AAS et “7 Baan ee een ae Ot ee Ne ee eS oe Reins ae Ea eee OS Fea ee Ne Fe nthe i gett ene yee te) Le ee postr pee Se aD Re Nt ares e” dusivtowetett Ne erage Aa onde Are t A 4 ~ é by aa? 4 i 5 oe ye - 3 5 eS - ies | ‘- ou i Ser aare ar —— * rs 1A a nots 7 ; | =A i ane , A an iat a ae oo 7 ok + (= : _— a a ae Ce vw vi ‘a L(g ae Ve | | p i me ry j ia aie ¥ cs 7 : hs _- et an -_ eS | ih wa Cea ire eT) raya ‘ Pi Sy jt Naa ty fa Me a, 1 Pye eat, rit | : Rye! ] OEY iy ni SUM, oar , e in! . x ve i Penn Salle i on Wear . j 4 as i rn Ms i ." at tice) << Ton Pits oo # 4 CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE ROYAL ONTARIO MUSEUM OF ZOOLOGY No. 19: A FAUNAL INVESTIGATION OF PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY, ONTARIO. By L. L. Snyper, E. B. S. Locier, T. B. KurRaATA, F. A. URQUHART, AND J. F. BRIMLEY. (Reprinted from University of Toronto Studies, Biological Series, No. 48) 1941 University of Toronto Studies Biological Series, Tho. 48 A FAUNAL INVESTIGATION OF PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY, ONTARIO By L. L. SNYDER, E. B. S. LOGIER, T. B. KURATA, F. A. URQUHART, and J. F. BRIMLEY THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO PRESS TORONTO, CANADA 1941 Lonpon: HUMPHREY MILFORD Oxrorp UNIVERSITY PREss CopyricHT, Canapa, 1941 PRINTED IN CANADA Pa Vi 464 as ” i ° +) i] TABLE OF CONTENTS Generar tatrogdcuon, ‘by ly RO Sinepmey. a es ees The Mammals of Prince Edward County, Ontario, by L. L. SNYDER . The Birds of Prince Edward County, Ontario, by L. L. SNypDER..... The Amphibians and Reptiles of Prince Edward County, Ontario, by FE Eos Si LOCK me Re ees BU A RA I SAAT Se A List of the Spiders of Prince Edward County, Ontario, by T. B. ROURATS. | ee ee ee ee ee eS ee me era An Annotated List of the Crickets and Grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Sal- tatoria) of Prince Edward County, Ontario, by F. A. URQUHART A List of the Long-horned Beetles (Cerambycidae) of Prince Edward Seon Gitano, ay Mem iIney ot. . sp Se eo 93 107 116 OlYVLNO ANV7T SNMING PSTHI SD JyL3d 1d® Teyzewi, O 3 ww id 3 qj ® 4 4K 2 J! I NFIAQS as IyHWO on? g4t - 2 I L43NNO9 TT SwOKwsL 9 PLoos NIN LNIOW O13 '4AW00OW @ o e (2 SONOWINI) ° BNOLIdG \ TANOTWH @—NOLONITIZM OE NOSTONIIN SNANNOD AUG MIANH GONIUVYAL 43900 nina aici AYE LNYSHFIG 2 no8s? «—- SUANYOD saun® _ Ave HLYON JWNAVOSsitty # JITAT3NE™ a ae a0 HOI3SNOD S=+3 AL ova INY7 HSS : ‘: a q IMYI My Soy DAZIA NIVLNAOW a FB ounosvIIaWwy wr LAYOdHLYON pm cE JNUNANSAYVOB fF id P NIIHD ; JVId ONIANAYD AVUASYINGay Jaowssoy of % Yo Ava 4v9 yvonvsSYSSuW A FAUNAL INVESTIGATION OF PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY, ONTARIO GENERAL INTRODUCTION Prince Edward County is situated near the eastern end of the north shore of Lake Ontario. It is an area of low relief which spreads out into the lake somewhat in the form of a river delta (see the accompanying map) but it had no such origin. Its basic geolo- gical structure is limestone laid down by a Palaeozoic sea (Ordovi- cian). There is evidence that a more recent marine invasion reached this region in near post-glacial times, the Gilbert Gulf of the Champlain Sea (Coleman, 1922). The features which suggest this invasion are ‘“‘shore forms’’ observed at Waupoos near the east end of Prince Edward County rather than marine deposits. Cole- man’s map (loc. cit.) indicates that during the last marine invasion central portions of Prince Edward County constituted an island. Subsequently the Labrador ice sheet, covering north-eastern North America, melted and a general uplift of land occurred which gave rise to Lake Ontario, and the whole of Prince Edward County as we now find it, emerged. The area is virtually an island today. The Bay of Quinte from the east, all but meets Weller Bay on the west, leaving a narrow neck of land connecting the county to the mainland. Actually the neck of land is now severed to facilitate transportation. These bays were the travel routes of the Indians and the early traders and explorers who portaged from one to the other. The village of Carrying Place marks the portage and commemorates it by name. Many bays of Lake Ontario indent the margin of Prince Edward County and impart to it an extremely irregular outline. These inundations, where the land slopes back gradually and there is general low relief, have provided many marshes. Also an extensive swamp is situated in the interior. Such features have allowed for the preservation of many faunal elements that would otherwise have been eliminated by settlement and cultivation. Passing mention should be made here of two conspicuous physio- graphic features of the county which have attracted considerable popular interest, namely the Lake on the Mountain, near Picton, 5 6 GENERAL INTRODUCTION and the Sand Banks on the south shore. The former is an attractive little lake situated near the shore of Lake Ontario, the surface of which is said to be 180 feet above Lake Ontario. The Sand Banks consist of an extensive dune area. Although these dunes are fascin- ating as a landscape, they constitute a grave threat to adjacent farms, some of which have been at least partially buried. HISTORY AND FOREST Settlement of Prince Edward County was begun by United Empire Loyalists in 1784 (Weaver, 1913). It became a separate county in the year 1831. Before the mid-nineteenth century all lands were taken up (Smith, 1846), no crown lands being available. A brief but very early description of the county, written on November 20, 1794, by an anonymous author (1795), is worthy of quotation: ‘“The most flourishing part of this settlement is round the Bay of Kenty [Quinte], the soil of which is rich, easy worked, and produces from one to three crops, without other cultivation than what is done by the iron tooth harrow, and yields from twenty to thirty bushels of wheat to the acre; those lands are somewhat heavy timbered, having vast quantities of sugar-maple, hickory and | basswood, and in some places white pines of surprising height, but where the latter grows the land is more sandy, and although it is warm, sweet land, it is not so stony as the maple or oak land.’’ In further reference to this settlement and the Bay of Quinte, this writer states that the whole bay is “‘so thick settled, that their improvements already meet and form the appearance of a beautiful old settled country. This bay and the creeks emptying into it, abound in great quantities of wild fowl, and fish of various kinds.” The above statement gives an early impression of the forest of Prince Edward County. Since that time marked changes have been brought about by further clearing of the land but there are still some fairly extensive forested tracts in the county. Woodlots of fine old sugar maple and beech are to be found on farms, and forests grow on much of the land which is unsuited for agriculture. Second growth white pine, some of fair size, is still to be found. One of the characteristic forest associations not mentioned in the brief account quoted above, is the red cedar woods. In places, usually pasture-land, this species is the dominant tree interspersed with * GENERAL INTRODUCTION 7 ironwood (Ostrya virginiana), bur oak, and hickory. The most char- acteristic shrubby undergrowth in such places is prickly ash (Zanth- oxylum americanum) and juniper (Juniperus depressa). Fairly pure stands of oak-hickory forest occur in some places. The swamp land of the interior of the county, along the Gerow Gore, supports a heavy tree growth wherein the greatest variety of tree species exists; elms, ashes, maples, poplars, tamaracks, white cedars, yellow and paper birches are prominent elements. For fur- ther details as to the type of forest in this general region, the reader is referred to a recent work on forest classification in Canada by Halliday (1937). Some of our more interesting records of trees made during the summer of 1930 may be noted here: a scattered growth of well- developed hackberry trees (Celtts occidentalis) was discovered on Garrett Island, and near Hallowell red ash (Fraxinus pannsylvanica) was identified. Black walnut was observed quite frequently, under circumstances which suggested it was indigenous to the area. Cottonwood was found established on the dune at the Sand Banks. AGRICULTURE AND CLIMATE As regards agriculture and cultivation in the county it can be said that the early settlers were not unfortunate in their choice of lands. Although the soil is shallow, characteristic of the so-called Napanee Plain (Putnam and Chapman, 1936), and in many fields the limestone is so near the surface as to render them useless for agriculture other than pasture, many good farms exist. Chapman and Putnam (1937) have pointed out certain peculiarities of the Prince Edward portion of the Napanee Plain. They state that ‘“‘some of the upper rock strata are ‘nodular,’ that is, the limestone layers readily break up into pieces not unlike coarse roadstone, while interbedded with these are thin layers of shale. The cracked limestone and weathered shale allows for somewhat deeper root penetration and creates a better soil than is usual on rock plains where the upper strata are more massive.” We noted that many cultivated fields in the county were pro- fusely sprinkled with limestone fragments. Although these may be troublesome to farm machinery they do not impair the growth of crops. 8 GENERAL INTRODUCTION Large fields of canning crops are raised, such as sweet corn, tomatoes, peas, and apples. Local canneries constitute a large seasonal industry of the area. A common designation of the county is ‘‘Ontario’s market garden,”’ which is not inept. However, drought is a troublesome feature of the climate of this section of the province. Putnam and Chapman (1938) have distinguished Prince Edward County as a separate climatic region of southern Ontario, largely on the grounds of low precipitation which “‘is only 28.6 inches and the depth of snowfall is 55 inches. Only 13.9 inches or somewhat less than half the total falls between April 1 and October 1, while 6.8 inches is the average for June, July,and August. This in combina- tion with a high summer temperature (July mean of 70°), gives a precipitation effectiveness index of only 9.5, the lowest in Ontario. The drought frequency of 34 is, also, one of the highest.” With the exception of the slightly hotter summer, temperatures of Prince Edward County conform fairly closely to those of the north shore of Lake Ontario generally. PREVIOUS WORK IN THE COUNTY It is noteworthy that although the area was on the travel route of early explorers and has been a settled district for approximately one hundred and fifty years, very little has been published con- cerning its natural history. Quite a number of references have been noticed which concern hunting in the county, some of which are cited in the papers which follow. Klugh (1911) published an account of the interesting flora of the sand dunes, a physical feature men- tioned above. More recently studies have been made of the life- history and habits of the cisco (Pritchard, 1930) and the whitefish (Hart, 19380) in the waters of the Bay of Quinte, which borders the county on the north. FIELD WoRK AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS During the summer of 1930 several members of the Museum’s staff carried on field work in Prince Edward County. On May 20, Messrs. E. B. S. Logier, H. P. Stovell, and the writer