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he CANADIAN
FIELD-NATURALIST

VOLUME XLIV

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VOL. XLIV, No. 1 JANUARY, 1930 | zi

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ISSUED JANUARY 2nd, 1930.

Entered at the Ottawa Post Office as second-class matter

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THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB

; Patrons: us
THEIR EXCELLENCIES THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL AND VISCOUNTESS WILLINGDON

i President: HARRISON F. Lewis, 58 Grosvenor Ave., Oras ee q

1st Vice-President: C. M. STERNBERG 2nd Vice-President: M. E. WILSO F
Secretary: BERTRAM A, FAUVEL, 263 MCLEop St., Treasurer: WILMOT LLOYD, 582 Mariposa Avenue
; " Rockcliffe Park. '

Additional Members of Council: F. J. Aucock, H. M. At, Miss M. BE. Cowan, Messrs. H. G. CRAW- ;

FORD, NORMAN CRIDDLE, R. E. DeLuRy; Miss FaitH FYLES, Messrs. HERBERT GROH, ANDREW
HALKETT, C. B. HuTcHiInGs, D. JENNEss, C. E. J OHNSON, A. G. KINGSTON, E. M. KINDLE, W. H. 4
LANCELEY, DouGLAS LEECHMAN, HoyEs Lioyp, W. T. Macoun, M. O. Matte, MARK G. Mc-
ELHINNEY, G. A. Miuimr, (A. E. Porsixp, E. E. PRINCE, HARLAN IJ. SMITH, J. DEWEY SOPER, — {
P. A. TAVERNER, E. F. G. WHITE, W. J. WINTEMBERG, J. F. WRIGHT and Presidents of ‘Affiliated ‘

Societies.
Editor: |
_ _Douceias LEECHMAN 4
National Museum, Ottawa, Canada ; j
; Associate Editors: : '
Dy EININIEISS 5 Se) 20 Oe a eet Anthropology CEYDE es PATCH: <6 i We aes Herpetology :
IVE AOR INLATRB So 8S eee en Lice ae Botany Ree ANDERSON. 022255 bane Mammalogy
hy LATCHEFORD. 6 2 ote, ae Conchology A. G: HUNTSMAN............ Marine Biology
ARTHURS GIBSON <7 Sa Entomology BAS TAVERNER oiivcti es aon ee Ornithology
'F. J. ALCOCK..... Ue ray Mencia omer Geology tp WE IRSEN DIE 2 isis ea et Palzontology
CONTENTS aq
PAGE d
-Discovery of the Breeding Grounds of the Blue Goose. By J. Dewey Soper............. pe ae 1 i
Camera Lucida: Work: “By Ji: Praser ocak vk.) cece eee es to Le ee 11
‘Glimpses of Little-Known Western Lakes and their Bird Life (Continued). By J. A. Munro... . 12 4
Barney Woodchuck. «By \Inerid-Marsem.< 0.20.) een.’ ge accu oe ee ne a Tue j
Fifty-first Annual Report—Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club...................00eeeeeeeeee ai 18°
Statement of the Financial Standing of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club at the close of the
Wear to 28-19 29 MNO le Raed SNE te Jou 28 la A agi sy cha ar dae art Nea ee eee 19
Statement: Resenve Mind sie. 08 6 ee eG eR AS TD Os) a alae i 20
Notes and Observations:
The Pigmy Shrew near Ottawa. By D. Baker and A. LaRocque..................... - 20
AoTree:Climbing Weasel.” By Rid | Rutter Gas. ae ee ae a 2015
Concerning the Burdock Seed Gelechiid. By Herbert Groh.......................... 21
Nest-robbing: (2) Bears. “By A\G. Haultaim,. 4) wos Cree ye sielis ce fe eee tree a 21
Forthcoming Publication on migration of Canada Jays. By Eich ewis! ee ke saan 21
Extension of Range of Esox americanus (Gmelin). By A. E. ADs Bee, aii ase ae 21
Status of Canada Geese on the Vaseaux Lake Bird Sanctuary, British Columbia. By S.
DAD AT CUS 5 2 Nii a ea pal dees ooo Cyd eR Cente IG a Ui EN CU Zee Se ne ee ee a uN aa
The Increase of che Starling, “By Wi. EoSaunders®).: 1. a0. aan hi eee 22
Crossbills...2By. WB. Saunders .3 6c) ei 8 arr aU NN a ee eat ty et 22
Unusual Migration of Redpolls (Acanthis linaria). By Frank L. Farley................ 22
Winter Records of the Towhee at Toronto. By R. J. Rutter......... ete Shek acc eee 23
The Present Scarcity of the Field Sparrow at Toronto. By Jas. L. Baillie, Jr.......... 23
Notes on Bird Houses. By Herbert M. Simpson............. Dee Mekiie ha neaareeae 24
Japanese Starlings at Alert Bay. By W. EH. Saunders......................5.. se oa 24
Book Reviews:
ThePungi-ol Manitoba: By JHy PT Gussow es i eee e i Wee eas cere ene tate 24
Forthcoming: ‘‘The Natural History of the Double-crested Cormorant’’ 24

Hi The official publications of THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB have been issued #3
#& since 1879. The first were The Transactions of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club, 1879-1886, 3
#: two volumes; the next, The Ottawa Naturalist, 1886-1919, thirty-two volumes; and these
#: have been continued by The Canadian Field-Naturalist to date. The Canadian Field-Naturalist os
i## is issued monthly, except for the months of June, July, and August. Its scope is the publication #
aE of the results of original research in all departments of Natural History. i:

Price of this volume (9 numbers) $2.00; Single copies 25¢ each.

The Membership Committee of The Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club is making a special effort to
increase the subscription list of The Canadian Field-Naturalist. We are, therefore, asking every reader
who is truly interested in the wild life of this country to help this magazine to its rightful place among
the leading Natural History publications in America.
Subscriptions ($2.00 a year) should be forwarded to

WILMOT LLOYD,
Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club,
582 Mariposa Ave.,
Rockcliffe Park, OTTAWA, CANADA. _

The Canadian Field-Naturalist

VOL. XLIV

OTTAWA, CANADA, JANUARY, 1930 No. 1

A
DISCOVERY OF THE BREEDING GROUNDS OF THE BLUE GOOSE
By J. DEWEY SOPER

Foreword

HE Blue Goose is one of the most in-
teresting of the migratory birds of the
North American continent. It winters
in the United States near the mouth of

the Mississippi river, but the whereabouts of the
summer breeding grounds has, until recently,
been a mystery.

Ornithologists of Canada and the United
States have long held various opinions as to the
probable location of these grounds. Such con-
jectures were confined to the northern regions of
Canada. By a gradual process of elimination
the breeding grounds were finally limited to an
area within the Eastern Arctic, or more par-
ticularly to Baffin Island and the adjoining main-
land of northern Quebec, and there followed a
long search for the exact location.

As the administration of the resources of the
Canadian Arctic Archipelago is a function of the
North West Territories and Yukon Branch, of
the Department of the Interior, it was natural
that this branch should be interested in solving

the mystery surrounding the location of the
nesting area of the Blue Goose. The National
Parks Branch of this Department, which ad-
ministers the Migratory Birds Act, also co-
operated in the organization of the expedition,
which attained success in the summer of 1929.
For the purposes of this work the services of
Mr. J. D. Soper were obtained in 1928. He had
previously been connected with the National
Museum of Canada, being engaged in research
work for that institution in the eastern Canadian
Arctic, chiefly Baffin Island, from 1923 until
1926. His wide experience of Arctic travel,
combined with his training as a naturalist, ac-
counted largely for the success of the undertaking.

The following paper tells briefly the story of
his search and the discovery of the Blue Goose
grounds on Baffin Island. °

W. W. Cory,
Commissioner, N.W.T.
November 23, 1929.

O write a full account of the long search
for the breeding grounds of the Blue
AEN Goose (Chen caerulescens) would be to

engage in a task demanding a lengthy
volume in itself. Sufficient for the present pur-
pose, however, is a brief story telling of these
things—the major events and incidents instru-
mental to success, and the final discovery of the
nesting grounds in the summer of 1929. While
popular in spirit and conception, it makes no
effort toward a scientific presentation of ascer-
tained facts. Ina later publication will be brought
together, in detail, all that is known of the general
habits and activities of the Blue Goose while on
its breeding grounds.

Any object savouring of the unknown es-
pecially stimulates speculation and curiosity.
The mystery, therefore, which previously sur-
rounded the Blue Goose nesting grounds was well
calculated to arouse the interest of biologists in

general, and particularly those having opportunity
for travel in the regions of the Canadian Arctic
Archipelago and the mainland immediately to
the south. Where in this vast area it nested
was unknown. To hazard a guess, as was done
in articles on distribution, brought the truth no
nearer. Decades and generations passed—even
centuries since the first coming of the white man,
yet the eternal solitude of the Arctic still claimed
its secret. Y

Passing over the temperate and lower boreal
zones during migration, the Blue Goose was lost
to us completely in the vast Arctic wilderness
beyond. Where did it go, and whence did
it come? Region after region, as a probable
nesting area, was gradually removed by a process
of elimination. Based, finally, on certain as- ©
pects of the Blue Goose migration, it was generally
assumed that the species nested somewhere in
the eastern part of the Canadian Arctic Arch-

[VoL. XLIV

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

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January, 1930]

ipelago, or in the Arctic, or sub-Arctic portion of
northern Quebec. Yet perplexities remained.
The prodigious expanse of country involved, its
comparative inaccessibility, Arctic character, and
the difficulty of travel, all militated against early
success in any undertaking of discovery.

But Man is ever restless and inquisitive. My
own opportunity came first in 1923 when I went
as naturalist of the Canadian Arctic Expedition
for the National Museum of Canada, visiting
Greenland, Ellesmere, North Devon and Baffin
Island. I resolved then to devote myself to the
discovery of the Blue Goose nesting grounds
insofar as I was empowered to doso. During the
course of that voyage of some 7,000 miles in-
formation was sought everywhere as to the
possible occurrence and movements of the Blue
Goose, and Lesser Snow Goose, which habitually
associate during migration. At one place only
was any information obtained. This, on the
authority of the Cumberland Sound Eskimos,
pointed to the probable nesting of the Blue Goose

on the southern shores of the Nettilling Lake, in

the Baffin Island interior.

With this intelligence I returned to Baffin
island for the National Museum of Canada in
the early summer of 1924, prepared to remain
one or two years. Thesouthern shore of Nettilling
lake was the ultimate objective. The entire
summer and fall were spent about Cumberland
Sound without adding anything to our knowledge
of the northern geese. Likewise, during the
winter of 1924-25, after travelling some fourteen
hundred miles by sledge and visiting numerous
Eskimo tribes, nothing was learned in addition
to the information gathered about the Blue
Goose from the Cumberland natives in the fall
of 1923.

The following spring, with a party of Eskimos,
the long-planned journey of investigation was
made to the interior of the island. This had
for its major object, of course, the discovery of
the breeding grounds of the Blue Goose. After a
strenuous season and many hardships covering
a period of five months, from mid-April to late
September, the party returned to headquarters
at Pangnirtung in Cumberland Sound. Though,
during this time a large extent of country was
explored about Nettilling lake and the Koukdjuak
river, nothing was ascertained relating to the
nesting area of the species.

While, as regards this particular feature, the long
period in the interior ended in failure, it cannot
be maintained that the original statements made
by the Eskimos were necessarily erroneous. The
physical character of the country along the
southern shore of Nettilling lake is favourable

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 3

to the nesting of the Blue Goose and at one time
it probably bred there, though, in recent years
at least, it has ceased to resort to that region.
In fairness to the natives, it should be stated
that they no longer visit lake Nettilling on the
annual caribou hunt in such numbers, or so regu-
larly as they did, say, thirty or forty years ago.
Recent summers have been known to pass without
Eskimos going to the lake region at all. It is,
therefore, conceivable that conditions have
changed there without the common knowledge
of the Cumberland tribes.

This one interesting feature, however, was
disclosed: Large numbers of Snow Geese were
seen migrating across the Koukdjuak river in late
August and early September, and old Eskimo
stone corrals were observed along the river which
pointed to the fact that the natives had formerly
trapped geese here in considerable numbers
during the moult. This, admittedly, had no
direct bearing on the main object, except for the
highly circumstantial evidence that here obtained
an extensive breeding area for geese. Having
found, therefore, a place of common resort for
geese on the great swamp plains of the west, it
was natural to infer that somewhere in this region
would also be found the Blue Goose, possibly
farther south on the Foxe Basin coast, or in the
Foxe peninsula.

The winter of 1925-26 was again devoted to long
journeys of exploration by dog team, principally
in the interior of Baffin Island. Various trips,
aggregating more than a thousand miles, took me
over unexplored routes through the rugged terrain
beyond the head of Cumberland Sound, on the
north shore of Nettilling Lake beyond the Arctic
Circle, and even to the western coast of Baffin
Island on Foxe Basin. This constituted the first
successful crossing of the island by a white man
to return again in safety. Bernhard Hantzsch,
the German ornithologist, was the first to reach
the Foxe Basin coast overland from the east, but
unfortunately he perished there near the mouth
of the river which now bears his name in latitude |
67° 33’ north. Not until after my return from
this expedition on Baffin Island were his journals
translated from the original German, in which
it was disclosed that Hantzsch knew nothing of
the breeding grounds of the Blue Goose. In
1925 I should have regarded this information
as having considerable value, with the result of
directing my efforts to other quarters. During
the winter journeys above referred to, Eskimo
tribes were questioned along the coasts, as well
as nomads in the interior, without bringing any
additional light to bear upon the problem of the
Blue Goose. After a personal residence of nearly

4 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

[VoL..XLIV

Typical nesting area of the Blue Goose, Eshuleeungnil Plain, Bowman Bay, Foxe Basin.
Lat. 65° 30’ N.

July 4th, 1929.

two years in the country, the species remained
almost as great a mystery as before.

Mindful of the things seen and the inference
drawn on the Koukdjuak plains in the fall of
1925, it was decided in the spring of 1926 to
journey from Pangnirtung, in Cumberland Sound
‘to Cape Dorset at the southwestern extremity of
Baffin island—a distance of about five hundred
miles by dog team. What would be learned there?
Study of the map suggested Cape Dorset as a
strategic point at which to witness the migration
of the Blue Goose from the south, to the western
fastness of Baffin island, if they went there as
surmised. Moreover, there was the distinct
advantage of coming into contact with additional
tribes of Eskimos, who possibly possessed some
definite knowledge of the summer home of the
Blue Goose. With each change of location and
every venture recurred the old thought—is this
to establish a turning point in the long-protracted
search?

Arrival at Cape Dorset, by sledge, on May 21,
1926, was sufficiently early to permit the observa-
tion of any goose migration which might occur
there. This hypothesis of migration proved to be
well founded, for early in June large numbers of

Blue Geese were seen passing over Cape Dorset
in company with the Lesser Snow Goose. These
were flying high in a northeasterly direction as
though bound for some relatively distant locality.
From the Eskimo it was learned later that con-
siderable numbers also migrated northward over
Foxe Land via Andrew Gordon bay and Chorkbak
inlet. These facts seemed to indicate, therefore,
that the Blue Goose nested at some point on
western Baffin island. This, at least, was a
definite step forward.

In late July of the same summer I collected
two Blue Geese, associating with several Lesser
Snow Geese, nine miles northwest of Cape Dorset.
This seemed to indicate, further, a comparative
proximity to the actual nesting area. In any
event it furnished tangible evidence of a kind
and constituted the first specimens of the Blue
Goose taken in the moult on Baffin island.

Immediately following this occurrence I had
the good fortune at Cape Dorset to meet two
Gordon Bay Eskimos who, some years before,
had hunted caribou over the great tundras of
northern Foxe Land and along the west coast
of Baffin island to within about one degree of the
Arctic Circle. These men possessed a good

a

January, 1930]

fundamental knowledge of the Foxe Land in-
terior and, moreover, a local reputation among
their own people for having stumbled upon the
breeding grounds of the Blue Goose. These men
were thorougbly questioned, and encouraged to
impart all the information they possessed re-
specting the Blue Goose on its summer range.
The earnestness and candor of their account and
the perfect agreement of their separate state-
ments were entirely convincing. There appeared
but one possible conclusion—that the chief breed-
ing grounds of the Blue Goose had been definitely
indicated at last, after nearly three years of close
search and about 4,000 miles of personal travel
by dog team and small boat in and about Baffin
island. Routes were discussed with the Gordon
Bay Eskimos for reaching the grounds and even
a rough map was prepared indicating the area
in which the species was reputed to nest.

In the meanwhile other Canadian Government
officials, including the Royal Canadian Mounted
Police, had executed long journeys and patrols
over the country. They, also, were interested,
but unfortunately no definite information was
secured regarding the Blue Goose. The question
had now become one of general interest in which

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 5

the Hudson’s Bay Company men participated,
and through their interpreters interested prac-
tically all the Eskimo tribes of Baffin island.

With the encouraging information gathered at
Cape Dorset, I returned to civilization in the fall
of 1926. It was my expressed belief that, were
an energetic attempt made to reach the territory
indicated by the Eskimos in early spring, success
would be practically assured. This called for
another year in the Arctic, for by the time the
annual ship reaches these northern latitudes the
season is too late for such an investigation. The
region must be reached by sledge the following
spring in advance of the geese migration.

In the summer of 1928 I was sent back into the
Arctic, once more to follow the illusive Blue
Goose, which may be said to have led me from
Pangnirtung in 1923 over many hundreds of
weary miles of exploration. This time the enter-
prise was organized and carried out under the
direction of the North West Territories and Yukon
Branch, although the National Parks of Canada,
also of the Department of the Interior, took a
direct interest in the expedition.

I landed at Cape Dorset once more on the 5th
of August, 1928, where headquarters was es-

Pack ice on the Foxe Basin coast, near the mouth of the Kommanik River.
Aug. 11th, 1929.

6 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

tablished for the year. Nearly the whole winter
was spent in traversing and mapping Foxe Land
and the west coast of Baffin island north to
67° 40’, near which point the courageous Hantzsch
perished in the interests of ornithology. This
resulted in a considerable familiarity with the
great Foxe Land interior and the Foxe basin
coast, and twice took me over the very region
in which the Blue Goose was said to nest. In
consequence, when spring arrived, I was possessed
of a minute knowledge of the territory and the
‘best route by which to reach my proposed head-
quarters for the summer.

On May 17 I left Cape Dorset for the Blue
Goose grounds with four sledges, forty-two dogs
and five Eskimo drivers, carrying sufficient food
and equipment to cover a period of three months
*n the interior. We travelled along the Hudson
strait coast to Chorkbak inlet, followed that to
its northwestern extremity in Terreooya bay, and
thence directly across Foxe Land to a point on
the west coast of Baffin island north of Bowman
bay. After eight days of unremitting and hard
travel we reached the proposed site of our summer
camp on the banks of a tundra river near Foxe
basin in latitude 65° 35’ North. This was named
Camp Kungovik after the Eskimo name for the
Blue Goose.

[Vou. XLIV

On the 25th of May three Eskimos with all the
dogs and sledges started on the long back trail
to Cape Dorset. Two Eskimos were retained as
assistants for the summer—Kavivow of Cape
Dorset and Ashoona of Gordon bay. We were
now left entirely alone with the nearest natives
several hundred miles distant and in this situation
we placed our entire reliance for our safe retreat
from the region in a freighter-canoe with which
to navigate Foxe basin and to travel by rivers
and lakes across Foxe Land to Hudson strait the
following August.

Now that we were located well within the de-
signated breeding area of the Blue Goose, we had
but to be patient, make ourselves as comfortable
as possible, await the retreat of winter and the
arrival of the birds. Though the season was
extremely backward with freezing weather,
blizzards and fresh falls of snow in late May and
early June, we had not long to wait. The first
geese of the season passed over Camp Kungovik
on the evening of June 2. The prospect was
undoubtedly discouraging, for winter conditions,
practically, still prevailed except for considerably
higher average temperature.

The next geese were noted on June 5. Some

of these, like those of the earlier flock, were Blue
Geese.

In the evening a flock of 34 geese alighted

Loading canoe for departure from Camp Kungovik, on the Kungovik River.

July 20th, 1929.

Lat, 65° 35’ N.

4

January, 1930]

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST q

Nest of the Blue Goose, Eshuleeungnil Plain, Bowman Bay, Foxe Basin.
July 4th, 1929. :

to feed on a narrow strip of snow-free tundra
bordering the Kungovik river. Twenty-four of
the birds were Blue Geese and the remainder,
presumably, Lesser Snow Geese. June 6 marked
the beginning of the real migration of geese to
the region. Large numbers of birds passed over
camp to the north and northwest during the day,
the two species—Blue and Snow—always in
company. The former constituted approximately
one-third of the total number observed. The
numbers of geese were very considerably in-
creased on June 7 when the Blue species was
almost as numerous as the Snow.

By June 8 and 9 thousands of geese were re-
sorting to the bare patches of tundra in the region.
As these areas were small and localized, they
brought the geese together in large flocks to feed
on the scanty vegetation. By a singular piece
of good fortune the most extended of these snow-
free areas lay along the banks of the Kungovik
river, from a point opposite camp for about one
and a half miles downstream. This was no more
than a marshy strip 10 to 15 feet in width, but
geese in very large numbers resorted to it for
food and rest. With the powerful glass of the
transit theodolite, which was mounted on a slight
elevation near camp, unexcelled opportunities for
observation were enjoyed daily when the weather

permitted. Such gatherings were invariably
noisy and the voices of the geese which cover a
wide range of expression were to be heard at all
hours of the day and night.

On June 10 a single fresh egg of either this
species, or the Lesser Snow Goose, was found on
a bare patch of ground in the uplands of the As-
weeto ridge. Obviously this was abortive, as
the species was not yet beginning to nest. Sub-
sequently, many such eggs (almost invariably
punctured and the contents eaten by the Parasitic
Jaeger) were discovered, over the feeding grounds
resorted to by flocks of geese.

The heaviest migrational wave of geese occurred
over the 14th and 15th of June. This was most
pronounced on the former date when, strangely
enough, the birds travelled directly in the face
of one of the severest northwest gales of the
season, which appeared to tax their energy and
tactics to the utmost. They flew low, sweeping

in and out of valleys to take advantage of every

hill that afforded any protection from the wind.
Associating with the mixed companies of Blue
Geese and Snow Geese were large numbers of
Hutchin’s Geese and Brant migrating in the same
direction.

No pronounced great ‘‘wave’’ occurred after
the 15th of June. This terminated the furious

8 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

northern urge. Yet flocks went over from time to
time, flying low as well as at altitudes of a thous-
and feet or more. Undoubtedly these were
bound for more northern latitudes, but the greatly
diversified direction of flight proved that the
great majority were now local birds, or had
leisure, for one reason or another, before passing
on to other localities.

Up to June 24 geese consorted in large numbers
over the surrounding lowlands, which, by this
date, were being rapidly cleared of snow. Par-
ticularly desirable haunts, also, were grassy valleys
about swelling ponds in the low granite hills of
the Asweeto ridge. Any walk of a few miles
revealed hundreds of geese feeding in these
sheltered places. After the above date there was
a pronounced decrease in numbers of local geese,
which up to this time had exhibited no definite
tendencies to disband.

The breeding birds were now withdrawing
quietly to the nesting areas, leaving large numbers
of non-breeding geese to fly aimlessly about in
carefree existence during the brief span of the
Arctic summer. - With the passing of the migra-
tion, Blue Geese were left in a considerable ma-
jority in the region surrounding Camp Kungovik.
Lesser Snow Geese, which continued to associate
with the Blue, occurred as one to six or eight of
the former, while Brant and Hutchin’s Goose

[VoL. XLIV

became scarce. This was distinctly the “Land
of the Blue Goose.”’

For about ten days we searched the region on
foot for nests without success. The outlook was
decidedly discouraging, as late June approached,
for much of the success of the venture depended
upon the actual discovery of nests and eggs.
Blue Geese were nearly everywhere, but in such a
vast expanse of territory, it is difficult to locate
the nests of a species which is colonial in habit, ©
and without the tendency, apparently, to nest
with individual freedom over the country.
Finally, however, on the 26th of June a small
colony of breeding geese with ten nests was dis-
covered on the tundra near Foxe basin in latitude
65° 30’ N. Eight of these were nests of the Blue
Goose and two of the Lesser Snow Goose. Sets
were incomplete with only one or two eggs—one
nest alone contained three.

This season it was disappointing to find that
no Blue Geese nested in the immediate vicinity
of Camp Kungovik. Judging from the numbers
and actions of the Blue Geese, it was certain,
however, that the nesting localities were at no
great distance. Several years before Kavivow
had tramped through this region on a caribou
hunt well beyond the Asweetuk ridge and had
noted but two places where the species nested in
numbers. One was. eight miles southwest of

Blue Goose, taken near Bowman Bay, Foxe Basin. Bird slightly wounded.
June 6th, 1929

January, 1930]

Camp Kungovik and the other, where the geese
nested in vastly greater numbers, was at a point
ten miles to the northwest on the tundra just
beyond the western extremity of the Asweetuk
ridge. Here the nests were said to be in such

numbers that great care was required, in walking -

through the locality, to prevent treading upon
the eggs. Both Blue and Lesser Snow Geese
were represented, but the former were very con-
siderably in the majority.

On the 1st of July we were able to descend the
Kungovik river by canoe to within a few miles
of this colony. Provisions and equipment were
taken for a week’s stay in the locality to make
as thorough a study as possible of the nesting
habits of the species. The colony mentioned
above was relocated, in addition to which many
other nests were discovered with sets varying
from onetofourinnumber. The eggs at this time,
without exception, were considerably incubated.

Blue Geese here greatly predominated, and
collectively, numbered several thousand. The
overwhelming preponderance of the species on its
breeding grounds, together with the fact that in
no case were Blue and Snow Geese seen mated
with each other, leads one to the belief that the
former exists as a distinct species, regardless of
the most obvious and close association of the
two species in a natural state. That they may
occasionally hybridize is not impossible or im-
probable. Certain facts are at hand to indicate
that the Lesser Snow Goose is greatly in the
majority farther north—in fact, gathers at the
Koukdjuak river in the fall of the year to the
entire exclusion of the Blue Goose. This at least
was the case while I was exploring on the
Koukdjuak river during the late August and early
September of 1925. The ranges of the two,
therefore, appear broadly to be separated re-
gardless of their local association. Figures for
the Eshuleeungnil plains, where the Blue Goose
nests, place the ratio of Blue to Snow Geese at
twenty-one to one. The most impressive con-
dition, aside from this, is the astonishing abun-
dance of birds congregated over this area in
relation to the number found breeding.

The nest is always located on a slight grassy
swell of the plain, which places the area a few
inches above the general surroundings of more
sodden ground, marshy depressions, and numerous
shallow ponds. Here the ground is comparatively
firm and well grown to moss and grass. Most of
the nests are constructed of finely plucked and
shredded tundra moss, lined with a mixture of
fine dead grasses and light-coloured down. Others
are built entirely of grass and a kind of chickweed,
the inside depression, as a receptacle for the eggs,

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 9

being similar in all cases. A combination of the
two is also to be observed. ll the nests are
bulky in relation to the inside diameter, though
the size varies considerably. Those of grass and
chickweed were notably smaller than those of
moss. This is evidently for the reason that the
grass knits together more firmly than the frag-
mentary moss and, therefore, requires less bulk
to withstand the frequent high winds which sweep
over this region. Eggs are pure white until
soiled in the nest; sets vary in number from one
to four.

By July 10, larze mixed flocks of Blue and Snow
Geese in the moult were observed on the Kungovik
river and adjacent tundra. Some of these flocks
contained as many as 300 to 500 individuals
constituting one of the most remarkable spectacles
of the season. Approximately seven-eighths of
the total number observed were Blue Geese.
These large moulting flocks are unquestionably
composed of non-breeding birds, possibly first-
year individuals, and comprised of both sexes.
The reproductive organs were passive in a series
of ten specimens which were taken for examina-
tion.

Upon quitting Camp Kungovik and descending
the river toward the sea on July 20, the first
juvenile Blue Geese of the season were met with.
These were only two or three days old; many
broods were observed numbering variously from
two to five individuals. In the course of the
next three days while travelling on the river, or
encamped beside it, several score of young Blue
Geese were noted, in addition to a number of
broods of the Lesser Snow Goose.

The downy young of the two species are dis-
tinguishable almost as far as they can be seen.
Those of the Blue are a dusky, greenish-grey,
quite dark over the back and head, with a pale
lemon patch on the upper throat. The bill is
blackish, except for the tip which is bone colour.
The feet and legs are jet black. A clear lemon-
yellow distinguishes the young of the Lesser
Snow, which is most vivid on the front and sides
of the head and on the throat; the upper parts
have a pronounced dusky cast. The bill is very
similar to that of the Blue Goose, but easily dis-
tinguishable from it infresh specimens. The feet
and legs are dusky ‘‘Vetiver Green” with a hint of pale
violet on the inside of the legs and on the webs of
the feet.

In every instance the parents of the juveniles
secured were both of the same species. This
also applied to all other pairs observed with young.
The families, however, frequently mingled on the
tundra irrespective of species. Moreover, all
these parent birds were still capable of flight,

10 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

_ [VoL. XLIV

Blue Goose (Chen cxrulescens) on the Eshleeungnil Plain.

June 1929.

while hundreds of the non-breeding individuals
had lost this power in the moult some time before.

An unsuccessful attempt was made to bring
four downy young of the Blue Goose out of the
country alive for purposes of study. Despite
every effort that was made to provide them with
food such as they would get under natural con-
ditions and to keep them warm inside our clothing
and sleeping bags during the cold part of the night,
all died within a few hours of each other on the
third day after capture. By this time we had
secured a nest and a large collection of adult
specimens, sets of eggs and downy young as
material to assist in the scientific study of this
beautiful bird upon its breeding range—a species
which has long baffied the ornithological world
in respect to this phase of its life history.

On the 24th of July we reached the mouth of
the Kungovik river and passed out to sea among
the milling floes of Foxe basin on the long home-
ward voyage. The Blue Goose plains faded
away behind us on the horizon, the long quest
was ended, leaving us concerned only with our
safe arrival at Cape Dorset together with our
precious cargo of scientific material.

_ Had ice conditions been favourable in Foxe
basin, ten days of steady travel would have been
sufficient for the return trip along the south coast
of the basin and across the Foxe Land interior

to Hudson strait. Food wes taken for eighteen
days to cover emergencies. The massive ice
and the furious currents of this ill-reputed sea,
however, almost caused our downfall. As far as
eye could detect the broken ice fields extended
seaward without a break and pressed upon the
coast in great, rugged masses of utter confusion.
The only possible means of progress with the
canoe was to advance a few miles on the two
high tides daily when a narrow water lane oc-
curred between the grounded icepack and the
low shore. Hope of reaching Hudson strait in
time to catch the annual ship was several times
abandoned, but a stubborn fight was main-
tained, nevertheless, over the 70 miles of ice-
ridden coast to the mouth of the Kommanik
river. This stream was ascended with further
difficulties, and many portages, to a chain of
lakes which provided a continuation of the pre-
viously unexplored route across the interior of
Foxe Land to Andrew Gordon bay. After a long
struggle of 28 days, and with our food entirely
exhausted, Cape Dorset was finally reached on
the 17th of August.

A small schooner was immediately chartered
from the Hudson’s Bay Company, with an
Eskimo crew, and the 360-mile voyage begun to
Lake Harbour on the south coast of Baffin Island,
to make connections with the annual Canadian

January, 1930]

Government steamer Beothic. Strong easterly
gales and heavy seas were contended with through-
out the run down Hudson Strait, but the final
satisfaction befell us of reaching Lake Harbour
as darkness was falling on the 24th of August,
just nine hours before the scheduled arrival of
the Boethic. A week later we were safely back

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 11

in civilization. By varied means of progression
directly and indirectly concerned with the work
in hand since 1923, I had travelled a total, ap-
proximate, distance of 30,300 miles. Thus ended
the long line of adventures in the quest of the
Blue Goose.

CAMERA LUCIDA WORK
By F. J. FRASER

HERE are many occasions when a pic-
torial record of a microscope object is highly
desirable. Photomicrography is a special-
ized art, expensive and time consuming,
and for really good results, unless one is an adept,
professional work is essential; even so, unless one
can be present when the actual exposure is made,
it is difficult to ensure that the photograph actually
brings out the required points. With perfectly
flat objects, this difficulty is not so great; it is,
however, with objects that are not flat that the
present note is chiefly concerned. What the micro-
scopist invariably desires, is to bring out particular
datails, in illustration of which the perfection of the
finished photograph, as such, is an entirely sub-
ordinate matter. From this point of view, the writer
has attempted reproduction by freehand sketching,
but, lacking talent, the results were only a partial
success. The objects concerned were sand grains,
not the usual quartz grains, but those heavier
minerals which remain as a concentrate after pan-
ning. These “heavy residues”, as they are techni-
cally called, may be obtained from nearly all sands
and during the last fifteen years or so have been
receiving increased attention from microscopists
interested in mineralogy and petrology. For the
reproduction of such objects, a camera lucida was
tried, and after a little practice, the results were
deemed sufficiently good for publication.* The
writer having derived much previous help from
others, (what microscopist was ever without that
pleasant experience?) is tempted to offer this note
in the hope that it may benefit others and stimulate
interest in camera lucida work. Most workers will
agree that a simple diagram is worth pages of
description.

The sand grains under consideration range
from 0.05 mm. to 0.3 mm. in length, with thick-
nesses from 0.05 mm. to 0.1 mm. _ In an object
of such thickness, it is impossible to obtain a
really good photograph of anything but a small
portion of the grain, that is, if any detail is to be
shown. When surface markings are seen, the

* See: Some Heavy Detrital Minerals in Canadian
Sediments, Can. Field-Nat. 48: 117, September, 1929.

edges are fuzzy; when one edge is sharply
focussed, the remainder is blurred. With a
camera lucida, these points can be reduced from
chaos to order, in that the sand grain can be
shown as though all the essential details could
be seen at once. Another point that can be
beautifully brought out is the relative refractive
index of the mineral; this is important in petro-
logical work. Quartz has a refractive index close
to that of Canada balsam—about 1.55; that. of
heavy minerals found in sand commonly vary
from 1.64 (apatite) to over 2.6 (rutile). Grains
of such high refractive index. stand out in high
relief, and show black borders. This can be
shown if necessary, very nicely in a camera
lucida drawing. Under a low power, a mineral
with a high refractive index shows very thick
black borders with normal illumination, but under
a high power showing greater detail and with
different sub-stage lighting, these heavy black
borders tend to disappear; the finished drawing
should therefore carry with it details under which
the drawing has been made. Obviously a re-
production of a grain under a low power enlarged
to the same proportions as a reproduction under
a high power will be quite different if the object
contains any amount of detail. For this reason,
some measurement of the original object is much
more satisfactory than giving a figure of so many
“diameters” or so much “magnification”. Then
again, the crystal faces and edges can be so well
shown. This cannot be accomplished by a single
photograph, and often the crystal form is very
perfect in heavy mineral grains.

Regarding the actual use of the camera lucida,
with no wide experience of the various types on
the market, the writer can only express an opinion
on the ocular (split prism) type which he con-
stantly uses and has found very satisfactory.
On setting up the instrument, the prism may re-
quire a little adjustment, and this is best effected
by suitable manipulation with a wood splinter
about the size of a match; this will not injure
the straight edge of the prism. The tube of the
microscope is inclined at about 45 degrees, so

12

that the plane of the emergent face of the prism
is parallel to the plane of the paper on which the
image is traced; in this case, these planes are
horizontal, and the drawing paper is placed on
the table and below the camera lucida. With
the writer’s instrument, using a one-sixth inch
objective, 0.1 mm. on a stage micrometer measures
42 mm. on the drawing paper; when the tube
length is increased by 24 mm., the image is
50 mm. After the main outlines have been
traced over, the camera lucida ocular is removed
and replaced by a low ocular, and the details
sketched in. The drawing may be improved by
the addition of brush work for delicate shading. It
must be remembered that zine cuts reproduce line
work only; brush shading can only be reproduced
in a half tone block—which is more expensive.

The primary secret of successfully setting up
the camera lucida is to cut down the light on the

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

[VoL. XLIV

field, and illuminate the drawing paper strongly
with oblique lighting; avoid direct lighting of
the paper as it produces glare. For some reason
or other, workers to whom the usuage of this
accessory is new invariably attempt the reverse
of these lighting conditions; this is rapidly fol-
lowed by a perfectly unjustified complaint that
they are unable to obtain results. In addition,
trial attempts at tracing with pencil and India
ink respectively, show that pencil work is a failure
until the worker has become thoroughly ac-
quainted with the lighting effects; therefore use
India ink at first, it shows up well. To test
lighting effects, the finger placed immediately
under the camera lucida to cut off the drawing
image shows if the lighting of the stage is too
strong. The hand placed in front of the sub-
stage mirror shows if the illumination of the paper
is too weak.

GLIMPSES OF LITTLE-KNOWN WESTERN LAKES AND THEIR BIRD LIFE

By J. A.

(Continued from page 205, Vol. XLIITI)
FARREL LAKE, ALBERTA
HIS is a long, narrow lake—approxi-
mately seven miles long and a mile
AEN) wide at the widest point—lying north
=== west by south east. The water is fairly
deep and contains less alkaline salts than is usual
in the lakes of this district, but sufficient to
prevent the growth of aquatic vegetation. The
shores are chiefly of hard yellowish sand and
shingle with occasional stretches of hard mud,
usually with a deposit of sand on the surface.
Above the beach, or at high water, a scant growth
of wiry sedges is general—there is no rush growth.
The surroundings consist of fairly level prairie,
much of which is under cultivation. Along the
shore are occasional willow bluffs and patches of
wolf-willow and rose bushes.

During August, 1923, water fowl were not
abundant; a few single Western Willet, Killdeer,
Shoveller and Mallard were seen, also a brood of
downy Baldpate and a brood of young Canada
Geese. The latter were raised on one of the islands
near the east end of the lake—so I was informed.
Several residents who were interviewed gave good
accounts of the goose and duck shooting that may
be had along the lake during the month of October
and stated that geese were often shot from the
shore as they passed to and from their feeding
grounds.

GOOSEBERRY LAKE, ALBERTA

Gooseberry Lake was reached on August 12th,
- 1923, by an exceedingly rough trail running east

MUNRO

from Sounding Lake. It can best be approached
by the trail north from Consort which reaches
the east end of the lake.

The water, which appeared to be at its normal
level, was moderately deep and of a clear blue
but impregnated with soda. The shores are of
yellow sand and gravel supporting no rush
growth, nor are there any aquatic plants in the
lake. The surroundings are attractive rolling
prairie, dotted with bluffs on the south and west,
becoming more broken on the east and rising
to a height of approximately two hundred feet
on the north—a moderately steep grassy hill
with many depressions and winding coulees grown
up thickly with brush. Along the base of this
hill is a continuous belt of willow and poplar
which extends along the east shore also. Every-
where there is a gradual slope from the water’s
edge—there are no cut banks.

The N.E. { of Section 22, 36, 6, W4, is all rough,
hilly land surrounding a circular bay which is
connected with the main lake by a narrow creek
spanned by a wooden bridge. The only birds
noted on the lake were seen on this bay. These
were Lesser Yellowlegs, Killdeer, a mixed flock
of Bonaparte’s and Franklin’s Gulls, and several
broods of Pintail.

It is said that geese and ducks will not stay on
the lake for any length of time owing to the
character of the water.

HANDHILLS LAKE, ALBERTA
Handhills Lake is surrounded by open, rolling

January, 1930]

prairie, partly under cultivation for,some distance
back from its shores. Except for a few scattered
willow bushes near the south end, there is no
cover and the littoral is bare, sandy and unat-
tractive. The shores are of hard sand and gravel,
the water is impregnated with soda and no
aquatic vegetation is found in the lake. On
August 16th, 1923, a few diving ducks, an Eared
Grebe, several Franklin’s Gulls, and a large Gull
in immature plumage were the only aquatic birds
noted.

DOWLING LAKE, ALBERTA

This is one of the characteristic ‘‘soda lakes’
of the district without aquatic growth in the water
or along its shores and surrounded by open grassy
prairie of which only a relatively small portion
is good agricultural land. In August, 1923, the
water level was lower than it had been for some
years and practically the entire lake was sur-
rounded by a wide expanse of mud and sand flat.
In some places the old lake margin is defined by
a gravel bank, the base of which is now grown up
with wolf-willow and other low shrubs.

Except for minor topographical differences the
_ balance of the lands adjoining the lake are similar,
viz.; grassy hillside or flat with a wide margin
of muddy shore.

There is a long narrow island in the N.W. }
of Section 7, 32, 14, W4, with a thick growth of
wolf-willow and poplar—comprising the heaviest
growth of brush near the lake. I was informed
that ducks, geese and crows nested on this island.

It is said that large numbers of Canada Geese,
. Snow Geese and ducks visit this lake in the
autumn.

LITTLE BoW RESERVOIR, ALBERTA

On July 16th, 1922, we visited the Little Bow
Reservoir in Township 14, 20, W4. This artificial
lake, created to hold a reserve of irrigation water,
in many respects resembles Lake Newell lying
some forty miles north east, which elsewhere has
been described*. The surface area of the Little
Bow Reservoir is smaller—approximately ten
square miles—but the foreshore is of the same
general character. As at Lake Newell the small
hills within the valley, into which the water was
turned to form the lake, have been isolated and
are now islands.

In 1922 the lake has been in existence for only
three years and aquatic plants had not become
established but eventually, no doubt, the con-
ditions which make Lake Newell so attractive
to water-fowl—the growth of aquatic vegetation
there is phenomenal—will here be duplicated as

*J.A.Munro. The Canadian Field-Naturalist 36:89.

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 13

in both cases the water comes from the same
source, the Bow River.

Although bare of aquatic vegetation, at the time
of my visit, water-fowl evidently found the lake
attractive enough and broods of young Pintail,
Gadwall and Lesser Scaup were common. A
brood of young Pintail was escorted by two
females, one in the lead, the other bringing up the
rear. One empty Pintail’s nest—this was the
commonest duck—had been built under a mass
of blown tumble weed but the chief nesting grounds
were the small islands where safety from attack
by predatory animals is assured. At this season
the drakes were associated in flocks and several
had congregated on the lake. One gathering
estimated at 300 contained Pintail, Gadwall,
Shoveller, Lesser Scaup and White-winged Scoter.

Disturbed from a small island a flock of Frank-
lin’s Gulls, estimated at 2000, rose in detach-
ments and flew westward to disappear over the
horizon of low hills. Solitary Ring-billed Gulls
and California Gulls flew low along the beaches
or rested on the island shores. These were not
nesting, neither were the less plentiful Common
Terns, nor the six pairs of Eared Grebe which
were encountered on various parts of the lake.

The Avocet population was estimated to con-
tain thirty pairs, the majority being accompanied
by young in various stages of development from
downy youngsters a few days old to those nearly
as tall as their parents. The guardian parent
when excited by our presence walked along the
edge of the beach in a crouching attitude with
wings half extended and bent downward, or swam
in the shallows with wings partly extended on
the surface of the water. Killdeer also were
abundant, twenty broods being counted, but,
surprisingly, no Marbled Godwits or Western
Willets could be found and only two Wilson’s
Phalarope.

Of migrant waders, Baird’s Sandpiper was the
commonest. These in small flocks we found
amongst the short grass fifty yards or more dis-
tant from the water’s edge. Several bands of
Least Sandpiper and one Stilt Sandpiper also
were noted.

It was of interest to see how land birds had
taken advantage of the artificial nesting sites
provided by the irrigation project. Under the cap

of a concrete structure at the lake’s outlet a large

colony of Cliff Swallows nested. Here, also, a
pair of Say’s Phoebe had taken up residence and
twenty pairs of Bank Swallows were in possession
of the high banks, forming the sides of the main
canal. Obviously these species were recent
additions to the local avifauna.

