CORNELL | LAB of ORNITHOLOGY LIBRARY at Sapsucker Woods =o Illustration of Bank Swallow by Louis Agassiz Fuertes ‘ornell University Library TUN DATE DUE Cornell University The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924022564193 U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DIVISION OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA -No. 22 ", [Actual date of publication, October, 31, 1902] A BIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE HUDSON BAY REGION BY . EDWARD A. PREBLE © ASSISTANT BIOLOGIST, BIOLOGICAL SURVEY ty . Prepared under the direction of Dr. C. HART MERRIAM CHIEF OF DIVISION OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1909. CONTENTS OF NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. ut No. 1. Revision of the North American Pocket Mice. By ‘Dr. 6. Hart Merriam.’ ~ Pp. 36, pls. 4. October 25, 1889...0.. 2.022. e eee eee ee Price, 10 cents,’ No. 2. Descriptions of fourteen new species (genera Onychomys, Arctomys, Lagomys, Spermophilus, Tamias, Nyctinomus, and Arvicolu) and one new genus (Phe-. a) of North American Mammals. By Dr. C. Hart Merriam.- Pp.. 52, pls. 8, figs. 7. October 30, 1889 -.-..-2----L-.2--222 Price, 10 cents. No. 38. Results of a Biological Survey of the San Francisco Mountain Region and Desert of the Little Colorado, Arizona... By Dr. C. Hart Merriam. [List of Reptiles and Batrachians, by Dr.. Leonhard Stejneger.] Pp. 136, pls. 14 : (2, colored), maps 5 (colored), figs. 2. September 11, 1890. Price, 25 cents. No. 4. Descriptions of twenty-six new species of North “American Mammals. [Revision of Spilugale and descriptions of new’ es in. nine other © genera.] By Dr. C, Mart Merriam. Pp. m, pls. 3, figs. 3. October 8, MBOO A ctaroig cass tect esjenta ee dabsrar dies eS Seed ein layehaye cia heesiaiote Price, 10 cents. * No. 5. Results of a Biological Reconnoissance of onthe cael ‘Tdaho. By Dr. C. : Hart Merriam. [List of Reptiles and Batrachians, by Dr. Leonhard Stejne- ger.]} Pp. 132, pls. 4 (1 or figs. 4, July 30, ‘1891... Anna IF cents. No. 6. (Not published. ) No. 7%. The Death Valley Expedition: A Biological Survey of ee of California,” Nevada, Arizona, and Utah. » Part If. [Reports on Birds, by Dr. A. K. Fisher; Reptiles and Batrachians, by Dr. Leorihard -Stejneger; “Fishes, by Chas. H. Gilbert, Ph. D.; Insects, by C. V. Riley, Ph. D.; Mollusks, by. R. E. C. Stearns, Ph. D.; Desert. Trees and. Shrubs, by Dr. C. Hart Merriam; Desert Cactuses and Yuecas, by Dr. C. Hart Merriam; List of ue Localities, by T. 8. ‘Pakmer. ] Pp. 402, pls. 14, maps 5 (colored), figs. 2. ey WA esse ec do ele a tees cs (Out of print.) No. 8. Monographic Revision of, the Pocket Gophers, Family Gromyida (exclusive of the species of Thomoimys). By Dr. C. Hart Merriam. Pp. 258, pls. 20, maps 4 (colored), figs. 71. J ey BL, 1800 gens creed Price, % cents. No. 9. (Not published.) ; # aa ys No. 10. Revision of the American Shrews at! the Genera. Sorex, : - Notiosorex, - and” E Blarinu. By Dr. C. Hart Merriam and Gerrit Ss. Miller, Jr. Pp. 124 »pis. ° ; 12, figs. 3. ‘December Bl LOOM ican Bia nem atiadomersie od Gaaiie Price, 10 cents. No. 11. Synopsis of the Weasels of North America. By Dr. C. Hart Merriam. Pp. 44, pls. 6, figs. 16. June 30, 1896.....22 2222222222. - Price, 10 cents, No. 12. Genera and Subgenera of Voles and Lemmings. By Gerrit’ ‘Ss. Miller, Jr. Pp. 84, pls. 3, figs. 40. July 23, 1896. ..-..---+---- 222: Price, 10 cents, No. 13. Revision of the North American Bats of the Family Vespertilionide. By Ger- rit. Miller, Jr. Pp. 135, pls. 3, figs. 40. October 16, 1897. Price, 10. cents. No. 14. Natural History of the Tres Marias Islands, México. By E. W. Nelson and. ‘others.. Pp. 97, map 1, figs. 2. April 29,1899........--.- Price, 10 cents.’ No. 15. Revision of the I umping Mice of the Grenus Fagus By Edward A. Preble. .Pp. 41, pl. J, figs. 4. . August 8, 1899...... 220. 22.2..-2.--- Price, 5 cents: ‘ No. 16. Results of a Biological Survey of Mount Shasta, Clttonnia, By Dr. C. Hart- Merriam. Pp. 179, pls. 5, figs. 46. October 28, 1899... .- Price, 20 cents. No. 17. ‘Revision of American Voles of the Gomis Mesratieg, By Vernon Bailey. : Pp. 88, pls..5, figs. 17. June 6, 19002. .....2-222--22--- . Price, 10 cents. No. 18. Revision of the Pocket Mice of’ the, Cus Perognathus. By Wilfred H. Osgood. ay 65, pls..4, figs. 15. September 20, 1900. .-.. Price, ‘10 cents. re No..19. Results of a iological Reconnpissance of the Yukon Riv _! Region. By Wilfred H. Uagoor and Louis B. Bishop. . Pp. 100, pls. 7, October 6, (010) een ig ce ee ee eee Price, 10 cents. No. 20. Revision of the Skunks of the Genus Chincha. By Arthar H. Howell. Pp. 62, pls. 8; - August, GEE 1001 cece ene ah deaacesecs ts +++ Price, 10 cents. No. 21. Natural Histor y of the Queen Charlotte Islands, British. Columbia; Natural f History of the Cook Inlet Region, Alaska. By Wilfred H. Osgood. Pp. 87, pls. 7, fig. 1. ‘September 26, 1901....... ecesawekees Price, 10° cents. “al applications for Nos. 1-5, 8, and 10-21 should be addressed to the Superintendent of Documents, Union Building, Washington, D. GC: Remittances should be made by postal money order or express money order, not by peemee stamps or private check. <=: 5 North American Fauna, No. 22. ‘ . PLATE |, Ment : — "Il né 4 a 10 ‘ 7 _9 : 72 70 68 66 Seale of Miles. as. SO 75 100125150 KEEWATIN. The route followed by this expedition is shown by a dotted line. U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DIVISION OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA No. 22 [Actual date of publication, October 31, 1902] A BIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE HUDSON BAY REGION BY EDWARD A. PREBLE ASSISTANT BIOLOGIST, BIOLOGICAL SURVEY Prepared under the direction of Dr. C. HART MERRIAM CHIEF OF DIVISION OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY Na ES SYys <—S Uy WI WANA WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1902 Laboratory of Ornithology 159 Sapsucker, Wands, gu Cornell University ithaca, New York YAGKH LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. UniTep States DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, Washington, D. C., August 18, 1902. Str: I have the honor to transmit for publication, as North American Fauna No. 22, a paper on the natural history of the Hudson Bay region, by my assistant, Edward A. Preble. C. Harr Merriam, Chief, Biological Survey. Hon. James Witson, Secretary of Agriculture. PREFATORY NOTE. A century or more ago the employees of the Hudson’s Bay Com- pany sent collections of birds and mammals from Hudson Bay to London. Some of these specimens came from the shores of Hudson Bay, others from trading posts in the distant interior; but many were not labeled to show where they were obtained. They were examined by the naturalists of the time and a number of species were described and named as new. In most cases the original specimens have dis- appeared and modern naturalists have been greatly perplexed in attempting to ascertain just what the species really were. No mod- ern museum possessed anything approaching a representative collec- tion of the mammals and birds of Hudson Bay, and specimens for comparison with related forms from other parts of Boreal America were not to be had. The resulting embarrassment was most keenly felt when the Biological Survey secured large collections from Alaska. In many instances it was impossible to tell whether certain Alaska species were identical with or distant from related forms previously described from Hudson Bay. In order to obtain the long-needed material it was, determined to send an expedition to Hudson Bay. Edward A. Preble was placed in charge of this expedition; his report shows how well and faithfully his duties were performed. His suc- cessful trip, in an open boat, in inclement fall weather, from Fort Churchill tothe Barren Grounds near Cape Eskimo, in search of topo- types of the Hudson Bay ground squirrel (often known as Parry’s marmot) deserves special commendation. I take pleasure also in referring to the uniform courtesies and facil- ities extended by the officers and employees of the Hudson’s Bay Company, particularly by Mr. C. C. Chipman, commissioner of the company, at Winnipeg. oe = C. H. M. CONTENTS. Page. Introduction and itinerary .........2.... 2220-202 ee eee eee ee eee eee eee eee 9 General account of the region traversed_.........-2.---+-----0----22--2-2------ 11 Late.zones or the-vepi ons ss. he ete oY ous ys wate eee ees uae ais 22 Previous: Work exe2cexeus 4oseisenctedgdeds ses eae tage Steenisoaeeeecg eeeeeee 23 Biblioe raph ysis ss acc csera,d veces dSiaesiys SSS ae kaa aa kaeiaheu GSES Pe ESE 27 Note on boundaries of the region treated....--......------.----------------- 38 INGWV BDECIOS Aas A5278.28 Shanes atl eee See INARA SHS CBee gs 38 Annotated list of mammals...........-2.-2--2-2-220-2200 22 eee eee eee eee eee 39 Annotated, list of bird 8 cassc.cc ose dee So Semen ce eR ESS 75 Annotated list.of batrachians. 22.2226... 2222 Zoological appendix by Joseph Sabine. 1 vol., 4to, pp. i-xv, 1-783. London. A few species from York Factory mentioned in the appendix. The narra- tive contains a few references to the natural history of Keewatin. 1824. Lyon, G. F. The Private Journal of Captain G. F. Lyon, of H. M.S. Heela, during the recent Voyage of Discovery under Captain Parry. [Parry’s Second Voyage.] 12mo. London. Contains numerous notes on natural history, relating especially to the vicinity of Winter Island and Igloolik, Melville Peninsula. “18242, Macainuivray, Witiiam. Description, Characters, and Synonyms of the Dif- ferent Species of the Genus Larus, with critical and explanatory Remarks. Vertebrata, by Edward Sabine. Collections and observations made mainly about Melville Island. Lyon, G.F. Zoological Appendix. Account of the Quadrupeds and Birds, by John Richardson. Refers mainly to natural history of Melville Peninsula, particularly Winter Island and Igloolik. Parry, Witu1amM Epwarp, and Ross, James Cuark. Journal of a Third Voy- age for the discovery of a North-west passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific, performed in the years 1824-25, by William Edward Parry. 1 vol., 4to, pp. i-xxviii, 1-186, 1-151. London. Appendix, Zoology. By Lieut. James Clark Ross. The zoological appendix refers mainly to the natural history of Port Bowen, where the expedition wintered, and other points about Prince Regent Inlet. A few notes on natural history occur in the narrative. RicHarpson, Jonn. Short Characters of a few quadrupeds procured on Cap- tain Franklin’s late expedition. < Zool. Journ. III, No. 12, pp. 516-520, Jan. to Apr., 1828. Original description of Sorex palustris, ‘Hab. Marshy places, from Hud- son’s Bay to the Rocky Mts.’’ Cricetus talpoides described from Hudson Bay (specimen probably from Manitoba or Saskatchewan). Dovexas, Davip. Observations on some Species of the Genera Tetrao and Ortyx, natives of North America; with Descriptions of Four new Species of of the former and Two of the latter Genus. Report on mammals and birds by J. C. Ross, pp. vii-xlv. A systematic account of the collections and observations made on Ross’s second voyage. 1836. Back, Grorce; and Ricwarpson, Jonny. Narrative of the Arctic Land Expe- dition to the mouth of the great Fish River, and along the shores of the Arctic Ocean, in the years 1833, 1834, and 1835; by Captain Back, R. N., Commander of the Expedition. 1 vol., 8vo, pp. i-x, 1-663. x.Wondon. Appendix No. 1. Zoological Remarks by John Richardson, pp. 477-518. In the narrative mention is made of the observation of a number of species within the present boundaries of Keewatin. The Zoological Appendix con- tains a nominal list of the mammals collected, and a list of the birds in which the localities of a few species are indicated, followed by a commentary “respecting those which are objects of chase to the Indian hunter, either for food or for the sake of their fur,’’ with ‘‘a few brief remarks on the speci- mens of the other species when they serve for the elucidation of doubtful points of their history.” 1836. Kine, RicHarp. Narrative of a Journey to the shores of the Arctic Ocean in 1833, 1834, and 1835; under the command of Capt. Back, R. N. 2 vols. 12mo. Vol. I, pp. i-ix, 1-312. Vol. II, pp. i-viii, 1-821. London. Contains many notes on the natural history of the Great Fish River and on the route from the headwaters of that river to York Factory via the Slave, Athabasca, Clearwater, Churchill, Saskatchewan, Nelson, Echimamish, Hill, Steel, and Hayes rivers. 1837. RicHarpson, JoHN. Report on North American Zoology. Hall’s Second Arctic Expedition, Chapter VII, pp. 199-268. A concise account, prepared chiefly from official sources, of Hall’s expedi- tion in northern Keewatin and adjacent lands in 1864-1869, in search of rec- ords, relics, and other traces of Sir John Franklin’s last expedition. The account contains many notes on the game animals of the region. Ripeway, Ropert. Note on the Anas hyperboreus, Pall., and Anser albatus, Cass. The Zoologist (Third Series), NIX, p. 94, 1895. OctopER, 1902.] MAMMALS OF KEEWATIN. 41 we saw tracks of woodland caribou several times on Steel River, once coupled with the tracks of a wolf that had evidently been trailing the caribou, and on our return trip a caribou was killed on Steel River by a party which ascended a few days in advance of us. Between York Factory and Fort Churchill a few small bands are found throughout the year on the ‘Barrens.’ Tyrrell saw them here early in the winter of 1893.¢ We saw none, but noted a great many tracks on the ‘Barrens’ between Stony and Owl rivers July 19, and were told by some Indians we met that they had killed several within a week. Dr. Milne informs me that he has seen them between Fort Churchill and Cape Churchill, and that the latter point is considered a good place for hunting them at any time of the year. He thinks these small bands form the ‘‘ northern fringe of the bands which migrate to the coast in spring, the great majority of which in their journey cross to the south of Nelson River,” an opinion which has weight from his fourteen years’ residence at York Factory. A favorite cross- ing point on the Hayes River is about 40 miles above York Factory, though they sometimes cross much closer to that post. Their return movement occurs from about the middle of October to the last of November. During these semiannual movements the animals are _much pursued, especially in the fall, when the weather is usually cold enough to preserve the meat for winter use. Rangifer arcticus (Richardson). Barren Ground Caribou. The presence of Barren Ground caribou was first noted August 8 at a point about 50 miles south of Cape Eskimo, where we saw their tracks on landing. During the next few days the Indians made sev- eral trips in quest of the animals, but found none, although compar- atively fresh tracks were observed in every direction. While we were encamped about 25 miles south of Cape Eskimo August 10 to 13 we frequently heard wolves howling in pursuit of caribou, and occasion- ally saw a few of the latter, of which we killed two, a rather young doe and a buck about three years old. The animals were evidently just commencing their usual fall jour- ney to the southward. They showed a tendency to seek the vicinity of the shore on account of the protection gained from mosquitos and other insects, which were less numerous there, owing to the wind. Even under favorable conditions they were attended by swarms of insects, and when feeding were almost constantly moving. Soon after leaving our camp on the morning of August 13 we saw several near the shore. A young buck on a point of land was approached as closely as the depth of water would permit—about 200 yards. He showed little fear, trotting along the shore abreast of our @ Across the Sub-Arctics of Canada, p. 226, 1898. 42 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [No. 22, boat for about a quarter of a mile. He would frequently stop and wade a short distance toward the boat, at short intervals spreading and contracting the white patch on his throat laterally into an oval disk, so abruptly ax to give the appearance of flashes of light. He finally grew tired of following us and dropped behind. This was the last one seen, James Clark Ross recorded reindeer from Cape Warrender, north shore of Barrow Strait, and from the coast of North Somerset,” and observed them in great numbers on the Isthmus of Boothia.”’ Dr. Rae observed them migrating northward about the 1st of March, near Repulse Bay,’ and found them on the west coast of Melville Peninsula as far as Fraser Bay.7 Lyon recorded them from Duke of York Bay, Southampton Island. Schwatka’s party killed large numbers between Camp Daly and King William Land in 1879 and 1880.7 During the summer of 1893 the Tyrrell brothers, of the Canadian Geological Sur- vey, saw on the shores of Carey Lake, about 450 miles northwest of Fort Churchill, a herd which they estimated to contain from one to two hundred thousand individuals. On their exploring trip northward through the interior of Keewatin, in 1894, they first met with Barren Ground caribou, near Ennadai Lake, on August 14. The animals were then moving southward in large numbers.” The southern range of Barren Ground caribou, on the west coast of Hudson Bay, may be said to be limited by Churchill River. Even in former years these caribou were seldom known to cross that river,? and they are still killed within a few miles of Fort Churchill. Farther inland they reach the south end of Reindeer Lake. Description. —Adult male in summer pelage, killed on the Barren Grounds about 25 miles south of Cape Eskimo August 10: General color of upperparts and head dull brown; face dull reddish brown; legs dusky brown with an indistinct asby stripe on inner side of fore leg, and of hind leg below the heel; a lateral stripe of dusky brown where the hairs of the belly and sides meet, separated-from the color of upperparts hy an indistinct ashy stripe; chest dusky; belly and ven- tral surface of tail white; a small white patch on rump, divided by a narrow stripe of brown extending from dorsal area to tip of tail. A white disk on throat 15 inches long and (when spread) about 10 inches @Parry’s Third Voyage, Appendix, p. 94, 1826. b Appendix to Ross’s Second Voyage, p. xvii, 1835. ¢ Narrative of an Expedition to the Shores of the Arctic Sea, p. 93, 1850. a pid., p. 149, 1850. € Lyon’s Private Journal, p. 46, 1824. J Gilder, Schwatka’s Search, Introduction, p. viii, and elsewhere, 1881. g Ann. Rept. Can. Geol. Sury., 1896, IX (new ser.), p. 165F (1898). hIbid., p. 19F (1898). «Hearne, Journey * * * to the Northern Ocean, p. 225, 1795. J Tyrrell, Forest and Stream, XLIII, No. 4, p. 70, July 28, 1894. OcTosr, 1902.] MAMMALS OF KEEWATIN. 43 wide, consisting of hairs 5 inches in length; an indistinct stripe of ashy extending from this white area forward to chin; feet around edge of hoof white; nose and edges of lips whitish; ears mainly ashy. The winter skins seen were more or less suffused with white or hoary, which in some cases was the predominating color. Alces americanus Jardine. Eastern Moose. This species occurs in suitable places throughout the region traversed from Lake Winnipeg nearly to Hudson Bay. While ascending the Echimamish, which is a noted locality for moose, we frequently saw places where the animals had crossed the stream, and the bordering swamps were intersected by a network of their tracks. Many of the tracks in the bed of the stream were so recent that the mud had not yet settled; but no animals were seen, though we were constantly on the lookout forthem. A young one was killed by a party of Indians at the outlet of the Echimamish a few days before we ascended the river, and the cranium of a female, probably killed during the pre- ceding winter, was found at the middledam. The extensive swamps below Robinson Portage are also much frequented by the animals, one of which was trailed for some distance by my Indian guides. At Oxford House, 60 or 70 miles beyond Robinson Portage, the moose was formerly almost unknown, according to information received independently from several officers of the Hudson’s Bay Company, but is extending its range toward Hudson Bay and is now frequently killed near that post. On Steel River, as we were ascend- ing it September 1, we saw a fresh track at the mouth of a small stream a few miles below Fox River, and at York Factory I was shown a skin which had been brought from Shamattawa River, where the York Factory Indians now go regularly to hunt moose. Farther inland the moose ranges to the northwest. I sawa head at Norway House from the vicinity of Split Lake, and J. B. Tyrrell met with moose on Stone River about 400 miles west of Fort Churchill.“ Ovibos moschatus (Zimm.). Musk-Ox. The musk-ox was first described from the region between Seal and Churchill rivers and formerly ranged in winter more or less regularly to about that latitude: Hearne saw its tracks within a few miles of Fort Churchill, and on his first journey toward the northwest met with it within a hundred miles of that place.2 Edward Sabine recorded musk-oxen from Melville Island, where they arrived in May from the southward. They crossed on the frozen sea, and recrossed it on leaving in September.’ Ross recorded them from Felix Harbor, «Ann. Rept. Can. Geol. Surv., 1896, UX (new ser.), 165F (1897). bJourney * * * to the Northern Ocean, p. 135, 1795. ¢Suppl. to Appendix to Parry’s First Voyage, p. clxxxix, 1825, 44 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [No, 22, Boothia.“ Dr. Rae found them in the vicinity of Repulse Bay,? east of which they seem never to have been recorded. Frederick Schwatka found a herd between Wager and Back rivers in the winter of 1879.° Tyrrell saw fresh skins in the possession of the Eskimos near the head of Chestertield Inlet in the summer of 1893.7 A skull that had been brought by Eskimos from the vicinity of the head of Chesterfield Inlet was obtained by us at Fort Churchill. The tips of the horns of this specimen, an adult male, curve forward in nearly parallel planes, instead of diverging, as is usually the case. Through the kindness of Dr. Alexander Milne, of York Factory, I obtained what is probably the most southern authentic record of the occurrence of this animal. Several times during the summer of 1897 parties of Indians reported yeeing a pair of musk-oxen on the ‘Bar- rens’ about halfway between York Factory and Fort Churchill. The male was finally killed in August and the head was brought by the Indians to York Factory. This pair had probably wandered beyond the limits of their normal range during the preceding winter, and for some reason failed to return northward. The Eskimos who trade at Fort Churchill hunt the musk-ox in the Barren Grounds several days’ journey northwestward from Cape Eskimo. Sciuropterus sabrinus (Shaw). Hudson Bay Flying Squirrel. Said to be found throughout the region traversed between Lake Winnipeg and Hudson Bay. It has heen recorded by Bell from Nelson River House, on Churchill River,’ and by Bangs from Moose Factory.” We obtained several hunters’ skins at Norway House and one at Oxford House, and learned that the species is rather common on Shamattawa River. It sometimes becomes a pest to trappers on account of the frequency with which it is caught in traps set for mar- tens and other fur-bearing animals. Several winter skins from the vicinity of Norway House differ as follows from skins of Se/wropterus s. macrotis in corresponding pelage from New England: Upperparts slightly darker (less yellowish); tail with duskier color toward tip; face and cheeks darker; feet similar in color, but much more heavily furred; color beneath not noticeably different; hind foot (measured dry), sabr ‘nus, 38-40 mm.; macrotis, about 86 mm. Breadth of tail with hairs spread naturally, sadrinus, 60-65 mm.; mucrot’s, about 45 mm. These specimens from Norway House and Oxford House can probably be considered typical sadr/nus, which was described from Severn River. An imperfect skin in the @ Ross’s Second Voyage, p. 337, 1835. » Narrative of an Expedition to the Arctic Sea, p. 49, 1850. eGilder, Schwatka’s Search, p. 67, 1881. “Ann, Rept. Can. Geol. Surv., 1896, IX (new ser.), p. 165F (1897). ¢ Rept. Prog. Can. Geol. Sury. 1882-3-4, App. IT, p. 48DD (1885). f Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., X, p. 163, 1896. OcTOBER, 1902.] MAMMALS OF KEEWATIN. 45 National Museum from Hudson Bay closely resembles those from Norway House, but is slightly more tinged with yellowish brown beneath. An albinistic specimen from Norway House is nearly white above, slightly tinged with light brown, with a brownish area on the middle of the back; the tail is very light brownish above, and lighter, about normal, beneath. No skulls from the Hudson Bay region are available for comparison. Sciurus hudsonicus (Erxleben). Hudson Bay Red Squirrel. We found the red squirrel abundant and generally distributed throughout the region to within a few miles of York Factory, where the trees dwindle to such an insignificant size as not to afford the ani- mals a congenial home. At Fort Churchill I saw a specimen which had been secured a few miles up the river, where good-sized spruce trees occur and the animals are said to be fairly abundant. An adult male taken at Norway House June 18 is in nearly full winter pelage, the summer coat just beginning to appear in patches on the face and back, the lower parts still showing the heavy grayish vermiculations, and the red median dorsal stripe of the winter pelage being present. The tail is concolor*with the back, and is edged with yellowish gray. All the other specimens taken at Norway House and at various points between that post and Oxford House late in June and early in July, and on the return trip between Steel River and Norway House during the first half of September, are in summer pelage and appear to repre- sent two phases of color. By far the greater number are very dark reddish above, the red suffusion tingeing the lower parts quite appre- ciably in many cases; the tails are bordered with grayish or reddish indiscriminately. Tamias striatus lysteri (Richardson). Northeastern Chipmunk. A specimen collected by C. Drexler at James Bay is recorded in the U.S. National Museum catalogue. It can not now be found, but notes regarding it, made years ago by Dr. C. Hart Merriam, indicate that it is referable to the present form. ai Eutamius neglectus (Allen). Lake Superior Chipmunk. We obtained about a dozen specimens which were collected by Mr. William Campbell at Oxford House during July, August, and the early part of September. Chipmunks were reported to be rather common about Oxford Lake, but we failed to see any at that point, or at any other on our entire trip except the shore of Pine Lake, where we observed one September 13. The specimens secured were preserved in formalin and skinned on our return in September. The average measurements of 6 are as follows: Total length 217; tail vertebre 101; hind foot 31.¢ This series agrees essentially with a series taken by Gerrit S. a All measurements are in millimeters unless otherwise stated. 