established a camp at Hallowell to study the amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals of thearea. Mr. J. L. Baillie joined the party on June 23. Mr. Logier left the area on July 10. By late summer most of the GENERAL INTRODUCTION 9 county had been reconnoitered: collecting had been done at various scattered stations and observations had been made along most of the roads in the county. Mr. T. B. Kurata found opportunity to make casual visits to the county during June of the same year, and in July and August he was established at Wellington for more thorough collecting of spider specimens. In 1939 Mr. F. A. Urquhart found opportunity to visit the county where he studied the orthopterous insects which occur there. These field studies constitute the basis for the reports which follow. However, a great deal of additional information has been forthcoming from other naturalists who have visited there and from naturalists and interested persons who live in the county. All such persons receive acknowledgement in the papers which follow. Here we wish to thank them collectively and also to mention particularly and express our appreciation to Mr. W. H. Lunn of Hillier, Mr. Frank Brimley (who has contributed one of the papers which fol- low) and Mr. Dayton Murphy of Wellington, and Mr. Chas. Melton of Bloomfield for special interest and aid in our work. Mr. Garnet Tayler and his family, of Hallowell, were very helpful in providing facilities for field activities. To the other members of the Museum’s staff the writer wishes to acknowledge his appreciation for their complete co-operation, especially Messrs. Baillie and Stovell whose names do not happen to appear as authors on these reports. LIFE ZONE AND FAUNAL AREA The papers which follow present the details of the Museum’s faunal work in the county. It is obvious, according to the Life Zone concept, that Prince Edward County lies within the Transition Life Zone and its fauna is characteristically Alleghanian, which is to say that the county lies within the belt where many southern forms reach their northern limit of range in the north-east. There is a striking mixture of boreal and austral forms in this region. It should be noticed, however, that a slightly higher number of south- ern elements occur than is characteristic for the north shore of Lake Ontario generally. In this connection we recall our mention that Prince Edward County was distinguished from the rest of the prov- 10 GENERAL INTRODUCTION ince climatically, particularly in connection with the higher summer temperature (70° average for July) by Putnam and Chapman (1938). Among the animals listed for the county the following are the more characteristically southern: four species of Orthoptera, Cono- cephalus attennatus, Amblycorypha oblongifolia, Scudderia texensis, Tridactylus apicalis, King Rail (Rallus elegans), Blue-winged Warbler (Vermivora pinus), Cerulean Warbler (Dendroica cerulea), Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens), and Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius). Other species might also be mentioned which are almost equally austral in distribution such as the Swamp Tree Frog (Pseu- dacris trisertata), Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus), etc., but sufficient enumerations of examples have been presented to make evident the southern tendencies in the area. Another point of special interest, concerning the distribution of animals in southern Ontario, has been emphasized by work in Prince Edward County. The discontinuity of range of certain forms along the north shore of the lower Great Lakes is now apparent. Certain animals taken in Prince Edward County also occur on Lake Erie but not in the Toronto region. Three of the orthopterous insects mentioned previously are examples. This is not in all cases a matter of a gap in the northern periphery of range. Some plant and animal forms which do not occur along the greater part of Lake Ontario’s north shore, completely encircle the section by a contin- uous range from the east (Prince Edward County) northward and westward to Georgian Bay and thence southward to Lake Erie. Examples of this type of range are Juniper (Juniperus depressa), Musk Turtle (Sternotherus odoratus), Blanding’s Turtle (Emys blandingit), Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica), etc. The cause of such discontinuity would seem to be rooted in some ancient redis- tributional history following glaciation or caused by some ecological barrier, perhaps both. The faunal work in Prince Edward County is another contri- bution of the Royal Ontario Museum of Zoology which adds pre- liminary details necessary in the solution of many problems. It is hoped that the following papers which record the majority of the more conspicuous animals found there will be stimulating to others who may have opportunity to make more complete a catalogue of the life of the county. Biedc oS: GENERAL INTRODUCTION 11 LITERATURE CITED (ANoNyMous) 1795. A letter from a gentleman to his friend in England de- scriptive of the different settlements in the province of Upper Canada. Philadelphia. Published by W. W. Woodward. CHAPMAN, L. J., and D. F. Putnam. 1937. The soils of south-central Ontario. Sc. Agric. 18:161-197. CoLEeMAN, A. P. 1922. Glacial and post-glacial lakes in Ontario. Univ. Tor. Studies, Biol. Series, No. 21, p. 54. Hatuipay, W. E. D. 1937. A forest classification for Canada. Can. Dept. of Mines and Resources, Forest Service Bull. 89. Hart, JOHN Lawson. 1930. The spawning and early life history of the white- fish, Coregonus clupeaformis (Mitchill) in the Bay of Quinte, Ontario. Contri. Can. Biol. and Fisheries. 