted regularly on Big Island and others cn both tbe eastern and western shores of the lake and in various adjoining areas. Nuttalornis mesoleucus (Litchtenstein). OLIvE- SIDED FLYCATCHER. —- An _ olive-sided fly- catcher observed on July 14 near Maniwaki was the only one noted in the territory. Tridoprocne bicolor (Vieillot). TREE SwaLLow.— Numerous -tree swallows appeared over the lake on the late afternoon of July 27, and from that date this species was conspicuous. Riparia riparia riparia (Linnaeus). BANK Swat- Low. — Four bank swallows were identified in a great aggregation of swallows perched on the telephone wires north of Maniwaki on July 29. Hirundo erythrogaster Boddaert. Barn Swat- Low. — This species was the only swallow that was common throughout the month. Birds could always be found darting about various farmsteads, about the lake, or over the adjacent waters. A considerable flight THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST &3 of these and other swallows appeared on July 29. Petrochelidon albifrons albifrons (Rafinesque). NorTHERN Ciir¥ SWALLow. — Cliff swallows were abundant along the roads north of Maniwaki up to Lake Baskatong on July 29 and were first found over Blue Sea Lake on July 30. Cyanocitta cristata cristata (Linnaeus). NortH- ERN BLUE JAy. — The blue jay was a fairly common but not abundant denizen of the woodland. Six seen.on July 30 west of Blue Sea Lake was the greatest number noted in any single day. On July 8, when I saw the first jays, the young were weli fledged, lacking only a little growth of the tail feathers to duplicate the appearance of their parents. Corvus brachyrhynchos brachyrhynchos Brehm EASTERN Crow. — Crows were present in small numbers throughout the territory. One to four individuals was the normal count on a trip around Blue Sea Lake or on.a_ half-day trip through the country. Fifteen were counted on July 29-on the long- est trip of the month—that to Lake Baska- tong. Penthestes atricapillus atricapillus (Linnaeus). BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE. — One of. the more common woodland birds; small flocks containing well grown young were present on my first excursion, July 4. Sitta canadensis Linnaeus. RED-BREASTED NUT- HATCH. — These small nuthatches were cons- tantly seen and heard on Big Island and at one or two spots where considerable groves of hemlock. spruce, or cedar were standing. Troglodytes aedon aedon Vieillot. E\ASTERN House Wren. — The house wren was some- what more common than the winter wren. It was noted throughout the month with no apparent change in numbers. Nannus hiemalis hiemalis (Vieillot). EASTERN WINTER WREN. — Winter wrens frequented the dense cedar swamps and the heaviest forests of other conifers and were more easily heard than seen. During early July the complete song was frequently heard. but singing decreased after the 14th, and the birds became increasingly difficult to locate. Telmatodytes palustris dissaéptus (Bangs) PRAIRIE MArsH WreN. — A single bird seen and heard at Grant Lake on July 24 cons- tituted the only record of this species; suit- able habitat for marsh wrens was almost totally lacking. 84 THE CANADIAN FIEI,D-NATURALIST [Vor. LII Dumetella carolinensis (Linnaeus). CATBIRD —- Catbirds were not common. ‘Two birds were seen near the Blue Sea station on the south- east side of the lake on July 8, 12, and 30. A juvenile was found at Grant Lake on July 24. Toxostoma rufum (Linnaeus). Brown THRASH- ER. — Brown thrashers were among the rarer birds, only two individuals being noted. The first, on July 12, was south oft Blue Sea and the second, on the 14th, in a little thicket by the side of the road north of Messines. Turdus migratorius migratorius Linnaeus. EASTERN Rosin. — Robins were common and widely distributed throughout the month but became much more abundant on July 20 After this date flocks of birds varying f om 4 or 5 to ten times that number were much in evidence along the country roads. Hylecichia guttata faroni Bangs and Penard. EASTERN HerMiIt THRUSH. —- A_ breeding pair of hermit thrush feeding young in a small coniferous thicket on the edge of Blue Sea Lake was discovered on July 9. The male was collected. Hylocichla ustulata swainsoni (Tschudi). OLtve- BACKED THRUSH. — The olive-backed thrush was one of the most common and widely distributed species. It was particularly in evidence on Big Island and in other spots that still had good stands of conifers. It was equally abundant, however, on the heavier hardwood ridges. Hylocichla fuscescens fuscescens (Stephens). VEERY. — One individual was seen on July 30 near Blue Sea Lake. Sialia sialis sialis (Linnaeus). EASTERN BLUE- BIRD. — The bluebird was frequently noted in the more-open country beginning July 7 and was noticeably more abundant cn the 29th, when great numbers were found along the roadsides. Bombycilla cedrorum Vieillot. CEDAR WAXxWING —Beginning on July 12, cedar waxwings were noted regularly in small numbers throughout the country visited. A flock of eight, which flew over our boat on the evening of July 30. was the largest group seen at one time, although flocks of 4 to 6 were observed on various occasions. Sturnus vulgaris vulgaris Linnaeus. STARLING. — Starlings were common about Messines and all the small farms of the egion.- Small flocks cf young were already roaming the countryside on July 6 and became increas- ingly abundant toward the end of the month. Vireo solitarius solitarius (Wilson) © BLUE- HEADED VIREO. — A single bird watched for some time in a patch of woodland north of Maniwaki on July 14 proved to be the only one of this species found in the territory. This species, like the catbird and brown thrashers, is here near the northern edge of its breeding range. Vireo olivaceus (linnaeus). RED-EYED VIREO. — This vireo was the most common species observed; a singing male could always be heard and generally two or more. ‘The total vireo population of the 50-mile stretch of country examined during the summer must have approached astronomical proportions Vireo philadelphicus (Cassin). PHILADELPHIA VIREO. — A _ single female collected in a hittle cedar thicket on the western side of Blue Sea Lake on July 12 provided the. only record of this species. Mniotilta varia (Linnaeus). BLACK AND We WarBLER. — The black and white warblers were not the most abundant warblers, but they were very generally distributed over the territory. The daily record of birds actually seen varied from one to five, and others often were heard but not counted They were noticeably concentrated in hem- lock and spruce areas but were also found. somewhat more sparingly, in maple, oak. birch, and aspen growths. Young birds, barcly fledged, were found on the shore of Btue Sea Leke on July 5, and well-feathered juveniles were taken on July 30. On this latter date there was a small migratory movement of birds that evidently included some of this species, as ten were noted—- double the largest number seen on any other diy. A pair with fledgling young was about the cottage from the first day, but these were not counted in daily totals unless work for the day was confined to the island. Vermivora ruficapilla ruficapilla (Wilson). NASHVILLE WarBLER. — The Nashville Warbler was one of the rare birds of the area. A breeding female was taken in a_ tiny alder swamp southwest of Blue Sea on July 8, and a male was also noted at the same time. A second female in worn bveeding plumage was taken July 29 from a similar thicket near Lake Baska- tong. An attempt to collect a fledgling here resulted in the loss of the bird in the dense undergrowth. s September, 1938] THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIS'T 8 Compsothlypis americana pusilla (Wilson). NorTHERN ParuLaA WarsieR. — Parula warblers had been heard frequently along the lake shore in a little cove on Big Island where a dense jungle of cedar and hemlock came to the water’s edge, but it was not until July 28 that an adult male could be collected. Dendroica aestiva aestiva (Gmelin). EASTERN YELLOW WARBLER. — A _ single male seer + July 4 along a small stream emptying into Blue Sea Lake was the only yellow warbler actually observed, although several others were heard singing. Dendroica magnolia (Wilson). Macnoria War- BLER. — A brood of four fledged young was found on July 5 on the west shore of Blue Sea Lake. The fledglings, with tail feathers still tufted pin feathers, frequented several small clumps of hemlock growing under a dense forest of aspen and birch. Another family was discovered in a little cedar swamp on July 8 and others on the 12th. The last individual noted was on Big Cedar Lake July (ie Dendroica caerulescens caerulescens (Gmelin). BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER. — Black- throated blue warblers were common and widely distributed birds. They ranked third in abundance among the warblers, being exceeded only by the redstart and oven-bird, and possibly sixth among all of the species present during July. The prefer:ed habitat—wooded slopes of maple, red oak, aspen birch, and basswood —was similar to that of the redstart and oven-bird. During the early part of the month the curious song of this bird was one of the common woodland sounds and was still in evidence on the day of my departure. On July 28 I twice watched a male feed a fledging that was barely able to flutter along out of my reach. The brood from which this youngster came was raised by one of the three pairs that had been on the island throughout the month. Dendroica coronata (Linnaeus). Myrrie WaAr- BLER. — A pair of myrtles were feeding newly fledged young about the cabin on the morning of July 8 and remained there con- tinuously for 2 weeks. The birds were amaz- ingly hard to see in the small tree, and it required close observation to locate one of the youngsters even when it was calling continuously for food Another female with two barely fledged young appeared in or the yard on July 30 and was still there when I left on August 3. Myrtle war- blers were occasionally seen in other spots about the lake, but they were not among the most common species. Dendroica wvirens virens (Gmelin). BLAck- -'THROATED GREEN WARBLER. — The _black- throated green warbler was one of the less common warblers and stayed by prefer- ence in the growths of larger timber. At least two singing males were present on Big Island during most of the month. I watched one of these males coax a reluctant fledgling, barely able to fly, from a low hanging branch of the nest tree into a better hiding place on the afternoon of July 26, a rather late date for first flying lessons. The female spent the time in scolding me rather than in helping with the family du- ties. Aside from the island where I could always find one or two of these birds, this species was most common in the drier woodlands of the hillsides on the western shore of Blue Sea Lake. Occasional indi- viduals were noted elsewhere in similar country. Dendroica fusca (Muller). BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER. — A newly fledged bird and an adult female were found in company with a bay-breasted warbler family on June 13 in a litttle spruce thicket. A single adult male was noted on July 18 on Big Island, and on the 26th Blackburnian warblers were conspicuous ina _ flock of migrating war- blers congregated in a little sheltered de- pression on Big Island. Dendroica pennsylvanica (Linnaeus). CHEST- NUT-SIDED WARBLER. — The chestnut-sided warbler frequented the logged-off lands where sprouts and brush had reached a height of 10 to 12 feet. In these spots it was one of the more’ conspicuous birds. The males sang fairly regularly up to July 20, and newly fledged young were last noted on that date. Dendroica castanea (Wilson). BAyY-BREASTED WARBLER. — The bay-breasted warbler was seen only on July 13, when a pair was found feeding and caring for at least three newly fledged young. These birds were in company with Blackburnian warblers and redstarts in a thick clump of spruce and birch. Young of all three species were in this little patch of timber, but the bay- THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST breasts stayed closer to the spruce than did the others. Seirus aurocapillus (Linnaeus). OvEN-BIRD. — The oven-bird, next to the red-eyed vireo, was the most widely distributed wood- land bird and probably was at least second in abundance as a breeding species. After July 20 songs largely ceased, the birds be- come less conspicuous, and careful search of areas where families had previously been present failed to reveal the bids. On July 30 two were seen in a small company of mixed warblers and vireos on a rasp- berry patch thickly grown with small aspen. Oporornis philadelphia (Wilson). MourNninc WARBLER. — This was one of the rarer waiblers about Blue Sea Lake. One pair frequented a little swampy bottom on the west shore where the birds were noted on July 5, 8, and 12 carrying insects jinto the dense undergrowth. A breeding fe- male was collected near this area in similar type of bottom on July 8 and a second on July 20 in exactly similar country about two miles to the north. On the latter date a bird thought to be a young male was also noted. Geothlypis trichas brachidactyla (Swainson). NorRTHFRN YELLOW-THROAT. — Very little - suitable yellow-throat territory existed in the most thoroughly worked portion of the area. One or more yellow-throats could usually be found on a swampy bit of brush along a little stream entering the western side of Blue Sea. A bit of swamp near Messines, the south end of Grant Lake. and a small marshy area near Maniwaki each had a pair or more of these birds. Wilsoma canadensis (Linnaeus). CANADA WaAR- BLER. — A female was noticed feeding barely fledged young on July 6 on the west shore of Blue Sea Lake. Canada warblers were fairly common up to and including July 11 in about the little cedar swamps that dotted the area. After that date singing ceased, and because of the denseness of the cover and the super-abundance of mosquitoes, locating the birds became an impossibility. Perhaps they left the area entirely, since the only one seen later was a single individual in a flock of migrants on Big Island on July 27. Setophaga ruticilla (Linnaeus). AMERICAN REp- START. — Redstarts were by far the most abundant breeding warblers and were only Passer domesticus domesticus [Vor. LII exceeded in numbers by the red-eyed vireo and the olive-backed thrush. Whenever one entered the drier woodlands, redstarts would appear scolding anxiously, and during the first half of the month it was an ex- ceptional period when one could not hear a male singing. During the last half of the month they were more difficult to find, al- though one might chance to locate a pair still caring for fledglings. On July 19 and 20 a very definite migration movement brought in larger numbers of these birds. I counted 20 on one little timbered point on the east shore of Blue Sea Lake on July 19, and 15 in a similar spot on the 20th. After that their numbers dropped back to the normal one to six observed daily during the latter half of the month. (Linnaeus). ENGLISH SpaARRow. — The English sparrow was ever present in both Messines and Maniwaki and in smaller numbers about various farmsteads in the vicinity of Blue Sea Lake. Dolichonyx orysivorus (Linnaeus). BoBoLinK. — The bobolink was found only in two or three fields north of Messines. One or two birds were all that could be found on any one day except on July 20, when 40 were ob- served in one field. Five or six of these were still in the breeding plumage, but the rest were in fresh fall dress. Sturnella magna magna (Linnaeus). EASTERN MEADOWLARK. — Meadowlarks were only moderately common in the early part of the month. On July 20 a mixed flock of bobolinks and 20 meadowlarks was found on a small grain field on the northeastern side of Blue Sea Lake. Agelaius phoeniceus phoeniceus (Linnaeus). EASTERN REp-winc. — A flock of 10 red- winged blackbirds, including several adult males came to a little meadow near Mes- sines on July 30, the first seen in the vici- nity. Icterus galbula (Linnaeus). BALTIMORE ORIOLE — An adult female and juvenile birds in a farmyard tree near Blue Sea Lake were watched for some time on July 30. Quiscalus quiscula aeneus Ridway. BroNnzep GRACKLE. — Flocks of well-grown young were noted in the vicinity of Messines be- ginning July 7, after which they continued to be much in evidence about the towns and farmsteads. September, 1938] Hedymeles ludovicianus Carpodacus purpureus purpurcus Pivanga erythromelas Vieillot. SCARLET TANAGER. — Single males were noted at Blue Sea Lake on July 10, 12, and 20 and near Mount Laurier on July 14. Three males were seen near Lake Baskatong on the 29th. (Linnaeus). Rost- BREASTED GROSBEAK. —- The _ rose-breasted grosbeak was a decidedly uncommon species. One or more birds were noted regularly on the small creek bottom to the west of Blue Sea Lake from July 4 to July 20, and an adult male was collected in the edge of a little glade on the shore of the same lake on July 9. Other birds were observed at the same place on July 10, and a single male was seen north of Maniwaki on july 14. Passerina cyanae (Linnaeus). INvico BUNTING. — A bright male was seen sitting on a fence on the northwest side of Blue Sea Lake on July 30. Despite a rather careful watch for this species, this individual con- stitutes the only record. (Gmelin). EASTERN PurPLE FincH. — Purple finches were not common. A single bird in imma- ture plumage was watched in a little cedar thicket on July 20. The bird was sitting on the topmost twig of a cedar tree and sing- ing somewhat half-heartedly. An adult in bright plumage was seen on Sheep Island on July 28, and immature or female birds were found on July 29th and again on the 30th. Spinus tristis tristis (Linnaeus). EASTERN GOoLp- FINCH. — This was a fairly common species frequenting recently logged lands. Here the abundance of raspberries, thistles, and other seed-bearing plants attracted numbers of birds, among which goldfinches were often conspicuous. Passerculus sandwichensis savanna (Wilson). EASTERN SAVANNAH Sparrow. — The Savannah was one of the more common sparrows; it was observed throughout the month whenever fields were visited. Pooccetes gramineus gramineus (Gmelin). EKast- THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 87 ERN VESPER SPARROW. — Vesper sparrows were frequently seen about the farms from July 12, when a careful checks of field birds was made, through the rest of the month. On July 29 an enormous increase in the number of individuals occurred, and from then until my departure it was the most common bird in the farm areas. Junco hyemalis hyemalis (Linnaeus). SLAtE- COLOURED JUNco. — A pair of breeding jun- coes carrying food to young was found at Blue Sea Lake July 9. No others were noted until July 29 when two were flushed from a blueberry patch near Lake Baska- tong. The scarcity of this bird, which I had expected to find somewhat common, was one of the surprises of the summer. Spizella passerina passerina (Bechstein). EAs?- ERN CHIPPING SPARROW. — Chipping spar- rows were fairly common about the farm clearings in the vicinity of Blue Sea Lake. They were present daily in small numbers and apparently increased somewhat during the last week of the month. Zonotrichia albicollis (Gmelin). WHITE-THROATED Sparrow. — This was one of the more common sparrows although not observed in numbers at any time. It became more con- spicuous if not more abundant about July 14 at which time birds of the year began to move freely about. Melospiza melodia melodia (Wilson). EASTERN Sonc Sparrow. — The song sparrow was by no means an abundant species, although scattered pairs were readily located. One pair and their brood remained about a little cove on Big Island through most of the month. Other pairs were always to be found at the south end of Blue Sea Lake, at two or three willow grown coves on the west shore of the same lake, and in several little open meadows with brush-lined creeks betweens Messines and Maniwaki. Six indi- viduals was the largest number noted on any day, and there was no noticeable change in abundance up to the date of my departure. 88 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST [Vor. LII THE RELATION OF THE MARINE FAUNA TO THE PHYSIOGRAPHY OF THE WEST COAST OF THE QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS By C. McLEAN FRASER HE Queen Charlotte Islands lie off the west coast of British Columbia, between 51° 50’ and 54° 20’ N. and between 130° 50’ and 133° 15’ W., separated from the mainland of British Columbia and the adjacent islands by Hecate Strait, and from Alaska by Dixon Entrance. ‘There are three main islands forming a crescent shaped chain. Graham is the northernmost and is much the largest, but Moresby, the intermediate, is also large, longer but much narrower than Graham; Kunghit, the southernmost, is rela- tively quite small. The west coast, particularly of Moresby Is- land, is much indented with bays and fiords, but there are few islands of consequence. The east coast of Graham Island is very regular but that of Moresby and Kunghit is much dissected and there is an extensive archipelago of islands off the coast, some of them of quite large size. From the southern tip of Kunghit there is a chain of rocky islands, the. first one Cape St. James, and the others known as the Kerouart Rocks. Graham and Moresby Islands are separated by Skidegate Inlet and Channel, broad and deep in the eastern portion and in the western portion, but narrowed materially between these to form the east and west Narrows. These narrows go dry, or nearly so, at low spring tide, but-gas boats with shallow draft can pass through at high tide. , Moresby and-Kunghit Islands are sepa:ated by Houston Stewart Channel, which is nowhere very wide. Much of it is shallow, and although none of it goes entirely dry, the safe passage through for navigation is narrow ‘and some- what tortuous. The west coast contour from Langara Point to the last of the Kerouart Rocks is app ox- imately 170 sea miles. Due to the numerous indentations, the tide water line is probably at least twice that. The whole coast is very rugged and this ruggedness reaches the extreme in the northern part of Moresby Island. Although no part of this island is many miles from tide water, there is an extensive mountain system, with several peaks over 3000 feet and some few reaching almost or quite to the 4000 mark. The adjacent sea bottom has a surface as irre- gular as has the land. This accounts for the rocky, precipitous shore line along the open coast. In the northern half of Graham Island there are a few rather extensive beaches but from Port Chanal to Cape St. James there is not a single significant beach facing the open sea. Where the shore is most precipitous, é.g., in the Tasoo Harbour region, there is no. conti- nental shelf but towards the northern and south- ern extremities, the depth of the sea increases more gradually and comparatively shallow water may be met with some distance from shore. Here there is a real continental shelf although of somewhat limited extent. Mention should be made of a level bank (halibut bank) just north of the entrance into Inskip Channel, that extends out from shore for approximately five miles and is ten miles wide. It has a uniform depth of 112 fathoms. Off Kunghit and Moresby there are no islands standing. out distinctly from the main contour unless Anthony Island at the western entrance of Houston Stewart Channel can be considered as such. Off Graham Island there are three of these, none very large, dividing the coast of Graham into three large sections, Marble Island, Hippa Island and Frederick Island. As an ex- tension of the general outline at its northern limit, there is Langara Island (commonly called North Island), separated from Graham Island by Parry Passage, and at the southern limit, Cape St. James Island and the Kerouart Rocks already mentioned. Many of the coastal indentations are in the nature of large fiords, with narrow entrance and definite threshold, but the largest of the lot, Rennell Sound, Graham Island, is about 12 miles across at the entrance. It extends inland about 25 miles. The threshold may come within 20 fathoms of the surface but, in general, there is a rapid inc.ease in depth just within, and nearly all of the fiord is quite deep, often more than 200 fathoms in places. Even near shore there is little shallow water and suitable anchorage may be entirely non-existent. This indicates that most of the shore here, as on the open coast, is precipitous and rocky, but beaches are somewhat more common, particularly, at or rear the mouths of streams that flow down the September, 1938] gorges between the mountains and. hills. The beaches may be sandy or muddy, sometimes with numerous isolated boulders. There are practically no typical shingly beaches. These are confined to the shores of Houston Stewart and Skidegate Channels. : Se In considering the marine fauna of this west coast in relation to these physiogiaphic condi- tions, the open sea situation may receive first attention. It is quite safe to say that the richest faunal areas are those at or near. the coast in which there is the greatest mixing of the waters from different depths. These areas are to- be found where there is an abrupt turn in the coast line to form ‘headlands or capes, and where there are narrow channels between islands or between islands and the mainland. This holds definitely true in this-region. The richest faunal areas are around Langara Island and Pa:ry Passage to the north and around the Kerouart Rocks to the south. In both cases certain shoal areas some distance away may be included with these areas. Next in importance come the areas at the entrance to Houston Stewart and Skide- gate Channels (The Kaison Bank, already re- ferred to, may be included in the Skidegate area), and then the areas in or near the channels be- tween Marble, Hippa and Frederick Islands and Grakam Island. Personal observations along this coast have been confined to the months of June and July. When __ definite distribution observations are given, it is to be understood that these apply to those summer months, for it is quite possible that the distribution of migratory speciés is dif- ferent at different times of the year. The more general remarks may be based in part on inform- ation. that appears to be reliable, coming from other sources. In considering the pelagic species that come near the coast, the mammals will receive the attention. Of these, the whales teke the fancy of the average individual. Whaling for the sperm whale and certain species of the baleen whales has been car ied on in this region over a long period. In the early days of the fishery, sperm whales wera seldom obtained but now they form p-incipal support for the industry, althoug most of them that are brought in are of relatively small size. There mammals rove ehout over great distances but they must spend much of their time where food is readily obtain- able. The baleen whales live mainly on small crustacea — “pink feed” — and they must get this where plankton is abundant. It is for good reason then that one whaling station is situated frst THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 89 at Rose Harbour, on Houston Stewart Channel, not far from the Cape St. James area, and the other at Naden Harbour, near the Langara island-a-ea, both areas with rich plankton fauna. At other parts of the coast the sea is very poor in small animal life and the whale does not loiter there. ~The sperm whale feeds on larger organisms, squid and sharks, both pelagic, as well as on the “bastard halibut” (See L.L: Robbins; Fa kK. Oldham and E. M. K. Geiling The Stomach Contents of Sperm Whales Caught off the West Coast of British Columbia Report of the British Columbia Museum, 1937, pp. 1A9 and L120), which must be obtained from the bottom of the sea. These food species are dependent. directly or indirectly, on the rich plankton, and hence the sperm whales congregate in the same region as the whalebone whales. The Killer (Orca) is probably confined to much the same area as the whales, but scarcely any of them were observed. The Dolphin is to be seen in numbers along the whole coast. It is very active but it is im- possible to tell how much of its activity is due to the pure joy of movement. Its distribution does not seem to bear much relation to the con- figuration of the coast. Its near relative, the porpoise, is commonly observed but does not seem-to be’so plentiful as the dolphin. The Fur Seal passes northward near the coast in May and June but this is purely a migratory movement. On the other hand, its near relative, the Sea Lion (Steller’s), provides a striking feature of the landscape or seascape, as it appears in the extensive rookery on the Kerouart Rocks. At least two thousand of them make their home here, and although they wander far (they go up the west coast at least as far as Renneil Sound) they return at the pupping season in June or early July. At all times there are enough of them feeding near by to use the rocks as a “hauling out place’. They feed on fish and squid or other cephalopods that are pelagic but they also, at times go to the bottom for their food supply. Apparently Langara Island would be a suitable place for a rookery but for some rea- son it has not been chosen for such. The Hair Seal or Harbour Seal does not appear to be at all plentiful. None was observed out in the open sea at any great distance from the mouth of the inlets. Sea birds move about so freely that one can - scarcely expect to get much distributional corre- lation but there is some indication of it for all. 90 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST Even such ubiquitous species as the gulls, cor- morants, and shearwaters are seldom observed in any great numbers in the more barren areas of the sea along this coast, except when two tides are meeting to segregate the supply of food, for erdinarily there is little in the water near the surface, and little or no flotsam to carry food about on the surface. At the meeting of the tides, the goony or black-footed albatross, often appears as well, but as it is not grega- rious, seldom more than one or two may be seen at any one time. Most of the other common species stay more with the rich faunal areas. The Whalebird. (Phalarope) appears in large numbers off Cape St. James, up the west coast of Kunghit and more particularly at the en- trance of Houston Stewart Channel, near An- thony Island. The Tufted Puffin sticks even more Closely to the Cape St. James area; few of them get even as far away as Anthony Island. This area seems to be specially favoured by the Bald Eagle. Like the puffins they probably nest near by. ; On the abundance of fish there are few data. There is every indication that fish are plentiful in the Cape St James area, as one should expect them to be. There is not much fishing done here but is is not because of lack of supply. For miles, many miles in certain directions, from the Ke ouart Rocks, the almost continuous tide- rips, overfalls and cross currents, make the sea dangerous for small boats and at times even for large ones. About the only time that there is much assurance of safety is a short period at slack water at neap tide. Furthermore, there is no securely protected anchorage within reason- able distance that could be used as a base, if such fishing were attempted. The fishing if in- dulged in must necessarily be sporadic, hence it does not pay to send collecting boats long distances te look after the supply. It is quite a different story at the northern extremity. Here the sea may be very rough at times but not so bad as off Cape St. James, and there is reasonably good shelter close at hand. In consequence, the fishery is extensively exploit- ed as one of the best trolling areas on the whole Pacific coast for spring and coho saimon. The pink salmon that run into Naden Harbour and Masset Sound in alternate years probably feed somewhere in or near this region. The fishing area extends some considerable distance east and south from Parry Passage, on the west coast going far enoug’: to take in the Frederick Island area. At times, fishing is good around Hippa and Marble Islands and farther south, around [ Von... LI Anthony Island. There are probably many other species besides the salmon abundant, the herring, for instance, but no satisfactory survey has been made of the fishery resources. Of the -invertebrates, the pelagic species in the open sea are largely those that appear in the plankton, and the areas rich in plankton have already been. indicated. As might be expected, the nature and the amount of the plankton at any point in these troubled waters vary from hour to hour. The whole supply may be almost a pure culture of one or two species, — in a surface tow, taken one-half mile west of Cape St. James, on July 24, 1935, the plankton consist- ed almost entirely of a calanid copepod and siphonophore of the Diphyes type — or almost every phylum or class may be represented either as larva or adult, — near the entrance to Hous- ton, Stewart Channel, on July .20, 1935, frag- ments of hydroids, hydromedusae, siphonopho- ra, ctenophora, polyzoa, copepods (larva and adult), zoea and megalop larvae of crabs and shrimps, gastropod larvae and eggs, larval pte- ropods and larval ascidians, were obtained. It is a difficult matter to get:an adequate idea of the bottom fauna near this coast. Beam or otter trawling would be out of the question any- where except on the Kaison . Bank. Dredging attempts have been made at various locations along the whole coast, but the bottom is so irre- gular and so rough that the success is very limited. Almost everywhere the dredge gets hung up almost as soon as it reaches the-bottom, still the specimens obtained in these little bites in- dicate the presence of many species common to other parts of the coast as well as some that have not been reported elsewhere. To give some idea of the difficulties to be met. with one ex- ample may suffice. Going southward over the Kaison Bank, where there is the uniform depth of about 112 fathoms, a sharp, deep gorge, oppo- site Inskip Channels, is reached. Within one and a third miles, the depth drops, with numerous ups and downs, to 345 fathoms, and rises again with the same sort of irregularity to much the same depth as there was over the bank. Some distance farther south, at about the same dis- tance from shore (approx. 