46 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA (No. 22, Miller, jr., in September and the early part of October at Nepigon and Peninsula Harbor, Ontario, which are in the type region of neg/ectus. The Oxford House series shows some seasonal variation, those taken in July having grayer rumps than the September specimens. Dr. Bell reported * Tim/as quadr‘vittatus’ to be common along the Nelson and Churchill rivers,” but it is probable that it is not found on the lower portions of these rivers. Spermophilus parryi (Richardson). Hudson Bay Spermophile. Arctomys Parryii Rich., Appendix to Parry’s Second Voyage, p. 316, 1825 (1827). The name empetra, usually since 1877 applied to this species, was apparently based on a specimen of the Canadian form of Aretumys monde (see p. 47), and will have to be replaced by parryi of Richard- son, based on specimens collected at Five Hawser Bay, Lyon Inlet, Melville Peninsula, on Parry’s second voyage, which seems to be the next available name. Ground squirrels have been stated to inhabit the coast of Hudson Bay south to Fort Churchill, but I ascertained that the animal does not occur on the coast south of a point about 25 miles below Cape Eskimo—about 150 miles to the northward of Fort Churchill. I was unable to find any in the vicinity of my camp near Thlewiaza River. On starting northward in search of them I was fortunate in securing as guide one of the most intelligent of the Eskimos of the region, who was perfectly familiar with the entire coast and who promised to take me to the nearest point at which the animals were to be found. We left camp near the Thlewiaza on the afternoon of August 8 and on the evening of the next day succeeded in reaching our objective point—the mouth of a stream which enters the sea at the head of a shallow bay thought to be about 25 miles south of Cape Eskimo. One of the animals was seen a few minutes after we landed, but they proved to be rather rare, though the Eskimo gave me to understand that farther north they were more common. They inhabited the scattered sandy ridges and hillocks, but with the exception mentioned none were seen abroad, and careful trapping during the next three days at all the burrows found yielded only four specimens. The apparent inactivity of the animals and the fact that most of the burrows were closed from the inside led me to conelude {somewhat hastily) that the animals had commenced to hibernate, but from the fact that they have been taken at points farther north much later in the season it is probable that such was not the case. The burrows usually had several entrances, and, judging from the amount of earth removed, were quite extensive. The four specimens taken agree closely in color and may be thus described: Fur of back, sides, breast, and belly dusky plumbeous at «Rept. Prog Can. Geol. Surv. 1882-3-4, App. IT, p. 48DD (1885). OcToBER, 1902.] MAMMALS OF KEEWATIN. 47 base, on breast, belly, and sides tipped with rather bright rufous; legs, feet, and throat rufous to base of hairs, this color deepest on upper side of legs; sides and thighs more or less flecked with black hairs; fur on back from nape to base of tail with a broad zone of yellowish-brown, which forms the ground color, succeeded hy a subter- minal zone of yellowish gray and tipped with black. The black tips and the wholly black hairs which are interspersed through the fur predominate in places, causing the grayish zone of color to be broken up into more or less distinct spots; top and sides of head varying from light rufous to dark chestnut rufous, deepest on cheeks and top of head and interspersed with many black hairs; ears light rufous; hairs of upper side of tail dark gray at base, this color sueceeded by a narrow zone of black, a narrow zone of dull yellowish, and a broad zone of black, and narrowly tipped with rufous; pencil of tail, com- prising about a third of its length, nearly all black; most of under side of tail bright rufous. The three males average: Total length 386.6; tail vertebre 117; hind foot 64.3. The female measured: 392; 114; 57. Arctomys monax empetra (Pallas). Canadian Woodchuck. Mus empetra Pallas, Nove Species Quad. e Glirium Ordine, p. 75, 1778. The name A/us empetra of Pallas, usually of late years applied in a general way to the spermophiles inhabiting the Barren Grounds and the northern Rocky Mountains, was evidently based on a specimen of the Canadian woodchuck, as has been recognized by Sabine,” Rich- ardson,’ and others. Pallas cites (as Marnwta quebekana) the ‘Que- bec Marmot’ of Pennant,’ qualifying the reference to Pennant’s figure with the word dona. Pennant’s ‘Quebec Marmot,” apparently based on a live specimen in the possession of Mr. Brooks, is unquestionably a woodchuck.” Forster's ‘Quebec Marmot,’’ which Pallas also cites, is as certainly a spermophile. Pallas’s description of J/ws enipetra follows his citations. Dr. C. Hart Merriam and I have gone care- fully over this description with specimens of both Fauna Boreali-Americana, I, p. 147, 1829. ¢ Synopsis of Quad., p. 270, pl. 24, fig. 2. @ Pennant, Hist. Quad., 3d ed., 1793, p. 129, says: ‘‘It has lately been described by Pallas under the name of Mus empetra.” ¢Phil. Trans., LXII, p. 378, 1772. 48 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [No, 22, ix apparently found throughout the region as far north as York Fac- tory, but is said to be more common to the southward. A hunters’ skin, taken near Oxford House in the spring of 1900, was obtained from Mr. William Campbell, who reported the animal as not common in the vicinity. At York Factory we obtained an immature specimen and a hunters’ skin, taken on Hayes River. Several skins from Trout Lake, where the animals are said to be numerous, were also obtained. The skins secured, representing immature individuals and adults of both sexes, vary but little in coloration. The prevailing color of the upperparts is rufous, the subapical zone of black being restricted and contributing little to the general color; the lower parts are rufous, this color varying somewhat in intensity; the tail is very dark brown or black, the hairs tipped with rufous; the feet are nearly black. The only skull available for comparison was taken at Oxford House June 10,1901. It is that of a female, and though the teeth are not much worn, the development of the occipital crest and the general appearance indicate maturity. It is much smaller than skulls of wood- chucks of about the same age from Washington, D. C., and Maryland (the type locality of monr), and shows other differences as follows: Rostrum less deflected, the nasals flatter and more narrowed poste- riorly; basal portion of zygomatic process of squamosal broader and flatter, its posterior edge, when viewed from above, being practically continuous with the general curve of the zygoma and lacking the con- spicuous concavity usually seen in typical monaxv. The teeth are proportionally weaker, the incisors especially being more slender. This skull measures as follows: Occipito-nasal length 80; zygomatic breadth 55; breadth of rostrum immediately in front of zygoma 15; length of nasals 33; breadth of posterior end of nasals 7. Allen recorded specimens of Arctomys nionus from James Bay and Nelson River.“ Castor canadensis Kuhl. Canadian Beaver. Owing to persistent trapping, the beaver is becoming scarce through- out the region, but skins are annually traded at all the posts visited. We saw the remains of a beaver house between Pine and Windy lakes and a comparatively recent dam on a small stream which empties into Hayes River about 15 miles above York Factory. A number of skins were seen at Fort Churchill. These had been taken on the Lower Churchill River. Several black pelts were among the furs at Norway House. A fine large ligamentary skeleton was obtained at York Factory from Dr. Milne, who said that the animal it belonged to had been taken in the vicinity. Its measurements (approximate) are as follows: «Mon. N. Am. Rod., p. 919, 1877. OcroBER, 1902.] MAMMALS OF KEEWATIN. 49 Total length 1,000; tail vertebra 380; hind foot 190. Skull: Occipito~ nasal length 137; zygomatic breadth 99; interorbital constriction 253 length of nasals 51; breadth of nasals 24; length of upper molar series (crowns) 30. Nine adult skulls of both sexes, collected in the vicinity of Oxford House, average as follows: Occipito-nasal length 131.3; zygomatic breadth 93.5; interorbital constriction 25; length of nasals 47.33; breadth of nasals 23.6; length of molar series (crowns) 28.2. Dr. Bell reports that a family of beavers was found by Indians on North River, a stream that flows into the Bay about 15 miles above Fort Churchill.“ Hearne relates that the Indians who accompanied him on his first exploring trip killed beavers on Seal River, the mouth of which is about 40 miles north of Fort Churchill.’ The point at which Hearne seems to have crossed Seal River, and presumably where the beavers were taken, is not far from the Bay. [Mus musculus Linn. House Mouse. Referring to this species, Richardson says: ‘tI have seen a dead mouse in the storehouse at York Factory.”° J. E. Gray records a specimen of the house mouse collected by Dr. Rae at York Factory, with the remark that it was probably introduced from Europe.” The species does not seem to have ever become established, though individ- uals should apparently be landed occasionally with goods from England. We trapped large numbers of mice about the various buildings. but. took only the native species. | Peromyscus canadensis umbrinus Miller.” Clouded White-footed Mouse. We found this form common and apparently quite generally dis- tributed between Norway House and York Factory, and took speci- mens at the following localities: Norway House, Sea Falls, Echimamish River (Middle Dam and Painted Stone Portage), Robinson Portage. Pine Lake, Oxford Lake (south end), Oxford House, Trout Falls, Hilk River (mouth of Fox River and near Rock Portage), Steel River, Hayes River, and York Factory. I have compared this series with the type series of P. canadensis wnbrinus from Peninsula Harbor, Ontario. The specimens of the type series are mainly in fall pelage, while most of our Keewatin specimens were taken during the summer; but enough are comparable Rept. Prog. Can. Geol. Sury. 1882-3-4, App. II, p. 49DD (1885. ) 6 Journey from Prince of Wales Fort * * * to the Northern Ocean, p. 9, 1795. ¢Fauna Boreali-Americana, I, p. 141, 1829. dRae’s Narrative of an Expedition to the Shores of the Arctic Sea, Appendix, p- 199, 1850. éProc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., 28, No. 1, p. 23, April, 1897. 7165—No,. 22——4 5O NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [No. 22, to make it reasonably certain that they are all referable to the same form. In detailed measurements the two series agree very well. Seven adults from Painted Stone Portage average: Total length 186; tail vertebree 92; hind foot 20. Average of seven adults from Oxford House: 186, 92, 20. Average of seven adults from York Factory: 183, 91, 20.7. This mouse constitutes the house mouse of the region, and infests all the houses and stores within its range. At York Factory almost all our specimens were taken in or about the post buildings; the animal seemed to be rare in the surrounding swamps. {[(?) Neotoma drummondi (Richardson). Drummond Wood-Rat. A wood-rat received about 1860 from W. MacTavish, and supposed to have been taken at Fort Churchill,“ is in the U.S. National Museum. Tt was mounted for many years. but is now made into a study skin. ‘The color has become so changed by exposure that no dependence can be placed on it, and the skull lacks the greater part of the braincase and is otherwise defective. Comparison of this imperfect specimen with specimens taken at Jasper House in the type region of druimmond: shows no essential differences. As Jasper House seems to be the nearest point to Fort Churchill that the genus Vevtom« has been recorded, and as the animal is unknown to the inhabitants of Fort Churchill, it seems most likely that the specimen came from some point in the interior, and was erroneously included in a lot of specimens from Hudson Bay. | Phenacomys mackenzii Preble. Mackenzic Phenacomys. Phenacomys mackenzti Preble, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., XY, p. 182, August 6, 1902. (Fort Smith, Mackenzie. ) Found only at Fort Churchill, where an adult female and two imma- ture individuals were secured July 26 to 28. Two of these were taken on a dry hummock in the meadow west of the post, and the third ina grassy place among the rocks. The rostral portion of a skull, with ‘a part of the skin attached, was found in a fissure among the rocks, where the animal had evidently been eaten by a weasel. Evotomys gapperi (Vigors). Common Red-backed Mouse. We found this species to be rather common throughout the region between Norway House and Hudson Bay, and took a large series embracing specimens from the following localities: Norway House, Sea Falls, Echimamish River, Robinson Portage, Pine Lake, near head of Oxford Lake, Oxford House, Knee Lake (near outlet and on island -4Jn a letter to Sir John Richardson, extracts of which were published, Professor Baird says: “From * * * our other northern collectors and correspondents we have already received many interesting specimens, though the hest are still on the way. We have already had Neotoma cinerea from Fort Churchill.’”’ (Edin. New Phil. Journ. (new ser.), XIII, p. 164, 1861.) OcTOBER, 1902.] MAMMALS OF KEEWATIN. 51 near ‘ Narrows’), Swampy Lake, Hill River (at various points), Steel River, Hayes River, and York Factory. One was also taken by my brother on Churchill River, 15 miles above Fort Churchill. Mossy spruce woods seemed to be their favorite habitat, but we also fre- quently trapped them in deciduous or mixed woods, and occasionally in willow thickets in swamps. They inhabited the larger wooded islands in Knee Lake. On lower Hill River as well as on Steel and Hayes rivers we took only an occasional one, and at York Fac- tory a week’s trapping yielded but three, all of which were caught about the post buildings. None were found at Fort Churchill, or any- where on the tundra, and several nights’ careful trapping by my brother on Churchill River above the post yielded but one. Ot this series of nearly seventy specimens all but six are in the normal red-backed pelage. The exceptions may be briefly referred to. One, from Robinson Portage, has a few black hairs scattered over the back, perceptibly ‘darkening the dorsal stripe. One, from Oxford Lake, taken September 12, has the dorsal stripe dite. sides only slightly darker than normal, and belly yellowish white. One, taken on upper Hill River September 5, has the dorsal stripe dusky brown, the belly and sides about normal, and the back nearly concolor with sides; the dorsal stripe is indicated only by a slight admixture of red. Of the three specimens taken at York Factory, one ix normal; another, probably in left-over winter pelage, differs from the average only in being slightly brighter. The third is yellowish white beneath, with nearly normal sides, and dorsal stripe indicated only by a slight darkening of the dorsal area. One, taken on Churchill River, 15 miles above Fort Churchill, has the dorsal area dull red and only faintly indicated, with dull-brown sides and ashy-brown lower parts. It is immature and measures: 133; 30; 20. A skin from Fort Churchill in the U. S. National Museum (No. 4206) has a seal-brown dorsal stripe, which extends forward nearly to the eyes, and dull, vellowish- brown lower parts and sides. Three adults from Norway House average: Total leweth 134; tail vertebra 39; hind foot 18. Four from Robinson Portage average: 135.5; 88; 18. Five from Knee Lake average: 138; 42; 19. Three from York Factory average: 141; 40; 19. Microtus drummondi (Aud. and Bach.). Drummond Vole. We found this vole rather common in suitable locations throughout. the region between Norway House and Hudson Bay. It seemed most abundant in the partially cleared areas near the posts, and as it readily takes up a residence in the houses and stores, it becomes a decided pest. A large series was collected, including specimens from the fol- lowing localities: Norway House, Echimamish River, Robinson Port- age, Oxford House, Steel River, York Factory, Cape Churchill, and Fort Churchill. 52 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [No. 22, This series averages a little larger than typical drumimond?, but on the whole is fairly typical. Seven adults from Norway House aver- age: Total length 152; tail vertebre 42; hind foot 19. Seven from Oxford House average: 153; 47; 19. Seven from Fort Churchill (selected as being nearly typical of this form): 156; 40; 19. Microtus aphorodemus sp. nov. Barren Ground Vole. Type from Barren Grounds, about 50 miles south of Cape Eskimo, Keewatin (near mouth of Thlewiaza River). 9 ad. (skin and skull), No. 106422, U. 8. Nat. Mus., Biological Survey collection. Collected August 5, 1900, by Edward A. Preble. Original number, 3208. General characters.—Similar to Méicrotus drummond’, buat larger, with much larger and heavier skull. Color.—Upperparts dark yellowish bister, as in drummondi, but usually with an admixture of yellowish-tipped hairs, imparting a coarse appearance to the pelage; adults varying beneath from nearly white to light plumbeous, sometimes tinged with light brownish. Young: Varying but little from adults, lighter in color than young of drwnmond’, especially beneath. Shull.—Much larger than that of dewmmond’; rostrum propor- tionally heavier; molar series longer. Compared with that of penn- sylvanicus the skull is much larger, less arched, and with more widely spreading zygomata; teeth about as in pennsylounicus. Measurements. —Type: Total length 190; tail vertebrae 50; hind foot 20. Average of six adults from type locality: 182; 49; 20.3. Average of four adults from near Hubbart Point: 181; 49; 20.2. Skull of type: Basal length 28; nasals 7.6; zygomatic breadth 16.5; mastoid breadth 12.6; alveolar length of upper molar series 7. Skull, No. 106274, ? ad. (largest in series): Basal length 29; nasals 8.5; zygomatic breadth 17; mastoid breadth 12.5; alveolar length of upper molar series 7. Lemurks.—I found these voles common on the Barren Grounds near the mouth of Thlewiaza River early in August, and collected a large series. They frequented patches of wild rye (Alymus moll/s) on the sandy raised sea beaches near the shore, and burrowed exten- sively in the sand and to some extent in the semidecayed masses of seaweed which had accumulated at high-water mark. They were most active in the morning and evening, but were taken at all hours without difficulty in traps set in their well-worn trails. Their prin- cipal food seemed to be the culms of the wild rye. I found many cavities beneath boulders which they had utilized for storehouses and had filled with the stalks of this coarse grass, cut into short sections. Along the coast north of Fort Churchill at several points where the wild rye grew luxuriantly I found abundant traces of these voles. A series of twenty-two was collected on a point about 10 miles north of Hubbart Point on the morning of August 16, while I was waiting for OcToBER, 1902.] MAMMALS OF KEEWATIN. 53 the tide to come in that we might resume our journey southward. This series includes young and adults of all ages and both sexes, the females slightly predominating. Several females contained embryos which varied in number from seven to ten. Ten specimens taken on the ‘ Barrens,’ near Cape Churchill, August 25, are referable to this form, and the large series of drwinmond/ taken at Fort Churchill includes some specimens that seem to incline toward aphorodemus. Microtus xanthognathus (Leach). Chestnut-cheeked Vole. This species was originally described from Hudson Bay. During our trip, though constantly on the lookout for the species, we saw no traces of voles which we could attribute to wunthognuthus and secured no specimens. Coues recorded wlraicola eanthognathus from Fort Churchill.© The fact that the table in which this specimen is listed contains only skins with chestnut cheeks, as shown by the context, makes it evident that the identification is correct, a fact further supported by the length of the hind foot (1 inch). This specimen can not now be found. Bailey records Microtus aanthognathus from Nelson River.? Fiber zibethicus hudsonius subsp. nov. Hudson Bay Muskrat. Type irom Fort Churchill, Keewatin, Canada. g ad. (skin and skull), No. 106881, U. S. Nat. Mus., Biological Survey collection. Collected August 9, 1900, by Alfred E. Preble. Original number, 3081. General characters.—Rather small, about the size of /’ber spatulatus, but differing in color and cranial characters; smaller than and other- wise different from [her z/bethicus. Color.—Above, dull yellowish brown, darker on middle of back and head; fur of lower parts tipped with yellowish brown, throat yellow- ish white; middle of chin dusky; cheeks yellowish fawn. Compared with spatulatus, hudsonius is more yellowish brown, the back lacking the dusky tinge of spatulatus, and the sides are uniformly lighter. Skull.Smaller and more angular than in ber zibethicus, with highly developed interorbital crest and small molars, as in spatudutus, but differing from skull of spatudatus as follows: Bulle more inflated; parieto-squamosal suture irregular; lateral face of zygoma, especially jugal, broader; nasals narrower anteriorly, but otherwise similar. Measurements.—Type: Total length 539; tail vertebre 225; hind foot 74. Average of four adults from Echimamish River: Total length 549.5; tail vertebre 236.2; hind foot 75.7. Average of two adults from York Factory: Total length 556; tail vertebre 246.5; hind foot 74.5. Skull of type: Occipito-nasal length 56; zygomatic breadth 38; inter- orbital breadth 6; greatest length of nasals 20; greatest, breadth of nasals 9.5; length of upper molar series (crowns) 13.5. @Mon. N. Am. Rod., p. 201, 1877. (No. 8356 in table.) oN. A. Fauna, No. 17, p. 58, 1900. 54 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [No. 22, Remarks.—This species is common and quite generally distributed throughout the region between Lake Winnipeg and Hudson Bay. Though its skin is worth but a few cents in trade, the abundance of the animal and the ease with which it is trapped cause it to be much sought for, and many thousands are annually taken, While ascending the Echimamish we found muskrats abundant and tame, and we also saw many in the marshy lakes in the neighborhood of Robinson Portage. On account of the abundance of ‘rats’ these two localities are favorite trapping grounds of the Indian hunters. The sweet flag (Acorus culamus), a favorite food, abounds in the lakes below Robinson Portage, and the great number of muskrat houses seen there showed the locality to be a favorite resort. We saw many musk- rats while we were descending Hill and Steel rivers. Here they live entirely in burrows in the banks, as the deep water and swift cur- rent render house building impracticable. Piles of mussel shells, showing where the animals had been feasting, were frequently noticed on the banks. The point of marsh below York Factory seemed to be the home of a considerable number of muskrats, but as it is frequently overflowed, they are said to seldom survive the winter. In the vicinity of Fort Churchill they were found in but one place—a stream entering the Churchill River a few miles above the post, and there they were rather uncommon. A winter following a dry season is said to be very destructive to muskrats. On account of the low water the animals construct their burrows and houses correspondingly low and are often forced out by floods at a season when they are unable to procure food and have no protection from their enemies. We collected specimens on the Echimamish, and at Robinson Port- age, York Factory, and Fort Churchill. Young of the year in fresh pelage are darker than adults, but the entire series we collected shows much less rich brown than 2/Jeth/cus from New England. Synaptomys (Mictomys) bullatus Preble. Northern Lemming Vole. Synaptomys(Mictomys) bullatus Preble, Proe. Biol. Sov. Wash., XV, p. 181, August6, 1902. (Trout Rock, near Fort Rae, Mackenzie. ) We trapped only two specimens of this lemming vole—one at Nor- way House June 21 and one, a female with six embryos, in the swamps bordering Echimamish River June 25. Lemmus trimucronatus (Richardson). Back Lemming. We found this fine species at but one locality, near the mouth of Thlewiaza River, where it was common and where a series of about seventy, comprising adults and young of both sexes, was secured August + to 8. A succession of low, flat, boulder-covered areas, which lay between the shore and some shallow lagoons a few hundred yards inland, was occupied by the animals. The ground was dry and well OcTOBER, 1902.] MAMMALS OF KEEWATIN. 55 covered with short, thick grass, through which their runways extended in every direction. They burrowed extensively, sometimes beneath: boulders, but as often in the sides of tiny terraces or from a flat sur- face. Their holes seemed to be connected in an endless labyrinth. We captured several by suddenly overturning some of the boulders, but most were taken in traps set in their well-trodden roads. They paid no attention to bait, but were readily caught in runway traps. When taken alive they showed considerable ferocity for animals of their size, snarling and biting vigorously. The breeding season seemed. to be nearly over, but a few females contained from four to six embryos. The teats are eight in number, four inguinal and four pectoral. No specimens of Zens from the vicinity of Point Lake, the type locality of trémucronatius, are available for comparison, but it is not. likely that the Hudson Bay animal differs appreciably. A few speci- mens, in poor condition, from the Anderson River region, show no. apparent differences. Color of udults.—Fur everywhere plumbeous at base, on head and shoulders tipped with black and grayish in about equal proportion; lower parts and sides rusty ochraceous, this color extending forward on cheeks and lips and sometimes tingeing slightly the head and shoulders; lower part of back bright reddish brown, the fur very thick and long; tail usually distinctly bicolor, yellowish below, and dusky brown above; pencil about 9 mm. in length; feet dusky brown above, lighter below. In some of the half-grown specimens in fresh pelage the head and shoulders are considerably flecked with the color of the sides and there is an indistinct dusky stripe extending from between the ears to the middle of the back. Younger specimens are nearly unicolor throughout, the plumheous fur tipped with yellowish brown. Meusurements.—One of largest specimens: Total length 160; tail vertebre 22; hind foot 20. Average of ten adults: 151; 21.8; 20. Skull: Average of four adults: Basal length 30.6; zygomatic breadth 91.5; interorbital breadth 3.1; mastoid breadth 15.5. Remurks.—Arvicula trimucronatus was recorded from Igloolik, Mel- ville Peninsula, by Richardson,“ and was said by J. C. Ross to be com- mon on the shores of Boothia Felix.? Dicrostonyx richardsoni Merriam. Richardson Lenming. Dicrostonyx richardsoni Merriam, Proc. Wash. Acad. Sci., IT, p. 26, March 14, 1900. About 120 specimens of this interesting lemming were collected. These ranged inage from young a few days old to fully adult individ- uals. About 80 were taken, mainly by my brother, at Fort Churchill, « Appendix to Parry’s Second Voyage, p. 311, 1825 (1827). b Appendix to Ross’s Second Voyage, p. xiv, 1835. 56 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [No. 22, the type locality of the species, and the remainder at two localities on the Barren Grounds, and on the ‘Barrens’ below Cape Churchill. Many burrows were untenanted and there was usually nothing in their appearance to indicate the fact. On this account trapping was found to he less satisfactory in securing specimens than digging. A few minutes’ digging usually disclosed whether or not a burrow was occupied. Gravelly ridges, the remains of old raised sea beaches, occur through- ‘out the country bordering the Bay, and are found inland many miles from the present coast line. Richardson lemmings frequent mainly these ridges. Their burrows differ widely from those of Zemmus and Microtus, Each seemed to be distinct and occupied by only a single individual, except in the case of females accompanied by young. The hole sometimes has its entrance beneath a piece of driftwood or at the base of adwarfed spruce. It usually proceeds at an angle of about 45° for a foot or so, and then extends nearly horizontally for 2 or sometimes 3 feet to the nest of grass and moss, which occupies a circular cham- ber 4 inches in diameter. A side gallery a foot or two in length usually branches off from the main burrow not far from the nest. This is without a terminal chamber and is evidently used as a place of refuge. In this retreat we usually found the owner of the burrow if he was at home. The sand and gravel dug from the burrow is usually pushed out into a long pile extending sometimes 2 feet from the entrance. No runways are made, even when the burrows are near soft ground; the animals evidently range indiscriminately over the ground. The only food observed in the burrows was a few leaves of bear-berry {Arctostaphylos uva-urs’). Three young at a birth seems to be the usual number. Every litter we found consisted of three, and in each pregnant female we secured ‘were three embryos. The breeding season seemed to be nearly over, however, so that pregnant females were not common. One, captured on the Barren Grounds August 12, besides containing the usual three ‘small embryos, was suckling three young. ‘Several young were kept for a few days by my brother. They ‘were very readily tamed and took food (rolled oats and crumbs of bread) within a few hours of their capture, allowing him to hold them on his hand while they ate. They sat on their haunches and held the food in their fore feet like squirrels. These young lemmings were very gentle and interesting in their ways, but the old ones fought viciously when captured, and their sharp incisors and strong jaws made them somewhat formidable. In the immediate vicinity of the post at Fort Churchill we found only a few lemmings, but the sandy ridges on the south side of the river and on the point near the ruins of Fort Prince of Wales proved OcTOBER, 1902, ] MAMMALS OF KEEWATIN. 