6:167-214. KiuoGu, A. B. 1911 (1912). The flora of the sand dunes of Prince Edward County. Ont. Nat. Sc. Bull. No. 7, pp. 40-51. PRITCHARD, ANDREW L. 1930. Spawning habits and fry of the cisco (Leuct- chthys artedi) in Lake Ontario. Contri. Can. Biol. and Fisheries. 6: 227-240. Putnay, D. F., and L. J. CHAPMAN. 1936. The physiography of south-central Ontario. Sc. Agric. 16:457-477. Putnam, D. F., and L. J. CHAPMAN. 1938. The climate of southern Ontario. Sc. Agric. 18:401-477. SmiTH, WmM.H. 1846. (Gazetteer statement). Smith’s Can. Gazetteer, p. 153. WEAVER, EmiLy P. 1913. The story of the counties of Ontario. p. 14. THE MAMMALS OF PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY ONTARIO By L. L. SNYDER The mammal life of Prince Edward County, in respect to the total of species known to occur there in recent times, compares favourably with that of any equal area in southern Ontario. Thirty-one species are listed in the following paper. Future workers in the county may add others. It seems probable that civilization has brought about the complete disappearance of some species and undoubtedly it has greatly reduced the living space of others. Unfortunately no record has been left to us of the original mammal inhabitants of this area. The changes about which we can be most certain have to do with forms introduced, or which have spread into the county from contiguous areas. In so far as information was available, details of such additions are reported briefly in the following annotations. The compilation of this list of mammals has depended prin- cipally on a collection of specimens made in Prince Edward County during the summer of 1930 when the Royal Ontario Museum con- ducted field work there. Mr. H. P. Stovell, then on the staff of the Museum, collected and prepared most of the mammal material. To Mr. Stovell and to the several individuals mentioned in the text, who have supplied specimens and information, the writer expresses his thanks. Symbols are used in presenting measurements of specimens as follows: Length =L., Tail=T., Hind Foot =H.F., and Weight = Wt. Linear measurements are in millimetres and weights in grams. Where the measurements of males and females have not shown significant differences, or obviously overlapped widely, the two sexes have been averaged together. No attempt has been made to make racial determinations in reporting on the Prince Edward County collection. Such matters are best left for studies of a broader scope in view of the many problems known to exist. Condylura cristata. STAR-NOSED MoLre.—We observed this species once during the summer of 1930, near Hallowell. A speci- 12 THE MAMMALS OF PRINCE Epwarp CouNTY 13 men taken locally is in the collection of Mr. Frank Brimley at Wellington. Other reported occurrences indicate that this animal may be found here and there throughout the county in moist situations. Sorex cinereus. CINEREOUS SHREW. The population of this species was not large during the period of our visit in 1980. We secured only two specimens; one in moist, mossy ground at the edge of an island in West Lake, and the other, also from a moist situation, beneath a stand of white cedars. A third specimen was found dead on October 9, 1934, and forwarded to the Museum by Mr. Frank Brimley. The average measurements of the three specimens are— LY O38) T1288, HPO ILT, Wet 4:9. Sorex fumeus. Smoky SHREW.—The collecting of this species in Prince Edward County constituted a considerable extension of range eastward in the province in 1930 though it is now known to extend considerably further to the east (Anderson, 1938). Two males were secured in moist woods—white cedar and deciduous trees. The average measurements of these specimens are—L. 119, T:-43°5, HF. 139. Blarina brevicauda. MoLteE SHREw.—This shrew was not uncommon during the summer of 1930. The specimens secured were all taken from beneath tree-cover but the gross habitat varied from farm orchards to primeval swamps. These situations were similar in respect to shade, adequate ground cover, and deep moist soil. Of the nine specimens from Prince Edward County, eight are apparently sexually mature. Their average measurements are— Ee 122.2)"P.°23'6, HF) 14.7; Wt. 19.9. Myotis lucifugus. LitrLE BRown Bat.—Our casual information on bats suggests that this species is the commonest one found in the county. During the daytime on July 1, 1939, Mr. H. H. Southam found approximately one hundred Little Brown Bats roosting in the roof of a disused barn at Point Traverse. Nine were captured and banded. Two of the specimens banded were nursing females. Mr. Southam has remarked on the fact that the necessary handling 14 Tue MAMMALS OF PRINCE EpwarD COUNTY for banding in each case did not dislodge the young one clinging to the nipple. The late John Townson identified an individual which entered a cottage on the night of September 13, 1931. The bat, which was captured, had struck Mr. Townson on the head while in flight. To persons unlike Mr. Townson, such unusual behaviour would be most convincing in support of the prevalent belief that bats deliberately attempt to fine refuge in the hair of one’s head. Our only specimen was taken at Wellington and preserved by Mr. Frank Brimley. Lasionycteris noctivagans. SILVER-HAIRED BAtT.—This species along with the Little Brown Bat (see above) entered a cottage at Weller Bay during a westerly gale on the night of September 13, 1931. The late John Townson who handled the specimen, later checked and verified his determination as of this species by reference to the R.O.M.Z. collection. This is our only record for the county and possibly concerns a migrant. Nycteris cinerea. Hoary Bat.