1%2 miles), there is a depth of 455 fathoms. Of the shore line of the open coast, that por- tion of it that is exposed to the full force of the ocean surf, is wholly. barren, as no animals can stand the buffetting of the surf against the rocks in stormy weather. Where there is even a smal! amount of protection, so that the full force of the wave is broken, several attached or clinging September, 1938] forms manage to thrive very well. To indicate the types of species that make their home in such localities, 1eference may be made to a col- lection obtained on June 5, 1935, about 5 miles north of the entrance to Flamingo Harbour. Sponges, two species, undetermined; hydroids, two species, Sertularella and Calycella; anemo- nes, one species, Cribrina; alcyonaria, one species, Alcyonium; starfish, three species, Pisaster ochracea, very large, and two species of Henri- cia; sea urchins, one species, Strongylocentro- tus purpurea; holothuroid, one species, Cucuma- ria; barnacles, one species, Mitella; isopod, one species, undetermined; chitons, two species, Cryptochiton and Katharina; pelecypods, one species, Modiolus; limpets, one species, Acmaea, keyhole limpets, one species, Diadora; nudi- branchs, one species, Archidoris. These can be reached only by boat, of course, and only occa- sionally even in this way. The northern open coast beaches have not been explored. The fauna of the inlets and channels may well be considered under three headings: 1. The fauna on the shores of the two channels, Hous- ton Stewart and Skidegate; 2. The fauna of the shores at or near the entrance to the large inlets, to include rocks or rocky islets in the main channels into these inlets; 3. The remainder of the inlets, not included in 2. In both Houston Stewart and Skidegate Channels there are narrow portions where the water is shallow (in Skidegate the narrows may go dry), and in which there are reefs ex- posed at low tide. For much of the time, but more particularly after the change of the tide, the current through these narrows is very swift, so, except for the shallowness of the water, the conditions somewhat resemble those near the points projecting out to sea. The shallowness and the more gradually sloping beaches make an intimate acquaintance with them more readily possible. It is well worth while to make this acquaintance since these areas are so rich in animal life. The narrows are in part lined with shingly beaches and in almost every instance where those beaches were visited, from 70 to 100 species of animals large enough to be iden- tified offhand, were observed. Many of them are species found all along the coast, while others such as the starfish, Asterina miniata, and the abalone, Haliotis kamtschatkana are restricted to localities reached by water of the high salinity of the open sea. The bottom of the narrows is probably equally rich. In the shallow water, among the eel grass and seaweed, such THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 91 hydromedusae as Aequorea, Gonionemus, Poly- orchis, Phialidium, Halistaura, Sarsia; siphono- phora, as Diphyes; scyphomedusae as Haliclys- tus; stenophores as Pleurobrachia, Beroe and Bolinopsis; nudibranchs as Melibe and Hermis- senda; were abundant. Between the narrows and the open sea the channels are wider and deeper but still not very deep. In some places there is a shelly bot- tom in the middle of the channel, where mate- rial has been’ carried out from the narrows. These shelly areas are rich in invertebrates, mostly attached forms such as sponges, hydroids, polyzoa and ascidians. In one small area in the western central portion of Houston Stewart Channel, 47 species of hydroids were obtained in four short hauls of the dredge, each only for 400 or 500 feet. The plankton in the channel waters varies much with the tide. When the tide is running out, numerous organisms are carried out from’ the narrows and the plankton is abundant and varied. When the tide is running in from the open ocean, there is much less plankton and much fewer species are represented. In the case of some of the inlets the shores at and even within the entrance are as precipitous as those exposed to the open sea and when the entrance is narrow, with strong currents and tide rips through it, there may be no life pos- sible. Tasoo Harbour is a good example of this type. The approach is funnel-shaped, lead- ing to an entrance so narrow that it might easily be missed in passing along the coast. The shore is so precipitous that in places one hundred yards from the rocky shore line, the depth may be as much as one hundred fathoms, and a mile out it is four hundred fathoms. To the south of the entrance the mountain side goes up almost vertically and the peak of the con- spicuous Mount Tasoo, over 3000 feet high, is probably not more than a mile in horizontai distance from the shore line. There are no reefs or rocky islets near the ent ance in the main channel. In other instances the entrance shores are quite low and may be continued as a chain of rocks or rocky islets into a long narrow point to make quite an efficient breakwater. Then there are likely to be isolated rocks or reefs, a short distance away from these points, even directly in the main channel. The entrance to Flamingo Harbour is a good case in point but Big Bay is even better. In each case the break- ~ water is to the north or northwest of the en- trance. Although the inside face of the break- 92 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST wate. is pretty well protected at low tide and although the reefs are well within the channel of the inlet, the swell from the ocean surf makes collecting here an impossibility for much of the time. In two months spent on this coast in 1935, there was only one good spring tide series, when collecting here could be done with safety, but that one series of tides was well worth wait- ing for. These mid-channel rocks that were co- vered at half tide or less, when exposed, proved to be almost wholly covered with plant and animal life of great variety. The rocks on. the inlet side of the breakwater were even more interesting, for besides the coating similar to that on the reefs, there were numerous natural tide: pools. formed by the irregularities of the rocks, in which the organisms could be viewed in full extension, perfect marine aquaria. The olivaceous seaweed, the magenta pink corallines, the almost black horse mussels, up to nine inches in length, the large barnacles, with brown stalks, white shells and red feet, all in masses, form the general setting. The large anemones, with dark green columns and lighter green tentacles and disks, are the most conspicuous objects in the tide pools; the sponges, hydroids, polyzoa and ‘nudibranchs provide vaiious shades of yellow and brown; the exquisite hydrocoralline in pinks and mauves, the large sea-urchin in pur- ple, the splashes of colour provided by the crim- son and purple starfishes, the multicoloured gastropods, with others less conspicuous, in the clear, undisturbed, limpid sea-water, make a striking picture or panorama, that must be seen to be duly appreciated. The sea birds of the open coast tend to con- gregate here, and the black oyster catcher, not found to any extent elsewhere, is very much in evidence. % To leave the inner waters and the inner shores of the inlets to the Jast isto provide an anti- climax for the fauna here is poor and uninterest- ing. The threshold near the entrance of the fiords shuts off the interchange of water in the deeper parts of the fiord, to leave these large bodies of water more or less stagnant except near the sur- face, and such stagnant water is not suitable for an abundancce of life. The streams of fresh water coming in, in many places, decreases the salinity of the upper layers, so that at the head of the small bays only very tolerant species can exist. In the upper layer certain pelagic species may be observed. Occasionally the harbour seal ap- pears but never in great numbers. It was of somewhat special interest. to see a large harp [ Voren seal in Tasoo Harbour (I have seen no record of this seal in the northeast Pacific). Evidently the bump of curiosity is as well developed here as in the harbour seal, since this one remained in the vicinity to observe the whole process of sweeping to locate a pinnacle rock in the harbour. In places near shore there are plenty of small fish and fish fry, spring and coho salmon, her- ring, viviparous perch, and sand launces being common. In the surface layer near the entrance, scypho- medusae, Cyanead and Aurelia, and several species of hydromedusae, particularly Aequorea, Phia- lidium and Halistaura, maybe quite abundant, and the plankton may be representative, but even in this layer the organisms gradually disappear, to be scarce or absent entirely at the head of the smaller bays. Dredging near the shore in the outer part of the inlet, though difficult, may give fair results at times, but in the greater depths, the muddy bottom, often with a much reduced oxygen supply, supports very little life. The shore is little or no better. In many places in the inlets, the shores are too. precipitous to leave any foreshore, so there is little variety of conditions and hence little variety in the orga- nisms, but the beaches farther in-get poorer and poorer until at the head they are nearly barren. The small shore fishes, cottids, sculpins, blennies, clingfish and the like, and the pelagic fry in shallow water, provide food for birds. Ducks and geese may be quite numerous at times. -There are several. species in several of the inveitebrate class to be found but there is little variety from beach to beach and the collecting is a very tame procedure when compared with the harvesting possible on shores not so very far distant. To give one verification, not one respect- able clam bed was discovered between Cape St. James and Rennell Sound. SUMMARY The west coast of the Queen Charlotte Isiands provides a wide enough variety of physiographic conditions to make it suitable for examining the correlation between the marine fauna and these various conditions. This coast has not been ex- plored extensively enough to work out the corre- lation in specific detail but, from the inform- ation that is available, certain generalizations can be made. os In the first place, it is quite safe to say that where there is the greatest mixing of waters, in swift currents, tide rips, etc., there are the best conditions for a richness of marine fauna. That September, 1938] being the case, the richest areas for pelagic spe- cies are at the extremes, north, around Langara Island, and south, around Cape St. James and the Kerouart Rocks. Next in importance, come the areas around Frederick Island, Hippa Island, Marble. Island and the entrance to Skidegate Channel, and Anthony Island and the entrance to Houston Stewart. Channel. The areas at the entrance of some of the fiords are reasonably good, but the intervening areas along the open coast and the inner waters of the inlets are poor. The sea bottom is so rocky and rough that it is difficult to get an adequate idea of the bottom fauna, but, in all prohability, the richness here follows pretty well the richness, of the waters. In the two channels, areas of shelly bot- tom make it possible to get a better idea of the THE CANADIAN Firrp-NaATURALIS? 93 richness there. Where dredging can be done near shore in the inlets, sometimes fair results are obtained but in the deeper portions, the muddy bottom is quite barren. The littoral fauna is particularly rich in the natrows in Houston Stewart and Skidegate Channels, quite so at the entrance to these chan- nels and at the entrance to several of the fiords. It is poor, in general, in the bays and inlets, es- pecially those with a threshold, and gets poorer, the farther from the entrance; often rich, but restricted in the type of organisms, in the some- what sheltered nooks and crannies along the open coast; and practically nil on the faces of the rocks on the open coast that are fully ex- posed to the force of the ocean surf. NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS OCCURRENCE OF THE LAPLAND LONGSPUR IN THE Ottawa District. — As recorded briefly in the 1937 Christmas Bird Census from Ottawa (The Canadian Field-Naturalist, 52:22,), three Lap- land Longspurs (Calcarius lapponicus) were ob- served near Ottawa on December 26, 1937. As this appears to be the first record of this species in the Ottawa District since 1890, when a number of specimens were taken, a more detailed account seems desirable. The three Lapland Longspurs seen on De- cember 26th were observed by a census party con- sisting of C. R. Lewis, Barnard McL. Lewis, and the writer. They were in a snow-covered field beside the track of the Canadian Pacific Railway, about one and one-half miles west of Aylmer, Quebec, where their musical call-note, though uttered at infrequent intervals, attract- ed attention to them. In company with one Red- polled Linnet (Acanthis linaria) these birds, maintaining a fairly close group, were feeding busily upon seeds that they were obtaining from brown dead weed-stalks that projected above the snow so thickly that the birds were often largely concealed among them. So fearless were the Longspurs that I observed them at leisure, with X6 binoculars, at a distance of about ten feet and left them still feeding undisturbed when I went away Their dark crowns, the warm buffy sides of their heads, and the chestnut patches on their wing coverts and tertials were plainly seen. One individual, probably an adult male, showed very plainly a veiled black throat-patch and a reddish nape. In one of the othe- individuals a veiled black throat-patch could also be seen, but less plainly. It seems probable that Lapland Longspurs occur near Ottawa more often than the infre- guent records would indicate, but that they are often confused with Snow Buntings and Horn- ed Larks and so pass unrecognized.—Harrison F. Lewis. Musica, WaARBLE OF THE SAVANNAH SPARROW. — On tracing to its origin a pleasing and music- al warble that I heard on Pelee Island, Essex County, Ontario, on May 13, 1937, I found, to my great surprise, that it was being uttered by a Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichen- sis). This bird was one of two of this species that, with other Sparrows, were perched, about four feet from the ground, in a roadside row of small trees. Its rambling musical warble, which was uttered in an undertone, continued without cessation for several seconds and was, in general, in striking contrast to the usual brief, buzzing song of this species, with which I have been very familiar for many years. I noticed, however, that at one point the singer introduced into its warble the phrasing of its common song, render- ed in an undertene and more musically than when sung in the usual way, and then continued without a pause with a variety of musical notes. I watched it with X6 binoculars at a distance of about 10 feet, in excellent light, and could see its mandibles move as it sang. The late Dr. Charles W. Townsend recorded concerning this Sparrow, in his Birds of Essex 94 Tue CANADIAN FreLD-NATURALIST County, Massachusets (Mem. Nutt. Orn. Club, No. III, Cambridge, April, 1905, p. 264), that “on rare occasions a soft feeble warble takes the place of a song. I have heard this even in the spring given by an adult.” This statement is referred to by Forbush (Birds of Massachu- setts and other New England States, Pt. III, 1929, p. 54), but as most writers who describe the activities of the Savannah Sparrow do not mention such a song and as I had not previously noticed it, in the course of a field experience with this Sparrow extending over some twenty- eight years, it would seem to be uncommon enough to make publication of this record de- sirable Harrison F, LEwis. [Vorsneit GREATER YELLOW-LEGS AND PIcEoN HAwK. — On May 25, 1926, at the shore of Anticosti Island, Quebec, near Port Menier, I saw a Pigeon Hawk (Falco columbarius) stoop at two Greater Yellow-legs (Totanus melanoleucus), though apparently not in deadly earnest. The two Yel- low-legs, which were standing on a small gravel bar, uttered cries of alarm and half jumped, half fluttered for a distance of a few feet, into water so deep that they could not wade, where they swam placidly until the Hawk had flown some dis- tance away, when they swam ashore.—HArRRISON F. LEwIs. REVIEW LEGUMINOUS ForacE Piants, by D. H. Robinson, 119 pages, 1937. Edward. Arnold & Co., Lon- don. (In Canada, Longmans Green & Co., Toronto; price $1.80.) This small volume presents descriptions of the forage legumes of the British Isles in relatively non-technical, concise language. It is intended primarily for students in Agricultural Colleges and for County Agents and Organizers. Unfor- tunately its usefulness in Canada is limited since the emphasis is placed upon the species and varieties of greatest importance in England and Scotland and the cultural requirements of these varieties. The author, who is Head of the Biology De- partment of Harper Adams Agricultural College, Newport, Shropshire, has succeedeé in writing brief but adequate and simple descriptions of the seeds, seedlings and mature plants of each species. These descriptions are supplemented by clear line drawings which should aid the student considerably in distinguishing the various species. The illustrations of the legume seedlings should be especially useful. Following the description of mature plant, seed and seedling, under each species there is a brief discussion of the chief cultivated varieties; their culture and uses in the British Isles; notes on seed production; and tables of chemical composition. After a brief introductory chapter dealing with the morphology of the leguminous plant and its specialized process of nitrogen fixation through the agency of root nodule bacteria, two chapters are given over to a discussion of the Trifoliums (red, alsike, white, crimson, yellow suckling, subterranean, and strawberry clovers). The following chapter deals with the Medicagos, lucerne, or as it is more commonly known in America, alfalfa, and yellow trefoil. Species rare- ly . grown in America are described in the succeeding chatpers: birdsfoot trefoils (Lotus). kidney vetches (Anthyllis), sainfoin (Ono- brychis) and lupins (Lupinus). Sweet clover (Melilotus) is briefly discussed. A final chapter deals with pulse crops which are sometimes grown for fodder. Included are. field beans, Faba vulgaris (better known as horse beans, Vicia Faba), vetches (Vicia) field peas (Pisum) and soy beans (Glycine). There is also a valuable table of seed statistics presenting data on weight per 1000, bushel weight. number per pound, standards of purity and germination, and per- centage of hard seeds for the various species described. The volume concludes with a brief but useful glossary and index.—Harorp A. SENN. ee A ee ee Se ee hme = a es Se ee ee ee, Affiliated Societies NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF MANITOBA 1937-38 _ President Emeritus: Dr. H. M. SPEECHLY, Honorary President: A. H. REGINALD BULLER, F.R.C., President: MR. L. T. S. NorrIs-ELYE, Past Presidents: J. J. GOLDEN, (Deceased), H. M. SpHecHLY, M.D., V. W. Jackson, M.Sc., C. W. Lowe, M.Sc., J. B. WALLIS, B.A., A. A.-McCouBREy, A. M. DAVIDSON, M.D., R. A. WARDLE, M.Sc., G. SHIRLBY BROOKS; A. G. LAWRENCE; B. W. CARTWRIGHT. Vice-Presidents: H. C. PHARCE, W. H. RAND; Mrs. L. R. Stimpson, J. P. HADDOW, P. H. Stoxes, Treasurer: L. W. KosEeR, General Secretary: Mrs. L. R. Stupson, Auditor: R. M. THomas, Executive Secretary: Miss B. HAAK, Social Convenor: Mrs. B. W. CART- WRIGHT. : Section Chairman Secretary Orntthological A. H. SHORTT R. FRYER Entomolegieal G SHIRLEY BROOKS Miss M. PRATT Botanieal C. W. Lowe, Mrs. H. T. Ross Geological Pror. BE. I. LEITH P. H. SToKEs Zoological Pror. V. W. JACKSON R. SuTTON Microscopy: Zoology R. A. WARDLE, M.Sc. Botany C. W. Lows, M.Sc. Secretary: R. HADDOW Meetings are held each Monday evening, except on holidays 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. BE. 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 OFFICERS FOR 1938-39 Honorary President. L. S. KLInK, (LL.D.), President Univer- sity of B.C; President: C. F. CONNCR, M.A., Vice-President: Mr. J. J. PLoMMER, Honorary Secretary: Mr. Gro. ROGER Woop, B.A., First Assistant Secretary: MISS VIRGINIA HOLLAND 2nd Assistant Secretary: Mrs. Mary SIEBURTH, Honorary Treasurer: Mr. F.J.SANFoRD, Librarian: Mr. A. A. Scott, Additional Members of Executive: Mr. A. H. BAIN, MR. W. CuarkK, Mrs. H. FARLEY, Mr H.C. FRESHWATER, MR. K. Racey, Mrs. J. Motion, MR. P. L. TAIT, Chairmen of Sections: Botany: Pror. JOHN DAvipson, F.L.S., F.B.S.E., F.RH..S., U B.C., Geology: M. Y. WiLLIAMs, PH.D, F.G.S.A.,F. R.SC., UB.C.. Entomology: Mr. A.R. Wootton, Ornithology: Mr. J. D. TURNBULL, Microscopy: Mr. H. P. CLark, Photography: Mr. Puitie Timms, Mammalogy: Mr. G.L. Pop, Astronomy; Mrs. LAURA ANDERSON, B.A., Marins Biology; Mr.A. V. QuIGLEY, Auditors: H. G. SeELwoop, W. B. Woops. 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 PROVINCE OF QUEBEC SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS INC. OFFICERS & COMMITTEE: Past Presidents: Mr. L. M. TBRRILL, Mr. NAPIBR SMITH. Mr. W. S. Hart, Mrs. C. L. HENDERSON; President: PROF. V. C WYNNE-EDWARDS, 495 Prince Arthur Street, Apt. 4, Montreal; Vice-Presidenis: MR. J. A. DECARIE, Miss MAUDE Swath; Vice-President and Treasurer: MR. HENRY MOUSLEY; Secretary: Mr. J. D. CLEGHORN. Committee: Mrs. C. F. DALE, Mr. W.S. Hart, Mrs. C. L. HENDERSON, Mr. H. A. C. JacKsOoN, Mr. E. L. JUDAH, Mr. Frasar S. KeitH, Miss P. B. MATTINSON, Murpry, Miss M. S. Nicoutson, Mr. R. A. OUTHET, C. Sair Mr. Napier SmitH, Mr. L. McI.SPACKMAN, MR. L. M. TERRILL, Mrs. L. M. TERRILL. Meetings held the second Monday of the month except dur- ing summer. SOCIETE PROVANCHER D’HISTOIRE NATURELLE DU CANADA Son Excellence, LE TRES HONORABLD LoRD TWEEDsMUIR, G.C.M.G., C.H., Gouverneur- Général du Canada; Vice-Pairon Honoratre: HONORABLE E.-L. PATENAUDE, Lieutenant-Gouverneur de la Province de Québec; Bureau de Direction pour 1938: Président: DR. GUSTAVE RATTE; Jer vice-président: ROBERT HUNTER; 2téme vice-président: Dr. VIGER. PLAMONDON, Secrétaire-trésorier: Louis -B. LAVOIE; Chef de la section actentifique: Dr. D.-A. Dery; Chef de la section de Propagande éducative: IAN BREAKEY, JR. Chef de la section de protection: J.-PAUL RoussBAu, Chef de la section d’information scientifique et pra- tique: JAMES PRICE, Directeurs: HUBERT DUCHENE, BERESFORD Scott, G.- U. Tsssipr, JAMES. F. Ross, ALPHONSE DESILETS, I.A., REX MbBrREDITH, N.P., EDGAR RocHETTE, C.R., STUART ATKINSON, Secrétaire-trésorier: LouIs-B. LAVOIE 838, rue Sherhrooke, Québec Patron Honoraire: THE TORONTO FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB OFFICERS FOR 1938-39. Honorary President. Dk. A.P. COLEMAN; Honorary Vice-Pres- idents: Hon. H.C. Nixon, Mr. J.H.FLEMING. President F.C. Hurst, Vice-President: W.J.BAXTER, Secretary Treasurer: Mrs. L. E. JAquitH. Council: Mrs. HARVEY AGNEW, W. J. W. BALDwIn, G. S. BELL, Rupert Davips, R. G. DINGMAN, J. R. Dyment, C.S. FARMER, Dr. NorMA Forp, A. R. GiB- SON, PAUL Haun, H. M. HAuuipAy, Dr. F. P. lpz, MAGIstT- RATE J.E. Jonns, T.F. McILwraitH, ARNOTT M. PATTERSON Dr. R. M. SAuNpDERS, Dr. T. M.C. TAYLOR, STUART THOMP- son, Mrs. A. R. WHITTEMORE, President of the Junior Club: W. J. Baxter, Vice President: Mrs. A. R. WHITTEMORE. Meetings are held at 8 p. m. on the first Monday of each month from October to April at the Royal Ontario Museum, unless otherwise announced. Field trips are held during the spring, and and occasionally during other seasons. 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 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 582 Mariposa Avenue Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa | __ 2 na, CANADA NORTH OF FIFTY SIX _ By E. M. KINDLE 3 Special profusely illustrated number of The *“Naturalist’’, 86 pages, 31 illustrations. Every Canadian should know this prize essay. ; PRICE FIFTY CENTS Ty WILMOT LLOYD mR Rockcliffe Park, Ottaw 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 1938. 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Ma A OCI Sat tA ie aes pat ne cet .....Conchology _ A.G.HUNTSMAN............ RTHUR GIBSON.............. _. Entomology PA. TAVERNER: 0.0 ee Bee ALCOCK aor ci 20a ee cea ch oles Geology Ki. Mc KINDLE se ae pia! CONTENTS . First Recorded Nest of Baltimore Oriole for Nova Scotia. By R. W. Tufts...... a Yellow-crowned Night Herons in Nova Scotia. By W. Earl Godfrey ........... eviews :— Our/Shade Trees.:: By Arthur Gipsomj. 9. cick 6 ee ee ia Special Publication of the American Committee for International Wild Life Protection. .L, The Chat. i= 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, #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 if 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, Otiawa Field-Naturalists’ Club, 582 Mariposa Ave., -Rockeliffe Park, OTTAWA, CANADA. Se SMG OCT 7 1938 Lignan The Canadian Field-N aah Vou. LIT OTTAWA, CANADA, OCTOBER, 1938 No. 7 SUMMER BIRDS OF THE FORILLON, GASPE COUNTY, QUEBEC By STANLEY C. BALL HE GASPE PENINSULA, lying south of the wide lower portion of the St. Lawrence River, terminates in a slender needle-like process, famous to geologists for its eastern-most mainland extension of the Appalachian Mountains and for the fossils em- bedded in its strata. In his book, The Heart of Gaspé, Dr. John M. Clarke has urged the use of its old name, Forillon, for this tiny peninsula. It joins the higher land in the main part of Gaspé peninsula on a line between Cap des Rosiers on the St. Lawrence and Little Gaspé on the Bay of Gaspé. Mount St. Alban (1170 feet) and several neighbouring prominences of similar height occupy this region about a mile west of . Grande Gréve. For convenience I have called them the West Highlands. The Forillon is somewhat more than five miles in length, the width throughout being about half a mile. Two steep limestone ridges, continua- tions of higher ridges to the westward, run through its whole length separated by a coulée. The latter is broken by lower cross saddles into five drainage basins, four of which have outlets into the Bay of Gaspé, and one into the Gulf at the eastern end of the Forillon. The north- ern ridge reaches a height of 730 feet near the center of the peninsula, gradually diminishing to 300 feet at Cape Gaspé, its easterly end, and to about the same height in the westerly gap at The Portage across the base of the ‘Forillon. The southern ridge is somewhat lower except at its eastern tip, Shiphead, which bears a lighthouse. From here the Bay of Gaspé extends twenty miles inland, with Gaspé Basin near its head between the estuaries of the York and Dartmouth Rivers. The mouth of the bay is only nine miles wide from Shiphead to Point St. Peter, whence it is another eight miles southward across the Malbay to Percé and Bonaventure Island. Most of the southern ridge has been cleared by the farmer-fishermen whose homes are chief- ly clustered about Grande Gréve, St. George’s Cove, Indian Cove and Shiphead settlements. Except for occasional clearings, the rest of the Forillon is covered by evergreen forest-—spruce and balsam fir—and second growth mixed wood- land in which white birch, mountain ash, and mountain maple compete with young evergreens. In small boggy swamps from one to four acres in area, scattered along the central valley, a few arbor vitae remain, but alders have followed the woodman’s axe into most of them. Clumps of alder also flourish in many moist spots in the open farm lands, especially along six small brooks which drain the swamps just mentioned. On the southern shore low cliffs, sixty feet or less in height, are interrupted by occasional short stretches of cobble beach where fishermen maintain their tiny stations, but no sand is to be found along the Forillon. Very different is the northern shore, famous for its rugged cliffs, from 300 to 700 feet high, carved out of ancient mountains by the storm-driven waves of the St. Lawrence Gulf. Only at The Portage and Cape Bon Ami can one descend to the rough shore of fallen rocks and ribbon of cobble beach at the foot of these cliffs. To the north and east lies the island of Anticosti, visible on clear davs, its nearest point being fifty miles from the Forillon. Another thirty miles separate Anticosti from the northern shore of the St. Lawrence Gulf. From the northernmost curve of the Gaspé pe- ninsula at Cape Magdalene, sixty miles north- west of the Forillon, at least seventy miles of the lower St. Lawrence waters must be traversed by birds migrating to or from the northern shore of the river. Rainfall is ample and the summer temperature moderate to cool. The season is at least a month later than that of southern New England— apple trees in blossom on June 20, and lilacs July 4 Eggs of the spotted salamander hatched on July 3. The average minimum temperature © from June 15 to June 30 was 50°F (the lowest, 44° on the 30th), and the average maximum 64° 96 Tue CANADIAN FIELp-NATURALIST [Vor. LIT i MAP OF NORTHEASTERN PART OF GASPE PENINSULA | | yc vy i F, | = ee ; ‘ ae WV Dies . CA Gulf of ae 4 L oe 3 > Foy River wo, Aavwrene f = ee \ - & ‘CZ Ie NG eS Ds Nyt WwW @ q t s &D) Ne Ss Ww Qs = any 5, 3 Fremos ule Ca des fa Vadia ie R yver~ aS i? ICIS jer es OTs Gaspe’ == 3 Wes f hig hla vids rs eae Cee CeXOs ; re 1. St. Mhan (76) S Third Lake eee Little Gaspe Bs, f/Pe ferlage 2 So if : Grand. Greve Cop Lon Aru oe eS Os Salo Vice a St Georges love 5 —— < SP hors t : SS -} YS >. BEF 2 Srdian Cove @ i 3 Devglasfown ¥ 7 Cap Gaspe i Shiphead H — o a \ 4 ean A ae Bs Wer Fonf os, eles is /0 Lipa Pour tach “Yolbay eae Vie Fereé October, 1938] (highest, 74° on the 20th). The average for July and August 1936 was about 4° higher. The 193/ season was considerably warmer, the average maximum for June 17-30 being 67°; for July, 68.6°; and for August, 67°. The highest temper- ature, 76°, was attained on June 28, July 7 and 21, and August 10, 17, and 20. Several kinds of introduced trees and shrubs in. dooryards, added to the native evergreens, birches, maples, mountain ashes, dogwoods and viburnums scattered along the numerous spruce- pole fences, provide ample cover and feeding ground for birds which frequent open lands. During the summer in Gaspé County, aside from brief opportunities on the automobile drive along the shore from Carleton to Grande Gréve on June 13-14, 1936, and on June 17, 1937, little attempt was made to observe birds beyond the limits of the Forillon. A few days of fishing along the Dartmouth River, Griffon Cove, and at Grand Etang, weekly drives to Gaspé Basin and back, and a week’s visit to Third Lake, Fourth Lake, Ross and Pauline Lakes, about 18 miles into the forest southwest of Gaspé Basin, August 3-8, 1936, and another short stay at Third Lake, September 1-3, 1937, enabled me to record 19 species not seen on the Forillon. On the latter all types of habitat were frequently visited from my dwelling at Grande Gréve during the periods from June 14 to August 30, 1936, and from June 17 to September 13, 1937. Every valley and ridge was explored; most of the wooded areas, swamps, and pastures were system- atically and frequently examined and the ex- tensive sea-cliffs were watched from above and from boats below. In all, 117 species were recorded, of which 98 were observed on the Forillon. Of the latter, 44 species nested, judging from nests. found, juveniles observed, and adults seen carrying food; 11 other species also probably bred here. Two species resident on Bonaventure Island daily fish in the waters just off the Forillon’s northern cliffs. John B. Demille (Auk 43: 508-527 October, 1926) lists 12 other species which he and other cbservers have found during summer months in Gaspé County. Several of these might be ex- pected to inhabit or visit the Forillon. I was surprised to find no evidence of nesting by the barred owl, hairy woodpecker, sapsucker, flicker, phoebe, blue jay, brown creeper, swamp sparrow, Canadian warbler, ovenbird, northern yellow- throat, and hermit thrush. Flickers (Colaptes auratus luteus) were several THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 97 times seen near the head of Gaspé Bay, and yellow-throats (Geothlypis trichas brachydacty- la) along the Dartmouth River nineteen miles west of the Forillon and along the coast from Cap des Rosiers to Griffon Cove. During the week, August 20-27, 1935, 1 saw dozens of marsh hawks (Circus hudsonius) working their way through the gap from Cap des Rosiers to Grande Gréve and on down the Forillon. This lead to the expectation that other birds would follow the same route and that they would cross the Bay of Gaspé (4 to 9 miles) to follow the coast southward. But few eastward movements were detected in 1936 and 1937 Certainly, as far as observed, all passerines which nested on the Forillon, and other hundreds which reached it from the north or northeast— probably from Anticosti—passed northwestward up the little peninsula and on toward the head of the Bay. And this behaviour was not confined to feeding birds moving by day, but to such migrants as could be heard during the night. Presumably upon reaching the head of the Bay these birds again turned southward. Very few marsh hawks appeared during the last weeks of my 1936 sojourn. As in 1935, these first passed down the Forillon; although none was seen to cross the Bay, many were observed returning northwestward, especially in 1937 when they were again numerous in late August. With the ex- ception of an immature cormorant, a long-eared owl, and a junco found dead no specimens were taken. Unless otherwise noted all observations in the annotated list below are sight records made with the aid of 8-power binoculars. As noted by Dr. C. W. Townsend, who spent the period from August 6-25, 1919, and the last half of August, 1922, at Grande Gréve, the avi- fauna of Gaspé is largely of the Canadian type with several Hudsonian and Transition forms. (Notes on the summer birds of the Gaspé Penin- sula, Province of Quebec, by C. W. Townsend, M D. The Canadian Field-Naturalist, 34: 78-80, 87-95, 1920). Thirty-three species marked with an asterisk on the list below were not recorded from the Forillon by Dr. Townsend during his briefer stay in 1919, nor in August, 1922. (Additional notes on the birds of the Gaspé Peninsula. The Can- adian Field-Naturalist, 37: 6-11, 1923). On the other hand, he saw there four species which I failed to note: rough-legged hawk, northern shrike, brown creeepr, and cowbird. 1. Gavia immer immer. Common Joon. —' Several adults seen August 3-8, 1936, at Ross Lake and Fourth Lake, and at Third Lake, Sep- 98 THE’ CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST tember 1-3, 1937. An adult flew across base of Forillon, August 21, 1937. 2. Gavia stellata. RED-THROATED Loon. — Dur- ing the period June 25 to July 13, 1936, one or both of a pair, believed to have nested back of Little Gaspé, several times in the early hours of daylight flew down the Forillon toward St. George’s Cove, and within a few minutes return- ed westward over Grande Gréve. On July 18 four immature fished together in the inshore waters of the bay between Little Gaspé and Grande Gréve. Se Oceanodroma leucorhoa leucorhoa*. LEAcH Ss PETREL. — On July 5, 1937, a small co- lony was discovered at the tip of the Forillon. 4. Moris bassana. GANNET. — Pass regularly northeastward across the mouth of Gaspé Bay from their Bonaventure rookery to fish in the waters off the northern cliffs of the Forillon. Curiously enough gannets were never observed in 1936 over .the Bay west of Shiphead settle- ment, and only three times in 1937. 