57 fruitful collecting grounds. At my two camps on the Barren Grounds south of Cape Eskimo they were abundant in their favorite locations; and on a long sandy ridge below Cape Churchill, where we landed on the afternoon of August 24, we found many burrows and captured about 20 lemmings. Only one was actually seen away from its bur- row—a female which, when surprised hy us some distance from her home, ran into a shallow deserted burrow for refuge. The animals seem mainly nocturnal in their habits, though a few were taken at the mouths of holes during the daytime. They are known by the natives of Churchill as ‘Husky’ or ‘Huckey’ (i. e., Eskimo) mice, because of their northern habitat. . Compared with skulls of Dicrostonye hudsonius from the coast of Labrador, those of D. richardson’ exhibit the following conspicuous differences: Braincase broader; interparietal broader and squarish in outline (in Judsendus small and triangular); parietals broader; bull much more inflated. In color D. richardsoné is much darker than hudson/us, owing to a much greater proportion of chestnut- and brown-tipped hairs in the pelage. The specimens taken by us vary remarkably, but the grayest show more brown than any specimens of Audson7us examined. Topotypes of D. richardsoni in summer pelage may be described as follows: Fur light plumbeous at base; that of back and sides tipped with chestnut or rich yellowish brown, occasionally with these colors and gray, sides usually lighter than back. A dusky stripe, rarely continuous but usually interrupted on face, extending from nose to tail; this stripe nearly obsolete in some very old specimens, but very distinct in young, and in some about half grown more than 5 mm. in width. Orifice of ears surrounded by black hairs tipped with chestnut. Lower parts varying from yellowish white to rich yellowish brown, variation according with the richness of color of upperparts; throat and chest always darker than rest of lower parts. Soles and forelegs lighter than rest of lower parts, usually nearly white; tail usually unicolor, yellowish white, but sometimes dusky above; pencil yellowish white. The young vary but little in color. Those perhaps a week old are grayish brown above, with the very distinct dusky dorsal stripe; beneath practically naked, but with a trace of white down. Others a little older are grayish brown above, varying a little even in the same litter, in the same way as the adults, but in a less degree; beneath yellowish white, brownish between forelegs. Young half grown and larger resemble adults, but are generally grayer, and never show the extreme richness of coloring exhibited by adults. Measurements.—Average of 10 adults: Total length 139.5; tail ver- tebre 17.8; hind foot 18.4. One of the largest specimens: Total length 150; tail vertebre 20; hind foot 20, Average of 8 adult skulls: Basal 58 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [No. 22, length (incisor to occipital condyle) 28.3; zygomatic breadth 19.2; interorbital breadth 4; mastoid breadth 14.4. A large skull measures: Basal length 29; zygomatic breadth 20; interorbital breadth 4; mastoid breadth 15. This lemming has been several times recorded from this region, usually under the name clra/coli hudson/us. J.C. Ross reported it from Port Bowen, Prinve Regent Inlet,“ and obtained specimens from Boothia Felix, where it was active throughout the winter;? Richardson states that it inhabits Melville Peninsula;* specimens were taken by Parry’s party on Melville Island on June 13, on which date the pelage was turning brown;@ and Lyon observed it on Duke of York Bay, Southampton Island.¢ Rae says, probably referring to this species: Occasionally large numbers of lemmings are found drowned along the shores of James’s Bay, but as they are generally seen alter a very high tide, it is uncertain whether they are then migrating, or merely caught by the high tide on their native grounds.f Zapus hudsonius (Zimm.). Hudson Bay Jumping Mouse. We took Zipus at Norway House, on Echimamish River, at Rob- inson Portage, at Oxford House, on Steel River (near the mouth of the Shamattawa), und at York Factory. It was especially common in the grassy thickets about Oxford House, where the greater part of the series was taken. At York Factory our traps yielded but two specimens, and at Fort Churchill none, though at the latter place we obtained an imperfect skin from the natives. The last one taken was trapped on Steel River near the mouth of the Shamattawa August 31. At Oxford House, where these jumping mice had been very plen- tiful in July, we set out traps on September 10 and 11 in the same places as before, without success; but as heavy frosts had occurred for some time it is probable that the animals were hibernating. An adult female taken at Oxford House June 30 is suffused above with buffy clay color and is lighter and less bright than the others secured; bat the series taken as a whole agrees essentially in color with a series from northern Minnesota, and no differences are noticeable in the skulls. Six adults from Oxford House average: Total length 209.3; tail vertebra 126; hind foot 30.3. Two from York Factory average: 212; 120.5: 80. Embryos from five to eight in number were noted in several instances. Zapus hudson/us was originally described from a specimen sent from Hudson Bay, probably from Severn River, by Mr. Graham. It has heen recorded from James Bay and Fort Churchill.” «Parry’s Third Voyage, Appendix, p. 93, 1824. » Appendix to Ross’s Second Voyage, p. xiv, 1835, ¢ Fauna Boreali-Americana, p. 132, 1829. ¢ Journal of Parry’s (First) Voyage, p. 202, 1821. ¢ Lyon's Private Journal, p. 47, 1824. J Journ. Linn. Soc. London, Zool., XX, p. 144, 1888, g Preble, N. A. Fauna, No. 15, p. 17, 1899. OcTOBER, 1902.] MAMMALS OF KEEWATIN. 59 Erethizon dorsatum (Linn.). Canada Porcupine. The porcupine occurs throughout the region between Lake Winni- peg and Hudson Bay, but is nowhere abundant. In a country where the life of the native is a constant struggle for food, the ease with which this animal is taken is a sufficient reason for its scarcity. According to Hearne, the porcupine was formerly found north of Churchill River, but was scarce.“ Bell says: Mr. Isbister, of the Nelson River House on the Churchill, informs me that it was once abundant there. It is rare between Lake Winnipeg and Hudson’s Bay, but an individual is occasionally found as far north as York Factory.? Forster recorded it from Severn River.“ Dr. Milne informed me that he had known it to oceur but once at York Factory, but that it is reported by the Indians to be common in certain places about the headwaters of the Shamattawa. Lepus americanus Erxleben. Hudson Bay Varying Hare. This species is quite generally distributed throughout the region between Lake Winnipeg and Hudson Bay. Unmistakable evidences of its presence were observed all along our route. We obtained a pair of adults and two immature specimens at Oxford House early in July. At York Factory the animal was stated to be rather uncommon. Bell reports it to be common some years in the neighborhood of Fort Churchill.” An adult female taken at Oxford House July 1 is yellowish gray dorsally, much flecked with black, which predominates along center of back; color of sides extending down on upper part of thighs; head and face yellowish brown; outer side of legs yellowish fawn; inner side of legs dull white; upper side of feet dull white, slightly tinged with yellowish. A male taken at Oxford House July 8 has much less dusky on the back, and the back and sides are much suffused with grayish fawn. The measurements of these specimens are as follows: Male: Total length 430; hind foot 117; female: Total length 450; tail vertebre 43; hind foot 133. Skull of female: Occipito-nasal length v4; zygomatic breadth 36; breadth across postorbital processes 25; length of nasals 30.5; breadth of nasals 26.5. Lepus arcticus canus subsp. nov. Keewatin Arctic Hare. Type from Barren Grounds near Hubbart Point, about 75 miles north of Fort Churchill, Keewatin. ¢ yg. ad. (skin and skull), No. 106860, U. 8. Nat. Mus., Biological Survey collection. Collected August 17, 1900, by Edward A. Preble. Original number, 3347. Differing from Zepus arcticus in assuming a General Characters. «Journey * * * to the Northern Ocean, p. 381, 1795. » Rept. Prog. Can. Geol. Surv. 1882-3-4, App. II, p. 49DD (1885). ePhil, Trans., LXII, p. 374, 1772. @ Rept. Prog. Can. Geol. Surv., 1882-3-4, App. II, p. 49DD (1885). 60 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [No. 22, gray summer pelage; similar to Lepus labrador/us, but differing slightly in color and in cranial characters. Color.—Fur of upperparts light plumbeous at base, succeeded by a broad zone of yellowish fawn and a narrow zone of dusky and tipped with white; throatand rump light plumbeous without the fawn-colored zone and white tips; legs and feet, white, but the light plumbeous of rump extending down a short distance on thighs; soles clay-color— probably stained; chin grayish white, lighter thanthroat; head grizzled fawn, brightest on nose and around eyes; nape grayish; occiput dusky; ears dusky grayish anteriorly, edged, except at tip and anteriorly toward the base, with white, dusky tips about 15 mm. long, mesial surface white; fur on inside of ears dusky, tipped with white. An imperfect winter skin obtained near York Factory has the entire fur pure white to base of hairs, except at extreme tips of ears, where the fur is black, becoming yellowish brown toward base. Lepus labrador/us presents a more bluish appearance than Lepus areticus canus, as the plumbeous element of its pelage is more con- spicuous. In /abrudor/us the plumbeous extends down on outside of leg from thigh nearly to heel. Skull.—No skulls of adult aret/cus are available for comparison, Compared with skulls of lahbradorius, those of canus differ as follows: Bulle flatter, rising but slightly above level of basioccipital; jugal broader. Journey * * * to the Northern Ocean, p. 366, 1795. 62 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [No. 22, lonely and desolate waste. Sometimes they were heard pursuing caribou. Owing to the limited time, Iwas unable to obtain specimens, though I saw many skins, mostly nearly pure white, at Fort Churchill, where they are traded hy the Eskimos and Chippewyans. The Barren Ground wolf has been recorded by the different Arctic expeditions from various points in northern Keewatin. Canis occidentalis Richardson. Gray Wolf. Gray wolves are found more or less commonly throughout the region hetween Lake Winnipeg and Hudson Bay, and numbers are traded at all the posts. We saw tracks in several places on Steel River, and a wolf was seen a few miles above Fort Churchill during our stay there. A skull of a female from the vicinity of Norway House was obtained from Mr. MacDonald, who informed me that the animal was one of a pair which for some time during the winter of 1900-1901 lived on small fish which they caught at a certain place in the river where ice did not form. Mr. Campbell, of Oxford House. informed me that during the winter of 1899-1900 several were killed within a few rods of the buildings. Vulpes fulvus (Desmarest). Common Red Fox. Foxes occur rather plentifully throughout the region between Lake Winnipeg and Hudson Bay. Many skins were seen in the store- houses of the company at Norway House, Oxford House, and York Factory. A few are collected at Fort Churchill. The ‘cross* phase of pelage seems to predominate, and the normal or red phase to be next in abundance; but many black, or ‘silver.’ foxes are taken. Certain districts are said by the traders to produce black foxes almost exclusively;'in others these are rarely taken. Large numbers of skins seen at the different posts exhibited every possible degree of variation from the normal red phase to almost pure black. Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., X, p. 22, 1896. ; ‘ OcrowER, 1902.] MAMMALS OF KEEWATIN. 69 Mustela pennanti Erxleben. Fisher. Found sparingly throughout the southern part of the region. We saw many skins at Norway House and Oxford House. Dr. Milne, of York Factory, informed me that he had known of one fisher being taken about 60 miles cast of York Factory, toward Cape Tatnam, and had on one occasion seen a track about 50 miles southeast of York Factory. Farther south more are taken; about thirty or forty are annually traded at Trout Lake and a few at Severn River. Skulls from Oxford House and Cross Lake, collected during the winter of 1900-1901, resemble closely skulls from Godbout, Quebec, assumed to be typical pennanty. Gulo luseus (Linn.). Hudson Bay Wolverine. Edwards figured and gave a short account of the ‘ Quick Hatch or Wolverene’ from an individual which was brought alive from Hudson Bay, and which lived for several years.” This specimen formed the basis of Linnzeus’s description of the species, which he named /yscus, in allusion to the beast having lost an eye. The wolverine is still found throughout the region between Lake Winnipeg and Hudson Bay, but is rather rare in the southern districts, though a few skins were seen at all the posts visited. To the northward it is more abun- dant, its range extending over the Barren Grounds and some of the islands of the Polar Sea. In Hearne’s day the natives to the north of Fort Churchill killed many wolverines.?. Edward Sabine recorded a skull found on Melville Island on Parry’s first voyage,’ and on his second voyage the remains of wolverines were found on Melville Peninsula.” Wolverines were killed in midwinter near Felix Harbor and Victoria Harbor during Ross’s second voyage.‘ Skins are still obtained in the vicinity of Marble Island. Odobenus rosmarus (Linn.). Atlantic Walrus. Occasionally found about the northern part of the Bay, to which section it is probably confined. The body of one had been brought to Fort Churchill by the Eskimos and skinned there a few days before our arrival. A small quantity of walrus ivory, which forms one of the articles of trade, was seen at that post. Dr. Bell says: The walrus is killed by the Eskimo, principally about the entrance to Hudson’s Straits and around the Belcher Islands. In former years this animal is reported to have been seen occasionally as. far south as Little Whale River. On the onposite side of Hudson’s Bay walruses are said to have been seen near Cape Henrietta Maria.f aNat. Hist., IT, pl. 103, 1747. bJourney * * * tothe Northern Ocean, p. 372, 1795. ¢Suppl. to Appendix to Parry’s First Voyage, p. clxxxiv, 1824. @ Appendix to Parry’s Second Voyage, p. 293, 1825 (1827). e Appendix to Ross’s Second Voyage, p. viii, 1835. J Rept. Prog. Can. Geol. Surv., 1877-78, p. 29¢ (1879). 70 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [No. 22, The animal was formerly abundant at Walrus Island and other points to the north of Fort Churchill. Hearne relates that in 1767 while passing Sea Horse ‘Island’ he and his party ‘‘saw such num- bers of those animals lying on the shore, that when some swivel guns loaded with ball were fired among them, the whole beach seemed to be in motion.” “ J. C. Ross recorded walruses from the northern part of Prince Regent Inlet.’ According to the same author they were unknown about Boothia, but abounded at Repulse Bay.“ Dr. Rae mentions seeing many on a small island near Whale Island, below Wager Bay.? Phoca hispida Schreber. Rough Seal. A number of skins were seen at Fort Churchill and the animal was said to be rather common in the vicinity. J.C. Ross reported the species from the seas on both sides of the Isthmus of Boothia,’ and from Port Bowen’ Phoca grenlandica Erxleben. Harp Seal. Dr. Bell gives this species as the commonest seal in all parts of Hudson Bay at all seasons.? I saw no skins, but the species was reported at Fort Churchill. J. C. Ross reported it from the west side of the Isthmus of Boothia.? Cystophora cristata (Erxleben). Hooded Seal. Dr. Bell reported this seal from Hudson Straits, where a few skins were seen in the possession of the Eskimos.’ Its range may extend to other parts of the Bay. Erignathus barbatus (Erxleben). Bearded Seal. An adult female was killed July 20 about 75 miles north of York Factory. Its total length was 2,300 mm. (about 74 feet), and it was so heavy that we had great difficulty in getting it on board. Its general color is grayish; lighter, almost silvery on sides and head, darker on nape and middle of back. We saw numbers of these seals both to the north and south of Fort Churchill, and the species probably reaches all parts of the Bay. The so-called ‘clapmatch’ lines. used in place of heavy rope for various uses, are made largely from the skins of this species in the region we «Journey * * * tothe Northern Ocean, p. 388, 1795. b Appendix to Ross’s Second Voyage, p. xxi, 1835. ¢Tbid, p. xxii, 1835. @ Expedition to the Shores of the Arctic Sea, p. 180, 1850. ¢ Appendix to Ross’s Second Voyage, p. xix, 1835. Appendix to Parry’s Second Voyage, p. 94, 1825 (1827). 9 Rept. Prog. Can. Geol. Sury., 1882-3-4, App. IT, p. 52DD (1885), OcToBER, 1902] MAMMALS OF KEEWATIN. 71 visited. A long line of surprising strength is made by cutting the skin of the animal in a spiral manner. Dr. Bell saw skins of the bearded seal in the possession of the Eski- mos in Hudson Strait in 1884, and a fewof the animals were observed by his party. He also saw bearded seals on the Eastmain coast in 1877, and killed a large one at the mouth of Moose River.* J.C. Ross reported the species to be found in summer on the shores of Boothia.? Phoca vitulina Linn. Harbor Seal. Doubtless found in all parts of the Bay. We saw it in numbers all along the coast visited, especially at the mouth of Churchill River. We saw one August 28, several miles above York Factory, as we were ascending Hayes River. A specimen of a rather small female that measured 1,500 mm. in length was secured 50 miles south of Cape Eskimo August 14. Its general color is light yellowish, irregularly and obscurely spotted on the back with brownish. Neosorex palustris (Richardson). Marsh Shrew. This species is represented in our collection by a series of seven col- lected between Echimamish River and the upper portion of Hill River. We trapped them in the grassy margins of marshes or in wooded swamps. As this series shows considerable variation in color some of the specimens may be noted in detail. Four taken at Robin- son Portage June 27 agree very closely in color—back dusky, very finely flecked with silvery white; beneath grayish white with a tinge of brown, grading insensibly on sides into color of upperparts; throat and chin noticeably lighter than remainder of lower parts, this light color sharply divided from the dusky of the face; inner surface of forelegs and fringes of feet silvery white; tail rather sharply bicolored nearly to tip; hind feet dark on outer side, lighter on inner side. A specimen taken on Hill River, near Swampy Lake, September 5, agrees closely with the June specimens. One taken at Robinson Port- age September 14 is evidently in winter pelage, the fur being very soft and fuil, and glossy black dorsally, much darker than the June speci- “mens. One taken on Echimamish River September 15 agrees with the June specimens dorsally, but the ventral surface is strongly clouded with brownish. The skulls, compared with skulls from Min- nesota and South Edmonton, Alberta, assumed to be typical palustrs, show no differences of value. The series shows little variation in size. The seven specimens aver- age: Total length 157.3; tail vertebree 72; hind foot 19.4. A speci- men received from Mr. J. K. MacDonald, of Norway House, who obtained it from the Indians, is in full winter pelage. It resembles «Rept. Prog. Can. Geol. Sury., 1882-3-4, App. II, p. 52DD (1885). b Appendix to Ross’s Second Voyage, p. xxi, 1835. 72 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [No. 22, the specimen from Robinson Portage taken in September, except that the fur of the back is tipped with whitish. The species, it is stated, is locally called the ‘beaver mouse,’ from being found in the houses of the beaver. Sorex personatus I. Geoffroy. Common Eastern Shrew About twenty-five specimens were collected from various localities between Norway House and York Factory. These average lighter in color beneath and slightly larger than specimens of personatus in corre- sponding pelage from the Northeastern States. The males average a little darker dorsally than the females. Sometimes there is a distinct dark area on the back separated from the ashy of the lower parts by a lighter Jateral stripe. Among my specimens this dark area seems to increase in intensity with age, anda very old male with excessively worn teeth from York Factory has a conspicuous tricolor pattern. This specimen has an abnormally short tail and measures: Total leneth 90; tail vertebra 32; hind foot 12. Eight of the largest speci- mens average: 104.1: 40.6; 12. King records a specimen of Sorex forster/ which was found near the mouth of Great Fish River.¢ Sorex (Microsorex) alnorum xp. noy. Keewatin Shrew. Type from Robinson Portage, Keewatin, Canada. 9 ad. (skin and skull), No. 107014, U. 8. Nat. Mus., Biological Survey coilection. Collected June 27, 1900, by Alfred E. and Edward A. Preble. Original number, 2662. General characters.—Larger than Serer hoyi with larger skull; lower parts not tinged with buffy. Color.—Tvpe: Upperparts sepia brown as in S. hoy’; lower parts ashy gray, not tinged with. buffy; hind foot dusky on outer and whit- ish on inner half; tail dusky above, whitish below, becoming dusky toward tip. Compared with Sorex (Mferosorer) evimius from Cook Tnlet, Alaska, the type is slightly darker above and slightly grayer beneath. Skull.—Compared with skulls of S. hoyi from Elk River, Minne- sota, and Red River Settlement, Manitoba, the skull of the type is much larger; rostrum about the same; braincase much broader and higher, both actually and proportionally; mandible longer and slen- derer; teeth more heavily pigmented. Compared with Sore. (Jlcro- sorex) eatin/us from Cook Inlet, a/orwmn has rostrum slightly broader, longer and higher; unicuspids more crowded. Measurements.—Type: Total length 98; tail vertebra 35; hind foot 12. Skull: Greatest length 16.5; width of braincase 7; length of mandible 10. Remarks.—We found this species only at Robinson Portage, where the type was trapped, and on the Echimamish. At the latter point a «Narrative of a Journey to the Shores of the Arctic Ocean, II, p. 17, 1836. OcToBER, 1902.] MAMMALS OF KEEWATIN. 73 Sorer was so eaten in the trap as to be unfit. for a skin, but the skull was saved and proves referable to Mirroserur. It was badly injured and is valueless for comparison, but it is assumed to belong to this species. Sorex richardsoni Bachman. Richardson Shrew. This shrew is represented in our collection by a series of eleven specimens. Exeepting one taken in June at Robinson Portage and one trapped on Swampy Lake, near its outlet, September 6, all are from Norway House, where the species was abundant. Four of these Nor- way House specimens, taken June 18 to 22, ure still in the dark-backed winter pelage; all the others have the dorsal area less distinctly indi- cated. One taken at Norway House June 22 contained six embryos. The Swampy Lake specimen, which was trapped in spruce woods, has an abnormally long tail and measures: Total length 120; tail vertebrie 48; hind foot 14. The rest of the series average: 116.6; 41.5; 14. Under the name Sorex arancus, Forster recorded a specimen sent from Hudson Bay, probably referable to the present species.“ Sorex sphagnicola Coues. Coues Shrew. A shrew collected by Dr. Bell on Shamattawa River was referred to . this species by Dr. C. Hart Merriam.? Sorex sphagnicola is very imperfectly known, but is undoubtedly most nearly related to richurd- kOne. Condylura cristata (Linn.). Star-nosed Mole. Dr. Bell speaks of this species as being common at Moose Factory.‘ A specimen in the U. 8. National Museum, collected at that post in 1881 by Dr. Walton Haydon, and one taken at Rupert House, James Bay, have been recorded by True.” I have recently examined the Moose Factory specimen. It was kept in alcohol, but has spoiled in the fluid so that only the skull and part of the skeleton are intact. The skull resembles closely specimens from Pennsylvania and the Northern States. Myotis lucifugus (Le Conte). Little Brown Bat. Two specimens from James Bay are recorded by Miller.“ We saw no bats of any kind during our trip. ¢Phil. Trans., LXII, p. 380, 1772. oN. A. Fauna, No. 10, p. 65, 1895. ¢Rept. Prog. Can. Geol. Surv. 1882-3-4, App. II, p. 48DD (1885). @Proc. U. 8. Nat. Mus., XIX, p. 84, 1896. eN, A. Fauna, No. 13, p. 63, 1897. BIRDS OF KEEWATIN. Colymbus holbelli (Reinh.). Holbcell Grebe. The Holbcell Grebe was first described by Reinhardt from Green- land. Joseph Sabine mentions having received specimens from Hudson Bay.“ MacFarlane took its eggs in the vicinity of Fort Anderson;? and as the species is recorded from other northern points and breeds in Manitoba it probably occurs throughout the Hudson Bay region. Colymbus auritus Linn. Horned Grebe. Several grebes thought to belong to this species were seen near the the mouth of Red River June 15, and a specimen was coliected at Sea Falls, 20 miles north of Norway House, September 16. Andrew Murray recorded the species from Trout Lake,‘ and Dr. Bell has collected it at Fort Severn and York Factory, and found it breeding at Fort Churchill,? from which point Clarke records a speci- men in summer plumage.’ A specimen collected by Dr. Rae at Repulse Bay is recorded in the British Museum Catalogue. Podilymbus podiceps (Linn.). Pied-billed Grebe. Bell records a specimen from York Factory collected and presented to him by Dr. Matthews.‘ This seems to be the only published record of the capture of the pied-billed grebe in the Hudson Bay region. Nutting records specimens taken at Chemawawin, Saskatchewan, an Indian village about 60 miles west of the mouth of the Saskatchewan, where the species was breeding abundantly.” Gavia imber (Gunn.). Loon. We found this species rather common on the lakes and deeper parts of the rivers on our route between Norway House and York Factory, and its wild notes were heard nearly every night. Several were seen near the mouth of Churchill River July 30, and several more near North River July 31. On our return trip we saw one or more on nearly every lake between Oxford House and Norway House. @¥Franklin’s Narrative of a Journey to the Polar Sea, Appendix, p. 692 (Poriceps rubricollis), 1823. b Proc. U. 8S. Nat. Mus., XIV, p. 415, 1891. ¢ Edin. New Phil. Journ., (new ser.), IX, p. 231, 1859. @ Proc. Royal Soc. Canada, 1882, I, Sec. IV, p. 49 (1883). ¢ Auk, VII, p. 320, 1890. J Rept. Prog. Can. Geol. Surv., 1882-3-4, App. III, p. 56DD (1885). g Nat. Hist. Bull. Univ. Iowa, II, p. 249, 1893. 