—A single record of this species is that of Mr. Frank Brimley, who found a female specimen clinging to a tomato plant in his garden at Wellington on September 9, 1931. This unusual resting place suggests that the animal was exhausted, and further, the circumstances seem to indicate that the individual was a migrant. The wings of this specimen are in the R.O.M.Z. Lepus americanus. VARYING HARE.—Settlement of the county with the progressive reduction of woodland, no doubt has dimi- nished the habitat of this species but it still exists in the larger woods which remain. Reports in recent years do not indicate that there are periods of great abundance. They were scarce in the county during the last period of abundance over this general section of the province, which was from 1930 to 1932 (MacLulich, 1937). In the winter of 1936-7, Mr. W. H. Lunn reported the possibility that this species was extinct there but later learned that six had been shot by hunters that winter and on February 12 (1937) he saw tracks of the Varying Hare in a swamp near Hillier. Our only specimen from the county is a male in winter coat taken by Mr. THe MAMMALS OF PRINCE EpwarD COUNTY 15 Chas. Melton in a swamp near Hallowell on December 17, 1930. The measurements of this specimen are as follows—L. 493, T. 47, H.F. 142. Lepus europaeus. EUROPEAN HAreE.—The appearance of this species in Prince Edward County is of recent date, and marks, at this time, the most easterly area occupied in the province. Since its introduction into southern Ontario near Brantford in 1912 (Dymond, 1922), it has increased and spread to the north and east. Inquiries addressed to the Agricultural Representative of Prince Edward County at Picton, Mr. A. P. MacVannel, in the winter of 1927-8, elicited information that the species was unknown in the county at that time. The first definite occurrences in Prince Edward County were in 1986: Mr. G. R. Ingram shot one on September 10 of that year near Hallowell, and Mr. Chas. Melton saw it for the first time, in the same section of the county, in December of 1936. The area is approximately two hundred miles from the place of introduction (Brantford) and the time lapse is approximately twenty-four years which gives a dispersal rate of approximately eight miles per year. Although the species is not yet firmly established it seems probable that it will increase mark- edly in Prince Edward County. The stock involved in the intro- duction in Ontario was from Germany. Sylvilagus floridanus. CoTTONTAIL.—In attempting to deter- mine the period during which the Cottontail first reached Prince Edward County some speculation has been necessary and a certain amount of data rests on the memory of hunters rather than on recorded fact. Fleming (1908) has mapped its range of thirty years ago and Baillie (1935) has added extensions. Fleming’s map shows the eastern limit as extending to the Trenton vicinity which is on the mainland north of Prince Edward County. Actually his map all but includes the county within the Cottontail’s range in 1908. Mr. W. H. Lunn has made inquiries of local hunters who have sub- mitted the earliest dates at which time the Cottontail was remem- bered as resident in the county. These are tabled below, the localities being listed from north-west to south-east (see map, general introduction): 16 THe MAMMALS OF PRINCE Epwarp CouNTY Roblin Ive ti. earned about 1892—fairly common Blotunhield diva’. sn cess aes about 1908—few PRR, CF in ili a since atacand about 1913—few Pe PETE nb ve vcd eee about 1918—occasional If the Cottontail occurred in the county before 1908, evidence was not available to Fleming. It is possible that hunters’ memories have erred and that occurrences earlier than Fleming’s are wrong. At any rate this animal probably had its advent in the county approximately at the beginning of thiscentury. It is now generally distributed over the area and at times quite plentiful. We found it not uncommon in 1930. Two specimens were collected, one a mature female which measures as follows—L. 482, T. 54, H.F. 106. The other specimen is a male, apparently not an old individual but not a young of the year. Its measurements are—L. 400, T. 35, H.F. 93, Wt. 1268. A newspaper item published in the Toronto ‘‘Star’’ for August 10, 1935, describes the peculiar behaviour of a Cottontail observed by Mr. B. L. Detlor at Green Point. He heard a splashing in the water near his cottage and upon investigation found the commotion to be made by a Cottontail. It appeared to be enjoying the water and its actions gave every indication that its plunge was of its own’ choosing. Marmota monax. WoopcHucK.—Well distributed in the area and fairly numerous locally. Mr. W. H. Lunn has reported that it appears from hibernation by late March (March 20, 1935). The two specimens preserved are both adult males. Their average measurements are as follows—L. 612.5, T. 122.5, H.F. 80.5, Wt. 2734. Tamias striatus. EASTERN CHIPMUNK.—Common and well distributed throughout the county in 1980. The rail and log fences which have survived about farms, create the most favoured habitat for chipmunks. Our earliest spring date on which this animal has been observed (Mr. F. Brimley, 1912) is March 20 though first spring records vary from then until April 6 (Mr. W. H. Lunn, 1935). Five of the eight specimens collected are adults, without tail damage. Their average measurements are as follows—L. 235.4, T. 84.8, H.F. 34.6, Wt. 93.8. : | THE MAMMALS OF PRINCE Epwarp COUNTY 17 Tamiasciurus hudsonicus. RED SQUIRREL.