14 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NA1URALIST

PAUL LAKE, BRITISH COLUMBIA

Paul Lake is situated twelve miles north-east
of Kamloops within the Niskonlith Forest Reserve
at an altitude of 2800 feet—1500 feet higher than
Kamloops. The Kamloops Indian Reserve
Number 1, adjoins the north shore at the east
end of the lake for a distance of one mile and
one-eighth, more or less. Within recent years the
lake has been widely advertised as a summer
resort—the trout fishing is excellent and bathing
is also an attraction. Mr. J. Arthur Scott operates
a summer hotel and in addition there are generally
twenty to thirty camps during the summer months.

Lying east and west, the lake is roughly three
and a half miles long and half a mile wide at the
widest point. The shores are precipitous at some
points, elsewhere are narrow beaches of sand
or shingle, and, for the most part, the forest
extends practically to high-water mark. Half
way down the lake on the north side is a bold
perpendicular rock bluff several hundred feet in
height, the most prominent feature of the land-
scape. The general aspect of the surrounding
region is that of a typical Canadian Zone forest—
composed chiefly of Lodge-pole pine and Douglas
fir—covering a succession of low mountains to
their summits.

At both ends of the lake are small areas of
shallow water; elsewhere the lake is deep, the
water fresh and clear—being fed by several
streams of fair size and drained by Paul Creek
into the Thompson River. Apart from the shal-
lows referred to the lake is too deep to offer much
attraction to water-fowl but in the limited shal-
low areas various of the food-plants eaten by ducks
are represented. Specimens of the following
were collected; Potamogeton pusillus, Potamogeton
natans, Potamogeton pectinatus and Myrophyllum
spicatum. Along parts of the shore bordering
the shallows is some bog-rush and_ bullrush
growth, amongst which was found plants of water
Horehound (Lycopus lucidus) the fleshy tubers
of which are eaten by ducks. Molluscs belonging
to the groups Limnaea and Plenorbis are fairly
common. Excepting one pair of Loons and Mr.
Scott’s tame Mallard no water-fowl were seen
on the lake during my visit. With reference to
Mr. Scott’s work in propagating Mallard, it may
be stated that so far this has been successful.
His flock, although seriously depleted by Horned
Owls, now numbers thirty-eight. These birds
were not reared in confinement and are free to
come and go as they wish. In the evening they
come to feed near Scott’s hotel and usually roost
on the beach for the night. During the winter
months a hole in the ice is kept open for their
use and at night the birds are housed. Mr. Scott

[VoL. XLIV

stated that his birds attracted a number of wild
Mallard to the lake last autumn and that several
of the wild birds remained with his flock. Canada
Geese were also noted on the lake several times.
This species had not previously alighted according
to Mr. Scott’s observations and he attributes
their doing so last year to the presence of the tame
Mallard.

The value of the adjoining lands as a game
refuge is evident, and this area is entirely forested
mountain slope of no agricultural value. Blue
Grouse, Franklin’s Grouse and Ruffed Grouse
occur in fair numbers, also black bear and deer,
a few beaver and muskrat are still found in the
lake. Insectivorous bird-life is limited both in
species and individuals as could be expected in
coniferous forests of this type. Several Pileated
Woodpeckers were noted, the only species for
which special protection is considered necessary
at the present time.

TUNKWA LAKE, BRITISH COLUMBIA

The district known as Summer Range which
includes Tunkwa Lake comprises some five
thousand acres of semi-open, undulating prairie,
situated on a plateau at a mean elevation of
4000 feet, in the upper Nicola country. The
timber on this range, chiefly Lodge-pole pine,
occurs in small stands and isolated clumps. The
trees, being set far apart have developed laterally
and present quite a different appearance from the
tall, slim forest type. These open park-like
woods are free of under brush and grown up
with grass.

The Merritt-Savona road angles through the
south-easterly portion of the district, and, a short
distance north of where it enters the prairie,
two trails lead off to Tunkwa Lake, one reaching
the south end of the main lake and the other
leading to the upper and smaller lake.

Scattered through the district are many ponds
and small lakes, some of which were dry on July
15th, 1923. One in the S.W. + of Section 10
is a shallow algx-coated pond about one acre in
extent. On the east side is a low open hill, else-
where it is surrounded by a grassy flat, perfectly
open except for a small stand of Lodge-pole pine
near the south end, which would be fifty yards
distance from the pond at high water. Some
of the smaller ponds contain bog-rush and other
aquatic plants but the foregoing description with
a few topographical modifications can be applied
to all the small lakes. A much larger lake, in
the N.E. ! of Section 10 and the S.E. + of Section
15, is deeper, with clearer water and has some
cover along its shores.

These lakes lie in the western portion of the

January, 1930]

plateau and are connected by a small stream
which will be referred to later. The main lake,
at an elevation of 3900 feet, is approximately
160 acres in extent while the upper lake is a third
of this size at a slightly lower level.

The open grassy prairie, characteristic of
Summer Range, surrounds lower Tunkwa Lake,

and for the most part, the scattered timber is

some distance from the water. From almost
any point on the shore one can obtain an un-
obstructed view of the lake which is more or less
circular in shape with an irregular and deeply
indented shore-line. To the west, forming a
_barrier on that side of the prairie, a timbered
mountain rises to a height of approximately
1000 feet, the summit being about two miles
distant from the lake.

High water mark is defined by a bank two to
four feet in height from which glacial boulders
of various sizes have been washed and lie scattered
on the upper beach. Below this the receding
water has exposed a margin of hard clay which
is general around the lake. Near the south
shore is a small stony island which would be
submerged at high water. At this end of the lake,
also, are two grassy points with stony beaches
which probably are disconnected from the main-
land at high water.

From the south east corner of the lake extends
a narrow arm or channel widening at the end to a
fair-sized pond. The pond is partly surrounded
by open timber and this cover also extends over
a low ridge on the south side of the channel.
The connecting channel is now dry and its ex-
posed clay bottom and the shores of the pond
are covered with dry alge.

This channel and the grassy points referred to
above are probably the best shooting places on
this portion of the lake. At the end of one point
were found the remains of several duck-blinds
which had been built by digging out a portion
of the bank and piling a wall of boulders along
the front and sides. Many empty cartridge
cases indicated that much shooting had been done
from these blinds. No doubt there are also
various passes through the open timber, used by
ducks when flying from Tunkwa Lake to the ad-
jacent sloughs or to Mammit Lake fifteen miles
south.

A smaller more marshy lake, in Section 8, is
connected with the main lake—approximately
300 yards distant—by a narrow free-running
stream winding through a shallow open draw.
Small areas of bog-rush were noted along the
Shores and a luxuriant growth of Coontail was
general. On one of these Coontail beds, a Hol-
boell’s Grebe was sitting on her exposed nest.

- Tym CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 15

Apparently no other water-fowl, save a pair of
Loons, were breeding on this lake although it
appeared eminently suitable as a breeding ground.

Upper Tunkwa Lake is similar in general
character to the main lake except that the shores
in several places are steep and covered with tim-
ber. The three hundred yard strip of open
country between the two lakes rises in a gradual
slope from the lower lake to a height of approxi-
mately forty feet and then drops abruptly to the
shore of the lower lake. The only break in this
ridge is a shallow draw, deepening to a gully at
its northern end where the ridge is highest.
Through this gully flows the narrow stream con-
necting the two lakes. A dam has been built
across the deepest portion of the gully in order
to hold back the water for irrigating purposes.
For the most part the ridge is open—sandy and
rocky soil supporting a scant growth of grass—
but scattered Lodge-pole pines occur along the gully
and in several other places. Wherever this
cover occurs an accumulation of empty cartridge
cases was found. The position and character
of this ridge render it particularly suitable for
flight shooting, as ducks must constantly be
passing from one lake to the other.

Both lakes contain a tood supply sufficient to
provide for an enormous number of ducks. This
includes leeches, fresh water shrimps (Gammerus
limneus), molluses and duck-weeds of various
species. The shore line in many places was strewn
with fragments of Potamogeton pectinatus and an
unidentified plant which apparently had been
pulled up for its tubers.

At the south end of the lake three flocks of
Lesser Scaup were seen, one on the island before
referred to and two in the water close to shore—
the total number being estimated at 300. All
were drakes and the majority were in full eclipse
plumage. Five drake Pintail—also in eclipse—
several Barrow’s Goldeneye, a mated pair of
Ring-necks and one Greater Yellow-legs also were
seen. Owing probably to the scarcity of cover—
there is no brush near the shore and few rushes—
the Tunkwa Lakes do not attract many breeding
ducks. It seems probable, however, that the
abundance of fresh water and food attracts large
numbers of birds during the autumn migration.
That they are attractive lakes is evidenced by
the presence of large flocks of male Scaups in
July—birds which had probably bred some
distance farther north, perhaps in the Cariboo
District.

LEW LAKE AND SCUITTO LAKE, BRITISH COLUMBIA

These lakes are situated in a narrow valley,
running in a westerly direction from an open

16 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

plateau country at a mean elevation of 3200 feet,
south of the Thompson River in Township 18,
Range 16, west of the Sixth Meridian. The pla-
teau is reached by a steep switch-back waggon
road that leaves the Kamloops-Vernon Highway
about one mile east of Barnhart Vale, winds up
hill for six miles, passes through a long poplar
draw on the summit and then enters rolling
prairie country.

Owing to the southern exposure of the major
portion of the plateau forest conditions are only
slightly modified from those of the dry-belt
Transitional Zone in the valley two thousand
feet below, and the average rain-fall is not greater.
The predominating conifers are Yellow pine and
Douglas fir—not Lodge-pole pine as might be
expected at this altitude.

An agricultural settlement was started in this
district about 8 years ago and in spite of the ever-
recurring crop failure, due to drought, a number
of settlers are still on the land. This year (1923)
there has been a phenomenal rainfall—a con-
dition that has been general through the dry
belt—and there is every promise of a crop.

- A rough wagon trail, part of which is passable
by motor car, leaves the main road from Bestwick
Post-office at the East end of Lew Lake and con-
tinues westward through the valley along its
northern side, to the east end of Scuitto Lake.
The open prairie-like country which prevails over
most of the plateau, ends rather abruptly in the
eastern portion of the N.E. quarter of Section 26,
and travelling along this road one enters an open,
grassy, park-like country of Yellow pine and
Douglas fir which continues along the north side
of the valley, to the west end of Scuitto Lake.
On the south side of the valley, however, owing
to its northern exposure, conditions are entirely
different, the predominating conifer is Lodge-pole
pine and zonal conditions are Canadian rather the
Transitional. ;

The easterly portion of Lew Lake is surrounded '

by the open rolling type of country which prevails
over most of the plateau to the south and east.
Near the shore are occasional clumps of willow
Salix (sp?) and small stands of Trembling Aspen,
Populus tremuloides. Farther west on the north
shore this gives place to sloping grassy side-hills
and the open type of Transitional forest, de-
scribed above, while the north shore, beyond the
prairie area, is much rougher in character and
predominately Canadian in its forest conditions.
Halfway down the lake on the south side—in the
south half of Section 26—a timbered mountain
rises abruptly from the lake and there is no beach
margin. Other portions of the shore are muddy
and grown up with bog-rush which reaches its

[VoL. XLIV

greatest development in the shallow bays. Here
also, are found wide beds of Ceratophyllum demer-
sum, Potamogeton pectinatus, and other aquatic
plants, the fresh, clear and moderately warm
water being suitable to the growth of this vegeta-
tion.

Trout have been introduced in this lake, but,
owing possibly to the abundance of Gammerus
limneus, upon which they feed, these fish are
rarely caught. No doubt this fresh-water shrimp
is one of the chief foods of water-fowl also. They
were seen in such numbers in the quiet eddies of
the creek, which is described later, that a double
handful could be scooped up without difficulty.

Continuing westward on the trail along the
north shore it is seen that Lew Lake—in Section
27—gradually narrows into a shallow creek which
flows into Scuitto Lake, half a mile to the west.
The littoral is similar to that of the lake—open
park-like Yellow pine and Douglas fir forest on
the north and heavy forest on the south. In
some places on the north shore are wide, open,
grassy glades, sloping gradually south from the
creek’s edge—which is defined by a line of firs

towering above the dense margin of willow—to

an open forest farther up the hill. This willow
brush hides much of the creek from one passing
along the trail and would afford excellent cover for
duck-shooting.

The creek is really a succession of quiet pools,

_ grown up along their margins with tules (Scirpus)

and connected by rapid stretches of water with
rocky bottom and shore. A small boat could be
used to advantage, and only short hauls would
be needed over the shallow rapid portions.

Scuitto Lake has no area of prairie along its
shores, such as prevails at the east end of Lew
Lake, but the conditions otherwise are similar—
open park country on the north and thick forest
on the south. The marsh areas are perhaps
larger and tule beds are more plentiful. Opposite
the mouth of the creek, which flows into a narrow
arm of the lake, is a small rush-fringed island
and on the south shore is a tule-lined bay.

Scuitto Creek, which drains the lake from its
most southerly arm, flows north and empties
into the Thompson River. The water from this
creek is used for irrigating purposes by the resi-
dents of Barnhart Vale in the valley below, and,
to ensure an adequate supply, it has been pro-
posed to hold back the water in Scuitto Lake,
a scheme which would work no _ill-effects.

Both these lakes and the connecting creek are
suitable in every respect as breeding grounds for
water-fowl. Paired Scaups, broods of Buffle-
head, Barrow’s Golden-eye and other unidentified
ducks were seen and it is believed that an in-

January, 1930]

tensive survey would prove this area to be one
of the best breeding grounds in the district.
Fresh water and the apparently unlimited supply
of the vegetable and animal food eaten by ducks

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 17

would make these lakes most attractive to mi-
grating ducks. Their value from the sports-
man’s standpoint, therefore, is very high.

(To be continued)

BARNEY WOODCHUCK
By INGRID LARSEN

ARLY one May morning the boys set out

on their bicycles to hunt Woodchucks
with the expectation of pocket money
as the Fox Farm owners pay well for
these lowly diggers, dead or alive. After
leaving their bicycles at a farm house they very
soon spotted Mr. Woodchuck ‘sitting upright,
just beside his hole but he was much too quick
for them and down into his home he went. The
boys weren’t discouraged and began trying to
smoke the little fellow out and, to their surprise,
they heard strange sounds from within where
they later found baby Woodchucks. Said
one, ““‘Wouldn’t it be just great to take a baby
one home!’ So this is how Barney came to live
with us, at Braeside, Ontario.

g Hid }

Barney was so tiny that we had to keep him
in a cardboard box about six inches long. The
poor little fellow seemed awfully frightened at
first but after a while with tender care and spoon-
feeding with hot milk he began to like his sur-
roundings much better and even looked forward
to his meals which were now changed to bread and
milk. He learned to know bis exact feeding hours
and sometimes if his meal happened to be de-
layed a few minutes he was “Barney on the Spot”
ready to jump right into the breadbox, which he
often did if not carefully watched. He thrived
and grew to normal size on this diet so naturally
we had long before this dispensed with the card-
board box for a bed in a clothes cupboard—the
door of which he learned to open himself after a
few strenuous efforts.

Soon came the warm summer nights which
seemed to entice him to outdoor life. So he took
to his instinctive habits of digging and made bim-
self a hole in the ground but never forgot his real
home nor failed to be on time for his meals al-
though he slept out every night. A very strange
thing about his habits was that he would eat
blades of grass, weeds, ete., but never once did
he touch our vegetable garden nor destroy the
shrubs or trees. His digging efforts were very
brisk at all times but he confined his labors to
exactly one spot—his first and only hole which
was surprising as we all had visions of seeing
holes everywhere.

Among the things he loved to eat were prunes,
bananas and candy. His great delight was to
eat the chocolate coatings and throw away the
cream centres. Once the boys gave him chewing
gum; this he managed to get stuck all over his
paws and fur. His fore-teeth also became so
gummed up that the poor fellow certainly looked
very comical indeed.

About the first week of July we began to miss
things. Handkerchiefs, dusters, newspapers,
mysteriously disappeared and to our surprise we
found Barney was the culprit. Apparently he
was starting his Winter home as everything we
missed was away down deep in that hole. This
proved to be the case, because as early as August
17th he deserted us. We, of course, thought
he had been killed or had run away as this date
seemed altogether too early to start his long
winter sleep. However, sleeping he must have
been, because on March 17tb he first appeared
above the ground but far from the spot where he
had entered. During his sojourn he had burrowed
over forty feet, rizht to the base of a large oak
tree.

We were, of course, delighted to see our friend
again and he certainly hadn’t forgotten us be-
cause he walked right into the house just as if
nothing had happened during the past seven
months, stood up and grasped one of the boy’s
hands welcoming him like a long lost brother.
But poor Barney had changed. He was so thin
and weak, although his appetite was amazing.
He simply guzzled everything we gave him with
the greatest gusto and his first diet of bread and
milk seemed to please him more than anything else.

Soon he was his little fat self again and stayed
with us all the Summer, seemingly enjoying our
hospitality and still continuing his playful tricks
such as creeping into bed with the boys in their
tent or finding one door closed would scamper to
another one endeavouring to visit the girls up-
stairs in their bedrooms to wish them “Good —
Morning’’.

However, it was our lot to lose him. Wild
Life in the form of a mate, who appeared on the
scene in August, lured him away and it was only
a few days after they first met that we lost our
dear pet Barney.

18 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

[VoL. XLIV

FIFTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT—OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB

During the past year four meetings of Council
were held at the following residences of its
members:—Messrs. Hoyes Lloyd, two meetings,
P. A. Taverner, and C. M. Sternberg. The
average attendance was 14 which is approximately
50% of the membership in Ottawa.

One lecture was delivered during the winter.
Prof. Arthur Willey, of McGill University, ad-
dressed the Club on “A Zoologist’s Souvenirs
from East to West’.

One of the outstanding functions of the year
was the celebration of the Club’s fiftieth anni-
versary by a dinner held at the Daffodil Tea
Rooms on March 19th, 1929. The success of
this affair was due to the efforts of Mr. P. A.
Taverner, the Chairman of the Lecture Com-
mittee, and a very faithful worker. The fol.
lowing Founders were invited as guests of the
Club: Dr. H. B. Small, H. O. Gray, W. L. Scott,
Col. A. H. Todd, Dr. H. M. Ami, P. B. Symes,
Mrs. W. P. Anderson, Frank Newby, W. Chester-
ton, T. H. Chrysler, and Roger Davey. Un-
fortunately only two of these gentlemen could
attend, Dr. Small and Mr. Davey, the former
giving a short and interesting address on the
formation of the Club in 1879. Fifty-two mem-
bers and their friends attended this function.
In the course of the evening musical numbers
were presented by Mrs. Dan. MacDougall, and
Mr. R. J. C. Fabry.

Four excursions were held during the month
of May, the first on Geology at Val Tetreau;
the second on Amphibians at Rockcliffe Park;
the third, and the most popular, was on Birds
and other Natural History at Fairy Lake. The
attendance at this excursion was not so large
as in former years because of the non-attendance
of the Normal School Students. The fourth
was on botany. At the conclusion of each ex-
cursion a short talk was given by the leaders.
The average attendance was about 35, somewhat
less than in former years. Mr. Miller, last
year’s Chairman of the Excursions Committee,
was unable to be present on account of illness,
and his duties were assumed by the Secretary.

The Council was asked to furnish a member of
the Club for the local committee for the Preser-
vation of Wild Flowers, and selected Mr. Herbert
Groh. Messrs. Hoyes Lloyd, and Dr. Harrison
F. Lewis, on the International Committee for
Bird Protection, continued as representatives of
the Canadian Section.

- Under the terms of the will of the late R. B.

the Club, the Club has received $100.00 per
annum since his death. This terminated with the
death of Mrs. R. B. Whyte in 1928.

During the month of July the Club received
from Messrs. Norman and Adam Ballantyne,
Executors of the will of the late Miss I. M.
Ballantyne, who was a long standing member of
the Club, also in commemeration of the late Mr.
Ballantyne, who was an early member of the Club
and took a keen interest in its welfare, a cheque
for $100.00 and a set of back numbers from 1885,
Volume 2 to 1926, Volume 40. The Secretary
has written the Clubs’ appreciation and thanks.
Council decided that this money should be added
to the Reserve Fund.

One of the affiliated Clubs, the Hamilton Bird
Protection Society, discontinued affiliation during
the year. The Secretary has been in communica-
tion with Mr. Gower Rabbitts, Secretary of the
Newfoundland Game and Inland Fisheries Board,
who has requested a copy of the Clubs’ Con-
stitution and By-laws as an aid in forming a
Naturalists’ Society there.

Mr. Hoyes Lloyd, Chairman of the Publication
Committee, and one of the most energetic workers
of the Council and Club, submits the following
report: “One of the chief functions of this com-
mittee is the issue of the Club paper, the Cana-
dian Field-Naturalist. It is felt that the current
volume of the paper speaks for itself. The
material furnished by authors has been of a high
degree of excellence. The Editor, Mr. Douglas
Leechman, working in close harmony with the
printer, Mr. H. C. Miller, has had the paper
issued without fail on the first business day of
tie month throughout the WNaturalist’s year.
It is doubtful if this achievement has ever been
equalled before in our history. Mr. Miller, our
printer, is a busy man, but he has always found
time to care for our interest and it is largely due
to his untiring efforts and advice that the Editor
has been able to issue the paper so promptly.
The Committee desires to point ovt that the cost
of publishing the Naturalist considerably ex-
ceeds the receipts from membership fees, the
difference being made up from the general re-
sources of the Club. Increased membership
would place more funds at the disposal of the
Committee and enable the Club to issue a better
Paper especially in the way of being better il-
lustrated. The committee reports that an im-
proved quality of book paper is out of the question
at present. Practically the only book paper

Whyte, Founder and first Secretary-Treasurer of i.available today is ground wood pulp, the life of

January, 1930]

which is limited. Not only our record, but
practically the entire record of science of today,
is on such paper which will not stand the ravages
of time. The Committee held eight formal
meetings for the conduct of the Clubs’ business.’’

The very efficient and hard working Honorary
Treasurer, Mrs. Wilmot Lloyd reports that the
Club has a surplus of $428.00. which is a remark-

ably fine showing considering that the member-

ship now stands at only 465, considerably less
than last year. The cash surplus is the biggest
for a number of years. During the year a com-
plete set of back numbers was sold in Germany.
The club now possesses a Victory Bond valued
at $1050.00, an additional $550.00 bond having
been added to the original bond purchased in
1925.

During the year the following resignations were
received with regret. Mr. Clyde Patch, first Vice-
President, resigned from the Club, and his place
was filled by the second Vice-President, Dr. Harri-
son F. Lewis. Mr. C. M. Sternberg, a member of
the Council, was elected second Vice-President,
Later in the year the President, Mr. E. F. G. White,

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 19

resigned from office; this resignation was still before
Council at the termination of the Club year. Dr.
Ralph DeLury, who was elected Secretary-Treasurer,
could not fill the office through pressure of work
and Council again separated these duties, and
elected Mr. Bertram A. Fauyel, last year’s Honorary
Treasurer, to the position of Honorary Secretary
and Mrs. Wilmot Lloyd to that of Honorary
Treasurer.

It is regretted that the Club lost through death
two Founders: Messrs. P. B. Symes and H. O. Gray.

In retiring from Office your Council feels that
the past year has been successful both financially
and otherwise but urges all members to try to in-
crease the membership for the coming year to
enable the Club to issue a better paper, especially
in the quality of illustrations. To the incoming
executive and Council, we wish every success on
the Club’s entering the 52nd year of its existence.

HARRISON F.. LEwis.
Acting President.

BERTRAM A. FAUVEL,
Honorary Secretary.

1st Dec., 1929

STATEMENT OF THE FINANCIAL STANDING OF THE OTTAWA FIELD-
NATURALIST’S CLUB AT THE CLOSE OF THE YEAR 1928-1929.

; ASSETS
BalancenmeBamten slo oe eee eae $428.33
Wipaididuess1929 Fe. ee 6.00
Bills receivable...... a aoe eee eT 42.30
$476.63
RECEIPTS
iBalancesnyRanke eae ene ee $313.06
Membership dues:

Currente ie cleey tee ee eee 1096.77
INGvepa COs septa dia =) atten Oe er 75.05
U-NTA ERTIES Se eh er eS ae SIN Ce nC ee aA 68.75
NOV EGMSEINENES ese el i enna 59.45
Ba ckay Num berse pe mee eee eee eee 238.20
RICHARA TES aan cl cermin wie noe tsk ah lta 317.42
USE RAtIONS Me Ne Aa: Sons op eas 104.24

Donations, Credit Note, Refund from
IRVeSGInS IMenavels seine Wika ee ae 24.29
$2297 . 23

Audited and found correct.
A. G. KiIncston
HARRISON F. LEWIS
Auditors.
Dec. 9, 1929.

LIABILITIES
IDAlAN Cen who ty res aides ee ue era 476.63
$476.63
DISBURSEMENTS

PrimtingsNaturalistien seca ce ok $1302.85
WGI COT, ary SAE e Seta aoe eee eae ita 90.00
NEPAaATAtese. Wee ake BONNET alco eee 190.83
Alas tirabion sie see Meh le Meri ane 134.86
Postage, Stationery, Incidentals...... 101.50
Advance, Reserve Fund............. isle)
TOWCM AOE ade ep ra Cee oye es Gh 22.57
AnniversaryaDinnent 40). eee ee 14.50
Balanceynebanikw cy. yey ane ee gee 428.338
$2297.23

WILMoT LLOYD,
Treasurer,

20 Tue CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

[VoL. XLIV

STATEMENT RESERVE FUND

November 26, 1929.

RECEIPTS DISBURSEMENTS
Cash in Bank, Nov. 23, 1928........ $506. O44 Mi BONGS). acts seule eit one a Loonie $556.80
Interest from Bonds................ ESY/ ase Aa iilbo GaN eC 59 e1= BeaN amin ise VON neg I ARR LU 11.11
imterestaro ms anise pea ere ae AeA Te DB TOKETAGe etek (oh Mn ue Mua ey epee .68
Ballantynevbstatees 26)! ae 100.00 Refund to General Funds........... 11.79
Advance, General Funds............ LO es alan cer iiee a koma ennai an Urania 158.97
$739.35 $739.35
ASSETS
Victory Bonds, 1934 Issue........... $1050.00
iBalanceinebankee eee eens 158.97
$1208.97
Audited and found correct. W. T. MAcoun,
A. G. Kincston Chairman Reserve Fund,
HARRISON F. LEWIS 0.1 -N.C.

Auditors.
Dee. 9, 1929

WILMoT LLOYD,
Treasurer ,

NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS

THE PigmMy SHREW NEAR OTTAWA.—We were
interested in Mr. C. E. Hope’s note in the Natural-
ist for October, 1929, which recorded the taking
of a Pigmy Shrew (Microsorex hoyi hoyi (Baird))
in the Toronto district; two days before the article
came to our notice we trapped a Pigmy Shrew
near Leitrim, 10 miles south-west of Ottawa.
The shrew was caught in a small mouse trap
baited with cheese and was caught in such a way
that the determination of sex was impossible.
The small size of this shrew led us to suspect
that it was a pigmy although we knew of no
record of this mammal in the Ottawa district.
The specimen was brought in to Mr. C. E. Johnson
who very kindly put it up as a skin. Through
the kindness of Mr. C. H. Young we were enabled
to compare our specimen with those in the Na-
tional Museum and the dentition of our shrew
appears to be identical with that of Pigmy Shrews
in the Museum collections. The measurements
of our specimen differ somewhat from those of
Mr. Hope’s and both are given below for com-
parison:

Total Length Length of
length of tail hind foot
Toronto sp.....87 mm. 31mm. 10.5 mm.
Ottawa sp.....73.5 mm. 25 mm. O)) saayaay

The skin and skull of this interesting specimen
have been presented to the National Museum of
Canada.

As far as we are aware this is the first record
of the Pigmy Shrew in the Ottawa district;
however, should any reader of this note know of
a previous record we should be glad to hear from
them.—D. BAKER AND A. LA ROCQUE.

A TREE CLIMBING WEASEL.—On November
3rd, 1929, the writer and a companion were
walking up the Humber Valley at Toronto when
we were attracted to a certain spot by the excited
calls of a group of small birds—Juncos, Tree
Sparrows, Nuthatches and Chickadees. As we
approached, the birds scattered and a slim brown
form darted up the trunk of a small oak and hung
there, squirrel-fashion, a few feet from the ground.

We saw at once that it was a weasel, probably
Mustela noveboracensis (Emmons), and we ad-
vanced expecting to see it drop to the ground
and disappear among the leaves and brush.
However, to our surprise it did not do so but
ran on up the trunk and did not stop until among
the upper branches, about twenty feet from the
ground. We shook the tree vigorously but
Mustela simply hung on staring at us intently
all the while with its dark, ferocious looking
eyes.

It is well known that the weasel occasionally
climbs trees but though I have seen a good many
under various circumstances, I had not before
seen one so deliberately leave the ground for no

January, 1930]

apparent reason.—R.. J. RuTTER, 48 Burgess Ave.

CONCERNING THE BURDOCK SEED GELECHIID.—
Observation recently in the Western provinces
of the complete freedom of burdocks from in-
festation by the Burdock Seed Gelechiid
(Metzneria lapella), led to examination of the burrs
of this weed at each of the several stop-overs on
the journey eastward. At Rainy River, Ont.,
and at Port Arthur no infestation was found,
but at North Bay the burrs were as full of the
larvae as they are ordinarily found to be at
Ottawa and other eastern points.

At Ottawa careful inspection of hundreds of
burrs, has shown that an average of more than
90 per cent. of the seed heads are infested with
one to several larvae. As many as four may be
found in a single head, resulting in such cases,
in the destruction of most of the 15 to 25 or more
seeds in a head. Quite obviously the normal
seeding of the burdock is seriously affected, and
since propagation of this weed is by seed alone,
there may be in this a partial explanation at
least, of its relatively unimportant place among
Ontario weeds at the present time. Probably
few farmers would now include burdock in a list
of their worst weeds, yet in 1893, Prof. J. Hoyes
Panton found it ranking fifth in a list compiled
from 1015 replies to a circular enquiry as to the
ten worst weeds locally in Ontario.

The Burdock Seed Gelechiid is an Old World
insect first discovered in Canada at Levis, Que., in
1898, by the Rev. T. W. Fyles. It was reported at
Ottawa in 1902, and at Toronto in 1904. The
subsequent 25 years might have been expected
to see a greater spread, than available records,
and the observations here reported would indicate.

For additional information on this insect the
reader is referred to an interesting short article
by Mr. Arthur Gibson, in the Ottawa Naturalist,
October, 1914.—HERBERT GROH.

NEST-ROBBING (?) BEARS.—During the sum-
mer of 1929 I came across a heronry on the shore
of a small lake about twenty-five miles west and
a little north of Sudbury, Ontario. One set of
four nests perched one above the other on a very
tall ram-pike particularly caught my eye. Some
prospectors told me that a bear had cleaned out
these nests some weeks previously. The next
time I passed I looked at the tree. From the
scratches on the trunk there was no doubt
that a bear had climbed it and the two lower
nests were rather dilapidated while the upper
ones were apparently untouched.—A.G. HAULTAIN,
Geological Survey of Canada.

An account of the unusual movement or mi-

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 21

gration of Canada Jays that has been taking place
since last summer and is still going on is being
prepared by Harrison F. Lewis, National Parks
of Canada, Ottawa, Canada, who will appreciate
any information, however scanty, relating to this
subject.

EXTENSION OF RANGE OF Esox americanus
(GMELIN).—As a member of the Brodie Club,
Toronto, I should like to record the taking of a
specimen of a new pike for Canada. On June
18th, 1929, Mr. S. J. Bochner, chemist, and
myself, working for the Ontario Department of
Game and Fisheries Research Laboratory, Port
Dover, seined two small pike in shallow weedy
water at Pottahawk Point, Long Point Bay,
Lake Hrie. One of these differed from E. lucius
the common pike of the locality and has since
been identified by Mr. J. R. Dymond, Depart-
ment of Biology, University of Toronto, as
Esox americanus Gmelin = (E. vermiculatus). The
specimen measured 9.2 ems. total length. No
others were taken in forty-five further seine
hauls in the Bay.

The literature does not appear to contain any
Canadian record of this species, the range of which
Weed gives as “from somewhere in Maine or
New Brunswick southward into Florida, west-
ward into Texas, up the Mississippi Valley into
Southern Wisconsin and down the Great Lakes

_Into Western New York.’’—A. E. ALLIN.

STATUS OF CANADA GEESE ON THE VASEAUX
LAKE BIRD SANCTUARY, BRITISH COLUMBIA.—
It is very gratifying to be able to report the
great increase of Canada Geese within the Vaseaux
Lake Bird Sanctuary. This increase has been
very rapid since the reservation of the Sanctuary
in 1928, at which time I believe there were very
few Geese breeding here.

In the spring of 1928 I estimated fifty-five
pairs of Canada Geese nesting within the Sanc-
tuary and a careful count of the nests was made
by me. While the spring of 1928, with its high
water and long continued flood conditions was
an unfortunate one for the majority of water-
fowl, in this district, other waterfowl, had finished
incubating before the flooding of the valley bottom
became serious. I could only find two flooded
nests of the species.

While Canada Geese were present in the
Sanctuary in small numbers throughout most of
the winter, the majority of the breeding birds did
not arrive until towards the end of February,
when they began to appear in pairs on the ice.
They were most numerous in the vicinity of the
island at the Southern end of the Lake. Here

22 THE CANADIAN: FIELD-NATURALIST

they were very noisy and there appeared to be a
“number of non-mated birds there, evidently
year old birds, and daily fights occurred between
these and the mated pairs.

Owing to the ice, I was unable to visit the island
until the 24th of March, at which date some of
the Geese had already commenced to incubate.
On landing on the island a number of nests were
seen, but, not wishing to disturb the Geese, I
only looked over a small part of the island.*
Visiting the island again a few days later, I
counted thirty-five incubating Geese on it, and
no doubt others escaped my observation. This
island is an excellent breeding ground for the
Geese. It is wooded and also covered with low
bushes, which afford cover for the nests, and
another factor in its favor is that the incubating
Geese are safe from Coyotes.

On the marshes at the Northern end of Vaseaux
Lake the Geese were also breeding. Here several
nests were seen on Muskrat houses and one on a
large, flat-sided, cedar log which was floating
amongst the reeds. Other nests were seen
amongst bushes on islands in the river. The
largest number of eggs I noted in a nest was
eight, but six eggs was the usual number.

During the summer months I only visited the
Sanctuary at intervals, and would often observe
numbers of Geese there. In the autumn they
were to be seen flying to and fro between Vaseaux
Lake and Osoyoos Lake resorting to both lakes
to feed. On one occasion I counted 400 Geese,
and I believe these are our local Geese.—S. J.
DARCUS.

THE INCREASE OF THE STARLING.—When I
saw three thousand Starlings in London last Fall
I thought that Middlesex must be nearly the
centre of abundance. On the 21st of March,
at Brantford, in company with Mr. Angus
Buchanan, I watched a flock which we estimated
at about ten thousand, as they circled around
and lit in the trees, preparatory to the night’s
sleep. Mr. Eddy has a young forestry planta-
tion, some of which is about twenty years old,
and it was in the white and Scotch pines that they
were apparently intending to roost, but they
first alighted in the large elms and oaks, and
from them they came down in small companies
to the evergreens. While going through the little
forest we came to some owl pellets and I was in
hopes that we should find Starling bones in them,
but there was nothing except the usual mice,
mainly Microtus. If our Screech Owls would
change their habits so as to hunt in Starling

* Only three (3) pairs of Canada Geese nested ou this island
in the summer of 1919.—J. A. Munro.

[VoL. XLIV

roosts they would become a very valuable aid to
controlling the threatening numbers of this
foreigner.—W. E. SAUNDERS.

CROSSBILLS.—Crossbills are erratic birds as
everyone knows and we who see them in Winter -
know only half of the story. We should be very
much surprised if Robins came to us every third
or fourth year and nested in large numbers and
absented themselves in the interval, yet this is
just what the Crossbills do, and definite informa-
tion on this bird is not very frequently obtained.
I was once talking to the late John Macoun and
told him of the experience of my brother, F. A.
Saunders, and myself, in Algonquin Park in 1908
when the White-winged Crossbill was the com-
monest bird, and I felt sorry I was unable to
collect a few of the young birds, which are so
rare in collections. He told me that he had
been there a few years before and had found them
very numerous and in the eariy Spring following
he sent a collector to study the life-history of
this species and collect a series of specimens.
But this time the crop of cones on the white and
black spruces had failed and the Crossbills were
not there; and on no subsequent visit have I
seen Crossbills in numbers.

I quote the following from a recent letter from
Mrs. Anna E. MazLoghlin, Hamilton, Ontario,
referring to a similar occurrence in her exper-
ience:—

“The American Crossbills were so thick there
(Sand lake, three miles South of Algonquin Park)
in June 1922, before the guests came, that they
even flew in the cook-house windows and Mrs.
Hill found two dead on the floor one day.

“T was there again on August 20, and for some
weeks the Crossbills were very abundant; a
few of them being White-winged Crossbills. I
never spent a more interesting holiday than I
did that year. The birds would swirl down
almost at my feet and wherever I went in woods
on both sides of the lake, their sweet little voices
could always be heard. That was a rare time for
they have never been seen there since.”’

These occurrences were in about the years
1903 or 1904, 1908 and 1922 and it is reasonable
to suppose that they have been abundant in the
Park in other years at possibly four or five year
intervals. It is too bad we could not get prompt
information of their abundance so that it would
be possible to visit the Park when they were
there in quantity and get thoroughly well ac-
quainted with them.—W. E. SAUNDERS.

UNUSUAL MIGRATION OF REDPOLLS (Acanthis
linaria).—While motoring along the Yellowstone

January, 1930]

Highway, west of the city .of Chamberlain, South
Dakota, March 23rd, 1929, I witnessed for three
hours, 2 most remarkable migration of Redpolls
towards the north. Shortly after crossing the
Missouri river the bifds were encountered in tens
of thousands. The fields on all sides seemed
alive with them, feeding on the weeds for a few
moments before continuing their journey. They
crossed the roads running east and west in tre-
mendous flocks, so low that many were killed by
flying into passing automobiles. During the
three hours that morning I slowed up many
times so as not to run into the myriads of birds
as they drifted across the highway. Turning
into the north and south roads we found the birds
feeding along the sides or moving in solid flocks
towards the north. The morning was warm and
springlike, following a cold spell of several days
and it looked as though the birds had decided all
at once to try and make up time, which had been
lost. The width of this migration wave was less
than one hundred miles. As we drove along we
tried to estimate the number of redpolls seen in a
mile, and our most conservative figure was ten
thousand. We also counted tbe dead birds on
the highway and found as many as twelve to the
mile on several stretches. Before noon we ran
into country covered by several inches of snow
and there the migration ended just as suddenly
as we encountered it. In three hours I saw more
redpolls than I had ever seen before in forty
years of bird observation. One naturally asks,
why this concentration of the species, and whence
_ were they going? _

Redpolls are fairly regular winter residents in
good numbers in Alberta. Each spring in late
March or April flocks varying in size from fifty
to three hundred reach this latitude from the
south, often remaining with us for a week or more
before departing for the spruce forests to the north
and west. Possibly such flocks are the remnant
of the main body which gathered and travelled
along the eastern slopes of the Rockies.—FRANK
L. FARLEY.

WINTER RECORDS OF TOWHEE AT TORONTO.—
The report of Ida Merriman in The Canadian
Field-Naturalist for October 1929 of a Towhee
(Pipilo erythrophthalmus) at a Toronto feeding
station in February 1929, brought to mind the
fact that there are few, if any other published
winter records of this bird from Toronto. I have
in my notes a record of a male Towhee seen at
Toronto on December 12, 1926, when there was
snow on the ground and the weather very cold.

The Towhee is not considered to be even an
irregular winter resident here but perhaps these

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 23

two records will bring forth others and show
that it is not so unusual in winter as we think.—
R. J. RUTTER.

THE PRESENT SCARCITY OF -THE FIELD SPARROW
AT TORONTO.—My first acquaintance with this
splendid songster was made on the morning of
April 26, 1921 at Moore park, Toronto, on which
occasion the bird was very common and was
heard singing from all directions. Subsequent
visits there during that spring and summer and
during the spring of 1922, with Mr. Russell G.
Dingman and others, revealed the Field Sparrow
as quite common in that locality, and also, to some
extent, in other parts of the Toronto region.
In 1923 I regularly visited its favorite breeding-
ground at Moore park but a decided decrease in
the number of Field Sparrows was noted, and,
with the exception of several noted on May 1,
I saw only about ten individuals in the region
about the city during the whole season. Since
that time the species has been rare at Toronto
in my experience and not since May 1, 1928,
have I noted it in any numbers.

In 1907 Mr. J. H. Fleming published his
Birds of Toronto, Canada, in which he records
Spizella pusilla as a summer resident, sometimes
abundant.* We had found it abundant in 1921
and 1922 so its comparative scarcity in 1923 did
not occasion great surprise and we confidently
looked and listened for it again in 1924, but during
the whole spring and summer season I saw only
three at Toronto. In 1925, five birds were all
that I observed and in 1926, three. In 1927 I
saw not a single one. In 1928, on April 6 one

- was heard singing but it proved to be the only

one of the season as far as my observations were
concerned, and this spring (1929) I have heard
but three.

My experience with this bird during the past
nine years at Toronto has been by no means
at variance with that of other observers and the
very perplexing problem of “Why the Field
Sparrow has become so scarce here’? remains
unsolved.

The case of this bird seems to be an example
of the pronounced periodic fluctuation in numbers
which occurs with many species of birds at the
limits of their range. This fluctuation may not
be found as pronounced towards the centre of
their abundance. If the species has become
noticeably scarcer in other parts of Ontario within
recent years it will be interesting to have the fact
on record.—JAS. L. BAILLIE, JR.

* Auk, Vol. XXIV, 1907, p. 81.

24 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

Notes ON BirD HousEs.—Being a lover of
birds I believe in having plenty of bird boxes
around the house, at present I have six of these
boxes erected at various places on the ranch and
have three of them occupied by bluebirds. Among
these is an eight-roomed house which I] built for
the swallows as these birds were taking possession
of most of my bluebird boxes. The first year
this house was erected I had three pairs of Violet-
green swallows in it and I thought that it was
going to be a great success. The next spring,
when the bluebirds returned they immediately
took possession of the box and succeeded in
driving the swallows away. They evidently
found the box was not suited to their require-
ments so they finally deserted. Since then I
have never had any birds in it at all. The old
box, which is now becoming warped and weather-
beaten is used only as a drum for the flickers.

[VoL. XLIV

I also erected a box with two compartments:
and for the past four years I have had a pair of
bluebirds in one of the sections but the other
half has remained empty, so I have decided that
it is a waste of time and lumber to build more
than a single compartment house, except for
purple martins but there are none of these in this
locality. HERBERT M. SIMPSON, Box 2, West
Summerland, B.C. July, 1929.

JAPANESE STARLINGS AT ALERT Bay.—Miss
Moorehead, of London, a nurse who has spent
parts of 1927 and 1928 at Alert Bay, B.C., off
the northern coast of Vancouver Island tells me
that the Japanese Starling is very abundant at
that place.
northward, possibly because of the similarity of
the climate of the British Columbia coast to that
of the native habitat of this bird—W. E. SAUNDERS.

BOOK REVIEW

THE FUNGI OF MANITOBA by G. R. Bisby,
A. H. Reginald Buller and John Dearness,
with a preface by E. J. Butler, F.R.S., Direc-
tor, Imperial Bureau of Mycology. 8 vo.
194 pages, publ.: Longmans, Green and Co.,
London, New York, Toronto. 1929. 7/6 net.