75 76 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. _ (No. 22, King recorded the ‘great northern diver’ from the mouth of Back River,” and Murray received a specimen from Severn House.? The catalogue of birds in the U. S. National Museum collection con- tains the record of a specimen collected at Moose Factory in 1881 by Walton Haydon. Gavia adamsi (Gray). Yellow-billed Loon. Under the name Colymbus gluciulis, James Clark Ross records three loons, which from his description were undoubtedly of this species, obtained about Boothia during (John) Ross’s second voyage.‘ In speaking of a loon given him by James Clark Ross, which had been procured in a very high latitude, and which had a yellow bill, Audubon probably refers to one of these specimens. ? This record extends the previously recognized range of the species considerably to the eastward. Gavia arctica (Linn.). Black-throated Loon. Swainson and Richardson speak of this species as common on Hudson Bay,’ and Murray recorded it from Severn House.” Clarke recorded an adult in summer plumage from Fort Churchill.? Some of these records may refer to pucifica. Gavia pacifica (Lawr.). Pacific Loon. First seen on Hudson Bay about 25 miles north of York Factory July 17, and rather common northward. A fine adult male was secured at Fort Churchill July 25. On the Barren Grounds below Cape Eskimo, August 4 to 13, the species was abundant on the shallow ponds on the tundra, where the young are raised. The old birds were often seen flying to and from the Bay, where most of their food seemed to be secured. The howl of a wolf, or any unusual sound, was generally followed by a chorus of their wild, weird calls, lasting for several minutes. The species was last seen by us below Cape Churchill August 24. Edwards’s plate and description of the ‘Speckled Diver, or Loon,’ a Narrative of a Journey to the Shores of the Arctic Ocean, II, p. 21, 1836. b Edin. New Phil. Journ. (new ser.), IX, p. 231, 1859. Severn House does not appear on most maps. Thompson, who has had access to the maps and records of the Hudson’s Bay Company in London, locates it ‘‘on Severn Lake, at 54° 5’ north lati- tude and 92° 30’ west longitude.’’ (Proc. U. 8. Nat. Mus., XIII, p. 463, 1890). In Stieler’s Hand Atlas it is located at the same place. If this information is correct (as it probably is) Severn House should not be confounded with Fort Severn, the post at the mouth of Severn River, though it is barely possible that Murray’s records refer to Fort Severn. ¢ Appendix to Ross’s Second Voyage, p. xlii, 1835. ¢ Birds of America, VII, p. 291. ¢ Fauna Boreali-Americana, IJ, p. 475, 1831. J Edin. New Phil. Journ. (new ser.), IX, p. 231, 1859. g Auk, VII, p. 320, 1890. OcToBER, 1902. ] BIRDS OF KEEWATIN. 77 plainly represent this species. He gives the length of the bill to the angle as 3 inches, and the color of the hinder part of head and neck as light ash.“ Specimens from Winter Island, Melville Peninsula, and from Repulse Bay are recorded in the British Museum Catalogue. Gavia lumme (Gunn.). Red-throated Loon. First seen July 21 at Fort Churehbill, where it was fairly common. It was abundant August + to 13 on the shallow ponds on the Barren Grounds below Cape Eskimo, where the old birds were feeding young that were still unable to fly. An adult male and a young one in the dusky downy plumage were collected 50 miles below Cape Eskimo August 4. Atour camp 25 miles south of Cape Eskimo the species was more abundant than @. pac/jica, and fully as noisy. While returning we saw tivo and shot one on Knee Lake September 9. Cepphus mandti (Licht.). Mandt Guillemot. Two were seen on Hudson Bay about 50 miles south of Cape Eskimo August 3. One of these sat motionless on the water while the boat passed by within a few feet. On August 19 I saw one on Button Bay near Fort Churchill. Two specimens from Melville Peninsula are recorded in the British Museum Catalogue. Andrew Murray records the black guillemot (C. gryile) from Severn House,’ and Richardson states that it was very numerous off Melville Peninsula.’ In his narrative Dr. Rae speaks of finding it nesting on an island off Knaps River, Hudson Bay.? These records of grylle probably refer to the present form. Uria troile (Linn.).. Murre. Richardson describes a specimen collected at York Factory, Hudson Bay.¢ Uria lomvia (Linn.). Briinnich Murre. Swainson and Richardson say that this species frequents Hudson Bay.’ A specimen from Hudson Bay, received from the Hudson’s Bay Company, is recorded in the British Museum Catalogue. Though I have been unable to find any other record, there seems to be no reason that this murre should not occur there regularly.. The species is recorded by Ross from Port Bowen, Prince Regent Inlet, where the birds arrived early in June./ «Nat. Hist., III, pl. 146, 1750. b Edin. New Phil. Journ. (new ser.), IX, p. 231, 1859. ¢ Appendix to Parry’s Second Voyage, p. 377, 1825 (1827). @ Narrative of an Expedition to the Shores of the Arctic Sea, p. 22, 1850. ¢ Fauna Boreali-Americana, II, p. 477, 1831. fIbid., p. 477, 1831. g Parry’s Third Voyage, Appendix, p. 107, 1826. 78 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [No. 22, Alle alle (Linn.). Dovekie. This species is recorded as abundant in Baffin Bay, Davis Strait, and other parts of the Arctic seas, and it winters southward on the coast, hence it- probably occurs, at least in migrations, about the northern part of Hudson Bay. Megalestris skua (Briinn.). Skua. Lurus keeask of Latham,“ stated to inhabit Hudson Bay, and based on Hutchins’s ‘Esquimaux Keeask,’? probably refers to the present species. Though it has apparently not since been recorded from Hudson Bay, the facts of its presence in Hudson Straits and its breeding at Lady Franklin Island, north of the straits, render its occurrence on the waters of the Bay probable. Stercorarius pomarinus (Temm.). Pomarine Jaeger. Several seen near the mouth of Churchill River July 21. They were pursuing the terns and small gulls with remarkable agility, evidently to rob them of their prey. A male was collected below Cape Eskimo, where the birds were common August 3 to 8. They were generally flying about over the tundra somewhat after the manner of a marsh hawk, frequently hunting in small, noisy companies; but sometimes several would be seen standing on a small knoll, apparently asleep. They were easily decoyed by the imitation of the cry of a bird in distress. Despite the frequency of melanism in this genus, I saw no black jaegers of any species, though my Indian guide reported seeing one at our camp 25 miles below Cape Eskimo. Richardson records the species from Igloolik, Melville Peninsula.¢ Stercorarius parasiticus (Linn.), Parasitic Jaeger. First met with about 50 miles north of York Factory, where several were seen, and a female was shot July 19. The species was common on the Barren Grounds below Cape Eskimo, August 4 to 18. In habits it resembles S. pomarinus. Clarke records a melanistic specimen from Fort Churchill.” Stercorarius longicaudus Vieill. Long-tailed Jaeger. Edwards’s plate of the ‘Arctick Bird’ represents this species. In his description he says the tail feathers are 13 inches long.’ Dr. Bell records a specimen which was shot near York Factory by Dr. Matthews, who presented it to him.” The catalogue of birds in the U.S. National Museum collection records a specimen of 8. »/chardson? taken at Fort “Index Ornithologicus, II, p. 818, 1790. >Latham, Synopsis, III, Part 2, p. 389, 1791. ¢ Appendix to Parry’s Second Voyage, p. 361, 1825 (1827). @ Auk, VII, p. 320, 1890. eNat. Hist., III, pl. 148, 1750. f Rept. Prog. Can. Geol. Sury., 1882-3-4, App. III, p. 56DD (1885), OcTOBER, 1902.] BIRDS OF KEEWATIN. 79 Churchill by W. W. Kirkby. A specimen from Duke of York Bay is recorded in the British Museum Catalogue. Pagophila alba (Gunn.). Ivory Gull. Richardson describes a specimen of the ivory gull killed at Hudson Bay.@ This gull has also been recorded from Port Bowen and from other localities to the north of Keewatin. Rissa tridactyla (Linn.). Kittiwake. Sabine says this species abounds in Hudson Bay,’ and Richardson gives a description of one killed on Melville Peninsula in July. A specimen from the Savage Islands, Hudson Bay, is recorded in the British Museum Catalogue. Larus glaucus Britnn. Glaucous Gull. Doubtless found in al] parts of Hudson Bay. It has been recorded from Melville Island, Felix Harbor, and other places in the Arctic regions, and has been found breeding in James Bay and at various points on the east coast of Hudson Bay.? Larus leucopterus Faber. Iceland Gull. Undoubtedly occurs on Hudson Bay during migrations, since many winter on the Great Lakes, and Arctic expeditions have obtained specimens in Davis Strait and Baffin Bay and at Melville Island. Larus marinus Linn. Great Black-backed Gull. Common on the coasts of Greenland and Labrador and frequent in winter on the Great Lakes. It is, therefore, like the Iceland gull, very probably to be found, at least during migrations, inhabiting Hudson Bay. Larus argentatus Briinn. Herring Gull. Common on Lake Winnipeg, Hudson Bay, and all the intermediate lakes and larger rivers, and breeding throughout the region. It is usually very shy, however, as it is shot for food by the natives when- ever opportunity offers. At Fort Churchill, where we collected a specimen July 28, the eggs are gathered in large numbers in May and packed in salt, to be eaten in the late autumn and early winter. On our return trip during the latter part of August and fore part of September, many birds in the dark, immature plumage, sometimes almost sooty, were seen. Larus delawarensis Ord. Ring-billed Gull. ‘Gulls referred to this species were rather common in June and July on the inland waters from Lake Winnipeg to Hudson Bay and north- @¥Fauna Boreali-Americana, II, p. 419, 1831. b¥Franklin’s Narrative of a Journey to the Polar Sea, Appendix, p. 695, 1823. ¢ Fauna Boreali-Americana, II, p. 423, 1831. 4d Catalogue Canadian Birds, Part I, p. 34, 1900. 80 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. LNo, 22, ward to the Barren Grounds. An immature female was collected on the Barren Grounds 50 miles below Cape Eskimo August 8. Larus franklini Sw. and Rich. Franklin Gull. Aspecimen of this gull from Hayes River, Hudson Bay, is recorded in the British Museum Catalogue. It breeds about Lake Winnipeg, and probably at other points in southwestern Keewatin: Larus philadelphia (Ord). Bonaparte Gull. Common on Lake.Winnipeg June 15 to 17. Several were seen near the outlet of Swampy Lake July 7, and one was collected on Hayes River July 9. They were also common on Hudson Bay, especially in the vicinity of Fort Churchill, where immature birds were numerous July 25 to 30. On our southward trip we saw a few of these gulls on Knee Lake September 6. The species is recorded from Severn House by Murray,“ and from several places on Hudson Bay by various other authors. Rhodostethia rosea (Macgil.). Ross Gull. The first known specimen of this beautiful species was killed at Alagnak, Melville Peninsula, by James Clark Ross, in June, 1823, during Parry’s second voyage. Another was shot afew days later by another officer attached to the same expedition. These two birds served as the basis of Richardson's description of Larus ross¢?,? but this name is antedated by Zaurus voseus, inadvertently bestowed by Mac- gillivray previously. J.C. Ross later recorded it from Boothia Felix.¢ The species does not seem to have been since taken in the Hudson Bay region. Xema sabinii (Sab.). Sabine Gull. In the Zoological Appendix to Parry’s Second Voyage, Richardson speaks of many specimens being procured at Winter Island, Melville Peninsula? J. E. Harting mentions a pair in breeding plumage obtained off Melville Peninsula and presented to the University Museum at Oxford by John Barrow.’ Fielden reports a specimen in full breeding plumage which was obtained by Captain Markham near York Factory in August, 1886.° The catalogue of birds in the U. 8. National Museum coilection records a specimen (No. 13715) which was collected at Norway House by Robert Kennicott. The original description was based on # specimen from the west coast of Greenland. «Edin. New Phil. Journ. (new ser.), LX, p. 321, 1859. b Appendix to Parry’s Second Voyage, p. 360, 1825 (1827). ¢ Appendix to Ross’s Second Voyage, p. xxxvi, 1835. @Proc. Zool. Soc. of London, p. 111, 1871. ¢ Transactions Norwich Soc., IV, p. 351, 1887. OcTOBER, 1902.] BIRDS OF KEEWATIN. ce él Sterna caspia Pallas. Caspian Tern. A specimen procured at Moose Factory by J. McKenzie is recorded by Turner,” and Nutting records one taken near Grand Rapids, Sas- katchewan, in the summer of 1891.2 As the species occurs in the interior as far as Great Slave Lake, it is probable that it regularly reaches southern Keewatin. Sterna hirundo Linn. Common Tern. Common on Lake Winnipeg June 15 to 17, and seen on nearly all the lakes on our route to Hudson Bay. One was collected near Rob- inson Portage June 28. It may occur on Hudson Bay north to the Barren Grounds, in association with the Arctic tern, but was not identified with certainty this far north. It was recorded from Hudson Bay by Andrew Murray.° Sterna paradisea Briinn. Arctic Tern. Common on Hudson Bay. Rept. Prog. Can. Geol. Sury., 1878-79, App. VI, p. 69c¢ (1880). ¢Nat. Hist. Bull. Univ. Iowa, H, p. 257, 1893. ¢ Edin. New Phil. Journ, (new ser.), IX, p. 229, 1859. ¢ Auk, III, p. 149, 1886. f Rept. Prog. Can. Geol. Surv. 1882-3-4, App. ITI, p. 55DD (1885). g Edin. New Phil. Journ. (new ser.), IX, p. 230, 1859. OctoBER, 1902] BIRDS OF KEEWATIN. 85 Factory by James McKenzie are recorded in the catalogue of birds in the U. S. National Museum. Aythya americana (Kyt.). Redhead. . Nutting recorded this species and obtained specimens near Chema- wawin, Saskatchewan, in the neighborhood of which ‘countless num- bers of the red-head breed.” ¢ Aythya vallisneria (Wils.). Canvas-back. Nutting obtained a specimen near the mouth of the Saskatchewan in the summer of 1891.? Aythya marila (Linn.). Scaup Duck. A specimen was taken August 22 from a large flock on a pond near the shore of the Bay about midway between Fort Churchill and Cape Churchill. These birds were moulting their wing quills, for which purpose they had evidently congregated on this pond, where they were safe from the attacks of predatory mammals. Aythya affinis (Hyt.). Lesser Scav p Duck. The lesser scaup duck has been reported from a number of localities in the Hudson Bay region, though on account of its close resemblance to the greater scaup the accuracy of some of the records is doubtful. Baird recorded a specimen from Nelson River and considered Forster’s record of mari/a from Severn River’ to refer to the present species.@ Murray records it from Severn House,’ and Bel! reports it from Fort Churchill and York Factory.“ Clangula clangula americana (Bonap.). Golden-eye. Rather common on the larger lakes between Norway House and Oxford House. At the latter place we took an adult male July 3, but did not shoot any more on our northward trip, although we saw a flock containing about 200 near the outlet of Knee Lake July 6, and daily noted a few on our way to York Factory. After this we did not meet with the species again until we reached Hill River on our return, September 5. Here we found many, and on Knee Lake September 6 noted a large flock, probably the same we had observed there two months before. We saw afew more on the Echimamish September 15, one of which we collected, and found a large flock on Hairy Lake. Macoun records specimens taken at Fort Churchill,’ and Forster notes the occurrence of the species on Severn River.’ «Nat. Hist. Bull. Univ. Iowa, II, p. 257, 1893. b Ibid., p. 258, 1893. ¢Phil. Trans., LXII, p. 413, 1772. 4 Birds of North America, p. 791, 1858. ¢ Edin. New Phil. Journ. (new ser.), LX, p. 230, 1859. Ff Rept. Prog. Can. Geol. Surv. 1882-3-4, App. III, p. 55DD (1885). g Catalogue Canadian Birds, Part I, p. 95, 1900. Phil. Trans., UXII, p. 417, 1772. 86 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [No. 22, Clangula islandica (Gmel.). Barrow Golden-eye. Bell intimates that this species, as well as the common golden-eye, is found on Hudson Bay.“ Seton, on the authority of R. H. Hunter, records it from Lake Manitoba, Shoal Lake, and the mouth of Red River, Manitoba.? Charitonetta albeola (Linn.). Buftle-head. We saw an adult male on Red River, between Winnipeg and West Selkirk, June 14, and an immature bird on Hill River, near Swampy Lake, September 5. The species is recorded by Forster from Severn River,’ by Murray from Severn House, Moose Factory, and Trout Lake,? and by Clarke from Fort Churchill. It probably ranges throughout southern Keewatin. Harelda hyemalis (Linn.). Old-squaw. Though not observed by us, this species has been recorded from a number of localities on the west shore of Hudson Bay. Edwards figured a ‘Long-tailed Duck from Hudson’s Bay; Forster recorded the species from Churchill River;’ and Richardson described speci- mens killed at Winter Island, Melville Peninsula, on Parry’s second voyage.” Rae speaks of finding this species breeding on an island off Knaps River,’ and collected a specimen at Repulse Bay which is recorded in the British Museum Catalogue. Murray recorded the species from Severn House; Clarke, an adult pair in summer plumage from Fort Churchill;/ and Bell, a specimen from York Factory.” Histrionicus histrionicus (Linn.). Harlequin Duck. Forster recorded a specimen from the Hudson Bay region;’ Blakis- ton says he examined one at York Factory;” and the catalogue of birds in the U. 8. National Museum collection records a specimen taken in James Bay August 3, 1860. Camptolaimus labradorius (Gmel.). Labrador Duck. Joseph Sabine includes .lvas labradoria among the species which at that time were found on Hudson Bay and its vicinity, but which were «Proc. Royal Sec. Canada, 1882, I, Sec. IV, p. 50 (1883). » Auk, ILI, p. 328, 1886. ¢ Phil. Trans., LXII, p. 417, 1772. @ Edin. New Phil. Journ. (new ser.), IX, p. 230, 1859. ¢ Auk, VII, p.-320, 1890. J Nat. Hist. III, pl. 156, 1750. g Phil. Trans., LXII, p. 418, 1772. h Appendix to Parry’s Second Voyage, p. 373, 1825 (1827). ¢ Narrative of an Expedition to the Shores of the Arctic Sea, p. 22, 1850. Jj Auk, VIL, p. 320, 1890. * Rept. Prog. Can. Geol. Surv., 1882-3-4, App. III, p. 55DD (1885). !Phil. Trans., LXNII, p. 419, 1772. m This, V, p. 149, 1863. OcropER, 1902 BIRDS OF KEEWATIN. 87 not obtained on Franklin’s Expedition.“ An adult male, perhaps from Hudson Bay, was presented to the British Museum by the Hudson’s Bay Company about the year 1835;? and it is likely that a specimen to which no definite locality is assigned that is recorded in the British Museum Catalogue is this same bird. Somateria mollissima borealis (C. L. Brehm). Northern Eider. This species was obtained on Parry’s second voyage at Winter Island, being recorded as moll/ssima,¢ and Blakiston, writing of S. mollissima, speaks of having received specimens from Hudson Bay.@ A specimen collected by Dr. Rae at Repulse Bay is recorded in the British Museum Catalogue. Somateria dresseri Sharpe. American Eider. First seen in small numbers about 5” miles north of York Factory July 19, and rather common from there northward. Flocks of a hundred or more were often seen north of Fort Churchill, and a female with young two or three weeks old was observed August 3, 50 miles south of Cape Eskimo. The species is said to breed in large numbers on certain rocky islands north’of Fort Churchill. Quantities of the eggs are gathered by Indians and Eskimos in late April and carly May, and brought to Fort Churchill, where they are packed in salt for later consumption. The bird is called by the Indians ‘ Husky’ (i. e., Eskimo) duck. Two specimens, collected by Dr. Bell at Fort Churchill, are recorded by Macoun.° Somateria v-nigra Gray. Pacific Eider. Murray recorded this species from Severn House.” As the species occurs on Great Slave Lake, it should be occasionally found in Keewatin. Somateria spectabilis (Linn.). King Eider. Edwards figures this species from Hudson Bay, calling it the ‘Gray- Headed Duck.’’ Linneus cites Edwards’s figure in his description of spectabil’s, hut does not base his description exclusively on it. It was recorded by Blakiston, who speaks of having seen specimens from Hudson Bay,” and by Richardson, who states that it was observed in numbers about Melville Peninsula on Parry’s second voyage.? A @¥ranklin’s Narrative of a Journey to the Polar Sea, Appendix, p. 698, 1823. 5bSee Dutcher, Auk, VIII, p. 203, 1891. ¢ Appendix to Parry’s Second Voyage, p. 370, 1825 (1827). @Ibis, V, p. 150, 1863. é Catalogue Canadian Birds, Part I, p. 105, 1900. f Edin. New Phil. Journ. (new ser.), IX, p. 229, 1859. g Nat. Hist., III, pl. 154, 1750. Albis, V, p. 150, 1863. 2 Appendix to Parry’s Second Voyage, p. 373, 1825 (1827). 88 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [No. 22, specimen from York Factory, collected by Dr. Bell, is recorded by Macoun.¢ Oidemia americana Swains. American Scoter. Swainson based his description of this species on Hudson Bay speci- mens;? a specimen collected by Dr. Rae at Repulse Bay is recorded in the British Museum Catalogue; Andrew Murray recorded the species from Trout Lake;’ Blakiston says that he ‘‘received specimens from the west coast of Hudson’s Bay;”” and an adult male is recorded from Fort Churchill by Clarke.* Oidemia deglandi Bonap. White-winged Scoter. We observed this species twice on Knee Lake—a small flock on July 7 and afew on September 8 as we were returning. We also noted a few about fifty miles north of York Factory July 19. Many breed about the borders of small ponds throughout the interior, and large numbers are killed for food before they are able to fly. Murray recorded the species from Trout Lake, Moose Factory, and Severn House. ° Oidemia perspicillata (Linn.). Surf Scoter. Rather common in Hudson Bay south of Cape Eskimo August 4 to 13. My brother took a specimen on Churchill River near Fort Churchill August 11, and we obtained another near Pine Lake Sep- tember 13, as we were returning. On September 14 we saw several near Robinson Portage. Edwards figured this species, which he catled the ‘Great Black Duck from Hudson’s-Bay,”’ and on this figure Linneus based his description of Anas perspicillata. The species has since been several times recorded from Hudson Bay by different writers, and a specimen from Repulse Bay, collected by Dr. Rae, is mentioned in the British Museum Catalogue. Erismatura jamaicensis (Gmel.). Ruddy Duck. Blakiston speaks of having examined a specimen at York Factory, on Hudson Bay,” and Bell records a specimen from the same place.9 The species seems to be of regular occurrence about Lake Winnipeg and other points in Manitoba, and probably in the adjacent parts of Keewatin. «Catalogue Canadian Birds, Part I, p. 108, 1900. bFauna Boreali-Americana, II, p. 450, 1831. ¢Edin. New Phil. Journ. (new ser.), IX, p. 231, 1859. apis, V, p. 150, 1863. e Auk, VII, p. 320, 1890. Jf Nat. Hist., IIT, pl. 155, 1750. g Rept. Prog. Can. Geol. Surv., 1878-79, App. VI, p. 69c¢ (1880). OCTOBER, 1902.] BIRDS OF KEEWATIN. 89 Chen hyperborea nivalis (Forst.). Greater Snow Goose.“ This bird was first described by Forster from Severn River, Hudson Bay.’ Swainson and Richardson speak of its occurrence at Albany Fort and York Factory;’ Murray records it from Moose Factory and Severn House;” and Bell characterizes it as abundant at Fort Churchill and York Factory during migrations,’ and says that it began to arrive at the former place September 5.7 Barnston says that at Martin Falls, Albany River, the species was generally passing in large flocks about May 10.” A specimen collected by Dr. Rae at Repulse Bay is recorded in the British Museum Catalogue; and one from Black Island, Lake Winnipeg, is recorded by Macoun.’ Chen cerulescens (Linn.). Blue Goose. Edwards figured the ‘ Blue- Winged Goose’ from Hudson Bay,’ and on this figure Linnzeus based his description of the species. A specimen from Repulse Bay is recorded in the British Museum Catalogue, and one taken at Moose Factory in August, 1860, by J. McKenzie, and one from Fort Churchill, appear in the catalogue of birds in the U. S. National Museum. It is said to be found principally about the south- ern part of the Bay, and according to Indian information breeds in northern Labrador. Chen rossi (Cassin). Ross Snow Goose. A specimen procured at Fort Churchill, Hudson Bay, is recorded by Macoun./ The ‘Horned Wavey’ of Hearne is doubtless this species. Anser albifrons gambeli (Hartl.). White-fronted Goose. Edwards figured a specimen procured from Hudson Bay, which he called the ‘ Laughing-Goose.* Barnston says that this species is sel- dom seen in the southern part of Hudson Bay, but is less rare at York Factory, and is frequent at Fort Churchill.’ Blakiston received a specimen from Hudson Bay,” and one from Repulse Bay, collected by Dr. Rae, is recorded in the British Museum Catalogue. aIn some of the cases cited the species has been recorded as ( hiyperborea, but I have assumed that the eastern form is referred to. bPhil. Trans., LXII, pp. +18, 433, 1772. ¢Fauna Boreali-Americana, IJ, p. 467, 1831. @¥Edin. New Phil. Journ. (new ser.), IX, p. 225, 1859. eRept. Prog. Can. Geol. Surv., 1878-79, App. VI, p. 69¢ (1880). Ff Ibid., 1882-3-4, App., ITI, p. 55DD (1885). 9gEdin. New Phil. Journ., XXX, p. 254, 1841. hCatalogue Canadian Birds, Part I, p. 114, 1900. iNat. Hist., III, pl. 152, 1750. jCatalogue Canadian Birds, Part I, p. 115, 1900. Nat. Hist., III, pl. 153, 1750. UIbis, II, p. 257, 1860. mbid., V, p. 141, 1863. 90 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [No, 22, Anser fabalis (Lath.). Bean Goose. Under the name segetum, Richardson mentions this species as one of the geese which are known to visit the Hudson Bay region, but are rarely seen, being accidental visitors.“ Branta canadensis (Linn.). Canada Goose. An island in the northern part of Lake Winnipeg, on which this bird is said to nest in considerable numbers, wax pointed out to us. While descending Steel River July 9 we took a half-grown bird from a flock of five. These had probably come down Fox River, where the species is said to breed. Young geese unable to fly, probably of this species, were seen by Alfred E. Preble on Churchill River August 11. While ascending Steel and Hill rivers, August 31 to Sep- tember 4, we saw one or two flocks daily. We shot one bird on Hill River September 4, but found its preservation impracticable. Murray recorded the species from Moose Factory and Severn House,’ and Bell says it breeds on Churchill River. ¢ In former times, when the posts on Hudson Bay supported a much larger population than at present, geese constituted a staple article of food, and this species and B. ¢. hutchinsi especially were shot in great numbers, both for immediate consumption and to be salted for winter. Barnston, from the number recorded at the different posts, estimated that at least 57,500 were annually killed on James Bay and the west coast of Hudson Bay.“ At present the demand for the birds is less and their numbers are diminished; hence fewer are killed. Branta canadensis hutchinsi (Rich.). Hutchins Goose. Several flocks of geese referred to this species were seen on the Barren Grounds near Hubbart Point August 16. Dr. Rae saw a female with a brood of young near Neville Bay.¢ Macoun records two specimens taken at Fort Churchill by Dr. Bell, and an egg obtained at Repulse Bay.” The species has been recorded from other points in northern Keewatin. Branta bernicla (Linn.). Brant. Said by Swainson and Richardson to breed in great numbers on the coast and islands of Hudson Bay.’ A specimen from Repulse Bay, collected by Dr. Rae, is recorded in the British Museum Catalogue; and Dr. Bell records a specimen killed at York Factory.” «Appendix to Parry’s Second Voyage, p. 364, 1825 (1827). bEdin. New Phil. Journ. (new ser.), IX, p. 225, 1859. ¢Rept. Prog. Can. Geol. Sury., 1878-79, App., VI, p. 69¢ (1880). @ bis, II, p. 258, 1860. ¢ Narrative of an Expedition to the Shores of the Arctic Sea, p. 24, 1850. Jf Catalogue Canadian Birds, Part 1, p. 120, 1900. g Fauna Boreali-Americana, II, p. 469, 1831. 2 Proc. Royal Soc. Canada, 1882, I, See. IV, p. 51 (1883). OcToBER, 1902.] BIRDS OF KEEWATIN. 