—During the sum- mer of 1930 Red Squirrels were plentiful and occurred in suitable, wooded sections throughout Prince Edward County. There is undoubtedly some variation in numbers from time to time but the species is one of the county’s original faunal components which persists and even flourishes to a degree. The most recent period of scarcity was 1937, according to reports. A series of twelve speci- mens collected in summer, and six taken in winter (Mr. W. H. Lunn) are in the Prince Edward County collection. It is of interest to note that four out of the twelve specimens taken in summer were ‘‘bob-tailed.’’ This condition is frequently observed among mem- bers of the Sciuridae. It may be a consequence of near-capture by some predator or a result of freezing in winter. The average measurements of the fourteen undamaged specimens are—Seven males?) (11322/T.182; Ho ..48, Wt. 212... Seven females: L, 315.3, T. 124.6, H.F. 46.1, Wt. 194.1. Although these measurements may represent a slight, average, sexual difference in size, this is not certain. Actually the individual which is largest in most respects is a female, the measurements of which are—L. 360, T. 145, H.F. 44, Wt. 200. Sciurus carolinensis. BLACK OR GREY SQUIRREL.—The early history of this species for southern Ontario generally, and the eastern part in particular, needs review. Introductions made in recent years in various sections of the province have confused the issue. Our data on Prince Edward County are so incomplete that it leaves the question unsettled as to whether or not the Black (or Grey) Squirrel was an original component of the fauna. It is known to have occurred in some of the mainland counties to the north in the early 1890’s and may well have been in Prince Edward County. Mr. Frank Brimley of Wellington has made inquiry among residents there and has decided that the Black Squirrel (and Grey) has been a resident, at least in the eastern part of the county, throughout the lifetime of even the oldest residents. Mr. Brimley is certain they have increased and become more generally distri- buted in the last few years. Undoubtedly there have been periods when this species was quite scarce in Prince Edward County. Mr. W.H. Lunn states that 2 18 Tue MAMMALS OF PRINCE Epwarp CouNTy it was ‘‘almost unknown” in 1926. We found it rare during the summer of 1930. The most likely place to observe it was along the so-called ‘‘Ridge Road” near Picton. We saw the grey phase there on one occasion and observed black individuals rarely. On several occasions the writer has noticed newspaper reports of a curious phenomenon in connection with this species in the Bay of Quinte region. Every few years Black Squirrels have been observed swimming in the bay. Although these accounts were not satisfactorily complete and lucid, they gave one the impression that a population surplus was scattering to new territory in the fall. Without doubt these animals had entered the water voluntarily but the direction of their emigration was not definitely stated. It is possible that food shortage on the mainland might start such a movement toward Prince Edward County, or vice versa. The average measurements of three male specimens from the county are—L. 490.7, T. 221, H.F. 64, Wt. 571.7. Glaucomys sabrinus. NORTHERN FLYING SQUIRREL.—AI- though it is difficult to estimate the numbers of this nocturnal species, our records suggest that there are periods during which it is not uncommon. Woodcutters and trappers meet with it occa- sionally. Our first record concerns a specimen in the R.O.M.Z. collected near Bloomfield on January 25, 1931, by Mr. Chas. Melton. Two specimens in the collection of the National Museum of Canada originated from Prince Edward County. These were young born in captivity from a mother captured at Wellington by Mr. Edward R. Bailey in the summer of 1934. Mr. Frank Brimley has reported three more taken at Wellington on October 1, 1934. Our reports also concern four observed when a tree was felled near Allisonville by Mr. C. M. McFaul on February 17, 1938. The measurements of the mature specimen in the R.O.M.Z. are—L. 290, T. 136, H.F. 37. Castor canadensis. BEAVER.—Although it seemed reasonable to suppose that the Beaver once inhabited Prince Edward County, no definite evidence was discovered in the literature and no recol- lections of it by the old residents came to hand. It is amusing, therefore, that during the preparation of this paper the following | Tue MAMMALS OF PRINCE EpwarpD COUNTY 19 news item appeared in the Picton ‘Gazette’: ‘Big Island, Nov. 13 [1939]—Beaver have returned to this county. Cuttings of two and four inch diameter willow trees have revealed the location of at least one on a marsh island south of the west end of Big Island. . Beaver have not been present in this county for many years, although there are a number of beaver meadows scattered about the county.”’ This discovery was made by Mr. Charles Melton, who has amplified the report as follows: ‘‘While duck hunting in the Big Island marsh on Nov. 8 [1939] we landed on a small island there. As we came to the edge we were surprised to find a number of small trees cut down and some dragged along a path in the grass to the open water. These small trees were about twenty feet long and were cut into short lengths, from six inches to four feet long.” A further report in the Picton ‘‘Gazette”’ states that Mr. Roy Covert, a farmer near Demorestville, had observed where a beaver had been at work along a creek on hisfarm. During July, August, and part of September, this animal cut down trees and started to build a house in the creek but the creek went dry and it disap-_ peared. This may have been the work of the same animal, or animals, observed on Big Island, which is immediately adjacent to the Demorestville site. Incidentally this reappearance of the Beaver in Prince Edward County coincided in time with reappearances and increases noted rather widely in southern counties. Peromyscus leucopus. WHITE-FOOTED MouseE.