In the preface to this useful and instructive
volume we find Dr. Butler expresses himself as
follows: ‘It would have been easy to select
someone better fitted to do so {write the Preface|
from familiarity with the subject, but not so easy
to find one more sincerely convinced of its im-
portance . .’’, The authors are to be con-
gratulated on having produced a handy and
fascinating little book. With its importance I
am equally impressed, for although there exist
in Canada several more or less readily obtainable
regional lists of fungi, this book covers one region,
viz: Manitoba, extensively and admirably. The
reader is impressed by the wealth of information
about many of the fungi dealt with, just as was
to be expected from the three distinguished
authors. Nearly 2000 species and varieties,
among them 45 new species and 2 new varieties
are here recorded from the region covered. It
is by no means merely a list of fungi, the treatise
discusses the natural features of the province,

the geographical distribution of fungi therein,
their immigration and ecology, together with an
interesting section on the history of observation
on the fungi of Manitoba.

A chapter on the lichens of the region has
been prepared by Kirk Scott Wright which will
be found most useful. The care which the
authors have taken in determining their collec-
tions or having their determinations confirmed by
specialists is particularly worthy of praise.

Not the least interesting and valuable are the
indices; these deal with the hosts or substrata of
eaulicolous and lignicolous fungi, of parasitic
fungi affecting cultivated and wild plants, etc.

- The bibliography will also be found most useful.

The book sells at a very reasonable price and
may be obtained in Canada from Prof. V. W.
Jackson, Manitoba Agricultural College, Winni-
peg.—H. T. GUssow.

A copy of “The Natural’ History of the Double-
crested Cormorant” by Dr. Harrison F. Lewis
has been reccived and will be reviewed, it is
expected, in the February issue. The volume,
of one hundred pages, sells for seventy-five cents
and may be obtained on application to H. C.
Miller, 175 Nepean Street, Ottawa, Canada.

This indicates a very rapid spread,

i,

NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF

MANITOBA
1929-30

4
3 _ President Emeritus: J. J. GOLDEN; Honorary President:
% NORMAN CRIDDLE; Past President; A. A. MCCOUBREY;
, President; A. M. DAvipson, M.D.; Vice-Presidents: H. M.
q SPEECHLY, M.D., C. W. Lowe, M. Sc., G. SHIRLEY BRooKs
: A. G. LAWRENCE, J. B. WALLIS, B.A.; Treasurer: NORMAN
, Lowe, 317 Simcoe Street; Auditor: R. M.THoMAS; Social
7 Convener: Mrs. G. SHIRLEY Brooks; General Secretary:
B. W. CARTWRIGHT, 392 Woodlawn Street, Deer Lodge;
q Executive Secretary: L. T. S. NORRIS-ELYE.

: ORNITHOLOGICAL SECTION—Chairman: C. L. BROLEY;
: Secretary: A. B. GRESHAM. ENTOMOLOGICAL SEC-

TION—Chairman: R. A. WARDLE, M. Sce.; Secretary:
L. H. D. Roperts. BOTANICAL SECTION—Chairman:
H. F. Roperts, M. Sc.; Secretary: Miss B. M. BRADSHAW.
GEOLOGICAL SECTION—Chairman: R. 8S. Kirk, Ph. D.;

Secretary: H. C. PEARCE.

'

: Meetings are held each Monday evening, except on holidays
from October to April, in the physics theatre of the University,
Winnipeg. Field excursions are held each Saturday after-
noon during May, June and September, and on public holidays

. during July and August. (

di

4

8

;

a

:

NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF BRITISH
COLUMBIA, VICTORIA, B.C.

d Hon. President: C. C. PEMBERTON, 806 Quadra St., Victoria,
a B.C.; Wn. Hupson, 606 Douglas St.,
Victoria, B.C.; 2nd Vice-President: H. LETHABY, 608 View
St., Victoria, B.C.; Hon. Secretary: WM. A. NEWCOMBE, Pro-
vincial Museum, Victoria, B.C.; Hon. Treasurer: RENA G.
JONES, St. Margaret’s School, Victoria, B.C.

1st Vice-President:

ALBERTA NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

Hon. President: Mr. J. J. GAETZ, Red Deer, Alta.; President:
Mr. C. H. SNELL, Red Deer, Alta.; 18st Vice-President: Mrs.
W. A. CASSELS, Red Deer, Alta.; 2nd Vice-President: Mr. S.
PAMELY, Red Deer, Alta.; Directors: Mrs. G. F. Root, Weta-
] skiwin, Alta.; Mr. F. L. FARLEy, Camrose, Alta.; Mr. W. A.
i CASSELS, Red Deer, Alta.; Mr. B. LAWTON, Edmonton, Alta.;
; Mr. K. BowMAN, Edmonton, Alta.; Pror. W. RowWAN, Univ.
of Alta., Edmonton, Alta.; Mr. T. BE. RANDALL, Camrose,
Alta.; Hon. Sec.-Treas.: Mrs. S. PAMELY, Red Deer, Alta.

4 The meetings of this Society are held in Red Deer on the
‘ last Friday of each month except during July and August and
; perhaps September. The annual meeting is held in Red Deer
on the last Friday in November.

McILWRAITH ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB,
7 LONDON, ONT.

;

1 President: ELI DAvis, R.R. 7, London, Ont.; Recording
, Secretary: Miss Nina M. NorTH, 328 St. George St., London,
; Ont.; Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer: H. M.S. DALE,
. 297 Hyman S., London, Ont.; Members qualified to answer
1 questions: W. E. SAUNDERS, 240 Central Ave., London, Ont.,
C. G. WATSON, 201 Ridout St. South, London, Ont.; J. F.
CALVERT, 461 Tecumseh Ave., London, Ont.; E. M.S. DALE,

297 Hyman St., London, Ont.

Meetings held the second Monday of the month, except
} during the summer. A

VANCOUVER NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

Hon. President: L.S. KutncK, L.L.D., Pres. Universtiy of B.C.;
} President: JoHN DAVIDSON, F.L.S., F.B.S.E., University of
& B.C.; Vice-President: Pror. M. Y. WILLIAMS; Hon. Secretary:
i C. F. Connor, M.A., 3529 W. 2nd Ave., Vancouver, B.C.;
First Asst. Sec.: B. J. Woop, B.A.; Second Asst. Sec.: Mr. A.
R. Wootton; Hon. Treasurer: A. H. BAIN, 2142 Collingwood
St., Vancouver, B.C.; Librarian: J. D. TURNBULL; Members
of Executive: Mrs. FRANK MCGINN, Mr. R. A. CUMMING,
Mr. M. M. Dopps, Mr. J. L. PLommer, Mrs. C. G. McCrim-
MON; Auditors: H. G. SELwoop, W. B. Woops.

Fortnightly meetings in the University Buildings from
September to Apri] inclusive). Semi-monthly excursions from
May to August (inclusive).

i eee ee eee

Affiliated Societies

PROVINCE OF QUEBEC SOCIETY FOR THE
PROTECTION OF BIRDS

Hon. President: Dr. I. GAMMELL; Past Presidents: Mr. L.
McI. TeRRILL, MR. NAPIER SMITH; President: Mr. W. S.
Hart; Vice-Presidents: Mr. W. A. OSWALD, MR. L. M.
SPACKMAN, MISS HARRIET STONE; Vice President and Trea-
surer: Mr. H. Moustny; Corresponding Secretary: MR. H.
A. Jackson; Recording Secretary: Mr. A. P. MuRRAy;
Curator of Slides: Miss EmiLy LUKE; Commitiee: Mr. J. W.
BUCKLE, Miss EDITH Morrow. Mrs. C. F. DALE, Miss M.
S. NIcoLson, Miss C. L. FreLp, Miss K. D. MALCOURONNE.
Mrs. C. L. HENDERSON, Miss MAup SmitH, Hon. E. EH,
HOWARD.

Address all correspondence to the Society at P.O. Box 1185,
Montreal, P.Q., Canada.

SOCIETE PROVANCHER D’HISTOIRE
NATURELLE DU CANADA

Bicesn de direction pour 1929

Patron Honoraire: Son Excellence LE VICOMTE WILLINGDON,
G.C.S.I., G.C.M.G., G.C.I.E. G.B.E., Gouverneur-Général,
de la Puissance du Canada; Vice-Patron Honoraire: Honor-
able M. H. G. CARROLL, Lieutenant-Gouverneur de la Pro-
vince de Québec; Bureau de Direction pour 1929: Président:
R. MEREDITH, N.P.; Jer vice-président: Dr. J.-E. BERNIER;
2éme vice-président: G. STUART AHERN; Secrétaire-trésorier:
Louis-B. LAvo1E; Chef de la section scientifique: Dr. D. A.
Dery; Chef de la sectoin de Propagande éducationnelle:
ADRIEN FALARDEAU, C.R.; Chef de la section de protection:
MAJoR Jos. MATTE; Chef de la section d’information scientifique
et pratique: EDGAR ROCHETTE, M.P.P.; Directeurs: DR. S
GAUDREAU, RONALD LINDSAY, GEO. M. MITCHELL.
Secrétaire-trésorier: LOUISE-B. LAVOIE,
88 Sherbrooke St., Quebec.

THE TORONTO FIELD-NATURALISTS’
CLUB

OFFICERS FOR 1929-30.

Honorary President: PRorEssor A. P. COLEMAN; President:
Pror. J. R. DYMOND; Vice-Presidents: Mr. J. H. FLEMING,
Dr. N. A. PowELL, Mr. Couin S. FARMER; Secretary:
Mr. F. P. Ine, (Dept. of Biology, University of Toronto);
Publicity Secretary: Dr. L. B. JAckES; Treasurer: MR.
FRED H. BRIGDEN; Executive Committee: Pror. R. B. THOM-
SON, PRor. E. M. WALKER, Mrssrs. STUART L. THOMPSON,
J. A. PARTRIDGE, A. M. PATTERSON, E. B. S. Locier, W. H.
WRricuT, Dr. McKINLEY; Committee on Conservation: MR.
R. G. DINGMAN; Leaders: Birds—Messrs. J. H. FLEMING, ~
Stuart L. THOMPSON, L. L. SNYDER, J. L. BAILLIE; Mam-
mals—Pror. J. R. DyMOND, Mr. E. C. Cross; Reptiles and
Amphibians—MEssrs. E. B.S. Locimr, WM. LERAy; Fish—
Pror. J. R. DyMonpD, Pror. W. J. K. HARKNESS; Insects,
etc.—Pror. E. M. WALKER, Dr. N. ForpD, Mr. BH. P. IDE;
Botany—Pror. R. B. THOMSON, Pror. H. B. SirTon, DR.
G. WRIGHT; Geology—Pror. A. MCLEAN.

.

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particularly the Secretaries, of all the
Affiliated Societies to assist us in our
task of building up the circulation of
this magazine. By securing every
member as a subscriber we can truly
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leading Natural History publications
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THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB

‘Patrons: ee
THEIR EXCELLENCIES THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL AND VISCOUNTESS WILLINGDON

President: HARRISON F. LEWIS, 34 Grosvenor Ave., Ottawa.

}

1st Vice-President: C..M, STERNBERG 2nd Viie-P esident: M. E. WILSON
Secreiary: BERTRAM A, et 263 McLEop St., Treasurer: W1LMoT LLoyp, 582 Mariposa Avenue —

eR! _Rockeliffe Park.

Additional Members ee Council: F.J. Aucock, H. M. Amt, Miss M. EB. Cowan, Messrs. H. G. CRAW-

FORD, NORMAN CRIDDLE, R. E. DELury, Miss Fait FyLes, Messrs. HERBERT GROH, ANDREW
. HALKETT, C. B. Hutcutnes, D. JENNEss, C. E. JOHNSON, A. G. KINGSTON, E. M. KINDLE, W. H.

LANCELEY, DouGLAS LEECHMAN, HoyEs Luoyp, W. T. Macoun, M. O. Mattr, Mark G. Mc-_ 4
ELHINNEY, G. A. MILLER, A. E. Porsitp, E. E. PRINCE, HarLAN I. Smita, J. DEWEY SOPER, —
P. A. Taverner, E. F. G. Waits, W. J. WinTemBerc, J. F. WricuT and Presidents of Affiliated —

Societies.

Editor:
_ Doucias LEECHMAN
National Museum, Ottawa, Canada

Associate Editors:

DP DENNESS: oy een Ma Anthropology GLYDE Th. PATCH: 22250 o ee Herpetology
IVE OS BATA Mt tel ss tui eae Sea Botany R. M. ANDERSON............:: Mammalogy
BOR. PATCHRORD 2). 3200, Sone see Conchology A. G. HUNTSMAN.......... . Marine Biology
ARTHUR GIBSON cue ye ee Entomology Pho SA VERNER cicche. sce te Ornithology —
sd ALCOCK igs ae ee oe oa oe Geology E. M. KINDLE..... CEE OIL A Palzontology ——
CONTENTS
teone ; ; PAGE .
® Some Zoological Aspects of the Canadian Arctic Expedition of 1929. By P: A. Taverner...... 25
Notes on the Northern Scorpion, Vaejov's bores Girard, in British Columbia. By T. B. Kurata 28
The Japanese Starling at Alert Bay, British Columbia. By J. A. Munro... Sabie unio ee dole 30
Late Summer Bird Notes Along the Upper Michipicoten River, Ontario. By William G. Fargo
and Milton B. Trautman....... a eth Ge eR Tae oe inp Se os SLES eae Toate HN ed aI O
Some Introduced Molluses:) (By E> Ri Latehford: = ei... 58 aya. ee ee ee 33
Christmas, Bird: Census; 19297 9. 0.) oe Sige ete AMEN extge aa Se eS cr 34
Glimpses of Little-Known Western Lakes and their Bird Life. By J. A. Munro.............. 40
Notes on Birds of the Northern Part of the Queen Charlotte Islands in 1927. By S.J. Darcus. 45
The Passenger Pigeon in Folklore. By A. LaRocque.............. 0.0: ce cece eect ene nes 49
Notes and Observations:— :
he Whiskey Jack. \By WE. Saunders it: hn cao arto cette ane aes eee nee 50
The Food of the Great Horned Owl. By Allan Brooks......................... vee 50
Book Review:— :
The Natural History of the Double-crested Cormorant. By P.A.T.................... 51

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Musk-ox Herd
Rounded up to resist attack

Musk-ox
Cape Sparbo, North Devon Island
August 1, 1929

The Canadian Field-Naturalist

VOL. XLIV

OTTAWA, CANADA, FEBRUARY, 1930 No. 2

“ SOME ZOOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF THE CANADIAN ARCTIC EXPEDITION
OF 1929

By P. A. TAVERNER

TROUGH the courtesy of the Northwest
Territories and Yukon Branch of the De-

=I. uspices the annual Angie expedition to
relieve and supply the northern police posts is made,
the writer as representative of the National Museum
of Canada, was enabled to visit a most interesting
and, pontiac iodtenley comparatively — little-known
territory.

Leaving North Sydney, Nova Scotia, on the
S.S. Beothic, we made the Straits of Belle Isle to
Godhayn, Greenland; thence across north Baffin
Bay to the Arctic islands and north to the shores
of Buchanan Bay, Kane Basin, latitude about
78°45’ N. From here we worked south along
eastern coasts of the islands to Port Burwell off the
north tip of Labrador, with a side excursion through
Hudson Straits to Chesterfield Inlet, Hudson Bay.
We returned to North Sydney September 4. En
route stops were also made at Etah and Robertson
Bay, north Greenland; Craig Harbour, southern
Kllsemere Island; Cape Sparbo and Dundas Har-
bour, North Devon Island; Ponds Inlet, Clyde
River, Pangnirtung and Lake Harbour, Baffin
Island; Coats Island, Hudson Bay and Acadia Cove,
Resolution Island. None of these stops was long
enough for detailed local investigation. It was an
unusually good season for voyaging in the eastern
Arctic and in these uncertain seas the necessity of

getting out of as well as into port while conditions
were favourable precluded more than a brief recon-
naissance at the various landings. However a
rapid generalized trip over a large unfamiliar area
may give a better view of the whole than can be
gained by more intensive work on fragmentary
parts of it. Such proved to be so in this case and
the generalized concept of the eastern Arctic as a
whole so gained will be of great assistance in evaluat-
ing the work of the past or planning that of the
future. In spite of the exigencies and limiting re-
quirements of the primary purposes of the expedi-
tion, a goodly number of specimens were taken,
building up series in which the Museum was more
or less weak or adding data on species of particular
interest or about which questions have recently

been raised. Though the collections made are
eminently satisfactory, not much in detail can be
said of them until they have been more carefully
studied in relation to the individual problems
involved.

Much might be said of the varied interests of the
trip. The opalescent colours of the icebergs twisted
into fantastic shapes by the magic of mirage, the
wonderful greens and golds of the Greenland coast,
the forbidding rockbound shores, the midnight sun,
the Eskimos with komatik and kayak. But all
these have been told before and worthy pens and
cunning brushes have failed to represent more than
dimly the actuality. Though these are without
the special field of the ornithologist it must not be
thought they passed unnoticed or unappreciated.
They are among the most valued memories of the
trip and no account of that trip is adequate without
at least a mention of them.

Probably the most generally distributed and con-
spicuous bird was the Fulmar. These powerful
fliers were seen constantly all over Baffin Bay and
Davis Strait and into Lancaster and Jones Sounds
as far as we penetrated, but were not seen in or
known to enter Husdon Straits, an interesting
restriction in the range of a very widely spread
species. Strongly beating about back and forth or
sailing with tight torpedo-shaped body or horizontal,
stiffly held, pointed wings they speed with bullet-
like decision over all the sea gleaning from its pro-
ductivity. Close to the surface they follow, up one
side of a wave and down the other, disappearing
from view between and just topping the crest.
On the turns they bank in great smooth curves
with one wing seeming to skim the water, though
try as we might with powerful glasses we never
could see a ripple to denote actual contact. In
calm or storm it is the same. No matter how the
gale may blow or the seas rise there is the same
easy mastery of the elements, in fact the turmoil
seems but to add to their joy of life. Occasionally
very dark birds, quite as dark as the dark phase of
Fulmar common on the Pacific coast were observed.
but the ratio as compared to the light ones was
about one in a hundred and at irregular intervals of

26 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

the voyage they seemed practically absent.

stations they were said to be preyed upon so heavily
by White Gyrfalcons that the shore ice was covered
- with their wings and remains.

Glaucous Gulls or “‘Burgomasters”’ in few but
fairly constant numbers were generally distributed
and some almost solitary nestings were observed

here and there, usually on almost inaccessible cliffs,
and communal nestings were reported. The species
was numerous at Etah and Robertson Bay where
they probably prey on the immense hordes of
- Dovekies that nest in the loose soil and rock piles
of the shore hills. Of six of these Dovekies shot at
Etah, four were seized upon and carried off by these
gulls before they could be retrieved by the collector.
A sharp look-out was kept for the Iceland Gull but,
in spite of the general impression of its commonness
in summer on these waters, no white-winged gull
that could be referred to this species was seen.
The probability of the Iceland Gull breeding in the
American Arctic grows less as the evidence is sifted.

The wonder of all observers to the northern parts
of Baffin Bay is the immense numbers of Dovekies
or Little Auks. Words like “immense”, “enormous”
“innumerable”, “incredible” are trite adjectives that
familiar use has robbed of force but no weaker words
express the condition. In calm weather one steams
for hours through miles of sea blotched or clouded
with aggregating bunches of these little surviving
relatives of the extinct Great Auk, while flocks like
hurrying clouds of mosquitoes constantly speed
across the course going to or returning from the
feeding grounds. They are not known to nest in
the American Arctic but do so in wonderfully
populous rookeries on the northwest Greenland coast.
At Etah and Robertson Bay the hills rising abruptly
from the harbour are largely loose talus piles of
broken rock scantily overlaid or intermixed with
peat-like mossy humus. This soft, readily excavated
subsoil is easily cleared out from the maze of cavities
and passages between the rocks, and the surface
of the hills for many acres along the hill face is
honeycombed and porous with Dovekies’ nesting
burrows. With white shirt fronts and black jackets
and hoods the little birds perch in stiff and proper
upright attitudes on every little point of vantage
before their burrows. In certain lights and posi-
tions their white underbodies all showing seem to
frost the knolls with a silvery sheen. Flocks are
continually coming or going or wheeling out over
the bay, their many wings making a continuous dull
roar while the thin, short, piping voices sound
absurdly like the chorus that comes from an enor-
mous pond of “spring peepers’” in mating season.
The flocks skim close to the hillside projections on

Breed-%e
ing colonies were reported near Coutts Inlet and off 4
Cap2 S2arle, eastern Baffin Island. At one of these

[VoL. XLIV

the landward wheel of their circlings and passings
and the observer on salient points of the hillside is

intermittently enveloped in a cloud of hurtling
bodies while the sound of their wing beats rises to
deafening intensity. It is from such vantage points
that the local Eskimos take thousands for food in
hand-nets. One Dovekie is only a tooth-full but,
like peas, many make a meal, yet their myriads
seem undiminished.

Kittiwakes were locally common and, though a
few were noted occasionally far at sea, abundance
usually made us suspect a gullery at no great dis-
tance.

Herring Gulls were decidedly not common. They
evidently do not scatter their nestings in suitable
locations all along the coast as they are inclined to
do on the Gulf of St. Lawrence and that we did not
touch at any nesting metropolis is probably the
reason for their apparent scarcity. Birds taken at
Dundas Harbour are of the northern, pale or re-
stricted wing-tipped thayeri race while those ob-
served south of Ponds Inlet appeared to be the
common argentatus form that we get commonly
on the Atlantic coast.

In the neighbourhood of their loomeries, Brtin-
nich’s Murre were very common and showed par-
tiality for the neighbourhood of open floe ice. In
the middle of Hudson Strait off Cape Wolstenbolme
numbers were seen swimming accompanied by their
still half downy young again demonstrating that this
group of birds betake themselves to sea with their
offspring before the latter are more than half fledged.
Seeing Briinnich’s Murre for the first time in full
plumage in life it was of interest to detect field marks
by which it can be separated from its almost similar
relative the Common Murre. Swimming in the
water or flying by, the sharper angle of the white
underparts into the black throat is rarely evident
and the pale cutting edge of the upper mandible
at the gape can be made out only under the most
favourable circumstances. All things taken into
consideration the obviously blacker head and neck

seems to be the best guide to the recognition of the

species in the field.

A few Jaegers, the Long-tailed, Parasitic and
Pomarine were seen at various times. Their prin-
cipal occupation seems to be robbing the gulls of
their hard-earned provender. They are called
“‘Jaegers” or “Hunters” but “Robbers” would be a
much more descriptive title for they rarely hunt
when they can despoil others of the fruits of the
chase.

A comparative absence or rarity of waders or
shore birds is some little surprise until one con-
sidered that the high, bold, shoreless coast of these
eastern Arctic islands is no place for shore birds
except such rock or surf-loving species as Purple

February, 1930]

Sandpipers and Turnstones. On the occasional
flats in coastal nooks in front of the backing hills
where we happened to visit, Baird’s Sandpiper
seemed thoroughly at home and evidently, from
their solicitude, nesting. Undoubtedly on the ridges
between or in the neighbourhood of the tundra
pools back from the shore other waders will be or
have been found nesting but it is evident that the
great wader highway of migration into the northern
islands is up the low western side of Baffin Island
rather than along the high forbidding eastern coast.
This was more or less confirmed by our observation
at Chesterfield Inlet where were met in numbers
most of the wader species that we have failed to
observe eastward. Enormous numbers of these
visit the Atlantic coast and inland in migration
and seasonally disappear into or reappear from the
mysterious north. Their comparative absence from
the Labrador coast and eastern Arctic islands and
their appearance at Chesterfield and also west
Baffin Island as reported by Mr. Soper, suggests
strongly that the main highway of the Atlantic
thirds is across country to Hudson Bay and up into
rhe heart of the Arctic Archipelago by an interior
rather than an exterior route.

The most spectacular sight of the trip however
was not ornithological but mammalogical,—the
Musk Oxen at Cape Sparbo, North Devon Island.
Thanks largely to explorers living off the “Friendly
Arctic” the originally quite considerable herds of
Musk Oxen have been sadly reduced within the
past generation. However, if this Cape Sparbo
herd is any criterion, the North Devon herd is coming
back as rapidly as could be expected in the land of
slow growth and limited resources and, if the present
protective policy of the Canadian administration
can be enforced, may regain its pristine number
again. We found at Cape Sparbo bunches of seven
and eleven and others to make up about twenty
head of which a considerable number were calves
which argues well for the natural increase. The
Mounted Police who are watching them closely
report others in the neighbourhood. Ata distance
and even at close range, with their long hairy locks
draped to the ground about them they looked more
like old hay-cocks, if such were possible in the Arctic,
or erratic brown boulders on the little coastal flat
where we found them, than like living animals.

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 27

If we had not been looking closely in expectation
of them they would probably have escaped observa-
tion, even then it took motion to differentiate them
from natural objects about and to confirm recogni-
tion. On first sight of us they galloped off but the
loosing of a couple of dogs was enough to cause
them to pause on the first knoll and bunch, heads
out, tails in and the calves squeezed within as far
as possible. The dogs though of husky breed were
only pups, had never hunted, took no more interest
in the animals than to enjoy a race with them and
turned away to more interesting matters when the
game seemed over. However they were too much
like their hereditary enemies, the wolves, to be dis-
regarded or trusted by the Musk Oxen who held
to their traditional formation to repel boarders
and permitted us to approach as near as we desired
without breaking. We might have killed the lot
with a .22 pistol had we so desired, but instead did
our shooting with cameras and scored a big bag of
interest in game. They would threaten and shake
their heads, brandishing their very business-like
and sharp-tipped horns at us, nose their feet, snort
ferociously and make feint at charging but it was
evident their first care was to protect their rears.
Every step forward from tbe bunch exposed an
opening behind that they were most painfully aware
of, and their demonstrations forward never went
beyond a step or so and were immediately followed
by a hasty retreat into formation again. Wemovied
them and still-pictured them until film and plates
were about spent and then as they were finally
forced into a wild stampede the last of the film was
run off at their scampering away over the tundra.

Numerous pods of Walrus were seen heaving
their great shoulders out of the sea and exhibiting
their yellow tusks in the northern part of Baffin
Bay, and on the ice floes well south to, Davis Strait
a number of Polar Bears were observed. It is sur-
prising how yellow and conspicuous these compara-
tively white animals show on the absolute whiteness
of the ice, especially how far their black noses and
eyes can beseen. The Eskimos say that in stalking
seal the bear hides his nose behind his paw or pushes
a snow block in front of it. To fully capitalize
its camouflage it should close its eyes as well, but
of this report does not tell, and probably the bear
does not see things that way at all.

28 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

[Vou. XLIV

NOTES ON THE NORTHERN SCORPION, VAEJOVIS BOREUS GIRARD, IN
BRITISH COLUMBIA

By T. B. KURATA
Royal Ontario Museum of Zoology, Toronto

URING the summer of 1928 the writer
had the opportunity of collecting speci-
mens of the small northern scorpion,
Vaejovis boreus Girard, in southern
British Columbia and made a few observations
upon its habits which may be worth recording.

Vaejovis boreus is widely distributed in the
western United States and ranges northward
into the drier parts of southern British Colum-
bia and Alberta. Ewing (28)! records it from
Arizona, Nebraska, Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming,
Montana, South Dakota, and North Dakota
(“Bad Lands’), and Essig (26)? lists it also
from California, Nevada, Utah and Washington

The earliest record of scorpions in Canada is
that of Anderson ('01)8, who found them at
-Keremeos, in the Okanagan district of British
Columbia. The species is not named but was
. doubtless the same as ours, no other species
being found nearly so far north. It has also been
reported from the vicinity of Medicine Hat,
Alberta by Chamberlain (’24)4. To these may
be added the following Canadian records:—

Little Sandhill Creek, Red Deer, Alberta;
1 specimen collected by C. M. Sternberg (Royal
Ontario Museum of Zoology).

Near Iddlesleigh, Red Deer River, Alberta;
Aug. 25,1919; 1 specimen, V. R. Summerhayes
(Royal Ontario Museum of Zoology).

Medicine Hat, Alberta; 2 large and 1 small
specimen, Miss J. M. Gondie (National Collec-
tion, Ottawa).

Turner Valley, 35 miles southwest of Calgary,
Alberta, 1925; Dr. George Hume.

Summerland, B.C., July 3-24, 1928, numerous
specimens, T. B. Kurata and E. B. S. Logier.

On June 29th, in company with Professor J. R.
Dymond and C. Mottley of the Department of
Zoology, University of Toronto, and Mr. E. B.S.
Logier of the Royal Ontario Museum of Zoology,
I arrived at Summerland,, which is on the west
side of Okanagan Lake, about ten miles from its
southern end. Here we had the good fortune

1—wing, H.E. The Scorpions of the Western Part of the
United States, with Notes on those occurring in Northern

Mexico. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. 73: 1-24, with pls. 1, 2. Art.

2730, 1928.

4 2Bssig, E, O. Insects of Western North America, p. 10,_
g. 6.

8Anderson, J. R. Rattlesnakes and Scorpions. Ottawa

Nat. 15: 162-163.
4Chamberlin, R. V. The Northern Range of the Scorpion.
Science, 59: 64.

to have the assistance of Mr. George N. Gartrell .
in our natural history work, and through his
guidance we were able to accomplish far more
than we could otherwise have done in the time
at our disposal. One of the first inquiries we
made of Mr. Gartrell was “Are there any scorpions
around here?” He assured us that there were,
so next day Mr. Logier and I started out to search
for them. Under Mr. Gartrell’s guidance we
soon located our quarry.

Along this part of the lake clay cliffs a hundred
or more feet in height arise abruptly almost
from the water’s edge, and near the foot of these
cliffs is a sort of talus slope. At first we hunted
in crevices on the upright wall of the cliff and soon

Ze,

Northern Scorpion
actual length about
134 inches

February, 1930]

secured a dozen specimens. On exhausting this
hunting place we searched among the broken

materials at the foot of the cliff, where we found

about an equal number. They were not con-
fined to these clay banks, however, for I later
found one in an empty rattlesnake den on a rock
slide nearly three hundred feet from the foot of a
hill at Keremeos.
Collecting was done by night as well as by day.
From my experience at that time, confirmed by
observations on captive specimens since, I be-

lieve them to be more active by night than by

day.

Their food appears to consist of soft-bodied
insects of various kinds. On one occasion when
hunting them by night with the aid of a flash-
light, I saw one feeding on a beetle and another
on a mayfly. Remains of other insects and
spiders were also found in the crevices of the clay
cliff occupied by scorpions.

In capturing its prey the scorpion lies motion-
less in its retreat, almost wholly hidden, except
for the claws and eyes and a portion of the head.
Here it waits until the prey approaches near
enough to be seized without much exertion.
From observations on captive specimens I be-
lieve that these scorpions do not pursue their

- prey but lie in wait for it as described above.

When the prey is within easy reach the scorpion

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALLST

29

springs at it and seizes it with a pair of claws.
If it fails to get a firm hold on the insect at first,
another claw is brought into action, and these
movements may be repeated several times.
Then, with the prey firmly held, the scorpion
throws its postabdomen, at the end of which the
sting is situated, swiftly forward with consider-
able force, striking its prey with much precision,
between the head and thorax, thus poisoning it.
The prey is then eaten voraciously. When the
prey is not of formidable size the poisoning may
be omitted. I believe the prey is never attacked
in open spaces nor is the scorpion attracted by
motionless objects.

One specimen, captured on the 10th of July,
was kept in an empty tobacco tin until October.
It was fed with grasshoppers, crickets, houseflies,
mayflies, beetles and spiders. Of these it seemed
to prefer the houseflies, spiders and grasshoppers.

About the middle of October I transferred it
to larger quarters, a glass cage, 10” x 7” x 10”,
the bottom of which was covered with four
inches of sandy soil. On the surface of the soil
I placed a few pieces of bark as a hiding place.
A few days later I discovered the scorpion digging
under the bark. This was accomplished by
jerky backward movements of all the legs, except
the last pair, which were used to support the
body. It worked each side alternately, never

Habitat of Northern Scorpion at Summerland, B.C,

[Photo by C. PEEL NELSON

30 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

together, throwing the loose sand backward
until a large enough space was excavated for a
retreat.

A real problem presented itself at the autumn
approached and insects began to disappear.
Fortunately, however, there is an abundance of
silverfish (Thermobia domestica) in my laboratory
at the Museum. I trapped a dozen of these
and put them in the cage for a trial meal. I am
glad to say the scorpion took them without
hesitation.

As already mentioned, scorpions, according to
my experience, do not pursue their prey. For
this reason I was forced to put my specimen into

[VoL. XLIV.,

smaller quarters so that its prey would be within
reach,

Judging from my experience with the sting
of this species of scorpion as well as with that
of the large bird spider (Avicularia sp.) I would
say that the scorpion’s sting is hardly more
painful than that of the spider, yet it is a little
more so than that of a hornet.

Regarding the distribution of Vaejovis saan
in British Columbia I believe they: will be found
to occur a few miles east of Kamloops, along the
Canadian Pacific line, as the conditions there
resemble those of the escarpment of Okanagan
lake and the summer temperature is similar in
the two localities...

THE JAPANESE STARLING AT ALERT BAY, BRITISH COLUMBIA
By J. A. MUNRO

N page 24 of the current volume of
The Canadian Field-Naturalist, Mr. W.
E. Saunders, on the authority of Miss
Moorhead of London, Ontario, records
the Japanese Starling as very abundant at Alert
Bay, British Columbia, in 1927 and 1928.

This introduced Mynah has occupied Vancouver
and its environs for the past 30 years at least.
During that time a great increase of the species
has taken place but the centre of abundance
has remained within the agricultural area ad-
joining the mouth of the Fraser River. The
overflow from the original colony has worked
east; New Westminster being the farthest
point at which the species is, or has been, at all
common and Chilliwack, 80 miles from Van-
couver, the farthest outpost where single indi-
viduals have been observed.

That the species should suddenly appear in
abundance nearly 200 miles from the parent
colony,. which has been in almost sedentary

Fal

able to the needs of the srecies.

occupation of a limited area for over 30 years,
is indeed remarkable. To the best of my know-
ledge none have been observed in the intervening
territory, which contains agricultural areas suit-
Had it’ appeared
in the Nanaimo or Comox Districts, both of which
are kept under observation by focal ornithologists,
the fact probably would have been noted and
recorded. It was not observed at Alert Bay in
the spring of 1926 when Major Allan Brooks
visited that place.

-Alert Bay, on Cormorant Island, is an Indian
village built between the sea peach and. the
rough, dense forest which covers this island.
There is no farm land in the vicinity, and con-
sequently no area suitable for colonization by the
Japanese Starling.

In view of the above cones funtlen in-
formation concerning this astonishing : range ex-
tension would be desirable.

j

LATE SUMMER BIRD NOTES ALONG THE UPPER MICHIPICOTEN RIVER,
ONTARIO
By WILLIAM G. FARGO and. MILTON B..TRAUTMAN’

ICHIPICOTEN RIVER entering Lake

Geary lake has its rise among lakes lying along

= the height of land dividing the watershed
of the Great Lakes from that of Hudson Bay.
The present notes cover an area. about 24 miles
in length from Missanabie on Dog Lake down-
stream into Whitefish Lake. Our stay in this
region was from August 9th to August 27th,

Superior at the northeast angle of the:

}
?

1928; the major portion: of this. period being
spent in camps on: Lake-Manitowik which is in
north latitude 48°-10’ and west:longitude 84°-20'.
This is a beautiful sheet: of* clear water- fifteen
miles long flanked’ throughout. by: high rocky
hills, in general forested with birch and_ spruce.
In several places steep: granitic. cliffs rise: from
the water’s edge.

At the foot of Lake Manitowik, both in Hawk

February, 1930]

Bay and South Bay are sandy beaches, an un-
usual feature in this rocky region. Our main
camp was at the sand beach of South Bay. Two
considerable streams enter at the south end of
the lake and here also is the outlet over Pigeon
Falls, below which a short distance lies White-
fish Lake, some six miles long.

The year 1928 began with a rather cold and
late spring, hence birds were breeding somewhat
late and blackflies were numerous here until
August 22nd after which due to cooler weather
and rains these pests were seldom troublesome.
The annexed tabulation shows in graphic form
the relative numbers of different species of birds
observed (98 in all) during the period of our stay.
~The following notes pertain principally to
evidences of breeding of certain species so ob-
served with a few references to migration.

Pandion haliaetus carolinensis. OSPREY.—At
the time of the senior author’s visit to Lake
Manitowik in August 1921 there was an Osprey’s
nest in use at the outlet of the lake. This nest
at the top of a broken spruce was the usual large
flat platform of sticks and two adult birds were
about. In 1928 this tree was gone, but there
was a nest to the west of Hawk Bay in a lone
stub half way up a broad sloping hillside recently
burned off and located more than a quarter mile
from shore. An Osprey was seen to fly toward
and settle upon this nest on August 17th. It
appears to be a habit of Ospreys to remain in
the immediate vicinity of their nests as long as
they remain in the general region.

Nuttalornis borealis. | OLIVE-SIDED FLy-
CATCHER.—From August 14th to 20th one or
two families of this species were often seen, the
young being fed by the parents near suitable
breeding places, so it is probable they were
nesting nearby.

Corvus corax europhilus. SOUTHEASTERN
RAVEN.—Dr. H. C. Oberholser has identified the
one specimen of Raven collected at Lake Mani-
towik as this form which he described in Ohio
Journal of Science, (Columbus, Ohio) April 1918,
page 215.

Lozia curvirostra minor. AMERICAN CRoSS-
BILL.—Both species of Crossbills were common
during our stay and the males in song. Con-
sidering both species, not over 20% of the cross-
bills seen were females. It is probable that the
females were incubating or brooding. At this
time of the year only the spruce cones at the tips
of tall trees in full sun light were sufficiently ripe
to attract the birds. The American Crossbill was
slightly more numerous than the White-winged
about Lake Manitowik. We did not happen to
see any young of the American Crossbill.

‘aa
THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 31

Loxia leucoptera. WHITE-WINGED CROSS-
BILL.—On August 20th about 8:30 a.m. Mr.
Trautman heard young birds calling in a spruce
swamp and soon located the nest 41 feet up in
a 12-in. spruce, 48 feet in total height. This nest
was of fine twigs lined with Usnaea moss located
in the crotch formed by a small lateral branch
with the stem of the tree, here about 2 in. diameter.
At this time it was somewhat flattened out by
the young birds. On shaking the tree a nestling
White-winged Crossbill fluttered down. It was
well feathered and due to leave the nest in a day
or so. This nest with three young found was
collected and all are now deposited in the Ohio
State Museum, Columbus, Ohio, which Mr.
Trautman represents as a voluntary worker.

The bill of the largest only of these three nest-
lings showed any tendency toward a crossing of
the mandibles, and this but slight. An examina-
tion of twenty specimens of the American Cross-
bill and of twenty-seven specimens of White-
winged Crossbills at the Museum of Zoology at
Ann Arbor failed to show any uniformity of
direction of crossing of the mandibles. Both
species and both sexes of each showed approxi-
mately as many bills crossing to the left as to
the right.

The stomachs of these nestlings contained no
food at nine in the morning. All three stomachs
contained sand, the first containing 81 particles
countable with the naked eye, having a total
weight of .055 gram. The second, 91 particles
weighing .045 gram, while the third contained
153 particles weighing .093 gram. The largest
sand grains were from 0.5 to 1.0 mm. in size.
The sand was about three-fourths quartz, the
remainder being hornblende, a little feldspar and
a trace of apatite.

It would be of interest to know whether Cross-
bill nestlings of the age indicated by their being
about ready to leave the nest are fed on insects
or their larve or whether upon predigested
vegetable food and if the former food prevailed,
how the sand reached their stomachs.

Spinus pinus. PINE SISskiIn.—On August
27th young Pine Siskins were seen being fed
along the shores of Dog Lake. Prior to this
adults were common elsewhere in the region.