91 Branta leucopsis (Bechst.). Barnacle Goose. Said by Richardson to be rare and accidental in Hudson Bay. A specimen in the U. 8. National Museum collection was obtained near Rupert House, James Bay, by Bernard R. Ross.? Olor columbianus (Ord). Whistling Swan. Whistling swans visit the western shores of Hudson Bay in great numbers in the spring and fall, and their assembled thousands are said to present a beautiful and imposing spectacle during their semiannual visits. The broad expanse of Churchill River near its mouth is a favorite place of resort. A specimen collected at Fort Churchill and presented by J. R. Spencer is recorded by Dr. Robert Bell,’ who also states that the species breeds on Nottingham Island, Hudson Bay.¢ Olor buccinator (Rich.). Trumpeter Swan. Richardson describes a specimen killed on Hudson Bay.’ Barnston speaks of the breeding of swans near Eastmain Fort, on James Bay, and of eggs being brought to him from a nest on the banks of a lake near Norway House.” His remarks probably refer to this species, as it has a more southern breeding range, especially in the interior, than O. columbianus. Botaurus lentiginosus (Montag.). Bittern. We saw several flying over the marsh at the mouth of Red River June 15, heard the notes of one near Norway House June 19, and saw one near Sea Falls June 23. At Beacon Point, near York Factory, I started one from the marsh July 13. On our return trip we saw sev- eral near Oxford House September 10, and on the Echimamish Sep- tember 15. The species is recorded from Severn River by Forster,’ and from Fort Churchill by Clarke.” Ardetta exilis (Gmel.). Least Bittern. Under the name Botaurus minor Dr. Robert Bell records this species from York Factory,‘ and later says, ‘‘Of the least Bittern (Ardetta exilis Gray) I have specimens from Manitoba and York Factory.’/ It has been taken near Winnipeg, but can scarcely reach Keewatin except as a straggiler. « Appendix to Parry’s Second Voyage, p. 364, 1825 (1827). > Baird, Brewer, and Ridgway, Water Birds of North America, I, p. 475, 1884. ¢ Rept. Prog. Can. Geol. Sury., 1878-79, App. VI, p. 70c (1880). d Rept. Prog. Can. Geol. Sury., 1882-3-+, p. 30DD (1885). éFauna Boreali-Americana, II, p. 464, 1831. J Ibis, II, p. 253, 1860. gPhil. Trans., LXII, p. 401, 1772. h Auk, VII, p. 320, 1890. 4Rept. Prog. Can. Geol. Surv., 1878-79, App. VI, p. 68¢ (1880). Jj Proc. Royal Soc. Canada, 1882, I, Sec. IV, p. 51 (1883). 92 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. (No. 22, Ardea herodias Linn. Great Blue Heron. One noted on Red River, near Lake Winnipeg, June 15. Edwards figured a specimen from Hudson Bay, calling it the ‘Ash- colour’d Heron from North America.’¢ His figure formed the prin- cipal basis for Linneus’s description of Ardea herodias. Turner records a specimen collected at Moose Factory, James Bay, August 29, 1860, by James McKenzie.’ This specimen is recorded in the cat- alogue of birds in the U. 8. National Museum, but can not now be found. Grus americana (Linn.). Whooping Crane. Edwards figured the ‘ Hooping-Crane from Hudson’s-Bay.’’ His fig- ure formed a partial basis for Linneus’s description of Ardea ameri- cand. Hearne says: ‘‘This bird visits Hudson’s Bay in the spring, though not in great numbers. They are generally seen only in pairs, and that not very often.” 7 Grus canadensis (Linn.). Little Brown Crane. Noted several times on the Barren Grounds 25 miles south of Cape Eskimo, usually in companies of four or five. The distorting effect of the atmosphere sometimes gave them a strange appearance as they stood or walked about on some distant hillock. Edwards’s ‘Brown and Ash-colour’d Crane,’ figured from a Hudson Bay specimen,’ formed the basis of Linneus’s description of Ardea canudensis, Forster recorded the species from Severn River,’ Murray from Trout Lake,’ and Richardson from [gloolik, Melville Peninsula.” It was seen at Montreal Island, near the mouth of Great Fish River, and recorded by King.? Rallus virginianus Linn. Virginia Rail. Dr. Bell records from York Factory a specimen presented by Dr. Matthews.’ Nutting found it common about Chemawawin, Saskatch- ewan, and secured specimens.* Porzana carolina (Linn.). Sora. Edwards figured a sora rail from Hudson Bay,’ calling it the * Little American Water Hen,’ and the species is recorded from Severn House «Nat. Hist., IIT, pl. 135, 1750. bProc. U. 8. Nat. Mus., VIII, p. 245, 1885. ¢Nat. Hist., III, pl. 1382, 1750. @Journey * * * tothe Northern Ocean, p. 422, 1795. eNat. Hist., III, pl. 133, 1750. Phil. Trans., LXII, p. 409, 1772. gEdin. New Phil. Journ. (new ser.), IX, p. 225, 1859. 4 Appendix to Parry’s Second Voyage, p. 353, 1825 (1827). ¢Narrative of a Journey to the Shores of the Arctic Ocean, II, p. 21, 1836. JRept. Prog. Can. Geol. Surv., 1882-3-4, App. IIT, p. 55DD (1885). *Nat. Hist. Bull. Univ. Jowa, II, p. 262, 1893. , Nat. Hist. IIT, pl. 144, 1750. OctoBER, 1902.] BIRDS OF KEEWATIN. - 93 by Andrew Murray,“ from Fort Churchill by Clarke,’ and from York Factory by Bell.“ Macoun records it from Moose Factory, James Bay, where Spreadborough found it breeding.“ It undoubtedly breeds throughout the region. Porzana noveboracensis (Gmel.). Yellow Rail. During the afternoon of July 13, while collecting on the marsh at Beacon Point, near York Factory, I flushed five yellow rails, securing three, two males and a female. The males were discovered by follow- ing up the source of their notes, which, though rather low, have a penetrating quality that makes them distinctly audible at a distance of several hundred yards. A metallic cluck, five or six times repeated, constituted their call. It was given thus: First two notes uttered with scarcely an interval between them, then a pause of about a second, then three, or occasionally four, notes exactly like the first two. The birds flushed were in open, grassy places where I was usually able to approach near and, guided by the note, to start them almost from beneath my feet. I heard about a dozen, but was unable to flush more than five, for the others, which were in bushy portions of the marsh, seemed to hear me and take alarm before I could get near, and would cease calling. Hatchins wrote a short account of the habits of the yellow rail as observed by him at the mouth of Severn River,’ and Bell has recorded the species from Fort George, on the east coast of the Bay.? Fulica americana Gmel. Coot. Abundant in the marsh at the mouth of Red River June 15, and not again noted until we reached the same marsh on our return Sep- tember 21, when many were seen. We were told it occurs about some of the marshy lakes north of Lake Winnipeg. Crymophilus fulicarius (Linn.). Red Phalarope. The red phalarope was fairly common on the shallow ponds below Cape Eskimo August 3 to 8, at which time they were feeding downy young. Anadult male and a young bird in the down were collected August 6. Edwards figured a specimen brought from Hudson Bay by Mr. Isham His figure formed a partial basis for Linneus’s description of Tringa fulicaria. Clarke records an adult pair in summer plumage @Edin. New Phil. Jour., (new ser.), IX, p. 225, 1859. b Auk, VII, p. 321, 1890. ¢ Proc. Royal Soc. Canada, 1882, I, Sec. IV, p. 51 (1883). @ Catalogue Canadian Birds, Part I, p. 140, 1900. €MS. quoted by Richardson, Swainson, Thompson, Macoun, and others. f Nat. Hist., III, pl. 142, 1750. 94 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [No. 22, from Fort Churchill,“ and aspecimen, collected at Repulse Bay by Dr. Rae, is noted in the British Museum Catalogue. King observed the species near the mouth of Great Fish River.’ Phalaropus lobatus (Linn.). Northern Phalarope. First seen on the marshes about 50 miles north of York Factory July 19, where a male was taken whose abdominal bareness showed that it had recently been sitting on eggs. The birds were present in numbers, and when [ left the marshes, about an hour after sunset, were still active and noisy. The species was common at Fort Churchill July 21 to August 21, and abundant on the Barren Grounds below Cape Eskimo August 3 to 8, where an immature bird was collected. While returning down the coast of the Bay August 14 to 26 we saw the species daily, but after leaving York Factory did not again meet with it. Macoun records it from an island in James Bay, where about a dozen, evidently breeding, were observed by Spreadborough June 16, 1896.¢ Steganopus tricolor Vieill. Wilson Phalarope. Murray records Phularupus lobutus (Ord) from Severn House.@ Phalaropus lobatus of Ord is supposed to be referable to S. tricolor, and as the species regularly reaches Lake Winnipeg, its occurrence at Severn House is not improbable. Philohela minor (Gmel.). Woodcock. Recorded by Dr. Bell, who says ‘‘I saw one specimen of the wood- cock at York Factory in the end of August.”* The woodcock may regularly reach southern Keewatin, but its presence as far north as York Factory must be merely accidental. Gallinago delicata (Ord). Wilson Snipe. Several seen on a marsh between Oxford and Back lakes, near Oxford House, September 10, and three or four started beside the Echimamish September 14. Two specimens in summer plumage are recorded by Clarke from Fort Churchill,“ and a specimen said to bave been collected by Dr. Rae at Repulse Bay is listed in the British Museum Catalogue. The catalogue of birds in the U. S. National Museum collection shows that the species was taken at Moose Factory in 1881. a Auk, VII, p. 321, 1890. > Narrative of a Journey to the Shores of the Arctic Ocean, II, p. 21, 1836, ¢ Catalogue Canadian Birds, Part I, p. 146, 1900. d Wdin. New Phil. Jour. (new ser.), IX, p. 225, 1859. ¢ Rept. Prog. Can. Geol. Surv., 1878-79, App. VI, p. 70c (1880). + Ocroper, 1902,] BIRDS OF KEEWATIN. 95 Gallinago major (Gmel.). Greater Snipe. A snipe sent to the British Museum many years ago from ‘ Hudson’s Bay,’ and which served as the type of Swainson’s Scvlopau lencurus,! is identified by Dr. Sharpe as Gallinago major, and so recorded in the British Museum Catalogue.’ Macrorhampus scolopaceus (Say). Long-billed Dowitcher. Abundant on the meadows bordering Button Bay near Fort Churchill, July 31. The species was then moving southward, and, with the exception of a few individuals seen about 50 miles below Cape Eskimo August 3, was not again noted. Two specimens were collected. These have been examined by Reginald Heber Howe, jr., in connection with his study of the genus, and he considers them practically typical scolopaceus.© Micropalama himantopus (Bonap.). Stilt Sandpiper. A male bird was shot on the mud beside a small pool on the tundra, about 50 miles north of York Factory, July 19. It was in company with a pectoral sandpiper which was killed by the same shot. It is probably a bird of the year, and has dusky back and crown, the feathers of which are edged with rusty brown, those of wing-coyerts being edged with pale buffy; lower parts pute, very faintly spotted on sides and flanks; superciliary stripe, cheeks and throat buffy whitish, very faintly spotted with brown. Several more individuals were noted on August 12 about 25 miles south of Cape Eskimo. Richardson describes one from Hudson Bay,? and a specimen col- lected by Dr. Rae at Repulse Bay is recorded in the British Museum Catalogue. Tringa canutus Linn. Knot. A specimen from Melville Peninsula is described by Richardscn.? One from Repulse Bay, collected by Dr. Rae, and one from ‘ Hudson Bay’ are recorded in the British Museum Catalogue. Tringa maritima Briinn. Purple Sandpiper. Recorded by Richardson from Winter Island, Melville Peninsula, where at was obtained in June,’ and by James C. Ross, who says it arrived at Port Bowen, Prince Regent Inlet, early in June.’ Rich- ardson gives a description of a specimen from Hudson Bay;’” and one @¥auna Boreali-Americana, II, p. 501, 1831, >See Coues, Auk, XIV, p. 209, 1897. ¢See Howe, Auk, XVIII, p. 272, 1901. @¥auna Boreali-Americana, II, p. 381, 1831. elbid., p. 387, 1831. f Appendix to Parry’s Second Voyage, p. 354, 1825 (1827). g Narrative of Parry’s Third Voyage, Appendix, p. 101, 1826. Fauna Boreali-Americana, II, p. 382, 1831. From the date of collection, July 29, 1822, it is almost certain that it was collected in the vicinity of York Factory. 96 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [No. 22, collected by Dr. Rae at Repulse Bay is recorded in the British Museum Catalogue. Tringa maculata Vieill. Pectoral Sandpiper. First seen on the marshes about 50 miles north of York Factory July 19, where the species was rather common, and where a male was shot. Common on the meadows bordering Button Bay July 31, and abundant on the Barren Grounds south of Cape Eskimo August 3 to 13. Several seen near Oxford House September 10. A specimen collected by Dr. Rae at Repulse Bay is recorded in the British Museum Catalogue, and the catalogue of birds in the U. 8. National Museum collection records a specimen taken at Moose Factory in 1881 by Walton Haydon. Tringa fuscicollis Vieill. White-rumped Sandpiper. Rather common on the meadows bordering Button Bay July 31, where a specimen was collected. A number were noted on the Barren Grounds below Cape Eskimo August 3 to 8. Tringa bairdi (Coues). Baird Sandpiper. Macoun says: ‘‘Spreadborough saw three on a small island in James Bay on June 16, 1896, and believes they were breeding.” ¢ The species probably occurs regularly in western Keewatin Tringa minutilla Vieill. Least Sandpiper. First met with at Fort Churchill, where adult birds accompanied by young were seen on the meadows July 26 and an immature bird was taken. Large numbers were observed on the shores of Button Bay July 31, and immense flocks were seen on the Barren Grounds south of Cape Eskimo August 3 to 138, though at the latter date their num- bers had greatly diminished. The species was noted at nearly every place at which we landed on the way back to Fort Churchill, August 13 to 19; and it was doubtless present in flocks of small sandpipers seen between Fort Churchill and York Factory, though it was not again positively identified. Tringa alpina Linn. Dunlin. Blakiston speaks of having seen a specimen from Hudson Bay,? and the American Ornithologist Union Check List records it as accidental on the west side of Hudson Bay, though I have been unable to discover on exactly what information the record is based. Tringa alpina pacifica (Coues). Red-backed Sandpiper. First seen on the beach about 50 miles north of York Factory July 19, where numbers were observed and several specimens were taken. The birds seemed to be just commencing their southward migration. «Catalogue Canadian Birds, Part 1, p. 162, 1900. bTbis, V, p. 182, 1863. OcToRER, 1902.] BIRDS OF KEEWATIN. 97 They were seen in large numbers wherever we landed on the coast north of Fort Churchill, were present by thousandy on the Barren Grounds south of Cape Eskimo August 3 to 13, and were still seen, though in diminishing numbers, wherever we landed on the way back to York Factory. Ereunetes pusillus (Linn.). Semipalmated Sandpiper. Rather common at Fort Churchill, where adults and young were taken on the meadows July 25. Common along the coast north of Fort Churchill, and seen in immense flocks on the Barren Grounds south of Cape Eskimo. As with the red-backed sandpipers, we found the species common on the beach wherever we landed on our return down the coast to York Factory August 13 to 26. One taken at Moose Factory in 1881 is registered in the catalogue of birds in the U. 8S. National Museum collection. Calidris arenaria (Linn.). Sanderling. A number were seen at my camp 25 miles south of Cape Eskimo on the morning of August 13. They were flying southward with other species. A specimen from Repulse Bay, collected by Dr. Rae, is recorded in the British Museum Catalogue, and Clarke records an adult in sum- mer plumage from Fort Churchill.“ According to Swainson and Richardson, Hutchins reported that the species bred on Hudson Bay as low as the fifty-fifth parallel.’ Limosa fedoa (Linn.). Marbled Godwit. « Edwards figured a specimen brought from Hudson Bay by Mr. Isham.“ His figure formed the basis of Linneus’s description of Scolopax fedoa. Murray recorded the species from Hudson Bay,” and a specimen from Hayes River is recorded in the British Museum Cata- logue. The catalogue of birds in the U. S. National Museum collec- tion records a specimen from Moose Factory. Limosa hemastica (Linn.). Hudsonian Godwit. We first met with this species on the beach about 50 miles north of York Factory July 19, where a number were seen and two were taken. It was common on the Barren Grounds south of Cape Eskimo August 4 to 8, and several were seen between Fort Churchill and Cape Churchill August 22, and below Cape Churchill August 24. Edwards figured a specimen brought from Hudson Bay by Mr. Isham, calling it the ‘Red-breasted Godwit,’’ and on his figure Lin- @Auk, VII, p. 321, 1890. >Fauna Boreali-Americana, II, p. 336, 1831. ¢Nat. Hist., ITI, pl. 137, 1750. @Edin. New Phil. Journ. (new ser.), IX, p. 225, 1859. eNat. Hist., ITI, pl. 138, 1750. 7165--No. 29-7 98 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [No. 22, nus based his description of Scoloupaw hemastica. Forster recorded the species from Churchill River,“ and Murray from Severn House.? A specimen collected by Dr. Rae at Repulse Bay is recorded in the British Museum Catalogue. Totanus melanoleucus (Gmel.). (Greater Yellow-legs. One was seen at Oxford House July 3 and one on upper Hill River July 7. I saw several on the beach near York Factory July 13, and at Fort Churchill July 24. The species was very common on the shores of Button Bay July 31, and about 50 miles below Cape Eskimo August 4 to 8, and was noted wherever we landed on the way back to Churchill. While ascending Hayes River August 29 and 30 we observed a great many, usually in flocks of about a dozen, but after passing the mouth of the Shamattawa, which is in reality the main river, we saw none for several days. Steel and Hill rivers, which compose the other branch of Hayes River, are not so well adapted to the habits of the species and it seems probable that most of the yellow-legs, and probably other sandpipers, migrate up the Shamattawa, where low, sandy shores more often occur. We saw two or three on Knee Lake September 7, one at Oxford House September 10, and several on Playgreen Lake September 17 to 20. The catalogue of birds in the U. S. National Museum collection con- tains the record of a specimen taken at Moose Factory in 1881. Totanus flavipes (Gmel.). Yellow-legs. First met with June 27 at Robinson Portage, where a pair were seen on the marsh and the male was collected. They probably had a nest in the vicinity, as they were very uneasy and frequently alighted on neighboring dead trees. The species was common at Fort Churchill July 22 to 30, and abundant at Button Bay July 31, and 50 miles below Cape Eskimo August 3 to 8. A few were noted on Hayes River August 30. The species is recorded by Andrew Murray from Severn House,’ and the catalogue of birds in the U. S. National Museum collection records a specimen taken at Moose Factory in 1881, Totanus totanus (Linn.). Common Redshank. The only evidence that this is a North American species is a descrip- tion by Swainson and Richardson of a specimen from Hudson Bay of ‘Totanus calidr’s, the Redshank or Gambet,’ which they said existed in the British Museum.’ The species occupies a place in the ‘ Hypo- thetical List’ of the American Ornithologists’ Union Check List on the strength of this record. «Phil. Trans., LXII, p. 411 (Scolopax lapponica), 1772. bEdin. New Phil. Journ. (new ser.), IX, p. 225, 1859. ¢Fauna Boreali-Americana, II, p. 391, 1831. (See also Coues, Auk, XIV, p. 211, 1897. OcrosEr, 1902.] BIRDS OF KEEWATIN. 99 Helodromas solitarius (Wils.). Solitary Sandpiper. We met with this species only while descending the Echimamish, where several were seen September 14 and 15 and one was taken. A specimen collected at Repulse Bay by Dr. Rae is recorded in the British Museum Catalogue, and A. McKenzie took one at Moose Fac- tory. The species probably occurs throughout the region. Helodromas ochropus (Linn.). Green Sandpiper. Swainson and Richardson described a specimen of Zotanus ochropus, the ‘ White-tailed Tattler,’ from Hudson Bay.“ This specimen is recorded in the British Museum Catalogue. Heteractitis incanus (Gmel.). Wandering Tattler. Bell says: ‘I obtained a specimen of the Wandering Tattler (Zet- erocelus brevipes, Vieill.), supposed to be a western species, on the Eastmain Coast.? Bartramia longicauda (Bechst.). Bartramian Sandpiper. Several were seen and one was shot on the Barren Grounds 50 miles below Cape Eskimo August 8, and several more were noted 25 miles farther north August 10 to 18. Tryngites subruficollis (Vieill.). Buff-breasted Sandpiper. I saw a number on the higher parts of the tundra 25 miles south of Cape Eskimo August 10 to 13, and noted others (collecting two) August 24 on some sandy ridges, the remains of old shore lines, below Cape Churchill. The birds had a soft, plaintive call, and were rather tame and unsuspicious. A specimen taken by Dr. Rae at Repulse Bay is recorded in the British Museum Catalogue. Actitis macularia (Linn.). Spotted Sandpiper. This widely distributed species is found throughout the region as far north at least as Fort Churchill. It was common on Red River June 14, and seen daily between Norway House and York Factory June 23 to July 10. A deserted nest was found on the rocky island that constitutes Rock Portage, at the lowest of the Hill River rapids. While we were descending Steel and Hayes rivers, July 9 and 10, one or more pairs of this species were almost constantly in sight, and young ones unable to fly were often seen running along the shelving banks. The species was not seen on the shores of Hudson Bay, but we collected a specimen on Churchill River, near Fort Churchill, July 25, and my brother found it rather common on the same stream, about 20 miles from its mouth, early in August. While ascending @Fauna Boreali-Americana, II, p. 392, 1831. bProc. Royal Soc. Canada, 1882, I, Sec. 1V, p.51 (1883). 100 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [No. 22, Hayes, Steel, and Hill rivers on our return, August 28 to September 3, we found that many were still lingering there, and I saw several at Duck Point, Playgreen Lake, on September 20. The catalogue of birds in the U. S. National Museum collection contains the record of a specimen taken at Moose Factory in 1881 by Walton Haydon. Numenius hudsonicus Lath. Hudsonian Curlew. ’ First observed about 50 miles north of York Factory, where a number were seen and one was shot July 19. Another was shot at Fort Churchill July 28. Quite a number were seen on the shores of Button Bay July 31, and to the north of that place on the following day. We saw a few daily while we were encamped on the Barren Grounds south of Cape Eskimo, August 10 to 13; and noted a few more below Hubbart Point August 18, between Fort Churchill and Cape Churchill August 22, and below the cape August 24. The birds were usually seen at low tide, when they flew about in small compa- nies over the broad boulder-strewn flats in search of feeding grounds, uttering a loud, clear whistle. During high tide they resorted to the tundra and were less observable. Latham based his description of this species mainly on a specimen received from Mr. Hutchins, probably from Severn River.“ Murray recorded the species from Severn House.? Numenius borealis (Forst.). Eskimo Curlew. This species was first described by Forster from a specimen taken at Albany Fort, Hudson Bay.’ It is recorded by Dy. Bell as abundant at Fort Churchill in August, 1879.¢ Squatarola squatarola (Linn.). Black-bellied Plover. A specimen in winter plumage, evidently a bird of the year, was killed on a small rocky island in Swampy Lake September 5. Forster recorded the species from Severn River;* Richardson from Melville Peninsula, where he says it breeds; and Bell from York Factory.’ Clarke recorded two adults in summer plumage from Fort Churchill.” In former years the various plovers, particularly this species and the golden plover, were much hunted at the various posts on the Bay, especially during their southward movement in August. «Index Ornithologicus, II, p. 712, 1790. (See also Latham, Syn. Suppl., I, p. 243, 1787.) b Edin. New Phil. Journ. (new ser.), IX, p. 225, 1859. ¢Phil. Trans., LXIJ, pp. 411, 431, 1772. d Rept. Prog. Can. Geol. Surv., 1878-79, App. VI, p. 69c¢ (1880). ePhil. Trans., LXII, p. 412, 1772. f Appendix to Parry’s Second Voyage, p. 352, 1825 (1827). ¢Rept. Prog. Can. Geol. Sury., 1882-3-4, App. III, p. 55DD (1885). @ Auk, VII, p. 321, 1890. OcToBER, 1902.} BIRDS OF KEEWATIN. 101 Charadrius dominicus Mill. Golden Plover. I found this species moving southward in small flocks at a point 50 miles south of Cape Eskimo August + to 8, and also, though in ‘diminished numbers, 25 miles to the northward, August 10 to 13. A specimen was taken at the first point. It has the black of the lower parts varied by a number of whitish feathers, which predominate on the throat and the sides of the chest. This species was recorded by J. C. Ross from Port Bowen, Prince Regent Inlet, where it arrived the middle of May;“ by Murray from Trout Lake,’ and by Bell from York Factory.“ Clarke recorded an adult in summer plumage from Fort Churchill. The catalogue of birds in the U. S. National Museum collection contains the record of a specimen taken at Moose Factory in 1881 by Walton Haydon. Agialitis vocifera (Linn.). Killdeer. Several were seen on the grassy meadows about midway between Fort Churchill and the mouth of Churchill River on July 24. Though shy, they seemed very solicitous and probably had young in the vicinity. gialitis semipalmata Bonap. Semipalmated Plover. First noted as we were descending Hayes River July 10. Here, on a sandy island about 25 miles above York Factory, the birds were breeding and downy young were running about. We saw a number of old birds at Beacon Point, York Factory, July 13, and six days later, on landing at a spot 50 miles farther north, found the species common. At Fort Churchill it was abundant, and we collected, on July 24, both adults and downy young. As I passed up the coast, July 30 to August 8, it continued rather common; and it was still represented, though sparingly, at the northernmost point of the trip, about 25 miles south of Cape Eskimo, during my four days’ stay there (August 10 to 13). On our return trip it had evidently migrated, as we saw nothing of it. Andrew Murray recorded the species from Trout Lake and Severn House;* and a specimen from Repulse Bay, collected by Dr. Rae, is recorded in the British Museum Catalogue. ZEgialitis meloda circumcincta Ridgw. Belted Piping Plover. Under the name Charadrius melodus, King records a bird, probably referable to the present form, which he shot on Lake Winnipeg, near the northern end, while he was traveling between the mouth of the Sas- «Parry's Third Voyage, Appendix, p. 102, 1826. b Edin. New Phil. Journ. (new ser.), IX, p. 229, 1859. ¢Rept. Prog. Can. Geol. Surv., 1882-3-4, App. ITI, p. 55DD (1885). @ Auk, VII, p. 321, 1890. ¢ Edin. New Phil. Journ. (new ser.), IX, p. 225, 1859. 102 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [No. 22, katchewan and the outlet of the lake.* This specimen is described by Richardson in the appendix to Captain Back’s narrative.? Speci- mens referable to c/rcwmeincta have since been taken on Lake Winni- peg on several occasions. Arenaria morinella (Linn.). Ruddy Turnstone. The first turnstones we met with were feeding on the beach at the ‘whale fishery,’ Fort Churchill, July 30. On August 1 we again noted the species a few miles north of Fort Churchill, and August 10 to 13 observed many small flocks about 25 miles south of Cape Eskimo. On August 14 I took a specimen just after starting down the coast on my return, and from Fort Churchill to York Factory, August 21 to 26, we saw many flocks daily. Whenever the birds perceived our boat they would approach and circle about it very slowly, sometimes coming within a few yards of us. Whether they mistook the boat for a rock on which they designed to alight, or were impelled merely by curiosity, I could not tell. Under the specific name of interpres this bird has been recorded by Forster from Severn River,’ by Bell from York Factory,? and by Clarke from Fort Churchill. Swainson and Richardson say it breeds on Hudson Bay,’ as it probably does to the northward. The British Museum contains a specimen from Repulse Bay, collected by Dr. Rae. Canachites canadensis (Linn.). Hudsonian Spruce Grouse. A pair in worn breeding plumage were collected at Oxford House July 3. A flock was started as we were ascending Hayes River, August 30, and others were seen on Hill River September 3 and 4. A female that was shot September 4+ was preserved, and also an adult male of several that were killed on the Echimamish, September 14 and 15. Linneus based his description of Zetrao canadensis on Edwards's figures of a male and female from Hudson Bay, probably from the west coast;’ Forster recorded the species from Severn River;” Murray received it from Trout Lake;* Bell reported it from York Factory ;/ and a specimen from Fort Churchill is recorded by Clarke.