—This animal was not very numerous during our visit to the county in 19380. At least one conspicuous population peak has been reported by residents since then. During the winter of 1935-6 this and the species listed next, were both at a peak of numbers. Conspicuous damage to trees and shrubs, wild and domestic, was evident about the countryside. During our visit to the county, when the numbers of White-footed Mice were low, we found that ‘‘sugaring cabins’’ in the maple woods on farms were the most likely situations — which to secure an occasional specimen. Six normal and mature individuals in our collection present the following average measurements—L. 184, T. 82.8, H.F. 20.9, Wt. 20 Tue MAMMALS oF PRINCE Epwarp County 24.8. One individual forwarded to the Museum by Mr. Frank Brimley is patterned like a normal White-footed Mouse but the dorsal region is ‘‘vinaceous buff.”’ Judging from its measurements it was not a very old animal. Microtus pennsylvanicus. Mrapow Mouse.—This inhabitant of fields and marsh-borders was very scarce during our visit to the county. The winter of 1935-6 was the last period of large numbers according to reports. Mr. Chas. Melton reported that shrubs and trees of all kinds, even red cedar transplanted in gardens, were girdled by Meadow and White-footed Mice. Only three specimens were collected by us in 1930. All of these were immature animals although one was a pregnant female from which seven embryos were removed when dissected. Ondatra zibethica. Muskrat.—The marshes of Prince Edward County regularly produce a crop of this valuable fur-bearer but its numbers vary from time to time. Muskrat houses were observed here and there during the summer of 1930 but they were not re- garded as particularly numerous. Occasional reports have been received since that time but it is not possible to indicate from them a subsequent period of large numbers. The species was reported as particularly scarce in the spring of 1937. Furriers regard the ‘Rice Lake’’ Muskrat, which is said to come from eastern portions of southern Ontario generally, as distinctly the best. Rattus norvegicus. HousEz Rat.—Nothing is known of the early history of this mammal in the county but since there has been extensive settlement there for over one hundred and fifty years, the rat probably found its way there early in the last century. We found it about towns and farmsteads during the summer of 1930. Mus musculus. House Mouse.—What has been said about the House Rat applies to this species as well. Zapus hudsonius. MEADOW JuMPING MousE.—This is the only species of Jumping Mouse discovered by us in the county. It was not common during the summer of 1930. The two specimens Tue MAMMALS OF PRINCE Epwarp CouNTY 21 secured, both males, were taken in grassy habitats, one from a stream border and the other at the edge of a swamp. Their average measurements are—L. 201.5, T. 117.5, H.F. 28.75, Wt. 15. Vulpes fulva. Rep Fox.—During certain years foxes occur in the county in sufficient numbers to provide sport for hunters. At such times the economic value of fox fur to the county is at least of minor importance. Mr. W. H. Lunn has reported that foxes were more plentiful in the winter of 1936-7 than they had been for some years. A female, taken on February 23 (1937), when dis- sected was found to carry seven embryos and it was estimated the young would have been born in about two weeks. Canis lupus. TIMBER WoLF.—The Timber Wolf has long since ceased to be a regular inhabitant of the Prince Edward County area. The older residents can recall stories about wolves in the county in pioneer days, when the safe-guarding of live-stock from wild animals was something of a problem. Only because of the close proximity of Prince Edward County to areas of wild land on the mainland to the north, can we account for any recent occurrences of wolves. One such occurrence which was reported in the Toronto ‘‘Tele- gram’”’ for December 16, 1932, concerned a wolf shot near Consecon about ten years previously. It had been seen crossing the ice on the Bay of Quinte, pursued by two dogs. There seems to be no reason to suspect that any other form of wolf than the Timber Wolf would be involved in this observation considering the section of the province and the period, about 1922. In the specific nomenclature we have followed Goldman (1937). Procyon lotor. Raccoon.—During some periods this mammal is fairly plentiful in the county. In 1936 and 1937 trappers secured a fair catch. Like the Fox and Muskrat, Raccoons appear to be able to persist in settled, cultivated sections. Adequate food and suitable home sites are perhaps the more important factors but, to some extent, the reconcilable temperament of the animal concerned may also be involved. 22 Tue MAMMALS OF PRrRINcE Epwarp County Euarctos americanus. BLACK BEAR.—Like the wolf, the Black Bear, one of the original mammals of the area, has disappeared as a regular inhabitant of Prince Edward County. Its appearance there in recent years can only be regarded as a rare accident. Such an occurrence took place in January, 1938. News reports described the search, by an armed posse near Picton, for two young Black Bears reported there. Mr. Archie Nameer and Mr. Harold Soules had sighted two bears digging in a hillside. As seems to be the rule in such cases, an alarm was spread and Provincial Police and Game Wardens were called out to scour the countryside (why?!!). Mr. Ed Harrington later saw bear tracks in the snow and noted that the animals had moved eastward. They apparently had stopped to search for food about an old gypsy camp-ground but a fall of snow finally obliterated their tracks. Fortunately the bears eluded the ‘“law’’ and were not observed again. Mustela cicognanii. SHORT-TAILED WEASEL.