Passerherbulus lecontet. LECONTE’S SPARROW.—
On August 24th a single specimen of this sparrow
was seen and collected on a little marsh bordering
a small lake located a half mile to the northwest
of Lake Manitowik near the head of the latter.
This specimen is deposited in the Museum of
Zoology of the University of Michigan at Ann
Arbor and is a male of the year. Onthesame day
we dragged with rope the only other marshes near

32 3 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST [VoL. XLIV

x= Collected m=many i e=Common - f=few

August, 1928 9 }10)11}12)18)14]15)16|17);18|19)20] 21 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28
4) Horned Grebe. ......-.-----+-foce}oeshew-|e-e|iee-]en - i ania Paes Lele Bae ten la ed
2) Pied-billed Grebe...........-].-.|--- fH Peeters Keel Wipes Dear! Rete (asic Fesceaen] Pema lexicay Ini. see Seine PRE LiEaGs IE ices (esearch
SI IG wea seseaaeocdade bORmO0 1}-1]2 5 1y4y78)/3s)1i1 2 2 2, 2 ral eae
4| Herring Gull................ nil Waa iene see Bcc Wein (odes Pe bealleresce liicall (enone boro aegis | sual 1 1
5| Ring-billed Gull.............- PREPAY Seca at Hed bl [esi ect Fae Opis Ge Natt Pesca lites al Pah Akl eee Ba) beeen PAA ea o
6| Am. Merganser.......----++-}ee-[ee-feeefeee[eeedees[ee Pee [ee i@ |) ak BUN eheseeach babs Oa] taka ca iactered Peseieal Paras S| seats
7| Hooded Merganser.....------|+--]---Je--}---[ee-]eee}eesPeeedee: Diss Nese Pees] Wee Reveete (eves bens el bearsieairy| Fos the weal Pe
iW eilbmls oo abeosmkonesoabodalleoullood| loaollooollodollocalle nn] locally oslloccllnoul{nas]| ln cinallocs-o|[poce Pa SS ACA eos lees
9| Black Duck.........-.---+--]---|--- DelGal scalars BN PNG oalloae iy feat 1 2 1 2 9 1
10}/xAm. Golden-eye........---+-|---|---f---|--> 2)7(/18 j...|12 |] 6] 6) 4 5 2 2 3 6 6
11] Great Blue Heron..........--|---}.--f---|---]--> a eae Pin tel fe | ests Fate Uetiearen| gees ead 1 Alone 1
12) Greater Yellow-legs.........-]---].-.- 10S eel hoa Bes ieeean| Pensa icles Val Una e aeal aneens Peat Be Ares Ulan | (aria hrs
13] Solitary Sandpiper..........-|---|..- Billo foil kano PAS Wal eal We Ay a Palettes aL 1 il a Deal bes heaped beg a te
14] Spotted Sandpiper.........-. AWE SR Voge eae HP ase ab Tk esol cA lo dba racy 2 2 2 2 2
15|xCanada Spruce Partridge. ....|.-.|.--]---|.--|---}---|--- CEs) Vee Veer) Way Goa) Weert ny reser Wee tes| bec aceat near Iaaeeeell Pec ctl aie Sb
16|xCanada Ruffed Grouse....... 714 20) amma) Veet Wee ee Une) | (oy | (ea Es oe Up Wee) Veer cat Cobseeed ere co fees eral lice Msatotel [tata ie
17|xSharp-shinned. Hawk......---|-+-|---f---]---]ee-]---]---}--- a arel| ae 1 a eal Sue WS | eae 2 sess RA Fe
18| Cooper’s Hawk........------|e--[---fe--[e-e]ee fee fee Pee fees [ec etee [ee fees] Lo pee cede ee [ee pees fee.
TKN) (CGHheR ease Sun gous Gedo sello Sa|lees| adulleac/Spelldec|lasial locel(oocfegolipoollodalloodallaca al) LW itcocallsdcslleposllacas
20\xRed-tailed Hawk...........-|---|---]---|--- DEN) Wetted Pet ey] EY Vec| Gra | Fa fad PA Moi NITE US ey FSi oa Fg (eat ey Wasted bis oa
21| Broad-winged Hawk.........J].--|..-]---]---[e--[---}e--Pee fee ede e fee [ee pee ede ee] oT [eee [eee Pee dee.
OPAl ID\iarelsEeicys ween oboe so dos|luoolleool |bon|loa olldool laolo|lalac! lono|/b oa|lobcli5 a BUS (eases | WAUSY ky bea et ES Ue RS ee) Fett LOM.
23) Pigeon Hawk........--------}e--]---fee [ees Ae) es eet] Rams fetes el Pesseis| Geren] (steal basics
24| Sparrow Hawk........------[o--|---fees ee -|eeetee dee 1S Aa aay
QhIMOspreyenionie eee ee er lain PA Pe Ihe inert oe as | a4 6) tel ote lies ge Fae ak ae ce eee eo a ler Liceeueheet Ing 1
26] Great Gray Owl.....--------|---]ee-Peee[ee [eee fee see Pee fes edocs bgt fesse Wnt Loa thereat Pe |e a Ue ar) Was al oa
97| Saw-whet Owl......2.02-.-.--|-5-|-.-fe ee] este ete =| --§--- BH aces) Lala [ional erenial Petia | Ra eeoea lhe mise) taaseal lacsrousl talon
28|xGreat Horned Owl......--.--|--+-]..-Je--]--- oe Fs Wl Were tata 1 DAME Paeabyl Des Baio eit od Daca PAS hl | ch ecole
29| Belted Kingfisher..........-.-]---]... We yok eal) Bp ab te esltoe saci Baa 5 8i sa
30] N. Hairy Woodpecker........ Tea | abeyp abo af dks |p dls | lee cllcao EAS era Ree: 1 1 1 2 Alee
31] Downy Woodpecker........-- Ze LOG a aalicee TE SSS) iste tects) beveee 1 2 Wee Pall
32|xArctic 3-Toed Woodpecker....}...|...].-.].--]---]--- SR eld AUN Ghee Kaa Tea Ha Ay (Rea ea ben tt ely bee Tiedt Lea eed lS ghee 2
33! Yellow Bellied Sapsucker..... Op io yy oae ob ele oe 5 Wert ares fel eye a fies) Te a bath) Ga ae cal Te Pe al bere neal Pu oP °
34] N. Pileated Woodpecker......].-..]... a WY) (esi an | Fees ec MR 1 Be (esl Vigich ey Eos listeseae Bs) Fret ee Att 2
SBN ORCHSERE Bichon mete teil eos an aecG igen janet U8 ie He Yoel ec ara AT eee oe RO COSTES al ae eo
36| Whip-Poor-Will...........---}---).--fe--]e-e]ee-[ee-fee Pee [ee edonc]ee-[ee- IU eis lleaekal larord| Pesan] lds ol laa ats &
37) Nighthawk........-.---.---- GN 5 al la dalle 1s | eee 2G oi On| nsw | O 3 1 2 3 2\0
38] Chimney Swift..........---- ba) HR tS 8 Oe | Peel ere aa (ciao sero! lateral tenet ol a-corc Ae] Hye (Paes MENS fa AC)
39| Hummingbird—-Ruby-throated]... o lisalianl ia lee Paid. [esa lau lOnny walt tere Nose sc cease as g
AQ| Kingbird........--.-220s eee }eee| ee sfonde [ee fee edee Peer ]esedocs[eee [ees WU fe epiekel irae ee Lac tay ane) Pecan bee re
Al|xPhoebe........---+--e+eee+']e> SNEWS RG alloeolleoojlesellecel aealMell lsonllewalieoel tlamcllocadlioaoel lo odolle's acl laos cllo.ca 3
42) Olive-sided Flycatcher........]..-|...]..-|---|--- TANS) M2 eS Sa bi4: De papery ee aN RO ae eal Labbe ae Retaeny | hone e)
43\xYellow-bellied Flycatcher.....|...]...]..- HW lodal OF lose COulisod Zu le call SB De Waa 72y Ieeaeia | kaso ie eeal leo. Bil =
44|xLeast Flycatcher..........---]---]... Sy Bl MGW oe Wee I OWele@G | a Ole ss cllecdullgs sul loow alias
AA TAO MAPNonnoodguscaosHseerocallodolls bal \sao|[oxI||acci|oo0 Bil seas eee (ever aN een Wi eee 1 1 1 1
AG\x@anadanJaya ve sce se sec cie oel|l lle ifle r= AN Ae tpi] oes Biles A IS itoal trees [ae ed cytes aterere bbs] DT ae
47\xNorthern Raven.......---+--|-.-|..-fe--]---[-- 1 Pil besteay 1 a aed CREA | AE
ASIECTOWERE oon nee DN he itd (panel Revie] Vena Pater ERC Recess ee ib Festal Peten tel (eee tans| Net ees Laetiateal Doe aresea| eae bar a 2
49|xRusty Blackbird..........---|---]-.-J---]---]--- PA Weel SG ONO BPA doa clk Abele slolls cells e.c8) Jason 10
HO) dshxqarqeel Creve cacheocnoocllaclladel localleed|iaac||oon[on0| jaonjaaollao lbs olla a0 loadc|locaolloocollacecliooan| [ance 5
5llxPurple Finch............----|---}..-f---}---]--- m|] c 24 |25 |24 | ec} f 3 2 2 3 5
52| English Sparrow......-.-----|--.|...Jeee}eee}ee ede sede feet] cefe epee epee Pee [ese ede ee efee es [e ee Pe ees f
53|xAmerican Crossbill...........]... ele|lec|]e|e|ere|f|e¢}]2)]e 1 e ec | 10 3
54|xWhite-winged Crossbill.......]... GIO le CG) Wij Vell SNS lee Ves 2 5 ¢ 2 1
55| American Goldfinch.........- Con G7 ea ie 8 levis os la acllaee PAN | okie I Bas TUR (eof eve Deere Fe nese 3) (tea eal at oa
Ra pdBire Sresings oo uuesees06 bon allauo| lois 5 WP BAHssahe Si eGiyeweip Gl Glhess 10 | 10 5 | 10 3
57| Savannah Sparrow.........-- ons lespeld) Haat acre Feel oscil egal [980 (ese Kener fave] fob ao Otc BARE ima es (eal lees (bin a
58|xLeconte’s Sparrow...... SAPS a st Wacol Pero (Stsot foal Bota (avec teen! loro [ase oiatel locrene 1 eee) besten inact pete!
59] White-throated Sparrow...... Ciliteslee nce tn | nan mt es een | enlaces am e 10) 15715| mj 3
60} Slate Coloured Junco......... bese Oe CN ess C1 Cl CN Ge |) OMpran| iret 4 3 3 e e
61)xSong Sparrow...........---- 1} Tate BG Slioo. dee eats alas pal eared | eareees legen 2 2 3 2 1 3 2
62|xSwamp Sparrow..........---|---]:.-]--- Oooh Gib ei Ci Gil euh ec c 5 Ba] es aioe hoo bc
63] Barn Swallow.............--|--- f STA] veel SNe Resoeotsl (tec Peet Leni Vso tae I cao ig AP ESS feos eyas) kee eed
64) Cedar Waxwing...........-- ie! Teal ly gallo oe Qi GI CVO! Sl) CI Cure ce 3 1 3 5 c
65] Red-eyed Vireo.............- OUR NOW CW Ole CH Gye Teel eile 1 1 | 12 | 10 /10 2
66|xPhiladelphia Vireo.........--|---]...f---|---]e--[--e]-e-Pee cde: PAKS oll ed] boa c sae oft al) 3 | 10 2
67| Blue-headed Vireo...........]--- 7 Bey Fee eae bn Ba | Wiees 3 HUA Vir Ti i oH Bes Vata Wie Bl Maes evil (oldies! Tossicno hard a .g|las-o 0
68| Black and White Warbler.....}...|... fat TDS va Wey paves wer sl Pa TU anes) ee arene OAL io Le AA 1 1 2
69] Nashville Warbler........... Bel bea) lial) thse oll ean etek] BUD eel I PAN PA Tee Sh le RACE a Lela 5 4'4| lowe ailwiae alloc dc
70| Tennessee Warbler..........-|---|...}.--]-:-|*--|-*-]--"Pe--|- =: She Pie tes| Datei] (use Waseca] Pacic ll Fee el pe a Re 2
71) Cape May Warbler..........-|.-. Shin) tia Wel Pesala Sa tie aac ais
72| Yellow Warbler............-. oy egies) Net Lain ey le Ess i Ta) sieges UDR fet el Ht Loa hare a Heston wal bullets vl Lo Are
73| Black-throated Blue Warbler. .|... Bh Pay de aay aba aelle os PAs Westra ke DWF ayo) Pacer Pee ae Ta on Bl Uet ay ae ren | Pace a HG ayes
74|xMyrtle Warbler...........-..|--.|.-- Cleo seal ae | Wl By osc]. tea 2a aa Sie lirelea eel)
75| Magnolia Warbler........... PNW O Ne WSS lle bo 1 PB a llero 6 @ |} @ Dew TONi| sca irate 3 2 PAL aise
76| Bay-breasted Warbler........]...]... Teiligers Blk a's PCS Pee ol (cotter anya sel [ees es Vigne MAM eaees tas tell ene
77| Black-pol] Warbler...........|..-|... Tl hes bse os Peevey (ul acu Vial Lied FeNreaa a teaotey| Leaeutaed [Arai os ate al hon icc
78) Blackburnian Warbler........}... ea ea eee Gin Boece DUE [uy cs] eae | Tike eats Breau [test el Laie hes art tila Bs
79|xBlack-throated Green Warbler]...} 1 | ¢ | ¢ }...].-- 1] 2 | es | eee 1b || 12 5 2m
)\ eae alleen oon ped coo dou sslsoulled 4] Iba b\lovin|[ooollacc|iaot 12 a(S ele Ceca) Rem es| Wetec ene
Qi Leibay Weider ce saan boswboetllosollecs| Maalloonjeoclloceloaa| Isaclloos 6 el FEW | Pea Pye Foray Wart TY Beet ened FRc Reba | Patio G
SPH) Ongaomnel ook ee dso cannon dd ollpoblloos Diet iat Gl Men seller te| Papers) Accall acted eteutaye IE teresa) patel PR eae
83|xWater-thrush................ Tae oe Note TF 5e GH) Gh aelh ae esi ae 3 1 1 2 Bi [eases
84] Mourning Warbler...........|.--|-..].--|---]--- SH Wise healed Perio LS eel (etarate Bel EA id Iaecotol et Ua dia
85| Wilson Warbler..............].-- 1 al Hae Ve Qhaees | ee MiSs welleee pal nO) Wier De Mave CO Deseesaeees earie! tee Bethea.
86| Canadian Warbler........... RAR ae lh thats ollelee efiec}| f£]/3]3]5 ba shal We all Rata lees! eo ec IDSs oe
87| American Redstart...........]... PA \ 3 fd 2 EN SRW Poe oleate Dial vey Dlg \Putei || eaete ea tkete cs 2y osley lls Be
SSipwWvanter Wiener ee a acest PANES | leit oars [ecto ssi) less | ice I |p ak th a SUSI OANG ete canes tegatana Pea ane | Fc 1
89| Brown Creeper.............-]---]--- DA Ie are| hear teks 0 OR SSeS Teen are (Giese atic Uh Temata a PAR | Screen leben
90} Red-breasted Nuthatch.......|...].-. e/} ee | a Bae |p vale ie ab 2 1 2 2 Seales
91|xBlack-capped Chickadee...... m/|m/m|m/]cec}]1{|c}e|]cjc} fil f f 10 | 10 | 15 |} 10 5
92)xHudsonian Chickadee........]... f}]f£]6]...]15 | ¢ J20|/m{|m] fle c 5 5 | 10 Zraltetors
93| Golden-crowned Kinglet......]...]..-. e|e|e}|4}efmi|m]ej}]cje © m}]mm/|mm} m| 10
94| Ruby-crowned Kinglet.......|...].-.]---|---]---|---]---f 2 | 1 |---]---]--- 1 Aas peut! LAR ues I al Thon gel Pac eee | SMa be Bie
95| Gray-cheeked Thrush........]...].--fe--]---}e--]---[eeefee |e cc ]e ee] ee [ee Pees -|e es dees efeee- 7 Festa ha ae SE
96|xOlive-backed Thrush.........|...]...J---|---[---]---]ee-fe--]e-e[-e-[---|--- Pee: 1 (Oo) |Seeeal earn laos
97|xHermit Thrush............-.]-.-|-.-[-<-|-<- WY ae se Ie} 38 Bh Ihe 2, 7 Big bcpecaresl acount eteysts

Items in Column 9 marked with subscript F, also Col. 28 were observed at Franz.

February, 1930]

that end of Lake Manitowik without finding any
more birds of this species. This location is some
200 miles eastward of the point where Walter
N. Koelz collected a single specimen July 27,
1922 as reported in The Canadian Field-Naturalist
of 1923, page 118.

Melospiza melodia melodia. SONG SPARROW.—
This species was occasionally seen throughout
our stay, but nowhere was it common for the
habitat in general is not to its liking. On August
9th at Franz a nest with well feathered young
was found in a bush three feet above ground near
the bank of the lake. The nest was discovered
by noticing the parents carrying food.

Dendroica caerulescens caerulescens. BLACK-
THROATED BLUE WARBLER.—This species was
seen occasionally and on August 16th parents
were seen feeding young in a jackpine forest.

Dendroica virens. BLACK-THROATED GREEN
WARBLER.—This species was more common than
the last and on August 18th young birds were
seen being fed.

Dendroica vigorsi vigorsi. PINE WARBLER.—
On August 16th in the jackpine forest bordering
the little river entering South Bay of Lake
Manitowik were seen the parents of this species
feeding young not long from the nest. Others
of the species were heard here, but all had left
the locality on the 21st. This is well to the north
of the published range and we regret that none
were collected.

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 33

Setophaga ruticilla. REDSTART.—This species
was seen in small numbers during our stay and
on August 27th was plentiful in migration, at
which time young were seen being still fed by the
parents.

Penthestes hudsonicus hudsonicus. HUDSON-
IAN CHICKADEE.—From August 10th for about

_two weeks Hudsonian Chickadees were common,

the young birds were with the adults but be-
ginning to shift for themselves. Both young
and old were in nearly complete molt. Toward
the end of the month they were much less com-
mon and it is probable that they had completed
their molt and moved southward.

In 1926 while the senior author was located
some 70 miles further south (Agawa Bay) no
Hudsonian Chickadees were seen until August
29th at which time the molt was practically
completed. See Canadian Field-Naturalist,
Vol XLI, No.1, page 7. (January, 1927).

In the Lake Manitowik region during the middle
of August the only thrushes seen were Hermit
Thrushes, Hylocichla guttata pallasi which were
commonly seen feeding young too small to have
flown from any distance. Between August
22-25, Olive-backed Thrushes, Hylocichla ustu-
lata swainsoni and Gray-cheeked Thrushes,
Hylocichla aliciae aliciae appeared as migrants.

The accompanying tabulation exhibits a daily
record of the birds observed along the Upper
Michipicoten River by the authors from August
9th to 28th, 1928.

SOME INTRODUCED MOLLUSCS
By F. R. LATCHFORD

Helix nemoralis Linn.—By a _ round-about
route, there reached me recently a full-grown
living specimen of this foreign mollusc, which
had been collected climbing a raspberry cane in
a garden at Owen Sound. So far as I am aware,
it is the first of the species ever found in this
province. The collector was Mr. Arthur E.
Rankin, who sent it to Mr. J. Roland Brown,
the well known naturalist of Hamilton, who sent
it to me about two months after its capture.
The apicial whorls are bright yellow in color,
beautifully banded, while the body is of a rich
brown and dark lipped.

In my note on “‘Land and Fluviatile Shells of
Anticosti”, published in the American Naturalist
for October, 1884, I recorded it under the name
hortensis, then commonly applied to the pale-
lipped variety of nemoralis, as among the molluscs
on that lone island collected in the previous year
by my friend, the late distinguished field-natural-
ist, John Macoun.

The shell had long been known to occur along
the lower St. Lawrence from Quebec to Gaspé,
and in the coastal region of Maine and Massa-
chusetts. A large introduced colony exists in
the interior of Virginia, from which I have many
specimens, a few yellow “‘selfs’, but nearly all
zoned with dark lines of varying widths.

In my cabinet, from Wood’s Hole, Mass., is
the small, pale greenish form which Dr. Binney
thought distinct and named sub-globosa. It is,
however, merely a variety.

H. nemoralis is widely distributed in western
Europe. It does not burrow like our native
helices, but is a surface feeder and a climber.
The latter habit and its brilliant coloring render
it easily visible to its principal enemies, the birds
of the thrush family. However great its numbers,
it does little injury in gardens and is not likely
to become a pest anywhere in Canada. My
specimen seems to thrive on a lettuce diet, but
may feel lonely for lack of company.

34 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

Lymnaea auricularia Linn.—Two living speci-
mens of this European pond snail were. found
alive on Nov. 8, 1929, at Sunnyside, in the west
end of Toronto. The species was not previously
known to occur in Canada though it had been
noticed in the United States in more than one
public park, where it had probably been intro-
duced on aquatic plants. The shells found are
not distinguishable in any respect from specimens
in my cabinet received from the late W. C. Hey,
of York, England.

Valvata piscinalis Mull.—In 1912, near where
L. auricularia was found early in the present
month, I found quite a number of living specimens
of a small shell which was unknown to me and
unassignable to any species described in any list
of American molluscs which I possessed. I sent
specimens to my old-time correspondent and
friend, Dr. Bryant Walker, of Detroit, who
identified them as of this European species which
had not previously been noticed in America.
I have seen no mention since of its occurrence

[Vou. XLIV

elsewhere. The original beach at Sunnyside has
long been destroyed by the improvements to the
harbor; and the unique occurrence may be worthy
of wider publicity that it received in ““The Natural
History of the Toronto Region”, published by
The Canadian Institute in 1913.

The mollusc is larger and more conical than our -
common V. sincera and V. tricarinata, and more
nearly resembles, if the lines of the operculum
are disregarded, an overgrown amnicola.

VY. piscinalis is mentioned in the Canadian
Journal of National Science, Vol. vi., 1861, p.
328, as having been found in the environs of
Toronto by A. E. Williamson, and, p. 498, in
pleistocene deposits near Owen Sound by Pro-
fessor Chapman. Identification of the shells
was difficult at the time and both were un-
doubtedly V. sincera, an indigenous species
commonly met with in accumulations of marl.

Osgoode Hall, Toronto, Nov. 12, 1929.

CHRISTMAS BIRD CENSUS, 1929

LONDON, ONTARIO, December 28th, 1929.—
It had been the intention of the Mellwraith
Ornithological Club to take their Christmas
Census on Saturday, Dec. 21st, but the weather
conditions of the preceeding week, when blizzard
conditions prevailed, induced us to put it off for
one week as it was thought that the number of
birds found would not fairly represent those
actually present.

The following Saturday, the 28th, saw better
temperatures, but in the meantime a thaw had
set in which made walking cross country a la-
borious effort, and travel by automobile, except
on the main highways, almost impossible.

A company of eighteen observers were divided
into thirteen parties, some working in the morning,
others in the afternoon, practically from daylight
until dark. The districts surrounding the city
north, south, east and west were all visited,
particular attention being paid to the Thames
valley west from the city. Some parties re-
ported as many as 18 or 19 species while others,
covering what is usually good territory, had to
return with only 4 or 5. One species, the Chicka-
dee, was seen by every one of the thirteen parties.

Temperature 34° at 8a.m., 34° at 1pm. 30°
at 7p.m. Wind, south-west, light. About one
foot of snow on the level, wet owing to the recent
thaw. Sky overcast except for about one hour
_ during the afternoon, light and visibility poor in
the early morning and again towards evening.

Herring Gull 6. American Merganser 25.
Black Duck 11. American Goldeneye 36. Wil-
son’s Snipe 1 at a place where the ground was
kept open by a spring. Quail 8, a covey of seven
and a single bird. Grouse 1, and tracks of
another at a different place. Pheasant 25.
Cooper’s Hawk 1. Red-tailed Hawk 1, two others
shot recently. Long-eared Owl 1. Screech
Owl 5. Great-horned Owl 2. Kingfisher 3.
Hairy Woodpecker 12. Downy Woodpecker 35.
Sapsucker (?) 1, got away before it could be
positively identified. Flicker 1. Blue Jay 54.
Crow 359. Starling 153, many at a dump but
generally distributed as well. Meadowlark 1,
at the dump with the starlings, ete. Bronzed
Grackle 1, at the same dump. (The red tail was
at this dump, too, by the way). Pine Grosbeak
51, down from the north this year in good num-
bers and generally distributed. The first visita-
tion of any account since the winter of 1921-1922.
Purple Finch 8. Goldfinch 28. Pine Siskin 20.
Snow Bunting 238, quite common this winter.
English Sparrow, hundreds. Tree Sparrow 71.
Junco 33. Song Sparrow 2. Cardinal 31, this
species is increasing splendidly. Northern Shrike
le Brown Creeper 2. White-breasted Nut-
hatch 48. Black-capped Chickadee 160. Golden-
crowned Kinglet 7.

Total, 38 species, 1438 individuals, plus English
Sparrows.

Also seen recently but missed on the census,

February, 1930]

Marsh Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Catbird
(Dee. 11th).

It is now twenty years since our club made
their first census report, a start being made in
1910 when four observers sent in a list of seven
species. The number of both observers and
species reported has increased materially since
then and the end is not yet, we hope.—E. M. S.
DALE, Secretary, McIlwraith Ornithological Club.

SUMMERLAND, OKANAGAN LAKE, BRITISH COL-
UMBIA, December 22nd, 1929.—From 8.30 a.m.
to 3.30 p.m. Very strong south wind. Cloudy,
with snow in the air in the morning; depth of
snow, from 4 inches to 15 inches. Average tem-
perature 38 degrees. Along four miles of lake-
front and adjoining fruit-benches, back to pine-
clad hills. Area covered, about ten square miles.
Observers separate.

Herring Gull 4, American Golden-eye 2, Buffle-
head 3, Canada Goose 5, Wilson’s Snipe 2, Kill-
deer 3, Pheasant 107, Hungarian Partridge 6,
California Quail 355, Goshawk 1, Pigeon Hawk 2,
Bald Eagle 1, Hairy Woodpecker 4, Batchelder’s
Woodpecker 2, Red-shafted Flicker 44, Magpie 51,
Clarke’s Nutcracker 1, Red-winged Blackbird 50,
Brewer’s Blackbird 3, Evening Grosbeak 42,
Pine Grosbeak 25, Redpoll 1120, Goldfinch 195,
Pine Siskin 550, Snow Bunting 1, Tree Sparrow 2,
Schufeldt’s Junco 650, Song Sparrow 49, Towhee
1, Bohemian Waxwing 870, Northern Shrike 2,
Dipper 2, Slender-billed Nuthatch 4, Red-
breasted Nuthatch 1, Pigmy Nuthatch 5, Long-
tailed Chickadee 81, Mountain Chickadee 20,
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1.

Total species 39. Total individuals 4,365.
Also fifty English Sparrows.—S. A. LIDDELL,
E. M. Tait AND H. M. SIMPSON.

VINELAND, ONTARIO, December 28th, 1929.—
4 observers in the field from 8.30 a.m. to 12.30
p.m., visiting by automobile various types of
country, including lake shore, marsh, fields, and
woods. Weather overcast and misty, tempera-
ture 33°, considerable soft snow on the ground.
Herring Gull 1, English Ring-necked Pheasants 7,
Sparrow Hawk 1, Hairy Woodpecker 1, Downy
Woodpecker 3, Flicker 2, Blue Jay 1, Crow 2,
English Sparrow, Golden Finch 1, Tree Spar-
row 38, Junco 20, Song Sparrow 2, White-
breasted Nuthatch 4, Black-capped Chickadee 30.
Total 15 species, 113 individuals, plus English
Sparrows.—G. H. Dickson, W. J. K. Harxk-
NESS, W. E. HuriBurt, BE. F. PALMER.

CHAMBLY, QUEBEC, (near Montreal), Decem-
ber 22nd, 1929.—10 a.m. to 4.20 p.m., clear,

ture zero at start, 10° at return.

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 85

nearly two feet of snow in woods, temperature
zero, 10 miles on foot, observers together.

Merganser (species ?) 3, Ruffed Grouse 4 (tracks
of about twelve noted), Hairy Woodpecker 1,
Downy Woodpecker 1, Starling 75, Pine Gros-
beak 1, Redpoll 20, Snow Bunting 7, White-
breasted Nuthatch 1, Red-breasted Nuthatch 4,
Black-capped Chickadee 65 (well distributed).
Chickadees were exceptionally well distributed.
Throughout the day we were nearly always
within hearing of their calls; the Starlings, on the
other hand, were all seen in one group, feeding
about a refuse heap.

Total 11 species, 182 individuals.—H. A. C.
JACKSON, R. A. OUTHET, L. M. TERRILL (Province
of Quebec Society for the Protection of Birds).

CAPE DorSET, BAFFIN ISLAND, N.W.T., De-
cember 27th, 1928.—9.30 am. to 2.15 p.m.
Accompanied by Henry Voisey, interpreter of the
Hudson’s Bay Company from Dorset Post for
about ten miles on snowshoes down the east
coast of Dorset Island, along the base of the
Kingnait Range to the west and then over the
mountains at an altitude of 1000 feet to the
coast at Kepata Strait; the return was made
through “The Gap’ (800’) on the east flank
of Cairn Mountain to the post. Region treeless,
and most of the lowly Arctic vegetation covered
with snow varying in depth from a few inches to
several feet. Observers together. Weather
clear and calm; temperature 8° to 2°F.

Birds observed: 1 Northern Raven.

Tracks of Rock Ptarmigan noted on the side
of the Kingnait Range at 750 feet. During the
week, the Eskimos reported the presence of
Mandt’s Guillemot and the Northern Eider at
the floe-edge south of Cape Dorset. Recorded
temperatures for this period varied from — 20° to
17°F .—J. DEWEY SOPER.

PAKENHAM, ONTARIO, December 24th, 1929.—
9 am. to 12 am., 1.15 pm. to 4.15 pm. Fair,
bright, sunshine; slight westerly wind; tempera-
18 inches of
snow. One observer rode 18 miles on wood
sleigh, two observers (together) travelled 6 miles
on snowshoes.

Canada Ruffed Grouse 11, Hairy Woodpecker 1,
Blue Jay 3, Canada Jay 2, Starling 1, Pine Gros-
beak 2, (one rosy male), Redpoll 2, Snow Bunting
31, Black-capped Chickadee 6. :

Total 9 species, 59 individuals. (The two
Canada Jays were at our feeding station. At
least four have been about since November 8th.
A Northern Shrike, Pileated Woodpecker and

36 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

White-breasted Nuthatch are residents).—EDNA
G. Ross.

HAMILTON, ONTARIO, December 28th, 1929.—
The annual bird census taken by members of
the Hamilton Bird Protection Society, took
place on Saturday, December 28, and a fine list
of birds was handed in, despite difficulties caused
by the recent heavy snowfall. Four parties
covered the territories from the San to Albion
mills, through the Wesdale bird sanctuary and
around the marsh, as well as the highway across
the bay. In all, over one thousand birds were
seen, comprising thirty-five species. The list
follows: White-breasted Nuthatch, Chickadees,
Ruffed Grouse, Downy Woodpeckers, Snow
Bunting, Hairy and Red-headed Woodpeckers,
Tree Sparrow, Slate-colored Junco, Kentucky
Cardinal, Goldfinch, Starlings, Pine Grosbeak,
Evening Grosbeak, Blue Jays, Red-shouldered
Hawk, Ring-necked Pheasant, Crows, Herring
Gulls, Great Black-backed Gulls, Glaucous Gulls,
Black Ducks, Buffleheads, Greater Scaup, Lesser
Scaup, American Goldeneye, White-winged Scoter,
Hooded Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser,
American Merganser, Mallard, Holboell Grebes,
Horned Grebes, Common Loon, Ring-billed
Gulls.

On December 30 other birds were noted, but
not included in this list. Chief among these
was a flock of 50 purple finch, proving that the
birds are here, if a person has the time and
patience to look for them.

BRANT COUNTY, ONTARIO, December 28th,
1929.—The Brant County Ornithological Asso-
tion, now a little over one year old, held its second
Christmas Bird Census on Saturday, Dec. 28th,
’ and while far from satisfactory to some of its
members was a decided improvement over last
year when almost the entire club was sick with the
*flu.. Following is the report of the Bird Census.

Three field parties were out in three localities
as follows: Party No.1, H. Fulcher. Along west
bank of Grand River from T. H. & B. Ry. crossing
south to Bell Homestead and returning via
Farrington Heights and county roads to Brant-
ford on foot covering about 5 miles from 1 p.m.
till dark. Party No. 2, N. Perry and W. G. Neff
took Radial north from Brantford to Oak Park
stop, continued north from stop to Old Alabastine
mines below Paris, then followed down river
towards Brantford to Whiteman’s Creek, followed
up creek valley about 1 mile and returned to
river then followed the general course of river
back to Brantford, covering about 14 miles on
foot from 10 am. till dark. Party No. 3, G.
Haddow, D. Williams, north-east from city at

[VoL. XLIV

Grand St. to Eddy’s Bush, east to Lynden road
and returned to city at West St., 1 p.m. till dark,
covered 6 miles on foot. There was a heavy
fog till about 3.30 p.m. making visibility poor,
which did not completely break up till nearly
sunset. The temperature at noon was about
41°F and walking rather heavy owing to depth
of snow which was about 18” in the open and
became quite slushy after noon. Following is
the aggregate census of the three parties:
Herring Gull 10, American Merganser 4, Ring-
neck Pheasants 9 (tracks and stools numerous
showing remarkable increase of this species in
last three years), Goshawk 1, Long-eared
Owl 1; (found fresh killed) Screech Owl 1;
Kingfisher 2, Hairy Woodpecker 9, Blue Jay
It American Crow 3, Starling 1000 plus or
minus, Downy Woodpecker 9, Tree Sparrow
25, Slate-colored Junco 28, Cardinal 6, (two others
heard), North- ern Shrike 3, Brown Creeper 7,,
White-breasted Nuthatch 17, Black-capped Chick-
adee 173, Golden-crowned Kinglet 2. Total 20 spec-
ies 13821 individuals plus the House Sparrows.
Worthy of note is the absence of Snowflakes,
Horned Larks, and Redpolls which areually us
abundant in this vicinity also absence of Ruffed
Grouse and abundance of Pheasants. It is also
gratifying to us to note that Cardinals are steadily
increasing in South Brant at least. North Brant,
which is considerably higher in elevation, has no
Cardinals to our knowledge.—BRANT COUNTY
ORNITHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION, W. G. NEFF,
President, G. N. Perry, Secretary-Treasurer.

ARNPRIOR, ONTARIO, December 25th, 1929.—
9am.to5 p.m. Cloudy with light snow; 16
inches of snow; wind east, light; temperature 8°
at start, 12° at return. Distance covered twenty
miles on snowshoes. Observers separate,, one
travelling south-east from Arnprior through
Nopiming Crown Game Sanctuary to Marshalls
Bay and return, the other working north-east
from Arnprior along the shores of the Madawaska
River and Lac des Chats to the village of Brae-
side, returning about one mile inland.

Canada Ruffed Grouse 22, Hairy Woodpecker 1,
Downy Woodpecker 2, Blue Jay 7, European
Starling 8, Evening Grosbeak 63, Pine Grosbeak
53, Redpoll 56, Pine Siskin 35, Snow Bunting 7,
House Sparrow 1 plus, Brown Creeper 1, White-
breasted Nuthatch 4, Red-breasted Nuthatch 10,
Black-capped Chickadee 86. Total, 15 species,
356 plus individuals. ;

Probably the most pleasing feature of the
above list is the number of Ruffed Grouse observed
today. After several years of alarming scarcity,
this valuable and interesting species has apparently

nS

ee

February, 1930]

come back. While all but one of the birds were
found within the confines of Nopiming Sanctuary,
observations made and reports received from
various sections of the country surrounding
Arnprior indicate a very gratifying increase.

The scarcity of Woodpeckers of all species
and the abundance of the Red-breasted Nut-
hatch are noteworthy. A heavy crop of spruce
cones undoubtedly accounts for the presence of
the latter species, it being the first time since
1925 that we have been able to include it in our
Christmas list. All the Evening Grosbeaks
observed today were found in one flock, feeding
as usual on the fruit of the Manitoba Maple
(Negundo aceroides).

During the past autumn, the unusual abundance
of the Canada Jay attracted wide attention.
The species was first observed on September 22
and from that date until about the middle of
November it was noted in all parts of Renfrew
County. | While it is a permanent resident in
the northern extremity of the County, it is a
very unusual visitant at Arnprior and rarely
appears in as large numbers as it did on this
occasion.

Seen recently: December 26th, American
Golden-eye; December 31st, Northern Shrike.—
CHARLES MACNAMARA AND LIGUORI GORMLEY.

CoMox, VANCOUVER ISLAND, B.C. 27th Dec-
ember, 1929.—10.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Weather
stormy at start, later fine. Temperature about
45°. Five miles on foot. Along river bank and
then shore line, Courtenay to Comox Harbour.
Observers together.

- Western Grebe 2, Holboell’s Grebe 1, Horned
Grebe 9, Loon 5, Red-throated Loon 1, Glau-
cous Winged Gull 200*, Shortbilled Gull 100*,
White Crested Cormorant 1, Violet Green Cor-
morant 1, American Merganser 2, Redbreasted
Merganser 50*, Hooded Merganser 1, American
Widgeon 1500*, Canvas-back Duck 4, Pintail 2,
Mallard 1000*, Greater Scaup and Lesser Scaup
400*, American Golden Eye 500*, Barrow Golden
Hye 1*, Buffle-head 100*, American Scoter 1%*,
White Winged Scoter 3000*, Surf Scoter 500*,
North West Heron 1, Coot 21, Oregon Ruffed
Grouse 3, Bald Eagle 1, Kingfisher 2, Harris’
Woodpecker 1, Flicker 1, Stellar’s Jay 1, North
Western Crow 125*, Meadowlark 1, Brewer’s
Blackbird 50*, California Purple Finch 1, Pine
Siskin 15, Oregon Junco 50*, Fox Sparrow 3,
Oregon Towhee 12, North Western Bewick Wren
3, Winter Wren 12, Orgeon Chickadee 8*, Golden-
crowned Kinglet 2, California Quail 25, English

* Estimated and certainly more.

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 37

Pheasant 8, House Sparrow 1.—THEED PEARSE
and D. and P. GUTHRIE.

KINGSTON, ONTARIO, December 27th, 1929.—
1p.m.to5p.m. Cloudy; 3 feet of snow; wind,
south-west, fresh; temperature 34°; lakes, rivers
and creeks frozen over with heavy ice. Six
miles on foot; observer alone.

Herring and Ring-billed Gulls 200, Glaucous
Gull 1, Crows 75, Starlings 100, Snow Buntings 15,
Chickadees 5. Total 7 species, about 400 in-
dividuals. No Pheasants seen but numerous
tracks noted in the deep snow.— EDWIN BEAUPRE.

TORONTO, ONTARIO, December 22nd, 1929.—
Sunday, December 22nd was chosen by the
Brodie Club of Toronto as the day for their
5th Christmas bird census. The choice was a
fortunate one and the weather was ideal for the
occasion. The sun shone for the greater part
of the day, making one of the few sunny days in
the month, and the temperature was just low
enough to make outdoor work brisk, the mean
for the day being 19. The wind was light, from
9 to 14 miles, from the West and Northwest.

A heavy blanket of snow has covered the ground
since early in the month and rain and sleet
during the third week formed a hard crust which
make walking delightful everywhere. This
enabled the observers to cover much more ground
than would have been possible in soft snow.

Seven parties worked the Toronto area from
the lake shore North, East, and West of the City.
Twenty-two individuals contributed to the list.

First party—Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Thompson,
C. Richards and F. Smith. Eastern Don Valley.
8.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. Sixteen species.

Second party—J. L. Baillie, R. and F. Dingman,
A. Patterson. North of the City to York Mills.
8.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. Fifteen species.

Third party—K. J. Deacon. West branch of
the Don River from Leaside Northward. 10 a.m.
tol p.m. Five species.

Fourth party—T. F. Mcllwraith, R. J. Rutter,
E. Q. Bitton, Ralph Bennett. Lake shore from
Woodbine Beach on the East to Toronto Ex-
hibition Grounds on the West. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sixteen species. , .

Fifth party—Dr. Paul Harrington, R. V. Lind-
say, John Townson, W. Owens. Sunnyside
Beach, High Park, Humber Valley North to
Lambton. 8am.tolp.m. Twenty-six species.

Sixth party—C. Hope, L. J. Milne, H. P.
Stovell. Northwest of City, Mount Dennis and
Cedarvale. 8a.m.to3.15p.m. Nineteen species.

38 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

Credit River
9.15 am. to

Seventh party—F. H. Emery.
valley in vicinity of Erindale.
3 p.m. Fourteen species.

Total birds seen, including five reported by
Mr. J. H. Fleming:

Great Black-backed Gull 8, Herring Gull 287,
Ring-billed Gull 19, American Merganser 16,
Secaup Duck 108, Golden-eye 209, Buffle-head 2,
Old Squaw 300, Ring-necked Pheasant 2, Ruffed
Grouse 7, Cooper’s Hawk 2, Red-tailed Hawk 1,
Red-shouldered Hawk 1, Sparrow Hawk 2,
Long-eared Owl 2, Screech Owl 1, Hawk Owl 1,
Hairy Woodpecker- 12, Downy Woodpecker 16,
Red-headed Woodpecker 2, Blue Jay 18, Canada
Jay 1, Crow 7, Starling 314, Rusty Blackbird 1,
Pine Grosbeak 34, Purple Finch 6, House Sparrow
abundant, uncounted, Redpoll 70, Goldfinch 29,
Pine Siskin 155, Snow Bunting 99, Lapland
Longspur 3, Tree Sparrow 118, Junco 10, Song
Sparrow 4, Swamp Sparrow 1, Northern Shrike 4,
Winter Wren 2, White-breasted Nuthatch 9,
Chickadee 138. 41 species, 2016 individuals.
The House Sparrow is not included in the in-
dividual count.

Although exactly the same number of species
were seen this year as last, an analysis of the
records for 1929 shows a much higher percentage
of Winter birds, both in species and individuals,
and a correspondingly low number of those half-
hardy summer birds which are usually repre-
sented. Four strictly Winter birds appear for
the first time—Hawk Owl, Canada Jay, Lapland
Longspur and Pine Grosbeak. The first three
are quite rare here but the Grosbeak, though
missed on other censuses, appears at Toronto
in some numbers practically every winter. Ruffed
Grouse are always to be found in the Credit
Valley but this locality is included this year for
the first time. The Red-headed Woodpecker
and Rusty Blackbird, two new representatives
of species with more Southern winter distribution
were both observed by number 5 party in High
Park, which place also yielded the “find” of the
‘day, the Hawk Owl. The Brown Creeper is
absent from the census for the first time and local
observers have noted a scarcity of Creepers this
Autumn and Winter.

Other birds seen recently at Toronto and not
included on the above list include:

Holboell’s Grebe, Glaucous Gull, Meadowlark,
Evening Grosbeak, White-throated Sparrow,
Cardinal and Robin.—THE BropiE Cus, R. J
RUTTER, Secretary.

ATHENS, ONTARIO, December 30th, 1929.—
Time: 10 am—l p.m., 2.30 pm-5 pm. Dis-
tance: 8 miles on foot. Temperature: 28° at

[VoL: XLIV

start, 27° on return. Weather conditions; dull
and cloudy all day, a strong south-west breeze
during the whole time. A strong crust made
excellent walking and a light snow on top gave
splendid tracking conditions.

Area covered: start made one mile west of

Athens on Delta road. South to cedar swamp
and pine woods, then north-west across ‘‘Oakleaf’”’
road to another pine wood and return.’ In
afternoon, travelled north from same starting
place to a dense evergreen wood and swamps.
Birds Identified

Great Horned Owl 1, Bluejay 6, Ruffed Grouse
9, Snow Bunting 30, Redpoll 25, Junco (?) 1,
Chickadee 25, White-breasted Nutthatch 2. Total:
species 8, individuals 99—MurRAy W. CurTIS.

OTTAWA, ONTARIO, December 22nd, 1929.—
Twenty observers, grouped in nine parties, co-
operated in taking the Christmas Bird Census of
1929 in the Ottawa area, on December 22nd.
Wintry weather had prevailed at Ottawa since
the closing days of November, and in consequence
the ground was covered with about fifteen inches
of snow, on top of which was a crust, formed by
a fall of sleet, that was not quite strong enough
to support the weight of a man. This made
walking very difficult, either with or without
snowshoes, confined the observers to travelled
roads to an unusual extent, and forced some of
them at times to proceed on all fours!

The result of the strenuous efforts of the
census-takers is a very interesting report, showing
3,031 individual birds, of 24 species, as present
in the area on the census-day. These include,
in spite of the wintry conditions, such half-
hardy species as the Goldfinch, Tree Sparrow, and
Song Sparrow.

It is interesting to note that the introduced
European Starling, which first appeared in our
Christmas Bird Census in 1924, has not failed to
appear in it each year since then, and, during the
past few years, has been reported in ever-increasing
numbers, which this year have reached 617,
giving this species third place in the list in point
of abundance.

The personnel of the observing groups and the
routes that they followed are stated below.
Routes followed in previous censuses are referred
to by numbers, which are explained in The Cana-
dian Field-Naturalist, Vol. XXXIX, p. 24;
Vol. XL, p. 12; and Vol. XLI, pp. 9-10.

First Party: Wilmot Lloyd, Elizabeth Lloyd,
Helen Lloyd, H. A. Lloyd, Route 1 (but Rock-
cliffe Park to Rifle Ranges only), 3 miles on foot,
8.00 a.m. to 9.30 a.m. and then feeding station
all day. SECOND Party: C. E. Johnson and

February, 1930]

C. M. Sternberg, Route 2, 8 miles by auto, 8 on
foot, 8.45 a.m. to 3.45 p.m. THIRD PARTY:
D. B. DeLury and R. E. DeLury, Route 3,
16 miles on foot, 9.00 a.m. to 4.20 p.m. FourtTH
Party: W. H. Lanceley and F. H. Ostrom,
Route 4, 2 miles by street-car, 10 on foot, 10.30
a.m. to 3.30 p.m. FirtH Party: Robert Lock-
wood and Harlow Wright, Route 5, 15 miles
by street-car, 12 on foot, 7.30 a.m. to 4.45 p.m.
Route 6, unoccupied. SixTH Party: Harrison
F. Lewis and Grant Lathe, Route 7, 14 miles by
auto, 16 on foot, 7.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. SEVENTH
Party: Hoyes Lloyd and B. A. Fauvel, Route 8,
19 miles by auto, 5 on foot, 8.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m.

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 39

Routes 9 and 10, unoccupied. EIGHTH Party:
R. Sternberg and Joseph Skillen, Route 1a,
southeast to Rideau Park and return, 18 miles
on foot, 9.00 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. NINTH Party:

_D. Baker and A. Larocque, Route 12, south to

Leitrim and vicinity, east of Metcalfe Road,
25 miles on foot, 9.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m.

WEATHER: Local sunrise, 7.43 a.m.; local sun-
set, 4:21 p.m. Cloudiness 10%; wind light
northwest morning and evening, stronger at
noon; ground covered with 15 to 18 inches of
snow; temperature 0° at 7.30 a.m., 6° at 3.00 p.m.,
0° at 6.00 p.m.