5. Phalacrocorax auritus auritus. DouBLE- CRESTED CORMORANT.. — About 200 pairs nested on the northern sea-cliffs of the Forillon, chiefly between The Portage and Cape Bon Ami. While the waters of the St. Lawrence Gulf below yield -considerable.food, birds from this colony conti- nually. cross: the Forillon through the Grande Greve gap on their journeys to and from the fishing grounds at-the head of Gaspé Bay and along the streams) which empty into it. On August 21, 1936, four cormorants were seen close to the highroad: diving and- propelling themselves with foot and wing against the clear, strong current of the Dartmouth River. 6.. Botaurus lentiginosus. BirtERN*. — _ For two days, August- 16-17, 1937, one bird fished for small trout in Grande Gréve Brook. 7. Ardea herodias herodias. GREAT BLUE HERON. — Common on tidal flats around upper part of Gaspé Bay, June to August 15, when the southward movement probably began; none was observed kere afterwards. From the St. Law- rence valley on August 9 a single bird flew south through the Grande Gréve gap and veered north- west along the shore towards the head of the bay: two others followed the same route on August 12. During August, 1937, one visited a small pond on the ridge above Shiphead settlement, feeding upon tadpoles of Rana sylvatica. 8. Nycticorax mnycticorax hoactli*, BuacK- CROWNED NicHtT Herron. — On August 28, 1936, a single individual crossed the Forillon through the Grande Gréve gap. Several fed in the (Vou. LII marshes behind the bar at Douglastown on the southern shore of Gaspé Bay, August 27. On the evenings of July 30 and August 3, 1937, a single bird flew southeast over Grande Greve and returned almost immediately. 9. Anas rubripes rubripes. RED-LEGGED BLACK Duck. — During August many frequented the marshes at the mouths of rivers and streams en- tering the head of Gaspé Bay. One killed by a ‘Duck Hawk at Grande Gréve, August 29, 1937. 10. Glaucionetta clangula americana. AMERICAN GoLDEN-EYE. — August 3-8, 1936, a female with six well-grown young seen daily on Ross Lake, another family on Fourth Lake; 2 adults on Pauline Lake. Two at Third Lake, September 1-3, 1937. 11. Somateria mollisima dresserv*. AMERICAN E1per. — Breeds along the rocky northern shore of the Forillon. Seen feeding on young sea- urchins, procured by diving. ' 12. Melanitta perspicillata. SURF ScoTER. — August 15, 1937, seven just off shore at the tip of the Forillon. 13. Mergus americanus. SER. — Four swimming Etang, August 13, 1937. 14. Mergus serrator*, RED-BREASTED MERGAN- SER. — July 1, 1936, watched three pairs fishing off northern cliffs of the Forillon near Cape Bon Ami. 15. Accipiter velox velox. SHARP-SHINNED Hawk. — August 17, 1936, an adult passed south- eastward down the coulée behind Grande Greve. Presumably it had just entered the Forillon from the northwest at the Portage gap. Three tran- sients passed down the peninsula and back on August 19, 23, 28, 1937. 16. Accipiter coopert. Cooper's HAwkK, — July 1, 1936, an adult crossed a small clearing in the West Highlands. 17. Astur a. atricapillus*. GosHAWK. — ‘Two immature spent August 20 and 21, 1937, on St Alban and the Ferillon, the first recorded from this region. I encountered them in the forest several times. 18. Buteo borealis borealis. RED-TAILED HAwkK — August 5, 1936, one circled over sprout land in the “burn”? between Ross and Fourth Lakes. An immature bird over Shiphead, August 19. 1937. 19. Buteo lineatus lineatus. RED-SHOULDERED Hawk. — August 17, 1936, two immature circled over highlands above Cape Bon Ami. Duck hawk chased one of them, apparently in play. AMERICAN MERGAN- in surf near Grand October, 1938] THE CANADIAN On the following day one of this pair, or another farther down the Forillon, perched for 10 minutes in the top of a 20 foot spruce while a sparrow hawk repeatedly feinted at it from above. Observ- ed with 8-power binoculars in good light at dis- tance of 30 yards. Not previously recorded from the Gaspé. 20. Buteo platypterus platypterus. BROAD-WING- ED Hawk. — August 14, 1936, adult hunting in mixed woods on east slope of Mt. St. Alban, barely within limits of the Forillon. Several penetrated as far as Cape Bon Ami in 1937. 21. Circus hudsoniuns. Marsh Hawk. — Appearing first on August 15, 1936, immature birds were seen daily till the 28th, between Grande Gréve and Shiphead, but never more than one at a time; no such migration down the Forillon occurred in 1936 as in late August 1935, when I saw as many as 9 of these birds in the air togeth- er hunting over the uplands back of Grande Gréve. More numerous in 1937, the first arriv- ing on August 9. 22. Haliaeetus leucocephalus alascanus*. NorTHERN BALD Eacie. — June 23, 1937, an immature bird was chased by twenty crows from Grande Gréve to the north shore through the Portage Gap. Another (or the same) said to have been shot at Shiphead, August 20. 23.. Pandion haliaétus carolinensis*, OSPREY. August 6, 1936, two visited Ross Lake, approach- ing from the northeast. Fishing in Bay at Grande Gréve on August 27, 28 and September 9, 1937. 24. Falco peregrinus anatum*. Duck HAwKk. From July 1 to August 25, 1936, one or both of a pair of immature birds was to be seen and heard daily along the northern cliffs of the Fo- rillon. Both adults and immature present in 1937. One killed a black duck at Grande Gréve, August 30, and on another occasion carried away an adult guillemot. This is the only species of hawk suspected of nesting on the little peninsula. The herring gulls which breed along the north- ern precipices do not appear concerned as the noisy peregrine dashes along before and above their rookeries, a fact which suggests that the young gulls are seldom molested. Probably the slow flying guillemots and murres are easy tar- gets. It is not surprising that other species of the larger birds of prey fail to nest on the Forillon, but an abundance of mice and small birds might be expected to attract a few pairs of sharp-shin- ned, sparrow, or pigeon hawks to the tracts which are infrequently visited by man. 25. Falco columbarius columbarius. PtIcEON FIeELD-N ATURALIST 99 Hawk. — August 21, 1936, two immature mig- rants at western end of the Forillon, playfully’ chasing one another from tip to tip of young balsams. 26. Falco sparverius sparverius*. SPARROW Hawk. — For two days, August 17 and 18, 1936, a single bird frequented a stump-lot northwest of St. George’s Cove, resenting the temporary intrusion of a red-shouldered hawk (see above). Exactly a year later another of these little hawks appeared on the Forillon, followed by three other immature birds on August 20, 1937. 27. Canachites canadensis canace. SPRUCE Grouse, — August 8, 1936, hen with two half- grown young ran for several yards in the whee] track just ahead of automobile on road west of Third Lake. September 9, 1937, male crossed road far up York River. 28. Bonassa umbellus togata*, RUFFED GROUSE. 2 — One in spruce woods a mile from Cape Gaspé, the only grouse recorded from the Forillon in 1936; but a brood of 5 young was raised on St Alban in 1937. They were as fearless as spruce grouse, 29. Philohela minor*, Woopcock. — One flushed June 25, July 19, and August 20, 1937, from same half acre on southeast slope of Mt. St. Alban. 30. Charadrius semipalmatus. SEMIPALMATED Piover. — August 27, 1936, two feeding at Hal- dimand beach on southern shore of Gaspé Bay. 31. Arenaria interpres morinella. 'TURNSTONE. August 27, 1936, nine on Haldimand beach; fear- less. 32. Actitis macularia. SporrED SANDPIPER. — Common along streams and shores of lakes and sea; only two seen on the Forillon in 1936; sever- alin 19376 33. Totanus melanoleucus. GREATER YELLOW- LEGS, —- Common on tidal flats at head of Gaspé Bay, August 15 to 27, 1936 (all believed to have been of this species). 34, Ereunetes pusillus. SEMIPALMATED SAND- PIPeR. — August 15, 1936, several on tidal flats at head of Bay. Sandpipers, Yellow-legs and Plovers were observed here in 1937 also. 35. Larus marinus. GREAT BLACK-BACKED Gut. — August 1, 1936, one adult and one im- mature joined the herring gulls about the fishing station at Grande Gréve, and remained for ten days. Eighteen around fishing boat near Cape Bon Ami, August 15, 1937. 36. Larus argentatus smithsonianus. HERRING GuiL. — Several hundred nested on the north- 100 THE CANADIAN ern cliffs of the Forillon. On July 1 many nests only unhatched eggs; a few young, half-grown. This species, from before dawn till after dark, is the common bird about the fishing stations. Immature first noted on the water at Grande Gréve, July 17, 1936. By August 9th flocks of 225, including both old and young fre- quently gathered there, and at St. George’s Cove, Indian Cove, and Shiphead. August 15, 1937, a few young still in nests. contained 37. Larus delawarensis*, RING-BILLED GULL. — August 22, 1936, an immature bird closely and repeatedly circled fishing boat near Cape Gaspé, in company with Kittiwakes and Herring Gulls. It was probably an early wanderer from the co- lonies along the north shore of the Gulf which has been described by Dr. H. F. Lewis. (Canad. Field-Nat., 48: 115-119, 1934.) 38. Rissa-tridactyla tridactyla. ATLANTIC Kit- TIWAKE. — Birds from the Bonaventure Island colony frequently visit fishing boats off the north- eastern cliffs of the Forillon. 39, Sterna hirundo slirundo. ComMMon TERN. — August 15, 1937, a pair approached our fishing boat off Cape Bom Amin =~ 40, Alca torda, Razor-BiiiEp AUK — Nests commonly in the northern sea-cliffs, especially between the Portage and Cape Bon Ami. 1: 41. Una aalge aalge. AYLANTIC MurRE. — Often seen flying out from northern cliffs; prob- ably nests there. 42. Cepphus grylle hs BLack GUILLEMOT. — Nests commonly in cliffs along both shores of Forillon. Immature first noticed on the water August 22. This species is less timid than the other sea birds of the region, and is the only one which nests in the cliffs on the Bay shore. 43. Zenaidura macroura- carolinensis*. — FASTERN Mourninc Dove. — Mr. P. S. Hotton of Grande Gréve had a good opportunity to. ob- serve a small flock of this species which spent part of a day near his home in September, 1936. He had at hand a copy of The Birds of America by which to confirm his field identification. Although this is the first Gaspé record, Dr. Lewis reported one bird at Pointe aux Basques on the southern shore of the Labrador peninsula, June 4, 1935, and cites fall. records on Anticosti. (Canadian Field-Naturalist, 38:89, 1924: and 51119; 1937.) 44, Antrostomus vociferus*. \WHIP-POCR-WILL — Reported calling at Lighthouse on Shiphead a few years ago by the Light Keeper, Mr. Arthur Minchinton. Firip-N ATURALIS'T (VoL. LII 45. Chordeiles minor minor*, NIiGHTHAWK. — -One hunting in the twilight of July 3, 1936, at Grande Gréve. Another August 8 at dawn over Ross Lake. Seen twice at Grande Gréve, August 16, 20, 1937. 46. Chaetura pelagica. CHIMNEY Swrrt, — July 3, 1936, one circling above evergreen forest in highlands just west of Forillon, and on even- ing of July 11 a pair hunted above Grande Greve. Not uncommon in villages and settlements from Gaspé to Fox River. August 8 three flying over Ross Lake, many miles from habitations except camps. In 1937 two pairs frequently circled over -Grande Gréve and the forest at base of the For- illon, where they probably nested. 47. Archilochus colubris. Rupy-rtHRoAtep Hum- MINGBIRD. — A few pairs frequented — flower gardens on the Forillon and at Gaspé Basin. 48. Megaceryle alcyon alcyon. BELTED KING- FISHER. — August 25, 1936, one on fence at mouth of Dartmouth River. Seen there again in late August 1937, and at Grande Gréve, August 23. 5 i 49. Asio wilsonianus*, _LONG-EARED OWL. — One found dying at Grande Gréve, August 29. 1937. I preserved the skin of this, sole first re- corded Gaspé specimen. 3 5 50. Colaptes auratus luteus. Nowe FLICK- ER. Not observed east of Peninsula Village on northern shore of Gaspé Bay in 1936, but occasionally westward, especially along Dart- mouth River. On July 25, 1937, an adult male descended slope of St. Alban and remained back of Grande Gréve till August 7, when it passed eastward to ridge north of Indian Cove A week later this bird or another flew westward over Grande Gréve. 51. Ceophloeus pileatus- abiohenteee PILEATED ‘WoopPECKER — One at Grande Gréve, September Be 10372 52. Dryobates villosus septentrionalis.. Nortu- ERN Harry WoopPecKER. — July 11, 1936, female seen back of Grande Gréve. June 28, 1937, male on north ridge half way down the Forillon; ap- parently not nesting, for I could find no sign of it later. ; 53. Dryobates pubescens medianus. aan Downy WooprEcKER. — July 20, 1936, female in slash above Cape Bon Ami August 26, one call- ing back of Grande Gréve. More numerous in 1937. 54. Picoides arcticus. Arctic ‘THREK-TOED WoopPEcKER. — June 25, 1936, male working on trunks of spruces at edge of swamp back of Grande Créve. July 21 to August 23, 1937, a October, 1938] THE CANADIAN female with one immature seen several times back of Grande Gréve and in West Highlands. 55. Empidonax flaviventris. YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER. —- Common in evergreen forests of the Forillon, especially near swamps, where | heard its call regularly from June 15 to August 25. Several at Ross and Fourth Lakes in early August. 56. Empidonax traili trail. AbER FLy- CATCHER. — June 14 to August 11, fairly common in alders and deciduous saplings in cleared lands along southern slopes of Forillon. Several seen in alders back of Percé; June 14, 1936. 57. Nuttalornis mesoleucus*. OLIVE-SIDED FLY- CATCHER. — One visited the valley behind Grande Greve, July 4-7, 1937, 58. Jridoprocne bicolor. "TREE SWALLOW. — August 5, 1936, about 20 flying over Fourth Lake, about which many dead spruce stubs remained in a large burned area. 59. Huirundo erythrogaster. BARN SWALLow.— None observed, but a “fork-tailed swallow” is said to have flown against the lighthouse at Ship- head two or three years ago. Probably the fields of the Forillon are not sufficiently extensive to attract these birds even though suitable buildings are numerous. Townsend found them breeding commonly in barns along the southern St. Law- rence shore, where meadows are wider and less tilted, with open water on only one side. 60. Petrochelidon albifrons albifrons. CLIFF SWALLOW. — June 16 to 19, 1936, many began nest-building under eaves of buildings along the Forillon. Egg-laying began about the 25th, but the males continued adding mud till July Sth. First young left nests August Ist. By the 11th all had departed. 61. Perisoreus canadensis canadensis. CANADA Jay. — Unrecorded from the Forillon, but not uncommon inland. Seen at Third Lake, August 8, 1936, and September 3, 1937. , 62. Cyanocitta cristata cristata*, BLUEJAY. — Two appeared in Portage gap behind Grande Greve, September 12, 1937. 63. Corvus corax principalis. NortHERN RAVEN. — June 14, 1936, three young flying about cliffs back of Percé, still being fed by parents. From July 20 to August 28, 1936, one or two seen at various times along the northern cliffs of the Forillon. August 25, two immature visited a dooryard near Indian Cove to feed—not an un- usual occurrence, I was told. One flew over Fourth Lake August 6th. Present also in 1937: probably breeds on the St. Alban cliffs. FIELD-NATURALIST 101 64. Corvus brachyrhynchos brachyrhynchos. Crow. — Very common and fearless on the Forillon. Numbers increased as season progress- ed. June 18, 1936, fourteen in one tree at Grande Gréve, attracted by fish thrown on land as fertilizer; by August 15th a flock of 58 had accumulated, now feeding in fields, and even in dooryards, on insects exposed by haying oper- ations. In 1937, crows discovered the nesting places of starlings in the cliffs, and devoured most of the young. 65. Penthestes atricapillus atricapillus. BLAcK- CAPPED CHICKADEE. —— Breeds commonly through- out the region. Young flying by July 24th. Dr. Townsend recorded only “two or three” in 1919. 66. Penthestes hudsonicus littoralis. ACADIAN CHICKADEE. Common on Forillon. Young left nest at St. George’s Cove, July 15, 19306. 67. Sitta carolinensis carolinensis. WHI'TE- BREASTED NutTHATCH. — Not seen, but believe I heard one back of Grande Gréve in 1936. 68. Sitta canadensis. RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH. — A few pairs bred in the highlands west of Grande Gréve. Not found on Forillon in 1936 until August 14th, when many appeared, working northwestward. Throughout the rest of the month this extraordinary movement continued, the greatest activity occurring on the 15th, 22nd, and 29th, when hundreds passed an observation post back of Grande Gréve between 6 to 7 a.m. These were the only mornings when the temper- ature dropped below 10° C. [50°F.]. I believe these nuthatches had crossed to the Forillon from Anticosti, and were feeding along the peninsula north of Gaspé Bay instead of making the easy flight of 5 miles across it to the south- Robins, sparrows, juncos, and warb- lers accompanied the nuthatches. Similar flights occurred in 1937, but began on July 12th, a month earlier, and were not correlated with temperature. Three pairs nested on the Forillon. Such opportunities as I had afield at the head of the bay and to the south of it were inadequate to determine whether these migrants followed the coastline southeastward or whether they passed southward through the mountains. Demille’s observations would lead one to expect a coast- wise movement. ern shore. 69. Certhia familiaris americana. BRowNn CREEPER. — August 3, 1936, one on trail to Ross Lake in large arbor vitae. 70. Nannus hiemalis hiemalis. WINTER WREN. | — Common breeder, especially around recently cut wood-lots. Raises two broods. 102 THE CANADIAN 71. Turdus migratorius migratorius. Rosin. — Fairly common, nesting both in cleared lands and forests. A nest with 4 eggs in spruce 10 feet from the edge of 600 foot sea-cliff at northern side of the Forillon. Young of second brood left nest at Gaspé Basin, August 21st. A north- westward movement, begun at Grande Gréve, August 17, 1936, was still in progress on the 30th. In 1937 movement began August 14th. and continued till my departure September 13th. 72. Hylocichla guttata faxoni. HERMIT THRUSH. — August 5, 1936, one heard at Fourth Lake. A pair bred near Gaspé Basin in 1937. 73. Hylocichla ustulata swainsoni. OLIVE- BACKED THRUSH. — Breeds commonly in lower wooded portions of coulée throughout the Foril- lon, 74. Hylocichla minima aliciae*. GRAY-CHEEK- ED ‘THRUSH. — June 24, 1936, in the West High- lands a male which had been singing in dense spruce emerged into strong light at short range, affording me, for ten seconds or more, an ex- cellent opportunity to discern the lack of brown on the upper parts, with scarcely a trace of buffiness below. This may, of course, have been an unusually gray Bicknell’s thrush, but especially striking was the vibratory character of the alarm note uttered as the bird dived back into the spruce depths upon discovering my presence. Dr. Townsend saw one at Percé, July 13, 1919, and reports one taken there by Mr. Taverner, July 16, 1914. Mr. Bond records it as not un- common in northern Gaspé in June and July, 1925. (Ornithology of Northern New Brunswick, by James Bond, The Canadian Field-Naturalist, 40: 85-87, 1926). 75. Hvylocichla BICKNELL’S THRUSH. — On several occasions during June and July, 1936, I heard thrushes singing in the same highlands west of Grande Gréve, but was unable to obtain a clear view. Their songs cer- tainly were not those of olive-backs. Being unacquainted with the song of the gray-cheeked and Bicknell‘s thrushes, I tentatively record these birds as the latter subspecies, chiefly on the strength of observations by a man who knows their songs well. Mr. L. B. Gillet spent several weeks at Grande Gréve in 1932 studying thrushes. He assures me that these birds in the west High- lands were Bicknell’s. Certainly a pair nested on top of Mt. St. Alban in 1937, male seen clearly on one occasion. 76. Regulus satrapa satrapa*. CGo_pEN-cRowN- ED KINGLET. — Nested in highlands just mention- ed in 1936. Common along trail to Ross Lake. August 3-8. Three nests on Forillon in 1937, minima minima. FIELD-NATURALIST [VoL. LII 77. Corthylio calendula calendula. Rusy- CROWNED KINGLET. — Nesting pairs scattered through evergreen forests of the Forillon and westward. 78. Anthus spinoletta rubescens. AMERICAN Pipit. — During a lull in a terrific rain storm on September 13, 1937, more than 100 settled in a field beside the shore road near Mont Louis 79. Bombycilla cedrorum*, CEDAR WAXWING. — Common at times; flocks of 25 to 70 at Gran- de Gréve in June, 1936. Generally distributed later. Only 2 in 1937. 80. Sturnus vulgaris vulgaris. STARLING. — According to Mr. Fred Richmond of Gaspé it was first seen there in 1932. It is now common and survives the winters. Mr. P. S. Hotton noted the first starlings at Grande Gréve in the autumn of 1935; 3 or 4 spent the winter. During 1936 several pairs nested along the Forillon, occupying crevices in the sea-cliffs near guille- mots. At the end of August the starling popu- lation here had increased to 33. Mr. Franklin Gavey reports that this flock finally left the vicinity October 25th. He saw no more until February when two visited his door-yard. Seven pairs nested on the Forillon in 1937, but crows devoured many of the young. All the survivors had departed by August 3rd. On August 24th, fifteen immature and one adult visited Grande Gréve, then passed westward. 81. Vireo solitarius solitarius. BLUE-HEADED Vireo. — Uncommon breeder on the Forillon and westward. In 1937 I located 5 breeding pairs about the boggy swamps of Grande Gréve, Indian Cove and Shiphead. Townsend recorded but one in 1919; Demille none in 1925. 82. Vireo slivaceous*, RED-EYED VirEo. —- Un- common about head of Gaspé Bay and west- ward. Only one seen in 1936 on the Forillon. and that at the very tip, August 28, probably a migrant from Anticosti. One pair nested in the West Highlands among well grown birches and maples. In 1937, 3 pairs nested in the West Highlands, one of them choosing the same terri- tory occupied in 1937. 83. Vireo philadelphicus*. PHt,ADELPHIA VIREO. —During 1936, I was able to identify by sight only two of this species, one in shrubs on the bank of Fork River, a tributary of the Dartmouth, in cleared land, and the other in small birches on the northern talus slope of Mt. St. Alban. In 1937 this latter territory was again occupied, and four other breeding pairs were located on the Forillon. Two chose bushy clearings behind Grande Greve, another a patch of pin cherry October, 1938] and birch surrounded by fields near Indian Cove, and the fourth a mountain ash at the margin of a swamp in the coulée near Shiphead. The distribution of the vireos in this region shows the red-eyed preferring the older forest trees on the higher ground, while the blue-head- ed and Philadelphia vireos resort to the lower and more open lands. The relative numbers in 1937 support the belief of both Townsend and Bond that the Philadelphia vireo is the most numerous. 84. Mmotilia varia*. BLack AND WHITE WARBLER. — August 28, 1936, one near Shiphead Lighthouse working westward with Dendroica aestiva and LD. virens, all probably migrants just landed. None seen in 1937. 85. Vermivora peregrina*.. TENNESSEE W ARB- LER. — A few at base of Forillon and westward, June and July, 1936, in deciduous trees. More numerous in 1937, when 10 pairs nested on the Forillon, and 5 in West Highlands. 86. Vermivora ruficapilla ruficupilla. NaAsH- VILLE WARBLER. — Breeds commonly throughout the Forillon. 87. Dendroica aestiva aestiva. YELLOW W ARB- LER. — A few migrants passed from Shiphead to Grande Gréve and westward on August 28 and 29, 1936. None on Forillon in 1937, but severai heard June 17th near the road along south shore of Gaspé peninsula, and through the mountains back of Percé. This species has been reported widely through the Gaspé peninsula, Dr. Lewis in 1922 having found it at Bonaventure Island, Gaspé, and Fox River, as well as fairly common on Anticosti, Townsend saw a pair feeding young at St. Annes des Monts, while Demille also found it common on the north shore of the peninsula at Grande Vallée and along the Mont Louis River. Its absence from the Forillon, therefore, is somewhat surprising. See remarks under Northern Yellow-throat. 88. Dendroica magnolia. MAGNOLIA WARBLER. — Very common throughout the region. Many working westward out of the Forillon August 29, 1936, and September 1-5, 1937. 89. Dendroica tigrina*. Capek May WARBLER. THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 103 — June 24, 1936, male seen and heard several times in highlands west of Grande Gréve, but not afterwards. 90. Dendroica caerulescens caerulescens. BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER. — June 23 and 24, 1936, male in West Highlands feeding and singing on same clump of birches; possibly a transient, but on July 19, 1937, two males (or the same bird twice) were observed on St. Alban 1/4 mile apart, and may have bred, though not again heard. Dr. Townsend saw one at Grande Gréve August 16, 1919, and Dr. Harrison F. Lewis recorded another there May 24, 1922. 91. Dendroica coronata. MyRtTLE WARBLER. — Common breeder throughout the Forillon; began westward movement August 17, 1936. 92. Dendroica virens virens. BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER. — Abundant breeder. Many moving westward with other species August 25, 1936. During the next few days few were seen passing southeastward into and along the Foril- lon, the only passerines to do so. Worn female still feeding young near the lighthouse, August 28th. 93. Dendroica fusca. BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER — July 22, 1936, male in heavy spruce, West Highlands; on branch with pine grosbeak. Again July 6, 1937, on northwest slope of St. Alban, in full song. 94. Dendroica castanea. BAY-BREASTED \WARB- LER. — Fairly common breeder in evergreen forest on West Highlands; rare on the Forillon in 1936, but bred throughout its length in 1937, the territories of 6 males being located. 95. Dendroica striata. BLACK-POLL WARBLER. — Common; nests chiefly in young firs and spruces. A male at Grande Gréve sang every morning from July 26 until August 29, 1936, the last time I visited his territory. 96. Dendroica palmarum hypochrysea*. YELLOW PALM WARBLER. — August 25th. One immature, probably this species, at the base of the Forillon. Worked for five minutes about low pasture spruces while I sketched it. Yellower below and less striped above than young black- polls also present. (To be concluded) 104 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST [Vor Em NOTES ON THE FLORA OF CAPE BRETON ISLAND By A. E. ROLAND Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Truro, NS. N LATE August, 1937, immediately after the meetings of the American Society of Botany at Wolfville, Mr. John Adams and _ I, accompanied by Mr. Chalmers Smith, graduate student of Acadia University, and Mr. Harry Grant of Dalhousie University spent four days on Cape Breton Island. The following are some of the typical areas which we examined. The first night was spent in Mabou, and eariy the next morning we went to Glen Dyer at Hills- borough. This was a deep, shady glen in a lime- stone area, bordered with hardwood trees and with a small stream at the bottom. Giant ostrich ferns grew along the edge of the stream; and the sides of the glen were covered with the long, delicate fronds of the bulblet fern, Cystop- teris bulbifera. Thelypteris Filix-mas was found in one corner. Polystichum Braunti was not seen; but we were told that it grew everywhere in the near-by woods, and we later encountered it in different places further north along the coast. Of the flowering plants Geranium Robertianum was the most abundant here, as we had earlier seen it on the sides of Cape Blomidon in Kings County, the dominant plant upon the talus slopes and on the rocky cliffs. /mpatiens biflora border- ed the stream and mixed with it was the rarer Impatiens pallida; while along the bank grew such typical plants of a hardwood forest area as Ranunculus abortivus and Agrimonia_ striata. In all a profusion of forms that would be met with only on the richest and most alkaline soils. As we returned up the side of the glen we en- countered one of the rarities of the trip, 7rios- teum aurantiacum, one of the rarest of Nova Scotian plants, but here growing on the open banks and over four feet in height. We spent the rest of the day in making a circuit of Lake Ainslie. At the very head of the lake a tiny brook flows in through a meadow. Here on the sandy shore grew Ranunculus rep- tans, Galium Claytoni, Phalaris arundinacea, Potentilla palustris; and along the banks Mimulus moschatus, and other plants typical of the colder parts of Nova Scotia. Further round the lake and in fact everywhere upon the most. sterile soils was found Gnaphalium sylvaticum. At the outlet of the South-west Margaree River was found a number of the water plants: Scirpus, Acorus, Sparganium, etc, each species covered with a good growth of its own particu- lar rust. While two of us were laying in a good supply of the rusts Smith came over with a dripping handful of a peculiar water plant he had found in the slowly-flowing water further down. This proved to be Megalodonta Becku, reported by Fernald in 1922 from Digby County for the first time east of the Penobscot River, Maine. All along the shore we had been running into typical seashore plants — at Inverness, at Marg- aree Harbour, and again at Cheticamp, so that a single enumeration of the species will suffice: Ammophila breviligulata and Elymus mollis upon the dunes; Xanthium and Salsola upon the sandy shores; and behind the sand bars Scirpus validus or Leersia oryzoides. Along the headlands Pot- entilla tridentata grew everywhere. In Nova Scotia this seems to be the most typical plant, either of the exposed headlands, or wet barrens, or of the sandiest plains such as are found in the Annapolis Valley. Above Cheticamp and just before the sharp ascent that leads over the mountain, a stop was made for a few minutes by the rocky shore. Ligusticum scoticum and Campanula rotundifolia grew in profusion along the cliffs; while every- where along the shore and up over the hills was the common catnip, Nepeta Cataria. On the candy shore we found Potentilla pectinata, a plant unknown from Nova Scotia, and rare even in Newfoundland; while further back Potentillo fruticosa, much dwarfed by the wind, was now in full bloom. Growing with it were numerous bushes of Shepherdia canadensis; and at the very edge of the cliffs trailing vines of Juniperus horizontalis were common. ‘This is a character- istic enough group of plants for northern Cape Breton, but tt is one both novel and _ thrilling for a collector used to the plants of the more acid and inland soils of the mainland. Next morning in Pleasant Bay we awoke to the fact that one of the commonest weeds of the settlement, competing with the Anaphalis margaritacea which grew white upon the recently ceared pastures and hillsides, was the introduced Achillea Ptarmica. Flowers and _ cultivated plants were few or none; and in front of one of the houses was a single specimen of the October, | 1938] green foxtail, Setaria viridis, carefully trans- planted and cared for. " At the upper end of the settlement is one of the finest growths of virgin hardwood to be found in the province, unspoiled and with a variety of ferns and typical plants of the forest floor. We passed through this and over the mountain until we descended again, this time into the big interval at Cape North with the Bay of St. Lawrence and St. Paul’s Island off in the distance. Here at the very tip of Cape Breton is one of the few agricultural districts — a place of broad fields, and barns, and even of plum orchards. At this place the white cliffs of gypsum again attracted us. In the meadows were the common northern plants; the ever-present Sanguisorba canadensis, Heraclewum lanatum, Cornus ameri- cana, Triglochin maritima in the damper spots; and upon the white cliffs, making a perfect cover=_ - ing, was a growth of Erigeron hyssopifolius, a relic species known in Nova Scotia only in the northern part of Cape Breton and on the gyp- sum cliffs of Hants County. The following are some of the more interest- ing collections and observations made in the short time available: Specimens are in the herb- arium of the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Truro,— or at Acadia University, Wolfville, N.S. Thelypteris Filix-mas (1,) Nieuwl. County, shady glen, Hillsborough. Inverness Juniperus horizontalis Moench. Inverness Coun- ty, base of cliffs, north of Cheticamp. Victoria County, common, roadsides, Ingonish. Sagittaria graminea Michx. Inverness County, shallow water, sandy shore at the head of Lake Ainslie. Leersia oryzoides (1,) Sw. Inverness County, behind the sea-beach, Margaree Harbour. The typical form with the panicle exserted. Phalaris arundinacea 1,. Inverness County, abundant in the wet meadow at the head of Lake Ainshe. Reported from Whycocomagh by Ma- coun and probably common. Suaeda americana (Pers.) Fern. Sandy sea- beach,.North Sydney. Spergularia leiosperma (Kindb.) F. Schmidt. Reported by Nichols as characteristic of brackish pools. Inverness County, sandy sea-beach, Cheti- camp. . Potentilla fruticosa V,° Common and much stunted along the sea-coast north of Cheticamp. THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 105 Potentilla pectinata Raf. - Known in eastern Quebec and from Newfoundland, but here report- ed for the first time from Nova Scotia. Inver- ness County, sandy seashore, base of cliffs north of Cheticamp. Acer rubrum V,. var. tridens Wood. Taverne County, mixed woods behind the ee station, Mabou. Impatiens pallida Nutt. Inverness CORI, ey glen, Hillsborough. Shepherdia canadensis (L,) Nutt. Inverness County, common on hillside along the coast, north of Cheticamp. Nepeta Cataria 1. Inverness County,. one of the commonest weeds above Cheticamp and at Pleasant Bay. es Limosella subulata Ives. Inverness County, sandy and muddy flat back of the beach, Mar- garee Harbour. Formerly reported from Sydney Mines and southwestern Nova Scotia. Triosteum .aurantiacum 1, Inverness County, side of ravine, Hillsborough. Reported by Nichols from northern Cape Breton, but other- wise unknown in Nova Scotia. Erigeron hyssopifolius Michx. Victoria Coun- ty, covering a gypsum cliff, Cape North. Long known from northern Cape Breton and -Hants County. : Gnaphalium sylvaticum 1. Widely distributed in the eastern part of the province on dry sterile soil, or in open woods. Inverness County, sterile ground around Lake Ainslie. Victoria County, in open pasture woods, Beinn Breagh; dry ground, Cape North. Also on the mainland in Guys- borough County, open woods, Pirate’s Cove. Xanthium echinatum Murr. Common on the sandy seashore at least from Cumberland County to Inverness County and also known from the Bras d’Or Lakes. Inverness County, sandy sea- shore, Margaree Harbour; sandy shore, [ona. Also on the mainland in Antigonish County sandy seashore, Bayfield Road. Megalodonta Becki (Torr.) Greene. Inverness County, below the bridge, outlet from Lake Ainslie on the South-west Margaree River. New to Cape Breton and the second station for Nova Scotia. Achillea Ptarmica 1, Inverness County, intro- duced and common about Pleasant Bay. Artenusia Stelleriana Besser. Reported by Fernald in 1921 for the first time from Nova Scotia. It is, however, widely distributed around the coast; and especially common in northern Cape Breton. Shelburne County, crest of stony 106 THe CANADIAN Fre_p-NATURALIST sand beach, Villagedale. Digby County, sandy shore, Sandy Cove. Halifax County, along the North West Arm, Halifax. Cape Breton County, common on the beach at North Sydney. Inverness County, scattered on a sandy bar at Cheticamp. The following species do not appear to have been recorded previously as occurring on Cape Breton Island. Lake Ainslie. Vicinity of Equisetum limosum L,. Sparganium acaule (Beeby) Rydb. Margaree. Potamogeton perfoliatus 1,. Lake Ainslie. Alopecurus aristulatus Michx. Margaree Har- bour. Hordeum jubatum 1, Sydney. Panicum capillare 1,. Sydney. Heleocharis acicularis (1,.) R. & S. lie. Cypripedium acaule Ait. Lake Ains- Pleasant Bay. [Vo.. LI Comptonia asplenifolia Gaertn. Ingonish. Rhus lirta Sudw. Whycocomagh. Ribes oxyacanthoides 1, Ravine beyond Cheti- camp. Hypericum boreale (Britt.) Bicknell Place. Rubus hispidus 1, Margaree. Oenothera pumila L. Mabou. Aralia hispida Vent. Pleasant Bay. Coelopleurum actaetfolium (Michx.) Rose. Margaree Harbour. Hydrocotyle americana 1,. Kilmuir Place. Ambrosia artemisiaefolia 1, Englishtown Ferry and other localities. Lactuca spicata (lam.) Hitche. Cheticamp. Erigeron annuus (1,.) Pers. Hillsborough. Erigeron philadelphicus 1, Hillsborough. Solidago juncea Ait. Railway bank beside gyp- sum cliffs, Iona. Kilmuir Coult. & Ravine beyond FURTHER ADDITIONS TO THE OTTAWA LIST OF MOLLUSCA By A. LA ROCQUE INCE the publication of the writer’s first paper’ bringing the Ottawa list as nearly up to date as possible, a few papers have been published and much new ma- terial collected and studied; together, these add a few species and varieties to our list and correct some old records. It is the intention of the writer to publish a catalogue of the species of the region with loca- lities and synonymy as soon as it is felt that the data accumulated are sufficiently complete to set up a more or less permanent list. In the meantime, a guide for the beginner, without synonymy but with notes on the identification of the species has been prepared and will appear shortly in The Canadian Field-Naturalist. In the changes listed herewith, it is understood that the 1890 list of Taylor and Latchford? is used as a basis. Mere changes in names or gene- ric references are not discussed here but will be incorporated in the catalogue. ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS Lampsilis radiata borealis (Gray) —— Chief Justice Latchford has often expressed the opin- ion that this form is not entitled to specific rank but is merely a variety of radiata. Compar- ison of specimens of borealis from the type locality (Duck Island, Ottawa River) and spe- cimens of typical radiata will show that his opinion is well founded and that the form should indeed have only varietal rank. Mr. Oughton and the writer have so treated it in a recent paper on Ontario Naiades® and it should appear on our list as a variety of radiata. The typical form of radiata is found at Britannia Bay and other localities in the Ottawa River above the Chaudiére Falls and therefore should be retain- ed on our list. Valvata lewist Currier. — Specimens are in the National Museum of Canada from the Otta- wa River, where it is fairly abundant in Britan- nia and Graham Bays, and in the Fairbairn collection from the Rideau River at Billings’ Bridge, rare. Somatogyrus subglobosus Say. — Over ten specimens of a Somatogyrus were collected at Duck Island early in October, 1936. Specimens were submitted to Mr. Elmer Berry of the Mu- seum of Zoology, University of Michigan, who identifies them as this species. S. subglobosus has been recorded for Lake Erie and Bake- gives it the following distribution: “Ohio Val- ley; Ohio and Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin, south to Kentucky’. How this species came to the Ottawa river it is impossible at present to say. Helisoma campanulatum wisconsinense (Wins- low). — This variety is found in many lakes of the Gatineau Valley. It was recorded by Winslow* from Blue Sea ‘October, 1938] Lake which is outside the limits of our area, but the following records which have been check- ed by Prof. F. C. Baker show that it is a common shell in many of our lakes: Meach, Bernard, Gauvreau and Taylor Lakes, Que. Constance Bay (Ottawa River) and _ Rideau River, Ont. Typical H. campanulatum (Say) is found in McKay Lake (fide F. C. Baker) so that both the typical form and the variety wisconsinense should appear on our list. Helisoma trivolvis pilsbryi F. C. Baker. —— The species was recorded for Meach Lake in a recent paper by the writer’, specimens identified byte Chobaken. Gyraulus circumstriatus walkeri (Vanatta). — The measurements of two specimens of this va- riety from the Baker collection are given in Ba- ker’s Wisconsin Monograph’*. The localities are as follows: “Hull, Quebec (Baker coll. 1731)” and “Ottawa River (Baker coll. 1732)”. This is the only mention known to the writer of this va- riety for the Ottawa region. The form was originally described as a variety of ‘“Planorbis’ parvus by Vanatta (Nautilus 16:58, 1902) Fruticicola striolata (Pfeiffer). — This spe- cies appears on our earlier lists as Helix rufes- cens Pennant. Mr. Fairbairn has recorded’ another occurrence of the species which seems to be an entirely unintentional introduction. In- teresting data on the species at Toronto, Ont. have been published recently by Mr. J. Oughton’. Polygyra fraterna (Say). — In describing Polygyra monodon cava, Pilsbry and Vanatta* mention Ottawa as one of the localities from which they had specimens. However, Mr. Allan F, Archer of the Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan, informs me that our specimens are fraterna (Say). Therefore, Polygyra monodon should be dropped from our list and replaced by Polygyra fraterna (Say). Polygyra multilineata (Say). — Mr. Fairbairn recently re-discovered the species in the district”. So far as known it is confined to a small area in Tétreauville, a suburb of Hull, Que. The spe- cimens were found on the east side of the ridge running from the Ottawa River to Fairy Lake, a favourite collecting locality of Latchford’s which has produced many fine specimens. Pupilla muscorum (Linné). — A large series of this species was collected at Eastview by Mr. Fairbairn whose work has already added many species to the Ottawa list. Part of his set has been deposited in the National Museum of Can- ada (Cat. no. Mollusca 3350). Most of the spe- THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST . 107 cimens are of the typical form, with one denticle on the parietal wall of the aperture. Arion circumscriptus (Johnston). — This slug was recorded for the Ottawa region in December 1936." Further records were publish- ed in 19372 which show that it is one of our commonest slugs but, so far as we know, has not reached beyond Meach Lake to the North. In the last two summers it has been seen by the writer in many gardens in the Ottawa region; wherever seen it was common but so far few complaints have been heard about it. Most gar- deners do not seem to note any damage done by this slug, or if they do, ascribe it to “worms” generally. Limax maximus Linné. — This species, the Great Slug of Europe, has often been found in greenhouses in the city’ but until this year had not been caught outside of them; it was thought that the climate was too severe for the species to establish itself here. On July 6th, 1938, a specimen was brought to me from a garden in Rockcliffe where it had been causing damage to young Petunias. On further search in the same garden two more specimens were found. Four days later two more were brought in, also from a garden in Rockcliffe, but a quarter of a mile away from the first occurrence. Two of these specimens were more than three inches long ( 4 and 3% inches respectively) which would indicate that they had wintered outside without any protection from the cold. The species is firmly established in many places in the United States; in California it has become a serious garden pest. Whether the Ottawa spe- cimens represent a mere casual outbreak which will disappear in a cold winter or the perma- nent establishment of another European species remains to be seen In the meantime the writer would appreciate further information on _ this slug, which can be recognized by its size and colour (gray ground with black-brown stripes). 1. “Mollusea of the Ottawa Region—Additions and Corrections’ Can. Field-Nat. 49 :33-34, Febru- ary, 19365. 2. “Report of the Conchological Branch” Ottawa Naturalist 4:51-58, 1890. 3. ‘A preliminary Account of the Unionidae of Ontario” Can. Journal Research OD, -15:147-155, 1937 4. Winslow, Mina L.: “‘The varieties of Pla- norbis campanulatus Say’? — Occ. Papers Mus. Zool. Univ. Mich. No. 180, pp. 1-9, pls. 1-2, Decem- ber, 1926. 5. “Molluscan Fauna of Meach Lake, Can. Jour. Res. 13:46-59, Sept. 1935. 6. Baker, Frank C. “Fresh Water Mollusca of Wisconsin” Part I, p. 379, 1928. 7. Fairbairn, G. E., Can. Field-Nat. 52:14, Jan- uary, 1938. Quebec” 108 Tue CANADIAN FieLD-NATURALIST 8. Oughton, J., Nautilus 51:137-140, April, 1938. 92 NMautilus 25 212; Maly, 19 aa. 10. Fairbairn, G. E., Can. Field-Nat. March, 1937. 51 :40-41, [Vor. LII 11. A Slug new to the Quebec and Ottawa Lists’’ Can. Field-Nat. 50:148, December, 1936. 12. “The Slug Arion circumscriptus in Canada” —Can. Field-Nat. 51:58, April, 1937. 13. Latchford, Ottawa Naturalist 18:92, 1904. MAMMALS FROM TOUCHWOOD HILLS, SASKATCHEWAN By E. RAYMOND HALL N THE period July 7, 1901, to April 23, 1902, at Touchwood Hills, Saskatche- wan, Mr. Edwin Hollis collected 106 mammals of 24 species which he pre- sented to the British Museum of Natural History. Two of these are alcoholics, one is a skull-only and the remainder are well prepared skins-with- skulls accompanied by measurements taken in the flesh. All are labeled as taken at Touch- wood Hills and bear catalogue numbers as fol- lows: 1.10.2.1. to 39.; 2.4.2.1. to 49; 2.8.2.1. to 18. Mr. Hollis’s Collecting Small Mammals in N. W. T. Canada (The Zoologist, sez. 4, vol, 6, pp. 294-299. 1902) records information of value about the habitats occupied by several of the species. Because of the relative paucity of information about the occurrence of mammals in the region concerned, it seemed worth while to make written record of the specimens in this collection under names of application as exact as_ possible. Receiving permission so to do from Mr. T. C. S. Morrison-Scott, Assistant Keeper of Mammals, the following notes were prepared as possibly of aid to students of the distribution of Can- adian mammals. Sorex arcticus arcticus Merriam, SADDLED-BACKED SHREW. — One. Nycteris borealis borealis (Miiller), Rep Bat. — One, September 16, 1901, “caught by hand in a willow bush”. Nycteris cinerea (Beauvois), One, September 11, 1901. Mustela cicognanti cigononii Bonaparte, ERMINE. — One subadult male in summer coat Oc- tober 3, 1901, and one subadult female in white winter coat, March 27, 1902. Mustela frenata longicauda Bonaparte, Lonc- TAILED WEASEL. — Of four taken in the autumn of 1901, three young obtained on August 19, 25 and September 5, are in sum- mer dress and a subadult female dated November 9, is in white winter dress. Mustela vison lacustris (Schreber), AMERICAN Hoary Bat. — MINK. — One. Mephitis mephitis hudsonica Richardson, STRIPED SKUNK. — One. Taxidea taxus taxus (Schreber), . AMERICAN BavcEer. — Three. Vulpes fulvus regalis Merriam, RED Fox. — Three in the red phase. Canis latrans (latrans? Say), Coyote. — Three, of which one adult male was wrongly listed by Pocock (Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1935, p. 677) as “an immature’ individual of Canis lupus nubilus Say. Citellus richardsoni (Sabine), RICHARDSON GROUND SQUIRREL. — Six, of which an adult male, taken on April 1, 1902, when the tem- perature was at zero, was the first one seen that spring by Mr. Hollis. Citellus franklin (Sabine), FRANKLIN GROUND SQUIRREL. — Three. Citellus tridecemlineatus tridecemlineatus (Mit- chill), 13-LINED GROUND SQUIRREL. — Six. Eutamias minimus borealis (Allen), Lwast Cutp- MUNK. — Six. Thomomys talpoides talpoides (Richardson), NorTHERN Pocket GoPHER. — Eight. Onychomys leucogaster missouriensis (Audubon and Bachman), SHORT-TAILED GRASSHOPPER Mousr. — Nine. Peromyscus maniculatus arcticus (Mearns), DEER MousE.—Six specimens, mostly young, are of a dark coloration, more suggestive of the subspecies arcticus than of osgoodt. Adult specimens, from this place, where in- te gradation might be expected between the two mentioned races, may be enough lighter in colour to change the provisional identific- ation to subspecies osgoodi. Evidently these specimens are those recorded by Hollis (op. cit., p. 297) under the name Mus musculus. Clethrionomys gapperi loringi (Bailey), Rep- BACKED VOLE. — Two. q Microtus pennsylvanicus drummondu (Audubon and Bachman), PENNSYLVANIA MEADOW Mousgr. — Sixteen including one alcoholic. Microtus minor (Merriam), Minor MEapow Mouse. — Eight including one alcoholic. Ondatra zibethica alba (Sabine), Muskrat. — Five (sixth registered but not seen) speci- mens, all features considered, seem nearer alba than to any of the three adjacent races, October, 1938]- Spatulata, osoyoosensis or cinnamomina, to which last, however, Mr. Hollis’s specimens show some approach in larger size. Zapus hudsonius (campestris Preble?), Hupson- IAN JUMPING Mouse. — Four, but the skull of no. 1.10.2.23. not seen. Lepus americanus americanus Erxleben, SNow- SHOE Rapprt. — Four: One young male dated September 26, 1901, is in the brown coat. Two males collected on October 24, 1901, are in transitional pelage, and an adult female taken January 4, 1902, is in white THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 109 winter pelage. Bison bison subsp.?, Bison. — One _ slightly weathered skull; recorded by Lydekker (Ca- talogue of the Ungulate Mammals in the British Museum of Natural History, vol. 1, p- 39, 1913) as Bison bison bison, and from Southwood Hills, which place name may be correct. Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley. Transmitted December 13, 1937. NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS First RECORDED NES?T OF BALTIMORE ORIOLE FOR Nova Scotra. — On June 18th, 1938, at Berwick, Kings County, Nova Scotia, I had the delightful experience of watching at close range a pair of Baltimore Orioles (Icterus galbula) feeding their young in a nest which was typically suspended from the end of a long, drooping branch of an elm tree. According to my notes, compiled dur- ing the past 40 years, I find but 5 records of occurrence of this species in this province, includ- ing the foregoing which, so far as I can learn, constitutes the only breeding record. — R. W. Turts, WoLFVvILLE, N. S. YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERONS IN NOVA Scotia. — Four recent occurrences of the Yellow- crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea vio- lacea), observed by the writer in the vicinity of Wolfville, N.S., are so unusual as to seem note- worthy. On September 13, 1932, a first-year specimen. rather unwary, was easily collected as it stood beside a small creek of brackish water on the Grand Pré meadows, some four miles north-east of Wolfville. The presence here of this indivi- dual is perhaps attributable to the unusually violent gales of September 10, 1932. This bird is now in the Provincial Museum, at Halifax. In the evening dusk of July 28, 1937, a male. in juvenal plumage, was taken as it flushed from a rather extensive, brackish marsh located a mile and the stomach contained a small eel and some broken-up Coleoptera. Originally made up in skin form, it has since been relaxed and mounted for the Provincial Museum. The marsh, from which the July 28 bird was taken, gives way abruptly on one side to a long terminal moraine, the steep side of which is wood- ed by a mixed growth of spruce and birch. Here, at noon of August 12, 1937, a Night Heron was discovered perching drowsily in a large birch. This specimen was taken, and the gun report disturbed another, which had escaped notice in the thick foliage. It, too, was secured. Both are vlolacea, in juvenal dress. One of these was mounted for the collection of the Provincial Museum and the other, a skin, is in the Nationa} Museum of Canada. I am aware of no unusual weather conditions immediately prior to the taking of the 1937 speci- mens, and probably their occurrence in Nova Scotia can best be ascribed to the tendency of some of the Ardeidae to post-breeding-season wandering. Aside from the Yellow-crowned Night Heron reported by Kennard (Auk, 1902, 396) as having been taken at Cape Sable Island about April 1, 1902, I know of but one other record for Nova Scotia. The details regarding it were kindly supplied by Mr. R. W. Tufts from his copious notes on Nova Scotia birds and are as follows: September 14, 1925. A specimen at Cole Har- bour, Halifax Co., taken by William Shaw. east of Wolfville, where it had been feeding. This bird was mounted and is in the Provincial This bird was in excellent physical condition, Museum at Halifax. — W. Eart GopFrey. REVIEWS Our SHADE TREES — A practical handbook con- taining reliable information for every owner of shade trees: By E. Porter Felt, New York, Orange Judd Publishing Co. Inc.; 1938. $2.00. This volume of 187 pages prepared by Dr. Felt, | the Director and Chief Entomologist of the Bart- lett Tree Research Laboratories, will undoubted ly be appreciated by lovers of shade trees in 110 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST Canada as well as in the United States. The author has had many years of experience in studying problems relating to the care of shade trees and their protection from insect and other enemies. During the period 1898 to 1928 he was State Entomologist of New York, and from 1608 to 1935, Editor of the Journal of Economic En- tomology. He therefore speaks with authority. The book is divided into eight chapters, each of which contains various sections. The titles of the chapters are: I.-Shade trees and men. II.—General Shade Tree Care. I1]—The Language of Shade Trees. IV.—The Troubles of Shade~ Trees... Vi—The Selection and Planting of Shade Trees. VI.—Re- search and Education. VII—Control of Insects and Diseases. VIII—A List of Some of the More. Useful Books on Trees and Shrubs. Thirty-one plates of illustrations and one text line cut add to the value of the volume.—ARTHUR GIBSON. Special Publication of the American Committec for International Wild Life Protection, No. 9. The Organisation of Nature Protection im the Various Countries by G. A. Brouwer, 1938. This is a translation of Dr. Brouwer’s original, in Dutch, which appeared in 1931, and which has now been translated into English. It is issued with a foreword by Dr. John C. Phillips, Chair- man of the American Committee, who says — “Tt is fairly complete up to about 1928, but any work of this sort is of necessity out of date before: it leaves the hands of the printer—”’ This work contains a wealth of information on the status of wild life conservation throughout the world. For a summary of wild life protection in any country of the world, adequately supported by references, this book is the best work the writer has seen. — H. L,. THE CHAT. A tri-monthly journal of the Toronto Ornithelogical Field Group. Vol: 2, No.-1. January, March, 1938, pp. 7, Mimeographed. This is another of those admirable manifest- ations of activity among junior nature observers from whose ranks future naturalists must be re- cruited. This is very nicely got up with a par- ticularly attractive cover. This number _voted largely to a sketch of the ornithological life and work of George Pearce, one of Toron- to’s most picturesque characters of a past gener- ration, whose memory. was likely to be for- getten through his being a field man rather than is de-- [Vo.. LI a writer. There is an interesting article on the nesting of the Canada Jay and a list of spring birds observed to date. A very good reason for the existence of these juvenile efforts is given in a recent number of Field Notes similarly produced by the Junior Field Naturalists’ Association of British Coline bia. In reply to the question,— “Why should I pay my dues and 2 abi do | get out of it? — The privilege of writing “for the paper four times a year; — I don’t like writing anyway” it is said, — “The members will find that in biological research it is necessary to be able to write clearly and concisely, and 1 do not think the members will find any better way to learn to write than by doing it. Surely the Field Notes'is the natural place for members. to practice their theoretical knowledge -of writing by recording their natural history observations.. Perhaps when writing becomes better they can get papers accepted for publication in more wide- ly distributed journals”. It might be added that they are thereby en- abled to increase their powers of observation, to. think more clearly, to separate the essential from the non-essential and to obtain knowledge and background in useful scientific procedure. The mimeograph process of publication is ‘a godsend for minor publications and its use in this manner should be highly recommended and encouraged.—P.A.T. New Orrawa Map SHEET The Department of National Defence has re- cently published the Ottawa sheet of the National Topographic series on a scale of four miles to one inch. It includes the eastern counties of Ontario and the adjoining portions of the province of Quebec. The principal cities and towns shown are Ottawa, Cornwall, Alexandria, Kemptville, Hawkesbury, Hull, Valleyfield, Huntingdon, Lachute, Buckingham, St. Jerome. and Arundel. The roads are all classified by distinguishing colours, thus making it a very good road map. - The Ottawa river is shown from Lake Des- chenes and the St. Lawrence from Cornwall to their point of confluence.. Other information shown includes townships, post offices, railways. power lines, wooded areas, lakes, rivers. and streams. Elevations at 200 feet intervals are — represented by coloured tints and contour lines. Copies of this map may be obtained from the Surveyor General, Department of Mines and Resources, at 25 cents per copy. Affiliated Societies NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF MANITOBA 1937-38 President Emeritus: Dr. H. M. SPEECHLY, Honorary President: A. H. REGINALD BULLER, F.R.C., President: Mr. L. T. 8S. Norris-ELyYE, Past Presidents: J. J. GOLDEN, (Deceased), H. M, Sprecaty, M.D., V. W. JACKSON, M.Sc., C. W. Lowe, M.Sc., J. B. WALLIS, B.A., A. A.McCousrey, A. M. DAvipson, M.D., R. A. WARDLE, M.Sc., G. SHIRLBY BROOKS; A. G. LAWRENCE; B. W. CARTWRIGHT. Vice-Presidenis: H. C. PHARCE, W. H. RAND; Mrs. L. R. Simpson, J. P. HADDOW, ~P. H. Stoxes, Treasurer: LL. W. KoSer, General Secretary: Mrs. L. R. Stimpson, Auditor: R. M. Tuomas, Executive Secretary: Miss B. HAAK, Social Convenor: Mrs. B. W. CART- WRIGHT. Section Chairman Orntthological A. H. SHORTT Entomological G SHIRLEY BROOKS _ Botanieal C. W. Lowe, Secretary R. FRYER Miss M. PRATT Mrs. H. T. Ross _ Geological ProF. HE. I. LEITH- P. H. SToKES Zoological Pror. V. W. JACKSON R. SUTTON _ Microscopy: i Zoology R. A. WARDLE, M.Sc. Botany C. W. Lowe, M.Sc. Secretary: R. HADDOW Meetings are held each Monday evening, except on holidays 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, i. 353 Princess Ave., London, Ont.; Migration Secretary: MR. E. _ M.S. Das, 297 Hyman Street, London, Ont.; Corresponding _ Secretary and Treasurer: KEITH RBYNOLDS, 32 St. Andrews St., _ London, Ont.; Members qualified to answer questions: W. B. _ 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 Monday of the month, except during the summer. VANCOUVER NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY i OFFICERS FOR 1938-39 _ Honorary President. L. S, KuinKk, (LL.D.), President Univer- | sity of B.C; President: C. F. Connor, M. A., Vice-President: _ Mr. J. J. PLoMMER, Honorary Secretary: Mr. Geo. ROGER - Woop, B.A., First Assistant Secretary: MISS VIRGINIA HOLLAND _ 2nd Assistant Secretary: Mrs. MARy SIEBURTH, Honorary _ Treasurer: Mr. F.J.SANFoRD, Librarian: Mr. A. A. Scott, _ Additional Members of Executive: Mr. A. H. BAIN, MR. W. _ CrarkK, Mrs. H. FARLEY, Mr H.C. FRESHWATER, MR. K. Racey, Mrs. J. MorTIon, Mr. P. L. Tait, Chairmen of Sections: _ Botany: Pror. JoHN Davipson, F.L.S., F.B.S.E., F.RH.S., U.B.C., Geology: M. Y. WituiaMs, PH.D, F.G.S.A., F.R.S.C., UBC... Entomology: Mr. A. R. Wootton, Ornithology: MR. _J.D. TURNBULL, Microscopy: Mr. H. P. CLARK, Photography: Mr. Pate Timms, Mammalogy: Mr. G.L. Pop, Astronomy; _ Mrs. LAuRA ANDERSON, B.A., Marins Biology; Mr. A. V. _ QUIGLEY, Auditors: H. G. Seuwoop, W. B. Woops. : All meetings at 8 p.m., Auditorium, Norms! Schoo!, 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 PROVINCE OF QUEBEC SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS INC. OFFICERS & COMMITTEE: Past Presidents: Mr. L. M. TBRRILL, Mr. NAPIDR SMITH. Mr. W. S. Hart, Mrs. C. L. HENDERSON; President: PROF. V. C WYNNE-EDWwarpbs, 495 Prince Arthur Street, Apt. 4, Montreal; Vice-Presidents: Mr. J. A. DECARIE, Miss MAUDE SBATH; Vice-President and Treasurer: Mr. HbNRY MOUSLBY; Secretary: Mr. J. D. CLEGHORN. Commitiee: Mrs. C. F. DALE, Mr. W.S. Hart, Mrs. C. L, HENDERSON, Mr. H. A. C. Jackson, Mr. E. L. JUDAH, Mr. FRASER S. KeitH, Miss P. B. MATTINSON, Miss L. MurpHy. Miss M. S. Nicontson, Mr. R. A. OUTHET, MR. C. Sarr Mr. Napier SmitH, Mr. L. McI.SpackMaNn, Mr. L. M. TERRILL, Mrs. L. M. TERRILL. Meetings held the second Monday of the month except dur- ing summer. SOCIETE PROVANCHER D’HISTOIRE NATURELLE DU CANADA Son Excellence, LE TRES HONORABLP Lorp TWEBPDsMUIR, 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 1938: Président: DR. GUSTAVE RATTH; ler vice-président: ROBERT HUNTER; 2%éme vice-président: DR. VIGER. PLAMONDON, Secrétaire-trésorzer: Louis -B. LAVOIm; Chef de la section scientifique: Dr. D.-A. Dery; Chef de la section de Propagande éducative: YAN BREAKEY, JR. Chef de la section de protection: J.-PAUL RoussEAvu, Chef de la section d’information scientifique et pra- tique: JAMES PRICE, Directeurs: HUBERT DUCHENH, A. BERESFORD Scott, G.- U. Trssimr, JAMES. F. Ross, ALPHONSE DssILeETSs, I.A., RBx MEREDITH, N.P., EDGAR RocHETTE, C.R., STUART. ATKINSON, Secrétaire-trésorier: LOUIS-B. LAVOIn 38, rue Sherbrooke. Québec Patron Honoraire: THE TORONTC FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB OFFICERS FOR 1938-39. Honorary President. DR. A.P. COLEMAN; Honorary Vice-Pres- idents: HON. H.C. Nixon, Mr. J.H.FLEMING. President F.C. Hurst, Vice-President: W.J.BAXTER, Secretary Treasurer: Mrs. L. BE. JAquitnH. Council: Mrs. HARVEY AGNEW, W. J. W. BALpwin, G. S. BELL, RupeRT Davins, R. G. DINGMAN, J. R. Dyment, C. S. Farmer, Dr. Norma Forp, A. R. GiB- SON, PAUL HAHN, H. M. Hauuipay, Dr. F. P. lpn, MAGIstT- RATE J.E. Jones, T.F. McILwratitu, ARNoTT M. PATTHRSON Dr. R. M. SAUNDERS, Dr. T. M. C. TAYLOR, STUART THOMP- soN, Mrs. A. R. WHITTEMORE, President of the Junior Club: W. J. BAxtpR, Vice President: Mrs. A. R. WHITTEMORB. Meetings are held at 8 p. m. on the first Monday of each month from October to April at the Royal Ontario Museum, unless otherwise announced. Field trips are held during the spring, and and occasionally during other seasons. 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Kindly mention The Canadian Field-Naturalist to advertisers 582 Mariposa Avenue Naturalists’ Club of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada the si n OF PUMeu OOS aaNiMue emit Br To0m Dolla: SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSsSsSsssssss SSSSsSssssss RSSSSSSSSSSSssssssssssss SSSs ~S CANADA NORTH OF FIFTY SIX By E, M. KINDLE : Special profusely illustrated number it T Naturalist’’, 86 pages, 31 illustrations. Canadian should know this prize essay. PRICE FIFTY CENTS WILMOT LLOYD ata Rockcliffe Park, Otta WILMOT LLOYD, Treasurer, Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club, — 582 Mariposa Avenue, Rockcliffe Park, Ottawa. Enclosed please find $2.00 as membership The O.F.-N.C. and Subscription to the Canadia Field-Naturalist for the year 1938. ORO Se Name a nec nwee co cn cecen cence cen ecneces sora cwwacsecceserensssesosesccosoces: TOEXCHANGE =} I have the following ornitholog publications to exchange for volumes 0! the “Ottawa Field-Naturalist’’ issu prior to 1905: . Life Histories N. A. Birds, Bendire, — 2 vols. Life Histories N. A. Birds, Bent, | Bulletins 146-162. Birds of N. and M. America, Ridgway, parts IV-V-VI-VIII. — My Also many numbers of the ‘Auk’? — g and ‘‘Canadian Field-Naturalist” @ Frank L. Farley, , Camrose, Alberta ESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSsSsSs VOL. LII, No. 8 | rf ASSES 4, 4 s Rent y Stic \ ‘ N ud ‘3 NR _—_ ISSUED NOVEMBER 4th, 1938 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: P. A. TAVERNER Mf 1st Vice-President: A. E. PORSILD and Vice-President: H. G. Geawrene i Secretary: C. R. LOUNSBURY Gee WILMOT LLOYD, 582 Mariposa Avs 180 McLeod Street, Ottawa Rockcliffe Pa Additional Members of Council: F. J. ALCOCK, R. M. een coe Rev. F. E. BANIM, HENRY Bow M. E. Cowan, R. E. DELury, F. J. FRASER, Flt GRon, G. H. HAMMOND, C. E. JOHN E. M. KINDLE, W. 4H. LANCELEY, A. LAROcquE, DoucLas LEECHMAN, HARRISON F. LE Hoyges Lioyp, C.M. STERNBERG, MaA.LcoLm M. THOMSON, E. F. G. WHITE, Miss Pgs WHITEHURST, R. T. D. WICKENDEN, M. E. WILSON, and the following Presidents of Affiliate Societies: A. G, LAWRENCE, CHARLES MADDEFORD, JOHN DAVIDSON, M. Y. WILLIAMS, V. C. WYNNE-EDWARDS, R. MEREDITH, ArRNoTT M. PATTERSON. mie, Auditors: W. H. LANCELEY and HARRISON F. LEwIs. Editor: _ DoucLas LEECHMAN National Museum, Ottawa, Canada. Associate Editors: D.JENNESS. ..... ea ee Anthropology CiypB, PATCH 4. 2 ee , AGATA eae hei ne Lb AN ced Men Botany R.M. ANDERSON.............. if SE Fat Sie RN DA eM 2S EAN Gal Conchology A. G. HUNTSMAN............ ARTHUR GIBSON.............. Entomology PAS TAVERNER: (3. 34 eee He VAT COCK ee ico cane Nhe pean Geology Be M. KINDER 2 Ce eee CONTENTS Mollusca of the Ottawa Hegion? (Clams, Snails and Slugs). By A. LaRocque............ The: ‘Cranberry in. Canada. ~ By’ A. HE. Porsild. coe poco ee Churchill, Manitoba, and Its Bird-Life. By Frank E. Farley HA SS Dia Satan oo Sean ae Summer Birds of the Forillon, Gaspé County, Quebec. By Stanley C. Ball.............. 2 Notes and Observations: Bie Summer Tanager in Nova Scotia. By R. W. Tufts........................... Cormorants of Laprairie Bay, Quebec. By Harrison F. Lewis................. i Rough-winged Swallows at Ottawa. By Harrison F. Lewis .................... : An Incident in an Osprey’s Fishing. By Harrison F. Lewis.................... Notes on Observations of Certain Birds on the Island of Anticosti, Quebec. Harrison: Fe wisin: 20s yor Go i ee Re ie tee es er ee a Occurrence of the American Coot and the Whip-poor-will in Eastern Saguenay County, Quebec. By Harrison F. Lewis...............0.....2- 0000. The Geologic History of Magnolia State Park. By Edward M. Kindle.......... ‘Animal: Treasure? By CoB Ci es ee Ceo 7 Reviews:— Ho 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 iz issued monthly, except for the months of June, July and August. Its scope is the publication #2 of the results of engine! research in all departments of Natural History. Price F 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 Subseriptions ($2.00 a year) should be forwarded to WILMOT LLOYD, Ottawa Field-N aturalists’ Club, 582 Mariposa Ave., Rockeliffe Park, OTTAWA, CANADA. | 35 343 Ke Zoology Uy, NOV 15 1938 y LIBRA ® The Canadian Field-Naturalist VOL. LII OTTAWA, CANADA, NOVEMBER, 1938 No. 8 MOLLUSCA OF THE OTTAWA REGION (CLAMS, SNAILS AND SLUGS) By A. LA ROCQUE HIS GUIDE has been written with two objects in mind: first to give a complete list of the mollusca of the Ottawa region and second to prepare a guide which would enable the beginner to distinguish genera and those species which are easily learned. For those who wish to pursue the subject further a selected bibliography is appended. The writer intends to treat the subject more fully in a later Paper. The study of mollusca is no longer a mere pastime without economic importance. Suffice it to say that many parasites of fur-bearing and domestic animals pass a stage of their existence in the body of certain snails. Therefore, the study and eradication of these parasites depends on a knowledge of their intermediate hosts, the mollusca. Of the five classes of Mollusca only two, the Pelecypoda (clams)' and the Gastropoda (snails and slugs) are represented in our region; the other three, Scaphopoda, Amphineura and Cepha- lopoda are exclusively marine. a) PELECYPODA (CLAMS) Family Sphaertidae (Finger-nail Clams) The species of this family are difficult to separate. They are all small, usually less than three-quarters of an inch long’, horn colour, without ornamentation other than concentric striae. Genus Sphaerium Scopoli In this genus the beaks are placed almost in the centre of the shell but are not elevated. SS. simile (Say) the largest species, is comimon in our lakes and rivers; S. occidentale is common in temporary ponds. Those interested in studying 1. All technical terms used are explained in the glossary, Dec. ’38. 2. Where measurements are given, it must be understood that they are averages and that smaller or larger individuals may be found. the species in more detail will find much inform- ation in Latchford’s Canadian Sphaeritidae (see bibliography). S. simile Say® . sulcatum Lam. . Striatinum Lam. . Stamineum Conrad . rhomboideum Say . occidentale Prime . crassum Sterki aureum Prime . emarginatum Prime . flavum Prime torsum Sterki . acuminatum Prime modestum Prime cf. vermontanum Prime ANNANNNNNNNNNM Genus Musculium Link These are distinguished from Sphaerium by their elevated beaks which stand out prominently on each shell. The species are somewhat smaller than Sphae- rium and equally hard to differentiate. M. declive Sterki M. jayense Prime M. partumeium Say M. parvum Sterki M. rosaceum Prime M. rosaceum fuliginosum Sterki M. ryckholti Normand M. securis Prime M. transversum Say M. truncatum Linsley M. winkleyi Sterki Genus Pisidium Pfeiffer Latchford’s Canadian Sphaeriidae contains a great deal of useful information, but most work- ers refer their material to a specialist for iden- 3. The species listed after the account of each genus are those which have been recorded for the district. 