* Speci- «Narrative of a Journey to the Shores of the Arctic Ocean, II, p. 229, 1836. > Narrative of the Arctic Land Expedition to the Mouth of the Great Fish River, App., p. 509, 1836. ¢Phil. Trans., LXII, p. 412, 1772. @ Rept. Prog. Can. Geol. Surv., 1878-79, App. VI, p. 68¢ (1880). ¢ Auk, VIL, p. 321, 1890. J Fauna Boreali-Americana, II, p. 371, 1831. g Nat. Hist., II, pl. 71, female, 1747; III, pl. 118, male, 1750. ’ Phil. Trans., LXII, p. 389, 1772. i Edin. New Phil. Journ. (new ser.), IX, p. 224, 1859. J Rept. Prog. Can. Geol. Surv., 1882-3-4, App. III, p. 55DD (1885), OcTOBER, 1902.] BIRDS OF KEEWATIN. 103 mens collected at Moose Factory are recorded in the catalogue of birds in the U.S. National Museum collection, and the species doubtless ranges throughout the wooded portions of Keewatin. Bonasa umbellus togata (Linn.). Canadian Ruffed Grouse. We heard grouse drumming on the Echimamish during the night of June 24, and near the south end of Oxford Lake June 30. We did not note the species again until September 8, on our return trip, when a female was taken on Knee Lake. While making a portage on Trout River, September 9, I heard a grouse drumming, and entering the thicket soon located the bird on its drumming stand, a low rock, and shot it. Within a few minutes, as I carried the dead body on my hand toward our embarking place, I noticed that its wings had become raised over the back until they were nearly in contact and were firmly fixed in that position, apparently owing to the contraction of the muscles of the wings, which had been exercised so violently. As the body cooled the wings dropped to their normal position. Near the south end of Oxford Lake, September 11, a few were seen, and near Hairy Lake, September 15, several were shot, a male and a female of which were preserved. Forster recorded the species from Albany Fort and Severn River,“ and Bell reported it rare as far north as York Factory.? Lagopus lagopus (Linn.). Willow Ptarmigan. First seen and a fine pair shot on the tundra about 50 miles north of York Factory. Specimens were also taken July 24 in the vicinity of Fort Churchill, where the species was rather common. While encamped on Churchill River, about 15 miles above Fort Churchill, early in August, Alfred E. Preble observed them in considerable num- bers. They were rather common on the Barren Grounds south of Cape Eskimo August 3 to 13, where two immature specimens were secured. Forster recorded this species from Severn River,’ and Swainson and Richardson state on the authority of Hutchins that 10,000 were cap- tured in a single season at that place. James C. Ross recorded it from Port Bowen, Prince Regent Inlet, where it remained as late as November 16, and returned about the middle of March.¢ Barnston states that it arrived at Martin Falls, on Albany River, about October 20,7 and that it began to assume its summer plumage about March 20, at which time also it departed northward.’ In the interior of Keewatin this species regularly goes south in winter as far at least as Norway «Phil. Trans., LXII, p. 393, 1772. > Rept. Prog. Can. Geol. Surv., 1878-9, App. VI, p. 68¢ (1880). ¢Phil. Trans., LXII, p. 390, 1772. 4¥auna Boreali-Americana, II, p. 351, 1831. eParry’s Third Voyage, Appendix, p. 99, 1826. f Edin. New Phil. Journal, XXX, p. 256, 1841. gIbid., p. 253, 1841. 104 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [No. 22, House, and forms a welcome addition to the winter bill of fare at the Hudson Bay posts. Definite data are lacking regarding the southern limit of its breeding range on the west coast of Hudson Bay, but on the east coast it breeds as far south as James Bay, where Spread- borough found it nesting at a point a short distance north of Fort George. “ Lagopus rupestris (Gmel.). Rock Ptarmigan. First described by Gmelin, who based the name on Pennant’s ‘ Rock Grouse’ from Hudson Bay.’ Wedid not meet with the species, as its summer home lies to the north of the region visited. The people of Fort Churchill say it occurs at that post regularly in winter, and Clarke has recorded from there a pair in winter plumage.“ Swainson and Richardson, quoting Hutchins’s manuscript, say that the species reaches York Factory and Fort Severn in very severe winters.? J.C. Ross says that the species left Port Bowen, Prince Regent Inlet, in October and returned in March.’ Dr. Rae saw a rock ptarmigan with a brood of young near Cape Fullerton,” and specimens collected by him at Repulse Bay are recorded in the British Museum Catalogue. Pedicecetes phasianellus (Linn.). Sharp-tailed Grouse. Two males in worn breeding plumage were taken at Norway House June 18, and downy young at Oxford House early in July. We did not again note the species until September 14, when we saw a pair on the upper Echimamish. It was common at Norway House September 16 to 19, and a specimen in fall plumage was taken at that point. The tracks of a large flock were seen on the sandy shore at Duck Point, Playgreen Lake, September 19. Edwards figured and described a specimen from Hudson Bay, call- ing it the ‘Long-Tailed Grous from Hudson’s Bay,’ and this figure and description formed the basis of Linneus’s description of Zetrao phasianellus. Forster recorded it from Albany Fort and Severn River,” and Murray from Trout Lake.‘ J. B. Tyrrell saw it near York Factory.’ The catalogue of birds in the U.S. National Museum collection contains the record of one taken at Moose Factory in 1881. «Macoun, Catalogue Canadian Birds, Part I, p. 206, 1900. bArct. Zool., IT, p. 312, 1785. ¢ Auk, VII, p. 321, 1890. 4 Fauna Boreali-Americana, II, p. 354, 1831. ¢Parry’s Third Voyage, Appendix, p. 99, 1826. f Narrative of an Expedition to the Shores of the Arctic Sea, p. 29, 1850. g Nat. Hist., III, pl. 117, 1750. Phil. Trans., LXIJ, pp. 394, 425, 1772. i Edin. New. Phil. Journ. (new ser.), IX, p. 224, 1859 j Ann. Rept. Can. Geol. Surv., 1896 (new ser.), IX, p. 165F (1897). OcroBEr, 1902.] BIRDS OF KEEWATIN. 105 Ectopistes migratorius (Linn.). Passenger Pigeon. Forster received a specimen from Severn River.“ Swainson and Richardson, quoting Hutchins’: manuscript, say that a flock visited York Factory in 1775 and stayed two days.’ James Clark Ross relates that while he was crossing Baffin Bay July 31, 1829, on Ross’s second voyage, a passenger pigeon flew on board.“ Dr. Bell saw small flocks on the upper part of Nelson River early in September, 1878.4 Macoun records a small breeding colony found on Waterhen River, northern Manitoba, on June 23, 1881. Turner records specimens collected at Moose Factory, August 16, 1860, by C. Drexler.’ Macoun records a set of eggs taken at the same place in June, 1888, by Mr. Miles Spence,’ and Clarke records an adult pair taken at Fort Churchill many years ago.” Barnston, writing in 1840, states that the migra- tory pigeon was frequently seen during August at Martin Falls, on Albany River, but disappeared about September 10. ? Zenaidura macroura (Linn.). Mourning Dove. While descending Red River from Winnipeg to West Selkirk, June 14, we saw several birds of this species. It is probable that it regularly reaches southern Keewatin. Circus hudsonius (Linn.). Marsh Hawk. We saw five marsh hawks during our trip—the first, June 13, as we were descending Red River; the next, July 13, at Beacon Point, York Factory; another, August 19, at Fort Churchill; another, August 24, below Cape Churchill, and the last, August 29, on lower Hayes River. Those observed August 19 and 24 were immature birds and were secured. Edwards figured and described this bird, which he called the ‘ Ring- tail’d Hawk,’ from a Hudson Bay specimen’ His figure and descrip- tion form the basis of Linneus’s description of Falco hudsonius. Murray recorded the species from Moose Factory and Severn River.* Accipiter velox (Wils.). Sharp-shinned Hawk. One was seen at Norway House June 19, one at Oxford House early in July, and one as we were ascending Hill River September 3. Richardson described a specimen from Moose Factory under the @Phii. Trans., LXII, p. 398, 1772. Fauna Boreali-Americana, II, p. 363, 1831. ¢ Appendix to Ross’s Second Voyage, p. xxix, 1835. @ Rept. Prog. Can. Geol. Sury., 1878-79, App. VI, p. 70c (1880). ¢ Catalogue Canadian Birds, Part I, p. 216, 1900. f Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., VIII, p. 245, 1885. g Catalogue Canadian Birds, Part I, p. 217, 1900. h Auk, VII, p. 322, 1890. ?Edin. New Phil. Journ., XXX, p. 255, 1841. JNat. Hist., III, pl. 107, 1750. & Edin. New Phil. Journ. (new ser.), IX, p. 221 1859. 106 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [No. 2, name of Aceipiter pennsylranicus.© Fielden records one taken by Captain Markham near York Factory in August, 1886.? Accipiter cooperi (Bonap.). Cooper Hawk. A Cooper hawk darted into a flock of Canada grouse which we flushed while ascending Haves River August 30, and though it did not succeed in capturing any it terrorized them so completely that we were unable to approach them. Accipiter atricapillus (Wils.). Goshawk. Richardson gives a description of a goshawk killed at York Factory, accompanied by a figure presumably drawn from the same bird.¢ Baird recorded one collected on Nelson River,“ and Clarke an adult female collected at Fort Churchill many years ago.¢ Buteo borealis (Gmel.). Red-tailed Hawk. A number were seen July 8 and 9 as we descended Hill and Steel rivers, where they were undoubtedly nesting. They flew from tree to tree in advance of the canoe, with squeals of protest at our intrusion. When we were returning we saw several on Hill River September 3. Dr. Bell recorded the species from Fort Churchill./ Buteo lineatus (Gmel.). Red-shouldered Hawk. Bell recorded a specimen from York Factory, collected and pre- sented by Dr. Matthews.” Buteo swainsoni Bonap. Swainson Hawk. An adult specimen (sex not noted) in the dark plumage, collected at Moose Factory in 1881 by W. Haydon, is in the U. S. National Museum collection. Buteo platypterus (Vieill.). Broad-winged Hawk. A specimen taken at Moose Factory in 1862 by J. McKenzie is recorded by Turner.” Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis (Gmel.). Rough-legged Hawk. Two were seen at Swampy Lake September 5, swooping about over the wooded shores, evidently at play. A specimen collected early in August at Norway House was presented to us by J. K. MacDonald of that post. «Fauna Boreali-Americana, II, p. 46, 1831. +Transactions Norwich Society, IV, p. 349, 1887. ¢ Fauna Boreali-Americana, IT, p. 43, 1831. ¢Birds of North America, p. 16, 1858. eAuk, VII, p. 322, 1890. Rept. Prog. Can. Geol. Surv., 1878-79, App. VI, p. 67¢ (1880). gIbid., 1882-3-4, App. IT], p. 54DD (1885). hProc. U. S. Nat. Mus., VIII, p. 244, 1885. OCTOBER, 1902. ] BIRDS OF KEEWATIN. 107 This species is recorded by Murray from Severn House and Trout Lake,“ and an apparently immature specimen, collected at Fort Churchill many years ago, is recorded by Clarke.’ Aquila chrysaétos (Linn.). Golden Eagle. We saw several of these birds as we were passing through Hell Gate Gorge June 28, and noticed at least two of their nests on its rocky walls. Edwards figured a specimen from Hudson Bay,’ and Linneus based his description of Fu/eo canadensis on Edwards’s figure. Sir John Franklin, who passed through Hell Gate Gorge in October, 1819, speaks of a nest of the brown fishing-eagle on one of the projecting cliffs. 2 Halizetus leucocephalus (Linn.). Bald Eagle. We were informed that white-headed eagles were occasionally seen near Fort Churchill and nested in the vicinity, and we obtained the upper mandible of one that had been killed there. Mr. Campbell, of Oxtord House, reported having seen the species near Oxford Lake. Falco islandus Briinn. White Gvrfalcon. The residents of Fort Churchill spoke of a white hawk, probably this species, which is sometimes seen there. Richardson described a mature bird from Hudson Bay;’ Murray recorded J. candicans from York Factory;“ Ridgway described a specimen from Moose Factory;” and a specimen collected by Dr. Rae at Repulse Bay, is recorded in the British Museum Catalogue. Falco rusticolus gyrfalco (Linn.). Gyrfalcon. Forster described Falco sacer, probably identical with gyrfalco, from a specimen taken at Severn River; Bell records a specimen (as alco sacer) from York Factory;” and Clarke records two specimens from Fort Churchill.? Falco peregrinus anatum (Bonap.). Duck Hawk. One was seen on the Barren Grounds below Cape Eskimo about August 5. The species is recorded by Murray from Trout Lake and Severn House,‘ and by Bell from York Factory,” and also from Marbie @ Edin. New Phil. Journ. (new ser.), IX, p. 221, 1859. 6 Auk, VII, p. 322, 1890. ¢ Nat. Hist., I, pl. 1, 1748. @¥ranklin’s Narrative of a Journey to the Polar Sea, p. 39, 1823. ¢ Fauna Boreali-Americana, II, p. 28, 1831. J Land Birds of North America, III, p. 112, 1874. 9Phil. Trans., LXII, pp. 383, 423, 1772. Rept. Prog. Can. Geol. Surv., 1878-79, App. VI, p. 67¢ (1880). ?Edin. New Phil. Journ. (new ser.), IX, p. 271, 1859. 108 ORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [No. 22, Island, where an adult and two young birds were killed September 1.¢ An adult male collected at Fort Churchill many years ago is recorded by Clarke.? The catalogue of birds in the U. S. National Museum collection contains the record of a specimen taken at Moose Factory in 1ss1. Falco columbarius Linn. Pigeon Hawk. A pigeon hawk which was moulting from the brownish plumage to that of the more mature bird was shot at a portage on Hill River July 7. From its actions and those of its mate, which was seen with food in its talons, it was probably nesting in the vicinity, but a care- ful search failed to-locate the nest. Another bird was taken at Fort Churchill July 25, and on our return trip we saw one on Hill River September 1, and one at Oxford House September 10. Richardson deseribed a specimen shot at York Factory September 4, 1522;¢ Forster recorded the species from Severn River;? Baird from Nelson River;* and Bell from between Norway House and Fort Churchill. “ Falco richardsoni Ridgw. Richardson Merlin. Nutting records this species from Grand Rapids, Saskatchewan, where a male was secured in the summer of 1891.9 Falco sparverius Linn. Sparrow Hawk. We saw one while descending Red River June 14, one at Sea Falls, 20 miles north of Norway House, June 23, and several while ascending Hayes and Steel rivers August 30 to September 1. On September 15 we again noted the species at Sea Falls. Baird recorded a specimen from Nelson River;* Bell reported the species at York Factory;/ and-Mearns lists a specimen from Moose Factory.” Pandion haliaétus carolinensis (Gmel.). Osxprey. At Robinson Portage June 26 we saw a pair, and on the shore of- Windy Lake, June 29, another that had a nest containing good-sized young. While returning we saw one bird at York Factory August 27, one on Hill River September +, one on Trout River September 9, and a number about Windy Lake September 12. Bell reported several nesting along the Churchill and Grass rivers.” «Rept. Prog. Can. Geol. Surv., 1882-3-4, App. III, p. 54DD (1885). bAuk, VIL, p. 322, 1890. ¢Fauna Boreali-Americana, II, p. 361, 1831. @Phil. Trans., LXII, p. 382, 1772. ¢Birds of North America, p. 10, 1858. J Rept. Prog. Can. Geol. Sury., 1878-79, App. VI, p. 67¢ (1880). gNat. Hist. Bull. Univ. Iowa, II, p. 269, 1893. » Auk, IX, p. 262, 1892. OcroBER, 1902.] BIRDS OF KEEWATIN. 109 Asio wilsonianus (Less.). Long-eared Owl. Thompson, quoting Hutchins’s manuscript, says that this species was found at Severn Settlement, presumably Fort Severn, where Hutchins resided.¢ Asio accipitrinus (Pall.). Short-eared Owl. Rather common and quite generally distributed throughout the region wherever favorable ground occurs. One was seen at Beacon Point, near York Factory, July 13, and two were taken at Fort Churchill. One was seen on the Barren Grounds south of Cape Eskimo August +, and one at Oxford House September 10. Murray recorded the species from Trout Lake Station,’ and Bell from York Factory and Fort Churchill. The catalogue of birds in the U.S. National Museum collection contains the record of one taken at Moose Factory in 1881 by Walton Haydon. Syrnium varium (Barton).? Barred Owl. Strix varius Barton, Frag. Nat. Hist. Penna., p. 11, 1799. Syrnium nebulosum authors (not Stri nebulosa Forster, Phil. Trans., LXII, pp. 386, 424, 1772, which is based on the great gray owl. Several specimens of the barred owl taken at Moose Factory are recorded in the catalogue of birds in the U. $. National Museum. Nutting records the species from Chemawawin, Saskatchewan.° Scotiaptex nebulosum (Forst.). Great Gray Owl. Strix nebulosa Forst., Trans. Phil. Soc. London, LXIJ, pp. 386, 424, 1772. (Severn River.) Strix cinerea Gmel., Systema Nature, I, p. 291, 1788; and of authors. Forster based the name Str/x nebulosa on a specimen of the grear gray owl sent by Mr. Graham from Severn River, Hudson Bay.’ His description, in part, is as follows: Strix capite levi, corpore fusco, albido undulatim striatu, remige sexto longiore apice, nigricante. Description.—Rostrum fusco flavum, mandibula superius magis flava. Oculi magna iridibus flavis. * * * Pectus albidum maculis longitudinalibus transversisque fuscis. Abdomen album superius uti pectus maculis longitudinalibus sed inferius striis trans- versis notatum. Latitudo pedum quattuor. «Proc. U. 8. Nat. Mus., XIII, p. 540, 1890. + Edin. New Phil. Journ. (new ser.), IX, p. 222, 1859. ¢Rept. Prog. Can. Geol. Surv., 1878-79, App. VI, p. 67c (1880). 4 Strix nebulosa Forster plainly having been based on the great gray owl, the name Strix varius Barton seems to be the next name available for the barred owl The barred owls will, therefore, stand as follows: Syrnium varium (Barton), Frag. Nat. Hist. Penna., p. 11, 1799. Syrnium varium alleni (Ridgw.), Proc. U. 8. Nat. Mus., III, p. 8, March, 1880. Syrnium varium helveolum (Bangs), Auk, XVIII, p. 299, 1901. éNat. Hist. Bull. Univ. Iowa, II, p. 270, 1893. f The fact that Forster’s description of Strix nebulosa refers to the great gray owl was brought to my attention by Mr. R. Ridgway. 110 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [No. 22, Blakiston received two specimens from York Factory,’ and Turner has recorded the species from Moose Factory, where a specimen was collected by J. McKenzie.? Seton records it as resident in the woods about Lake Winnipeg.° Nyctala tengmalmi richardsoni (Bonap.). Richardson Owl. A specimen collected at Repulse Bay by Dr. Rae is recorded in the British Museum Catalogue. Fielden records the species from near York Factory, where it was obtained by Captain Markham in 1886.7 It probably occurs throughout the Hudson Bay region. Nyctala acadica (Gmel.). Saw-whet Owl. Strix passerina, recorded by Forster from Hudson Bay, probably from Severn River,’ is in all likelihood referable to this species. Turner recorded a specimen, which is still in the National Museum, collected at Moose Factory by J. McKenzie.” Megascops asio (Linn.). Screech Owl. George Barnston, writing in 1840, mentions ‘‘The small owl (Scops)” as being heard in April at Martin Falls, Albany River.’ Bubo virginianus arcticus (Swains.). Arctic Horned Owl. The characteristic notes of the great horned owl were heard during the night of September 11, while we were encamped near the south end of Oxford Lake, September 13 at Robinson Portage, and the next day on the Echimamish. The catalogue of birds in the U.S. National Museum collection records two specimens of the great horned owl collected at Moose Factory by J. McKenzie. One of these has been examined and is referable to this form. Clarke recorded a specimen probably referable to this form collected many years ago at Fort Churchill.7 Fielden records a fine specimen obtained near York Factory in 1886 by Captain Markham.? Nyctea nyctea (Linn.). Snowy Owl. We did not meet with this species but saw wings at several posts, and learned from a young man at Fort Churchill that he had seen a snowy owl late in July. Forster early recorded it from Churchill River,’ and the reports of @ Rept. Prog. Can. Geol. Surv., V, p. 50, 1863. > Proc. U. 8. Nat. Mus., VIII, p. 243, 1885. ¢ Auk, III, p. 155, 1886. 4 Transactions Norwich Society, IV, p. 349, 1887. é Phil. Trans., LXII, p. 385, 1772. f Edin. New. Phil. Journ., XXX, p. 253, 1841. g Auk, VII, p. 322, 1890. OcToBER, 1902.] BIRDS OF KEEWATIN. 111 various Arctic expeditions uote its occurrence at several points to the north and northwest of Hudson Bay. Its presence throughout the region in winter is attested by various observers. Surnia ulula caparoch (Mill.). Hawk Owl. . ‘The Little Hawk Owl’¢ of Edwards, from Hudson Bay, formed the basis of Miiller’s Strix caparoch. Forster recorded the hawk owl, under the name Stria funerea, from Severn and Churchill rivers;? Murray received it from Trout Lake and Severn House;* Swainson and Richardson mention a specimen from York Factory;¢@ and one col- lected by Dr. Rae at Repulse Bay is recorded in the British Museum Catalogue. The catalogue of birds in the U. S. National Museum collection contains the record of a specimen taken by Walton Haydon at Moose Factory in 1881. Ceryle alcyon (Linn.). Belted Kingfisher. We found the belted kingfisher common throughout the region between Norway House and Oxford House. A large clay bank on the shore of Oxford Lake near Oxford House, which we passed June 30, was perforated by the nesting holes of a numerous colony of bank swallows. In this bank were also several larger holes, which were probably those of kingfishers, judging from the anxiety mani- fested by at least four pairs of kingfishers that were flying about. During our return trip we saw several kingfishers on Steel and Hill rivers early in September, on Trout River September 9, and on the Echimamish September 14. Clarke recorded an adult male from Fort Churchill,’ and several have reported the species from York Factory. The catalogue of birds in the U. S. National Museum collection contains the record of a specimen taken at Moose Factory in 1881 by Walton Haydon. Dryobates villosus leucomelas (Bodd.). Northern Hairy Woodpecker. Forster recorded vllosus from Severn River,’ and Bell reported it from York Factory,’ both probably referring to the present form. An adult male of this species from Fort Churchill is recorded by Clarke.’ It is likely the bird ranges throughout the wooded portion of the region. Dryobates pubescens medianus (Swains.). Downy Woodpecker. A specimen collected at Moose Factory by Walton Haydon is in the U.S. National Museum. The downy woodpecker undoubtedly ranges throughout southern Keewatin. @Nat. Hist., II, pl. 62, 1747. (See Stejneger, Auk, I, p. 362, 1884.) b Phil. Trans., LXII, p. 385, 1772. ¢ Edin. New Phil. Journ. (new ser.), IX, p. 221, 1859. 4 Fauna Boreali-Americana, II, p. 94, 1831. e Auk, VII, p. 322, 1890. f Phil. Trans., LXII, p. 388, 1772. 9 Rept. Prog. Can. Geol. Surv., 1882-3-4, App. III, p. 54DD (1885). 112 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [No. 22, - Picoides arcticus (Swains.). Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker. We collected two males in a tract of burnt spruce woods at Norway House June 19, and while ascending Hayes River August 30 saw another in spruce woods. Baird recorded a pair from Hudson Bay obtained from John Gould.¢ Fielden recorded a specimen obtained near York Factory in August, 1886.2. The catalogue of birds in the United States National Museum collection records a specimen taken at Moose Factory in 1881 by Walton Haydon. Picoides americanus Brehm. Striped-backed Three-toed Woodpecker. Forster recorded this species from Severn River;* Murray received one from Severn House;” Baird recorded a male from Hudson Bay,¢ supposed to be the one figured by Audubon, and Clarke recorded several adults of both sexes collected at Fort Churchill many years agos Sphyrapicus varius (Linn.). Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. An adult female collected at Fort Churchill more than fifty years ago is recorded hy Clarke.’ The U. 8. National Museum collection con- tains a specimen taken at Moose Factory in 1881 by Walton Haydon. Ceophleus pileatus abieticola Bangs. Northern Pileated Woodpecker. Thompson, quoting Hutchins’s manuscript, reported this species from Albany River,” Baird recorded a specimen from Nelson River,’ and the catalogue of birds in the U. 8. National Museum collection records four specimens collected at Moose Factory in 1862. Colaptes auratus luteus Bangs. Northern Flicker. We found flickers rather common throughout the region between Lake Winnipeg and Hudson Bay, and saw several at Fort Churchill July 25. Forster recorded this species from Albany Fort;/ Murray from Trout Lake and Hudson Bay;* and others have recorded it from dif- ferent points in the region covered by our observations. The cata- Jogue of birds in the U. 8. National Museum collection contains the record of a specimen taken at Moose Factory in 1881 by Walton Haydon. «Birds of North America, p. 98, 1858. b Transactions Norwich Society, IV, p. 348, 1887. ¢Phil. Trans., LXII, p. 388 (P. tridactylus), 1772. ¢ Edin. New Phil. Journ. (new ser.), IX, p. 223 (4. tridactylus), 1859. «Birds of North America, p. 100, 1858. f Auk, VII, p. 322, 1890. gIbid., p. 322, 1890. Proc. U. 8. Nat. Mus., XIII, p. 551, 1890. 4 Birds of North America, p. 107, 1858. JPhil. Trans., LXII, p. 387, 1772. * Edin. New Phil. Journ. (new ser.), IX, p. 223, 1859. Ocroger, 1902.] BIRDS OF KEEWATIN. 113 Antrostomus vociferus (Wils.). Whip-poor-will. Bell says: ‘‘The Whippoorwill was not seen nor heard north of Norway House,”” implying its occurrence at that point. Bendire, probably referring to the same record, says: ‘‘ As far as I have been able to ascertain, this species reaches the extreme northern limits of its range on the north shore of Lake Winnipeg, near Norway House.’ The species probably occurs regularly in extreme southern Keewatin. Chordeiles virginianus (Gmel.). Night-hawk. Rather common at Norway House June 17 to 23, and several seen at Robinson Portage June 27, Oxford Lake June 30, and about the shores of Knee Lake July 5. They scemed to frequent entirely the districts which had been swept by fire. As we saw none on our return early in September, they had undoubtedly migrated by that time. Murray recorded the species from Trout Lake,’ Bell reported it from York Factory,” and a specimen collected years ago at Fort Churchill is recorded by Clarke.” Edward Sabine recorded one that was picked up dead on Melville Island.’ The catalogue of birds in the U.S. National Museum collection contains the record of a speci- men taken at Moose Factory in 1881 by Walton Haydon. Muscivora forficata (Gmel.). Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. Bell recorded a ‘‘ specimen of J/¢/vulus forficatus in the Govern- ment Museum shot at York Factory in the summer of 1880.°% The species has also been reported from Manitoba.” It evidently occurs only as a rare straggler. Tyrannus tyrannus (Linn.). Kingbird. The catalogue of birds in the U. S. National Museum collection records a specimen collected at Moose Factory July 11, 1881, by Wal- ton Haydon. Nutting found the species abundant at Grand Rapids, at the mouth of the Saskatchewan.” It should occur regularly in southern Keewatin. Sayornis phebe (Lath.). Phcebe. A pair had a nest beneath the wharf at Norway House, and several more nests were observed on June 28 as we were passing through Hell Gate Gorge. They were placed on the face of cliffs overhanging the water, and contained young nearly ready to fly. Though the bird “Rept. Prog. Can. Geol. Surv., 1878-79, App. VJ, p. 68¢ (1880). > Life Hist. N. A. Birds (U. 8. Nat. Mus. Special Bull. 3), p. 146, 1895 (1896). ¢Edin. New Phil. Journ. (new ser.), IX, p. 222, 1859. @ Auk, VII, p. 322, 1890. e Suppl. to Appendix, Parry’s First Voyage, p. cxciv, 1824. J Proc. Royal Soc. Canada, 1882, I, Sec. IV, p. 52, (1883). gSeton, Auk, II, p. 218, 1885. ANat. Hist. Bull. Univ. Iowa, II, p. 271, 1893. 