———— es

ROUTE NUMBERS

SPECIES 1 2 3 4 5 1 rove 12
Uae rt A AI Uhl YY hry Mt) ne) Se ae
American Merganser.......... 4 4
American Golden-eye.......... 3 28 oie
Canada Ruffed Grouse......... 2 1 3
Great. Horned Owl .”....0.,.....;. het 1
Hairy Woodpecker............ 4 1 Hf 2 8
Downy Woodpecker........... 4 3 1 1 1 3 13
JB1NEI ATEN a DI are abe aay ehekir rE 1 il 2 3 2 9
Gamad aeVanyey ei re gti es as 2 2
GLOW a wea AP oy ae eae leh a 160 28 19 23 230
Barling esas shu else ya gee 500 95 9 3 10 617
PinesGrosbealk® s.r appt auial aw. 1 69 3 5) 3 81
House Sparrows.) 37.72 hant sis ° 530 100 Ste IAT, 18 47 I 15 836
Crosspillin(spe) eye lc ena Se 14 14
TREC Gl ea tai ae bee Os ale ite 78 11 18 107
EON CG hoa Cl siggy a meee a 2 2
Pines S ISAM He oe, AS el WOES ans 3 4 7
Siow Sabin ed, eee, Bee ese 426 126 1 76 TOMA 50 856
Bree Sparrow, .a) 055 4 pi. kit 2 2
SoneeSparkow iawn his Ga ee 1 1
Northern; Shrike «3.2/0 05 24... 2 2 4
White-breasted Nuthatch...... 3 , 3 2 1 3 14
Red-breasted Nuthatch........ 12 12
Chickadee (Black-capped)...... 12 15 13 5 87 10 7 15 10 174
ERO eye apa! ey. Se Eten bo Uf 3 ; 3
Total individuals:,.-2t0 0... ZA GAG oo be 2 14 69 198 96 3031
hotalespeciestetya.i0-4 ene eS 5 13 14 5 14 9 5 5 9 24

A Barred Owl had been seen frequently, during the previous month and a half, near the residence
of R. EH. DeLury, but was missed on the 22nd, although seen December 21st.—Harrison F. LEwIs.

40 THE CANADIAN FIBELD-NATURALIST

[VoL. XLIV

GLIMPSES OF LITTLE-KNOWN WESTERN LAKES AND THEIR BIRD LIFE
By J. A. MUNRO

(Continued from page 17)

Stump LAKE, BRITISH COLUMBIA

TUMP LAKE, in the Nicola Valley,
British Columbia, is approximately five
miles long and half a mile wide. It
lies north and south between high,

grass-covered hills which, on the west side, are

entirely open except for occasional isolated

Douglas firs, growing chiefly along certain narrow
coulees. The eastern slopes, comprising the
areas still held by the Crown in the name of the
Province of British Columbia, are fairly well
wooded with Douglas fir. The shore line is
irregular with numerous bays and stony points;
the water clear, deep and slightly alkaline.
Beaches are chiefly of hard sand and gravel.
The upper portions in many places are strewn
with rounded boulders, those nearest the water
being coated with alkaline deposit. A small bed
of bog-rush occurs in a bay near the south end
of the lake and there are probably other patches,
but generally speaking there is little aquatic
vegetation. Fresh-water shrimps are plentiful
and perhaps form the chief animal food of the
ducks frequenting the lake which, at the time
of my visit, were represented by Lesser Scaups
and Barrow’s Golden-eye, the latter, which were
courting, being in the majority.

Stump Lake has long been famous for its goose
shooting. Geese come to the lake for sand, to
rest on the open water and occasionally to feed
on the grass along the adjacent hillsides. The
chief feeding-ground, however, is reported to be
on the “dry farms” on the hills between Stump
Lake and Kamloops.

VASEAUX LAKE, BRITISH COLUMBIA

Vaseaux Lake, one of a chain of lakes in the
Okanagan System, harbours each winter a band
of Trumpeter Swans. :

A description of the topography and general
bird life of the region will be found in Volume
XXXVII of The Canadian Field-Naturalist, pp.
66-69; “Bird Notes made at Vaseaux Lake,
South Okanagan, British Columbia”, by Mr. and
Mrs. T. L. Thacker.

The region at the north end of the lake contains
the most valuable feeding grounds and this is
the portion most frequented by Trumpeter Swans.

Here the lake is shallow and supports a heavy |

growth of aquatic vegetation; in one place the
red water-lily, Nymphaea microphylla, extends

over a space of several acres, the pads touching
or overlapping; sago pondweed, Potamogeton
pectinatus—and this is a favorite food of the
Trumpeter in winter, the seeds being scooped up
from the muddy bottom—grows in great pro-
fusion while coontail, Ceratophyllum demersum,
and other water plants are well represented.
The river bottom for two miles north of this point
is approximately half a mile wide, partly marsh
and partly hay meadows, the latter sometimes
inundated during high water. The marsh area
extends several hundred yards along the west
shore of the lake. The river, which varies from
twenty to thirty yards in width, flows through
the east side of the flat and enters the lake at the
north-east corner; on the west side is a narrow
slough or false channel connected, at high water,
with the lake and with the river proper. This
feeding ground is used also by Canada Geese
and ducks of many species, some remaining
during the winter so long as the shallow areas
remain open. JBlue-winged Teal and Cinnamon
Teal, both scarce in the Okanagan Valleym have
been observed on the marsh, and here, on Sep-
tember 7th, 1924, I found seven Wood Ducks,
the first encountered locally, for many years.

Reports of the Trumpeter Swan in the Okanagan
Valley date from its first settlement by white
men in the early seventy’s. Old residents tell
of Swans breeding regularly at Swan Lake near
Vernon and at Vaseaux Lake (then called Swan
Lake also). Perhaps they nested beside other
marshy lakes in this region but of these nesting
grounds we have no definite knowledge nor has
any record been kept of when they last nested in
the valley.

It has been impossible to obtain reliable in-
formation regarding the number of Swans that
wintered or passed through the valley in those
early days. Estimates given by the early settlers.
are contradictory but it is certain that many were
shot. Both Indians and white men killed the
cygnets for food, and later, when the growing
settlement furnished a demand, both adults and
young were killed for their down. Still later,
when sport was the chief incentive to hunting,
the birds were killed for trophies and the de-
struction increased. When feeding in the river
during the late winter it was an easy matter to
stalk them behind the sheltering brush on the
shore and few young hunters could resist such a
tempting target.

By the year 1900 it was apparent to the most

February, 1930]

casual observer that Swans were rapidly de-
creasing in numbers and a certain amount of
sentiment in favour of their protection developed.
Some time later it was brought to the attention
of the Provincial Game Department and swans
were removed from the list of game birds. But
the killing still went on. Usually the birds
were killed by rifle fire and often left to drift ashore
and freeze into the ice—this wanton killing being
confined chiefly to visiting hunters and new-
comers to the valley. The older residents were
beginning to appreciate the aesthetic value of
these splendid birds

Even with continual persecution Trumpeter
Swans were not uncommon as late as 1906, but
the following eight years showed a marked de-
crease. Fewer birds were seen passing over and
a smaller proportion elected to remain through
the winter. Through the duration of the war
when many ranches in the valley were abandoned
and less hunting was done than formerly, the
birds enjoyed a certain degree of immunity and
the wintering flock increased. Thus when Va-
seaux Lake was visited in the winter of 1917-18,
nineteen birds were counted.

During subsequent years the size of the flock
fluctuated, but did not exceed sixteen at any time.
In the winter of 1924-25, six birds were lost
' through lead-poisoning. In the winter of 1926-27
only two birds remained on the lake but this
probably does not indicate a loss of birds for it
is known that two of the bands wintering further
north contained more birds than usual. The
fact that cygnets are always present in the flock,
sometimes even outnumbering the adults, gives
hope for the future of the species. Special pro-
tection has been given the Vaseaux Lake band
during the past eight years, and, as far as known,
none have been shot during that time.

One’s first experience with a hitherto unknown
bird leaves a lasting impression and my first sight
of Trumpeter Swans was no exception to this
rule. From a marshy shore on the west side of
Vaseaux Lake where we had gone in the expecta-
tion of seeing Swans, I examined the expanse
of water with binoculars and soon picked up a
band of five, all adults, swimming close to the
Shore on the opposite side of the lake, which at
this point was outlined with brown, withered
rushes. Against the background burnished by
the setting sun, they fairly glistened in their
snowy whiteness. Powerful binoculars brought
them very near and it was hard to realize that
these magnificent, stately birds were not tame
swans on an artificial lake. A few minutes later
three birds rose from the water and with slow,

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 41

measured , wing-beats flew diagonally across the
lake towards us, quartering a stiff north breeze
that, in its more violent gusts, stirred the shal-
lows into creamy foam. These pitched three
hundreds yards from where we stood and im-
mediately commenced feeding with long necks
submerged to the shoulders. Slowly they worked
up wind close to shore while we watched from
the sheltering brush. Half an hour later the two
remaining birds left the far shore and paddled
swiftly across the lake to join their companions.

Another vivid memory concerns a January day
four years later. This time also we had ap-
proached the lake by a trail along the west side
of the river, not, as is the usual custom, by the
main road on the east side. The river was open
for its entire length; the lake frozen over—clear
glassy ice without drifted snow. The swans
were seen standing on the ice at the mouth of
the river, close to the east shore about three-
quarters of a mile distant. Relaxed in sleep
with necks folded backward they looked like
cream-colored mounds on the clear ice. In order
to obtain a closer view we returned to Okanagan
Falls and continued south on the east side of the
river to a point nearly opposite its mouth. From
there we walked cautiously through the cover
afforded by the antelope bush and small trees
and managed to approach within 200 yards of
the resting birds. In a few moments they
caught sight of us, elevated their long necks in
alarm and soon afterwards took flight. Eleven
birds composed the band, only two being cygnets.
All flew south across the frozen lake in regular
alignment, the two cygnets bringing up the rear,
and were last seen rising in the air to clear the
tree tops at the south end of the lake.

Yet another sight of the great white birds on
February 19th, 1926, will not soon be forgotten.
It had been an unusually mild winter, the first
Mountain Bluebirds had come drifting up the
valley, grass was turning green and in sheltered
places was bright with the gold of early crowfoot.
Earlier in the day, near the south end of the lake
we had watched a flock of 24 American Mer-
gansers, equally divided as to sex, swim out from
the shore, the handsome drakes coruscating in
the noontide light. Handsomest of all were
several individuals who, in every few yards of
progress: flashed their brilliant orange tarsi in
giving the typical back kick of the courtship
display. An adult Bald Eagle, soaring so easily
and gracefully, had terrified a band of Coots,
five hundred strong, so that they gathered in a
eompact mass—a black, swaying carpet moving:
across the water. But these sights were eclipsed

42 THe CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

when we found nine swans, four adults and five
cygnets, feeding in the slough near the mouth of
the river. At one time all were “tipping” showing
only a triangular patch of white above the sur-
face—the end of the tail forming the apex of the
triangle—while black feet paddled furiously to
hold this position. It was a most curious sight,

nine little white tents that suddenly would be.

transformed into graceful, straight-necked Trum-
peters! A short distance beyond them, in com-
parison looking no larger than Buffle-heads,
twenty-three Canada Geese rested on the quiet
water.

Vaseaux Lake is about the northern limit of
the Upper Sonoran association that in a narrow
tongue extends into the Okanagan Valley. The
White-throated Swift and the Canyon Wren nest
in the rugged cliffs that overlook the lake, and
the Sage Thrasher has been found in the sage-
brush hills not far distant. Farther south on a
bald prairie, above the river bottom, Burrowing
Owls nest regularly and on the adjacent hills
are found Long-billed Curlew. In the swampy
river bottom itself, thickly grown up with willow,
alder and birch; many interesting birds aaa
conditions to nen liking.

Here on May 29th, 1926, was heard a wonder-
ful bird chorus when we struck out at 5 a.m;
Willow Thrushes, Bullock’s Orioles, Meadow-
larks, Song Sparrows, Yellow-throats, Western
Kingbirds, House Wrens, each contributed to the
concert. One pleasant recollection of the morn-
ing is that of a resplendent Chat, whistling from
a dead willow top twenty yards away, while the
early sun glittered on his golden breast. Dis-
turbed by a “‘squeak” he dropped into the brush
almost at my feet, peered upward for a second,
then disappeared in the greenery. Later we found
them fairly numerous, the unmistakable whistle
coming from various points in the brush; places
that were found to be usually inaccessible by
reason of the density of growth, or the depth of
water underfoot, or by a combination of both.
Inaceessible, that is, without a great deal of
noise, which effectually silenced the bird before
one was close enough to obtain a glimpse.

It is at Vaseaux Lake that several pairs of
Canada Geese nest yearly in Osprey’s nests as
has before been recorded. During the past
two years a considerable increase of this species
has been noted in the Southern Okanagan Valley.
This valuable feeding ground for water fowl,
where shooting is prohibited, has attracted and
held a large number of geese during migration
and more birds have remained to nest than was
formerly the case. The increase in breeding birds
is due partly to the protection afforded on this

[VoL. XLIV

particular area and partly to the fact that the
cutting of marsh hay is prohibited. Since this
regulation was put into effect there has been ample
nesting cover, and of this the geese have taken
full advantage.

MABEL LAKE, BRITISH COLUMBIA

Mighty hills mirrored in waters of sapphire
blue; clean-barked Mountain White Pines tower-
ing high above lesser hemlocks and cedars;
the mingled resinous scents of many conifers;
the swift-flowing Shuswap where it enters the
lake through a wide swampy bottom; a narrow,
sloping beach of silvery sand and in the back-
ground lofty cottonwoods each with a well de-
fined ring two feet above the ground marking
the height of early summer freshets—such are
September memories of Mabel Lake.

Not a bird country this, the lake is too closed
in, the forest too heavy, but there is some magic
that draws one back year after year. Perhaps
it is the solitude ‘‘pleasantly unpeopled” and the
expectation which solitude inspires; perhaps it
is the comfort of the steadfast hills or the lure of
the sand beach where one may read so many
tales.

And it is to this beach that one first turns in
eagerness to scan its wet margin for traces of the
shy wild-creatures. Thus on a hot September
afternoon we walked on and on around the full
crescent of the shore, marking where a beaver
had dragged poplar branches across the sand
to the swamp beyond, where a bear had drunk,
the irregular wanderings of an inquisitive mink,
the deliberate journey of a muskrat and tracks
of otter, cougar, coyote and mule deer. Of these
none were seen except the deer, a doe and fawn,
which came to the edge of the cottonwoods in
the evening dusk.

Patches of vivid green, where a trickle from the
swamp hardened the sand, suggested Rails but
none were found nor any tracks. The vegetation
in these little swales is chiefly a fine Equisetum
with here and there clumps of slough grass and
spikes of fragrant peppermint. One large meadow
behind the fringing cottonwoods, perhaps 10 acres
or more, was covered with this class of vegetation
and clumps of water parsnip. An inyiting place
it looked and seemed ideal for sparrows but none
could we find save migrant Savannahs.

Sixty species of land birds have been observed
along the lake but few of. these are common.
Amongst the more interesting species are: Ravens
which nest in the cliffs high above the lake;
Bald Eagles and Ospreys that yearly occupy
certain tall cottonwoods; both species of Three-
toed Woodpeckers resident in stands of burnt

February, 1930]

timber; Olive-sided Flycatchers and Rocky
Mountain Jays—these latter indicating a life
zone predominantly Canadian.

Water-fowl are not abundant owing to the
restricted areas of feeding ground on this deep-
water lake. Old residents tell of Trumpeter
Swans wintering regularly until a few years ago
and this is the most interesting species recorded.
Mergansers are fairly common but before dis-
cussing this much-abused species it will be ne-
cessary to present a short topographical sketch
which is pertinent in this connection.

Mabel Lake forms part of the Shuswap River
system which rises in the foothills of the Gold
Range south-west of Revelstoke; flows in a general
southerly direction for approximately fifty miles
to enter Sugar Lake; thence follows the contour
of the Silver hills, south, east, then north, in the
form of a loop and enters Mabel Lake at its
southern end. After leaving Mabel Lake it is
known as the Spullumcheen. Flowing west and
north again in the form of a loop it enters Shuswap
Lake at the southern end of Mara Arm finally to
reach the sea by way of the Thompson and Fraser.
Salmon ascend the river at least as far as Sugar
Lake and smolt of the various species are present
in the river all summer. Game fish common on
this system are the Dolly Varden Charr, Lake
Charr and the so-called Rainbow Trout. Various
coarse fish are also common, namely Williamson’s
Whitefish, Squaw fish, Mullet and a chub-like
fish Myocheilus caurinus.

Thus the American Merganser, which nests
along the river and on portions of the lake shore—
and also winters on the open stretches of river—
has a variety of fish from which to choose. Com-
plaints have been received charging this species
with damage to salmon fry on the Shuswap,
and, while some evidence of this has been noted
it is believed that such damage is negligible.

The only time that Mergansers are abundant
occurs during the run of Kokanee in the autumn.
This fish, a degenerate salmon rarely exceeding
twelve inches in length, ascends the river from
the depths of the lake, spawns and dies. At such
times Mergansers can be seen catching these
fish on their spawning beds and in the shallow
riffes as the fish work up-stream. Thus on
September 19th, 1921, at the height of the Ko-
kanee run, fifty Mergansers were seen at the mouth
of the river where it enters Mabel Lake; some
fishing in the shallows, others standing on a sand
bar a short distance from the river’s mouth.
During the week following, flights of Mergansers
were observed daily; a succession of small bands
descending the river at dusk to spend the night

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 43

on the lake, the return flight to the feeding grounds
taking place before sunrise in the morning.

Mergansers also take the spent fish, as do other
birds, in fact this time of year is a feasting season
for all fish-eating creatures. Thin and poor
after reaching the spawning grounds, Kokanee are
of little economic value and few people resent the
toll taken by Mergansers.

To the swamps, behind the beach at the head
of the lake and along the river, come flocks of
Mallard in the autumn, and Gadwall, Pintail,
Baldpate and Green-winged Teal feed in the
weedy shallows along shore.

The portion of the lake contained within the
Railway Belt is similar to the southern end
which previously has been described. The water
is deep, the shore is rocky with occasional sandy
beaches and at the mouths of the various tribu-
tary creeks are sandy flats where tall cottonwoods
stand out in relief against a background of darker
conifers. The surrounding mountains are high
and rugged, several being over 6500 feet. The
valley narrows at the extreme north end of the
lake and here is the usual cottonwood flat border-
ing a sandy beach. Through this enters the
tributary Wap river and beyond are several
small sloughs outlined by willows. There is a
small shallow bay containing considerable weed
growth, chiefly Potamogeton natans, Potamogeton
perfoliatus and Sagittaria latifolia.

FisH LAKE, BRITISH COLUMBIA

Fish Lake, at an altitude of 4100 feet, 22 miles
south of Kamloops, lies in a narrow valley sur-
rounded by low, timbered hills. Comprising two
separate bodies of water joined by a short, nar-
row channel, this lake is approximately two and
a half miles in length—the lesser portion, known
locally as Little Lake, being half a mile long.
Beside the narrows is a small settlement con-
sisting of a Forest Ranger Station, a summer
hotel and a number of summer cottages. This
district was visited on November 1st, 1921, and
again from June 2nd to June 7th, 1922, inclusive.

The shores of both lakes are timbered with
Murray Pine, Engleman Spruce and Douglas
Fir, Murray Pine being the predominating
species. The water’s edge is bordered by willow
and alder and on the slopes facing the north
shore, conspicuous against the prevailing dark
green of the conifers, are several small stands of
Quaking Aspen. For some distance out from
the shore occurs a sparse growth of bog-rush,
reaching its greatest development in the shallow
water and muddy.bottom at the west end of the
lake and partially hiding the entrance to a stream
which drains the two lakes. This sluggish

AA THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

stream, known as Meadow Creek, flows in a
general south-westerly direction—to empty into
Mammit Lake some eighteen miles distant—
through a wide beaver meadow covered with marsh
grass, its course being defined by clumps of alder
and willow. For some three hundred yards
from its mouth the shores of the stream are
marshy with several species of Potamogetons
and sedges represented. Here the bottom is of
soft, brownish silt but beyond are gravel beds
on a sandy bottom and this portion of the stream
comprises the only spawning ground for trout
in the two lakes.

Approximately four hundred yards down the
stream an old beaver dam has been added to and
made fairly permanent in order to keep the lake
at approximately the same level, and a wooden
box-culvert provides for the passage of fish
during the spawning season On June 3rd fish
up to eighteen inches in length could be seen
passing through this culvert or holding themselves
stationery against the current. Other fish had
congregated in a pool just below the entrance to
the passageway and these frequently broke water.
For a week prior to my arrival in June, 1922,
beaver had been filling the passage-way with
brush every night, entailing daily attention from
the Forest Ranger in order that fish might pass
through. Indications of the beaver’s activities
were noted in other places, the most interesting
being a large beaver-house on the lake shore.

At this time information was sought regarding
the local feeding habits of Loons; this investiga-
tion being the result of complaints received in
connection with alleged damage to fishing interests
caused by this species. In connection with this
work a careful survey of the two divisions of Fish
Lake was made by boat and the shores of a small
marshy lake, several hundred yards inland and
separated from the main lake by a beaver meadow,
was explored on foot. Only one pair of Loons
nested on the main lake. The nest, built on a
smal] sedge-covered island close to the entrance
of a lagoon, was constructed of coarse marsh
grass in the shape of a mound eighteen inches
high and eighteen inches in diameter and con-
tained the usual complement of two eggs. The
nest of a second pair, that occupied the small
marshy lake referred to above, could not be
located owing to the boggy nature of the shore
which prevented wading. A third pair and a
non-breeding female inhabited “Little Lake’.
This made a total of seven birds on the Fish
Lake waters.

Two birds were collected and the stomach con-
tents analysed as follows:—

Adult female (breeding) June 5th, 1922—Gravel

[Vou. XLIV

and a small quantity of comminuted matter,
probably the larvae-cases of caddis.

Adult female, June 6th, 1922—Gravel and a

small quantity of comminuted matter thought
to be the remains of fresh-water shrimps
(Amphipoda).
(The analysis of the stomach contents of an
adult male taken at Mara Lake, B.C., on
May 18th, 1922, is thought to be of sufficient
interest for inclusion here).

Adult male—Gravel remains of the inner sur-
face of shell of the common bivalve of the
region and a portion of the shell of an un-
identified Planorbis.

It was considered that the small number of
loons present could have no appreciable effect
on the supply of trout in a body of water com-
prising one and a half square miles, even if no
other food was taken. That loons feed entirely
on fish is a statement frequently made by sports-
men without supporting data, whereas a study
of the stomach contents of specimens taken in
widely separated districts offers evidence in
contradiction to this generally accepted opinion.

It is reported that the fishing in Fish Lake has
fallen off considerable in recent years and ingenious
theories, such as the destruction of fry by loons,
are offered to account for the scarcity of fish.
Old timers speak regretfully of early days when
hundreds of fish could be caught in a few hours,
not realizing that in such statements lies the true
explanation of the present scarcity. The history
of fishing in Fish Lake is a duplication of what
has occurred in practically every British Columbia
lake made accessible by automobile road. In
some cases depletion is hastened by a lowering
of the water on the spawning beds through its
diversion for irrigating purposes. This is said
to have occurred on Meadow Creek, the sole
spawning grounds for the Fish Lake trout and
in addition to this the creek was dammed by
beaver for two successive years so that fish were
unable to reach the spawning beds. Apparently
a large number of fish still exist in the lake as
many were seen jumping at all times of the day.
With the reduction of fish has probably occurred a
great increase of fresh-water shrimps—the lake
now swarms with them—and the remaining fish
being well fed do not rise to the fly so readily
as formerly.

As was to be expected on a lake frequented by
loons, other species of water-fowl were scarce
and on Fish Lake itself consisted of the following,
viz; one pair of Barrow’s Golden-eye, one pair
of Buffle Head, one pair Holboell’s Grebe. These
were thought to be breeding. One pair of Mal-
lard was seen on “‘The Little Lake’’ but they were

February, 1930]

only observed once and it was concluded these were
visitors from an adjacent lake where several
pair were breeding. On the nearby lakes were
seen Bonaparte’s Gull, American Merganser,
Ruddy Duck and Spotted Sandpiper.

Fish Lake is particularly rich in fresh-water
shrimps and molluscs and at least three species
of Potamogetons occur, all of which are staple
articles in the diet of ducks. The small marshy
lake referred to above as being tenanted by one
pair of loons is suitable in every respect as a
breeding place for surface-feeding ducks. Por-
tions of the fore-shore of the main lake and “The
Little Lake’ are also eminently suitable for
breeding grounds. On November Ist, 1922, a
flock of Surf Scoters was observed—rather a
searce duck in this locality and hardly to be
expected on a lake at this altitude.

The Fish Lake region being in the Canadian
Zone some interesting land birds were expected,
and in this we were not disappointed. Rocky
Mountain Jays, which had been noted as common
in November, 1921, were found the following
June accompanied by full-grown young in the
dark immature plumage. An adult female

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 45

collected showed dark shaft streaks on the dorsal
surface, suggesting possible intergradation with
the coast form, griseus.

Columbian Chickadees appeared fairly common
in the Spruces; here was flushed a Franklin’s
Grouse.

First in the early morning hours came the alarm-
clock whirr of a Red-shafted Flicker on our
cabin roof; then followed the vigorous, whistled
demand of an Olive-sided Flycatcher (‘‘Quick,
three beers!’ Laing has translated it); then a
medley of bird voices, and, dominating by its
sheer beauty, clear and cool, deliberate, the golden
harmony of Olive-backed Thrushes.

Other land birds noted were:

Western Red-tail, Osprey, Pileated Wood-
pecker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Alaska Three-toed
Woodpecker, Rufous Hummingbird, Hammond’s
Flycatcher, Western Wood Peewee, Western
Chipping Sparrow, Brewer’s Blackbird, Red
Crossbill, Rusty Song Sparrow, Barn Swallow,
Cassin’s Vireo, Audubon’s Warbler, Yellow
Warbler, Interior Tule Wren, Ruby-crowned
Kinglet, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Mountain Chick-
adee, Western Robin and Mountain Bluebird.

(To be concluded)

NOTES ON BIRDS OF THE NORTHERN PART OF THE QUEEN CHARLOTTE
ISLANDS IN 1927
By S. J. DARCUS

URING the year 1927, I spent from
April 10th to July 13th in the observa-
exeeey tion of the bird-life of the northern
= part of Graham Island and Langara
Island.

The primary object of my trip was my search
for the breeding grounds of the Marbled Murrelet.

The following is a complete list of birds ob-
served by me during that period.

[The subspecific names here used are not
original determinations but are assumed on
geographic probabilities as given by recent
authors.—Ornithological Editor.|

1. Aechmophorus occidentalis. WESTERN
GREBE.—Observed daily in salt water during the
months of April and May.

2. Colymbus holboelli. HOLBOELL’S GREBE.—
Observed daily in salt water until the middle of
May.

3. Gavia immer. LOON.—Seen daily in salt
water, also in the lakes where it was undoubtedly
nesting.

4. Gavia pacifica. PAciFIc LooN.—Abundant
at sea during April and May. During that time
large flocks were seen flying northward.

Observed on the lakes on Graham Island in
June in pairs, and often seen flying inland from
the sea.

5. Gavia stellata. RED-THROATED LooN—
This Loon breeds on some of the lakes of Graham
Island.

Observed a pair with 2 young on an unnamed
lake on that island.

6. Lunda cirrhata. TUFTED PUuFFIN.—There
is one large breeding colony of this species on
Langara Island.

When in the vicinity of the nesting cliff on
April 23rd no Puffins were seen, but a week later
they were there in numbers.

The first eggs were seen on June 8th.

7. Cerorhinca monocerata. RHINOCEROS AUK-
LET.—Observed in numbers off the east coast of
Tangara Island. There is no breeding place of
the species in this vicinity, these birds probably
coming from Forrester Island, 30 miles away.

8. Ptychoramphus aleuticus. CASSIN’S AUK-
LET.—Abundant, breeding all along the coast of
Langara Island and along the west coast of
Graham Island, where I found scattered breeding
colonies for thirty miles.

46 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

This is the first of the family to nest, eggs in

an advanced state of incubation being seen as”

early as April 15th.

9. Aethia pusilla. LEAST AUKLET.—This
small Auklet was observed in pairs off the coast
of Langara Island in April. - No doubt it winters
in these waters as I have found it doing so on
the west coast of Vancouver Island.

10. Synthliboramphus antiquus. ANCIENT
MuRRELET.—Abundant; the most abundant of
the family on Langara Island, its nesting burrows
being found as far as one-quarter mile from the
sea.

I also found breeding colonies of the species
on both the north and west coasts of Graham
Island.

The Indians say it breeds on Hippo Island,
about 50 miles down the west coast of Graham.
Hippo Island may be the most southerly breeding
place of the species.

11. Brachyramphus marmoratus. MARBLED
MurRELET.—Abundant; one breeding colony
found. Observed in numbers, from April to July
off the northern coast of Graham Island.

12. Cepphus columba. PIGEON GUILLEMOT.—
Abundant, and breeding in all suitable places
on the coasts of Graham and Langara Islands.

It is a late nester and often lays its eggs in
the burrows of the Ancient Murrelet after the
young of that species have left the burrow.

13. Uria troille Californica. CALIFORNIA
MurrRE.—Seen in thousands in the sea off both
Langara and Graham Islands.

There are no breeding colonies of the species
in this part of the Queen Charlottes.

14. Larus argentatus. HERRING GULL.—
One small breeding colony found in Massett
Inlet, the only breeding colony I have found on
the Pacific coast.

It nests earlier than the Glaucous-winged Gull,
at least two weeks earlier.

15. Larus glaucescens. GLAUCOUS-WINGED
GuLL.—Abundant and nesting in suitable places
along the coast of Graham and Langara Islands.

I found large nesting colonies of the species
on the west coast of Graham Island.

Also found the species nesting in trees, there
being one such colony a mile from the sea on
Langara Island and another three miles from the
sea on Graham Island.

16. Puffinus griseus. DARK-BODIED SHEAR-
WATER.—Abundant off the coast in June and
July. Several picked up dead on the shore.

17. Oceanodroma furcata. FORK-TAILED PET-
~ REL.—Abundant, several large breeding colonies
of the species being found.

[Vou XLIV

- The first egg of the species was found on.
May 14th, but most of them were producing their
single egg the last week in May.

The Fork-tailed nests at least a month earlier
than Leach’s Petrel.

18. Oceanodroma leucorhoa. LEACH’S PETREL.—
Abundant. Mixed breeding colonies of both
Leach’s and Fork-tailed were found.

The first eggs of Leach’s Petrel were found on
June 30th.

The egg is indistinguishable from that of the
Fork-tailed Petrel.

19. Phalacrocorax pelagicus robustus. VIOLET-
GREEN CORMORANT.—Abundant. Two large
breeding colonies of the species on Lanagra
Island.

The largest of these colonies, on the western
side of the island, was not occupied in 1926 and
according to the Indians had not been occupied
for several years.

In 1927 there were at least 500 nests in the
colony.

The Crow is the greatest enemy of the Cor-
morant. I have known every nest in a colony
to be robbed of its eggs by Crows and the birds
forced to lay again.

20. Phalacrocorax auritus cincinatus. WHITE-
CRESTED CORMORANT.—One pair of this species
were found nesting amongst a colony of Violet-
green Cormorants.

21. Mergus americanus. AMERICAN MER-
GANSER.—Common in salt water. Breeding
along the streams on Graham Island.

22. Mergus serrator. RED-BREASTED MbrR-
GANSER.—Not common. Very few were seen.

23. Lophodytes cucullatus. HOOoDED MERGAN-
SER.—I found this Merganser very common on
the larger streams on the west coast of Graham
Island.

24. Anas platyrhynchos. MALLARD.—Com-
mon on Graham Island. Nesting.

25. Mareca americana. BALDPATE.—A few
were seen on the west coast of Graham Island.

26. Dafila acuta. PINTAIL.—A few were seen
on the west coast of Graham Island.

27. Histrionicus histrionicus. HARLEQUIN.—
Very common along the coast, mostly males in
breeding plumage.

28. Oidemia americana. AMERICAN SCOTER.—
Very common in the sea during April and May.
A few were seen during June and July.

29. Oidemia deglandi. WHITE-WINGED SCO-
TER,—Observed at sea in small flocks throughout
the period of my visit.

30. Oidemia perspicillata. SURF SCOTER.—
Observed in small flocks throughout the period
of my visit.

February, 1930]

31. Branta canadensis occidentalis. WHITE-
CHEEKED GOOSE.—Common on Graham Island
where numbers of young broods were seen late
in May.

While six is the average brood, I saw one pair
of old birds with nine young.

32. Branta nigricans. BLACK BRANT.—Many
large flocks were observed going northwards
between April 20th and May 1st at that time
many were also observed on the tidal flats. |

“On June 7th, observed 42 on the northern
shore of Graham Island.

33. Ardea herodias fannini.

Coast HERON.—Common. Seen daily on tidal
flats. There is a large heronry on an island in
Massett Inlet.
34, Grus mexicana. SAND-HILL CRANE.—
Found breeding on the muskegs on Graham
Island. According to the Indians, not nearly as
common as formerly.

35..Lobipes lobatus. NORTHERN PHALAROPE.—
Observed in flocks at sea feeding on the insects
which frequent the floating masses of kelp. Seen
from. April to July.

36. Gallinago delicata. WILSON’S SNIPE.—
Common in April and May on the muskegs on
Langara Island, where it was heard “bleating”
high up in the air. None were seen or heard
after June 1st. ;

37. Pisobia minutilla. LEAST SANDPIPER.—
Abundant on the sea beaches in April and May.
Absent for a few weeks and seen again, June 28th,
being quite common by July 10th.

38. Pelidna alpina sakhalina. RED-BACKED
SANDPIPER.—Observed in small flocks on the sea
shore in May and June.

39. Ereunetes maurt. WESTERN SANDPIPER.—
Observed in April and May and again in July,
often in company with Least Sandpiper.

40. Totanus melanoleucus. GREATER YELLOW-
LEGS.—Seen occasionally, singly or in pairs, on
the sea shore throughout the period of my visit.

41. Heterocelus incanus. | WANDERING TAT-
LER.—Seen almost daily on the rocky shores
‘ usually single birds, but occasionally pairs.

42. Actitis macularia. SPOTTED SANDPIPER.—
Seen on the sea shore, not common.

43. Numenius hudsonicus: HUDSONIAN ne
LEW.—Seen almost daily on sandy beaches,
small flocks, the largest, flock seen cee
eleven birds.

44, Squatarola secirave BLACK-BELLIED
PLOVER.—Seen frequently on the sandy beaches,
often in. pairs. Like the Hudsonian Curlews,
these, no doubt, are non-breeding birds. |

45. Charadrius semipalmata. SEMIPALMATED
PLOVER.—There is one breeding colony of this

NORTH-WESTERN

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 47

little plover on the shore of Graham Island.
This is probably the most southerly breeding
place of the species on the Pacific coast.

46. Aphriza virgata. SURF-BIRD.—Seen in
flocks on the rocky coast in April and first week
in May, often in company with Black Turnstones.
Not seen later.
fi: 47. Arenaria melanocephala. BLACK TURN-
STONE.—Observed in flocks on rocky shores,
often in company with Surf-birds, during the
latter part of April and first week in May.

48. Haematopus bachmani. BLACK OYSTER-
CATCHER.—Found all along the coast, being
especially abundant on the west coast of Graham
Island, where many nests were seen.

49. Dendragopus obscurus fuliginosus. SOOTY
GROUSE.—Very common on Graham _ Island.
It has been almost exterminated on Langara
Island by domestic cats. |

50. Accipiter velox. SHARP-SHINNED HAwkK.—
Not common. A few were observed hunting
small birds on the shores.

51. Astur atricapillus striatulus. WESTERN
GOsHAWK.—Observed almost daily on the coast.
All seen were in immature plumage.

52. Haliaeetus leucocephalus leucocephalus.
BALD EAGLE .—Abundant. About 100 occupied
nests of the species were seen. The Bald Eagle
finds abundance of food here in the numerous
cod, dogfish and skates caught by the halibut
fishermen and thrown overboard.

53. Falco peregrinus pealei. PEALE’S FAL-
cON.—Common along the coast, twenty-five
eyries were found.

These falcons prey entirely on the smaller
sea-birds, Cassin’s Auklets, Marbled Murrelets
and Ancient Murrelets, and an occasional Cali-
fornia Murre, being those preyed on. One eyrie
of the falcon was situated in the midst of a large
nesting colony of Tufted Puffins and Violet-
green Cormorants. The eyrie, containing 4
well grown young, being within 4 feet of a brooding
Cormorant on the same ledge.

54. Falco columbarius suckleyi. BLACK MER-
LIN.—Observed occasionally on the coast-line.

55. Pandion haliaetus carolineusis. OSPREY.—
Not common, only one pair seen.
56. Cryptoglaux acadica brooksi. ISLAND

SAw-wHIT OwL.—This little owl is apparently
quite common on both Langara and Graham
Islands. It was occasionally seen by day in the
dense woods, and often heard at night.

Its notes are quite different from those of
acadica. 2

57. Ceryle alcyon caurina. NORTHWESTERN
BELTED KINGFISHER.—Observed along the streams

48 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

on Graham Island, also along the coast. Com-
mon.
58. Dryobates villosus picoideus QUEEN-

CHARLOTTE ISLAND WOODPECKER.—I found this
wood pecker quite common along the western coast
of Graham Island, where a number of nests were
found.

It is also quite common on Langara Island,
where about 20 nesting pairs were seen.

59. Sphyrapicus ruber notkensis. NORTHERN
RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER.—Found abundant on
Graham Island, where many nests were seen.

60. Colaptes cafer saturatior. NORTHWESTERN
FLICKER.—Apparently a rare bird in this region.
Only one was seen on some drift-wood on the
shore of Langara Island.

61. Selasphorus rufus. RuFrous HUMMING-
BIRD.—Very common. First noted on April
29th during snowy weather.

62. Tyrannus tyrannus.
bird here. Only one seen.

63. Empidonax trailli trailli. WESTERN TRAIL’S
FLYCATCHER.—Observed in suitable places on
Graham Island. Not very common.

64: Cyanocitta stelleri carlottae. QUEEN CHAR-
LOTTE JAY.—Very common on both Graham and
Langara Islands.

65. Corvus brachyrhynchos caurinus. NORTH-
WESTERN CRrOw.—Abundant along the coast.
Many nests were found, all built on the ground
beneath bushes or windfalls close to sea shore.

66. Corvus corax oprincipalis. RAVEN .—
Common along the coast. This is the first bird
to nest on the coast, the eggs being laid about
March 15th.

67. Pinicola enucleator carlottae. QUEEN
CHARLOTTE PINE GROSBEAK.—Observed on Gra-
ham Island where I found a nest with well grown
young, June 7th. Not very common.

68. Loxia curvirostra minor. AMERICAN CROSS-

BILL.—Observed in flocks, both on Graham and
Langara Islands.

KINGBIRD.—A rare

69. Astragalinus tristis salicamans. WILLOW
GOLDFINCH.—The only place I observed this
species was in the vicinity of Massett, where it
was apparently breeding, in the fruit trees.
The Goldfinch has followed the settler along the
coast.

70. Spinus pinus. PINE SISKIN.—Abundant
both on Graham and Langara Islands. Nesting.

71. Calcarius lapponicus alascensis. ALASKAN
LONGSPUR.—One specimen was seen on a muskeg
on Langara Island, April 23rd.

72. Passerculus sandwichensis sandwichensis.
ALEUTIAN SAVANNAH SPARROW.—Abundant on
migration, April and May.

‘[Vou. XLIV

During that time they were seen in numbers
daily on the drift wood on the shores.

73. Zonotrichia leucophrys nuttalli. NUTTALL’S:
SPARROW.—Abundant on migration during the
last week in April and early in May.

Apparently does not breed here.

74. Junco hyemalis oreganus. OREGON JUN-
co.—Common. I found it nesting on the muskegs
on both Graham and Langara Islands.

75. Melospiza melodia rufina. Sooty SONG
SPARROW.—This large Song Sparrow is abundant
along the coast and many nests were found.
The nests and eggs are larger than those of our
other Song Sparrows.

76. Passerella iliaca townsendi. TOWNSEND’S
Fox SpPARROw.—Abundant along the coasts of
both Graham and Langara Islands. Many
nests of this sparrow were found.

77. Zonotrichia coronata. GOLDEN-CROWNED
SPARROW.—A few were observed on migration
the last week in April.

78. Melospiza lincolni striata. FORBUSH’S
SPARROW.—Observed on the coast on migration
from the middle of April to middle of May.
Observed in June on the muskegs of the interior
of Graham Island where it is undoubtedly breed-
ing.

79. Hirundo erythrogastra. BARN SWALLOW.—
Nests at the Lighthouse at Langara Point.
Common in vicinity of Massett.

80. Iridoprocne bicolor. TREE SWALLOW.—
Common. I found it very common on the west
coast of Graham Island, nesting in abandoned
woodpecker’s borings in dead trees.

81. Vermivora celata lutescens. LUTESCENT
WARBLER.—Observed in the clearings in vicinity
of Massett. Not common.

82. Wilsonia pusilla pileolata. PILEOLATED
WARBLER.—Common on both Graham and
Langara Islands.

A nest was found on June 7th containing 4
newly hatched young.

83. Nannus hiemalis pacificus. WESTERN
WINTER WREN.—Very common. Found in the
woods everywhere. Many nests found.

84. Certhia familiaris occidentalis. CALI-
FORNIA CREEPER.—I found this bird quite com-
mon in the large timber in vicinity of Massett,
Graham Island. Also observed on Langara
Island.

85. Sitta canadensis. RED-BREASTED NUT-
HATCH.—Seen on both Graham and Langara
Islands, but not common.

86. Penthestes rufescens rufescens. CHESTNUT-
BACKED CHICKADEE.—Common on both Graham
and Langara Islands.

February, 1930]

87. Regulus satrapa olivaceus. WESTERN
GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET.—Common on both
Graham and Langara Islands. One nest found
80 feet from ground in spruce tree.

88. Cinclus mexicanus unicolor. DIPPER.—
Seen on most of the streams on the west coast
of Graham Island.

89. Hylocichla guttata. ALASKAN HERMIT
THRUSH.—Found breeding on Langara Island.
Two nests found, June 10th, containing feathered
young. Both these nests were built on top of
stumps, the one 8 feet from ground, the other
6 feet.

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 49

90. Hylocichla ustulata. RUSSET-BACKED
TurusH.—Abundant everywhere near the coast
line. Arriving about May 10th. Many nests
seen.

91. Ixorens naevins meruloides. NORTHERN
VARIED THRUSH.—Abundant both on Graham
and Langara Islands. Breeding.

92. Planesticus migratorius propinguus. WES-
TERN ROBIN.—Common along the coast of
Graham Island. Rare on Langara Island.

Often observed feeding on Sandhoppers and
Marine Snails on the sea-shore.

THE PASSENGER PIGEON IN FOLKLORE
By A. LAROCQUE

EW men now living can remember the

time when Passenger Pigeons were
plentiful and fewer are those who have
killed or eaten them. In the writer’s
opinion any fact which relates to these extinct
birds should be carefully noted and consigned
to print before it is forgotten; and it is with
this idea in mind that this note was written.

Some fifty years ago Passenger Pigeons were
known as “tourtes’” among the French Cana-
dians of the banks of the Ottawa and Gatineau
rivers. The writer was curious to know if this
name also included the Mourning Dove but was
assured that it did not, the latter being called
“pigeons suavages’’.