112 Tur CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST tification. As the name indicates, the species are about the size of a garden pea or smaller. They are more inequilateral than either Sphaerium or Musculium, i.e. the beaks are nearer the front end of the shell. . abditum Haldeman . aequilaterale Prime . affine Sterki compressum Prime ecompressum pellucidum Sterki elevatum Sterki . glabellum Sterki . latchfordi Sterki milium Held . minus Adams noveboracense Prime ohioense Sterki pauperculum Sterki . politum Sterki rotundatum Prime sargenti Sterki . splendidulum Sterki . streatori Sterki . strengi Sterki subrotundum Sterki subrotundum canadense Sterki . succineum Sterki variabile Prime . ventricosum Prime vexum Sterki . virginicum Gmelin . walkeri Sterki SUD UDUPI Y a- Malla Ma-Ia-Mg-Ia-Ma-Ma-Ma-Ma-Mla-la-Ma-Ma-Ma-la-] Family UNIONIDAE (Pearly fresh-water mussels ). These are the river clams or mussels. When full-grown they are always more than one inch long. Young Unionidae may be distinguished from Sphaeriidae by their beak-sculpture which is always coarser than the ornamentation of the latter. In the United States the thick-shell- ed species are used in the manufacture of pearl buttons. There are three subfamilies, which need not be enumerated here; eleven genera are known for the district. Genus Elliptio A solid shell, with nacre usually coloured. There are two pseudocardinals and two laterals in the left valve, one pseudocardinal and one lateral in the right valve. Our two species may be distinguished as follows: a. Hinge teeth large, heavy; laterals short, wide as .. &. dilatatus b. Hinge teeth small: laterals long, narrow.. Do a caaat Behe ee een ob. creda BOUL LOGOS E. complanatus Dillwyn E. dilatatus Rafinesque [Vo.. LI} Genus Lasmigona One pseudccardinal in the right valve and two in the left; laterals imperfect. Our two species may be distinguished as follows: Posterior slope fluted Posterior slope not fluted.... L. costata L,. compressa. L. compressa Lea L. costata Rafinesque Genus Anodonta The generic characters of this genus are easily The shell is very thin, the hinge For the beginner, and some- times even for the specialist, the species are very hard to differentiate. It is quite possible that many of the “species” described are mere forms of one or two species; at any rate no rel- iable key to them can be given. The common form of rivers is A. grandis; in some lakes of the Gatineau area A. marginata is common. recognizable. entirely toothless. > . cataracta Say A. grandis Say A. grandis benedictensis Lea A. grandis footiana Lea A. implicata Say A. marginata Say Genus Anodontoides There are no teeth on the hinge, but the latter is usually thickened. The best distinguishing feature is the beak sculpture. In Anodonta the bars are numerous and double-looped; in Ano- dontoides they are few, concentric and continued on the posterior slope into fine radiating ridges. A. ferussacianus Lea Genus Alasmidonta Shell thin or thickened only in front; two pseudo-cardinals in left, one in right valve, later- als wanting, sometimes faintly marked. The three species of the district may be known by the following characters: A. marginata has flut- ings on the posterior margin and adults are two inches or more long; A. undulata is usually much thickened in front, thin behind, without flutings, about as large as marginata. A. calce- olus is smaller than the other two, not much more than one inch long. A. calceolus Lea A. marginata Say A. undulata Say Genus Strophitus There is one rudimentary tooth in each valve,- sometimes a secondary one. The teeth are some- what as in Anodontoides and from descriptions alone the two might be confused. However. Strophitus is always more compressed and _ its November, 1938] shell is usually thicker. S. rugosus Swainson Genus Obovaria A small, round, thick shell with solid teeth, both pseudo-cardinals and laterals. Ottawa River only, rare. O. olivaria Raf. Genus Leptodea Shell strongly “winged” behind. Pseudocard- inals two in left, one in right valve. Two laterals in each valve. Ottawa River only, rare. L. fragilis Raf. Genus Ligumia Shell thick, solid, much longer than wide. Pseudo-cardinals two in left, one in right valve; laterals strong, crenulated, two in left, one in right valve. Easily recognized by the elongate shape and black epidermis. L. recta latissima Rafinesque Genus Lampsilis Large naiades (2 to 6 inches or more) with one or two pseudocardinals and one lateral in the right valve, end two pseudocardinals and two laterals in the left. Female shells strongly in- flated posteriorly. Most of the specimens found in the Ottawa district may be separated by means of the following key. However, there are many puzzling individuals which will not fit into the key; experience and comparison with large series of specimens are the only way of identifying these. 1. a. Epidermis with a satiny sheen caused by many almost microscopic concentric wrinkles Seerbee seat ee a. Wee b. Epidermis shiny, no concentric wrinkles. .3 Za Shelly compressed’ =. 4.00. - L, radiata b. Shell inflated ... ... L.-radiata borealis Jonasouellround=ovate eeenedet. eee ee eee bine A b. Shell usually longer than wide .. : ..L. siliquoidea 4. a. Shell rayed over its entire surface .. : Make Heshireesy Aortic - le ventricosa . Shell yellow, shining, rayed only on the posterionsslopemseene.. ft (roe! 0 cariosa. L. cariosa Say L. radiata Gmelin L. radiata borealis A.F. Gray L. siliquoidea Barnes L. ventricosa Barnes Genus Proptera Shell large, winged. Pseudocardinals fect or wanting laterals present. our species) purple. Proptera alata megaptera (Rafinesque) imper- Nacre (in Tur CANADIAN FiErp-NATURALIST 113 Db) FPRESH-WATER SNAILS Genus Valvata Small (6 mm. or less wide), the operculum spiral, umbilicus wide and deep. Tricarinata has three spiral ridges (carinae) one on the shoulder of the whorl, one in the middle and the other at the base. The other two species are smooth; lewisit has a wide umbilicus and a low spire, sincera a narrow umbilicus and high spire. V. lewisi Currier V. sincera Say V. tricarinata Say Genus Campeloma (Green Appple Snails) Large (30 - 35 mm. long), operculum wholly concentric. The adults cannot be mistaken for anything else; they are our largest operculate snails. C. decisum Say Genus Bulimus Represented in our area by one species, late- ly introduced from Europe. Medium in size (10 to 12 mm.. Operculum spiral when young, concentric when adult. A good character is the thick, calcareous operculum which dissolves with effervescence in dilute hydrochloric acid in con- trast with our native operculates which have a horny operculum. B. tentaculatus Linnaeus Genus Amnicola A group of small operculates water-weeds and sometimes also on alga-covered recks. (3 to 5 mm. long). common of A. granum Say A. limosa Say A. limosa porata Say A. pallida Hald. Genus Cincinnatia Difficult to separate from Amnicola. The spire appears truncated, the first two whorls being coiled in the same plane. (3 to 5 mm. long). C. cincinnatiensis Anthony Genus Somatogyrus Shell small (£ to 9 mm. long), spire short, columella thick, operculum subspiral. One spe- cies only, rare. S. subglobosus Say Genus Gomobasis Operculates of medium size (10 to 15 mm. long) with a high spire and tightly wound whorls, giving the shell a spindle-like appearance. Generally found in swift water, clinging to sub- © merged rocks. A good locality for them is the Rideau, in the rapids above Billings Bridge or 114 Tuer CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST at Strathcona Park where the river runs over ledges of rocks. G. livescens Menke All the genera of snails mentioned so far have an operculum, that is a horny or calcareous plate which exactly fits the mouth of the shell when the animal withdraws into it. The follow- ing genera have no operculum. Genus Lymnaea One of our largest fresh-water other being Bulimnea megasoma from which it may be distinguished by the colour of the shell which is purplish brown in Bulimnea and various shades of horn in Lymnaca. We have only one species, (stagnalis) with two varieties, jugularis which is the common form of rivers and Ilh- anae which is found in some, but not all the lakes of the district. Shells of jugularis more than 60 mm. long have been taken in the Rideau river but the average is considerably smaller. snails, the L. stagnalis jugularis Say L. stagnalis lillianae F. C. Baker Genus Bulimnea B. megasoma, the only species, is easily recog- nized by its large (25 to 50 mm. long) thick shell, dark purple-brown in colour. It is found in a few of our lakes, notably those of the Meach Creek drainage, in marshy bays and creeks. Occasional specimens wander out into the rocky parts of lakes. B. megasoma Say. Genus Stagnicola Many species of this genus have been record- ed for the district but they are hard to separate. Specimens found in ponds and sluggish streams are almost sure to be palustris while specimens from swift water are usually emarginata. S. emarginata canadensis from Chilcott Lake was described as a new species, Lymnaea laurentiana by Latchford. The species vary in length from 20 to 40 mm. . caperata Say . catascopium Say . desidiosa Say - emarginata Say emarginata canadensis Sowerby . oronensis F, C, Baker . palustris Muller DANNNNNM Genus Pseudosuccinea This handsome little shell, 12 to 20 mm. long, bears a great resemblance to the land snail Succinea, hence the generic name. The shell of Pseudosuccinea has both spiral and vertical striae, visible with a good lens, while Succinea has only [Vora vertical ones. When the animal is available there are many other points which separate the two. For instance Pseudosuccinea has only one pair of tentacles with the eyes at their base, while Succinea has two, the eyes being on the tins of the longer pair. P. columella Say Genus Fossaria These small amphibious snails are exceedingly difficult to identify. They are found in many different stations but a favourite habitat 1s a wet clay flat near a stream. They are some- times abundant also in quite small ponds and around springs. It is probable that more than one species is to be found around Ottawa but the following is the only one recorded with cer- tainty : F. umbilicata C.B. Adams. Genus Helisoma These are the ramshorn snails. separable into three groups: They are easily 1. Spire very depressed, both it and the umbilicus forming conical depressions .. .. .- .. Hl. anceps. 2. Umbilicus deep but spire flat, sometimes even elevated above the body whorl, aperture bell-shaped H. campanulatum 3. Umbilicus deep, spire flat, usually depressed below the body whorl, which is not mark- edly bell-shaped; larger than the other two. . A. trivolvis group. According to a leading authority, there are three species in the third group. H. trivolvis is found in the Ottawa River; its variety macros- tomum in some of the lakes of the Gatineau district. H. pilsbryi is known as yet only from Meach Lake and the fine, large form found in the Rideau River has been named H. infracari- natum. H. anceps Menke . anceps latchfordi Pilsbry . anceps unicarinatum Haldeman . anceps sayi F.C. Baker . campanulatum Say . campanulatum wisconsinense Winslow . infracarinatum F.C. Baker . trivolvis Say . trivolvis macrostomum Whiteaves H. pilsbryi F.C. Baker Genus Planorbula Distinguished from our other ramshorns by the teeth which obstruct the body-whorl, some- times quite far in. Smoot P. armigera Say November, 1938] Genus Menetus One of our smallest ramshorns. It is very flat, with a carina on the outside edge of the whorl and a simall umbilicus. The latter char- acter distinguishes it from some members of the next genus in which the umbilicus is wide. Found in temporary ponds. M. exacuous Say Genus Gyraulus Small ramshorns, quite fiat and button-like; in some species the last whorl is directed down- ward. . circumstriatus walkeri Vanatta . crista Linnaeus . deflectus Say . hirsutus Gould . parvus Say aaqaaa Genus Ferrissia ; These are the fresh-water limpets. They are shaped like tiny elongated saucers and cannot be mistaken for anything else. F. parallela Haldeman F. rivularis Say Genus Physa The shell in this genus and in Aplexa has the aperture on the left when the shell is held with its spire upwards; in the Lymnaeidae it is on the right when the shell is held in the same position. The identification of the species is best left to a specialist. Physa sayu and P. imtegra are found in the Rideau River, P. latchfordi in Meach Lake, the type locality for this species. P. ancillaria Say P. integra Haldeman P. gyrina Say P. gyrina elliptica Lea P. (parkeri var.?) latchfordi F.C. Baker P. sayii Tappan P. sayii warreniana Lea Genus Aplexa Shell as in Fhysa, but the spire longer and with a highly-polished surface which has a me- tallic sheen. It is found in temporary ponds. A. hypnorum Linnaeus c) LAND SNAILS The land shells in this account are not arranged systematically but are presented in the order in which the collector finds them: the larger, commoner ones first, the smaller ones later. The slugs are grouped together, also for convenience. Tur CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 115 Genus Anguispira Our commonest land snail, sometimes called the Tiger Snail because of the reddish-brown markings which cover the shell. Average size (width) 21 mm. A. alternata Say Genus Polygyra A group of land shells of large or medium size. Most of the species have a strongly reflected lip and bear a tooth in the aperture, some of our species as many as three. P. albolabris, our largest species, is usually toothless but some- times has a small tooth on the parietal wall (variety dentata). P. dentifera is smaller, has a flatter spire and a strong tooth on the parietal wall. P. multilineata is reddish brown, with five revolving lines of darker brown; the aper- ture is toothless. P. sayana is somewhat smaller than albolabris, with one tooth on the parietal wall and one on the peristome. P. fraterna is smaller than all the others, has a hairy epider- mis and, on the parietal wall, a large tooth which extends almost entirely across the aperture. P. albolabris Say P. albolabris dentata Tryon P. dentifera Binney P. fraterna Say P. multilineata Say P. sayana Pilsbry P. thyroidus Say Genus Sucécinea These are high-spired as northern land shells go, resembling the fresh water group Lymnaeidac, but the aperture is even larger than in the latter. Most of the species are a rich amber colour, hence the Our three species are easily separated. S. ovalis is the largest; it is round- ed in outline and lives in woods and fields. S. retusa is more elongate in outline and _ slightly smaller. It is found in wet situations at the margins of lakes and streams. ‘This is the shell which so nearly resembles Pseudosuccinea. (see above). S. avara is smaller than the other two and is usually encrusted with particles of earth, hence it is fairly hard to find. It prefers drier situations than does retusa and has a smaller aperture than the other two. name. S. avara Say S. ovalis Say S. retusa Lea To be Concluded. 116 Tur CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST e Vor. ein THE CRANBERRY IN CANADA* By A. E. PORSILD National Museum of Canada *Published by permission of the Director, Mines and Geology Branch, Department of Mines and Resources, Ottawa. WO KINDS of cranberries are well known in Eastern Canada. The large- fruited one, Oxycoccus macrocarpus. most of us, perhaps, are accustomed to associate with a turkey dinner; it is the plant of the New England “cranberry bog’ familiar to anyone who has travelled through the New England states, where its berries are harvested commercially. Its range in Canada is limited to the Maritimes and southern Quebec and Ontario, in addition it is known from Newfoundland. The small-fruited cranberry so ubiquitous in our northern peat and sphagnum bogs is, perhaps, not so well known. By the casual berry picker it is sometimes confused with the better flavoured rock or mountain cranberry, also known as cow- berry, Vaccinium Vitis-ldaea. By American bo- tanists it has generally been treated as but one species under the name of Vaccinium Oxycoccus L. or as Oxycoccus palustris Pers. whereas European botanists for some time have recog- nized two species of small-fruited cranberries, namely Oxycoccus quadripetalus Gilib and O. microcarpus Turcz The latter recently made its debut in North American floras in Rydberg’s posthumous manual’ where, in addition, O. mac- rocarpus and O. palustris are listed; the writer, in 1917* had raised Gray’s Vaccinium Oxycoccus var. intermedium to specific rank’. Fernald,* in 1902, stated that this plant, originally described as an endemic of the Pacific coast and Eastern Asia also occurs in Eastern North ’ America. same 1. Rydberg, P. A.: Flora of Prairies and Plains im Central North America, New York, 1932. 2. idem: Flora of the Rocky Mountains and Ad- jacent Plains, New York, 1917. 3. Robinson and Fernald, Rhodora 11:54 (1909) have pointed out, however, that Gray’s var. inter- medium is antedated by V. Oxwycoccus var. ovali- folium Michx. The correct combination for the west- ern plant thus becomes: Oxycoccus ovalifolius (Michx.) n. comb. Vaccinium Oxyoccus lL. var. ovalifoliwm Michx. Fl. Bor. Am. 1:228 (1803); V. Oxy- coccus L. var. intermedium Gray. Syn. F1. (ed. 2) 2, 1:396 (1886); Oxycoccus inter- igaeay (Gray) Rydb., Fl. Rocky Mts. 646 (). 4. Rhodora, 4:237 (1902). M. P. Porsild’ has recently shown that the small-leaved Oxycoccus of West Greenland, now also known from Eastern Canada, which was formerly treated as O. palustris Pers. f. mic- rophylla Lange, is not, as has been suggested by various writers, referable to O. mucrocarfus Turcz., but that it, because of its constantly pu- bescent pedicels is best treated as a small-leaved variety of O. quadripetalus. For the Greenland plant Porsild lc. proposes the new combination O. quadripetalus Gilib. var. microphyllus (Lange) Porsild. Superficially the characters upon which O. quadripetalus and O. microcarpus are separated seem, perhaps, rather small and insignificant but European botanists, who in recent years have studied the two species intensively, agree that they are good and distinct species and have even shown that each is bound to an ecological asso- ciation of its own’. According to Lindman’ O. microcarpus is in all parts smaller than O. quad- ripetalus and has glabrous pedicels, and filaments that are hairy on the outside whereas the latter has pubescent pedicels, and filaments that are heiry on the sides only. In the American plant at least, the hairiness of the filaments seems to be of no taxonomic value and a segregation based upon this character merely leads to confu- sion. The pubescence of the pedicel, on the other hand, seems to be a very constant charac- ter in this genus’. A revision of the 70-odd sheets of. the small- fruited cranberry in the National Herbarium of Canada, all named Vaccinium Oxycoccus, in addi- tion to the 20-odd numbers collected by the writer in Northwestern Canada, at first seemed rather hopeless. By disregarding the hairiness of the filaments and by depending instead chiefly on the hairiness of the peduncles, the shape and size of the leaf, the texture of the bark, etc., 5 Medd, om Greenland, 77 :38-42 (1930). 6. Melin, E.: Studier over de Norrlandska Myr- markernas Vegetation, Norrlandskt Handbibliotek, 7:124 (1917). 7. Lindman, C. A. M.: Svensk Fanerogam Flora, 439 (1926). 8. The genus Oaycoccus Tourn. is separated from Vaccinium L. by its deeply 4-parted corolla and by its exserted anthers that are produced into long tubes. In Vaccinium and in most other genera of the Hricaceae as well, the petals are united into a gamopetalous, campanulate or urceolate corolla and the anthers are short, tubeless and included. November, 1938] the writer, at length found that the material could be segregated quite nicely into natural geographical units: *Pedicels pubescent, leaves elliptic, broadest near ios) the middle Oxycoccus MAcRocARPUS (Ait ) Pers; Vaccin- tum macrocarpon Ait. Hort. Kew. 2:13, tab. 7 (1789). Stems stout, trailing often several meters long; leaves evenly and symmetrically arranged on the branches, 6 to 17 mm long and 2 to 8 mm broad, elliptic-oblong, round- ed at the apex. flat or very slightly revolute ; pedicels 1 to 10, lateral on the elongated, leafy branches, in maturity evenly curved, bearing one or two leaf-like, green: bracts above the middle fruit 10 to 20 mm in diameter. Open bogs and swamps. Newfoundland, Anticosti and Magdalen Islands, the Mari- times, southern Quebec and Ontario, west to Lake Huron and north to Georgian Bay. An endemic of Eastern North America which has recently been introduced into Europe. ©. QUADRIPETALUS Gilib. Fl. Lithuan. 1:5 (1872); Vaccinium Oxycoccus Am auth. in part; Oxzycocccus Oxycoccus MacMill. in part. Stems slender, creeping, bark of the stem and branches brown or black; leaves 6 to 10 mm long and 2 to 5 mm broad, flat or slightly revolute, elliptic, pointed at the apex: pedi- cels 1 to 4, terminal, abruptly curved towards the tip, bearing a pair of scaly bracts; fruit 8 to 12 mm in diameter, often spotted and mottled when young. Wet, marshy places. In Canada from Nova Scotia to British Columbia, but, per- haps, everywhere limited to the Canadian zone, reaching north to James Bay (Charlton Island, A. E. Porsild, No. 4464) O. QUADRIPETALUS Gilib. var. MICROPHYLLUS (Lange) M. P. Porsild; Medd. om Gronl. 77:42. (1930); O. palustris Pers. f. muicro- phylla Lange, Consp. Fl. Groenl. 2:267 (1887); Vaccinium Oxycoccus Am. auth. in in part. Like the preceding but smaller in all parts Leaves 2 to 3 mm long and 1.5 to 3 mm broad, strongly revolute, arranged somewhat unilat- erally on the filiform stems, pedicels 1 or 2, strictly terminal, strongly pubescent; — style shorter than in the other members of the genus, barely exceeding the anthers; fruit less than 10 mm in diameter, pink, not spotted In wet, mossy bogs. West Greenland be- tween 60° and 62° N. and again at 68° 41'N., not known from East Greenland, nor from THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST iil Iceland; on the Labrador coast from Strait of Belle Isle north to 56° 16’ N. (Turnavik, A. E. Porsild) also in Newfoundland and the Gulf of St. Lawrence region. South of Newfoundland and the Labrador coast grad- ually merging into the preceding. In Green- land and Labrador the var. microphyllus by its minute leaves and very pubescent pedicels seems well enough distinct from O. quadri- petalus, but since intermediate forms abound in the Gulf of St. Lawrence region it seems best to retain the varietal rank. Its case may parellel that of O. microcarpus and the little studied O. ovalifolius in the west. **Pedicels glabrous or essentially so, leaves dis- tinctly broader near the base. O. mMicrocarpus Turcz. ex Rupr. in Beitr. z. Pflanzenk. des Russ. Reich. 4:56 (1845) ; Vaccinium Oxycoccus Am. auth in part; O. Oxycoccus Mac Mill. in part. Stems slender and filiform with red or red- dish brown, but never black bark; leaves small 2 to 6 mm long and 1.5 to 2 mm hroad, strongly revolute, pointed at the apex; pedt- cels red, glabrous, bearing a pair of red, scaly bracts below the middle; fruit 5 to 7 mm in diameter, pale pink, insipid. Sub-artic sphagnum bogs only. From Alas- ka to the east shore of Hudson Bay, pene- trating but a short distance north of the limit of trees. From the Yukon Territory south through the mountains of British Columbia and Alberta; also in Europe and Asia. Throughout northern Alaska and the North- west Territories O. microcarpus is the only representative of the genus. It is remarkbly free of variations although some specimens from British Columbia and Alberta approach the following species. O. ovaLiFoLius (Michx.) n. comb. see foot- note on page 116) Stems stouwter than in the preceding with black or dark brown bark; leaves 6 to 8 mm long.and 2 to 3 mm broad, flat or but slightly revolute; pedicels 1 to 8, often lateral; fruit 10 to 12 mm in diameter with a bloom. Wet bogs. According to Rydberg known from Alaska to Washington, south and east to Indiana and Idaho and also from Eastern Asia. The following specimens in the National Herbarium of Canada, all from British Co- lumbia, may be considered typical: Skagit River, J. M. Macoun, No. 72.508; Gillies Bay, Texada Island, J. M. Macoun, No. 94.149, Cumberland, V. I., J. M. Macoun, No. 94.148 ; Ucluelet, V. I., John Macoun, No. 86.330 and Nanaimo, V. I., John Macoun, No. 86.329. 118 Tut CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST [Vora CHURCHILL, MANITOBA, AND ITS BIRD-LIFE By FRANK L. FARLEY HE COMPLETION of the Hudson Bay Railway in 1930, connecting The Pas, Manitoba, with the Port of Churchill on Hudson Bay, has been responsible for a greatly increased interest in the natural history of that hitherto little known section of Canada. This is particularly true as it relates to the ornithology of the region. Churchill and its immediate vicinity have received more atten- tion from bird students during the past eight years, than in all the period since the celebrated Larbour was first discovered more than four hundred years ago. The ease with which this naturalist’s Mecca can be reached is, of course, the reason for the recent activity. By way of contrast one has only to think of the hardships endured and the time expended by the Preble expedition on its journey to and from Hudson Bay in 1900. In no other part of the North American con- tinent served by a railway has the traveller the opportunity of seeing all three of the Boreal Life zones in the short space of a day’s travel by train Here these important faunal divisions, the Canadian, the Hudsonian and the Arctic, are linked together by the railway’s 510 miles of steel. A passenger for Churchill can leave The Pas on a Saturday afternoon in early June, when such birds as the House Wren, Song Spar- row, Kingbird, the Red-eyed and Warbling Vireo, and other species peculiar to the Transition and Canadian Life zones are nesting. If ob- servant, he notes the many neat gardens in the pretty town with their rows of early vegetables already given their first cultivation. Flowers appear to be as far advanced, and the lawns just as green as those seen a day or twe pre- viously in Saskatoon or Prince Albert. Crab- apple trees of fair size and well located with fragrant blossoms beautify severals of the lawns and have every appearance of having made satis- factory growth in this northern latitude. The birds, flowers, vegetables and fully-leaved trees indicate that The Pas has for some weeks enjoyed the summer’s sunshine. After, exper- iencing several hours of such pleasant surround- ings, one is loath to believe that a land of Arctic conditions may greet him on the morrow at his journey’s end. As the train pulls out of the station in mid afternoon with its motley crowd of human freight, including Indians, half-breeds, trappers, traders, prospectors and adventurers, one hardly realizes he is about to enter a land where the fight for existence is ever present. For more than 20 hours the train rolls over one of the finest roadbeds in Canada, through an undulat- ing, rocky country interspersed here and there with many beautiful lakes. The ridges are fairly well covered with spruce, jackpine and poplar, while the lowlands surrounding extensive marshes support heavy growths of willow and birch. At noon the following day (Sunday) there are in- dications of a change in both climate and vege- tation. The chill in the air and the backward growth are reminders of the approach towards the great ice masses of the Bay. The leaves of the poplars and birches are not yet fully out and the only signs of life on the willows are the en- larged “pussy willows”. Shortly after the rocky gorge of the Nelson river is crossed, the trees become more stunted and occasional tracts of tundra are noted. Willow Ptarmigan, still in their winter plumage, may be seen quietly sunning themselves in sheltered spots. Horned Larks, Longspurs and Pipits in small flocks or pairs are leisurely making their way northward. When a stop is made for water or to deliver mail or supplies at section-houses, the soft, plaintive notes of Harris Sparrows can be heard from scrub- patches along the tracks. Arriving at Churchill on Sunday evening the traveller is aware that he is in an entirely differ- ent climate from that which he left the day previously. The great river is still ice-bound from shore to shore. Indians with their dogs and sleds are seen crossing the two-mile expanse of ice in apparent safety. The small lakes scattered over the tundra are likewise covered with ice The spruce woods, often termed the “last fringe of timber” are piled high with snow, blown in from the open wastes. A walk over the townsite reveals an interesting variety of birds, chiefly waders. The mating season is now on in earnest and their nuptial flight songs can be heard in all directions. Horned Larks already have their nests built and some are sitting on full sets of egs Lapland Longspurs, the most abundant of tundra birds, are in full song The townsite slough in its sheltered location is free of ice and is a favoured feeding place for many kinds of waders, ducks, gulls, and Arctic Terns. Here may be seen Stilt Sandpipers, Red-backed Sandpipers, Least and Semi-palmated Sandpipers, November, 1938] Northern Phaiaropes, Yellowlegs, Semi-palmated Plovers, Hudsonian Curlews and the occasional Hudsonian Godwit. On all sides there is a wonderful panorama of bird-life. My first visit to Churchill in June, 1931, so impressed me that I decided then and there to return to this inter- esting country whenever opportunity offered. Accompanied by Mr. Albert Wilk, an under- graduate of the University of Alberta and a keen bird-student, I made my sixth visit to Churchill in June, 1937. As a result of investig- ations carried on at this time, two species of birds — the Red-winged Blackbird and the Pine Siskin — were added to the list of Churchill birds published in 1934 by Taverner and Sutton. In addition, other observations which I believe are worthy of recording at this time were made relating to tke status and habits of several other species. RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD. On June 21, 1937, Mr. Wilk reported seeing a male Red-winged Blackbird near a marshy lake about a quarter of a mile from our camp and four miles south of Churchill. The following day, it, or another male, was observed near the same place. On July 6th, he saw two males close to where the others had been seen. Although a careful search was made on several. occasions for their mates or nests, no females were discovered. It is more than likely that the two males were unattached, and had probably been the advance guard separ- ated from a migrating flock of the species a considerable distance southward. PINE SISKIN. On June 16, 1937, when walk- ing through an open piece of spruce woods on the east side of Lake Isabelle, our attention was drawn to a Golden-crowned Kinglet that was singing in the top of a spruce. When enjoying the song and comparing it in our minds with that of the Ruby-crown, I noticed two small dark birds feeding, cross-bill fashion, in the top of a small spruce tree close by. I immediately identified them as Siskins. We approached to within 25 feet to the birds and distinctly noted the forked taiis, the striped backs and breast, and the yellow markings on the wings. During the time we watched the birds they uttered no note of any kind. They were quite likely a breed- ing pair and nad a nest in the vicinity. BronzED GRACELE. On June 8, 1937, Mr. Wilk reported he had seen a Grackle about a mile from our camp. As there were Rusty Blackbirds nesting in that vicinity I questioned him as to the identity. He assured me he was satisfied Tur CANADIAN Fierp-NATURALIST 119 that the bird was a Grackle. On June 20th and again on the 21st, when passing the same place he saw what he believed to be the same bird. On the 22nd he found a nest containing four young Grackles about three days old. The bulky nest was placed in a dead scrub spruce standing in water at the edge of a marsh. It was built under a thick brushy branch about three feet above the water. He visited the nest again on July 5th and found one bird only, the others apparently having left the nest or been destroyed. He made a skin of the collected juvenile and took the nest; these were sent to Mr. Taverner for inspection, who advised me that the bird was a Bronzed Grackle. On July 8th three Grackles were seen in the vicinity of where the nest was found, and on the 10th but a single bird was observed. This is the only recent record of the Bronzed Grackle occurring in the Churchill ter- ritory. Taverner and Sutton list the species on the authority of Clark (1890), who mentions an adult male collected at Churchill sometime previous to the year 1845. DowrtcHER. On June 12, 1935, about five miles south-east of Churchill, I found a Dow- itcher’s nest with four eggs. The nest was in a marsh, about 30 feet from the edge of a small lake. The bird when flushed off the nest rose into the air about ten feet and dropped into the shallow water at the edge of the lake. The nest, made of coarse grasses, was built into the top of a small hunimock, partially surrounded by water. (On June 20, 1936, another nest was found in a similar location about a mile distant from the site of the first nest; it contained four slightly incubated eggs). At the time the nest was found this year no one in the party had a gun and the bird could not be collected. Later in the day the nesting locality was gain visited and a bird was secured. The bird and eggs were examined by Mr. Taverner who was at Churchill a few days later, and he gave it as his opinion that the specimen answered the description of the new subspecies (hendersoni). This is, I be- lieve, the first time the nest and eggs of the Dowitcher have been found anywhere in the ex- tensive territory lying between the central por- tion of Alberta and Hudson Bay. LINCOLN Sparrow. On June 17, 1935. when walking over a dry marsh south and east of the watertank situated about four miles south of Churchill, I flushed a Lincoln Sparrow from her nest of five fresh eggs. As far as I am aware this is the first time the nest and eggs of this species have been found in the Churchill territory. 120 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST [Vor LI SUMMER BIRDS OF THE FORILLON, GASPE COUNTY, QUEBEC By STANLEY C. BALL (Concluded from page 103) 97. Seiurus aurocapillus*. OVEN-BIRD. — One singing back of Gaspé Basin, July 9, 1937. Two wandering males worked up valley behind Grande Gréve, July 13th, singing occasionally. 