7165—No. 22-8 114 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [No. 22, should occur throughout southern Keewatin, I find no published rec- ords of its occurrence in the Province. Contopus borealis (Swains.). Olive-sided Flycatcher. Observed but once, on July 4, ina swamp bordering Trout River, between Oxford House and Knee Lake. The bird was perched ona tall dead tree. uttering at intervals its characteristic note. Murray recorded the species from Hudson Bay.“ Empidonax trailli alnorum Brewst. Alder Flycatcher. Flycatchers referred to a/vomnn were several times observed by us at Norway House, and while we were ascending the Echimamish. but various causes, including their extremely wary habits, conspired to prevent their collection. Empidonax minimus Baird. Least Flycatcher. A nest containing well-incubated eggs was collected near the south end of Oxford Lake on the morning of June 30. The female parent was secured at the same time. J have compared this bird with most of the specimens in the large series in the U. 8. National Museum collection, and it proves to have a smaller bill than any of them. Turner recorded a specimen collected by C. Drexler at Moose Factory.’ Otocoris alpestris (Linn.). Horned Lark. An adult male horned Jark, collected at Moose Factory June 18, 1863, and now in the U. 8. National Museum collection, has been sev- eral times recorded. This specimen proves, on examination, to be referable to the typical form. Otocoris alpestris hoyti Bishop. Hoyt Horned Lark. We first met with this form on the ‘Barrens’ about 50 miles north of York Factory July 19, and found it common from there north as far as we went, especially at Fort Churchill, where adult birds and a young one not long from the nest were taken July 24 to 26. A speci- men was collected 50 miles south of Cape Eskimo August 4. During our return we saw many horned larks on the clearing at Norway House, September 16 to 19, feeding in company with Lapland long- spurs. : Bishop has recorded specimens of this form from Depot Island, ‘Hudson Strait’ [Hudson Bay].¢ J.C. Ross took a specimen near Felix Harbor, Boothia.” Richardson recorded a specimen taken July 10, @Kdin. New Phil. Journ. (new ser.), IX, p: 223, 1859. » Proe. U. S. Nat. Mus., VIII, p. 242, 1885. ¢ Auk, XIII, p. 132, 1896. @ Appendix to Rogss’s Second Voyage, p. xxvi, 1835. OcToBER, 1902.] BIRDS OF KEEWATIN. 115 1822, near Cape Wilson, Melville Peninsula; and Murray received specimens from York Factory and Severn House.’ Forster recorded horned larks from Albany Fort,’ but in the absence of specimens, it is impossible to decide whether «/pestris or hoyti ix referred to. Pica pica hudsonia (Sab.). Magpie. Forster recorded the magpie from Albany Fort under the name Corvus pica.” Thompson, quoting Hutchins’s manuscript, says that one was caught in a marten trap at York Factory;* and Joseph Sabine, who described Jidson/a from Cumberland House, speaks of having had a specimen from Hudson Bay in his possession some time before.’ Fielden records a specimen procured at York Factory.” Cyanocitta cristata (Linn.). Blue Jay. Several were seen in the groves of Quercus macrocurpa at West Selkirk on the morning of September 22. According to Chamberlain, the species has been taken at Moose Factory.” Russell records it from Grand Rapids.’ Perisoreus canadensis (Linn.). Canada Jay. This species was reported about Norway House, and was seen nearly every day on our journey between there and York Factory. Speci- mens were collected on the Echimamish, at Oxford House, and at York Factory; and Alfred E. Preble saw several near Fort Churchill. Murray recorded the species from Severn House, and Clarke an adult from Fort Churchill. The catalogue of birds in the U. S. National Museum collection records a specimen taken at Moose Fac- tory in 1881 by Walton Haydon. Corvus corax principalis Ridgw. Northern Raven. We saw several between Robinson Portage and Pine Lake June 28, and while descending Hill River July $ noticed a pair flying about the face of a high clay bank. Except for one seen at Fort Churchill July 30, we did not again note the species. James Clark Ross speaks of a pair which wintered at Port Bowen, Prince Regent Inlet.’ Bell reported this species as breeding through- « Appendix to Parry’s Second Voyage, p. 343, 1825 (1827). > Edin. New Phil. Journ. (new ser.), IX, p. 398, 1859. ¢Phil. Trans., LXIT, p. 398, 1772. TThid., p. 387, 1772. ¢Proc. U. 8. Nat. Mus., XIII, p. 565, 1890. Jf Franklin’s Narrative of a Journey to the Polar Sea, Appendix, p. 671, 1823. 9 Transactions Norwich Society, IV, p. 348, 1887. * Catalogue Canadian Birds, p. 75, 1887. 7 Explorations in the Far North, p. 264, 1898. Jj Edin. New Phil. Journ. (new ser.), IX, p. 222, 1859, k Auk, VII, p. 322, 1890. ’Parry’s Third Voyage, Appendix, p. 97, 1826. 116 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [No. 22, out the region between Norway House and Forts Churchill and York.¢ Corvus americanus Aud. Crow. A few seen about Lake Winnipeg and Norway House, and small numbers noted nearly every day between Norway House and York Factory. They were rather common at York Factory July 10 to 17. A few were seen about the mouth of Churchill River July 30, and another was noted 50 miles south of Cape Eskimo on the morning of August 14. On our return trip they were several times met with. Murray recorded the crow from Trout Lake and Hudson Bay.’ Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus (Bonap.). Yellow-headed Blackbird. Recorded by Murray from Hudson Bay.’ Nutting found it breed- ing abundantly at Chemawawin, Saskatchewan. Agelaius pheniceus (I.inn.). Red-winged Blackbird. Common in the Red River Valley, and abundant about the marshes below Robinson Portage, where two specimens were collected June 27. A number were seen near Oxford House July 4,in the marsh between Oxford and Back Lakes. _ Recorded by Murray from Hudson Bay.? Sturnella magna neglecta (Aud.). Western Meadowlark. A number seen along Red River between Winnipeg and West Selkirk June 14. Specimens procured at Winnipeg have been exam- ined and prove referable to this form. Icterus galbula (Linn.). Baltimore Oriole. One xeen flying across Red River, about midway between Winnipeg and West Selkirk, June 14. Bell records a specimen from York Factory, collected and presented by Dr. Matthews.¢ Scolecophagus carolinus (Miill.). Rusty Blackbird. Several seen and a female taken June 25, near the head of the Echimamish, where they were undoubtedly breeding. One was taken from a large flock at Fort Churchill July 26. While encamped on Churchill River, about 15 miles above Fort Churchill, Alfred E. Preble found the species abundant, and took several specimens August 8. We found the species common as we ascended Hill River September 3 to 5, and saw several between Oxford and Windy lakes September 12. It was very common along the Echimamish September 14 and 15. “Rept. Prog. Can. Geol. Sury., 1878-79, App. VI, p. 67c (1880). >bEdin. New Phil. Journ. (new ser.), IX, p. 222, 1859. eTbid., p. 222, 1859. dNat. Hist. Bull. Univ. Iowa, II, p. 274, 1893. ¢Rept. Prog. Can. Geol. Surv., 1882-384, App. III, p.54DD (1885). OcroBER, 1902.] BIRDS OF KEEWATIN. 117 Forster recorded it from Severn River,“ his record being probably the earliest notice of the bird, which was then undescribed. Murray received specimens from Severn House and Trout Lake,’ and Bell reported it from York Factory.“ The catalogue of birds in the U.S. National Museum collection contains the record of specimens taken at Moose Factory in 1881 by Walton Haydon. Scolecophagus eyanocephalus (Wagl.). Brewer Blackbird. Common in the Red River Valley, between Winnipeg and West Sel- kirk, Junel4. Nutting records this species and S. evro//nus from the lower Saskatchewan, where both apparently breed.? Quiscalus quiscula eneus (Ridgw.). Bronzed Grackle. Several seen near Sea Falls and on the lower Echimamish June 24; rather common June 26 and 27 at Robinson Portage, where two speci- mens were collected; common at Oxford House June 30 to July 4; and a single bird seen on upper Hill River July 7. On the return trip several were seen on Trout River, near Oxtord House, September 9. Bell reported Y. purpureus from York Factory,“ and Clarke recorded an adult male from Fort Churchill, collected many years ago.* The catalogue of birds in the U. S. National Museum collection contains the record of a specimen taken at Moose Factory in 1881 by Walton Haydon. Coccothraustes vespertinus (Coop.). Evening Grosbeak. Thompson, on the authority cf R. H. Hunter, reports that this species was seen in autumn, winter, and early spring at Big Island,, Lake Winnipeg.’ Pinicola enucleator leucura (Miill.). Pine Grosbeak. A male was seen perched on a tree overhanging Hill River, near the mouth of Fox River, July 8. The species was reported to us by the residents of Fort Churchill. Edwards figured a pair of these birds brought from Hudson Bay by Mr. Isham, who informed him that they wintered there.” Forster recorded it from Severn Rivers” Murray recorded it from Severn House;? Bell reported that it was frequently seen on the Churchill in the latter part of July;’ Clarke recorded adults of both sexes, collected @Phil. Trans., LXII, p. 400, 1772. bEdin. New Phil. Journ. (new ser. ), LX, p. 223, 1859. ¢Rept. Prog. Can. Geo. Surv., 1878-79, App. VI, p. 68¢ (1880). 4 Nat. Hist. Bull. Univ. Iowa, I, p. 274, 1893. e Auk, VII, p. 322, 1890. f Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., XIII, p. 584, 1890. g Nat. Hist., ITI, pls. 123 and 124, 1750. hPhil. Trans., LXII, p. 402, 1772. i Rept. Prog. Can. Geol. Surv., 1878-79, App. VI, p. 70¢ (1880). 118 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [No. 22, at Fort Churchill many years ago;“ and Fielden recorded a specimen obtained near York Factory in 1886.? The catalogue of birds in the U.S. National Museum collection contains the record of a specimen taken at Moose Factory in 1881 by Walton Haydon. Carpodacus purpureus (Gmel.). Purple Finch. The song of the purple finch was several times heard early on the morning of June 16 at Bull Head Point, Lake Winnipeg, where the steamer stopped for wood. Turner recorded the species from Moose Factory,’ and Walton Hay- don collected specimens there in 1881. Loxia curvirostra minor (Brehm). Red Crossbill. A small flock was seen at our camp on the Mchimamish June 25. Forster recorded two specimens of ‘Loire eurn/rostra? from Severn River.?@ Loxia leucoptera Gmel. White-winged Crossbill. Murray received this species from Hudson Bay, Severn House, and Trout Lake;° Baird recorded a specimen in the U. 8. National Museum from Nelson River;” and adults of both sexes from Fort Churchill were recorded by Clarke.“ Acanthis hornemanni (Holb.). Greenland Redpoll. Clarke recorded two adults collected many years ago at Fort Church- ill.¢ Murray's record of Z/nota borealis from Severn House may be referable to the present form or to ea/l/pes. ¢ Acanthis hornemanni exilipes (Coues). Hoary Redpoll. Three specimens from York Factory and one from Fort Churchill, collected in July, are referable to this form. Acanthis linaria (Linn.). Redpoll. Eight specimens, including one in juvenal plumage, were collected July 12 to 16 at York Factory, where the birds were abundant, and a very bright male was taken at Fort Churchill July 23. Forster recorded this species from Severn River.’ Acanthis linaria holbelli (Brehm). Holbcell Redpoll. A specimen (No. $9311) taken at Moose Factory in 1881 by Walton Haydon, and now in the U. 8. National Museum collection, seems to be a typical example of this form. « Auk, VII, p. 322, 1890. > Transactions Norwich Society, IV, p. 348, 1887. ¢Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., VIII, p. 239, 1885. @Phil. Trans., LXI, p. 402, 1772. ¢ Edin. New Phil. Journ. (new ser.), UX, p. 223, 1859. J Birds of North America, p. 428, 1858. g Phil. Trans., LNII, p. 405, 1772. OcroBER, 1902.] BIRDS OF KEEWATIN. 119 Spinus pinus (Wils.). Pine Siskin. Nutting records the pine siskin from Grand Rapids, Saskatchewan, where two specimens were taken.“ It probably occurs throughout southern Keewatin, but I tind no published records. Passerina nivalis (Linn.). Snowtlake. Edwards figured the *Snow-Bird from Hudson’s-Bay,’? and on this figure Linneus partially based his description of Kuiheriza nivalis, Forster recorded migrants from Severn River;* Richardson says the species breeds on Melville Peninsula,” and records it as usually arriv- ing at Fort Churchill from March 26 to April 6, and being very rarely seen in midwinter; Dr. Rae saw young near Neville Bay;’ Swainson and Richardson speak of its breeding about Chestertield Inlet;” Murray received specimens from Hudson Bay, Severn House, and Trout Lake;% Bell reported it from York Factory;” Clarke from Fort Churchill;* the British Museum Catalogue has a record of one collected hy Dr. Rae at Repulse Bay; and the catalogue of birds in the U. 5. National Museum collection records a specimen taken at Moose Factory in 1881 hy Walton Haydon. Calearius lapponicus (Linn.). Lapland Longspur. Rather common 10 miles north of Fort Churchill, on the shores of Button Bay, where an immature bird was taken July 31. Abundant on the Barren Grounds south of Cape Eskimo August + to 13, at which time the old birds were moulting and were almost invariably destitute of tail feathers. They were seen in great numbers near Hubbart Point August 17, and were common at Norway House Sep- tember 19, where one was secured. At the latter point they were feed- ing in company with horned larks. Forster recorded the species from Severn River;/ Murray received specimens from Trout Lake and Severn House;% Clarke recorded adults and young collected at Fort Churchill;’ and two specimens col- lected at Repulse Bay by Dr. Rae are mentioned in the British Museum Catalogue. The catalogue of birds in the U. 5. National Museum collection contains the record of a specimen taken at Moose Factory in Lss81 by Walton Haydon. @Nat: Hist. Bull. Univ. Iowa, II, p. 275, 1893. bNat. Hist., III, pl. 126, 1750. ¢Phil. Trans., LNII, p. 403, 1772. @ Appendix to Parry’s Second Voyage, p. 344, 1825 (1827). é Narrative of an Expedition to the Shores of the Arctic Sea, p. 24, 1850. J Fauna Boreali-Americana, IT, p. 246, 1831. g Edin. New Phil. Journ. (new ser.), IN, p. 222, 1859. Rept. Prog. Can. Geol. Surv., 1878-79, App. VI, p. 68¢ (1880). i Auk, VII, p. 322, 1890. JPhil. Trans., LAXII, p. 404, 1772 120 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [No. 22, Calcarius pictus (Swains.). Smith Longspur. Rather common on the meadows at Fort Churchill July 23 to 30. They were quite tame, but were hard to sce on the mossy hillocks, their coloring rendering them very inconspicuous. Often the first intimation I had of their proximity was their note, consisting of several sharp chips uttered in rapid succession. Three adult males anda young male just from the nest were taken. The voung male, which was secured July 24, may he described as follows: Back dusky, the feathers edged with deep buff and whitish; feathers of head and neck dusky, mostly edged with buff, collar of adult being indicated by white edgines; wing quills strongly edged with brown, coverts tipped with white; lower parts buffy, about as in adults, chest conspicuously streaked with black, and sides marked with obscure spots of dusky; white markings of head plainly indicated. Murray recorded specimens from Severn House;“ and a specimen collected hy Dr. Rae at Repulse Bay is recorded in the British Museum Catalogue. Poecetes gramineus (Gmel.). Vesper Sparrow. Nutting reports the vesper sparrow common at Grand Rapids, Sas- katchewan, where specimens were taken in the summer of 1891. Ammodramus sandwichensis savanna (Wils.). Savanna Sparrow. Common throughout the region wherever suitable ground occurred, especially in the vicinity of the posts. At Norway House June 22 we found young just beginning to fly, and took several specimens of these and the old birds. We collected other specimens at Oxford House June 30 to July 4, and at York Factory, where they were especially common on the marsh at Beacon Point. We collected two more at Fort Churchill and two in the juvenal plumage at my camp 50 miles south of Cape Eskimo August 4 to 8. The last were taken in traps set for voles. The catalogue of birds in the U. 8. National Museum collection contains the record of a specimen taken at Moose Factory in 1881 by Walton Haydon. Ammodramus bairdi (Aud.). Baird Sparrow. Nutting records a specimen taken at Grand Rapids, Saskatchewan, in the summer of 1891." Zonotrichia querula (Nutt.). Harris Sparrow. A number of specimens, including adults of both sexes and young just from the nest, were collected, July 23 to 80, at Fort Churchill, where the birds were rather common. They frequent the seattered patches of aEdin. New Phil. Journ. (new ser.), IX, p. 223, 1859. dNat. Hist. Bull. Univ. Iowa, II, p. 275, 1893 eIbid., p. 275, 1893. OcroBER, 1902.] BIRDS OF KEEWATIN. 121 dwarfed spruce that grow in the small valleys and ravines intersecting the extensive expanse of precipitous ledges along Churchill River in the vicinity of the post. They undoubtedly nest among these spruces, but no nests attributable to the species were found. We heard no song, but they had a loud metallic chip which was audible and easily recognized at a distance of several reds. Young just from the nest, taken July 24and 25, may be thus described: Upperparts dusky black, the feathers edged with deep buffy and brown, the black predominat- ing on crown, the brown on hind neck, and the black and brown about equally divided on back: outer wing quills edged with deep buffy, inner with brown; tail feathers edged and tipped with whitish; sides of head and lower parts buffy; chest and side streaked with black, which is most conspicuous on sides of chest and forms « promi- nent malar stripe; upper throat grayish white, with fine dusky markings. Several were seen in a thicket bordering upper Hayes River August 30, and the species was rather common in a fire-swept tract between Robinson Portage and the Echimamish September 14. Zonotrichia leucophrys (Forst.). White-crowned Sparrow. First seen at York Factory. where it was abundant and where a small series, including adults of both sexes and young birds not long from the nest, was taken July 12 to 14. About the post at Fort Churchill it was extremely abundant July 23 to 30, but after passing that point we saw no more of it until we had repassed the post on our return and were ascending Hayes River August 30, when we observed a number in a thicket bordering the river. This species was first described by Forster from Severn River, Hudson Bay. He also received it from Albany Fort, where it was said to breed;“ and Murray received it from Severn House.’ It prob- ably breeds throughout the northern wooded portions of Keewatin, being confined mainly to the Hudsonian zone. Zonotrichia albicollis (Gmel.). White-throated Sparrow. Abundant throughout the region between Norway House and York Factory. It was especially numerous in the extensive tracts which had been devastated by fire, where its simple but beautiful song lent a charm to the gloomy surroundings. A few were noted, one of which was collected, at York Factory in July; and on our return trip a few were seen at Oxford Lake September 11. Murray reported the species from Hudson Bay,’ and Clarke recorded an adult pair from Fort Churchill.“ It was taken at Moose Factory @Phil. Trans., LXII, p. 403, 426, 1772. o Edin. New Phil. Journ. (new ser.), LX, p. 223, 1859 ¢Auk, VII, p. 322, 1890. 122 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [No. 22, in 18St by Walton Haydon. Its breeding range in Keewatin is probably nearly co-extensive with the forest, though it is rare in that part that lies in the Hudsonian zone. Spizella monticola (Gmel.). Tree Sparrow. First seen at York Factory, where the species was rather common and a young bird not long from the nest was taken July 12. It was abundant at Fort Churchill July 24+ to 30, and we took a series at that point. Many were noted on the Barren Grounds, 50 miles south of Cape Eskimo, August 4 tos. On our return trip several were seen at Duck Point, Plavgreen Lake, September 1). Murray received specimens from Severn House;“ and a specimen collected by Dr. Rae at Repulse Bay is recorded in the British Museum Catalogue. The catalogue of birds in the U.S. National Museum col- lection contains the record of a specimen taken at Moose Factory in Isst by Walton Haydon. Spizella socialis (Wils.). Chipping Sparrow. A few chipping sparrows were seen about the post at Norway House, one of which was collected. We also met with them about the post buildings at Oxford House, and saw one or two on an island in Knee Lake July 5. It was peculiarly pleasant to meet with this friendly little bird in these wild northern forests; and it was inter- esting to note that it showed no absence of that social trait to which its name is due, but was usually found nesting near dwellings Spizella pallida (Swains.). Clay-coiored Sparrow. Nutting records three specimens, cvidently taken on the lower Saskatchewan.’ The species probably barely reaches southwestern Keewatin. Junco hyemalis (Linn.). Slate-colored Junco. A specimen was taken June 20 at Norway House, where the species was common; another was secured July 3, one of a number seen in the spruce and tamarack woods about Oxford House, and the species was again observed while we were ascending Steel River, September 1. Specimens were received from Severn River by Forster, who, sup- posing the species to be undescribed, renamed it Fidagla hudson at? Two specimens are recorded from Fort Churchill by Clarke.” Speci- mens were taken at Moose Factory in 1ss1 by Walton Haydon. Melospiza melodia (Wils.). Song Sparrow. Common at Norway House and in the shrubbery about the clearing at Oxford House, and a number observed about Knee Lake July 5 «Edin, New Phil. Journ. (new ser.), EX, p. 223, 1859. »Nat. Hist. Bull. Univ., Iowa, HU, p. 275, 18938. ¢Phil. Trans., LXII, pp. 406, 428, 1772. ¢Auk, VII, p. 322, 1890. OctoBER, 1902.] BIRDS OF KEEWATIN. 123 and 6. Not noted between Knee Lake and York Factory on our inward trip, though we found the species rather common on Hill River when we ascended it early in September. Melospiza lincolni (Aud.). Lincoln Sparrow. Rather common July 13 to 16 at York Factory, where three speci- mens were collected. Melospiza georgiana (Lath.). Swamp Sparrow. A few were seen in the shrubby woods back of the post at Oxford House, and an adult was taken July 3. At York Factory, where the species was rather common, two young, not long from the nest, were taken July 13 and 16. Passerella iliaca (Merr.). Fox Sparrow. First noticed on the afternoon of July 10, when its beautiful song was heard in the willow thickets bordering Hayes River a few miles above York Factory. While at York Factory we found fox sparrows fairly common in willow thickets, and took a pair July 16. Zamelodia ludoviciana (Linn.). Rose-breasted Grosbeak. We heard the song of this bird while descending Red River, a few miles below Winnipeg, June 14. King took one near the north end of Lake Winnipeg in the summer of 1835.4 Progne subis (Linn.). Purple Martin. Edwards figured a bird brought from Hudson Bay hy Mz. Isham, calling it the ‘Great American Martin’.? Linneeus based his descrip- tion of Avrundo sub/s on Edwards's figure. Petrochelidon lunifrons (Say). Cliff Swallow. Forster recorded a specimen sent from Severn River as ‘ Hirundo No. 35.’° This is probably the earliest notice of the species, which was not formally described until many years afterward. Baird records a specimen taken at Moose Factory May 27, 1860;” and Barnston mentions the species as arriving at Martin Falls, Albany River, by May 15.° Hirundo erythrogastra Bodd. Barn Swallow. On the morning of August 13, while I was encamped at the mouth of a river on the Barren Grounds, about 25 miles south of Cape Eskimo, a barn swallow that had evidently been following the course of the stream flew past the camp. When it reached the Bay it turned south- ward and soon disappeared from sight down the coast. «Narrative of a Journey to the Shores of the Arctic Ocean, II, p. 225, 1836. bNat. Hist., III, pl. 120, 1750. ¢Phil. Trans., LXII, p. 408, 1772. ad Review of American Birds, p. 290, May, 1865. e Edin. New Phil. Journ., XXX, p. 254, 1841. 124 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [No. 22, Tachycineta bicolor (Vieill.). Tree Swallow. A few seen on lower Red River June 15, and two at Norway House June 19. Common between Norway House and Oxford House, and many nests observed in deserted holes of woodpeckers in trees at the water’s edge, June 23 to 30. Common also at Oxford House, and noted on Steel River July 9. On our return through their haunts early in September we saw none. The catalogue of birds in the U. S. National Museum collection records specimens taken at Moose Fac- tory. and the species probably ranges throughout southern Keewatin., Riparia riparia (Linn.). Bank Swallow. A small colony was found on Red River, a few miles below Winni- peg, June 14, and a large one in a high clay bank on the shore of Oxford Lake, near Oxford House, June 30. Several colonies were seen July 10 on Hayes River, a few miles above York Factory. The catalogue of birds in the U. 8. National Museum collection records a specimen taken at Moose Factory in 1881 by Walton Haydon. Ampelis garrulus Linn. Bohemian Waxwing. Three were observed by Alfred E. Preble in the stunted spruce woods near Fort Churchill July 25. Tyrrell speaks of seeing a flock ‘tin a grove of birch trees near the shore of Theitaga Lake, on their breeding grounds.”“ This lake is situated about 300 miles slightly north of west of Fort Churchill. Ampelis cedrorum (Vieill.). Cedar Waxwing. Recorded hy Baird from Moose Factory, where it was collected by Drexler August 26, 1860.2 Walton Haydon took specimens at the same place in 1881. Nutting found it breeding abundantly at Grand Rapids and Chemawawin, Saskatchewan.¢ Lanius borealis Vieill. Northern Shrike. Two specimens were taken at Fort Churchill, where the birds were rather common July 23 to 80, and one was taken and another noted near Painted Stone Portage September 14. Forster recorded Lan/us ercubitor, referring to the present species, from Severn River;” Murray received specimens from Trout Lake and Severn House;’ and Bell reported it from York Factory.’ The species was collected at Moose Factory in 1881 by Walton Haydon. Vireo olivaceus (Linn.). Red-eyed Vireo. Abundant about Lake Winnipeg, at Norway House, and between Norway House and Oxford House. In the vicinity of Oxford House « Ann. Rept. Can. Geol. Surv., 1896 (new ser.), IX, p. 165F (1897). » Review of American Birds, p. 408, May, 1866. ¢Nat. Hist. Bull. Univ. Iowa, II, p. 277, 1893. @Phil. Trans., LNII, p. 386, 1772. ¢ Edin. New Phil. Journ. (new ser.), IX, p. 223, 1859. Jf Rept. Prog. Can. (reol. Surv., 1878-79, App. VI, p. 68¢e. (1880). OcToBER, 1902.] BIRDS OF KEEWATIN. 125 its song was heard almost continually. After leaving that point we saw nothing more of the bird. Vireo philadelphicus (Cass.). Philadelphia Vireo. A peculiar vireo song heard on Hill River July 8 was probably the song of this species, but I was unable to secure the bird. Baird recorded the species from Moose Factory, where speclinens were taken June 2%, 1860, by C. Drexler.