It has been pointed out to me that Mourning
Doves have been known in the Gatineau district
for only fifteen years and that moreover they were
usually lumped under one name with the Pas-
senger pigeons as the differences between the two
were so small as to escape the ordinary observer.
My informant did not state definitely that he
had seen Mourning Doves in the Gatineau dis-
trict but merely that they were known to him as
“pigeons sauvages’’ and were quite distinct from
‘“‘tourtes” the latter going about in flocks and the
former in pairs. One must remember also that
my informant is a well-travelled man and may
have become acquainted with the Mourning Dove
while living farther south. Moreover the ex-
istence of two distinct French names would point
to a differentiation of the two species, so that I
consider myself justified in assuming that not
only were the tourtes Passenger Pigeons but that
the pigeons sauvages were Mourning Doves.

At that time Passenger Pigeons were a serious
pest, swooping down in flocks on grain fields and
doing much damage. They were caught in nets
(rets, pronounced ra with a short’ a) and were

shipped to Montreal by the barrelful. The net
was sprung with a string which was worked from
a blind and in this manner pigeons would be
caught a hundred at a time.

An old woman, part Indian, used to save the
gizzard (gésier) when the pigeons were prepared
for market and would string them on a thread
and hang them up to dry. The gizzards when
dry became shiny and transparent and were used
by this old woman, who was a sort of medicine-
woman, in the treatment of gallstones. The
reasoning was as follows: the tourte would some-
times take up small stones (gravois pronounced
grawa) instead of grain but that did not matter
as its gizzard was strong enough to dissolve the
stones. Therefore when the gizzard came in
contact with the gall stones it would dissolve
them too and cure the patient. My informant
did not make it quite clear how the remedy was
taken but it is certain that it was taken internally
as the gizzard had to come in contact with the
stone.

And now we come to the mystery of the dis-
appearance of the Passenger Pigeon. Questioned
as to this my informant assured me that this was
the way of it: ‘“The depredations were so serious
in a parish up the Gatineau that the curé decided
to invoke the aid of God. He therefore laid a
curse (conjuration) on the pigeons and from then
on their number decreased until now they are
no more’’.

My informant related the above stories in all
good faith and I refrained from voicing my —
scepticism out of respect for his old age and also
lest I should arouse his suspicion and stem the
flow of his rich store of reminiscence.

The above notes may have very little value as
natural history but the writer found them in-
teresting and as such records them. In ten or

50 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

twenty years more the men who saw the Passenger
Pigeon darken the sky in immense flocks will be

(VoL. XLIV

gone and unless their knowledge is recorded it >
will be lost to future generations.

NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS

THE WHISKEY JACK.—The present Winter
promises to be of considerable interest to the
bird lover. Pine Grosbeaks arrived at London
early in November and two of us thought we
heard Evening Grosbeaks and on October 25th
Mr. and Mrs. T. D. Patterson saw, at close range,
a Canada Jay in London. This is the first record
of this bird for Middlesex County and will give
a pleasurable anticipation to every bird walk
during the Winter.—W. H. SAUNDERS.

THE FOOD OF THE GREAT HORNED OWL.—
While deploring anything in the nature of a con-
troversy that takes up valuable space 1 must
make a short reply to Mr. Ralph D. Bird’s at-
tack on me in the December number of The
Canadian Field-Naturalist.

He accuses me of basing my information on
second hand observations and of blackmailing
“one of our most valuable birds’.

It is obvious Mr. Bird bases his sweeping
statement as to the beneficial qualities of the
Horned Owl on his own observations.

Let me quote that recognized authority,
Fisher’s ‘“Hawks and Owls” to disprove Mr.
Bird’s contention that this owl’s food is mainly
mice.

Out of 127 stomachs examined from 29 States
and Provinces only 13 contained mice while
31 contained poultry or game birds. My own
experience is not second hand but covers nearly
half a century spent in various parts of North
America within the range of the Horned Owl, from
Florida to the Yukon, including study of captive
birds and their pelletal reactions.

At the commencement I had no “prejudice’’
against the bird but as my acquaintance became
more intimate I realized what a destructive
predator this powerful raptor really was. As
any of my friends can attest I ought to know

this owl, I can talk it’s language and call any
owl up to me at almost anytime, day or night.
How many of these owls have I killed in all these
years? The figure must run into several hundreds
and I can simply state that I do not recollect a
single mouse in any of all these stomachs ex-
amined. True, most of the owls were killed in
regions where game was more or less abundant.
Take the record for this season as an example,
I have shot 7 Horned Owls myself and examined
two others; of the 9, 2 contained squirrels, 5
poultry or game birds and two were empty.
This is a sample of their diet in British Columbia,
except that in the northern regions rabbits would
be very much in evidence.

The poultry and game birds taken include
birds of the largest size up to Canada Geese and
even Swans from parks, both Mute Swans and
the very pugnacious Australian Black Swan.

In the south-western States the Horned Owl
lives almost exclusively on medium-sized mammals
because of the abundance of these. Five taken
in January in Merced Co., California, were all full
of wood rats (Neotoma), not a destructive mam-
mal; none had eaten ground squirrels although
these were extraordinarily plentiful.

Lastly it is in order to consider the Horned
Owl in relation to other owls; from my own
observations I am convinced that in the northern
portions of its range the scarcity of small owls
is largely due to the Horned Owl. I have taken
several species from their stomachs and the imi-
tation of the call of one of the smaller owls will
very often bring up a Horned Owl which evidently
regards the smaller species as prey. I am not
“prejudiced” against any owl but am distinctly
“subprejudiced”’ against the Horned Owl, after
very careful consideration, as a destructive pre-
dator except in the southern portion of its range.—
ALLAN BROOKS.

February, 1930]

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 51

BOOK REVIEW

THE NatTuRAL History OF THE DOUBLE-
CRESTED CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax auritus
auritus (Lesson)). A Thesis Presented to
the Faculty of the Graduate School of Cornell
University for the Degree of Doctor of Phi-
losophy, by Harrison Flint Lewis. pp. 94, 2
maps, 2 plates anatomical drawings and 10
photographs. Published under the Auspices
of the Province of Quebec Society for the Pro-
tection of Birds, Ottawa, Canada. Pub-
lished Dec. 9, 1929. Price seventy-five cents.

This attractive brochure of ninety-four large
octavo pages adds another to the short list of
American species that have been systematically
monographed. It is a good job most excellently
done, and can well be taken as a model for such
work in the future. A bibliography of about
two hundred titles accompanied by a note that
it is but part of some eight hundred and twenty-
two, from Hakluyt and the early voyagers to the
present day, that have been considered in the
course of the investigation, bears witness to the
care and completeness with which literature has
been searched. In addition is a great deal of
painstaking original research in both field and
laboratory.

The presentation is admirable and embraces
the following subjects in logical order—Introduc-
tion, Taxonomy, History, Present and past range
and abundance, Migration, Courtship and mating,
Nest and nesting, Eggs, Young, Plumages,
Voice, Food and feeding habits, Other activities,
Relation to environment, Relation to man,
Conclusion and Bibliography. Each is practically
exhaustive of present information from all sources.
The style is a model of concise, precise but withal
easy reading. There is no padding and no
rhetoric but a great deal of meat is presented
in an attractive form and it is the opposite of
dry or didactic.

One is tempted to abstract its contents but
there is so much of interest contained that its
length would overrun our space and the reader
is better advised to consult the original rather
than be satisfied with a weak copy. A few

points are suggested however that are worthy
of particular mention. First, that so unpre-
possessing or generally regarded repulsive a
species should contain so much popular interest.
When we break down the walls of traditional
prejudice we find all nature attractive. Second,
the value that accrues from the mass of scattered
fragmentary notes published in various media.
These may seem disjointed and futile in their
individual details but when gathered together as
they have been here they weave into an integral
whole of great value. A glance at the biblio-
graphical list of the sources of information is
more than a justification of the role that our
periodicals of natural history record play in
science and the necessity of their continuance
and support both in subject matter and finance.
Third the fallability of general knowledge and
common report. Here is a species that prac-
tically all fishermen have unhesitatingly condem-
ned as a Salmon and trout destroyer until scarcely
a voice could be raised in its defence, yet on
investigation proves not only to have a distaste
for these particular fish but seemingly a physical
intolerance towards them. It is a particularly
striking demonstration of the danger of condemn-
ing any species on even the best of apparent
evidence without a thorough previous investi-
gation.

Perhaps everybody will not find all the chapters
equally interesting to their particular taste but
this is true of all books that are exhaustive in
their scope and there is plenty here to appeal
to all classes of readers. The systematist will
find some obscurities made plain and some ad-
ditions to anatomical science. The distribu-
tionist will find maps of ranges worked out to
his hand and the bird-bander the results of his
endeavors applied to a specific question. The
behaviourist will receive new light on avian
reactions to stimuli and the aesthetic naturalist
new beauties in nature. The ecologist will find
fresh information on the reaction between en-
vironment and an organism and the sportsman and
conversationalist much ground for thought.—
P.A.T.

52 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST [VoL. XLIV

Canada North of Fifty-six

By Dr. E, M. Kinpie

(This article won the $1000 prize donated by the late Sir Wm. H. Price)

THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB offers a limited
remainder of this splendid number, profusely illustrated,
at 50 cents each, postage paid. If ordered for schools,
etc., in quantities of ten or more the price is 40 cents each.
This is a splendid general article on Northern Canada.

Send orders with cheques payable at par, Ottawa, to the Hon-
orary Treasurer, Wilmot Lloyd, 582 Mariposa Ave., Rock-
cliffe Park, Ottawa, Canada.

Che Autobiography of
John Macoun, M.A.

Canadian Naturalist and Explorer

THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB has a few bound
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b

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” President;

NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF

N MANITOBA
1929-30

President Emeritus: J. J. GOLDEN; Honorary President:
NORMAN CRIDDLE; Past President; A. A. McCousrny;
A. M. Davipson, M.D.; Vice-Presidents: H. M.
SPEECHLY, M.D., C. W. Lown, M. Sc., G. SHIRLEY BROOKS
A. G. LAWRENCE, J. B. WALLIS, B.A.; Treasurer: NORMAN
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_ ORNITHOLOGICAL SECTION—Chairman: C.L. BROLEY;
_ Secretary: A. B. GRESHAM. SON OE OGnU ay SEC-
TION—Chairman: R. A. WARDLE, M. Se.; Secretary:
L. H. D. RosBeErts. BOTANICAL. SECTION—Chairman:
H. F. Rosperts, M. Sc.; Secretary: Miss B. -M. BRADSHAW.
GEOLOGICAL SECTION—Chairman: R. 8. Kirk, Ph. D.;
Secretary: H. C. PEARCE.

Meetings are held each Monday evening, except on holidays
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during July and August.

NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF BRITISH
COLUMBIA, VICTORIA, B.C.

Hon. President: C. C. PEMBERTON, 806 Quadra St., Victoria,
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vincial Museum, Victoria, B.C.; Hon. Treasurer; RENA G.
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_ ALBERTA NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

+

_skiwin, Alta.; Mr. F. L.

. Hon. President: Mr. J. J. GAETZ; Red Deer, Alta.; President:

Mr. C. H. SNELL, Red Deer,Alta.; 1st Vice-President: Mrs.
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CASSELS, Red Deer, Alta.; Mr. B. LAwron, Edmonton, Alta.;
Mr. K. BOWMAN, Edmonton, Alta.; Pror. W. ROWAN, Univ.
of Alta., Edmonton, Alta.; Mr. T. E. RANDALL, Camrose,
Alta.; Hon. Sec.-Treas.: Mrs. S. PAMELY, Red Deer, Alta.

The meetings of this Society are held in Red Deer on the
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perhaps September. The annual meeting is held in Red Deer
on the last Friday in November.

McILWRAITH ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB,
LONDON, ONT. _

President: Ei Davis, R.R. 7, London, Ont.; Recording
Secretary: Miss NINA M. NorrTH, 328 St: George St., London,
Ont.; Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer: FE. M.S. DALE,
297 Hyman S., London, Ont.; Members qualified to answer
quesiions: W. E. SAUNDERS, 240 Central Ave., London, Ont.,
C. G. WATSON, 201 Ridout St. South, London, Ont.; J. F.
CALVERT, 461 Tecumseh Ave., London, Ont.; E. M.S. DALE,
297 Hyman St., London, Ont.

Meetings held the second Monday of the month, except

during the summer.

VANCOUVER NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

Hon. President: L.S. KuINcK, L.L.D., Pres. Universtiy of B.C.;
President: JOHN DAVIDSON, F.L.S., E., University of
B.C.; Vice-President: Pror. M. Y. WILLIAMS: Hon. Secretary:
Cc. F. Connor, rae 3529 W. 2nd Ave., Vancouver, B.C.;
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May to August (inclusive) :

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PROVINCE OF QUEBEC SOCIETY FOR THE
PROTECTION OF BIRDS

Hon. President: Dr. I. GAMMELL; Past Presidents: Mr. L.
MclI. TERRILL, Mr. NAPIER SMITH; President: Mr. W. Se
HART; Vice-Presidenis: Mr. W. A. OSWALD, Mr. L. M.
SPACKMAN, MisS HARRIET STONE; Vice President and Trea-
surer: MR. H. MousLEey; Corresponding Secretary: MR. H.
A. JACKSON; Recording Secretary: Mr. A. P. MURRAY;
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SOCIETE PROVANCHER D’HISTOIRE
NATURELLE DU CANADA

Bureau de direction pour 1929

Patron Honoraire: Son Excellence LE VICOMTE WILLINGDON,
G.C.S.I., G.C.M.G., G.C.I.E. G.B.E., Gouverneur-Général,
de la Puissance du Canada; Vice-Pairon Honoraire: Honor-
able M. H. G. CARROLL, Lieutenant-Gouverneur de la Pro-
vince de Québee; Bureau de Direction pour 1929: Président:
R. MEREDITH, N.P.; ler vice-président: Dr. J.-E. BERNIER;
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Louis-B. LAvotn; Chef de la section scientifique: Dr. D. A.
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et pratique: EDGAR ROCHETTE, M.P.P.; Directeurs: Dr. S
GAUDREAU, RONALD LINDSAY, GEO. M. MITCHELL.
Secrétaire-trésorier: LOUISE-B. LAVOIE,
38 Sherbrooke St., Quebec.

THE TORONTO FIELD-NATURALISTS’
CLUB

. OFFICERS FOR 1929-30.

Honorary President: PROFESSOR A. P. COLEMAN; President:
Pror. J. R. DYMOND; Vice-Presidents: Mr. J. H. FLEMING,
Dr. N. A. POWELL, Mr. Coin S. FARMER; Secretary:
Mr. F. P. IDE, (Dept. of Biology, University of Toronto);
Publicity Secretary: Dr. L. B. JACKES; Treasurer: MR.
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SON, PrRor. E. M. WALKER, Mussrs. STUART L. THOMPSON,
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WRIGHT, Dr. McKINLEY; Committee on Conservation: MR.
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Stuart L. THomeson, L. L. SNyDrER, J. L. BAILLIE; Mame-
mals—PRoOF. J. R. DyMOND, Mr. E. C. Cross; Reptiles and
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etc.—Pror. E. M. WALKER, Dr. N. Forp, Mr. E. P. IDE;
Botany—Pror. R. B. THOMSON, Pror. H. B. SirTon, DR.
G. WRIGHT; Geology—PRoFr. A. MCLEAN.

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THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB

Patrons: 2 4
THEIR EXCELLENCIES THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL AND VISCOUNTESS WILLINGDON ~

; President: HARRISON F. LEWIS, 34 Grosverior Ave., Ottawa. ie
1st Vice-President: C. M. STERNBERG 2nd Vice-President: M. E. WILSON _
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/ Rocekcliffe Park.

Additional Members of Counsil: F. J. Aucock, H. M. Amt, Miss M. E. Cowan, Messrs. H. G. CRAW- _
FORD, NORMAN CRIDDLE, R. E. DELury, Miss FartH FyLes, Messrs. HERBERT GROH, ANDREW
HALKETT,, C Ett HuTcHinGs, D. JENNESS, C. E. JoHNSON, A. G. KINGSTON, E. M. KINDLE, W. H. —
LANCELEY, DoUGLAS LEECHMAN, Hoyrs Lioyp, W. T. Macoun, M. O. MALTE, MARK G. Mc-
ELHINNEY, G. A. Miter, A. E. Porsitp, E. E. PRINCE, HARLAN I. SMITH, J. DEWEY SOPER
P. A. TAVERNER, E. F. G. WHITE, W. J. WINTEMBERG, J. F. WRIGHT and Presidents of Affiliated

Societies.
Editor:
. Dovucias LEECHMAN
National Museum, Ottawa, Canada
Associate Editors:

D. JENNESS.......... ae heen: Anthropology CLYDE Le PATCR te oe eee Herpetology —
IMi'@; MAUIES) ce boca aah aus Botany R. M. ANDERSON.............. Mammalogy —
BR, GAPCHEORD 5. 612. ice wreieinn oe Conchology A. G. HUNTSMAN............Marine Biology —

ARTHUR GIBSON..............4. Entomology POA. TAVERNERS 3 2)... 0) TE Ornithology

Bee SAT COCKS ee ia Cian eas Bene Geology BE. M. KInDLE.......... BT aco Palzontology

CONTENTS ae

. PAGE
a An Expedition to Sub-Arctic Canada, 1924-1925. By Capt. J. C. Critchell-Bullock............ 53

New Records of Mastodons and Mammoths in Canada. By C. M.Sternberg................. 59

Glimpses of Little-known Western Lakes and Their Bird Life. By J. A. Munro (Concluded). . . 65

A List of Aquatic Molluses of the Abitibi Region. By J. L. Hart........................... 68
Freshwater Cladocera from Southern Canada, Collected by Fritz Johansen in 1925-26. By i
Chauncey. cuday.un oc ke een fe ZT CU SANS ERE Wie UY Ga Raises: abt Acie eis NGO) Meee 694
Notes and Observations:— Be

Notes on some Small Canadian Rodents. By Morris M. Green................ tees 69

Book Review:—

Experiments in Bird ‘Migrations’; By. EB ie c/a rosa peices: aye eine eae eee (0)
Official Canadian Record of Bird-banding Returns.................... 200... 0 eee eee eee 2a ;

The official publications of THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB have been issued #
since 1879. The first were The Transactions of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club, 1879-1886, 8
two volumes; the next, The Ottawa Naturalist, 1886-1919, thirty-two volumes; and these ##
have been continued by The Canadian Field-Naturalist to date. The Canadian Field-Naturalist #§
# is issued monthly, except for the months of June, July, and August. Its scope is the publication #
#2 of the results of original research in all departments of Natural History. #

Price of this volume (9 numbers) $2.00; Single copies 25¢ each..

: The Membership Committee of The Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club is making a special effort to

increase the subscription list of The Canadian Field-Naturalist. We are, therefore, asking every reader
who is truly interested in the wild life of this country to help this magazine to its rightful place among
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Subscriptions ($2.00 a year) should be forwarded to

WILMOT LLOYD,
Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club,
; : 582 Mariposa Ave.,
<5 Rockcliffe Park, OTTAWA, CANADA.

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The Canadian Field-Naturalist

VOL. XLIV

OTTAWA, CANADA, MARCH, 1930

No. 3

“AN EXPEDITION TO SUB-ARCTIC CANADA, 1924-1925
By CAPT. J. C. CRITCHELL-BULLOCK

THE LATE JOHN HORNBY

CION of the well-known Lancashire
family of sportsmen, John Hornby
inherited an unsurpassed physical set-up
that for twenty-five years enabled him
to defy the Far North. Carefree, improvident,
and indulgent of the natives, he gloried in his
reputation of being able to ‘‘out-Indian the
Indians”. Although many vivid tales of his
adventures reached civilization he avoided pub-
licity and eventually became so seclusive that
the newspapers commonly referred to him as the
‘Hermit of the Arctic’’.

A stern moralist and absolutely fearless of
any man, in the North he was esteemed though
hardly understood. Slightly ego-centric, he
deplored the fact that more official interest was
not accorded his activities, and yet invariably
failed either to keep a daily journal of his obser-
vations or subsequently to prepare a narrative.
He believed that it was a greater achievement to
risk, meet, and surmount privations and danger
than to pass over the same route in comparative
comfort. Heedless of the toll it exacted physi-
cally he welcomed hardship, and excused his fail-
ures the more readily as his sufferings increased.

These eccentricities soon served to dismay those
who recognized his exceptional education and
abilities, and but for this early impatience Hornby
might have been encouraged to adopt the order-
liness demanded of those who assume scientific

responsibilities. His amazing interest in natural
history, strikingly manifest in the field, led him
further and further from the outposts of civiliza-
tion. Although starving and hardly able to
stand he would often dig for hours to uncover a
rodent, his tools, for the want of anything better,
invariably being an axe and gold pan. Later
more often than not, this and what other speci-
mens he had collected would be lost in a capsized
canoe, in a blown down tent, or through some
other misfortune often visited upon the lone
traveler.

His death, with his two companions, from
starvation in the Thelon River country, which
he and I had previously found so alluring, was
both tragic and heroic. Old war wounds, years .
of hardship, and his age at last had their effect.
Badly injured as the result of a fall, and suffering
intense pain, he persisted in going far afield in
search of game, and surreptitiously starved him-
self that the others might live. Here at last but
too late he displayed a generalship that he had
never before exercised.

Many will criticize him, will say that his was a
vain sacrifice, but John Hornby died a gentleman
and died true to the traditions of the Great
North which above all else in life he loved.

JAMES C. CRITCHELL-BULLOCK.

Seattle, Washington,
February 10th, 1930.

ITINERARY

VISIT to the Canadian Northland was
suggested originally by my physician in
-y London, when, after a period of three
years in hospital and my retirement from
the Army, I found life becoming decidedly irk-
some.

A journey through the Rocky Mountains
restored much of my morale, and subsequently,
when a hunting trip towards the Columbia Ice-

field in company with John Hornby failed to
kill me, though we endured considerable hard-
ship, I was forced to conclude that my case was
hardly as serious as the Medical Boards had been
wont to argue.

Towards the end of 1923 an expedition to the
Barren Lands was suggested by Hornby, and I
agreed to accompany him as photographer. It
was hoped to be able to arrange matters on a

54 THE CANADIAN ITIBLD-NATURALIST

large scale, three years to be occupied in the
undertaking. At the beginning of 1924 Hornby
left for England to complete arrangements, I
remaining in Canada to attend to provisioning
and equipping.

Unfortunately many difficulties presented them-
selves in England, the expedition was cancelled
by Hornby, and, already equipped, I found the
situation somewhat perplexing. Though ex-
perienced in tropical undertakings of a similar
nature I found myself hopelessly at a loss as to
the procedure to be adopted on a trip to the
Arctic. For a while I contemplated abandoning
everything, and endeavoured to dispose of some
of my equipment, but soon discovered that it is
far simpler to purchase than it is tosell. Finally
I determined to go through with the matter,
did much intensive reading, and set about looking
for suitable assistants.

By the beginning of June we were ready to
start. I sent a cablegram to Hornby asking for
permission to use his buildings at the east end of
Great Slave Lake, and in reply received notifica-
tion of his departure for Canada with the request
that I should delay my departure pending his
arrival.

Arrived, he told me that he had found it pos-
sible to absent himself from England for a period
not exceeding eighteen months, and that he was
willing to accompany me for that period. I was
elated; with a man of his experience to assist me
I felt that most of my difficulties would disappear.

On June 24th I started out from Edmonton
with my two assistants, leaving Hornby to follow
as soon as possible. At Waterways we took to
the river in canoes, and on July 3rd arrived at
Fort Smith. Here we sorted out some three
tons of supplies that I had shipped in advance,
and purchased a power-driven scow to transport
everything to old Fort Reliance.

On August 1st Hornby arrived from Peace
River Crossing with four men. They had been
much delayed by engine trouble. The past month
had been an anxious time for me as I had been
able to get no news of Hornby at all, and, as the
season was fast advancing, had been on tenter-
hooks to get moving.

I had already sent my party down river to a
place where it would be more easy to procure fish
for dog feed, and as soon as I became assured of
Hornby’s safe arrival put an Evinrude in my
canoe and followed hard after, not stopping to
sleep for the forty-eight hours that it took to
reach the Jean Marie River. I had nineteen
hundred pounds of flour and sacked provisions
aboard, the weather was bad, and the canoe
“made heavy weather of it, shipping a quantity

[Vou. XLIV

of water, but flour sacks must be long submerged
before their contents are spoiled, and little more
than fifty pounds were lost.

On August 9th Stony Island on Great Slave -
Lake was reached. It is an interesting little
island. Wild fruit grows wherever the bushes
that bear it can find sufficient soil. Red cur-
rants, cranberries, and gooseherries attain a size
and succulence that bear comparison with the
best productions of the market gardener. This
used to be a great fishing centre, and I imagine
that the fish remains scattered everywhere have
so manured the ground as to render it extremely
fertile. Here we caught five varieties of fish:
Inconnus, whitefish, trout, sucker and pike. The
Inconnus (Stenodus mackenzii) weighed up to
eighteen pounds. Whitefish (Coregonus sp.)
were small, scaling no higher than four pounds.
Trout (Cristivomer namaycush) up to twelve
pounds. Pike (Hsox lucius) up to ten pounds.
One sucker (Catostomus catostomus) only was
taken.

There are few historical notes concerning the
island that are worth mention, merely that
Franklin breakfasted here when on his way to
Enterprise during the expedition on which the
entire party almost paid the extreme penalty.
Frank Delorme a_half-breed Indian camped
there told me that fifty years or so ago it was
possible to pass through the centre of the island
by canoe. The centre now however stands at a
height of several feet above the surface of the
surrounding lake. In the undergrowth there is
a little grave, evidently many years old and
buried there lies an Indian child killed by dogs,
an occurrence that is not uncommon in a Coun-
try where cruelty to animals is an amusement.

On August 13th the arrival of the remainder of
the party gave us hope and the same day we set
out for Fort Reliance, two hundred and twenty
miles distant. Heavy weather caused consider-
able delay and not a little anxiety for the safety
of our provisions, and we did not arrive until
August 29th.

We camped immediately opposite the ruins of
Sir George Back’s old winter quarters. It isa
beautiful place and worthy of preservation. Nu-
merous travellers responsible for the exploration
of the country have had their camps here, but
nomadic Indians, trappers, and prospectors have
used nearly all the material that remains to
denote the Fort site that served as the base for
historic exploration. Tyrrell has called it the
most beautiful townsite in all Canada. Though
this may be a slight exaggeration there is little
doubt that it could hardly be excelled in all
Canada north of the Provincial boundary. But

March, 1930]

the fine timber all about is fast disappearing, the
great trading companies will soon have opposi-
tion establishments cut into the forest, the ground
will be littered with refuse, and the starving dogs
of the post Indians will prowl through the woods
killing and driving off all the game.

The site of Back’s old fort at least should be
preserved. History counts for much.

As my health returned and I appreciated that
the agency at work was the combination of
nature’s food with unlimited exercise in a pure
atmosphere, I commenced to speculate as to the
future of this pleasant spot. I remembered the
countless numbers of men I had seen suffering
from tropical diseases, cases diagnosed so often
as hopeless. Men doomed to go through life
suffering relapse after relapse, with life more often
than not a veritable curse to them, themselves
eventually to become a curse to all those asso-
ciated with them.

I pictured the place as a great sanitorium, to
which men with hope could come, and in a year
leave with all their one-time strength and health.
I fancied I saw a great caribou ranch on Artillery
Lake, the barren lands about it their summer
home, the edge of the timber the natural retreat
of the bulls in winter. The patients living in
shacks about Charlton harbour, leading men’s
lives, assisting with the herding, fishing and
living off the superb flesh of the early Fall bulls.
A great industry, yet running sweetly because of
the leavening touch of philanthropic endeavour
concerned with it. White fox farms would come
into their own, the torture of the steel trap, so
unenviably associated with such a pleasant dis-
trict, could be prohibited, and the Indians within
the sphere of activities could be induced to lead
a life of less ambiguity.

On September 2nd all the supplies that we did
not require were placed en cache opposite the
old Fort, and sufficient to last us for two months
made ready for transporting across the portage
route to Artillery Lake.

On September 8rd G. H. Blanchet of the
Topographical Survey arrived in his schooner
and anchored opposite, in company with his
assistant W. Macdonald of the University of
Alberta. Although late ice on Great Slave Lake
had prevented him from reaching his first ob-
jective until well into the summer, he had suc-
ceeded in traversing a great tract of partly-explor-
ed and unexplored territory. His investigations
have led to the entire lake system north of Great
Slave Lake, including Artillery Lake, Clinton-
Golden, Aylmer, Mackay, and Lac de Gras, being
greatly revised on our maps.

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 55

The following day he transported us and our
effects to the commencement of Pike’s Portage,
where he met the rest of his party returning from
the north.

That evening we started across the portage
having five canoes and each six hundred pounds
of provisions. Messrs. Loranger and Roberts,
the official wolf poisoners, visited us and brought
us the acceptable gift of some fine fat trout.

Artillery Lake was reached on the 12th, bad
north-easterly rain storms having contributed a
good deal to our discomfort and delay on the
portages.

The following day we met with the first caribou
and I succeeded in shooting a fine young bull. It
was urgently required as we had been put to
some difficulty in procuring sufficient food to feed
the dogs without being forced to utilize our own
supplies. The horns were still in velvet, and the
animal, a four-year-old, dressed down to about
140 pounds; we managed to strip off a few pounds
of back-fat from beneath the rump hide, but as
yet, of course, the caribou had not attained their
best condition. Caribou were now to be seen
roaming about, grazing, in ones and twos. Mostly

‘bulls and so scattered about the country that

from a high hill but one or two pairs could be
observed. But from now onwards little difficulty
was experienced in securing all the fresh meat we
required. In order to work off the effects of salt
pork and bacon, on which I had been living for
the past three months rather too well, I confined
my diet almost entirely to “straight”? caribou
meat, being much comforted in consequence.
Heel galls that had persistently troubled me by
not healing almost immediately dried up and
grew whole.

The passage of Artillery Lake was exceedingly
slow. We failed to propitiate the wrath of the
spirit that has Beaver Lodge on the Western shore
for its place of abode, and in consequence were
assailed by fierce gales from the north-east and
south-west, being twice held up for six days.
The temperature was dropping, snow, sleet, and
hail were the order of the day, all the boulders and
rocky points became ice-covered, the seas ran
high and even on the finer days canoe travel was
apt to be somewhat hazardous. On more than
one occasion seas were shipped and hurried
landings had to be made. Though the lake is
quite narrow we found that the water during a
gale would become piled up on the weather shore
to a considerable height, and during one night in
particular it necessitated thrice removing our
entire belongings in all fifty feet further inland.

On September 28th the smaller. lakes were

56 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

firmly iced and hard enough to travel on. For
hauling meat, dogs and sleighs were put into
commission, steel runners being used for pas-
sages over bare ground.

On September 29th the northern extremity of
the lake was reached. The last of the timber
had been left twenty miles behind, but on the
esker that runs across the head of the Lake some
small scrub spruce was discovered; with its use
we decided a dug-out could be constructed, how-
ever, and as we were prepared already to resign
ourselves to any conditions in order to pass a
winter in the Barren Lands, a site was chosen.
One man neverthless decided that the edge of
the timber offered better prospects and he re-
treated thither.

The Peace River party now commenced to build
themselves their winter home, but Hornby
decided that the locality could not hold us all,
on account of the lack of fuel. Hence we decided
to travel further north. The building under
construction had sand for its foundations, and
into this a hole twelve feet by twelve was dug to
a depth of about three feet. Tundra sedge for
sods was scarce but boulders were not, and the
walls were revetted and built up with suitable
ones chosen from the bed of a creek nearby. A
ridge pole was happily secured for the roof,
canvasses and caribou hides were stretched across
it, moss and earth placed on top and within a
few days a habitable but inartistic residence had
gone into erection. Snow had commenced to
fall so the procuration of winter fuel had to be
considered. In favoured localities on the sand
of the esker dead and dying scrub spruce was to
be found within a radius of five miles. Most of
this grew in creeper form with long twisted roots
beneath the sand. During many years a gradual
change in the direction of the prevailing wind
had, apparently, rendered the locality once fa-
vourable for the growth of this hardy tree unfa-
vourable; they have died off, and the sand blown
clear of the roots, leaves patches of dry timber in
view. This it was that served to provide suffi-
cient fuel for that party for almost the entire
winter. At first glance one or two were distinctly
sceptical with regards the quantity of fuel to be
gleaned, and on many occasions during the
winter it was held that no more could anywhere
be procured. Eventually however, the supply
in hand would fall off, and rather than make the
twenty-mile trip to the last woods another search
along the esker would be made. Another load
would always be forthcoming, though it must be
admitted that after a few weeks stuff was being
burnt that few would ever recognize as possessing

[VoL. XLIV

combustible properties. Fox grease often had to
be used to help it out.

On October 11th Hornby and I selected a
building” site about ten miles north-west of this
point, on the bank of Casba River near the eastern
terminal of the esker. There was practically no
fuel, but there were a dozen spruce poles about
eight feet high that could be employed for dug-
out construction. In any case it appeared to be
the only remaining place so we determined to make
the best of it. A similar house was made though .
smaller (10 feet by 7 feet), and built well beneath
the sand, the walls being the revetted sides of
the hole in the sand. A trench twelve feet long
and seven feet deep was cut to the entrance, and
covered with blocks of snow brought from the
few solid drifts that could be found close to camp.
Later during the winter considerable anxiety was
experienced owing to the subsiding of the walls
of this building. Many hard days were spent in
the search for suitable poles with which to re-
inforce it and several hundred feet of tracking line
were used to “‘tie the walls out’’.

During the long winter much travelling was
done, principally in search of wood. It was
never possible to load more than three days, fuel
on to a dog sleigh because of the twisted nature
of the wood. Again rarely could more than three
days’ fuel be collected from one ‘“‘sprucery’’.
Then possibly it would take four or five days to
locate another from beneath its heavy covering
of snow. Often during the most bitter weather
the perspiration would pour from us as we la-
boured to hack the twisted roots from the frozen
sand and from beneath the snow. Even in the
most violent storms the necessity of procuring
wood would arise, and it was on those occasions
that the greatest difficulty would be experienced
as drifting snow would completely obliterate a
view of the country-side at any distance greater
than a few feet, limiting the range of vision
necessary to enable one to discover the com-
modity.

The constant use of the dogs in search of fuel
prevented us from making trips to our base at
Fort Reliance for provisions, and the shortage of
white man’s food, thereby entailed, necessitated
much caribou hunting. The human being will
consume a large quantity of meat if he is de-
pendent on it solely for his sustenance, and the
same applies to dogs. During Inspector French’s
patrol to Bathurst Inlet in 1918, his teams of
dogs, amounting to 27, and his party, used 16
caribou in six weeks for food. In the Spring
the caribou are easy to approach, but during the
cold weather of winter they are very difficult to
stalk. This entailed greater limitation of our

March, 1930] THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 57

activities, and no doubt the fatigue entailed by were badly drifted up, probably as deep as twelve
constant hunting, poor living and fuel getting, feet. It took us several days to find this timber,
and the periods of shortage of provisions contri- and it was not until we were right above it on the
buted largely to the small reserve of strength we ridge that the place was found.

possessed when, during the subsequent trip to Here we established another camp, using a

Hudson Bay next Spring, we suffered considerably tent, and windbreaking it with snow blocks.

from weakness. Hither we used to repair if caught out during
Hornby devoted a certain amount of time to _ blizzards.

trapping, but the conditions under which we Fuel ran low towards the end of the winter

lived in our dug-out were such that many of the about the esker where the first party established
pelts were found to have so deteriorated on reach- and a return was made by them to the last woods,
ing civilization as to be worthless. This was due where a large shack had been built in case this
to the fact that candles ran out, wolf and fox fat should occur. M. Stewart, however, succeeded
had to be used instead, and the light so provided in remaining at his post in the Plains practically
was so poor as to render careful cleaning im- throughout the entire winter. He was well
possible. During the summer’s heat the grease looked after and provisioned by the remainder
ran, “‘boiled’’ into the hide and loosened the fur. of his party in the last woods, and they were
On October 25th Artillery Lake froze over, and * ewarded with a large catch of white foxes.

on the 26th Casba River also, except at the In April I returned to Fort Reliance, settled
swift places, which did not freeze until January up with my party that had been left there, dis-
9th. posed of what provisions I could to trappers in

High winds and persistent low temperatures are the vicinity, left the remainder en cache, and set
the rule during winter away from the woods. out northwards again with six weeks’ supplies
On one occasion when I did return to the forest and additions to my photographaphical and
I was particularly struck by the seeming imme- _ collecting outfits.
diate rise in temperature the moment cover was At the beginning of this month a patrol of the

—epind Actually it is not the case, but the Royal Canadian Mounted Police arrived under
combination of high winds and extremely low Corporal Hawkins and Constable Baker. In-
temperature as found in the interior away from spector Fletcher of Fort Smith kindly arranged
the sea, is particularly noticeable on the treeless the patrol and had our mail sent out with it.
plains. Probably the lowest temperature record The day they arrived was an interesting one for
in North America would be registered near where them—they saw their first wolves, which were
we were established. particularly numerous just then, shot their first

Towards December it was found possible to caribou, and took back with them two live female
make a hurried journey to the base for supplies white foxes that Hornby gave them. They were
and Hornby made the trip. A considerable quan- somewhat amazed to find the conditions under
tity of food stuffs was brought north, but all along which we had lived throughout the winter, but
the route as far as the timber’s edge destitute In- nevertheless could not refrain from admitting that
dians were found, and the call on our provisions notwithstanding we looked remarkably fit.
became so great that not a large supply reached On April 25th the entire party, except for
our camp. Hornby and myself, left for Fort Smith.

During this journey Hornby was informed by On May 18th Hornby and I, with eleven hun-
an Indian by the name of Sousie Benjamin, a dred pounds of stuff, including two canoes, left
man who had accompanied Hanbury on his Casba River for the Thelon. We had only three
Thelon River trip, that a patch of timber stood dogs and one sleigh, but conditons are almost
isolated at the bottom of a deep bay out of Casba invariably such in this district that practically
Lake about twelve miles north-west of our camp. any load can be transported across country on
This we eventually discovered, though not with- steel-shod sleighs at this time of the year. The
out considerable difficulty, as it had been prac- snow thaws slightly during the day time, and
tically covered with drift snow. There was quite freezes again during the night. This renders
a little wood, about a dozen or fifteen white spruce night travel a comparatively simple matter. The
‘trees standing as high as twenty-five feet. The snow crust is as hard and slippery almost as ice,
butt of the largest tree, a dead one, measured 71 and provided initial impetus can be lent the sleigh
inches in circumference. They were growing in to start with, little difficulty will be experienced
a deep gully on the edge of asmalllake. Astream in keeping it on the move. Within a week we
evidently flows down this gully during the warm hoped to be able to reach the valley of the Thelon
weather. When we arrived most of the trees to await there the disruption of the ice, and spend

58 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

a month observing and photographing wild life.

The first day, however, brought with it a north-
westerly blizzard, and the country was soon cover-
ed with dry sandy snow, making the hauling of
such a heavy load impossible. Adverse condi-
tions continued until June 8th, when after tre-
mendous exertions we managed to reach Campbell
Lake. For almost a month we had travelled six-
teen hours a night, double and treble tripping our
load. Snow conditions were never perfect; either
it did not freeze sufficiently during the night, or,
when it did, snow came and covered the crust
with a few inches of drift that made going with
such a small team practically impossible. On
occasions fifty miles would be covered to move
the entire outfit ten miles. Eventually the lakes
became covered with water, the snow thawed
from off the plains and we had to resign ourselves
to waiting until the Hanbury River canoe-route
opened up.

Hanbury River is a rough stream, to pass down
which much portaging is necessary. It was this
portaging that we had hoped to avoid, principally
because it would mean wasting so much precious
time. In any case our outfit could not be moved
over a portage in less than sixteen separate packs.
Moreover we had taken only a month’s provisions
with us.

By the time the river opened we had no food
left, were a month behind scheduled time, faced
with the necessity of living off the country, and
the probability of missing the last means of trans-
portation to civilization.

On July 22nd the Thelon River was reached.
Searcity of nutritious food had caused us to kill
off two of our dogs, the straight fish diet, the
myriads of mosquitoes and sand flies that at-
tacked us the more because of our weakened
condition, the heavy work on the portages, the
average five hours sleep a day and our constant
anxiety exhausted us considerably. Moreover I
had had the misfortune to injure myself and
developed acute sciatica.

We were now in the heart of the musk-ox coun-
try, nineteen being observed during 19th and
_ 20th July. As the kinematography of these in-
teresting animals was a matter of primary impor-
tance we were most anxious to secure the meat
that would put us in condition to enable us to
follow them and obtain the desired records. Fish
on the upper Thelon is most difficult to procure,
there being hardly any suitable fishing places.
Moreover as the human being requires ten to
fifteen pounds a day of fat fish to provide him
with any energy at all, the situation under such
circumstances presents difficulties. We were
commencing to feel some anxiety on this score,

[VoL. XLIV

when the caribou migration suddenly put in an
appearance. For three days they passed in
thousands. Four were shot and feasting com-
menced. We hoped to be able to dry a consider-
able quantity of the meat, but wood was nowhere
close to the scene of our hunt, the blow flies were
innumerable, the rain poured and within three
days the sun had rendered our supply rotten.
Ten pounds a day of straight meat is apt to upset
even the strongest stomach if putrid, and for us
in our weakened condition it had a distressing
effect. :

On July 27th, however, more musk-oxen were
met with, discomforts were immediately forgotten
and valuable photographs were obtained. Un-
fortunately, whereas it had been hoped to remain
in this district fully a month, it was now, on
account of our unforeseen delay, impossible to
stay longer than two days. Careful and extended
photographic work was out of the question, and
much of that done was as we drifted down-stream
in our canoes. Had it but been possible to
devote a week to photography several thousand
feet of entirely new and original material could
have been secured. But even so several hundred
feet of film was brought out, depicting briefly but
accurately the movements of the caribou, and the
musk-oxen in their natural habitat, subjects that
had hitherto never been recorded kinematogra-
phically.

On 4th August the last of these imposing animals
was seen, and only remained to reach the coast
with as little delay as possible.

Although we were in great need of more sub-
stantial food the orders we had received forbidding
us to kill musk-oxen under any circumstances
deterred us from interpreting the spirit rather
than the letter of the law. We suffered in con-
sequence. The caribou were in wretched condi-
tion, and although on one occasion we rendered
down an entire carcass, head included, not a
single drop of fat was yielded to us. Kept on the
move day and night by pestiferous insects, these
poor animals become so lean and out of condition
as to be almost uneatable. In order to keep the
meat it was necessary to boil it. If the soup was
left with the meat in the pot, it would quickly
ferment and cause us increased abdominal dis-
comfort. Hence whenever a big supply was
cooked the essence would have to be poured off.
The flesh remaining could only be likened to
grass, and by the time Beverly Lake was reached
we hardly had the strength to put up our mos-
quito bars and collect enough fuel to boil the
kettle.

On 14th August we sighted Eskimos—four
families. They were camped on the western end

March, 1930]

of Aberdeen Lake, and were the first human beings
we had seen. They were poor, but we managed
to secure two good caribou tongues from them,
and the same evening at a place a few miles below
their camp good whitefish fishing was found.
This helped considerably. On leaving this place
bad luck was again encountered, neither caribou
nor sufficient fish could be procured, and the
last dog was shot. One evening owing to weak-
ness I allowed my axe to slip and cut my right
foot very badly. The situation was at last
showing signs of becoming critical. But on
August 22nd Hornby had the zood fortune to
shoot a fine young bull caribou. It was in fair
condition and putting on fat. That night we
feasted.

On August 24th a heavy rapid on the lower
Thelon and Dubawnt was found and this neces-

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 59

sitated a portage of a mile.

On August 27th Baker Lake was reached.
The last part of the river where it enters this lake
is dangerous. ‘The channel is full of shoals, the
water is swift, and in places broken. Coming
down-stream the rapid is not seen until one is in
the middle of it. This nearly occasioned the loss
of a large part of our outfit.