98. Seiurus noveboracencis noveboracencts. NorTHERN WATER-THRUSH. — August 25, 1936, one migrating westward with other warblers back of Grande Gréve. August 28th, two others seen near the eastern tip of the Forillon—one of them high up at the northern cliff brink— suggest recent arrival from Anticosti. Had this strongly vocal species nested on the Forillon it could not have escaped detection. It seems strange that at least two of the streams and some of the swamps have not attracted it, as have those of southern Gaspesia according to Bond. Furthermore, Lewis saw several on Anti- costi in June, 1922. On August 23, 1937, fifteen worked eastward along top of north ridge back of St. George’s Cove. On the following day sixteen returned northwestward up the coulee. Dr. Townsend saw one on August 17 and 19, 1919. 99. Oporornis philadelphia. MOURNING WV ARB- LER. — June 14, 1936, male sang repeatedly while feeding in Acer spicatum [Mountain maple] back of Percé in the gorge northwest of the Fic d’ Aurore. 100. Geothlypis trichas brachydactyla. NortH- ERN YELLOW-THROAT. — July 21, 1936, male along Fork River, tributary of the Dartmouth, north- west of Gaspé Basin. Two males July 12, 1937, at Cap des Rosiers, and another at Griffon Cove. Its absence from the Forillon noteworthy. Although Townsend emphasizes the lack of bogs in Gaspé, as a matter of fact the Forillon alone has more than 10 acres of such habitat, besides a mile or more of brush- bordered brooks flowing through cleared lands. At Cap des Rosiers only two miles away both Dr. Lewis and I have observed yellow-throats along the sluggish brook, and Lewis and others have found them common on Anticosti. Probably the general ruggedness of this slender little peninsula repels the yellow-throat and the yellow- warbler, both of which might find suitable. niches seems upon it. 101. Wilsonia pusilla pusilla. WILSON’S WARBLER. — One in company with Seirus nove- boracensis working eastward above Cap Bon Ami, August 23, 1937. 102. Setophaga ruticilla. Repstart. — Un- common in northern Gaspé in 1936 as compared with abundance in New Brunswick in June. A few on the Forillon, probably breeding. More common in 1937, 8 pairs nesting on the Forillon and 2 in West Highlands. 103. Passer domesticus. ENGLISH SPARROW. -— Common in Gaspé village, but none on the For- illon. 104. Agelaius phoeniceus phoeniceus. East- ERN REDWING. — One pair nested.in a small marsh at the head of Gaspé Bay in 1937, the first recorded east of Mont Louis where Demille found a pair nesting in 1924. Two adults and three immature still present September 8th. 105. Euphagus carolinus. Rusty BLACKBIRD.— A few seen about Ross Lake, August 4-8, 1936. Adult and 2 immature at Third Lake, September 2 N93 75 106. Quwuwiscalus quiscula aeneus. BRONZEP GRACKLE. — A few pairs bred at Grande Gréve and St. George’s Cove during 1936 and 1937; said to be decreasing in numbers, but I saw 2 fleck of more than a hundred near the Dart- mouth River marshes, August 19, 1936, a few miles from the York River where Townsend observed 50 or 60 in 1919. It may be this colony which is reported to descend the Forillon in some years, foraging on the farmers’ grain. 107. Carpodacus purpureus purpureus. PURPLE FincuH. — Fairly common on the Forillon in 1936. June 25th, male in dark-striped first nup- tial plumage singing vociferously. August 3-8, moulting male seen daily in cedars at Ross Lake. Rare on Forillon in 1937. 108. Pinicola enucleator leucura. PINE Gros- BEAK. — July 22nd, two males and a female in spruces on West Highlands. August 8, 1936, two feeding on cherries of Prunus pennsylvanica [bird cherry] at Third Lake. During 1937 a2 single male was seen near Grande Gréve on August 6 to 19. 109. Spinus pinus pinus. PINE SISKIN. — Several at Grande Gréve, June 20-July 4, 1936; disappeared suddenly, not seen again. Abun- dant at times: from June 19 to July 28. 1937: a-flock of 80 at Shiphead, July 2nd. Townsend found them abundant during July and Anegust in 1919. November, 1938] THe CANADIAN FIELb-NATURALIST 121 110. Spinus tristis tristis. GOLDFINCH. — Com- factor for this species, as well as for the swamp mon throughout the region. sparrow which might well thrive in several of 111. Lowxia leucoptera. WWHITE-WINGED Cross- the shrubby swamps. BILL. — At least thirty spent the summer of 1936 on the Forillon. sometimes appearing in one flock, but usually in smaller groups. On August 28th, eleven fed in spruces within 100 feet of Cape Gaspé’s easternmost precipice. In 1937 a flock comprising at times as many as 60 birds ranged up and down the little peninsula, some- times leaving it altogether for a tew days. 112. Passerculus sandwichensis savanna. SAVANNAH Sparrow. — Common in open land along the coast. About 50 pairs nested on the Forillon; at least some of them raised two broods. 113. Junco hiemalis hiemalis. JUNco. — Com- mon throughout the region; two broods generally. 114. Spizelia passerina passerina. CHIPPING Sparrow. — Uncommon on the Forillon, but nests throughout its length, both in dooryards and forests. One nest in spruce near edge of northern cliffs. 115. Zonotrichia albicollis. Sparrow. — Breeds legion. 116. Melospiza lncolni lincolm*. LAiNco_Nn’s Sparrow. — Although neither yellow warblers nor yellow-throats seem to have been attracted to the boggy swamps of the Forillon, the Lin- coln’s sparrow has discovered them. Two pairs bred back of St. George’s Cove and another at Shiphead in 1937. More remarkable is the pair which, both in 1936 and 1937, has nested above Grande Gréve in a bushy pasture. The male appears incongruous perched upon the tip of one of the scattered white spruces which dot the hillside. Attracted by his contralto song I have many times stalked him carefully but only on a few occasions succeeded in observing him closely before he withdrew to a distant tree-top. 117. Melospiza melodia melodia. SONG SPAR- Row. — Fairly common in open lands, especially “along south shore. First brood left nest at Grande Gréve July 12th. On a walk to end of Forillon August 28, 1936, heard four different males still singing. W HITE-THROATED commonly throughout the In vain have I sought on the Forillon three other fringillids, the vesper, fox, and swamp sparrows. To be sure, the vesper is partial to upland fields and pastures, none of which on this little peninsula are more than 700 feet above sea- level. But for the fox sparrow there are still many acres of conifers little disturbed by man. Possibly roving cattle may be the disturbing Townsend found several vespers in full song in July, 1922, at St. Annes-des-Monts. The fox sparrow has been reported by ‘Townsend and Bond at Bonaventure Island, by Demille along the Mont Louis coast, and by Dr. Lewis on Anticosti where he found it common at Ellis Bay in 1922. Lewis observed swamp sparrows at Cap des Rosiers, May 24, 25, and at Gaspé May 30, 1922. Farther westward, between Mont Louis and the Shickshock Mountains, Demille found them nesting commonly in 1924. So it may be expected that the bogs of the Forillon will occasionally attract a pair. In The Canadian Field-Naturalist, 37:9, 1923, Dr. C. W. Townsend emphasizes the difficulty of observing land birds, especially warblers, after the waning of the song season in July. At Grande Gréve in 1922 he saw only four warblers between August 13th and 26th, and believed that nearly all the resident warblers had left, with- out their places having been filled by migrants from the north. It is true that, after the youns have hatched, songs become less frequent, and almost cease during the summer moult. A list of the numbers of birds found singing during the 1937 season at stations along a certain 2-mile route of varied habitats shows 18 males belonging to 12 species on June 19th, and a steady increase until July 5th, when 24 species were represented by 81 males. Then followed a gradual decrease until July 25th, when the number of species still vocal was 15, and the number of males, 23. For the next four- day period the same species continued in song, although fewer individuals were heard. Through the succeeding three weeks the steady decline may be appreciated from the following dates and statistics: August Ist, 11 species, 16 males; 4th, Oe Gane 7 ilile Wen Ae abe vette sie Abu, ll i. Through much of the season the magnolia warbler exceeded all other species in numbers of singing males — on June 19th, 3, July Sth, 16; July 25th, 3, and July 29th, 4. Two of these continued into August, one being last heard on the 4th, the other on the 12th. Very nearly as abundant was the black-throated green war- bler, last heard in song on August 20th. Some pairs of both these species are believed to have raised two broods. But in the case of the black-poll warbler, a species which was still singing when I left the Forillon on September 13th, the single broods were making their great 122 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST est demands for food between July 25th and August 9th, a songless interval for the males. Other species which brought out two broods were the savannah sparrow (July 10th and August 10th), chipping sparrow (July 3rd and August 12th), white-throated sparrow (July 11th and August 16th), song sparrow (July 10th and August 8th), junco (July 13th and August 10th), winter wren (July 14th and August 18th), robin (earliest, June 22nd, and latest, August 17th). Males of all these species except the robin could be heard at some place on the Forillon almost daily throughout the season; no robin songs were heard between August 4th and Zlst, when three males sang briefly. But during the songless periods, even after feeding of the young no longer demanded cons- picuous activity on the part of the parents, the adults of all the common species could be dis- covered in the seclusion of forests and thickets. For example, Dendroica castanea was last heard singing on July 21st, but was _ repeat- edly seen feeding in thick evergreen forests until August 17th. Corthylio stopped singing even earlier—July 13th, but family groups were several times seen during the summer under conditions which marked them as still sedentary Again, Dendroica magnolia sang throughout the Forillon until August 4th, and occasionally until the 21st, but was seen daily and its call notes were frequently heard till the end of the month. Although the young had left the nests by August 12th, and were last seen being fed by the adults on the 16th, no definite westward movement of D. magnolia out of the Forillon was detected until August 29th. Strangely enough the first warbler to show such movement was D. coronata, of which several passed through Grande Gréve on August 17th, but no more until the 28th and 29th. Although D. virens seldom sang after August Ist, it was seen and its call notes heard daily until the 20th. The first westward move- (Vor. LI ment out of the Forillon was observed August 25th. Northern representations of this species entered the Portage gap from the direction of Cap des Rosiers on the 27th, and either these birds or residents of the Forillon worked west- ward again on the 29th. As far as my observations indicate, the only species which seem to fit Townsend’s conclusions are the cliff swallow and robin. Petrochelidon leaves the region on the very day that the young forsake the nest; most of the Grande Gréve colony departed August 5, 1936. A small group of robins, apparently of the first brood. were seen leaving the Forillon on August 8th, 1937. The first movement in 1936 was on August 17th. However, I can agree with Dr. Townsend that true migratory waves begin late in August — on the 25th in 1936, and the 24th in 1937. During the early morning hours mixed flocks of warblers, thrushes, and sparrows passed up the ridge and the coulée behind Grande Gréve. That some of these birds had come from farther north is proven by the inclusion of four species which did not breed on the Forillon—Dendroica aestiva, Sewurus noveboracensis, and Of birds from the north many, as I have seen, enter from the northwest. Others in all probability cross the 50 miles of Gulf waters from Anticosti; many species breed abundantly there, and may be expected to strike out for the only land in sight to the southward, the Forillon and the highlands west of it. D. caerulescens, Wilsoma pusilla. The astonishing flights of red-breasted nut- hatches, outlined in the annotated list above, almost certainly came directly from Anticosti, for ncne was seen entering the little peninsula from the west. Further comment on this species is reserved for a special paper. Migrants of certain species were seen daily until my departure on September 13, 1937. Meanwhile others, like the yellow-bellied and alder flycatchers, had quietly disappeared. NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS SUMMER TANAGER IN Nova Scotia. — Early in April, 1937, a report reached me from the west end of Wolfville to the effect that a “strange reddish bird” was seen about the home of my informant. Believing it to be nothing more un- usual than a male Purple Finch, I dismissed the incident from my mind. On April 17th, how- ever, a similar report was received by phone from the same vicinity and upon investigation I had the pleasure of seeing. for the first time a beautiful male Summer Tanager (Piranga r. rubra), in life. I followed it about for half an November, 1938] hour or longer, as it flew leisurely from tree to tree, apparently in search of food. Its bright plumage stood out most vividly among the leafless branches and was attracting the attention of a , number of passers-by. On one occasion | saw it drop suddenly to the ground, where it pounced upon a large dark-coloured beetle which it quick- ly carried to a limb upon the broad surface of which it was seen to peck viciously at its help- less victim. The bird stayed about that imme- diate locality for the remainder of the month. surviving as it did a number of freezing nights and at least one snowfall of sufficient violence to leave the ground white for several days. This record is the third definite one for this species in Nova Scotia which my files contain. The others are April 20, 1913, a male picked up dead in Yarmouth County and October 10, 1929, a male picked up at Annapolis Royal in an ema- ciated condition. According to Mr. P. A. Tav- erner there are several old records for Nova Scotia scattered cver many years, two of which were at Seal Island, Yarmouth County, prior to 1888.—R. W. Turts, Wolfville. Nova Scotia. CORMORANTS CN LAPRAIRIE BAy, QuEBEc.—On May 2, 1938, while travelling in a motor-boat on Laprairie Bay, an enlargement of the St. Law- rence River south of Montreal, I saw at least thirty Cormorants on that bay. Twenty-five of them were counted in one group, perched on a small isolated rock. As no white plumage could be seen anywhere on these birds, it is believed that they were all Eastern Double-crested Cormorants (Phalacro- corax auritus auritus) There appears to be no previous record of Cormorants in this vicinity in such large num- bers.—HArrIson F. L&EwIs. ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS AT OTTAwA. — At Aloe HAS aym, (iB.S 0.) wm Mien 1@, ieee 1 observed two American Rough-winged Swallows (Stelgidopteryx ruficollis serripenms) that were perched quietly, about ten feet from the ground, in full view and in full sunlight, in a small dead tree, in the Arboretum, close to the Rideau Canal, near Ottawa, Ontario. The birds were facing me as I observed them in detail through x6 binoculars at a distance of about twenty feet. THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 123 Their characteristically coloured underparts were observed to excellent advantage. These swallows appeared to be warming themselves in the early morning sunlight, while they waited for insects to begin to fly about. At about the same hour on the following day, May llth, a pair of Rough-winged Swallows, probably the same pair, was seen under circum- stances even more favourable, as they perched on the low wire fence beside a line of the Can- adian Pacific Railway, a few rods from the place where the above-mentioned swallows were seen on May 10th. They were very tame and both their upper and lower surfaces could be clearly seen, for they were perched at a level much low- er than that of the eyes of an adult human being. On this second occasion they were observed by a group of eleven people, of whom I was one. There does not appear to be any published re- cord of the occurrence of the Rough-winged Swallow in the Ottawa district since 1918— Harrison F. LEwIs. AN INCIDENT IN AN Osprey’s FISHING — On May 26, 1938, I was engaged in photographing Southern Eiders (Somateria mollissima dressert) from a small blind placed between two lime- stone masses on the northwest shore of Wood Island, in Betchouane Bird Sanctuary, about eighteen miles east of Havre St. Pierre, Sague- nay County, Quebec. Soon after one o’clock in the afternoon I heard several notes of an Os- prey (Pandion haliaétus carolinensis) that was evidently flying above me, outside the field of vision that I commanded from the blind. At that time the tide was low and the water imme- diately in front of me was shallow for perhaps seventy-five feet from shore. The surface of the water was smooth, as there was practically no wind. I did not see the plunge of the Osprey, but, a minute or two after I had noticed its calls, I heard a loud splash in front of me and slightly to my left. Looking in that direction, I saw the Osprey in the water about forty feet from shore, where apparently the water was only about one foot deep. The bird, when first seen, was facing shoreward and was very quiet, almost motionless. Its head was lowered and its outstretched wings were resting on the water, while its body was almost entirely submerged. I wondered if it had misjudged its plunge and had stunned itself or done itself some injury, or if it was quietly 124 Tur CANADIAN FiELD-NATURALIST improving it grip on a fish, or 1f it was merely considering what to do next. After several seconds of quiet, the Osprey began to flap its wings vigorously, in an endeav- our to rise from the water and carry away with it the fish that it had seized. In this attempt it failed. Its wings were raised from the water and were flapped very rapidly, lifting its body into the air, but apparently the fish in its talons was a heavy one, for neither it nor the toes that grasped it appeared above the surface of the water. After several seconds of strenuous flap- ping, the great Hawk ceased its efforts and re- laxed into the same semi-submerged resting position in which I had first seen it. A second or two later a new mode of proce- dure was attempted. Abandoning its endeavour to lift its prey, the Osprey undertook to drag it along the sea-bottom, which at this place was formed chiefly of smooth, level limestone, to the beach, forty feet away. Rising somewhat from its relaxed position, but with its feet, belly, and tail still submerged, it advanced towards shore by a steady series of deliberate lunges, each of which carried it perhaps a foot forward. Each lunge or forward surge was accompanied by a slow, forceful beat of the wings, which struck back- ward against the water and were therefore used like oars. A strange sight indeed was this large bird as. with the feathers of its head wet and matted into groups and ridges, it rowed itself in deli- berate and determined fashion toward the shore. dragging its unseen prey through the water! It appeared to be entirely unconscious of my _ pre- sence and I therefore entertained high hopes that it would choose to land on the beach just in front of my blind. Unfortunately, it did not do this, but pressed towards a point on the beach about forty feet to my left, which was the part of the shore nearest to the place where it had made its capture. Because of the shelterine mass of limestone on my left side, the Osprey passed out of my range of vision before it reached the land and even before it reached water sufficiently shallow to bring its prey into sight above the surface. That il arrived at the shore with its burden I do not doubt, for it was making good progress as it passed from my sight and a few seconds later I heard its notes in a direction that indicated that it was on the beach. About forty-five minutes later, when I was once more busily occupied with observing and photographing the Eiders, an Osprey suddenly flew low from left to right in front of my blind, ‘[Vou. LIE carrying an object of moderate size in its talons. Probably this was the bird that I had seen pre- viously in the water, though I do not know in what way it had become able to carry its captur- ed fish. Possibly it had eaten part of it or per- haps it had merely secured a better hold on it and a better position from which to take off in flight. After I came out of my blind I examin- ed that part of the beach where I supposed that the Osprey had brought the fish ashore, but I failed to find there any blood or other indications that the bird and its prey had been there I had no opportunity to recognize the fish that was captured on this occasion, but I surmise thar very likely it was a blue lumpfish (Cyclop- terus lumpus L.) as such fish come into shallow water on the north shore of the Gulf of St. Law- rence about the beginning of summer, presum- ably to spawn, and a large individual would make a heavy and awkward load for an Osprey. —Harriscn F. Lewis. NOTES ON OBSERVATIONS OF CERTAIN BIRDS ON THE ISLAND OF ANTICOSTI, QUEBEC. — During a brief visit to Port Menier and vicinity, on An- ticosti, from July 15 to July 17, 1938, I had time and opportunity to make only casual observations of birds. Those observations described below appear to be worth recording in published form. They may be considered as supplementary to pre- vious publications about the bids of this island.* Gavia stellata. RrEp-TtHROATED Loon. — Mr. Harold S. Peters and I saw two adult Red- throated Loons with one downy young bird in a pond on the Lorder of a sphagnum plain near Port Menier on July 15th. On July 16th we saw one adult of this species with one downy young bird in another pond on the tongue of land that forms the west side of Ellis Bay. There ap- pears to be no definite published observation of the breeding of the Red-throated Loon on An- ticosti since that made by Professor A. E. Ver- rill, in 1861. Firundo erythrogaster. BARN SWALLow. — On July 16th Mr. Peters and I saw two Barn Swal- lows flying near an old building at L’Anse aux Fraises, north-west of Port Menier. Euphagus carolinus. Rusty BLACKBIRD. — At least twelve were seen about the swampy shores *Can. Field-Nat., 38:43ff. 1924, and 40:179ff. 1926. November, 1938] THE CANADIAN of Lake Plantin, near Port Menier, on July 16th. Melospiza lincolni. L1NCOLN’s SPARROW. — Two individuals were heard singing near Port Menier on July 16th. — Harrison F. LeEwts. OCCURRENCE OF THE AMERICAN Coot AND THE WHIP-POOR-WILt IN KASTERN SAGUENAY COUNTY, QurBec. — An American Coot (Fulica amer- icana) was caught in a trap, near the village of Old Fort, Saguenay County, Quebec, in the au- tumn of 1934, by Frank McDonald, of that village. I examined and identified the preserved skin of this bird on July 3. 1936, at which time it was at St. Augustin, Saguenay County, in the possession of William Fequet. Old Fort is on the north shore of the eastern part of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, twenty-nine miles west of the eastern boundary of the Province of Quebec. FIELD-NATURALISS 125 from the north shore of the Gulf of St. Law- rence. A female Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus voci- ferus) was found dead on Cove Island, Sague- nay County, Quebec, on June 11, 1936, by William T. Bobbitt, of Harrington Harbour. When found, it had apparently been dead for two or three days. Its skin is now preserved in the bird collection of the National Museum of Canada. Cove Island is situated about three miles from the mainland, on the north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, about ninety-eight miles southwest of the eastern boundary of the Province of Quebec, and ten miles southwest of Harrington Harbour. This is the first record of the Whip-poor-will in the region of the Labra- dor Peninsula. These two records should have been included in my paper entitled “Notes on Birds of the While the American Coot has been recorded from Labrador Peninsula in 1936 and 1937” (Can. the eastern coast of the Labrador Peninsula, Field-Nat., 52:47, 1938, but were omitted this is apparently the first certain record of it through oversight. — Harrison F. LEwts. REVIEWS The Geologic History of Magnolia State Park. By William Clifford Morse, Ph. D., State Geo- logist. Bulletin 37. Mississippi State Geolo- gical Survey. University, Mississipi, 1938. pp. 1-19, 12 figs., 1 map. This nineteen page report recently published by the State Geologist of Mississippi is embellish- ed by a dozen artistic photographs, each of which is dated. All of these were taken within a few days of Christmas, and together supply a good composite picture of the Gulf Coast as it appears in winter. One of them displays the beauty of a live oak whose branches have a lateral reach of 180 feet. Another shows a historic church and bears the cryptic title, “A Light House of the Soul”. This admirable little booklet fills the role of a lighthouse for those who are not geologists, in guiding them for this particular part of the Gulf coast, a tittle way back in geological time. The author lets the reader see in a brief and simple statement, omitting geological jargon, what has been going on in that fascinating bor- der-land of marsh and bayou between the Gulf and the continent during recent geological time. He tells the Gulf coast people with fervour that they have in Magnolia State Park and its hayou something “beautiful beyond description” and urges that “it must. be kept in its natural state without the change of a bank, a channel, or the grass — even under the guise of landscape architecture. It is a God-given trust to the people of this generation and of the generations yet to come”. Similar exhortations are needed in many other parts of the continent where mis- guided zeal in attempts to improve on the beauty of Nature leads to unhappy results. If this sound advice is followed, naturalists and geolo- gists will have good reason to thank Dr. Morse for giving it. Here a State Geologist is addressing the people of his state from much the same angle that Charles Kingsley a generation ago approached the readers of his Town Geology. Too many geolo- gical reports are prepared for professional readers only and too few for Mr. Average Citizen, This booklet will be appreciated by the general public whose existence the geologist often forgets about in writing his reports—EpwArp M. KINDLE. “ANIMAL TREASURE”.—Doubtless many readers of The Canadian Ficld-Naturalist read, or heard of, a book called Animal Treasure, by Ivan T Sanderson (Viking Press). To most naturalists 126 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST the book is a remarkable and amusing account of a collecting expedition to the Cameroons. The book has had many favourable reviews, and was the “Book of the Month” selection for Septem- ber, 1937. The author gained a tripos at Cam- bridge. In such circumstances one should be able to sit down and enjoy the book with con- fidence in the accuracy of the subject matter. Because of its wide acceptance attention should be drawn to the reception which this book has received at the hands of those familiar with the country and the animals with which it deals. In particular, reviews by Arthur Loveridge, form- erly Curator of the Natural History Museum. [Vor eit Nairobi, (Kenya), and now of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge, Mass., should be mentioned. ‘They are to be found in Copeia, November, 1937, and the Atlantic Monthly Bookshelt. October, 1937, and particularly, un- der the title Jf the Blind Lead the Blind in Scientific Monthly for January, 1938. In the latter publication Loveridge concludes “Sanderson has caused incalculable injury to natural history by disseminating false inform- ation, which is, and will be, quoted far and wide”. For further details the reviews mentioned should be consulted.—C.H.D.C. —_——<—<— -—- i t eo oe A fhliated Bienes NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF MANITOBA 1937-38 President Emeritus: DR. H. M. SPEECHLY, Honorary President: A. H. REGINALD BULLER, F.R.C., President: Mr. L. T. S. NorrRIs-ELYE, Past Presidents: J. J. GOLDEN, (Deceased), H. M. SpEEcHLY, M.D., V. W. JAcKSon, M.Sc., C. W. LoWE, M.Sc., J. B. WALLIS, B.A., A. A.McCousprey, A. M. DAVIDSON, M.D., R. A. WARDLE, M.Sc., G. SHIRLEY BROOKS; A. G. LAWRENCE; B. W. CARTWRIGHT. \’ice-Presidents: H. C. PwARCE, W. H. RAND; Mrs. L. R. Simpson, J. P. HADDOW, P. H. Stoxes, Treasurer: L. W- KOSER, General Secretary: Mrs. L. R. Simpson, Audifor: R. M. Tuomas, Executive Secretary: Miss B. HAAK, Social Convenor: Mrs. B. W. CART- WRIGHT. : Section Chairman Secretary Ornithological A. H. SHORTT R. FRYER Entomological G SHIRLEY BROOKS Miss M. PRATT Botanieal C. W. Lowe, Mrs. H. T. Ross Geological Pror. E. I. LEITH P. H. STOKES Zoological Pror. V. W. JACKSON R. Sutton Microscopy: é Zoology R. A. WARDLE, M.Sc. Botany C. W. Lowe, M.Sc. Secretary: R. HADDOW Meetings are held each Monday evening, except on holidays irom October to April, in the physics theatre of the University, Winnipeg. aoon 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 Avenue, London, Ont.; E. M.S. DALB, 297 Hyman Street, London, Ont. Meetings held the second Monday of the month, except during the summer. VANCOUVER NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OFFICERS FOR 1938-39 Honorary President. |. S. KLINK, (LL_D.), President Univer- sity uf B.C: President: C. F. CONNoR, M. A., Vice-President: Mr. J. J. PLoMMER, Honorary Secretary: Mr. GEO. ROGER Woon, B.A., First Assistant Secretary: MISS VIRGINIA HOLLAND 2nd Assisiant Secretary: Mrs. MARY SIEBURTH, Honorary Treasurer: Mr. F.J. SANFORD, Librarian: Mr. A. A. SCOTT, Additional Members of Executive: Mr. A. H. RAIN, MR. W. CviarK, Mrs. H. FarLey, Mr H.C. FRESHWATER, MR. K. Racey, Mrs. J. MoTIon, Mr. P L. TAIT, Chairmen of Sections: Botany: Pror. JoHN Davipson, F.L.S., F.B.S.E., F.RH..S UB.C., Geology: M. Y. WituiAMs, Pu.D, F.G.S.A.,F.RSC., UBC.. Entomology: Mr. A. R. Wootton, Ornithology: Mr. J. D. TURNBULL, Microscopy: Mr. H. P. Cuark, Photography: Mr. PuiLip TimMs, Mammalogy: Mr. G.L Pop, Astronomy; Mrs. LAURA ANDERSON, B.A., Marinas Biology; Mr.A. V. QUIGLEY, Auditors: H. G. SELWwoop, W. B. Woops. All meetings at * 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, Field excursions are held each Saturday after-' PROVINCE OF QUEBEC SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS INC. OFFICERS & COMMITTEE: _ - Past Presidents: Mr. L. M. TERRILL, Mr. NAPIpR SMITH. Mr. W. S. Hart, Mrs. C. L. HENDERSON; President: PROF. V. C WYNNE-EpwarpDs, 495 Prince Arthur Street, Apt. 4, Montreal; Vice-Presidents: MR. J. A. DECARIE, Miss MAUD SpatH; Vice-President and Treasurer: Mr. HBNRY MOUSLEY; Secretary: Mr. J. D. CLEGHORN. Executive Committee: Miss RutH Apsott, H. F’. ARCHIBALD, J. D. Fry, W.S. Hart, Mrs, C. L. HENDERSON, H. A. C Jackson, BE. L. Juparn, Miss P. B. MaTrTinson, Muss L. Murpay. Miss M. S. Nicoxson, ©. Sarr J. A. ROLLAND, - L. Mel. Spackman, Mr. and Mrs. L. M. TERRILL. Meetings held the second Monday of the month except dur- ing summer. Headquarters of the Society are: REDPATH MvusEUM BIRD Room, McGILL UNIVERSITY, MONTREAL, P.Q. SOCIETE PROVANCHER D’HISTOIRE NATURELLE DU CANADA Patron Honoraire: Son Excellence, LE TRES HONORABLE Lorp TWEEDsSMUIR, G.C.M.G., C.H., Gouverneur- Général du Canada; Vice-Patron Honoraire: HONORABLE E.-L. PATENAUDE, Lieutenant-Gouverneur dela Province de Québec; Bureau de Direction pour 1938: Président: DR. GUSTAVE RATTR; Jer vice-président: ROBERT HUNTER; 2%éme vice-président: DR. VIGER. PLAMONDON, Secrétaire-trésorier: Louis -B. LAVoIn; Chef de la section scientifique: Dr. D.-A. Dery; Chef de la section de Propagande éducative: IAN BREAKEY, JR. Chef de la section de protection: J.-PAUL RoussEAu, Chef de la section d’information scientifique et pra- tique: JAMES PRICE, Directeurs: HUBERT DUCHENE, By Dl. see es a es ee 136 Algae, "The Grass of Many Waters. By Dio, oes hoe eee 136 dndexto: Volume: TVD). 058 oer Oa ie ar ene cs PTS ea 137 if 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 i # been continued by The Canadian Field-Naturalist to date. The Canadian Field-N aturalist is #2 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. Ft 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. Subseriptions ($2.00 a year) should be forwarded to : i WILMOT LLOYD, Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club, 582 Mariposa Ave., Rockcliffe Park, OTTAWA, CANADA. LIBRA The Canadian Field-Naturalist VOES LIL 35.343 OTTAWA, CANADA DECEMBER, 1938 No. 9 THE CANADIAN DISTRIBUTION OF LITHOSPERMUM CROCEUM FERN.* By HAROLD A. SENN *Contribution No. 560 Botany and Plant Pathol- ogy, Science Service, Department of Agriculture, Ottawa, Canada. (Continuing the Series of the former Division of Botany). N 1935 Fernald (Rhod. 37: 329-331, pl. 376) segregated the northern inland -element from Lithospermum caroliniense (Walt.) MacMill, as a new species L. croceum Fern. This northern species is chiefly distinguished from the southern coastal plain species by the harsh, papillose-based pubescence of the stem and leaves, by the keeled and stiffly ciliated calyx lobes and by the smaller corolla (limb 1.5 - 20 cm. broad rather than 2.0 - 2.5 em. in L. caroliniense). The northern species had previously passed in Ontario as L. hirtuim (Muhl.) Lehm. or L. Gmelint (Michx.) Hitche. Fernald stated the distribution of Lithosper- mum croceum as “Sands, gravel, and sandy woods, thickets and bluffs near the Great Lakes from western New York and Ontario westward, thence to Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas”. In June, 1921, Macnamara collected this species at Constance Bay, Ontario. As the citations below indicate it has frequently been collected there since that time and examination during the present summer showed it to be abundant over a considerable area. Constance Bay is an expansion of the Ottawa River about twenty-six miles north-west of Ottawa, Ontario. Constance Bay and adjacent Buckham Bay are the mouths of a former channel of the Ottawa River. The area between these two bays is filled with glacial and late marine deposits, the exposed portions being alluvial sand. This sandy region of open second growth woods forms a_ habitat for L. croceum quite similar to the sandy stretches along Lake Erie and Lake Huron. In addition to Fernald’s account, the occur- rence of this species in western Ontario has been reported as follows: Faull (Ont. Nat. Sci. Bull. 4: 102, 1908) reported L. hirtum from the upper beach at Rondeau Park, (Kent County). Dodge (Ott. Nat. 24: 45-52, 1910) described Z. Gmelini as plentiful in spots in Lambton County and later (Can. Geol. Surv. Mem. 54:84, 1914) cited this species as frequent at Point Pelee (Essex County) in open sandy ground and the sandy upper beach about Windsor (Essex Coun- ty). Zenkert in the “Flora of the Niagara Fron- tier Region” (Bull. Buffalo Soc. Nat. Sci. 16, 1934) describes L. Gmelint (Michx.) Hitche. as occurring along Lake Erie at Fort Erie, Wind- mill Point and “abundant at intervals from Point Abino into Humberstone and Wainfleet town- ships” (Welland County). Among the stations listed by Macoun (Cat. Can. Plants 2: 352, 1884) for L. hirtum Lehm. are the following from | which no specimens have been seen: Bosanquet, shore of Lake Huron, Ont. (McGill Coll. Herb.) ; Vicinity of Toronto (Fowler). In western Quebec, Carrier in his catalogue of the flora of Montreal Island (Bull. de l’Acad. - Intern. Geographie Botanique 13: 268-281, 1904) cites L. hirtum Lehm. as occurring in dry places. Marie-Victorin’s “Flore Laurentienne”’, 1935, does not include this species and no specimen has been seen to substantiate Carrier’s record. Fletcher in Flora Ottawenis (Ott. Nat. 3 Suppl. 