“ Walton Haydon took specimens at the same place in 1881. Vireo solitarius (Wils.). Blue-headed Vireo. - s One (a male) taken at Oxford House July 3, and one heard singing in a swamp bordering Knee Lake July 5. Mniotilta varia (Linn.). Black and White Warbler. Recorded by Turner from Moose Factory, where Drexler took specimens May 13 and 31, 1860.2 Nutting reported one specimen from Grand Rapids, Saskatchewan.” Helminthophila celata (Say). Orange-crowned Warbler. One was taken in a willow thicket at York Factory July 16, and the species was again noted near Pine Lake September 13, and at Duck Point, Playgreen Lake, September 1). Helminthophila peregrina (Wils.). Tennessee Warbler. Two females taken at Oxford House July 8. The species was fairly common at York Factory, where specimens were taken July 13, 14, and 16. Baird recorded specimens from Fort George and Moose Factory, collected by C. Drexler in 1860,” and the species was taken at Moose Factory in 1881 by Walton Haydon. Dendroica tigrina (Gmel.). Cape May Warbler. Recorded by Turner from Moose Factory, where one was taken May 28, 1860, by Drexler.’ The collection of the U. 8. National Museum contains other specimens from the same place. Dendroica estiva (Gmel.). Yellow Warbler. Rather common at Norway House, Oxford House, and York Fac- tory. Specimens taken at these three points have a slightly darker crown than is usual in eastern examples, but are referable to the typ- ical form. Specimens taken at Fort Churchill many years ago are recorded hy Clarke,’ and the catalogue of birds in the U. 5. National Museum col- «Review of American Birds, p. 341, May, 1866. b Proc. U. 8. Nat. Mus., VIII, p. 236, 1885. eNat. Hist. Bull. Univ. Iowa, II, p. 277, 1893. @ Review of American Birds, p. 179, April, 1865. e Proc. U. 8. Nat. Mus., VIII, p. 237, 1885. f Auk, VIL, p. 322, 1890. 126 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [No. 22, lection records a specimen taken at Moose Factory in 1881 by Walton Haydon. The species probably breeds throughout the wooded por- tions of Keewatin. Dendroica coronata (Linn.). Myrtle Warbler. One was seen, in company with kinglets and chickadees, in the, spruce woods bordering Hill River, September 2. According to Turner, Drexler took the species at Moose Factory.4 Clark records specimens from Fort Churchill.’ Dendroica maculosa (Gmel.). Magnolia Warbler. One or two seen at Norway House, and one taken at Oxford House July 3. Turner recorded the species from Moose Factory,” where specimens were also taken in L831 by Walton Haydon, and the British Museum Catalogue records one collected by G. Barnston on Albany River. Dendroica castanea (Wils.). Bay-breasted Warbler. One was taken at Oxford House July 3. Turner recorded the species from Moose Factory, where it was taken June 2, 1860, hy Drexler.“ Dendroica striata (Forst.). Black-poll Warbler. At Oxford House, June 30 to July 4, they were rather common and a female was collected. On July 10 we noticed a pair in a thicket that bordered Hayes River, a few miles above York Factory, and on arriv- ing at that post we again found the birds rather common. At Fort Churchill, where they were also common, we took another specimen July 24. It proved to be a young one not long from the nest and still in the speckled plumage. This species was first described by Forster from Severn River,’ and was recorded by Murray from Trout Lake.” Dendroica blackburnie (Gmel.). Blackburnian Warbler. This species is recorded by Murray from Severn House and Trout Lake under the name Sy/n/colu pars.” Dendroica palmarum (Gmel.). Palm Warbler. One was seen on a small willow-covered island in Hill River Sep- tember 4. Clarke recorded an adult specimen from Fort Churchill.? a@Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., VIII, p. 237, 1885. bAuk, VII, p. 322, 1890. ePhil. Trans., LNII, pp. 406, 428, 1772 d¥din. New. Phil. Journ. (new ser.), IX, p. 222, 1859, 1 OcropER, 1902.} BIRDS OF KFEWATIN. 12 Dendroica palmarum hypochrysea Ridgw. Yellow Palm Warbler. Turner recorded a specimen taken at Moose Factory in July, 1860, by Drexler,“ and Baird records one (under the name po/inaruin) taken at Fort George, on the east coast of James Bay, in 1861.? Seiurus aurocapillus (Linn.). Oven-bird. A specimen taken at Moose Factory by Walton Haydon in the sum- mer of 1881 is recorded in the catalogue of birds in the U. S. National Museum. Seiurus noveboracensis notabilis (Ridgw.). Grinnell Water-Thrush. We saw our first water-thrush at Painted Stone Portage. It was close to the edge of the water and was running through the under- growth which fringed the foot of a cliff. On the afternoon of the sume day, June 26, we noted another at Robinson Portage, and on June 30 a third at Oxford Lake. When we arrived at Oxford House we found the species rather common, and from there to York Factory, as we descended the rivers, its sprightly song was heard daily. A pair seen at a portage on Hill River July 7 were feeding young just from the nest. Three specimens were taken in the marshy woods about York Factory, where the species was common July 11 to 17, and one was taken August 8 by Alfred E. Preble on Churchill River about 15 miles above Fort Churchill. These prove to be intermediate between nove- boracensis and notabilis, but nearer to notabilis. Murray received the species from Severn House.’ Geothlypis philadelphia (Wils.). Mourning Warbler. Nutting records a specimen from the lower Saskatchewan (exact locality not stated) that is apparently intermediate in characters between tolmiei and philadelphia, but scems nearer to tolimnies.4 Thompson, on the authority of Macoun, records the mourning war- bler from Waterhen River and Swan Lake,’ Manitoba, which are not far to the southward of where Nutting collected. As the species has been recorded also from various points to the southeast of Keewatin, there is little question that it breeds in the southern part of the Province. Wilsonia pusilla (Wils.). Wilson Warbler. Rather common in the undergrowth bordering a swamp at Robinson Portage June 27. Several were seen at York Factory July 10 to 17, one being taken on July 14. «Proc. U. 8. Nat. Mus., VIII, p. 237, 1885. b Review of American Birds, p. 208, April, 1865. ¢Edin. New Phil. Journ. (new ser.), IX, p. 222, 1859. @Nat. Hist. Bull. Univ. Iowa, II, p. 278, 1893. e¢Proc. U. 8. Nat. Mus., XIII, p. 622, 1890. 128 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. _ (No. 22, The British Museum Catalogue records a specimen frora Hudson Bay collected by Captain Herd. A specimen taken at Moose Factory in the summer of L881 by Walton Haydon is in the U. 8. National Museum collection. Wilsonia canadensis (Linn.). Canadian Warbler. The catalogue of birds in the U. 5. National Museum collection records a specimen taken at Moose Factory in the summer of 1881 by Walton Haydon. Nutting records the species from Grand Rapids, Saskatchewan.¢ Setophaga ruticilla (Linn.). Redstart. Baird recorded a specimen taken at Moose Factory by Drexler,’ and Thompson quotes Hutchins’s manuscript to the effect that one was shot at Fort Albany. ° Anthus pensilvanicus (Lath.). Pipit. Rather common July 24 to 30 on the rocky hills at Fort Churchill, where a pair were taken. A large flock was seen on lower Hayes River as we were ascending it August 2. Murray recorded the species from: Hudson Bay.? * Olbiorchilus hiemalis (Vicill.). Winter Wren. The catalogue of birds in the U. 8. National Museum collection records » specimen taken at Moose Factory hy Walton Haydon. Cistothorus stellaris (Licht.). Short-billed Marsh Wren. A male was taken in a wet meadow at Norway House June 20. From its actions it probably had a nest in the vicinity, but despite a careful search none was found. Sitta carolinensis Lath. White-breasted Nuthatch. An adult female taken at Fort Churchill many years ago is recorded by Clarke.¢ Sitta canadensis Linn. Red-breasted Nuthatch. Heard on the Echimamish June 25, and a few seen on an island in Knee Lake on the forenoon of July 5. In his narrative Dr. Rae speaks of taking one above Broad River, between York Factory and Fort Churchill.” Parus atricapillus Linn. Chickadee. Baird recorded a specimen taken at Moose Factory.” A chickadee in the U.S. National Museum that was taken at the same place by @Nat. Hist. Bull. Univ. Iowa, IJ, p. 279, 1893. » Review of American Birds, p. 256, May, 1865. ¢Proc. U. §. Nat. Mus., XIII, p. 624, 1890. @ din. New Phil. Journ. (new ser.), IX, p. 222, 1859. eAuk, VII, p. 322, 1890. J Narrative of An Expedition to the Shores of the Arctic Sea, p. 11, 1850. 9 Review of American Birds, p. 81, July, 1864. OcroBER, 1902.] BIRDS OF KEEWATIN. 1z9 Walton Haydon is referable to the eastern form. Forster recorded Parus atricapitlus from Fort Albany. 4 Parus atricapillus septentrionalis (Harris). Long-tailed Chickadee. One taken on the lower Echimamish June 24. Nutting reported a specimen from Grand Rapids, Saskatchewan.’ Parus hudsonicus Forst. Hudsonian Chickadee. We first met with this species on the Echimamish June 24. We noted it again at Robinson Portage three days later, and found it com- mon at Oxford House, where we secured a male July 83. We saw several on an island in Knee Lake July 5, and a number near York Factory July 13, collecting two on the latter date. On our return we saw several on Hill River September 3. The species was first described by Forster from Severn River.’ It is recorded from Fort Churchill by Clarke,“ and from Moose Factory by Rhoads.° Regulus satrapa Licht. Golden-crowned Kinglet. One was seen on the lower Echimamish June 24. Regulus calendula (Linn.). Ruby-crowned Kinglet. I saw one at Norway House June 17 and took a specimen on the Echimamish June 24. It was common at Oxford House June 30 to July 4. One was observed as we were ascending Hill River Sep- tember 1. Forster recorded a specimen probably sent from Severn River; Bell recorded the species from York Factory;” and Clarke an adult from Fort Churchill. The catalogue of birds in the U.S. National Museum collection records a specimen taken at Moose Factory in the summer of 1881 by Walton Haydon. Hylocichla fuscescens salicicola Ridgw. Willow Thrush. The characteristic ‘veery’ call note and song were heard several times, and the singer was seen once as we floated down Red River between Winnipeg and West Selkirk June 14. None were taken, but specimens from the region seem referable to the western form. Hylocichla alicie (Baird). Gray-cheeked Thrush. Not met with until we reached York Factory, where a female and two young just from the nest were taken in a dense willow thicket Phil. Trans., LXII, p. 407, 1772. bNat. Hist. Bull. Univ. Iowa, II, p. 279, 1893. ¢Phil. Trans., LXII, p. 408, 430, 1772. d Auk, VII, p. 322, 1890. ¢ Auk, X, p. 328, 1893. Rept. Prog. Can. Geol. Surv., 1882-3-4, App. III, p. 54DD (1885). 7165—No. 22——9 180 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [No. 22, July 13. The young birds may be described as follows: Back and head dark oliye-brown, each feather tipped with dusky and with a longitudinal spot of brown; rump and upper tail-coverts brownish spotted with rusty; lower parts white, slightly tinged on breast and sides with buffy, each feather tipped with a dusky bar, those on breast heavily marked, the marking decreasing in size posteriorly; throat almost unmarked; cheeks grayish, spotted with dusky; wings and tail olive-brown, the wing quills lighter on outer edges. J again met with the species July 24 at Fort Churchill, where I saw several in stunted spruce woods. Hylocichla ustulata swainsoni (Cab.). Olive-backed Thrush, The song of this species was heard at Bull Head Point, Lake Win- nipeg, on the morning of June 16. The birds were rather common at Norway House, and were seen or heard daily between there and Oxford House. They were common at Oxford House, and a specimen was taken at that point. While descending the streams between Oxford House and York Factory we found them abundant; every wooded islet in the lakes seemed to be the home of a pair, and wherever we camped we heard their songs, which began soon after midnight. A nest found in a bush overhanging Jack River, between Knee and Swampy lakes, July 6, contained eggs on the point of hatching. At York Factory, where we took two specimens, the species was apparently less abun- dant, and beyond that point we did not meet with it. Baird recorded a specimen collected at Moose Factory in July, 1860, by Drexler.¢ Hylocichla guttata pallasi (Cab.). Hermit Thrush. Nutting found the hermit thrush abundant at Grand Rapids, Sas- katchewan, in the summer of 1891.2. Though it doubtless occurs in southern Keewatin, I find no published records of such occurrence. Merula migratoria (Linn.). Robin. Found throughout the region, but seldom seen elsewhere than in the vicinity of the posts, where, however, they were rather common. Many old and young were seen at Fort Churchill during the latter part of July. On our return trip we noted the species on Hayes River August 30, Steel River August 31, Hill River September 4, and between Oxford and Windy lakes September 12. Forster recorded it from Severn River,“ and Murray from Severn House and Trout Lake.” « Review of American Birds, p. 21, June, 1864. > Nat. Hist. Bull. Univ. Iowa, IJ, p. 279, 1898. ¢ Phil. Trans., UNIT, p. 399, 1772. d Edin. New Phil. Journ. (new ser.), IX, p. 222, 1859, OcToBER, 1902.] BIRDS OF KEEWATIN. 181 Saxicola cenanthe levcorhoa (Gimel.). (Greenland Wheatear. James Clark Ross recorded a specimen of Sylodu wuanthe obtained at Felix Harbor, Gulf of Boothia,“ which is probably referable to the race recently recognized by Stejneger.” The British Museum Cata- logue records from Albany River an adult male wnanthe, collected by Barnston, which is also probably referable to the Greenland race. If, as as probable, this bird inhabits the country to the north of Hudson Bay, its most natural route of migration would seem to be along the borders of the Bay, and it is not unlikely that it is a regular breeder about the northern shores. Sialia sialis (Linn.). Bluebird. The U. 8. National Museum collection contains a specimen taken at Moose Factory in the summer of 1881 by Walton Haydon. «Appendix to Ross’s Second Voyage, p. xxvi, 1835. vProc. U. 8. Nat. Mus., XXIII, p. 476, 1901. BATRACHIANS OF KEEWATIN. We made a small collection of the species of frogs noted during the trip, and extended their previously recorded ranges. A gradual short- ening of the hind legs as the northern limit of the ranges of these species is approached seems to be the rule, and is evidently correlated with the shorter period of activity. In addition to this collection I include references to several species of frogs and salamanders recorded by Cope from the region about James Bay, and from the mouth of Nelson River. Rana pipiens Gmel. Leopard Frog. We noted this species at two points-—in the meadows near Norway House, where it was fairly common, and at Sea Falls, about 20 miles farther north, where we saw several individuals while we were making a portage. We collected two specimens at each place. Rana palustris Le Conte. Le Conte Leopard Frog. Cope records specimens from James Bay, collected by C. Drexler.¢ These specimens, which are preserved in the U. S. National Museum, have been re-examined in connection with this report. Rana cantabrigensis latiremis Cope. Northern Wood Frog. We collected a series of wood frogs that includes specimens from Taft’s Fishery (on Great Playgreen Lake), Norway House, York Fac- -tory, and Fort Churchill. According to measurements, this series is referable to /ateremis as restricted by Howe.? Eleven well-grown specimens from Norway House average: Length of body (nose to anus) 46.3; femur (measured from central line) 19.1; tibia 19.9. Seven specimens from York Factory average: Length of body 43.9; femur 18.7; tibia 17.7. A single specimen taken at Fort Churchill measures: Length of body 50; femur 19; tibia 19. Cope records cantabrigensis from the mouth of Nelson River, and ‘from James Bay.“ The James Bay specimens have not been critically examined, and may be nearer to cantubrigensts than to latirem?s. This frog was by far the most abundant species throughout the region between Lake Winnipeg and York Factory, and many were «Batrachia of North America (Bull. 34, U. 8. Nat. Mus.), p. 409, 1889. » Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., vol. 28, No. 14, p. 373, Feb., 1899. ¢ Batrachia of North America (Bull. 34, U. 8. Nat. Mus.), p. 487, 1889. 133 134 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [No. 22, OCTOBER, 1902.} taken in our traps as well as by hand. At Fort Churchill, though frogs were reported to be frequently heard in the marshes, we were able to obtain but one specimen. This is characterized by extremely short legs, and differs further from any others collected in being heavily vermiculated on the sides with black. Most of the specimens collected have a grayish median dorsal stripe. The color from life of a York Factory specimen is as follows: Back grayish green, sparingly spotted with black, and with a greenish-white median dorsal stripe; beneath greenish white, darkest on sides. Rana septentrionalis Baird. Specimens recorded by Cope under the name Rana cantabriqgensts cvittata from Moose River, Ontario, are referable to Rana septen- trivnalis, as stated by Howe.” Chorophilus septentrionalis Boulenger. Northern Chorophilus. Chorophilus septentrionalis Boulenger, Cat. Batrachia Salientia Brit. Mus., p. 335, 1882. We found this species throughout the region between Lake Win- nipeg and York Factory, and took specimens at the following localities: Taft’s Fishery (Great Playgreen Lake), 1; Norway House, 3; Oxford House, 1; York Factory, 3. These specimens appear to be referable to septentrivnalis, the type locality of which is Great Bear Lake, as the tibio-tarsal joint does not reach the tympanum when the leg is stretched forward. The fol- lowing brief description of the color was taken from a live specimen from Oxford House: Body light green above, greenish white beneath; body stripes bronzy lavender; tympanum brownish; hind legs light green above. flesh color beneath. : Amblystoma jeffersonianum platineum Cope. Cope records a specimen collected by C. Drexler on Moose River.? Chondrotus microstomus Cope. Cope records a specimen from Hudson Bay, probably from James Bay, collected by F. W. Hayden¢ (probably mistake for W. Haydon). Plethodon cinereus Green. Cope records four specimens from ‘ Hudson’s Bay Territory.’ prob- ably from the region about James Bay, collected by C. Drexler.? «Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., vol. 28, No. 14, p. 874, Feb., 1899. > Batrachia of North America (Bull. 34, U.S. Nat. Mus.), p. 94, 1889. eTbid., p. 103, 1889. @Ibid., p. 135, 1889. IN DEX. [Names of new species in bold-face type. ] Page Abies balsamears ci ieee ceccgcicaucs stad acecias 13 Acanthis hornemanni...............-.---+- 118 hornemanni exilipes . 118 MAM stecssceades see 118 linaria holbeelli .. 118 Accipiter atricapillus....-..........2...22-- 106 COOPEM ss sn can komenataetawegeis valeeoewae 106 PeENNSY]VANICUS oss ccsereceess Sexe seness 106 Velo Xxs ocissercndas sa eaceem-cseemeesess 105-106 Acer negundo . 12, 22 Acorus calamus .- ee 14 Actitis macularia._.........-. -- 99-100 ®gialitis meloda circumcincta .....-.-.- 101-102 SCMIP AINA ¢ cccamarccicceaotanrsdsinae terete 101 MOCHIOTS: .ccisnicisArsmasat once sailor eececners 101 Agelaius phceniceus..........22-2--2------- 116 Aix sponsa .....-.. Alces americanus . Alle alle Amblystoma jeffersonianum platineum.... 134 Ammodramus bairdi -...........-.2222----- 120 sandwichensis savanna ........-....--. 120 Ampelis cedrorum.........-.----------+-+- 28, 124 garrulus ..... Anas boschas. . labradoria..... 2 obscura rubripes. .....22%222e2esese%eseee 83 Anser albifrons gambeli.................--- 89 ARDS I SS coo sip suints,Sisiaicre aloiarcversicicnieGaaeiai diaieaysiers 90 BER OCUIN oc cth se eewcaaed cece BGG o2 90 Anthus pensilvanicus. . Antrostomus vociferus ... 3 118 Aquila chrysaétos............--.- aie 07 Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis...... 106-107 Arctomys monax empetra.......-...------- 47-48 Parryil <5 execs sveeews ses Heed yeoks eres ce 46 Arctostaphylos uva-ursi .........-..--.----- 56 Ardea herodias..........- 92 Ardetta exilis ... 91 Arenaria interpres - 102 MOLINE lOs..c.2s aces eiee sai sem eisai eee oe 102 Arvicola hudsonius....-...-.---.-.--..-.--- 58 Asio accipitrinus .............-.--------0+-+ 109 WIlSONIONUS sigs cer cceasedeseceseeee ees 109 Aythya affinis -.. 85 americana... 85 marila....... 85 VAMIsNerisic cccutndcceesseecieeciagneeed 85 Balena mysticetus .......-.------------+---- 39 Bald pate: coc2sc cicceoccapeetamaiatinsdacaeeee 83 Bartramia longicauda...........-..--..--+- 99 Basswood.....----- ae il Bat, little Drown ........-.--------eeeeeee ee 73 Batrachiaus «s.ccscawsarseeras screen esses 133-134 PORTS esamecsnas Beaver, Canadian .. Betula glandulosa TAMA: os sreecde tay wi reueadcosen veuuaeny papyrifera 12, 18,16 BibMOR TAP Wr s25schGsGoaislecalste2sG nen meer 27-38 BANOM 25 fedsdseaes miuagedeeieeeSoted ab dhe. 12 canoe. 18, 16, 23 dwarf. . 17,20 Birds .... 75-131 BUGhOII, aishweatriebice wl cis sescrietecieieats sivesieeouiis 91 TOASD cic staat itlteraien eats ulnnenemaareees 91 Blackbird, Brewlswiccrx soscceccekesseesencs 117 TOG-Winged, wens: edeesaceess wees eax eeeess 116 TUStY ecceneeseees 116-117 yellow-headed ... 116 Blarina brevicauda... ne 20 BIMCDIRG. cc 24d catlecscaehisdadotammeanieend 131 BOR DOAN ot sd ce awasaesswnie nurses esa somes 17 Bonasa umbellus togata....... ...2...-.--- 103 Botaurus lentiginosus ..........22.--..-.2+- 91 Branta bernicla .... 90 canadensis. ... 90 canadensis hutchinsi 3g 90 JGUCOPSIS! vecncetesesc oiseacet tes eeenoce 91 Bubo virginianus arcticus...-. .---..-.---- 110 BUGIMCWOVM asc icinaitan wes cakciesniieneseaioecee 16 BuffalO-berry. 22. 2o.2...4 op nacccecidest seeieetes 21 Canadian ... 16 BUMe head aac orale oe ceeeotntesseeieeee oF 86 BulLuUshis cee cawsasagsarresniaamias veeinanwesc 13 Buteo Dore aS wisceaccacaswicacenies sesame 106 THC HUIS sissichctssatsis sinieints ac clereaiandvein a einetoles platypterus . swainsoni.......-- Calcarius lapponicus . PICS s acin es aedee cer aati aeeaes Calla palustris Camptolaimus labradorius .........-...-..- Canachites canadensis -.- Canis albus ....- occidentalis : CAN YVas-DACK sco. 25s ac aceiineeseetaeccteens Caribou, Barren Ground............-- WOO ANG ceveveeesesscceaepens petcy seine Carpodacus purpureus............ sieucaae Castor canadensis wists Ceophleus pileatus abieticola ... Cepphus mandati............... CeryleialGyowscsccies vencvsanee se seeeemeecacs Charadrius dominicus ...................--- 136 Charadrius melodus Charitonetta albeola -.. Chaulelasmus streperus .. Chen caerulescens ..... Chickadee............. Hudsonian long-tailed ........ Chipmunk, Lake Super: INDEX. HOVsevesdescmwiises red 45-46 NOLINCAStEMM 2 5ss.crevrcenssemwezeeesess 45 Chondrotus microstomus .........----.----- 134 Chordeiles virginianus ... 22,113 Chorophilus, northern...-.. 134 Chorophilus septentrionalis 134 Circus hudsonius.............2------------- 105 Cistothorus stellaris ......-..-...------ eddie 128 Clangula clangula americana......-...---- 85 ASTON GUC 2 scx sie ciocais nswrcisianaisiciecie eerameevets 86 Coccothraustes vespertinus 117 Colaptes auratus luteus..... 112 Colymbus auritus ...... 75 HOW wescasexes oes seeeeceececestetce 75 Condylure cristata «24 vs; ven seeeeestexesacees 23, 73 Contopus borealis .. 114 COO asin cris. tiestos ee cic euin’ 93 Cormorant, double-crested . .-. 81-82 Corvus americanus....-......2.2.22.2-22--- 116 corax principalis............2-.--2+.-. 115-116 COLMIUS MMIETICANE ci05200 ioe icuteteoesse 12 POSULS As disco sie cece meni isee ene sees saves 12 Crane, little brown. 92 WHOOPING sicacecamennenaaied see aeseee aes 92 Crategus coccinea .....-......0-2-0222eceee 12 Crossbill Ted) se eacetatewnsisicead eee eeneees 118 White-Wingeds coc soccwis seowacincisececkos 118 CLOW ict ceenwieee 116 Crowberry, black .....-. 17, 20 Crymophilus fulicarius. 93-94 Crt A 5 ecaeesads exaveiveewtagaads 100 Hudsonian 100 Cyanocitta cristata 115 Cystophora cristata 70 Dafila acuta oe 84 Delphinapterus catodon............2.2....- 40 Dendroica sestiva..........2....-.eeeenees 125-126 blackburniesccsc0 55 ca eeisecsseccescmecs castanea coronata. maculosa .. PalMATOM a mwcenmds saeco palmarum hypochrysea striata tigrina Dicrostonyx .....------ richardsoni. . Dove, mourning Dovekie .-........-...- Dowitcher, long-billed 95 Dryobates pubescens medianus ..........-- 111 villosus leucomelas.............22..222- wm Duck, harlequin Labrador ... lesser scaup. red-legged black - ruddy Ectopistes migratorius .........-- Eider, American........ king Elymus mollis... Emberiza nivalis - . ‘ Empetrum nigrum ...............----.....- Empidonax minimus.....-....-.....----.-- traillialnorim)...cs.csceccecmscaneeseees EqQuisetum «2:2 c2cccc2 occ cies ones eons Erethizon dorsatum . Ereunetes pusillus . Erignathus barbatus . Erismatura jamaicensis -.......-.....--2--.- Eutamias neglectus Evotomys gapperi . Falco columbarius hudsonius ..... ead TSU ONT OS assoc alessig:s bis Sid dacreereentolaiinsios ines 107 peregrinus anatum.............--..-. 107-108 TUICHATASO NA. ccco'nn. | EIN DIP speces a aeistetetissc mexsataaren dae Grete mines 113 HOM CG iz sworsensse seen ecm aaae es 75 | Kinglet, golden-crowned...............-.-- 129 PICHON CG siesenesess see cassie sta bia cmtaaransa es 75 ruby-crowned ......-......20.022eeeeeee 129 Grosbeak, evening .........-.....2...220055 117 | Kittiwake 79 TOSe- breasted vas scvvece dens deaenweaess sly 123° | ISMO ty occas sshd sadiecwasaoudeoeniaecketens 95 DING seve otdeds trees vin damnines Go see 117-118 | Lagopus lagopus ...................2.. 23, 103-104 Grouse, Canadian ruffed - 103 rupestris........ Hudsonian spruce.............222.--- 102-103 | Lanius borealis sharp-tailed.a.ss0522e.ceeacesseananawsees. 104 | Larix laricina ...... Grus americanus . 92.) Darl, Norms. sewetcesscine cnccciemeees canadensis ... 92 ELOY CN OLNE o.oo sciaerecacnies Melson bcunie 114-115 Guillemot, Mandt 77 | Larus argentatu 79 GUN; BOMA PATS io iiid slices ine ince wianigs Be 80 GEIBWETCHEG scncansaes cincesensd aseien 79-80 PPOIUCIUM? craig elsthedssdis als iciceresissintneiems S aciee 80 faMING jncdpeascentcede sane cerkeemes “ 80 glaucous 79 PIGWCUS ss ves eecicinayoete s chsdomiacie aS wits 79: great black-backed ...........-.----.--- 79 OCHS ccpacccicrstdcica scan eth eee 78 RELIG 2 ssciciee nections csbeaeemene sect VOWCOP FOP riche ese ected ears toon ee 79 Iceland........- MATINUS 5 2ccesecexciess 79 IVOLY Co) ee) 118 | Snow flake ic cscosespmsenetien pemsoendunee ees Redshamk’ sscws.cciecimsasccleciesueorncniceisawars 98 | Somateria dresseri...........--.2-22--22005- OCS taT tise csetsizcre ccsrsctinis tates dames Sarasa 128 mollissima borealis. - . Regulus calendula 129 spectabilis ........-. satrapa .....- 22,129 v-nigra . is 7 Rhamnus alnifolia eer 16> || SOTaweweseesecsescewmes sees ken er 92-93, Rhodostethia rosea........2.-2.---2------+- 80 | Sorex (Microsorex) alnorum ...........- 38, 72-73 ARLE PNT PATA i521, 2i5 ico. goserete essa ein diaieuginlaseresines 124 PECTSONAWIS oi sacetsee ee Ete wea 72 Rissa: tri CACtyla oc.c0.c:0,2 o120 4 saseisreceserneie se seicie 79 richardsoni. 73 RODIN: scccseretaeseetn cegeauarcceeaansdeceus 130 sphagnicola -. 73 Quercus macrocarpa -- 11,22 ) Sparrow, Baird ... - 120 Querquedula discors.........---.--2..2-+-55 S44 CHIPPING nase ceenscenemorctmcesesenets 122 Quiscalus quiscula seneus ....-...--....---- 117 clay-colored 122 Salix anglarum. 2 cccssnseses cee wawsr sie ce 20 LOK sides otereteicis ccgipierciaemncn caSinicrctnteemieisls 123 phylicifolia.....- 20 TRATES ‘srcsse cis sianierseeteioresass ie sistaretergre andes 120-121 Sanderling 97 Lincoln. . wa. 128 Sandpiper, Baird 96 savanna . - 20,120 Bartramian. . 99 song .- 122 buff-breasted 99 SWALLD - cies cine soar wenseeeeeeemeae 123 green ........ 99 ADOC oreo access cing He gine eins. a eisbicigsai bie joleielaiateinle 20,122 Toasted -eiacwennccoccoansoeacenneanmasen 96 white-crowned ........2.2.-20ceeeeeee ee 121 POCOTAl sexs scsctecswciswawcceaws scm 96 white-throated .-...-......-2------.-- 121-122 PULplesiwies sxeesesaueeiteeeeangiwas eres 95-96 | Spatula clypeata ....... 84 TedspA CEG. ocr eiewe eee ee ak anae ssa 96-97 | Spermophile, Hudson Bay . 46-47 semipalmated . 97 | Spermophilus parryi ...-. -. 4647 solitary... F 99 | Sphyrapieus, Varig cscccc-n 15 ence aqesess 112 spotted .. - 992100: | ‘Spintas Pinus. ecvee