On September 6th Chesterfield Inlet Post was
reached, and passage to Port Harrison on the
other side of Hudson Bay was secured through
Messrs. Revillon Freres.

Here passage to Newfoundland was procured
in a steamer chartered by the Hudson’s Bay
Company to replace their S.S. Bay Eskimo which
had been sunk early in the year.

(To be continued)

NEW RECORDS OF MASTODONS AND MAMMOTHS IN CANADA
By C. M. STERNBERG, Geological Survey of Canada‘

ODERN elephants inhabit only the
Mi warmer regions of the world but fossil
Sem) remains of their ancestors, (see Plate I),

=<” the mastodons and mammoths, have
been found in Pleistocene deposits in nearly all
parts of the habitable world except Australia.
They have been found, in North America, from
Florida to California and from Mexico to Yukon
and Alaska.

Among the first vertebrate fossils to be found
in North America were the remains of mastodons
and mammoths and as early as 1705 a mastodon
tooth was collected from the Hudson river valley
near Albany, N.Y. This tooth was sold for a
gill of rum but was later presented to Lord
Carnbury who sent it to England as the tooth
of a giant man. To those early collectors the
finding of mastodon teeth confirmed their belief
that there were giants in the antediluvian world
and reports were written describing their probable
size and habits.?

The mastodon about equaled the Indian ele-
phant in bulk but was not so tall, its limbs being
shorter and its body broader. They were forest-
dwellers and their teeth were well adapted for
browsing. The tusks, which are modified incisor
teeth, were larger than in the modern elephants

and in some specimens there are vestigial tusks .

1Published with permission of the Director of the Geo-
logical Survey of Canada, Ottawa.

2See The Mastodons, Mammoths and Other Pleistocene
Mammals-of New York State, by Hartnagle and Bishop,
New York State Museum Bulletin 241, 1921; pp. 20 and 26.

in the lower jaws. In the Tertiary mastodons
inferior tusks were common and often quite large.
In the mastodons and mammoths, as well as the
modern elephants, there were no canine or pre-
molar teeth but the milk molars served as pre-
molars. There was no vertical succession of the
cheek teeth but the new ones developed behind
those in use which, as they were worn, were pushed
forward and finally shed. There were only six
cheek teeth in all, on each side, and in young
individuals as many as three, on each side of the
jaw, were in use at one time, but in very old
individuals only one remained unshed. The
cheek teeth of the American mastodon were
relatively low-crowned and made up of two
to five prominent transverse ridges, covered with
thick enamel and, usually, with no cement on
the crown. These differed greatly from the teeth
of modern elephants and the mammoths, which
are high-crowned and made up of a large number
of vertical plates of dentine covered with enamel,
the spaces between filled with cement and the
whole tooth covered with a thick coat of cement.
As the tooth wears the dentine and cement wears
faster than the hard enamel and thus the narrow
edge of enamel stands up to a higher level and
serves as a grinding mill. :

Though mastodon fossils have been found in
the Yukon they are not as common, in this more
northerly region or in the glacial deposits, as are
the remains of the hairy mammoth (Elephas
primigenius). This is explained by the fact

[Vou. XLIV

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

60

‘aZIS 'IVALOV $ ‘HLOOJ, YVIOJ :LASNT
‘NOCGOLSVW NVOIMENV

hsojsiyy uno ny fo wnasnjy Uvdrwamy fisajunoa ig

GHL tO NOILVYOLSHY

March, 1930]

that the mastodon, though not a hot-country
animal, was not adapted for the extreme cold as
was the hairy mammoth. The mastodon was
covered with a moderately thick coat of shaggy
hair whereas the hairy mammoth had a heavy
coat of long, coarse, black hair and a thick,
brown, wool-like, under-coat. The hairy mam-
moth was as well adapted for life in the “‘Frozen
North” as is the musk-ox of to-day. Cadavers
of the hairy mammoth have been found frozen
in the glaciers and soil of Siberia and, in some
cases, were so well preserved that the flesh was
eaten by dogs and even men. They were about
the size of the Indian elephant. Some students
of the mammoth, believe that they have not been
extinct much over a thousand years while others
believe that it is several thousand years since
their extermination.

Mastodon remains are the most numerous of

all terrestrial vertebrate fossils reported from the
lower lands in the vicinity of the Great Lakes
and the Hudson river valley. Most of these have
been found in peat bogs or in marl or clay de-
posits. It is most likely that, in many cases,
the animal bogged down while in search of food.
At the Bigbone Lick in Boon County, Kentucky,
an almost incredible number of teeth, skulls and
other bones of mastodons as well as those of
mammoths, have been collected. The teeth of
mastodons and mammoths are the hardest part
of the animal’s anatomy and these are often the
only parts saved by the amateur collector. In
some mastodon specimens what is regarded as
the stomach contents have been found within
the body cavity. These masses consist of partly
digested grass, leaves, and twigs up to half an
inch in diameter and two inches in length.

Remains of the hairy mammoth are usually found
on glacial deposits but they have been found
as far south as North Carolina. This section of
the country was probably quite cool at the time
of the extreme advance of the ice, during the
Pleistocene period, but as the ice retreated the
mammoths migrated farther north. The most
northerly record of the mammoth, in North
America, is that of a tusk from Lidden gulf, Mel-
ville island, in 75° north latitude.

Remains of the Columbian elephant (Elephas
columbi), which was larger than the hairy mam-
moth, are commonly found in the southern and
western United States and teeth of this species
have been found as far north as the Yukon.

A third species of elephant, or mammoth
(Elephas imperator) which inhabited North Amer-
ica during Pleistocene times, is found in the
southern Great Plains but, apparently, did not
come as far north as Canada. This species was

Tue CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 61

the largest of the lot and equaled or surpassed
in size, the largest African elephant.

In the collections of the Geological Survey and
the National Museum of Canada are a number
of fossil remains of mastodons, including a fine
skull, from the following counties of southern
Ontario: Wentworth, Oxford, Norfolk, Elgin,
and Essex. Besides the writer has records of
mastodon finds from York, Dufferin, Lincoln,
Welland, Haldiman and Middlesex counties,
Ontario. It will, therefore, be noted that masto-
don fossils have been found in all the counties
bordering on Lake Erie as well as several others.

The writer has no positive records of Mastodon
from the Canadian prairies.

Fossil remains of the hairy mammoth are not
so common, in southern Ontario, as those of the
mastodon, but are relatively abundant in western
and northwestern Canada. Four counties, in
southern Ontario, however, have yielded remains
of the mammoth, i.e., Dufferin, York, Wentworth
and Kent.

The National Museum of Canada has recently
acquired a lower, right, third molar tooth of the
American mastodon (Mastodon americanus) which
was collected in southern Ontario. The specimen
was sent in by Mr. A. Conway, of Cedar Springs,
Ontario, who states that it was plowed up in
low, heavy, land on the farm of Mr. Dan Mac-
Intire, one mile north and two miles west of
Dutton, Elgin County. See inset, Plate I.

The tooth is 62 inches long and 32 inches broad,
and has four cross crests or cusps. It was some-
what injured at or since the time of collection
but it is important as giving one more to the many
records of mastodon fossils from southern Ontario,

The writer has secured a number of previously
unpublished records, of mastodon and mammoth
finds in Canada, through the courtesy of Dr.
J. A. Allan, Univ. of Alta., Edmonton; Dr. F. H.
Edwards, Univ. of Sask., Saskatoon; Dr. R. W.
Kirkby, Ft. Qu’Appelle Sanatorium, Ft. Qu’-
Appelle Sask.; Dr. W. T. MacClement, Queen’s
Univ., Kingston, Ont.; Mr. T. P. O. Menzies,
City Mus., Vancouver, B.C.; Mr. W. A. New-
combe, Prov. Mus., Victoria, B.C.; Dr. R. B.
Orr, Prov. Mus., Toronto, Ont.; Dr. W. A. Parks,
Roy. Ont. Mus. of Pal., Toronto, Ont.; Mr.
N. B. Sanson, Government Mus., Banff, Alta.
and Dr. A. Willey, Peter Redpath Mus., Montreal,
EQ): Dr. O. P. Hay in his very fine work,
“Pleistocene of North America and Its Vertebrated
Animals”, Carnegie Institute of Washington,
Pub. 322-1923, 322A-1924 and 322B-1927 has
recorded a number of mastodon and mammoth
finds in Canada and these will not be repeated
here. The object of the present article is to re-

62 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

OCEAN

; |
; SASKATCHEWAN !
!
!
!
!

POS A Cre Fut, C,

oe Mastodon
s Mommoth
o Mastodon reported by Hay
ou Mammoth reported by Hay

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[VoL. XLIV

Map showing distribution

cord recent discoveries of mastodon and mammoth
fossils, and those not recorded by Hay, and thus
make the records as complete as possible. No
doubt there are other records which have been
overlooked by the writer. |

So many specimens of these genera, especially
Elephas primigenius, have been collected from
Yukon and Alaska, that there would not be room,
in this articie, to record them all and so they are
omitted. Suffice it to say that practically all
of the larger museums in Canada and the United
States have specimens from this region. Many
of these finds have been made, tn the frozen

muck and gravel, through the placer mine opera-
tions. There are sixty-two specimens of mam-
moth and four of mastodon, from this northerly
region, in the collections of the Geological Survey
and National Museum of Canada.

Plate I shows a restoration of the American
mastodon and a mastodon tooth. (No. 8541).

Plate II is a map showing mastodon and
mammoth distribution in Canada other than the
Maritime Provinces and the Yukon.

Following is a tabulated list of mastodon and
mammoth finds in Canada other than those from
the Yukon, and those reported by Hay.

Mastodon americanus in Ontario.

Locality and
mode of occurrence

Parts discovered

Part of skeleton Near Shelburne,

Dufferin Co.
Most of skeleton bested ; Welland
O.
Not stated Near Smithville,
Lincoln Co.
Not stated Near St. Thomas,

Elgin Co.

In possession of

Collected or
reported by

Mr. J. A. Jelly Provincial Museum,
Toronto.

Royal Ontario
Museum, Toronto.

Toronto Globe, Not stated
Nov. 17, 1911.
Toronto Globe, Not stated

Nov. 17, 1911.

~

March, 1930]

Parts discovered

THE CANADIAN FIBLD-NATURALIST

Locality and
mode of occurrence

; Not stated

Two tusks, teeth, and
parts of skeleton
Molar tooth

Five teeth and tusk

Considerable part of
skeleton

Part of skeleton

Skull, with teeth and part/W. Jones’

of skeleton

L. R. 3rd molar

Teeth and part of
skeleton

Fragments of teeth

Two teeth

Part of tooth

Tooth

Tooth

Near Belmont,
Middlesex Co.

Haldimand Co.
Norfolk Co.

A. R. Martin’s farm,
5 miles E. of Wood-
stock, Oxford Co., in
peat bog.

Collected or
reported by

63

In possession of

Toronto Globe,
Nov. 17, 1911.

Not stated.

S. W. Howard, reported |S. W. Howard,

by Moye Williams.

Simcoe Reformer.
Sept. 6, 1923.

A. R. Martin

G. Grumble’s farm, 5 mi.| Collected, 1871.

E. of Woodstock, Ox-
ford Co., in peat. bog.

Carter Lake swamp,
Oxford Co

sex Co.

Pleistocene;
Lambton Co.

Amos Carter

farm, Dela-|Prof. A. D. Robertson
ware township, Middle-

Plowed up on farm of |A. Conway

D. MaclIntire, Dutton
Elgin Co.

Hagersville, Ont.
Dr. W. A. McIntosh

A. R. Martin,
Delhi, Ont.

Geological Survey of
Canada, No. 6788.

Univ. of Western Ont.,
London, Ont.

Royal Ontario Museum,
Toronto.

Geological Survey of
Canada, Cat. No. 8541

From slough, 2 mi. north|W. L. MacKenzie, Quill|/Univ. of Sask.,

of Shedden, Elgin Co.

Malahide township,
Elgin Co.

No record,
- probably Ontario.

Pleistocene;
Dutton, Elgin Co.

Pleistocene

Pleistocene

Lake, Sask.

No information

No information

Saskatoon.

Peter Redpath
Museum, Montreal

Queen’s Univ.,
Kingston, Ont.

Royal Ontario
Museum, Toronto.

Royal Ontario
Museum, Toronto.

Royal Ontario
Museum, Toronto.

Mammoth finds in Canada, other than the Yukon and those reported by Hay.
Elephas primigenius.

Lower jaws and part of|Near Muirkirk,

skeleton

Tooth
Fragment of tusk

Fragment f tusk

Kent Co., Ont.

Late glacial:
West Toronto

Pleistocene; Toronto

Pleistocene; Toronto

L. M. Lambe

Geological Survey of
Canada.

Royal Ontario
Museum, Toronto.

Royal Ontario
Museum, Toronto.

Royal” Ontario
Museum, Toronto

64

Parts discovered

Tusk
Part of lower jaw and
tooth

Tooth

Tooth

Tusk

Tooth

Tooth fragments
Tooth

Atlas vertebra

Ulna
Tooth
Tooth

2 teeth

2 teeth

Part of tooth
Part of tooth
Part of tooth

Tooth
Tusk
Part of tusk

Tooth

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

Collected or
reported by

Locality and
mode of occurrence

Pleistocene; Toronto

Interglacial, Toronto

Coarse gravel, rewash|Dr. D. A. Stewart
glacial; 1 mi. west of
Ft. Qu’Appelle, Sask.

Near Edmonton, Alta. |J. E. Revell

Near Empress, Alta. Lawrence Readel

Herschel Island, N.W.T.|Judge Dubue

S. W. Thompson

A. I. Meredith

Rowley, Alta.
Duchess, Alta.

Exeavation for pier for|Rev. W. Minshaw
Peace river bridge, Alta.

Gravel pit, Brule, Alta.|J. McNeil

23 mi. N.E. Medicine|N. S. Sanderson
Hat, Alta., in fluviatile
gravels

Gravel bar, Smokey river,|J. Spittal
% mi. above Watino,
Alta.

On surface, below glacial|/C. M. Sternberg
drift; 7 mi. S.W. Row-
ley, Alta.

In outskirts of Calgary,)Seen by author
Alta.

From Pleistocene gravels;|Roy Fowler
i mt K. of Alderside,
ta

In glacial deposits,South|Cap. Devereux
end of Vancouver Is-
land.

In glacial deposits, James J. Neeves
sane Haro Bizet)

Cordova Bay, V.I. Justice Drake

Shuswap Lake, B.C. Mrs. Dewdney

Saanich, V.1. B. H. Lamont

Mt. Tolmie, Mrs. D. Newton

Victoria District

Sucia Island,
Sts. of Georgia

[VoL. XLIV

In possession of

Royal Ontario
Museum, Toronto.

Royal Ontario
Museum, Toronto.

Ft. Qu’Appelle
Sanatorium. ’

Univ. of Alta., No. 14.
Univ. of Altas No. 16
Univ. of Alta., No. 185.
Univ. of Alta., No. 137.
Univ. of Alta., No. 138.
Univ. of Alta., No. 139.

Univ. of Alta., No. 225.
Univ. of Alta., No. 229.

Univ. of Alta., No. 348.

Geological Survey of
Canada. ;

Roy Fowler,
Alderside, Alta.

Prov. Museum,
Victoria, B.C.,
No. 377.

Prov. Museum,
Victoria, B.C.,
No. 296.

Prov. Museum,
Victoria, B.C.,
No. 299.

Prov. Museum,
Victoria, B.C.,
No. 492.

Prov. Museum,
Victoria, B.C.,
No. 484.

Prov. Museum,
Victoria, B.C.,
INOS 4854s

March, 1930]

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

65

Mammoth; not specifically identified.

—s

Parts discovered

2 teeth

3 teeth and part of
skeleton

Mammoth or mastodon

Mammoth or mastodon

Mammoth or mastodon

Bones

Mammoth or mastodon

Bones

Bones

Bones

Vertebrae and limb

Tusk

Femur

Tooth

Locality and
mode of occurrence

Muirkirk,
Kent Co., Ont.

40 ft. below surface,
Burlington Heights,
Hamilton, Ont.

Late glacial;
Hamilton, Ont.

Late glacial;
Hamilton, Ont.

Interglacial;
Toronto, Ont.

Post glacial;
W. Toronto, Ont.

Interglacial;
Toronto, Ont.

Post glacial;
Toronto, Ont.

Pleistocene;
Empress, Alta.

Pleistocene;
Empress, Alta.

Mouth of Ram thew:
W. of Rocky Mountain
House, Alta.

Little Smoky River,
Alta.

75 ft. below surface,
Empress, Alta.

Pleistocene;
Castor, Alta.

Collected or
reported by

In possession of

L. M. Lambe Geological Survey of
Canada.
Nos. 6747 and 6748.
R. Benedict Geological Survey of

Canada.
Nos. 6770 — 6780.

Royal Ontario
Museum, Toronto.

Royal Ontario
Museum, Toronto.

Royal Ontario
Museum, Toronto.

Royal Ontario
Museum, Toronto.

Royal Ontario
Museum, Toronto.

Royal Ontario
Museum, Toronto.

Royal Ontario
Museum, Toronto.

Royal Ontario
Museum, Toronto.
Photographed by - |Not collected.

D. B. Dowling

C. Pfitzer and
S. W. Thompson

Univ. of Alta.,
Edmonton.

G. L. Brown Lent to Rocky Mt.
Park Museum,
Banff, Alta.
N. B. Sanson ° Mrs. Pauls.

GLIMPSES OF LITTLE-KNOWN WESTERN LAKES AND THEIR BIRD LIFE
By J. A. MUNRO

¢

(Concluded from page 45, Vol. XLIV)

TROUT LAKE, DEER LAKE AND BURNABY LAKE,
BRITISH COLUMBIA

muskeg.

ROUT LAKE comprises some 10 acres
of shallow water, occupying a swampy
hollow in a well settled district.
bottom is muddy and the shores are

At one time good shooting was had

The

at this lake and ducks still frequent the waters

when unmolested by hunters. Several American
Mergansers, Green-winged Teal and Baldpate
were noted on April 5th, 1924.

Deer Lake in Burnaby Municipality is con-
siderably larger, approximately 200 acres. The
water is clear and fairly deep, the bottom and
shores muddy. Surrounded by deciduous timber
growing close to the water’s edge, the lake is
attractive in appearance and is used to some
extent as a summer resort. A small stream

66 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

connects this body of water with Burnaby Lake
lying at a lower elevation about a mile distant.

Burnaby Lake is approximately three miles
long and half a mile wide. The shores are
straight muskeg on which grows Labrador Tea,
Cranberry and other plants of this association.
For this reason it is difficult to reach the margin
of the lake at any point and walking is hazardous
along the shores. At one place a pole was
driven into the bog for a depth of eight feet
without striking bottom. A considerable area
of rough woodland is adjacent to the lake and
there is a scattered growth of conifers and de-
ciduous trees along the shore at many places.
Most of the arable land near the lake is under
cultivation and it would seem unlikely that any
scheme of adding to this area by drainage will be
undertaken in the future owing to the excessive
depth of the muskeg.

At the end of the lake is an extensive bed of
rushes—good cover for nesting water-fowl. A
small stream emptying into this end is frequented
by a colony of beaver and in reaching the lake
by this route one passes numerous feeding trails,
a substantial dam and one fair-sized house.
Muskrats are numerous and recently a number
have been trapped by officers of the Game Con-
servation Board for liberation on Vancouver
Island.

A small number of Mallard, Pintail and Green-
winged Teal were observed on April 4th, 1924,
along the edge of the tule bed referred to above,
and several flocks passed overhead. It is re-
ported that large flocks of duck frequent the lake
during the winter months.

Wild-rice has been grown successfully at
Burnaby Lake and no doubt could also be grown
at Trout and Deer Lakes. Probably other species
of plants such as wild celery and sago pondweed
would also flourish if introduced.

LEECH RIVER DISTRICT, VANCOUVER ISLAND,
BRITISH COLUMBIA

In June, 1925, the Leech River District was
visited via Canadian National Railway from
Victoria. Leaving the train at Leechtown the
journey was continued on foot by way of a well
worn trail along the north side of the Leech River
for some six miles to the Forks where we left
our packs. From this point we followed an old
blazed trail leading north west and ascended
approximately 1200 feet in a distance of four
miles reaching the west fork of the Leech River
a short distance above the falls. After noting the
topography of this area we retraced our steps
to the Forks and made camp. The following
‘day the north and middle forks of the river were
ascended a short distance, MacDonald’s Lake,

[VoL. XLIV

Martin’s Gulch, Kennedy’s Flat and other points
of note were examined and I then returned to
Victoria by train.

The country traversed is said to be typical of
the area. §Topographically it may be described
as a series of low-timbered mountains, those
lying south of the Leech River forming a definite
and continuous ridge while those to the north
are more or less isolated by steep valleys formed
by the numerous confluents of the river. Zon-
ally, the area is considered intermediate between
the humid west-coast belt and the dryer south-
coast association characterized by the Garry Oak
and Madrona. The forest is virgin, semi-open,
and practically continuous. Douglas fir is the
chief conifer, but on the lower levels there is
some Western White pine and Jack pine. Along
the river are found Broad-leaf Maple and Sitka
Alder. In the old burns there is good repro-
duction, chiefly Hemlock and White Pine.
Apparently no timber has been cut and the stands
are of considerable value.

From a stock-raising or agricultural point of
view the district is thought to be valueless. A
road of sorts extends from Shawnigan Lake to
Sooke Lake. The various points visited are
hereafter described in more detail.

LEECHTOWN

Nothing is left of Leechtown save a few hand-
hewn timbers marking the site of the Government
House built by Governor Douglas in the early
60’s, after the Leech River placer camp assumed
importance. This settlement, reported to have
contained upward of five thousand men during
the best days, was centered about Kennedy’s
Flat at the junction of the Sooke and Leech
Rivers. Claims extended up the Leech River
to the forks before referred to and the river be-
tween these points was flumed. This entire
area has gone back to nature, Kennedy’s Flat
is grown up with forest and practically nothing.
remains to mark what at one time was the central
point of interest on the Pacific Slope.

Legend relates that the usual appurtenances
of a frontier mining camp were not lacking at
Leechtown. One Black Jack McDonald con-
ducted a combined dance hall, saloon and gambling
place—the lake described later bears the name of
this locally famous gentleman. There are ex-
tant hectic stories of manslaughter, of bullion
looted from a stage coach and secretly buried,
of the finding and subsequent loss of the mother-
lode, in fact the Bret Harte tradition has been
transplanted in its entirety and is preserved in
such names as Bacon Bar, Martin’s Gulch and
The Devil’s Grip. There still is gold in the
Leech River and mining is carried on sporadically
by a few old timers.

—

March, 1930]

LEECH RIVER

This is a confluent of the Sooke River; the
latter drains Sooke Lake and empties into Sooke
Harbour. Low water prevailed at the time of
my visit and the stream was crystal clear—a
series of deep pools joined by narrow torrents,
sometimes in miniature box canyons with walls
of vertical slate, again cascading over polished
rock, or slipping past stretches of slaty sand.
The river bed is wide and piled with innumerable
boulders of greyish rock, probably of volcanic
origin, whose worn, striated condition indicates
the force and volume of water during times of
flood. There are no bridges and during such
times the river would be impassable. The Leech
River is a stream of remarkable beauty, notable
even in a country famous for beautiful streams.

THe MEADOW TRAIL

This is a well marked trail from Leechtown
along the north side of the Leech River to the
Forks. It dates back to the days of the gold-
tush. For the most part it is high above the
river, through fir timber, across old burns grown
up with bracken, salal and hemlock reproduction,
Over six or seven small icy streams, along sloping
side hills and descending finally to the river
bed near the Forks. From many points can be
seen through intervening timber the foaming little
river below. In the pools, the water is so still
and clear that every pebble on the bottom can
be seen.

There are other trails but none so well marked;
probably that known as the Baker trail, from
Sooke Lake to Jordan Meadows is the one best
known of these others.

FALLS ON THE WEST FORK

To reach the falls we ascended a hill approxi-
mately 1200 feet high between the west and middle
forks, travelling by an old trail marked by almost
obliterated blazes. This hill is covered with a
coniferous forest of Douglas fir, western White
pine and Western hemlock. We came out on a
rocky summit covered with lichens and crossing
this descended into the canyon of the stream
several hundred yards above the lip of the falls.
Picking our way amongst the strewn boulders
in the stream bed we soon reached the end of the
canyon to look down on the main valley of the
Leech. To the right of one facing thus is a per-
pendicular cliff of slate some 150 feet in height,
marking the end of the canyon and the lip of
the falls. From the base of this cliff the stream
cascades down in a series of leaps to the valley
below. The height of the falls is said to be 300
feet. At this season little water is passing over

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 67

and from where we stood directly above the falls
the view was disappointing. Later a descent
was made over deeply scored rocks below the
first small cascade but I was unable to obtain a
good photograph. All evidence points to a great
rush of water at flood time and then the sight
must be truly imposing.

MAcDOoNALD’s LAKE

The shores of this small lake, hidden away in
the forest, are low and swampy and support
various aquatic plants such as splatter dock,
which provide food for the few ducks which
frequent its waters. The lake was once stocked
with trout but these apparently did not survive:
as there is said to be no fishing now. It is a
mile or less distant from Leechtown and at an
elevation of approximately 150 feet above the
Leech River into which it drains. During the
gold-rush the end of the lake was dammed and a
ditch dug into Martin’s Gulch to provide the
miners with water. A portion of this dam and
the ditch are still in a fair state of preservation.

WILD LIFE

As is usual in virgin forests of the West, bird
life was found to be scarce in number of species
and individuals. The following species were
noted in small numbers: Red-shafted Flicker,
Pileated Woodpecker, Russet-backed Thrush,
Western Winter Wren, Oregon Junco, Steller’s
Jay, Hammond’s Flycatcher, Olive-sided Fly-
catcher, Dipper, Western Robin, Western Red-
tail and Sooty Grouse.

Bear and Cougar signs were noted and, judging
by the number of tracks, Black-tail deer are
abundant.

There is very little fishing to be had on any
of the streams.

Practically the whole district is excellent deer
and Blue-grouse country and is now over-hunted.
It may be stated that during the summer the
Coast Blue-grouse feeds largely on salal berries,
salmon berries, huckleberries and other wild
fruits which ripen early on the lower hillsides
and valleys. Early in the autumn there is a
migration to higher altitudes where the berry
crops are later in maturing. When this food is
exhausted fir-needles become the stable diet.

BENTINCK ISLAND

Bentinck Island, reserved as a leper colony,
is situated off Rocky Point in the Strait of Juan
de Fuca about twenty miles south west of Vic-
toria and is separated from the mainland by a
narrow channel through which the tides pass at
considerable speed. The total area of the island,

68 THE CANADIAN FIBELD-NATURALIST

which is of irregular shape, suggesting a shamrock
in outline, approximates 60 acres. In the shores
of grey rock the sea has cut deep clefts and coves;
the beach, for the most part, is a jumbled mass
of fallen rocks worn smooth by the pounding seas.
The timber on the island consists principally of
Douglas fir; jack pine and a few madronas.
The conifers are of fair size except along the
wind-swept shores where all the trees are de-
cumbent and twisted into weird shapes and similar
to those found above timber line on high moun-
tains.

During an inspection made on July 2nd, 1924,
it was discovered that no sea-birds nest on the
island, perhaps because of its nearness to the
mainland—such situations usually being avoided
owing to the certitude of attack by predatory
mammals. Pheasants and Blue grouse are said

[Vou.. XLIV

to be not uncommon but none were seen during
my visit. Passerine birds were observed to be
searce; one Flicker, several Rufous-backed
Chickadees, Oregon Juncos and Western Fly-
catchers being the only species encountered.
In the channel referred to above, a few Glaucous-
winged Gulls in the second or third year, and one
Pelagic Cormorant were noted.

Bentinck Island is of great natural beauty
and is interesting to a botanist or a marine
biologist, but from the view point of an ornithol-
ogist it offers little attraction. The isolated
Race Rocks, a mile or perhaps less, directly south
of Bentinck Island are known to be a nesting
ground for Glaucous-winged Gulls, Pigeon Guille-
mots and Black Oystereatchers. Probably these
rocks provide adequate nesting space for the
sea-birds which breed locally.

A LIST OF AQUATIC MOLLUSCS OF THE ABITIBI REGION
By J. L. HART

URING the summer of 1925 the writer
was a member of an Ontario Fisheries
Research Laboratory field party on Lake
Abitibi, where the author took advan-
tage of the opportunity to collect the molluscs of
the district. An annotated list of the land
molluscs collected there appeared in the May
number of The Canadian Field-Naturalist for
1929. The present paper includes a list of the
aquatic molluscs taken by us in this region. The
specimens have been identified by Dr. Bryant
Walker, whose help I gratefully acknowledge.

u(r

a=,
Pa Aste
RRA

Lymnexa stagnalis appressa Say.

Lymnezxa ferruginea Haldeman ?—This species,
according to Dr. Bryant Walker, has been pre-
viously recorded only from the west coast. The
record of a western mollusc is of especial interest
in this district when associated with the records
of other western species such as the goldeye,
Amphiodon alosoides, by Dymond and Hart,
(1927), Pellenes luggani and Cariarachne brun-
neipes, two western spiders by Emerton (1928),
Aeshna interrupita lineata, a western race of
dragon fly by Walker (1928) and Eutamias mini-
mies borealis, the western chipmunk recorded by
Snyder along with other western forms (1928).

Lymnea palustris Miiller—Common in shallow
water and small pools.

Lymnea catascopium Say.—Evidently not com-
mon.

Planorbis trivolvis Say.—A large form of com-
mon occurrence. ;

Planorbis exacuous Say.

Planorbis hirsutus
plentiful.

Gould.—Apparently not

Planorbis atronasus striatus Lea.

Physa gyrina Say.—Found in pools in woods
and about marshy shores.

Physa ancillaria Say.

Physa sayii warreniana Lea.—Specimens from
small pools and Circle river as well as from the
main body of the lake.

Valvata tricarinata unicarinata DeKay.
Valvata tricarinata simplex Gould.
Valvata sincera Say.

Amanicola limosa Say.—Fairly common.

Anodonta marginata Say.—Specimens from |
small neighbouring lakes and Teddy Bear river.

Anodonta grandis footiana Lea.—Common in
Lake Abitibi. Specimens from Trollope Lake.

Unio complanatus Solander.—Common in Lake
Abitibi.

Lampsilis radiata Gmelin*.—A single damaged
shell was found in a small pool at Lowbush.

Spherium rhomboideum Say.—Common in a
small boggy lake on Long Point, Lake Abitibi.

Spherium sulcatum Lamarck.—Two specimens
from the Circle river.

Pisidium neglectum Sterki.

Pisidium scutulatum Sterki.

Pisidium coneumulum Sterki.
men from the Lowbush river.

As the work on the Mollusca was secondary

A single speci-

_

March, 19380]

to the study of the fish of the region, it is probable

that further investigation will lead to-the dis-
covery of species not recorded here. This is

especially true of the Sphertide.

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 69

*(I doubt L. radiata to exist so far north,
distinct species, the L. luteola of the check lists, does. An
imperfect valve of either is hard to identify; even perfect
specimens cause trouble. A particulary fine luteola from the
Rideau Canal remained for years labelled radiata in the U. S.
National Museum at Washington until I convinced the late
Dr. Dall that it was L. luteola, when the label was changed. —
F_ R. LATCHFORD)

A similar, but

FRESHWATER CLADOCERA FROM SOUTHERN CANADA, COLLECTED BY
FRITS JOHANSEN IN 1925-26
By CHAUNCEY JUDAY

(See also Canadian Field-Naturalist V ol. 41: 180-131, 1927.)

Pools in fields outside Wrightville,
Quebec, May 17, 1925:

Daphnia mile (de Geer)
Simocephalus exspinous (Koch)
Simocephalus serrulatus (Koch)
(also the Ostracod Cypris pubera).

Pools in fields at Billings Bridge, Ottawa, Ont.,
May 25, 1925:

Daphnia pulex (de Geer)
Scapholebris mucronata (O. F. Mueller)
Chydorus sphaericus (O. F. Mueller)
Pond in field at Tenaga, Gatineau River,
Quebec, June 2, 1925:
Daphnia ales (de Geer). Small ephippial
forms and large parthenogenetic forms.
Pools in fields at Billings Bridge, Ottawa,
Ont., May 15, 1926:
Daninia nile (de Geer)

(Hull)

Ponds in the fields at Tenaga, Gatineau River,
Quebec, May 17, 1926:

Daphnia poles (de Geer)

Pools in pasture between Fairy Lake and Kings
Mountain, Quebec (near Ottawa), May 30, 1926:

Simocephalus exspinosus (Koch).

Pools in pasture at Billings Bridge, Ottawa,
Ont., June 5, 1926:

Daphnia pulex (de Geer)
Simocephalus exspinosus (Koch).

Ponds in Porteus’ Garden, St.
Orleans Island, Quebec, June 12, 1926:

Daphnia alee (de Geer)
Simocephalus exspinosus (Koch).

Pond below water-reservoirs in Victoria Park,
Truro, N.S., Sept. 23, 1926:

Daphne pulex (de Geer).
(May 1929.)

Petronille,

NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS

NOTES ON SOME SMALL CANADIAN RODENTS.—
The feelings of any restless mammalogist, gazing
at Canada’s “Outer Marches”, can be well ex-
pressed by Kipling’s fine lines—‘‘We yearned be-
yond the sky line where the strange roads go
down’’. So perhaps the following short notes
on some retiring mammals will not be out of order.

UNGAVA VOLE. Phenacomys ungava ungava
Merriam.—A collecting trip of mine to Franz,
Ontario, in July, 1925, failed in its main objec-
tive—to find this animal. A second trip, in mid-
April, 1929, succeeded. Franz might be likened
to a grim gray citadel of pre-Cambrian rocks,
camouflaged by scrubby black spruces, balsam
firs, canoe birch, banksian pine, and quaking
aspen. Due to glacial action there is little soil.
The annual range of temperature is from 82°
above to 58° below. The altitude is 1219 feet.
My two specimens were trapped under two feet
of snow in a swale, forested with balsams and
birches. The only available food seemed to be
balsam cones and leaves or Labrador tea. The
two specimens are apparently in winter pelage
and have no buffy tints on nose, said to mark
this animal. Perhaps the taxonomy of the

Canadian Phenacomys is still hazy.

CoopER LEMMING MOUSE. Synaptomys
coopert coopert Baird.—Two taken April 23 and
26, in sphagnum, Labrador tea association under
black spruces, at Pine Falls, on Winnipeg river,
in S.E. Manitoba.

In July, 1925, four were taken further up the
river at Minaki, in extreme western Ontario.

RICHARDSON LEMMING Mouse. Synaptomys
borealis borealis (Richardson).—It was a surprise
to find this species, as well as cooperi, at Pine
Falls, Manitoba, in April, 1929. Two taken in
rather open tamarack bog, in association with
saddle-backed and Hoy’s shrews, whereas cooperi
was found in shady forest swamp of black spruce.
In May following, at Cranberry portage, Atha-
papuskow lake, 50 miles north of the Pas, Mani-
toba, a number were taken. A male taken May
5th had dorsal fur 15 mm. long. Side glands
11 mm. long by 7 mm. wide. Lakes were still
frozen over. A female, taken May 8, contained
three large embryos 30 mm. long. Cranberry
portage, like Pine falls, lies on the edge of the
pre-Cambrian formation in Manitoba.—MorrIis
M. GREEN, Ardmore, Pennsylvania.

~

70 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

[Vou. XLIV

BOOK REVIEW

EXPERIMENTS IN BIRD MIGRATION. I. MANI-
PULATION OF THE REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE:
SEASONAL HISTOLOGICAL CHANGES IN THE
GONADS. (THESIS APPROVED FOR THE
DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF SCIENCE IN THE
UNIVERSITY OF LONDON.) BY WILLIAM
Rowan. Proceedings of the Boston Society
of Natural History. Vol. 39, No. 5, p. 151-
208, pl. 22-382. Boston: Printed for the Society.
From the William Brewster Fund. October,
1929..

The subject of bird migration, which has long
attracted the study and the thought of ornitho-
logists and of other scientists, has been brought
markedly nearer to satisfactory explanation by
the careful experiments, ingeniously devised and
arduously carried out, that are here described
and discussed by their author, Dr. Rowan. Leav-
ing aside, for the time, at least, the questions of
the origin and the method of migration, Dr.
Rowan has concentrated his researches on the
question of its annual causation, and has succeed-
ed in illuminating much that has hitherto been
shrouded in darkness.

The “‘working hypothesis’’ and ‘‘logical starting
point’ that guided the author in-the initiation of
his investigations was “that migration might be
attributed to a hormone produced by the gonads
at certain seasons and that the condition of the
gonads depended on the length of day at certain
times of the year—not temperature”, athough
extraneous factors may also be involved, especially
in producing inhibitions and in completing migra-
tion. The experiments that followed were all but
one conducted in winter in unheated aviaries
out-of-doors at Edmonton, Alberta, where the
temperature was frequently below zero Fahren-
heit for long periods. Large numbers of Juncos,
with a few individuals of other species of native
North American Sparrows, were trapped near
Edmonton in autumn and placed in the ayviaries.
Some thirty Canaries were also used in the experi-
ments. All the birds throve in spite of the cold.

In each case one group of birds in one aviary
was maintained simply for comparative or ‘‘con-
trol” purposes, while the experimenting was done
with another group of birds in another aviary. In

several experiments, which varied chiefly in the.

strength of the artificial lighting used, one group
of birds was permitted to experience the gradually
shortening days of autumn and early winter, while
at the same time the other group was subjected to
artificial lighting in such a way as to have the
effect of lengthening progressively the daily
period of light (considering natural and artificial

light together) by about five minutes a day. The
lights used were incandescent electric bulbs.

From time to time some birds were killed for
examination of the gonads and others were released
(generally with bands on), so that their behavior
under such circumstances might be noted. It
was found that, in general, such slight, regular
increases in the daily period of bright light re-
sulted, in spite of season and low temperature, in
gradual enlargement of the gonads, especially of
the testes of the male birds, until a condition
approximating that at mating time was reached.

Then, during January and February, when the
days at Edmonton were lengthening, birds whose
gonads had been thus enlarged were subjected, by
means of a wooden shutter properly applied to
their aviary, to gradually decreasing daily periods
of light, while others in similar condition were
simply subjected to a sudden drop from a partly
artificial daily period of light of fifteen hours to
one of about nine. In both cases the gonads
decreased in size until they became extremely
small, though they did not reach the winter
minimum. Some of these birds were subjected
to lengthening periods of light once more in the
spring months, with the result that their gonads
again enlarged and approached breeding condition!

Another experiment, in which the daily increase
in the lighted period was made fourteen minutes,
was not followed by uniform recrudescence of the
gonads of the birds used, seeming to indicate that
the abnormally daily increase in light used was
more than most individuals would respond to.

Finally, two small groups of birds were taken
indoors and placed in small cages, where they
were subjected to the same, unaltered period of
light day after day. One group, however, was
allowed to roost in peace when their cage became
dark, while the other group was subjected to
‘“‘“compulsory exercise” in near-darkness, by means
of a mechanically-operated moving bar in their
cage, for a period immediately following the ces-
sation of daylight and increasing daily by 7.5
minutes. This gradually and regularly lengthen-
ing period of exercise was found to result in increase
in size of the gonads of the birds subjected to it,
just as if it had been asimilarly-lengthening period
of light. From this it is deduced that what really
brought about the increase in size of gonads of
birds subjected to gradually-lengthening daily
periods of light was not the direct action of the
light itself, but was the activity in which the
light induced the birds to engage!

Birds released at various stages during these
experiments tended strongly to stay about the
aviaries, in spite of wintry conditions, if their
gonads were at their minimum or their maximum.

March, 1930]

When their gonads at time of release were increasing
or decreasing, many of the birds released departed
and were not seen again. That all birds in such
condition did not depart in this way may be
attributed, in part, at least, to the inhibiting effects
of severe wintry weather and recent captivity.

Careful histological examination of the testes,
ovaries, thyroids, parathyroids, and suprarenals
of birds killed at various stages during the experi-
ments were made by Dr. Rowan and are described
in detail. Comparatively slight changes were
observed in the thyroids, parathyroids, and sup-
rarenals, but marked changes were found in testes
and ovaries, and many of these are illustrated as
well as described. The recrudescence artificially
induced in. autumn was found to involve, in the
testis, not only enlargement of the entire structure,
but also development within it, proceeding as far
as sperm formation. Liberation of sperms was
not observed at any stage, not even in the testes
of a wild male collected when paired and engaged
in nest construction, and it is suggested that, in
this species, such liberation may not occu~ until
immediately prior to the time of fertilization.
Decrease in size of the testes was found to be
accompanied by degeneration of the intratubular
material within them.

Interstitial tissue that is apparently endocrine
in function occurs most conspicuously in both
testesand ovaries when these are waxing or
waning, that is, normally at migration-time.
It is suggested that this is more than a coincidence
and that this tissue is responsible for arousing the
migratory impulse. This view is strengthened by
the fact that, in spring, this tissue appears about
two weeks earlier in the gonads of the male than
in those of the female, and that, in spring migra-
tion in this species, the male goes north in advance
of the female, while the reverse holds in both re-
lations in the fall.

Thus the general conclusion reached from these
experiments is that, in the case of the Junco (and
perhaps of some other species of its group), the
gradually increasing length of day in spring
permits a lengthened period of activity that brings
about an increase in size and an internal develop-
ment in the gonads, while the gradually decreasing
length of day after the summer solstice causes a
shortened period of activity that results in decrease
in size of the gonads and disintegration of their
developed sex cells. Both recrudescence and
retrogression are accompanied by a marked in-
crease in interstitial tissue within the gonads, and
this tissue, through production of appropriate
hormones, arouses the impulse to migrate.

This is a most striking conclusion, reached as a
result of very interesting work. It is an important

Tue CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 71

milestone, in new territory, on the way toward
full understanding of the intriguing subject of
bird migration. Even after it has been checked
by other workers, however, caution will still be
necessary in applying it to other species and
other conditions.

A delightful pencil drawing of a pair of Shu-
feldt’s Juncos, from the gifted hand of the author,
accompanies the paper.

It is of interest to note that while Dr. Rowan
finds himself obliged to state, in a foot-note on
page 175, ‘Apparently none of the books commit
themselves on the subject of double broodedness
inthe Junco’’, this point has recently been illumined
by the studies of Wendell P. Smith, made with
banded Juncos in northern Vermont (Bull. N.E.
Bird Banding Assn., vol. IV, no. 4, pp. 137-141
and Bird-Banding, vol. I, no. 1, pp. 36-40.).. Mr.
Smith records the actions of a pair of Juncos that,
in 1929, hatched three broods, of which the first
and third left the nest safely, while the second,
when about four days old, was destroyed in the
nest by some marauder. Under these circum-
stances the female of this pair laid her last egg for
the season on July 27, more than a month after
the summer solstice.

In the course of his introduction, Dr. Rowan
makes a curious reference to “ornithologists in the
strictest sense of the term, i.e., people mostly
without scientific training.’’ Such aspersions as
this help no one, least of all their author. Ac-
cording to Sir James Murray’s ‘New English
Dictionary”, zoology is ‘‘the science which treats
of animals, constituting one of the two branches
(zoology and botany) of Natural History or
Biology, and comprising many subordinate
branches, as ornithology, ichthyology, entomology,
etc.”’ Ornithology is conversely defined by the
same authority as “the branch of zoology which
deals with birds, their nature and habits.” The
Encyclopedia Britannica (14th edition, 1929)
says, ‘Ornithology is the science of birds’. A
zoologist, according to the ‘““New English Dic-
tionary’, is “‘one versed in zoology; a scientist
who studies or treats of animals’, while in the
same work we read that an ornithologist is ‘‘one
who studies or is versed in ornithology; a student-
of birds”’.