56, 1889) recorded L. hirtum Lehm. as follows: “Riverside in sand. On the banks of the Ot- tawa above Aylmer. Rare (Mrs. Chamberlain ).” While no specimen has been found to support this record the region cited is almost directly across the Ottawa River from Constance Bay, Ontario, so the report may be valid. The Canadian distribution of this species is set forth in the collections cited below. It will be seen that the Constance Bay station repre- sents the extreme north-eastern limit of the range being 125 to 325 miles east of the nearest authentic stations. In the following citations specimens not otherwise designated are in the herbarium of the Division of Botany and Plant Pathology, Science Service, Department of Agriculture, Canada. Other herbaria are design- 128 Tur CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST ated as follows: CAN—National Herbarium of Canada T—University of Toronto Herbarium I am grateful to the curators of these herbaria for the loan of specimens and to Mr. James Soper of McMaster University for the opportun- ity of examining his Turkey Point collections. Bruce County: Bruce Peninsula, Sauble Beach, Taylor 8175, 8209 sandy dunes (T); Saugeen, Burgess s.n. dry shifting sand, July 24, 1884. Grant’s Tomb, “A.G.W2 s.n. Aug. 17, 1904, (CAN); Lambton County: River St. Clair, Point Edward, J. M. Macoun (17180) sandy soil, Sept. 13, 1884, (CAN): Georgian Bay: Essex County: Lake Erie, Pelee Point, John Macoun (23963), dry woods, itil, 125, COZ (CAIN D) i Lake Erie, Pelee Point, John Macoun (17181), sand banks on dunes along lake, June 30, 1882, (CAN) ; Lake Erie, Pelee Point, John Macoun (54342), May 27, 1901, (CAN) ; Point Pelee, Burgess s.n.- sand shore, July 30, 1882, (T); Pelee Island, Botham s.n. June 6, 1938. [Vor. LII Norfolk County: Lake Erie, east end of Long Point, John Macoun (171793, on blown sand, July 21, 1892 (CAN) ; Long Point, Boughuer s.n., June 14, 1892, (T); Lake Erie, Long Point, Senn & Soper 521, dry sandy ridges; Turkey Point, pine woods, Soper DOB Turkey Point, open grassland, sandy soil, Soper 47; Welland County: Shore of Lake Erie, Pt. Abino, McCalla 407, (CAN); Prince Edward County: Wellington Beach, John Macoun (17176), dry soil, July 1868, (CAN); Carleton County: Constance Bay, sn. June 1921; Constance Bay, Groh sn., Aug. 10, 1927: Constance Bay, Groh s.n., sand ridges, June 17, 1930; Constance Bay, Minshall s.n., June 28, 1934; Constance Bay, Adams s.n. June 12, 1938; Ottawa River, Constance Bay, Senn 401, sandy soil in second growth woods; Ottawa River, Buckham Bay, Groh s.n., in fruit, Aug. 6, 1938. Macnamara MOLLUSCA OF THE OTTAWA REGION (CLAMS, SNAILS AND SLUGS) By A. LA ROCQUE (Concluded from Page 115) Genus Oxychilus A group of introduced snails reminding one of the ramshorns. One species (QO. alliarium) has never been found outside of greenhouses and therefore is not included in the main list. The other (O. cellarium) is well-established. It resembles Mesomphix inornatus (see below) but may be distinguished from it by its wider umbilicus. It might also be confused with the next species which it resembles slightly but Haplotrema concavum has a much wider umbili- cus and a more thickened lip. O. cellarium Muller Genus Haplotrema A shell of medium size (15 to 21 mm. wide) fiatly coiled, widely umbilicated, greenish-horn when alive. These snails are carnivorous and should not be left in the same box with Sycci- nea or Vitrina. Our specimens are sometimes referred to the variety minus Ancey. H. concavum Say Genus Mesomphix Another flatly coiled shell, but with a much narrower umbilicus than the preceding Rather scarce in this region. two. M. inornatus Say December, 1938] THE CANADIAN Genus Vitrina The shell has only a few whorls, the last one enlarging rapidly; it is greenish-white, almost transparent. The animal, when present, seems ‘too big for its shell. (Greatest diameter 6 mm. or less). V. limpida Gould Genus Zonitoides Shells of small and medium size, with a mo- derately elevated spire. We have only two spe- cies. In live Z. nitidus the shell appears black due to the colour of the animal, but when the latter is removed it is very pale horn colour. The umbilicus is moderately. wide. In live Z. arboreus the animal is gray-white; this difference in the colour 9f the animal is helpful in separ- ating the two species. Z. arboreus Say Z. nitidus Miller Genus Discus One of the commonest of our smaller land- snails. It may be distinguished by its rich brown colour, flat spire, wide umbilicus and the coarse concentric striae closely set on the whorls. Some specimens have angular whorls which make the shell appear almost carinate while in others the body whorl is evenly rounded. D. cronkhitei anthonyi Pilsbry Genus Gastrocopta The spire is high, the whorls tightly coiled. The aperture is strongly reflected and usually lined with many strong teeth which almost ob- struct it. The strong reflection of the aperture distinguishes the genus from Vertigo. G. armifera Say G. corticaria Say G. contracta Say G. holzingeri Sterki Genus Vallonia Small snails (3 mm. high) often very numerous in grass. The shell is usually grayish white, the lip reflected except on the parietal wall. V. albula Sterki V. costata Miiller V. excentrica Sterki V. pulchella Miller Genus Cochlicopa High spired (6 mm. high), dark brown, shin- ing. Aperture tcothless, its edges thickened. C. lubrica Miller Genus Helicodiscus A small shell, 342 mm. in diameter, flatly coiled, with both spiral and vertical striae. Fresh shells Fre_p-NATURALIS'® 129 are greenish in colour. H. parallelus Say Genus Pupilla Brown, high spired, 4 mm. high. The aper- ture may be toothless or may have one or two teeth. P. muscorum Linnaeus Genus Vertigo Very small, high spired shells. Our species are either brown or grayish white with many teeth in the aperture. VY. bollesiana Morse V. curvidens Gould V. gouldii Binney V. milium Gould V. ovata Say V. pentodon Say VY. ventricesa Morse Genus Retinella shells, shining, translucent, with Flat spired faint striae. R. binneyana Morse R. electrina Gould R. indentata Say Genus Striatura Very small shells, living in moss; the sculp- ture on the whorls resembles bead-work and identifies them easily. (2% mm or less). The species found around Ottawa may be identified by the following key: 1. a. “Beading’’ and transverse striae present, the latter cutting the former obliquely . S. extgua b. “Beading” present, no transverse striae ..2 2. a. Umbilicus wide, beading coarse S. milium b. Umbilicus narrow, beading faint S. ferrea S. exigua Stimpson S. ferrea Morse S. milium Morse Genus Punctum A very small shell which looks like a tiny Vallonia without a reflected lip and brown in Found in moss and in dead leaves, We have only one species: colour. under trees. P. pygmaeum Draparnaud Genus Hawata A minute (2% mm.) whitish shell, with mi- croscopic wrinkles. Aperture almost circular, umbilicus wide. Rare. H. minuscula Binney Genus Strobilops ble the next genus, Euconulus, but the latter is Small snails, 14% to 2 mm. high. They resem- 130 THe CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST smooth while Strobilops is marked with strong growth striae; Euconulus has no teeth in the ap- erture while Strobilops shows at least one. S. labyrinthica Say Genus Euconulus Differentiated from Strobilops by the charac- ters given under that genus (see above). E. fulvus Muller Genus Columella A very small, high-spired snail (1.6 mm. high) without teeth in the aperture. C. edentula Draparnaud Genus Carychium Small, chalky-white land shells less than 2 mm. high, preferring marshy ground. ‘The small size and white colour will distinguish them from all others. C. exiguum Say C. exile H.C. Lea C. exile canadense Clapp Genus Planogyra The only species, P. asteriscus may be confused at first with Striatura exigua (see above) but the latter is greenish while P. asteriscus is brown. Moreover, in Striatura the vertical striae cross the smaller growth lines, while in Planogyra they are parallel to them. P. asteriscus Morse Genus Paravitrea The only species known for the district, P. multidentata is a small, flat-spired shell with three rows of teeth disposed in groups across the whorl. Rare. P. lamellidens may have to be added to our list on the strength of one speci- men said by Walker to have been found in a lot of multidentuta received from Heron. Since the species has never since been found in the district, it is possible that Walker’s record was erroneous. P. multidentata Binney The following species are slugs. The shell is internal, sometimes reduced to a few granules under the skin of the mantle. The slug corres- ponds to the animal of the shelled species. Genus Philomycus A large slug, sometimes as much as four inches long. The mantle covers almost all of the body, so that it was first described as having no mantle at all. The back is dark gray-brown with fine, irregular markings of buff, the sole light gray. It lives in woods, never invading gardens or cleared fields and lives on fungi. P. carolinianus Bose LVon ku Genus Pallifera Small slugs, the mantle covering almost all of the body, as in Philomycus. We have only one species which may be distinguished from Philo-~ mycus by its size (about half that of the latter) and its colour, bluish white with an interrupted black line down the middle of the back. P. dorsalis Binney Genus Deroceras In this genus the mantle covers the front third of the body and the breathing-pore is placed on the right side, at the hind end of the mantle. The latter character separates Deroceras from the next genus. We have two species, both of which have probably been introduced from Europe. D. laeve gracile Rafinesque lives in woods. It is a small slug, dark gray and very watery in appearance. D. agreste is larger, var- iously mottled or plainly coloured, usually easy to distinguish by the white ring which surrounds the breathing pore. D. laeve gracile Rafinesque D. agreste Linnaeus Genus Arion ; Although now common throughout the district, this slug was not noticed until 1934. It was probably introduced from Europe. It is about the same size as Deroceras agreste but the posi- tion of the breathing pore will separate the two. In Deroceras it is at the hind end of the mantle, in Arion at the front. A. circumscriptus Johnston CASUAL INTRODUCTIONS Besides those species which are native to the region and those others which have been intro- duced and have established themselves, there are others which are taken from time to time in the area but are not likely to become established. The following are those most commonly report- eds Oxychilus allicrium Miller is a small snail, sometimes found in greenhouses. It may be re- cognized by the strong smell of garlic which it gives off when crushed. : limax maximus Linnaeus: Until a few years ago this slug was hardly entitled to a place on our list. A few specimens from greenhouses had been recorded by Latchford, but it was thought that the climate was too severe for it to establish itself. In July, 1938, however, two lots of specimens were brought to the writer from two different gardens in Rockcliffe Park which indicated that the species might join other invaders from Europe which have established December, 1938] themselves here. Limax maximus is a large slug, 4 to 6 inches long when full grown. The man- tle is short, as in Deroceras, but mottled with black and the back bears four more or less brok- en black stripes. Oxystyla undata jamaicensis Pilsbry: The “Banana Snail”, only cne ot a group, but the one most commonly brought in with bananas here, is sometinies found alive, in fruit- stores, on bananas. It is extremely unlikely that it will ever become established in the district. In addition to the above, a number of species were introduced into our region many years ago. It seemed at first that they had failed to establish themselves but two of them have been re-dis- covered lately. Of these Polygyra multilineata is included in the account above. “Helix rufescens Pennant” is discussed below. ‘The other species thus introduced are: Zodgenetes harpa Say, The- ba cantiana Montagu, Fruticicola striolata Pfeif- fer (Helix rufescens Pennant of old lists), Discus perspectivus Say, Anguispira kochi Pfeiffer (Fy- ramidula solitaria Say of old lists), Polygyra hirsuta Say, Polygyra palliata Say, Zonitoides ligerus Say. Fruticicola striolata Pfeiffer (=Helix rufes- cens Pennant): A small colony of this species was found recently in Rockcliffe Park by Mr. Fairbairn. This locality is far removed from the Exhibition Grounds where Latchford first introduced the species and the writer believes this to be .an independent introduction. Until we know whether or not this colony will survive better than the first introduction, it cannot be classed with our “permanent” molluscan fauna. BIBLIOGRAPHY NotTe.—Over forty papers dealing exclusively with the Mollusca of the Ottawa region have al- ready been published, and some twenty more con- taining occasional references to them. Obviously, all of these. cannot be included in an elementary text. On the other hand, since the species are neither figured nor described at length in this paper, references containing figures and descrip- tions have been given. All of these references con- tain bibliographies which will be helpful to the student who wishes to pursue the subject further. BAKER, FRANK C. 1928: Freshwater Mollusca of Wisconsin Bulletin 70, Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey. 2 vols. 494, 482 pp., 105 plates, many figures (The most thorough treatise on freshwater mollusca of a given area ever to appear). BAKER, FRANK C. 1936: The Freshwater Mol- lusc Helisoma corpulentum and its relatives in Canada. Bull. 79, National Museum of Can- ada, 37 pp. 5 plates. (Descriptions and figures of our larger ramshorns). THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 131 GoopricH, CAtvin, 1932: The Mollusca of Michigan. University Museums, Univ. of Micihi- gan, Michigan Handbook series no. 5. 120 pp. 7 pls. many figures. (The best elementary text of recent years.). BINNEY, WILLIAM GREENE, 1885: A Manual of American Land Shells. Bulletin no. 28, United States National Museum, Washington. 528 pp. many figures. (Rather old, but still serviceable. ) LatcHFforp, F. R. 1919-1921: Canadian Sphae- rindae. Can. Field-Naturalist 33 :83-86, 34:30-34, 69-71, 35:68-70; 36:4-. TAyLor, GEORGE W. & LATCHForD, F. R. 1890: Report of the Conchological Branch. Ott. Nat. 4 351-58. (Contains the last complete list of Mollusca of the Ottawa region, with a_ biblio- graphy of previcusly published papers.) GLOSSARY Amphineura: A class of the Phylum Mollusca comprising the Chitons or “coat-of-mail” shells. The name is derived from two Greek words meaning “all-round” and “nerves” alluding to a peculiarity of their nervous system. Exclusively marine. Aperture: In snail shells, the opening or mouth. it may be simple or thickened with layers oi shell-material which may or may not bear teeth. Beak: In Pelecypods, the shell grows by the addition of layers of material which project out, one under the other, but this growth is greater on the side away from the hinge. In time the earlier parts of the shell stand out at or near the middle of each valve. These projections are called the beaks. Beak-sculpture: In the Unionidae the mark- ings on the beaks do not correspond to the. on the mature shell. They consist of strong, well-marked bars and loops which are helpful in separating genera and species. Unfortunately, they are sometimes worn away with age, this being especially true in the Ottawa region. They are best shown in young shells. Cardinals: are the very small, irregularly py- ramidal teeth lying just under the beaks in Sphae- riidae. (see also Pseudocardinals) Carina: A spiral thickening resembling a thread tightly wound round the shell. It may be strongly marked or reduced to a mere angul- ation. Cephalopoda. A class of the Phylum Mollusca comprising the squids, cuttle-fish and so-called “devil-fish”. They are the most highly-develop- ed of the Mollusca and the ones which attain greatest size. They are exclusively marine. Compressed: Pelecypod shells in which the length and height greatly exceed the diameter, giving them a flattened appearance. Dextral: When a snail shell is held in the hand with the aperture facing one and the spire pointing upwards, it will be seen that in the majority of snails the aperture is to the student’s right in relation to the spire; such shells are said to be dextral. When these conditions are reversed (as in Physa and Aplexa) the shell is said to be sinistral. Reversed specimens of nor- mally dextral or sinistral species are usually rare. 132 Tur CANADIAN Epidermis: A thin, horny layer on the outside of the shells_of most mollusca. The thicker, inner layers are calcareous. Gastropoda: A class of the Phylum Mollusca comprising those which have a spiral or conicai shell, Ex.: Whelks, winkles, snails, limpets, but including also the slugs. The name is derived from two Greek words meaning stomach and foot. Genus: (plural genera) A group of species possessing a number of characters in common. The scientific name consists essentially of the generic name and the specific name, followed. by the name of the author who described the species. Hinge: In the pelecypods this is the side of the valves where they are joined together. It consists of the teeth which hold the valves in position and the ligament which binds them on the outside. Inflated: Pelecypod shells in which the diameter is almost as great or greater than the height, giving them a swollen appearance. Laterals: These are the longer, lamellar teeth found in both Unionidae and Sphaeriidae. In the former there is only one set (behind the beaks) in the latter two sets, one at each side of the valve. Measurements: - Gastropoda: The length of a snail is measured from the tip of the spire to the lower edge of the aperture. The width is the greatest width at right angles to the height. Other measurements are sometimes used but are not detailed here since they are not used in the text. Pelecypoda: There are three main measure- ments: The length is measured parallel to the hinge liné but from one end of the shell to the other. The height is taken at right angles to the length. The thickness is the greatest thick- ness of the two valves, when closed, as in life. Mollusca: A Phylum of the Invertebrates (animals without backbone) comprising the clams, oysters, snails, slugs, cuttle-fish, squids, sea-slugs and tcoth-shells. Operculum: A horny (rarely calcareous) plate which blocks the aperture of certain snails when the animal withdraws into its shell. It may be concentric, when it grows evenly on all sides, subspiral, when it grows slightly more on one side than on the other, or spiral when growth is almost entirely on one side FIELD-NATURALIST EVore Parietal Wall: In snail shells, the inner wall, i.e. the one nearer the inside of the shell. Pelecypoda: A class of the Phylum Mollusca comprising all those which have a shell composed of two valves. Ex.: Oysters, Scallops, Clams. The name is derived from two Greck words meaning /atchet and foot. Phylum: A major division of the animal king- dom. Ex.: Chordata (including the Vertebrates), Arthropoda (Insects, Spiders, Crustaceans), Mol- lusca. Posterior slope: In our Uniomdae, the beaks being anterior, the posterior slope is that part cf the shell directly behind and below the hinge in the wider half of the shell. Pseudocar_inals: These are the teeth which lie nearest the beak in the Unionidae. They are usually triangular and stumpy while the laterals are thin and lamellar. Rays: Colour lines running from the beaks to the margin in various Umonidae. Scaphopoda: A class of the Phylum Mollusca comprising the tooth-shells. The name is deriv- ed from two Greek words meaning boat and foot. Exclusively marine. Sinistral: see Dextral. Species: A group of individuals possessing a number of characters in common. Scientific writers are not agreed on the exact definition” of the word but the above will serve as a rough description. (see also Genus). Teeth: In the Pelecypoda the hinge is thicken- ed in certain spots and these thickenings are call- ed teeth. They are not the same in the two valves but are complementary, fitting together closely in such a manner as to allow the valves to open. They give solidity to the valves and regulate the direction in which they open. They are of two kinds: cardinals or pseudocardinals and laterals. eee Umbilicus: In snails, the opening directly oppo- site the tip of the spire. Its width depends on the tightness of the coils and thus it may be almost as wide as the shell itself or reduced to a mere chink. Whorl: In snail shells, one complete turn of the shell. The whorl at the tip (first whorl) is sometimes called the nuclear whorl and the last and largest whorl is known as the body whorl. NOTES ON RARE CANADIAN PLANTS* By HAROLD *Contribution No. 556, Botany and Plant Pathol- ogy, Science Service, Department of Agriculture, Ottawa, Canada. (Continuing the Series of the former Division of Botany). N THE COURSE of checking some collections from southeastern Alberta four species were found which do not seem to have been previously reported from Canada. No sheets of these species were A. SENN found either in the herbarium of the Division of Botany and Plant Pathology of the Depart- ment of Agriculture or in the Canadian collee- tions of the National Herbarium of Canada. The species are not included in Macoun’s Catalogue of Caradian Plants nor in Fraser and Russell, List of the Flowering Plants, Ferns and Fern Allies of Saskatchewan. As there is no check December, 1938] list of plants of Alberta available it seems worth while to record the occurrence of these species in Canada. All four species occur in the western United States so that these stations are merely northern range extensions. The region is an interesting one and further collections from it are essential for studies of the phytogeography of the Can- adian prairies. LEGUMINOSAE Orophaca sericea (Nutt.) Britt. sericoleucus A. Gray) ALBERTA: Manyberries, dry gravelly hill, Campbell 43, May 20, 1937. United States range: Nebraska, Wyoming, Colorado. (Astragalus COMPOSITAE Chrysothamnus plattensis Greene. ALBERTA: St. Kilda, stony hillsides in prairie, Campbell 55, Oct. 10, 1937. United States range: Montana, North Dakota, Tur CANADIAN FYELD-NATURALIST 133 South Dakota, Colorado. Erigeron canus A. Gray ALBERTA: Manyberries, Campbell 64, June 8, 1937. United States range: South Dakota, Nebraska, dry coulee’ bank, Wyoming, New Mexico. Tetraneuris acaulis (Pursh) Greene (Gaillardia acaulis Pursh. Actinella acaulis Nutt.) ALBERTA: Manyberries, Lost River Valley, gap of bank, dry stony river bank, Campbell 40, June 3, 1937. United States range: North Dakota, Idaho, Mon- tana, Texas, New Mexico. Specimens of each are deposited in the herb-— aria of the Division of Botany and Plant Patho- logy and the National Herbarium at Ottawa and of all except the third species in the Gray Herb- arium -* Harvard University. BIRDS NOW SELDOM SEEN By H. E. DOUGLAS ACH SPRING and Fall I take great delight in watching our feathered friends, in their movements to and from their summer breeding grounds. From boyhood I have always been a _ keen admirer, and observer, of birds. Needless to say it irks me when I see the diminishing numbers of wild fowl each succeeding spring, as well as the absence of some varieties once common sights to us of the Alberta Plains. For instance, the Sandhill Crane (Grus mezxi- cana) and the Whooping Crane (Grus america- na). The latter bird now practically extinct, the former very rarely settles to feed in regions in which it was once wont to nest. If it were not for the clamour they make while passing high overhead, I would not know that they stili existed. Another bird I rarely see or even hear of is the lordly Swan, the Trumpeter (Cygnus bucci- nator). Last spring, however, I did hear and see a flight of 5 individuals, the first I had seen for nearly twenty years. The magnificient Golden Plover (Pluvialis dominicus) is a bird very rare- ly seen or recorded anywhere in the west. They are apparently only occasional visitors. On the 10th of May last I saw a flight of thirty, and after going through old records I find that it is only the second time that I have observed them — the other occasion being on the 28th of April, 1913. The Upland Plover is another bird I have seen very little of; last April and May I saw several flights going north, but I have not a single record of them in autumn migration. The Black-bellied Plover (Squatarola squatarola) two decades ago was a common sight in both spring and autumn now it is one of our occasional visitors; the last record I have of them is. Oct- ober, 1929, previous to that they were regular members of the migrating legions. Curlews too have practically vanished from the prairies. Numenius americanus was a regular summer visitor a quarter of a century ago, now I believe there are only two districts in Alberta where they regularly nest. One, along the foot of the Porcupine Hills in southwestern Alberta, and two, that tract of country known as the Blood Indian Reservation, and from there south to the International Boundary. Bitterns (Botaurus lentiginosus) and the Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) are not nearly as plentiful as they were prior to 1916, nor in fact are any of the more common varieties of ducks and geese. For instance: the Blue Bill, the 134 Tur CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST Greater Scaup Duck (Marila marila) (not to be confused with the Lesser Scaup (Marila affinis) was quite a common sight previous to 1914: it now ranks with those seldom seen. The last record of them that I have is 19th of April, 1933, near Cochrane, Alta. I have to admit that the draining of many sloughs and small lakes, has forced ducks and geese to leave time-honoured lines of flight but that has not and does not alter this fact: that indiscriminate shooting in both spring and autumn is the real reason for the scarcity of so many species. I also notice that birds like Coot, Grebe, Snipe, that so many look upon as unfit to eat, and are often shot and left, are with each passing year becoming less numerous. I could go on indefinitely citing first one then another species that has been depleted almost to extinction without accomplishing any material good. What we need to halt the wastage of bird life not only in Canada but in the United States is the wholehearted co-operation of every- body who is able in both of these great countries. That which is applicable to the water birds also applies to the land birds, they also are not as common as heretofore. In fact a great many varieties once plentiful are now only an oddity. The Sharp-tailed Grouse (Pedioecectes phasianel- lus) once found in flocks of several hundred birds, has vanished entirely from a great many [Vo.. LII places. Divers arguments are raised as to the actual cause of its disappearance, and so far none that I have ever heard was conclusive. There is a reason, and that reason is scouted by a great many—why, I am at a loss to know. The Hungarian Partridge is blamed by those who know nothing about the habits of either, and care less. Still I am at a loss to know why the real cause is not more freely admitted. With the advent of settlers and their plows, came what might be termed the ejection order for the Sharp- tailed Grouse. They being a bird of the Prairies naturally nested there, and as agriculture became more intensive, more nests were annually des- troyed in its process. This is a statement of fact that cannot be disproved, or denied. Here in this district the Chicken as they are commonty called are fairly plentiful, the reason being that on both sides of the river (North Saskatchewan) there is a lot of land still unsettled, as well as the Frog Lake and Onion Lake Indian Resery- ations. In Alberta at the present time there is — a closed season on Sharp-tailed Grouse at ail times, waiting for them to do the impossible, return to the prairies from which they have been forced to leave, and which as long as in- tensive cultivation is practised, cannot offer them sanctuary. With that statement I rest my pen awaiting editorial or public sanction of further articles on this interesting topic. NOTES ON THE WARBLERS OF THE ROSEBUD DISTRICT, ALBERTA By W. RAY SALT HERE SEEM to be few published records of the birds of south-central Alberta, undoubtedly due to the paucity of observers in that region. Since 1928 I have had the opportunity of studying the bird life around Rosebud, Alberta, and have spent much of my leisure time in the field. I venture to offer the following notes in the hope that they will add slightly to knowledge of the avifauna of a very interesting region. is such as to dis- variety of The terrain of this courage hopes of a warblers. It consists mainly of rolling semi-arid prairie, the greater part of which is under cultivation fer wheat. Through this in a deep valley winds the Rosebud Creek, a trickle of muddy water augmented in the summer months by irrigation overflow. The clay banks of the area valley are mostly steep and precipitous but the northera and eastern slopes, protected from the parching summer sun, often support a growth of poplar, willow, birch, saskatoon, and chokecherry, with an occasional clump of spruce in a particularly steep and shaded spot. Running into this larger valley are many smaller ones popularly termed “coulees” whose shaded slopes are also sparsely wooded. The warblers mentioned below were found chiefly in the wooded growths along the creek and in the coulees. All the records are sub- stantiated by specimens in my collection. Sub- specific determinations in most cases were made by Mr. P. A. Taverner of the National Museum of Canada. 5 — The Black and White Warbler is a rare migrant. It was encountered 1. Mniotilta varia December, 1938] for the first time in the fall migration. of 1936, when a few were observed and two immature males collected during the period Sept. 1 - 5. 2. Vermivora peregrina — The Tennessee Warbler is an uncommon migrant. I have a few sight records of adult Tennessee warblers in the spring. Immature birds are seen more coin- monly during the fall migration but the species is never abundant. Extremes of fall migration dates are Sept. 1 and Sept. 11. 3. Vermivora c. celata— The Orange-crowned Warbler is common during both migrations. It is the first Warbler to arrive in spring. On April 27, 1935, several were noted feeding in low brush, often alighting on the ground in an inch of snow which had fallen during the previous night. A male was collected. -Immatures collected in the fall have decidedly grey heads. They are late fall migrants usually staying until October with the Myrtle Warblers. Extremes - April 27 - May 18; Aug. 30, - Oct. 3. 4. Dendroica a. aestiva—The Yellow Warbler is a common summer resident, breeding in ail suitable localities. It is the last warbler to ar- rive in the spring and usually the first to leave. It rarely arrives before May 24 and is gone by the beginning of September. Extremes - May 17 == Sept /. 5. Dendroica tigrina — The Cape May War- bler is a rare fall migrant. An immature male taken Sept. 8, 1935, and a sight record of an immature on Sept. 11, 1935, are the only records. 6. Dendroica c. coronata — The Myrtle Warbler is a common migrant. It appears early in the spring and is usually abundant about May 12. In the fall it returns in increased numbers early in September and the flocks have not gone through until the first week in October. Ex- tremes - May 3 - May 13; Aug. 31 - Oct. 3. 7. Dendroica a. auduboni — The Audubon Warbler is an uncommon migrant often found in company with the preceding species. I have never taken it in the fall although I have watched for it carefully. 8. Dendroica townsendi — On May 18, 1935, I took an adult male Townsend Warbler in the birch and willow thickets bordering the Rose- bud Creek, the only record for the locality. 9. Dendroica *castanea — An immature male Bay-breasted Warbler collected was iiecoyanl fe) THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 135 mixed company of warblers on September 6, 1934, and forms the only record for this species. 10. Dendroica striata — The Black-polled Warbler is an uncommon migrant. A few adults migrate through the region in the spring, May 14 - 30. So far I have not taken any fall spe- cimens although I have sight records. 11. Dendroica p. palmarum—The Palm War- bler is an irregular fall migrant. I have one or two spring sight records of this species which I have so far been unable to substantiate by col- lection of specimens. During the migration period, Sept 7-10, 1935, between seventy-five and one hundred palm warblers were observed. In 1936 a bare half-dozen birds were observed on Sept. 7. 12. Oporornis tolmiei—The McGillivray War- bler is a regular summer resident, never abundant. This bird frequents tangled thickets in the poplar groves. A male and female attendant upon young were noted on June 27, 1934. Occasional immature birds may be seen among the flocks of migrating warblers during early September. 13. Geothlypis t. occidentalis — The Western Yellow-throat is a regular summer resident. Its numbers vary considerably being dependent upon the size and number of marshy spots available as breeding grounds. During the years of my observation in this area there has been a prolong- ed drought and the yellow-throat as a summer resident has become very local in distribution. During the fall migration immature birds appear in small numbers throughout the territory in company with other warblers. 14. Wilsoma p. pileolata — The Pileated is a regular migrant. The fall migration seems to consist of family groups, one or two adults being accompanied by young of the year. They are occasionally seen as late as the end of Sept- ember. Extremes - May 16 - May 24; Aug. 29 - Sept. 27. 15. Setophaga ruticilla — The Redstart is a rare spring migrant more abundant in the fali. An adult male in company with a female was collected May 28, 1931. Another was observed on May 22, 1936. These are the only spring records. The immatures are common the first week in September. In 1936, five adult males were observed during the fall migration. Ex- tremes - Aug. 28 - Sept. 12. 