—Weasels of two kinds occur in Prince Edward County. They vary in numbers considerably from time to time and according to Mr. W. H. Lunn they were more numerous during the winter of 1936-7 than they © had been for some years previously. Five specimens from the county in the R.O.M.Z. collection have been identified as repre- senting the species here considered. Skull characters together with certain other measurements have been used in the determinations and the writer has had the valued opinion of Mr. E. C: Cross of the Division of Mammals. The average measurements of two males are—L. 296, T. 77.5, H.F. 38.5, Wt. (of one) 115. The measure- ments of one mature female are —L. 257, T. 68, H.F. 33. Mustelafrenata. LONG-TAILED WEASEL.—The specific nomen- clature employed here is that followed by Hall (1936). This larger species of weasel is represented in our collection from Prince Edward County by two specimens, one of each sex. The male, collected on November 10, 1930, and still in the brown coat of summer, measures—L. 377, T. 187, H.F. 45. The female measures as Ady As (Dg EA SE tel ga WN les ae Mustela vison. M1ink.—Usually a rare mammal in the county. We have records from a few localities—Allisonville, Wellington, Tue MAMMALS OF PRINCE EpwaArRD CouNTY 23 etc.—which indicate a general but sparse distribution within the area. The relative absence of streams in Prince Edward County may have something to do with the regular scarcity of mink. Mephitis mephitis. SkuNK.—A regular and often plentiful mammal of Prince Edward County. The winter of 1936-7 marked a period of large numbers of Skunks. Mr. W.H. Lunn has reported that more were trapped that year than had been for many years previously. He further states that it was generally commented on by trappers that these animals did not ‘‘den up”’ as is usual in the fall (of 1936) apparently due to the mild weather which prevailed. On the morning of July 11, 1930, the writer happened to discover two half grown Skunks playing before their home-burrow in a barley field, near Hallowell. No two baby animals could have been more entertaining by their conduct. Phoca vitulina. HARBOR SEAL.—Several occurrences of this species in the upper St. Lawrence and even in Lake Ontario and adjacent lakes have been reported, a number of years ago (Merriam, 1884a and 1884b). Our first report concerning Prince Edward County waters appeared in the Toronto ‘‘Telegram”’ for February 22, 1932. Men cutting ice in Lake Ontario near Sand Banks saw a seal roll off a cake of ice about one hundred yards from shore. The animal reappeared later at the same place. Again in the Toronto “Star” for February 28, 1934, a seal was reported as seen on floe ice about 20 yards off shore near Picton, by Mr. Ralph Garratt, local fisheries inspector. In the same paper for April 26 of that year another report suggests that this animal had remained in adjacent waters. Mr. Kenneth Hyatt and Mr. Durward Huff, local fishermen, saw the animal at close range from a boat and posi- tively identified it as a seal. The species involved is evident on the basis of known occur- rences in the general region of the upper St. Lawrence (see Anderson, 1938). Odocoileus virginianus. WHITE-TAILED DEER.—Although con- ditions in Prince Edward County no longer favour this species, it has not permanently disappeared from the area. There probably 24 Tue MAMMALS OF PRINCE EpwaArRD CouNTY have been periods in which none was to be found there, but occasion- ally individuals have drifted in from the mainland to the north, and during recent years a few have remained, perhaps even to reproduce there. During the summer of 1930 we learned that two or three had inhabited a swamp north of Bloomfield during the previous winter. Also one had been shot near Cherry Valley during the same winter (1929-30). We picked up a small shed antler on the sand dunes at Sand Banks in June (1930). Mr. W. H. Lunn has reported that one or more deer were seen at Carrying Place during the summer and autumn of 1938 and that a fawn and doe were observed near Rednersville in the summer of 1938. LITERATURE CITED ANDERSON, RUDOLPH MARTIN. 1938. Mammals of the Province of Quebec. Annual Report. Provancher Soc. of Nat. Hist. of Can., pp. 50-114. BAILLIE, J. L. Jr. 1935. Some notes on the cottontail in Ontario. Can. Field- Nat. 49:70-71. Dymonp, J. R. 1922. The European hare in Ontario. Can. Field-Nat. 36: 142-143. FLEMING, J. H. 1908. The cottontail rabbit in Ontario. Ottawa-Nat. 22:158- 159. GOLDMAN, E. A. 1937. The wolves of North America. Journ. Mamm. 18: 37-45. HALL, E. RAyMoND. 19386. Mustelid mammals from the Pleistocene of North America with systematic notes on some recent members of the genera Mustela, Taxidea and Mephitis. Carnegie Inst. of Wash. Pub. No. 478, pp. 41-119. MacLuticy, D. A. 1987. Fluctuations in numbers of varying hare (Lepus americanus). Univ. Tor. Studies, Biol. Series, No. 43. MERRIAM, C. Hart. 1884a. Seals in the upper St. Lawrence. Forest and Stream 22:124. MERRIAM, C. Hart. 1884b. Another seal in Lake Ontario. Forest and Stream 22:124. ea THE BIRDS OF PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY, ONTARIO By L. L. SNYDER INTRODUCTION When faunal work in Prince Edward County was undertaken in 1930 it was intended, so far as birds were concerned, to restrict our report to forms occurring there in summer. The preparation of a report has been delayed. In the meantime considerable informa- tion has accumulated which pertains to the county’s bird life for all seasons. These additions are sufficient to warrant a more compre- hensive paper. 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