136 Tur CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST [Morse REVIEWS The Life Story of the Fish, by Brian Curtis. Published by D. Appleton-Century Co. New York. Canadian Agents—Ryerson Press Toronto. $3.50. This is a popular, but accurate, account of present day knowledge of fish. Much abbrev- iated, of course, but told in an easy entertaining way and illustrated by line cuts. The author is on the research staff of the California Division of Fish and Game and has extracted from the mass of technical publications those facts that are of interest to the general reader. The result is a highly satisfactory one and, as William Beebe, who writes the introduction, says. “As you read it, you learn and laugh, and learn again”. The chapter on sense organs with a discussion of the fish’s range of vision, both below the surface and in the air, is especially interesting. The book is printed in good type on uncoated stock. The only colour plate is on the jacket—a Californian Golden Trout. — IDI Algae, The Grass of Many Waters, by Lewis Hanford Tiffany, M.Sc., Ph.D. Published by Charles C. Thomas, Springfield, Ill., U.S. $3.50. Dr. Tiffany is Professor of Botany at Nortii- western University and he has been teaching botany, and algology for over twenty-five years, His book contains the answers given to students, the public, and to specialists in other sciences who have asked him questions about algae. It is fully illustrated with plates (some in colour), half-tones, line cuts and diagrams. Both fresh- water and marine algae are included. The treatment is easy and clear, the interest well maintained. The various habitats in which al- gae are to be found both today and in the past are dealt with and the ecological relationship between man and algae is given a separate chap- ter. Possibly a glossary might have been added with benefit. From the mechanical standpoint the book is excellent. A good glazed stock gives the half-tones every chance to show well, the type is clear and legible, and typographical errors down to the irreducible minimum—D.L. 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 areport of it to the Editor as promptly as possible. On account of re- stricted space available for publication of such reports, Council has, by resolution, expressed the view that hereafter these reports should be published only in reduced form, similar to that now in use for publication of Christmas bird census reports in ‘‘Bird-Lore’’ magazine. The reports from Montreal, Ottawa, and Hamilton, published in ‘‘The Canadian Field-Naturalist’ for February, 1938, are examples of thisform. Contributors of bird census reports will save much unnecessary editorial revision if they will submit reports pre- pared in conformity with this view of Council. - December, 1938] Acanthis linaria........ 51, 93 Accipiter coopert....... 81, 98 DVCLOG ITY eae ie 81, 98 Acer rubrum v.tridens.... 105 Achillea Ptarmica....... 105 Actitis macularia....... 82, 99 Adams, J Some marine algae from Anticosti Is- land and the Gaspe Reninsularie eae 10 Additions to the Agaric- aceae of the Ottawa GISGCt aCe ane 57 GIStTICGR CS sees 57 Agelaius p. phoeniceus 50, 86, 120 Albino White-crowned : SDALLOWea ye a ace 61 VAC ORLOLO Cap ee eee: 100 Algae Maninemnes 5.2) 9, 10 Alopecurus alpinus...... 7 anistulatuspa sae. 106 Ambloplites rupestris..... 42 Ambrosia artemisiaefolia . 106 Ambystoma jeffersonianum 42 MACULOTUN Un ee 42 Ameiurus natalis........ 41 NEDULOSUSH ah Dee 4] Anas r. rubipres........ 80, 98 Anguilla bostoniensis..... Al Anthus spinoletta rubescens 102 Antrostomus vociferus 82, 100, 125 Aplites salmoides........ 41 PA COUSHCLDUNG a ean ae ae 8 AV GLUGHIAS DUA ee ae 106 Archilochus colubris 49, 82, 100 Arctagrostis latifolia... .. t Arctophila trichopoda... . U Ardea h. herodias....... 80, 98 Arenaria interpres morin- CHG ols Woe ee ee 99 Arion circumscriptus..... 107 Arquatella maritima... .. 48 Artemisia Stelleriana..... 105 Asio wilsonianus........ 100 Astur a. atricapillus..... “98 ALLYUTASISD tote Ce 18 Atrypa reticularis........ 18 Auk. Razor-billed....... 100 Badger, American....... 108 Bal]l,.S. C Summer birds of the Forillon, Gaspe County, Quebec ee 95, 120 Bass, Large-mouth Black 41 FROCK A a ee eee Mee 42 Small-mouth Black . 41 BG sil OAV ees See er 108 Little Brown....... 14 Long-eared Brown .. 14 Red Siete vee a 108 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST Bell, H. P. and MacFarlane, C. Some marine algae from Labrador, Hud- son Bay and Arctic Canadate a 9 Bird Census, Christmas. . 21 Birds, Anticosti......... 124 Churchill, Manitoba. 118 Eastern Quebec... 95, 120 Western Quebec.... 79 IBASONTOISONM eae see 109 BISON OU Rare saa: 109 Bittern, American. . 80, 98, 133 Blackbird, Red-winged 50, 119 RUS Gyaaee wis co 120, 124 Bluebird, Eastern....... 84 Bluegill egy. hy a 4] Bobolinkge ers hee 86 Bombycilla Naan. . 84, 102 Bonasa umbellus togata. : 82, 99 Bond, J. Nesting of the White- winged Crossbill.... 3 Botany, Mansel Is., N.W.T. 5 Botaurus lentiginosus... 80, 98 Bullfrog. . eee 42 Bullhead, ‘Brown........ 4] Yellow... SNe Ses 41 Bufo americanus........ 42 Buntimessindicoma. seer eo Buteoros borealis. oe 98 [RUNCOLUS Is Se oe 98 p. platyperus 81, 99 Cz1C Ee» Note on ‘Animal Mreasureg ea" 2G. ee 125 Calcarius lapponicus..... 93 Camarotoechia sp........ 18 Cameron, A. E. and Warren, P. S. Geology of South Na- hanni River, N.W.T. 15 Canachites canadensis ca- NOCOR Seda aes 99 Canadian distribution of Lithospermum croceum 127 CONISTOLCNS pene 108 lupus nubilis. . 29 Cape Breton Tsland, Flora 104 Capercailzieties ene 4 Cardamine officinalis var. angustifolia. . y 8 Carex aquatilis var. stans 7 UN CUTU Oa Oe WB ff HUG RULUTIC aan aa ra membranacea....... 7 membranopacta...... tl ASOT oo Shoe ean Mt Carpodacus p. purpureus 87, 120 Casmerodius albus egretta. 48 Cassiope tetragona....... 8 Catabrosa algida......... a CatbindrSereciec Oe oe 84 Census, Christmas bird. . Pll Ceophloeus pileatus abieti- COV Rear, Ota INDEX TO VOLUME LII Sz Cephalopod, A New..... 1 Cepphus g: grylle........ 100 Cerastium alpinum...... 8 Certhia familiaris ameri- CONG ne See ea ee 101 Chaetura pelagica...... 82, 100 Charadrius semipalmatus. 99 Chelydra serpentina...... 43 Chickadee, Acadian. .... 101 Black-capped..... 83, 101 Chipmunk, Least......- 108 Chitty, D. and Elton, C. Snowshoe rabbit en- quiry 1936-37....... 63 Chordeiles m. minor 49, 82, 100 Christmas Bird Census.. 21 Chrysemys belli marginata 48 Chrysothamnus plattensis. 1383 Churchill, Manitoba, and its bind-liies 2 = 118 Circus hudsonius....... 81, 99 Citellus franklinti....... 108 NACH OTASONU a aoe 108 t. tridecemlineatus 108 Claris eae ee anata Haka Clathrodictyon sp. . so il Clethrionomus gappert lor- ATU Ne een reat 108 Coccyzus erythrophthalmus — 82 Cochlearia officinalis. .... 8 Coelopleurum actaeifolium 106 Colaptes auratus.......:. 50 auratus luteus..... 82, 100 Cold blooded vertebrates ‘of Grippen Lake, Leeds County, Ont- ATOM ch ae Mareen ae 40 Colpociun= ee eee al Compsothlypis americana (DUISOHO). os co boob 6 a < 85 Comptonia asplenifolia... 106 CooteAmericantese aie 125 Cormorant, Double- crest- ede chee ee: A. Os. WZ} Huropean sae 47 Correlation of the Tim- iskaming outlier with a new cephalopod... 1 Corthylio c. calendula. . 102, 122 Corvus b. brachyrhynchos 83, 101 corax principalis.... 101 Cowbird, Eastern....... 50 Covote.o sae eee 108 Cranberry in Canada.... 116 Crane sandhill 133 Whooping eee 133 Grapplers. ee ene 42 Creeper; Brown... 22...) 101 Criddle, S. Study of the snow- shoemabbitza wal ee 31 Cristivomer iearnaycuslt: 5 DA Crossbil), Red. x a 3 White-winged. aa hte 35 Ail Crow, Hastern...... 61, 83, 101 Cuckoo, Black-billed.... 82 Curlewenk aol een 133 Cyanocitta c. cristata.. 88, 101 138 Cyclopterus lumpus...... 124 Cypripedium acaule...... 106 Cyrtograptus murchisoni. . 19 Dafila acuta tzitzihoa..... 80 Dendroica a. aestiva SOMOS et 22 tS5 Oh; COKOMUOO OO Hoe ot a 218) c. caerulescens 85, 103, 122 castanea.. 85, 103, 122, 135 coronata. 85, 103, 122, 135 HUSCO se eee 85, 103 magnolia.... 85, 103, 122 (OOM OOM OUTO Sa Se 50, 135 palmarum hypechrysea 108 pennsylvanica....... 85 SUZOLG ee Orel LGR 50, 108, 135 LOWNSEN AT me ee 135 Os WORTOS ss 85, 103, 122 Devitt, O. E. INGwibateo 2 enc 14 Dotichonyx oryzivorus . 86 Dolphin. . 89 Dore, W. G. and Groh, H. List of grasses of the Ottawa district... .. 53 Dove, Eastern Mourning. 100 Do watehey sa ee 19 Draba alpina... 8 alpina var. graciles- CONS ee! androsacea a 8 Belli re eae 8 fladnizensis......... 8 subcapitata......... 1573 Dryas integrifolia. . 8 Dryobates pubescens “‘med- CONUS i ae 82, 100 DULOSUS an ee ee 82 villosus septentrionalis 100 Dick Black 701. 61.80 Greater Scaup...... 134 Lesser Scaup....... 134 Red-legged Black... 98 'Dumatella carolinensis... . 84 Dupontia Fisheri........ 7 Eagle, Northern Bald 48, 81, 99 Edwards, W. E. and Toner, G C Cold-blooded verte- brates of Grippen lake sOntesa 40 Hele pee re ele Ok 4] Hgret, Great American.. 48 Hider, American........ 98 Norte nines 48 Southerne = 22. 49.2123 Elaphe o obsoleta........ 42 Hlton, C. and Chitty, D. Snowshoe rabbit en- quiry 1986-37....... 63 Empidonax flaviventris... 101 TULL Tete 83 ths, URUOUM 3 ER ees 101 HINGOCERAS* sy ees 2 Equisetum limosum..... . 106 Hreunetes pusillus....... 99 Tur CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST Erigeron annuus........ 106 CONUSI ey anes pee 133 hyssopifolius........ 105 philadelphicus....... 106 Eriophorum Scheuchzeri . . i Hrminese na ene ee 108 SOR AUUCTUUS sone ween ee 41 vermiculatus........ 41 Euphagus carolinus... 120, 124 Eupomotis gibbosus...... 41 Eutamias minimus borealis 108 Fairbairn; G. E. ‘Helix rufescens”’. . . 14 Falco columbarius...... 81, 94 peregrinus anatum... 99 SHSPINVCTAUS oa 82 Farley, F. L. Churchill, Manitoba, and its bird-life..... 118 Fauna, Marine, Queen Charlotte Islands. . . 88 Favosites niagarensis..... IY Festuca brachyphylia..... 7 ovina var. brevifolia. . 7 Finch, Eastern Purple. ~ 87,120 Fleming, J. H. Obituary by: = 44 Flicker, Northern..... 82, 100 Yellow-shafted..._.. 50 Flora, Cape Breton Island 104 Flycatcher, Alder....... 101 east... 3S: 83 Northern Crested... 83 Olive-sided....... 83, 101 Yellow-bellied...... 101 HOxssRed ewe 60, 108 Foxes, Colour phases and mionatiOones- = 60 Fraser, C. McL. Relation of the marine fauna to the physio- graphy of the west coast of the Queen Charlotte Islands. . 88 Fratercula a. arctica...... 49 Broo Bullsees er 42 Green..... ie ae ere 42 Weadowsa* a" | 42 Wood ee ei 42 Fruticola striclata...... 14,107 Fulica americana........ 125 Fundulus diaphanus..... 4] Fungi, Ottawa district... 57 Further additions to the Ottawa List of Mol- WUSCAR say ee ee 106 Gabrielson, I. N. Summer notes from Blue Sea Lake, Que. . 79 Garnet teas alae aes 98 Gavia 1. immer... ...... 80, 97 Stellatap ee ates 98, 124 Geology of South Nahan- ni River, N.W.T.... 15 Geothlypis trichas brachi- daciylae = 86, 120 trichas occidentalis... 135 [Vou. LII Gibson, A. Review by:. 109 Glaucionetta clanqula amer- LC ONO ME See oe 98- Glyceria paupercula...... 7 Gnaphalium sylvaticum.. 105 Godfrey, W. E. Yellow-crowned Night Heron’ Asg)3 pane 109 Golden-eye, American. Goldfinch, Eastern. . (87 120 Gopher, Northern Pocket 108 Goshawk.. 98 Grackle, Bronzed 86, ‘119, 120 Graminece, Ottawa district 53 Grasses, Ottawa district . 53 Grebe, Pied-billed....... 80 Gresham, B. Wolf from Winnipeg 29 Groh, H. William Herriot, Bot- anist 520%) ae 28 Grob, H, and Dore, W. G. List of grasses of the Ottawa district..... 53 Grosbeak, Pine....... 61, 120 Rose-breasted . 87 Grouse, Canada Ruffed 82, 99 Sharp-tailed........ 134 Spruce es oe 99 Groves, J. W. Additions to the Ag- aricaceae of the Ot- tawa district........ 57 Guillemot, Black........ 100 Gull, Bonaparte......... 61 Glaucoush) =a eee 62 Great Black-backed 61, 99 Herring.... 61, 62, 82, 99 Iceland: ee 61 Kumlien’s.......... 62 aughinge see 62 Ring-billed... 48, 61, 100 Gyraulus circumstriatus WOUKCT ee OM Haliaeetus leucocephalus. . 81 leucocephalus alascanus. . . 48, 99 Hall, E. R. Mammals from Touch- wood Hills, Saskat- chewan= =e 108 Hares Vary) ace 31, 63 Harkness, W. J. K. Notes on introduced capercallzie.= = eae Hawk, Broad-winged... 81, 99 CooperseSi eS ae 1, 98 Duck. 25752) ee 99 Eastern Pigeon..... 81 Eastern Sparrow.... 82 IMIEWSIN, Sons beso - 81, 99 Rigeonance spate 94 Red-tailed... aie 98 Red-shouldered..... 98 Sharp-shinned.. 61, 81, 98 SVOMION as co boc bs sou 99 Hedymeles ludovicianus... 87 December, 1938] Heimburger, C. and Porsild, A. E Red spruce in the low- er Gatineau valley. . De Heleocharis acicularis.... 106 _Helioperea macrochira.... 41 Helisoma campanulatum wisconsinese.... 106 trivolvis pilsbryt.... . 107 EV eligrufesSCensa == oe 14 Hendersontia nov. gen. . 2 Hendersonia sola n.sp.. 2 Heron, Black-crowned Night... : 98 Great Blue. 80, 98, 133 Yellow-crowned Night=s- eae 09 Herring (fresh-water). -.. 4] Hierochloe pauciflora..... HM Hirundo erythrogaster 50, 88, 101, 124 Holdom, M. W. Albino White-crown- ed Sparrow..... 61 Hordeum jubatum....... 106 Hormotoma trentonensis . . 2 Hummingbird, Ruby- throated 2. 4 49, 82, 100 Hyborhynchus notatus.... 41 Hydrocotyle americana.... 106 Hydroprogne caspia im- PETAL ee 48 EL CACTUCTICT pee AD, VENSUCOLOT ee ee ee 42 Hylocichla f. fuscescens... 84 guttata faxont..... 84, 102 minima aliciae...... 102 We OU MIM Bhs 4. 102 usturata swainsoni. 84, 102 Hypericum boreale....... 106 Icterus galbula........ 86, 109 Illus: Crossbill, White- winged .. 4 Fossils from South Nahanni River, N. Neal Be ear eh 20 ee iacerne sola SEER ch wat: 2 Nests mad eggs of Sora 172 (eee erate ee 56 Nest of White-winged Crossbill = 4 Straight-winged Kat- Villers tar ee 52 Impatiens palvida SF ORR 105 Invertebrates, Marine, Queen Charlotte Is- landsas ao. eer 88 Tridoprocne bicolor. . 50, 83, 101 Jay, Canada=~. 22.4 101 Northern Blue.... 83, 101 Junco h. hyemalis..... Sot UAL Junco, Slate-coloured.. 87, 121 Juniperus horizontalis.... 105 Katydid, Narrow-winged 51 Klideets ye rity ge. 82 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST Gi Shes ate ieee etnies 41 Kindle, E. M. Review DYysus=.0 125 Kingbird, Eastern. . ; 83 Kingfisher, Eastern Belt- CSG Lae te: ar 82, 100 Kinglet, Golden-crowned. 102 Ruby-crowned...... 102 Kiltiwake, Atlantic...... 100 Koenigia islandica....... 8 IE DY Reviews by: 30, 45, 46, 136 lbp eles Reviews Dyas ne = 110 Labidesthes sicculus..... . 42 Labrador, Birds of...... 47 Eactuca:spicaias 106 Lampropeltis t. triangulum 42 Lampsilis radiata borealis 106 LaRocque, A. Further Additions to the Ottawa list of Molluscasss 0.4. 106 Mollusca of the Ot- tawa region. 106, 111, 128 Larus argentatus smithson- LON US Eee ee 82, 99 OCU ee 62 delawarensis...... 48, 100 niente ee 62 MOGULS ae eee ee ee 99 Leersia cryzoides........ 105 Leiorhynchus sp.nov... 18 Lepus americanus. . 31, 63, 109 Leucicthys artedi........ 41 Lewis, H: F. Cormorants on La- prairie Bay.. 123 Greater Yellow-legs . ~ 94 Incident in an Os- prey’s Fishing.. 123 Lapland Longspur. . 93 Notes on birds of the Labrador Peninsula in 1936 and 1937.... 47 Notes on observations of certain birds on the island of Anticosti, Ouehecueyie wr nee. 124 Occurrence of the American Coot and the Whip-poor-will in Eastern Saguenay Com Quebecs aes 125 Rough-winged Swal- lows at Ottawa..... 123 Savannah Sparrow. . 93 Limex maximus.-+2.. 2. “LON Limosella subulata....... 105 Venlo gets eae on he ee 42 Linnet, Red-polled...... 93 Lion, Steller’s Sea....... 89 Liopeltis vernalis........ 42 TEXOSD INOS ane ge 2 List of grasses (Gramin- eae) of the Ottawa CIStrIiCtes eh, wari 53 Lithospermum croceum WAAR Gelinas > hea 127 MURAD iney ORe or oe 127 139 Longspur, Lapland...... 93 Loon, Common........ 80, 97 Red-throated..... 98, 124 Lophodytes cucullatus... . 80 Ot MGACUuloSG an 42 Loxia curvirostra....... 3 lencopiera. = 3, 121 Lumpfish, Blue......... 124 Lychnis apetala......... 8 NESODUNAs 2 ae 8 MacFarlane, C. and Bell, H. P. ‘Some marine algae from Labrador, Hud- son Bay and "Arctic Canadas 2:5 ee 9 Mag pieteiay aoa sy cibere 45 Mammais from Touch- wood Hills, Sask.... 108 Mansel Island, Botany . . 5 Maps: N. E. Gaspé penin- SUL CMe stl Ron I Rt ae 96 Snowshoe rabbit dis- trbutlone sae 6, 67, 69 South Nahanni Riv- ergeNk Wedhase pee 16 Marine algae, Anticosti. 10 AT CLIC eee” Nei ae 9 Gaspé Peninsula. ... 10 Marsh, D B. Colour phases of Red ORV eae stig epee ee 60 Matricaria inodora var. NON aes ee 9 Meadowlark, Eastern.... 86 Megaceryle a. aleyon. ... 82, 100 Megalodonta Beckti...... 105 Melanitta perspicillata.... 98 Melospiza 1. lincolni.. 121, 125 Mm. Melodia... =... = Si lan Mephitis m. hudsonica.... 108 Merganser, American 61, 81, 98 Hioodedees se aoe 80 merganser americanus 81 SGARUUO ob 6 een woke 81, 98 Micropterus dolomiew.... Al Microtus minor . es eared (Oe) pennsyloanicus ¢ drum- mondii . Gs Mink, American........ 108 Minnow, Blunt-nosed.... 41 Mniotilta varia 50, 84, 103, 134 Mollusea of the Ottawa TECLOM at el: 106, 111, 128 Mollusea, Ottawa district 106, 111, 128 Molothrus a ater........ 50 Monograptus clintonensis 18, 19, 21 ef. convolutus....... 18 DONCUS ape ie . 18,19 ef. priodon..... “18, 19, 21 SDULCULS pipes meen 18 Moris bassana.......... 98 140 Mouse, Deer....... 108 Hudsonian Jumping. 109 Minor Meadow..... 108 Penney Were Mead- Fee ae PEE 108 ane tailed Grass- hopper 108 IMGUIGLOWNDION. 24 Sula ba eo - 42 Murre, Atlantic......... 100 IBHeUNAVATOMN-Y, 6 Say oes oc 49 Miuskara twee emir tak 108 Mustela c. cicognanii..... 108 frenata longicauda ..._ 108 vison lacustris. . : 108 Myiarchus crinitus boreus 83 Myitochanes virens....... 83 Myotis keenii septentriona- LS Rea oe sek ater ye 14 ks (PVE UKPDS. 3 as 2 3 ok 14 Nannus h. hiemalis.... 88, a Narthecoceras sp......... INatnix:s: stpedon 3)... ~: iS Necturus maculosus...... 42 Nepeta Cataria.:. 2... 105 Nettion carolinense...... 80 Nicol, A. C. On the nest of the Soragailemena: meen 55 Nighthawk, Eastern 49,82, 100, Notes on birds of the Lab- rador Peninsula in 1936 and 1987...... 47 Notes on introduced Cap- ercailzie. . Notes on rare Canadian Dlanits\s sven eee ee BZ, Notes on the Flora of Cape Breton Island.. 104 Notes on the Warblers of the Rosebud district, AS Gee teste CNS OA ea Ue 134 Nova Scotia, Winter birds 61 Nuthatch, Red-breasted 83, 101 White-breasted..... 101 Nuttalornis mesoleucus. . . 83 Nyctanassa v. violacea.... 109 Nycteris b. borealis....... 108 CUNCT COR ae Ty ie se na 108 Nycticorax n. hoactli. ~. . 98 Obituary: Dippie, George Fred- erickies eos 44 Oceanodroma l. leucorhoa . 47, 98 Oenothera pumila........ 106 Old-squaw... 61 On the nest of the Sora I RUEBEN ral 53 Ondatra zibethica alba.... 108 Onychomys leucogaster missouriensis... 108 Oporornis philadelphia. 86, 120 VOTH os OPES. 135 Oriole, Baltimore. .... 86, 109 Orophaca sericea 133 Osprey). 81, 99, 123 THE CANADIAN FIEL_p-NATURALIST Ottawa district, Agarica- COCO ee ae Grasses of........- 53 Mollusea... 106, 111, 128 Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club Financial state- MOEN ee eee 13 Membership List. .. 73 Report of Council... 11 Oven-binds =e ee 86, 120 Oviposition and cannibal- istic habits of the narrow-winged Katy- Gi Ci Sie eee ee Donen 51 Owl, Long-eared........ 100 SHOWN ea ae 73 Oxycoccus macrocarpus 116, 117 microcarpus..... 116, 117 Oxycoccus ovaiifoliusn. combl. 2.3.3 117 Oxycoccus palustris. ..... 116 quadripetalus .... 116, 117 Oxyechus v vociferus..... 82 Pandion haliaetus carol- INCNSIS = OO LS Panicum capillare...... 106 Papaver nudicaule....... 8 VOAUOMM aoe oe 8 Partridge, Hungarian.... 134 Passer d. domesticus... 86, 120 Passerculus sandwichensis 98 sandwichensis savanna 87, 121 Passerina cyanae........ 87 Pandion haliaetus carol- INCHSIS= ee a 81 Pedicularis flammea..... 7, 9 Peeper, Spring......... 42 Penthestes a. atricapillus 83. 101 hudsonicus littoralis.. 101 Rerca fiavescens= 2 41 Perches See 4] Perisoreus c. canadensis... 101 Peromyscus maniculatus OQ’CHCUS He tae 108 Petasites sagittata....... 6, 7,9 Retrelltieachis: a. 47, 98 Petrochelidon a. albifrons 83, 101, 122 Pewee, Eastern Wood... 83 Phalacrocorax a. auritus 47, 98, 123 C2COnvom = 5 47 Phalaris arundinacea. . . 5 LOS) Phaneroptera pistillata.... 51 Philohela minor......... 99 Phippsia algida......... Uf Phoebe. Eastern........ 83 Pica pica hudsonia...... 45 Ei ceakglancan = 73 UU ONG a ee eae 73 RUDE Stee ee is een UP, Picoides arcticus......... 100 Pike, Common..-- 7... : 41 Mud. a ee 41 Pike- perch. . Ries feces 41 Pinicola enucleator leucura 120 Pintail, American....... 80 Pipi Americans... ele 102 Piranga erythromelas..... 87 PT TUT eee 122 Plover, Black-bellied 133 Goldens 3. eee lee Semipalmated...... 99 Poa alpina forma brevifolia 7 OTCUCO an ee ¢ CONIS(O > ee 7 Podilymbus p. podiceps... 80 Polunin, N. Vascular plants from Mansel (Mansfield) Island, N.W.T...... 5 Polygonum viviparum. .. . 8 Polygyra fraterna........ 107 multilinear 107 Pomozxis sparoides....... 42. Pooecetes g. gramineus.... 87 Porsild, A. E. Cranberry in Canada 116 Porsild, A. E. and Heimburger, C. Red spruce in the low- er Gatineau valley. . G2 Porzana carolina........ 53 Potamogeton perfoliatus... 106 Potentilla fruticosa....... 105 pectinata....... 25 OS Puccinellia paupercula... a Puffin, Atlantic......... 49 Pupilla muscorum....... 107 Pyrola grandiflora....... 8 Quebec, Eastern, Birds 95, 120 Western, Birds..... 79 Queen Charlotte Islands Marine fauna. . ee SS Querquedula discors 48 Quiscalus quiscula aeneus 86, 120 Rabbit, Snowshoe. . 31, 63, 109 Rails Sora 2n0 see 53 Rana catesbiana......... 6 Ee ClANULONS nee ee 42 (WHOHOS sae dekedce, 42 SULUCLICO a ee Ranunculus nivalis. ..... 8 SULDNUT CUS Os cee 8 Rare Gulls at Fort Erie on the Niagara River 61 Raven, Northern...... 61, 101 Red spruce in the lower - Gatineau valley..... 2. Redpoll, Common....... 51 Redstart, American 86, 120, 135 Red-wing, Eastern.... 86, 120 Regulus s. satrapa....... 102 Relation of the marine fauna to the physio- graphy of the west coast of the Queen Charlotte Islands... 88 Retiolites geinitzianus var. maximus nov. 18, 19 Retiolites geinitzianus var. VENOS US Siaee i eae 19 December, 1938] Reviews: Apa eet mutn ics an a 136 Auimal Treasure.... 125 Australia’s entail... . 46 Beast book for the pocket. 45 Bird portraitsin color 30 Call of the Koala... 46 Geologic History of Magnolia State Park 125 Aoalaerae ta eh 46 Leguminous forage DlaMits ey cs yaee ce. 94 Life Story of the Fish 136 Lore of the lyre bird 46 Microscope......... 30 New Ottawa Map Shee tae eaee ne 110 Our Shade Trees.... 109 Plant ecology....... 46 Snakes alive and how : they lives =e. 30 Special Publication of the American Com- mittee for Wild Life Protection No. 9.... 110 he: Chath: a ee 8 110 USING 106 Rhynchotrema capax.... . 1 inequivalvis........ @ UNETCOCSCENS es eae 2 ULCTINC OO ee 2 Ribes oxyacanthoides..... 106 Riparian. riparia... .2-. 83 RASSOpmtmUnUGACt LO = 4 ee 100 Robin, Hastern’....... 84, 102 Roland, A. E. Notes on the Flora of Cape Breton Island 104 Roscoe, M. V Botanical meeting in INovalscotlate mr ee 44 uous hispidus.-...*-... 106 Ruedemann, R. Appendix to the Ge- ology of the South Nahanni River, N. Wieser ee te eee ys 18 Sagittaria graminea...... 105 Salamander, Jefferson’s. . 42 Spottedes fs oa 42 SGLCROnCH COMER ae 8 fullertonensis.......* 8 hudsonensis......... 8 RELLCT LONG ee. ee a 8 SAUMOMGUNG ee = 41 Salt, W. R. Notes on the Warblers of the Rosebud dis- Crick, PAltante we 134 Salvelinus fontinalis..... 41 Sandpiper, Eastern Purple 48 Semipalmated..__.. 99 SDOLtCCE eee ene 2, 99 Sapsucker, Yellow-bellied 8&2 Saskatchewan, Mammals 108 Saxifraga aizides....... 8 caespitosa . 8 caespitosa f. uniflora 8 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST COR NUG acer renin 8 EAN CULUSE Rae 8 oppositifolia........ 8 tricuspidatay 3s 8 Sayornis phoebe......... 83 Schuchertella chemungensis 18 SCOLCE ES Uli ene te ae 98 White-winged 61 Sas URE ae we ea 89 ainsi oe 89 Seiurus aurccapillus... 86, 120 n. noveboracencis. 120, 122 Senn, H. A. Canadian distribution of Lithospermum cro- COLUM Rea ey WAY Notes on rare Can- adian plants Bere Hank Sa 132 Review by 94 Setophaga Sie 86, 120, 135 Shepherdia canadensis.... 105 -Sheppard, R. W Rare gulls at Fort Erie on the Niagara EGIViCTae ree Lae 61 Shrew, Saddle-backed.... 108 SUA GISNSIGLISia tee See 84 Silene acaulis var. excapa 8 Silverside, Brook........ 42 Siskintueine sae 119, 120 Sitta canadensis....... 83, 101 c. carolinensis....... 101 Skunk, Striped'—.... 2... 108 DS) UTES Geo ae ty ate peta a 111 Sia sie verre aha a eine tle 111 Snake, Garter.......... 43 Milk. Re ee Pilot Black......... 42 Red-bellied......... 43 Smooth Green...... 42 Wiaterwer)..ccce ee: 42 Snowshoe rabbit enquiry TOISAS Tees sagen 63 Snyder, L L. Magpie in Ontario. 45 Solidago juncea. Pee LOG Somateria mollissima bor- COIS ee eee 48 mollissima dresseri 49, 98, 123 Somatogyrus subglobosus.. 106 Some marine algae from Anticosti Island and the Gaspé Peninsula 10 Some marine algae from Labrador, Hudson Bay and ‘Arctic Can- ada. i 9 Sorex a. arcticus.. Fy alts Sparganium acaule...... 106 Sparrow, Eastern Chip- DINCHaE ee ne Sema Eastern Savannah. . 87 Eastern Song..... 87, 121 Eastern Vesper..... 87 DANO 5 op pe ob oe 86, 120 EVIOUSC Hye ahs, = Saunton 61 Lincoln’s 119, 121, 125 SAV anaes een 93% 1211 White-crowned..... 61 White-throated . Spergularia leiosperma. . "105 141 Sphyrapicus v. varius.... 82 SPULUSS Dia DLILUS mee 120 hs HRUSHIS Kb o ob old we 87, 121 Spirifer cf. tullia........ 18 Spizella p. passerina... 87, 121 Spruce Black =) yan a 13 Red oe ier gaan (P Wilh Gere cr) oman ioe 72 Squirrel, Franklin Ground 108 Richardson Ground. 108 13-lined Ground.... 108 Starling, Common. 50, 84, 102 Stelgidopteryx ruficollis serripennis..... 123 Stellaria crassifolia. ..... e238 UNCUfUSC eerie UDMUGUIBS 6 oo hoon vox 8 Sterna h. hirundo........ 100 Stizostedion vitreum...... 41 Storeria occipitomacuiata . 48 Study of the Snowshoe rabbits So eee 31 Sturnella m. magna...... 86 Sturnus vulgaris... . 50, 84, 102 Suaeda americana....... 105 Summer birds of the For- illon, Gaspé County, Quebec.......... 95, 120 Summer notes from Blue Sea Lake, Quebec... 79 Sunfish,Common....... 41 Swallow, American Rough- Wndakerstols ooo ys oo: 1238 Bane ge i) sre ee ee 3 IBBHB, 6 °5 Gab 50, 88, 101, 124 Chitin oc anemones 0 Northern Ciiff...... 83 MECC eee 50, 83, 101 Swan, Trumpeter....... 133 Swift, Chimney....... 82, 106 Re vAe Review by2vsr 25s a eelehO Tanager, Scarlet. ....... 87 SUMIMET eee 122 Macidearts taxusn a. ee 108 Teal, Blue-winged....... 48 Green-winged....... 80 Telmatodytes palustris dis- SAC DUS ee 83 Tern, American Caspian. 48 Commont see 100 Tetraneuris acaulis...... 133 Thamnophis s. sirtalis.... 48 Thelypteris Filix-mas.... 105 Thomomys t. talpoides.... 108 Thrasher Browns asa 84 Thrush, Eastern Hermit 84, 102 Bicknellishe ween. 102 Gray-checked....... 102 Olive-backed..... 84, 102 Timiskaming outlier, cor- relation with a new cephalopod......... Ht Toad; American......::.. 42 Treen cen tie Mtn oa 42 Toner, G. C. and Edwards, W. E. Cold-blooded verte- brates of Grippen Takes Ont we. 40 142 Totanus melanoleucus. .. 94, 99 Toxostoma rufum........ 84 Triosteum aurantiacum... 105 Troglodytes a. aedon..... 83 cous bs ROOK ees ee 4] BTOWMst ye eaten ea oe 41 Nake Serie ae eee 41 Tufts, R. W. Baltimore Oriole.... 109 Summer Tanager in Nova Scotia..2..... 122 Winter birds in Nova Scotia ai ae ees 61 Turdus m. migratorius. 84, 102 AuTGNnStONnes sae eres 99 LRurtle.. Bainted= = 55.56: 43 SME ONG. ty scseen 433 Tyrannus tyrannus...... 83 GiniGa (Gdlge a A eee OO LSOMUVIG = ae ese 49 Urquhart, F. A Oviposition and can- nibalistic habits of the narrow-winged Katy didiey eae: 51 Vaccinium uliginosum var. alpinum. . . 9 Vitis-[daea......... 116 VOGINOCELOS =e ee 2 Valwata leuitst. 22.2252. 106 Vascular plants from Man- sel (Mansfield) Island, — INE Wi ash ree 4 WiGCl Veo ert hie tone 34 Vermivora c. celata...... 185 peregrind........ 108, 135 r. rubficapilla...... 84, 103 Vertebrates, Cold-blooded 40 Vireo olivaceus.......... 84 philadelphicus..... 84, 102 s. solitarius....... 84, 102 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST Vireo, Blue-headed.... 84, 102 Philadelphia...... 84, 102 Red-eyed.......... 84 Vole, Red-backed....... 108 Vulpes fulves regalis..... 108 Warbler, Audubon...... 135 Bay-breasted. 85, 108, 135 Black and White 50, 84, 103, 134 Blackburnian..... 85, 103 Black-poll....... 103, 135 Black-throated Blue 85, 103 Black-throated Green 85, 103 Canadae=- eee 86 Cape May... 50, 108, 185 Chestnut-sided..... 85 Eastern Yellow..... 85 Magnolias = eee 103 MeGillivary........ 135 Mourning..... 85, 86, 120 Myrtle...... 85, 108, 135 Nashville........ 84, 1038 Northern Parula.... 85 Orange-crowned.... 1385 Palmeos ee ae 135 Pileated 3s fs eo 135 Tennessee....... 108, 135 Townsend.......... Wilsonts= 2s 120 bY(elllOWiea ee 108, 1385 Yellow Palm....... 03 1 Ycllow Red-polled... 50 Warren, P. S. and Cameron, A. E. Geology of South Na- hanni River, N.W.T. 15 Water-thrush, Northern. 120 Waxwing, Cedar...... 84, 102 Weasel, Long-tailed. .... 108 Whale, Killer........... 89 SETI ates cea oe 89 (Vou. LII Eastern 82, 100, 125 Wihitellaispiees 4 eee 1 William Herriot, Botanist 28 Wilson, A. E. Correlation of the Timiskaming outlier with description of Whip-poor-will, a new cephalopod... 1 ‘Wilsonia canadensis... .. 86 p. pileolota a ase 185 = USUI eee eee 120, 122 Wolt, Buffalo. . As 29 Wolf record from the Win- nipeg area. Pre 29 Woodcock.) 99 Woodpecker, Arctic Three- toed). = ae 100 aly ei eens 82 Northern Downy. 82, 100 Northern Hairy... 61, 100 Rileatedie 3-0 ee 100 Wren, Eastern House... 83 Eastern Winter... 838, 101 Prairie Marsh...... 83 Xanthium echinatum..... 105 Yellow-legs, Greater.... 94, 99 Yellow-thoat, No. thern 86, 120 Western.) 2= == sce 135 Zapus hudsonius.......- 109 Zenaidura macroura car- olinensis....... 100 Zonortichia albicollis... 87, 121 leucophrys nuttalli... 61 se Affiliated Societies NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF MANITOBA 1937-38 President Emeritus: DR. H. M. SPEECHLY, Honorary President: A. H. REGINALD BULLER, F.R.C., President: Mr. L. T. S. NorRIs-ELYB, Past Presidents: J. J. GOLDEN, (Deceased), H. M. Sprecuiy, M.D., V. W. JACKSON, M.Sc., C. W. Lown, M.Sc., J. B. WALLIS, B.A., A. A.McCouBREy, A. M. DAVIDSON, M.D., R. A. WARDLE, M.Sc., G. SHIRLBY BROOKS; A. G. LAWRENCE; B. W. CARTWRIGHT. Vice-Presidents: H. C. Pwarce, W. H. RAND; Mrs. L. R. Simpson, J. P. HADDOW, P. H. Stoxes, Treasurer: LL. W. Koser, General Secretary: Mrs. L. R. Simpson, Auditor: R. M. Tsomas, Hxecutive Secretary: Miss B. HAAK, Social Convenor: Mrs. B. W. CART- WRIGHT. Secretary R. FRYER Miss M. PRATT Seciton Chairman Ornithological A. H. SHORTT Entomological G SHIRLEY BROOKS Botanieal C. W. Lows, » Mrs. H. T. Ross Geological Pror. E. I. LEITH P. H. STOKES Zoological PRor. V. W. JACKSON R. SuTTON Microscopy: Zoology R. A. WARDLE, M.Sc. Botany C. W. Lows, M.Sc. Secretary: R. HADDOW Meetings are held each Monday evening, except on holidays from October to April, in the physics theatre of the University, Winnipeg. Field excursions are held each Saturday after- aoon during May, June and September, and on public holidays during July and August. 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 Avenue, London, Ont.; BE. M.S. DALE, 297 Hyman Street, London, Ont. Meetings held the second Monday of the month, except during the summer. McILWRAITH ‘VANCOUVER NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OFFICERS FOR 1938-39 Honorary President. L. S. KLINK, (LL_D.), President Univer- sity of B.C; President: C. F. CONNOR, M. A., Vice-President: Mr. J. J. PLlomMeR, Honorary Secretary: Mr. Gro. ROGER Woop, B.A., First Assistant Secretary: MISS VIRGINIA HOLLAND 2nd Assistant Secretary: Mrs. MARY SIBBURTH, Honorary Treasurer: Mr. F.J.SANForD, Librarian: Mr. A. A. Scott, Additional Members of Executive: Mr. A. H. BAIN, MR. W. CuarK, Mrs. H. FARLEY, Mr H.C. FRESHWATER, MR. K. Racgy, Mrs. J. Motion, Mr. P. L. TAit, Chairmen of Sections: Botany: Pror. JOHN Davipson, F.L.S., F.B.S.E., F.RH..S., U.B.C., Geology: M. Y. WiulAMs, PH.D, F.G.S.A.,F. RS.C., U.B.C.. Entomology: Mr. A. R. Wootton, Ornithology: Mr. J.D. TURNBULL, Microscopy: Mr. H. P. CuarK, Photography: Mr. Pattie Timms, Mammalogy: Mr. G.L. Pop, Astronomy; Mrs. LAURA ANDERSON, B.A., Marins Biology; Mr. A.V. QUIGLEY, Auditors: H. G. SeLwoop, W. B. Woops. 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. PROVINCE OF QUEBEC SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS INC. OFFICERS & COMMITTEE: Pasi Presidenis: Mr. L. M. TBRRILL, Mr. NApPIpR SMITH. Mr. W. S. Hart, Mrs. C. L. HENDERSON; President: PROF. V. C. WYNNE-HDWwaARDS, 495 Prince Arthur Street, Apt. 4, Montreal; Vice-Presidents: Mr. J. A. DECARIE, Miss MAuD SHATH; Vice-President and Treasurer: Mr. HBNRY MOUSLEY; Secretary: Mr. J. D. CLEGHORN. Executive Committee: Miss RuTH ApsBott, H. F. ARCHIBALD, J. D. Fry, W.S. Hart, Mrs. C. L. HenpmRSON, H. A. C. JACKSON, EB. L. Jupan, Miss P. B. MatTinson, Muss L. MurpeuHy. Miss M. S. Niconson, C. Sarr J. A. ROLLAND, L: McI. SPACKMAN, Mr. and Mrs. L. M. TERRILL. Meetings held the second Monday of the month except dur- ing summer. Headquarters of the Society are: REDPATH MuseuM BIRD Room, McGiLuL UNIVERSITY, MONTREAL, P.Q. SOCIETE PROVANCHER D'HISTOIRE NATURELLE DU CANADA Son Excellence, LE TRES HONORABLE Lorp TWEEDsSMUIR, 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 1938: Président: DR. GUSTAVE RATTE; Jer vice-président: ROBERT HUNTER; 2téme vice-président: DR. VIGER. PLAMONDON, Secrétaire-trésorier: Louis -B. LAVotn; Chef de la section scientifique: Dr. D.-A. Dery; Chef de la section de Propagande éducative: IAN BREAKBY, JR. Chef de Ia section de protection: J.-PAUL RoussBau, Chef de la section d’information scientifique et pra- tique: JAMES PRICE, Directeurs: HUBERT DUCHENE, A. BmpRESFORD Scott, G.- U. TrEssimr, JAMES, F. Ross, ALPHONSE DESILETS, I.A., REX Mbrepita, N.P., EDGAR RocHETTE, C.R., STUART ATKINSON, Secrétaire-trésorier:; Louis-B. LAVoIn 38, rue Sherbrooke, Québec. Patron Honoraire: THE TORONTG FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB OFFICERS FOR 1938-39. Honorary President. DR. A.P. COLEMAN; Honorary Vice-Pres- idents: Hon. H.C. Nrxon, Mr. J.H.FLEMING. President F.C. Hurst, Vice-President: W.J.BAxtTpR, Secretary Treasurer: Mrs. L. E. JaquitH. Council: Mrs. HARVEY AGNEW, W. J. W. BaLpwin, G. S. BELL, RuPERT DAvips, R. G. DINGMAN, J. R. DymMent, C.S. FARMER, Dr. NormMA Forp, A. R. GiB- SON, PAUL HAHN, H. M. Hauuipay, Dr. F. P. lpn, Macist- RATH J.E. Jonns, T.F. McILwraitH, ARNOTT M. PATTERSON Dr. R. M. SAUNDERS, Dr. T. M. C. TAYLOR, STUART THOMP- son, Mrs. A. R. WHITTEMORE, President of the Junior Club: W. J. BAxtmrR, Vice President: Mrs. A. R. WHITTEMORE. Meetings are held at 8 p. m. on the first Monday of each month from October to April at the Royal Ontario Museum, unless otherwise announced. Field trips are held during the spring, and and occasionally during other seasons. 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. 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