To put the matter in fewest words, an ornith-
ologist, ‘‘in the strictest sense of the term’’, is one
versed in the science of birds, precisely as a zoolo-
gist is one versed in the science of animals. While
it is probably true that, as Ludlow Griscom has
recently said, ‘the term ‘ornithologist’ has been
frequently abused’? (Bull. N.E. Bird Banding
Assn., vol. V, no. 1, p. 17) yet the true ornitholo-
gist, to whom the term is correctly applied, is a

72

scientist and has scientific training, obtained in
some cases in a university, in some cases else-
where. Moreover, since the ornithologist’s fieldis
more restricted than is that of the general zoolo-
gist, it affords opportunity for greater scientific
specialization.

OFFICIAL CANADIAN RECORD

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

[VoL. XLIV

-But this is a very minor point in an otherwise
excellent work. Congratulations are due to Dr.
Rowan from all interested, from any angle, in
birds and their activities, for the production of a
most useful, stimulating, and outstanding paper.
—H.F.L.

OF BIRD-BANDING RETURNS

Published by Authority of the National pares once Branch, Department of the Interior,
anada

In the following returns upon banded birds it will be noted
that some returns may be thought to indicate, from the date of
capture, violations of the Migratery Bird Act of Canada or the
United Siates. The great majority of returns, which seein to
indicate violations, are from birds accidentally caught in traps
set for fur-bearing mammals, from birds caught in fish nets,
killed by oil, or from birds found dead from unknown causes.
Appropriate action has been taken in connection with the few
returns which indicate illegal shooting.

RETURNS UPON BIRDS BANDED IN 1921

HERRING GULL, No. 100,612, yg., banded
by Ernest Joy, at Little Wood Island, Grand
Manan, New Brunswick, on August 18, 1921,
was “picked up’? on Moose River, near Lubec,
Maine, during the month of October, 1928.

RETURNS UPON BIRDS BANDED IN 1922

MALLARD, No. 230,317, banded by F. C.
Lincoln, at the Sanganois Club, Browning, Il-
linois, on November 20, 1922, was shot at Dun,
durn, Saskatchewan, on October 12, 1928.

BLACK DUCK, No. 207,787, banded by
H. S. Osler, at Lake Scugog, Ontario, on Septem-
ber 23, 1922, was killed at Barnegat Bay, New
Jersey, on November 20, 1928.

RETURNS UPON BIRDS BANDED IN 1923

BLACK DUCK, No. 296,157, banded by
H. S. Osler, at Lake Scugog, Ontario, on Septem-
ber 17, 1923, was killed on the Delaware River,
auep above Fort Mott, New Jersey, on November

, 1928.

RETURNS UPON BIRDS BANDED IN 1924

MALLARD, No. 305,030, banded by John
Broeker, at Portage des Sioux, Missouri, on March
16, 1924, was ‘‘brought down at a place nine
miles north of Biggar, Saskatchewan, during the
week of October 29, 1928.

BLACK DUCK, No. 297,869, banded by
H. S. Osler, at Lake Scugog, Ontario, on Septem-
ber 16, 1924, was shot at Cedar Island Beach,
Virginia, on December 27, 1928.

BLACK DUCK, No. 323,283, banded by
H. S. Osler, at Lake Scugog, Ontario, on October
3, 1924, was shot at Bluff Point, four miles from
Kilmarnock, Virginia, on November 23, 1928.

RETURNS UPON BIRDS BANDED IN 1925

MALLARD, m., banded by Jack Miner, at
Kingsville, Ontario, during the fall of 1925, with
one of Mr. Miner’s bands bearing a verse of Scrip-
ture, was caught, had its picture taken, and was

banded with Biological Survey band No. 405,466, -

by T. E. Musselman, at Lima Lake, Illinois, on
March 24, 1927, and was shot on the Ninnescah

River, Castleton, Reno County, Kansas, on
November 21, 1928.*

MALLARD X ENGLISH CALL DUCK,
No. 309,779, yg., dark, banded by R. Lloyd, at
Davidson, Saskatchewan, on August 9, 1925, did
not migrate in the fall on account of mild weather,
was wintered and released in the spring of 1926,
and was shot at Swift Current, Saskatchewan,
on November 22, 1928.

BLACK DUCK, No. 389,397, banded by
H. S. Osler, at Lake Scugog, Ontario, on October
8, 1925, was killed at Whiteville, North Carolina,.
on December 10, 1928.

RETURNS UPON BIRDS BANDED IN 1926

MALLARD, No. 388,550, f., banded dy
Paul EH. Page, at Lac Ste. Anne, Alberta, on
August 22, 1926, was recovered at Gannett,
Idaho, on November 4, 1928.

MALLARD, No. 388,555, f., banded by
Paul EH. Page, at Lac Ste. Anne, Alberta, on
August 24, 1926, was killed at Boyd Lake, Love-

-land, Colorado, on November 12, 1928.

BLACK DUCK, No. 889,188, banded by
H. S. Osler, at Lake Scugog, Ontario, on Septem-
ber 28, 1926, was killed at English Lookout,
Louisiana, on November 24, 1928.

BLACK DUCK, No. 457,607, banded by
H. 8S. Osler, at Lake Scugog, Ontario, on October
7, 1926, was shot at St. Francois du Lac, Yamaska
County, Quebec, on September 12, 1928.

BLACK DUCK, No. 457,733, banded by
H. S. Osler, at Lake Scugog, Ontario, on October
10, 1926, was killed at Inglis, Florida, on Novem-
ber 238, 1928.

BLACK DUCK, No. 464,214, banded by
H. S. Osler, at Lake Scugog, Ontario, on October
16, 1926, was shot at Port Clinton, Ohio, on
November, 15, 1928.

RING-NECKED DUCK, No. 457,979, banded
by H. S. Osler, at Lake Scugog, Ontario, on
October 20, 1926, was shot at Georgian Bay,
Midland, Ontario, on October 5, 1928.

RETURNS UPON BIRDS BANDED IN 1927

COUES’S CASPIAN TERN, No. 497,548,
juv., banded by Harrison F. Lewis, on Fog Island,
Fog Island Sanctuary, Saguenay County, Quebec,
on August 2, 1927, was shot for scientific purposes,
at Currituck Light Beach, North Carolina, on
July 31, 1928.

CALIFORNIA GULL, No. 544,309, yeg.,
banded by F. L. Farley, at Gull Island in Bittern

*C.F.-N., XLI. 1927, p. 204.

i a a
;

March, 1930]

Lake, 12 miles west of Camrose, Alberta, on
June 22, 1927, was found dead at Lake Helena,
Lewis and Clark County, Montana, on Novem-
ber 19, 1928.

CALIFORNIA GULL, No. 544, 402, yg.,
banded by Frank L. Farley, at Gull Island, in
Bittern Lake, 12 miles west of Camrose, Alberta,
on June 22, 1927, was shot at Czar, Alberta, on
December 8, 1928.

MALLARD, No. 602,050, banded by F. H.
Rose, at Moiese, Montana, on September 21,
1927, was shot at Bowden, Alberta, on November
8, 1928.

MALLARD, No. 324,927, m., banded by
Miss Jessie Innes, at Headingly, Manitoba, on
October 15, 1927, was shot at Carlos, Minnesota,
on November 21, 1928.

MALLARD, No. 555,973, banded by F. H.
Rose, at Moiese, Montana, on October 30, 1927,
was shot at Barnwell, Alberta, on November
30, 1928.

MALLARD, No. 595,137, banded by F. H.
Rose, at Moiese, Montana, on November 8, 1927,
was shot at Goodwater, Saskatchewan, on No-
vember 17, 1928.

MALLARD, No. 595,574, banded by F. H.
Rose, at Moiese, Montana, on November 12, 1927,
was shot at a place near Nanton, Alberta, during
the month of November, 1928.

MALLARD, No. 597,130, banded by F. H.
Rose, at Moiese, Montana, on November 23, 1927,
was shot at Gadsby, Alberta, on October 31, 1928.

MALLARD, No. 465,921, f., banded by R. H.
Bruce, at Rockwood Park Sanctuary, Saint John,
New Brunswick, on November 26, 1927, was
shot in the same locality, on October 15, 1928.

BLACK DUCK, No. 496,183, banded by
A. G. Allen, at Oakdale, New York, on March
5, 1927, was shot at East Publico, Nova Scotia,
on November 13, 1928.

RED-TAILED HAWK, No. 200,643, yg.,
banded by R. H. Carter, Jr., at Muscow, Sas-
katchewan, en July 10, 1927, was shot at Tulsa,
Oklahoma, on November 8, 1928.

RETURNS UPON BIRDS BANDED IN 1928

BLACK GUILLEMOT, No. 560,261, banded
by Oliver L. Austin, at a place 15 miles southeast
of Ford Harbour, Newfoundland Labrador, on
August 9, 1928, was shot at Godbout, Quebec,
on November 15, 1928.

HERRING GULL, No. 554,374, banded by
A. D. Trempe, at Tahquamenon Island, Michigan,
on July 10, 1928, was captured at St. Philippe,
Quebec, during the month of July, 1928.

CALIFORNIA GULL, No. 699,091, juv.,
banded by Frank L. Farley, at Gull Island, north
end of Bittern Lake, 15 miles northwest of Cam-
rose, Alberta, on June 23, 1928, was recovered
on the North Platte River, about ten miles east
of Ogallala, Nebraska, on October 17, 1928.

COMMON CORMORANT, No. 302,394, juv.,
banded by Harrison F. Lewis, at Lake Island,
near Cape Whittle, Saguenay County, Quebec,
on August 2, 1928, was caught in a herring net
ou ye Island, Newfoundland, on November

MALLARD, No. 557,028, part Albino, banded
by Bert Lloyd, at Davidson, Saskatchewan, on
July 21, 1928, was shot at Granite Falls, Minne-
sota, on November 20, 1928.

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 73

MALLARD, No. 557,034, part Albino, banded
by Bert Lloyd, at Davidson, Saskatchewan, on
July 21, 1928, was shot at a place 25 miles south-
edt st Watrous, Saskatchewan, on November

MALLARD, No. 557,077, banded by Bert
Lloyd, at Davidson, Saskatchewan, on July 21,
1928, was shot at a place six miles west of Fargo,
North Dakota, on November 28, 1928.

MALLARD, No. 557,079, part Albino, banded
by Bert Lloyd, at Davidson, Saskatchewan, on
July 21, 1928, was shot at York, Alabama, on
November 16, 1928.

MALLARD, No. 208,422, banded by Fred
Bradshaw, at Lucky Lake, Saskatchewan, on
July 28, 1928, was shot at a place four miles
south of Regina, Saskatchewan, on October 17,
1928. Before being banded this bird was picked
up at Lucky Lake, afflicted by “duck disease’’,
and absolutely helpless. It was taken a distance
of one hundred and twenty-five miles to Regina,
where it was given fresh water for a few days,
and then liberated in Wascana Lake, Regina.

MALLARD, No. 388,622, m., banded by
Paul E. Page, at Lac Ste. Anne, Alberta, on
August 23, 1928, was shot at a place two and one-
half miles southeast of Wentworth, South Dakota,
on November 14, 1928. var

MALLARD, No. 388,628, juv., banded’ b
Paul E. Page, at Lac Ste. Anne, Alberta, on
August 25, 1928, was shot in Jackson County,
Kansas, on November 4, 1928.

MALLARD, No. 557,104, part Albino, banded
by Bert Lloyd, at Davidson, Saskatchewan, on
October 5, 1928, was shot at Bladworth, Sas-
katchewan, on November 20, 1928.

MALLARD, No. 557,106, part Albino, banded
by Bert Lloyd, at Davidson, Saskatchewan, on
October 5, 1928, was shot at Holdfast, Saskatche-
wan, on November 10, 1928.

MALLARD, No. 466,054, f., banded by
R. H. Bruce, at the Guy H. Humphrey Sanctuary,
Hampton Station Marsh, Kings County, New
Brunswick, on October 7, 1928, was shot at a
place near Fall River, Massachusetts, on De-
cember 12, 1928.

MALLARD, No. 466,082, m., banded by
R. H. Bruce, at the Guy H. Humphrey Sanctuary,
Hampton Station Marsh, Kings County, New
Brunswick, on October 7, 1928, was shot at
Mies por Point, Massachusetts, on November 28,
1928.

MALLARD, No. 557, 118, m., banded by
Bert Lloyd, at Davidson, Saskatchewan, on
October 15, 1928, was shot at Rush Springs,
Grady County, Oklahoma, on December 4, 1928.

MALLARD, No. 557,184, banded by Bert
Lloyd, at Davidson, Saskatchewan, on October
16, 1928, was killed at a place eight miles south
of Olney, Illis:ois, on November 15, 1928.

MALLARD, No. 557,145, m., banded by
Bert Lloyd, at Davidson, Saskatchewan, on
October 17, 1928, was shot at Otwell, Arkansas,
on November 30, 1928.

MALLARD, No. 557,149, f., banded by
Bert Lloyd, at Davidson, Saskatchewan, on
October 17, 1928, was shot at Hereford, Texas,
on December 2, 1928.

MALLARD, No. 557,158, m., banded by Bert
Lloyd, at Davidson, Saskatchewan, on October
17, 1928, was shot at a place eleven miles south
of Peoria, Illinois, on November 14, 1928.

74 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

MALLARD, No. 557,160, m., banded by
Bert Lloyd, at Davidson, Saskatchewan, on
October 18, 1928, was killed at McFaddin’s
Beach, twenty-five miles west of Port Arthur,
Texas, on November 11, 1928.

MALLARD, No. 557,169, banded by Bert
Lloyd, at Davidson, Saskatchewan, on October
20, 1928, was shot at a place four ’and one-half
miles east and one-half mile south of Coyle,
Oklahoma, on December 3, 1928.

MALLARD, No. 557,172, banded by Bert
Lloyd, at Davidson, Saskatchewan, on October
20, 1928, was killed at a place eight miles west
of Chandlerville, Illinois, on November 25, 1928.

MALLARD, No. 557,174, banded by Bert
Lloyd, at Davidson, Saskatchewan, on October
20, 1928, was killed at a place near Brunswick,
Missouri, on November 11, 1928.

MALLARD, No. 557,178, ad., banded by
Bert Lloyd, at Davidson, "Saskatchewan, on
October 21, 1928, was killed at Sampsel, Missouri,
on November ie 1928.

MALLARD, No. 557,180, ad., banded by
Bert Lloyd, at Davidson, Saskatchewan, on
October 22, 1928, was shot at Mallard, lowa,
on November 11, 1928.

MALLARD, No. 557,192, juv., f., banded by
Bert Lloyd, at Davidson, Saskatchewan, on
October 23, 1928, was shot at Beaver Creek,
Rock County, Minnesota, on November 19, 1928.

MALLARD, No. A-602,509, m., banded by
R. M. Stewart, at McGillivray Creek Game
Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on October
23, 1928, was shot at Harrison Mills, British
Columbia, on November 19, 1928.

MALLARD, No. A-602, 510, m., banded by
R. M. Stewart, at McGillivray Creek Game
Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on October
24, 1928, was re-captured at the same station,
on October 25, 1928, and was shot at Nicomen
Island, sixty-eight ‘miles east of Vancouver,
British Columbia, on November 28, 1928.

MALLARD, No. 557,205, ad., ft banded by
Bert Lloyd, at Davidson, Saskatchewan, on
October 26, 1928, was killed at Hog Lake, Sumner,
Missouri, on November 4, 1928.

MALLARD, No. A-602, 514, f., banded by
R. M. Stewart, at McGillivray Creek Game
Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on October
27, 1928, was shot at Upper Sumas, British Colum-
bia, on November 8, 1928.

MALLARD, No. 557,214, ad., f., banded by
Bert Lloyd, at Davidson, Saskatchewan, on
October 28, 1928, was shot at Aline, Ohio, on
December 4, 1928.

MALLARD, No. A-602,515, f.,
R. M. Stewart, at McGillivray Creek Game
Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on October
28, 1928, was re-captured at the same station,
on October 29, November 1, and November 5,
1928, and was shot at Dewdney, British Colum-
bia, on December 2, 1928.

MALLARD, No. A-602,522, banded by R. M.
Stewart, at McGillivray Creek Game Reserve,
Chilliwack, British Columbia, on October 29,
1928, was re-captured at the same station on
November 21, 1928, and was shot at Sumas
Lake, Abbotsford, British Columbia, on Novem-
ber 28, 1928.

MALLARD, No. A-602,523, banded by R. M.
Stewart, at McGillivray ‘Creek Game Reserve,

banded by ,

[Vou. XLIV

Chilliwack, British Columbia, on October 29,
1928, was shot at Goose Lake, British Columbia,
on November 12, 1928.

MALLARD, No. 557, 215, ad., m., banded by
Bert Lloyd, at Davidson, Saskatchewan, on
October 30, 1928, was shot at Stalwart, ’ Sas-
katchewan, on November 3, 1928.

MALLARD, No. A-602, 533, banded by R. M.
Stewart, at McGillivray Creek Game Reserve,
Chilliwack, British Columbia, on October 30,
1928, was ‘shot at a place ten miles from where
it was banded, on November 1, 1928.

MALLARD, No. A-602,536, banded by R. M.
Stewart, at McGillivray ‘Creek Game Reserve,
Chilliwack, British Columbia, on November i:
1928, was shot at Pitt Lake, ten miles northeast
ub Vancouver, British Columbia, on November 3,

MALLARD, No. A-602,538, m., banded by
R. M. Stewart, at McGillivray ‘Creek Game
Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on Novem-
ber 4, 1928, was killed at a place ‘eight miles
from where it was banded, on November 5, 1928.

MALLARD, No. A-602, 5b 2am banded by
R. M. Stewart, at McGillivray Creek Game Re-
serve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on November
6, 1928, was killed at a place fifteen miles north-
ces ot Bellingham, Washington, on November
1

MALLARD, No. A-602,556, f., banded by
RYOMe Stewart, at McGillivray ‘Creek Game
Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on Novem-
ber 6, 1928, was killed at a place twelve miles
from where it was banded, on November 9, 1928.

MALLARD, No. A-602, 560, m., banded by
R. M. Stewart, at McGillivray Creek Game Re-
serve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on November
9, 1928, was shot at Sumas Prairie, eight miles
west of Chilliwack, British Columbia, on Novem-
ber 20, 1928.

MALLARD, No. A-602,565, f., banded by
Ree Vie Stewart, at McGillivray Creek Game
Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on Novem-
ber 9, 1928, was killed at Maple Falls, Washington,
on November 19, 1928.

MALLARD, No. A-602,566, m., banded by
R. M. Stewart, at McGillivray Creek Game
Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on Novem-
ber 9, 1928, was shot at a place sixty miles east
of Vancouver, Hatzic Prairie, British Columbia,
on November 12, 1928.

MALLARD, No. A-602,570, f., banded by
IBY, JL Stewart, at McGillivray ‘Creek Game
Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on No-
vember 9, 1928, was shot at a place twelve miles
north of Bellingham, Washington, on November
15, 1928.

MALLARD, No. A-602,573, m., handed by
R. M. Stewart, at McGillivray Creek Game
Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on No-
vember 9, 1928, was killed on Sumas Prairie,
about seventy miles south and east of Vancouver,
British Columbia, on November 10, 1928.

MALLARD, No. A-602,574, m., banded by
Re Vie Stewart, at McGillivray Creek Game
Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on No-
vember 9, 1928, was killed on Sumas Prairie,
about seventy miles south and east of Vancouver
British Columbia, on November 10, 1928.

MALLARD, No. A-602,576, m., banded by
R. M. Stewart, at McGillivray Creek Game

March, 1930]

Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on No-
vember 9, 1928, was shot at Silver Valley, Pitt
Lake, British Columbia, on November 25, 1928.

MALLARD, No. A-602, SYel5, tog banded by
Reeve Stewart, at McGillivray ‘Creek Game
Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on No-
vember 9, 1928, was killed on Sumas Prairie,
about seventy miles south and east of Vancouver,
British Columbia, on November 10, 1928.

MALLARD, No. A-602, 586, m., banded by
RaeM: Stewart, at McGillivray Creek Game
Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on No-
vember 9, 1928, was shot at Hatzic, British Co-
lumbia on November 12, 1928.

MALLARD, No. A-602, 601, m., banded by
R. M. Stewart, at McGillivray Creek Game

Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on No-

vember 9, 1928, was shot at Yarrow, British
Columbia, on November 11, 1928.

MALLARD, No. A-602, 602, m., banded by
Re Me Stewart, at McGillivray Creek Game
Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on No-
vember 9, 1928, was shot at Goose Lake, British
Columbia, on November 12, 1928.

MALLARD, No. A-602, 612, m., banded by
R. M. Stewart, at McGillivray Creek Game
Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on No-
vember 9, 1928, was shot at Abbotsford, British
Columbia, on November 18, 1928.

MALLARD, No. A-602, 614, m., banded by
R. M. Stewart, at McGillivray Creek Game
Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on No-
vember 9, 1928, was ‘killed at Ferndale, Washing-
ton, on November 30, 1928.

MALLARD, No. 'A-602,626, m., banded by
R. M. Stewart, at McGillivray Creek Game
Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on No-
vember 9, 1928, was ‘killed at Ridgefield, eighteen
miles north of ‘Vancouver, British Columbia, on
November 18, 1928.

MALLARD, No. A-602,630, m., banded by
R. M. Stewart, at McGillivray Creek Game
Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on No-
vember 9, 1928, was shot at Sumas Prairie,
Vancouver, British Columbia, on November 19,

1928.

MALLARD, No. A-602,632, m., banded by
R. M. Stewart, at McGillivray Creek Game
Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on No-
vember 9, 1928, was killed on Sumas Prairie,
about seventy miles south and east of Vancouver,
British Columbia, on November 10, 1928.

MALLARD, No. A- 602,638, f., banded by
R. M. Stewart, at McGillivray ‘Creek Game
Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on No-
vember ’g, 1928, was shot at a place three miles
West of Lynden, Washington, on November 16,

MALLARD, No. A-602,646, m., banded by
R. M. Stewart, at McGillivray Creek Game
Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on No-
vember 9, 1928, was killed on Sumas Prairie,
about seventy miles south and east of Vancouver,
British Columbia, on November 10, 1928.

MALLARD, No. A-602,659, f., banded by
Tey ML, Stewart, at McGillivray Creek Game
Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on No-
vember 9, 1928, was shot at Hatzic Prairie, sixty
miles east of Vancouver, British Columbia, on
December 9, 1928.

MALLARD, No. A-602,660, f., banded by
R. M. Stewart, at McGillivray ‘Creek Game

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 75

Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on No-
vember ’9, 1928, was shot at Dewdney, British
Columbia, on December 8, 1928.

MALLARD, No. A-602, 667, f., banded by
R. M. Stewart, at McGillivray Creek Game
Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on No-
vember 9, 1928, was shot at Sumas Prairie,
near Chilliwack, British Columbia, on November
14, 192

MALLARD, No. A-602,668, f., banded by
15 iL, Stewart, at McGillivray Creek Game
Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on No-
vember 9, 1928, was killed on Sumas Prairie,
about seventy miles south and east of Vancouver,
British Columbia, on November 10, 1928.

MALLARD, No. A-602,672, m., banded by
en Viee Stewart, at McGillivray Creek Game
Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on No-
vember 9, 1928, was killed on Sumas Prairie,
about seventy miles south and east of Vancouver,
British Columbia, on November 10, 1928.

MALLARD, No. A-602,675, f., banded by
R. M. Stewart, at McGillivray Creek Game
Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on No-
vember 9, 1928, was shot at Hatzic, British
Columbia, on November LIE, IPAS.

MALLARD, No. A-602, 677, f., banded by
R. M. Stewart, at McGillivray Creek Game
Reseve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on No-
vember 9, 1928, was shot at Huntingdon, British
Columbia, on November 10, 1928.

MALLARD, No. A-602, 685, f., banded by
Tio IME, Stewart, at McGillivray ‘Creek Game
Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on No-
vember 9, 1928, was shot at Pitt Lake, twenty
miles from New Westminster, British Columbia,
on November 10, 1928.

MALLARD, No. A-602,686, m., banded by
R. M. Stewart, at McGillivray Creek Game
Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on No-
vember 9, 1928, was shot at Sardis, British
Columbia, on November 15, 1928.

MALLARD, No. A-602,692, f., banded by
R. M. Stewart, at McGillivray Creek Game
Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on No-
vember ’9, 1928, was killed at Fairfield Island,
Chilliwack, British Columbia, on November 19,
1

MALLARD, No. A-602,694, m., banded by
R. M. Stewart, at McGillivray Creek Game
Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on No-
vember 9, 1928, was shot at Huntington, British
Columbia, on November 10, 1928.

MALLARD, No. A-602,700, m., banded by
R. M. Stewart, at McGillivray Creek Game
Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on No-
vember 9, 1928, was shot at Harrison River,
sixty-five miles east of Vancouver, British Colum-
bia, on November 23, 1928.

MALLARD, No. A-602,701, f., banded by
R. M. Stewart, at McGillivray Creek Game
Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on No-
vember 9, 1928, was shot at Sumas Prairie,
British Columbia, on December 1, 1928.

MALLARD, No. A-602,707, m., banded by
R. M. Stewart, at McGillivray Creek Game
Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on No-
vember 9, 1928, was shot at Sumas Prairie,
British Columbia, on November 15, 1928.

MALLARD, No. A-602,712, m., banded. by
R. M. Stewart, at McGillivray Creek Game

|

16 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on No-
vember 9, 1928, was shot at Clatskanie, Oregon,
on November 18, 1928.

MALLARD, No. A-602,718, f., banded by
R. M. Stewart, at McGillivray ‘Creek Game
Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on No-
vember 9, 1928, was killed at a place twenty-five
ales yee where it was banded, on November

MALLARD, No. A-602,715, f., banded by
R. M. Stewart, at McGillivray ‘Creek Game
Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on No-
vember 9, 1928, was shot at Huntingdon, British
Columbia, on November 10, 1928.

MALLARD, No. A-602,717, m., banded by
R. M. Stewart, at McGillivray Creek Game
Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on No-
vember 9, 1928, was killed on Sumas Prairie,
about seventy miles south and east of Vancouver,
British Columbia, on November 10, 1928.

MALLARD, No. A-602,723, m., banded by
Jag IME, Stewart, at McGillivray Creek Game
Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on No-
vember ‘9, 1928, was shot at Goose Lake, British
Columbia, on November T2928"

MALLARD, No. A-602, 727, f., banded by
R. M. Stewart, at McGillivray ‘Creek Game
Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on No-
vember 9, 1928, was shot at Sumas Prairie,
British Columbia, on November 20, 1928.

MALLARD, No. A-602-729, m., banded by
R. M. Stewart, at McGillivray Creek Game
Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on No-
vember 9, 1928, was shot at Chehalis, via "Harrison
Mills, British Columbia, on December 9, 1928.

MALLARD, No. A-602, HBL, Te, banded by
R. M. Stewart, at McGillivray Creek Game
Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on No-
vember 9, 1928, was shot at Hatzic, British
Columbia, on November 18, 1928.

MALLARD, No. A-602, "742, m., banded by
R. M. Stewart, at McGillivray Creek Game
Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on No-
vember 9, 1928, was shot at Sumas Prairie,
British Columbia, on November 10, 1928.

MALLARD, No. A-602,744, m., banded by
R. M. Stewart, at McGillivray Creek Game
Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on No-
vember 9, 1928, was shot at Nicoman Island,
ten miles above Mission, British Columbia, on
November 12, 1928.

MALLARD, No. A-602,747, m., banded by
R. M. Stewart, at McGillivray Creek Game
Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on No-
vember ’9, 1928, was shot at Dewdney, British
Columbia, on December 228

MALLARD, No. ‘A-602, 748, f., banded by
R. M. Stewart, at McGillivray ‘Creek Game
Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on No-
vember 9, 1928, was shot at Chilliwack, British
Columbia, on November 15, 1928.

MALLARD, No. A-602, 758, f., banded by
R M. Stewart, at McGillivray Creek Game
Reserve, Chilliwack, ‘British Columbia, on No-
vember 15, 1928, was shot at Harrison Hot
Springs, British Columbia, on December 5, 1928.

SHOVELLER, No. 656, 100, banded by Alex.
Glennie, at Walsh, Alberta, on June 30, 1928,
was killed at San Joaquin. Valley, near Santa
Cruz, California, on November 4, 1928.

PINTAIL, No. 379,778, banded by F. W. Robl,

[VoL. XLIV

at Ellinwood, Kansas, on Hebei 9, 1928,
was shot at a "place nine miles north of Estevan,
Saskatchewan, on November 1, 1928.

PINTAIL, No. 600,631, banded by F. W. Robl,
at Ellinwood, Kansas, on March 2, 1928, was
see at Conquest, Saskatchewan, on October 31,

PINTAIL, No. 600,795, banded by F. W. Robl,
at Ellinwood, Kansas, on March 8, 1928, was
a ee Yellow Grass, Saskatchewan, on October

PINTAIL, No. 208,412, banded by Fred
Bradshaw, at Lucky Lake, Saskatchewan, on
July 28, 1928, was shot at a place eighteen miles
northwest of Dodge City, Kansas, on November
1, 1928. Before being banded this bird was
picked up at Lucky Lake, afflicted by ‘duck
disease’, and absolutely helpless. It was taken
a distance of one hundred and twenty-five miles
to Regina, where it was given fresh water for a
ie days, and then liberated in Wascana Lake,

egina.

PINTAIL, No. 208,417, banded by Fred
Bradshaw, at Lucky Lake, Saskatchewan, on
July 28, 1928, was killed at Midlothian, Texas,
on November G28: Before being ” banded
this bird was picked up at Lucky Lake, affizeted
by ‘“‘duck disease’, and absolutely helpless.
It was taken a distance of one hundred and
twenty-five miles to Regina, where it was given
fresh water for a few days, and then liberated in
Wascana Lake, Regina.

PINTAIL, No. 656,009, juv., f., banded by
Thomas N. Jones, at Jones Sanctuary, Elgin
County, Ontario, on August 7, 1928, was found
dead at the same station, on October 17, 1928.

PINTAIL, No. A-602, 705, m., banded by
R. M. Stewart, at McGillivray "Creek Game
Reserve, Chilliwack, British Columbia, on No-
vember 9, 1928, was recovered at Sumas Prairie,
sae Abbotsford, British Columbia, on November
6

CANVAS-BACK, No. 455,328, yg., banded by
T. E. Randall, at Forestburg, Alberta, on July
25, 1928, was shot at Redwood Creek, California,
on December 1S IB PASS

BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON, No.
406,205, imm., banded by George Lang, at
Indian Head, Saskatchewan, on June 24, 1928,
was shot at a place near Valley City, Illinois, on
October 15, 1928.

FLICKER, No. 650, 254, imm., banded by Philip
Siemens, at Hepburn, Saskatchewan, on June 18,
1928, was recovered at Metz, Missouri, on Novem-
ber 34, 1928.

LEAST FLYCATCHER, No. A-99,824, imm.,
banded by George Lang, at Indian Head, Sas-
katchewan, on July 19, 1928, was found dead at
the same station, on August "95, 1928.

BRONZED GRACKLE, No. 218,748, fledge-
ling, banded by Howard F. Cant, at 35 Lansdowne
Road North, Galt, Ontario, on June 1, 1928,
wes found dead at the same station, on June 7,
19

ROBIN, No. 547,410, imm., banded by George
Lang, at Indian Head, Saskatchewan, on June
8, 1928, was killed by a cat, at the same station,
on June 14, 1928.

ROBIN, No. 547,450, imm., banded by George
Lang, at Indian Head, Saskatchewan, on June
11, 1928, was found dead at the same station,
on June 14, 1928.

NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF

MANITOBA
1929-30

President Emeritus: J. J. GOLDEN; Honorary President:
NORMAN inaeeese Past President; A. A. McCouBREY;
President; A. M . DAVIDSON, M. oe Vice-Presidenis: H. M.
SPEECHLY, M. D., C. W. Lowe, M ’Sc., G. SHIRLEY BRooKs
A. G. Teen ge . B. WALLIS, B. A. Treasurer: NORMAN
Lown, 317 Simcoe Street; Auditor: R. M. THOMAS; Social
Convener: Mrs. G. SHIRLEY BROOKS; General Secretary:

W. CARTWRIGHT, 392 Woodlawn Street, Deer Lodge;
Executive Secretary: L. T. S. NORRIS-ELYE.

ORNITHOLOGICAL SECTION—Chairman: C. L. BROLEY;
Secretary: A. B. GRESHAM. ENTOMOLOGICAL SEC-
Ht bea Gertler R. A. WARDLE, M. Sce.; Secretary:

Ss ROBEREE: BOTANICAL SECTION—Chairman:

F. Rogerts, M Sc.; Secretary: Miss B. M. BRADSHAW.
GuOLOCICAL SECTION—Chairman: R. S. Kirk, Ph. D.
Secretary: H. C. PEARCE.

Siete are held each Monday evening, except on holidays
from October to April, in the physics theatre of the University,
Winnipeg. Field excursions are held each Saturday after-
noon during May, June and September, and on public holidays
during July and August.

NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF BRITISH
COLUMBIA, VICTORIA, B.C.

_ Hon. President: C. C. PEMBERTON, 806 Quadra St., Victoria,
B.C.; 1st Vice-President:. WM. HUDSON, 606 Douglas St.,
Victoria, B.C.; 2nd Vice-President: H. LETHABY, 608 View

St., Victoria, B.C.; Hon. Secretary: WM. A. NEWCOMBE, Pro-
vincial M Museum, ‘Victoria, B.C.; Hon. Treasurer: RENA G.
JONES, St. Margaret’s School, Victoria, B.C.

ALBERTA NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

Hon. President: Mr. J. J. GAETZ, Red Deer, Alta.; President:
‘Mr. C. H. SNELL, Red Deer, Alta.; 1st Vice-President: MRS.
W. A. CassELs, Red Deer, Alta.; @nd Vice-President: Mr. S.
PAMELY, Red Deer, Alta.; Directors: Mrs. G. F. Root, Weta-
_skiwin, Alta.; Mr. F. L. FARLEY, Camrose, Alta.; Mr. W.A.
CASSELS, Red Deer, Alta.; Mr. B. LAWTON, Edmonton, Alta.;
Mr. K. BowMAN, Edmonion, Alta.; Pror. W. ROWAN, Univ.

. of Alta., Edmonton, Alta.; Mr. T. E. RANDALL, Camrose,

Alta.; Hon. Sec.-Treas.: Mrs. S. PAMELY, Red Deer, Alta.

The meetings-of this Society are held in Red Deer on the
last Friday of each month except during July and August and
perhaps September. The annual meeting is held in Red Deer
on the last Friday in November.

McILWRAITH ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB,
LONDON, ONT.

“a

j

: President: E.t DAVIS, R.R. 7, London, Ont.; Recording
Secretary: Miss Nina M. Norv, 328 St. George St. » London,
Ont.; Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer: &. M.S. DALE,
297 Hyman pa London, Ont.; Members qualified to answer

: edad W. EB. SAUNDERS, 240 Central Ave., London, Oe

% C. G. WATSON, "201 Ridout St. South, London, Ont.; FE.

___ Catvert, 461 Tecumseh Ave., London, Ont.; E. M.S. Dat,

. 27, Hyman St., London, Ont.

Meetings held the second Monday of the month, except
during the summer. 7

VANCOUVER NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

Hon. President: L.S. KiINckK, L.L.D., Pres. Universtiy of B.C.:

President: JOHN DAVIDSON, F.L.S., F.B. S.E., University 0;
B.C.; Vice-President: Pror. M. Y. . WILLIAMS; Hon. Secretaryf
C. F. Connor, at A., 3529 W. xe Ave., Vancouver, B.C.;
First Asst. Sec.: B. J. Woop, B.A.; Second Asst. Sec.: Mr. A.
R. Wootton; Hon. Treasurer: A. H. year, 2142 Collingwood
~ St., Vancouver, B.C.; Librarian: J. TURNBULL; Members
of Executive: Mrs. FRANK fe ‘Mr. R. A. CUMMING,
Mr. M. M SU ORDS, Mr. J. L. PLOMMER, Mrs. C. G. McCrim-
MON; ‘Auditors: H. G. SELwoop, W. B. Woops.

Fortnightly meetings in the University Buildings from
September to April inclusive). Semi-monthly excursions from
ay to August (inclusive).

Affiliated Societies

PROVINCE OF QUEBEC SOCIETY FOR THE
PROTECTION OF BIRDS

Hon. President: Dr. I. GAMMELL; Past Presidents: Mr. L.
McI. TERRILL, MR. NAPIER SMITH; President: Mr. W. S.
Hart; Vice-Presidents: Mr. W. A. OSWALD, Mr. L. M.
SPACKMAN, Miss HARRIET STONE; Vice President and Trea-
surer: Mr. H. Mousey; Corresponding Secretary: MR. H.
A. JACKSON; Recording Secretary: Mr. A. P. MURRAY;
Curator of Slides: Miss EMILY LUKE; Commitiee: Mr. J. W.
BUCKLE, Miss EpitH Morrow. Mrs. C. F. DALE, Miss M.
S. NICOLSON, Mrs. JoHN RIcHIB, Miss K. D. MALCOURONNE.
Mrs. C. L. HENDERSON, Miss MAUD SBATH, Hon, E. E,
HOowarpD, Mr. R. A. OUTHRT.

Address al] core Rena aee to the Society at P.O. Box 118
Montreal, P.Q., Canada. if Y .

SOCIETE PROVANCHER D’HISTOIRE
NATURELLE DU CANADA

Bureau de direction pour 1929

Patron Honoraire: Son Excellence LE VICOMTE WILLINGDON,
G.C.S.I., G.C.M.G., G.C.LE. G.B.E., Gouverneur-Général,
de la Puissance du Canada; Vice-Patron Honoraire: Honor-
able M. H. G. Carrou, Lieutenant-Gouverneur de la Pro-
vince de Québec; Bureau de Direction pour 1929: Président:
R. MEREDITH, N.P.; er vice-président: Dr. J.-E. BERNIER}
2éme vice-président: G. STUART AHERN; Secrétaire-trésorier:
Lovis-B. LAvotr; Chef de la section scientifique: Dr. D. A.
Dery; Chef de la sectoin de Propagande éducationnelle:
ADRIEN FALARDEAU, C.R.; Chef de la section de protection:
Major Jos. Matte; Chef de la section d’information scientifique
et pratique: EDGAR ROCHETTE, M.P.P.; Directeurs: Dr. §
GAUDREAU, RONALD LINDSAY, GEO. M. MITCHELL.
Secrévaire-trésorier: LOUISE-B. LAVOIE,
38 Sherbrooke St., Quebec.

THE TORONTO FIELD-NATURALISTS’
CLUB

OFFICERS FOR 1929-30.

Honorary President: PRorgssor A. P. COLEMAN; President:
Pror. J. R. DYMOND; Vice-Presidents: Mr. J. H. FLEMING,
Dr. N. A. PoweLLt, Mr. Conin S. Farmer; Secretary:
Mr. F. P. Ing, (Dept. of Biology, University of Toronto);
Publicity Secretary: Dr. L. B. JAcKES; Treasurer: MR.
FRED H. BRIGDEN; Executive Committee: Pror. R. B. THOM-
SON, PRor. E. M. WALKER, Messrs. Stuart L. THOMPSON,
J. A. PARTRIDGE, A. M. PATTERSON, EF. B.S. Locier, W. H.
Wricut, Dr. McKINLEY; Committee on Conservation: MR.
R. G. DINGMAN; Leaders: Birds—MeEssrs. J. H. FLEMING,
Stuart L. THompson, L. L. SNypDErR, J. L. BAILLIE; Mame
mals—Pror. J. R. DyMoNnD, Mr. E. C. Cross; Reptiles and.
Amphibians—MEssrs. E. B. S. Locimer, Wm. LERAY; Fish—
Pror. J. R. DyMonD, Pror. W. J. K. HARKNESS; Insects,
etc.—Pror. E. M. WALKER, DR. N. Forp, Mr. E. P. Ibn;
Botany—Pror. R. B. THoMSOoN, Pror. H. B. SIFTON, DR.
G. WRIGHT; Geology—Pror. A. MCLEAN.

————————————————————— re
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particularly the Secretaries, of all the
Affiliated Societies to assist us in our
task of building up the circulation of
this magazine. By securing every
member as a subscriber we can truly
make this magazine into one of the
leading Natural History pe ceo
of America.

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VOL. XLIV, No. 4 : APRIL, 1930_

NATUR

GE

ii ESS Zs

ISSUED APRIL Ist, 1930.

Entered at the Ottawa Post Office as second-class matter

THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB

~ ‘Patrons:
THEIR EXCELLENCIES sae GOVERNOR-GENERAL AND VISCOUNTESS WILLINGDON

President: HARRISON F. Lewis, 34 Grosvenor Ave., Ottawa.

1st Vice-President: C. M. STERNBERG 2nd Vice-President: M. E. WILSON
Secretary: BERTRAM A, FAUVEL, 263 McLEop St., Treasurer: W1LMoT LLOYD, 582 Mariposa Avenue
Uadkitechiad ne Rockcliffe Park.

Additional Members of Council ae J. pee H. M. on Miss M. E. Cowan, Messrs. H. G. CRAW-
FORD, NORMAN CRIDDL¥, DELury, Miss FAITH FYLES, Messrs. HERBERT GROH, ANDREW
HALKETT, Cc. B. Peace D. JENNESS, C. E. JOHNSON, A. & KINGSTON, E. M. KINDLE, W. 4A.
LANCELEY, DOUGLAS LEECHMAN, Hoyes’ Lioyp, W. T. Macoun, M. O. Matte, Marx G. Mc-
ELHINNEY, G. A. MILLER, A. E. PORSILD, E. E. PRINCE, HARLAN I. SMITH, J. DEWEY SOPER
P, A. TAVERNER, E. F. G. WHITE, W. J. WINTEMBERG, J. P. Wricut and Presidents of Affiliated

Societies.
Editor:
-DoucLas LEECHMAN
National Museum, Ottawa, Canada
Associate Editors:
De VENNESS | 2 a ore Se Anthropology CLYDE PATCH 6) 2 os eee Herpetology
Mt OOSMEAR AE costs Soa ae ae eee Botany 2275 Ra ME CANDERSON sic. Sie oe ae Mammalogy
Bo Re ATCHVORD 300005 5 eae es ‘.Conchology A. G. HUNTSMAN............ Marine Biology
ARTHUR GIBSON...........0-05% Entomology ‘PAs TAVERNER {605 eee Ornithology
He cA ECOCK 53h ct Wt a uae ese Geology Eh. M. KINDLE 4.95 os es Palzontology —

CONTENTS

Some Natural Factors Governing the Fluctuations of Grouse in 1 Manitoba. By Norman Criddle 7
® An Expedition to Sub-Arctic Canada, 1924-1925. By Capt. J. C. Critchell-Bullock ee) 81
Additions to ‘‘Birds of the Lindsay District”. By J A Mianro 22 i PRE eae ae 88
Bird Notes from Parry Sound District. By H. W. Fairbairn.............. 0.0002 cece eens 88
Marine Crustacea, Malacostraca.and Pantopoda (Pycnogonida), Collected in the Gulf of St. Law- _—
rence, Newfoundland and the Bay of Fundy in 1919, 1922, 1923, 1925 and 1926. By

Writs FOMANSEM Sy i Skee aos Sire Pica ee ar Ne ok as ieee ce eee 91
Outside Nests of Flying Squirrels. By Jas. L. Baillie, Jr.........0 00.00 cece cee eee eee Mies 94
Notes on the Summer Birds of the Interior of Western Nova Scotia. By A. L. Rand. Oa sean : 95
Notes and Observations:

‘/ The Northern Limit of the White-tailed Deer in Ontario. By J. R. Dymond....... 96
Lewis Woodpecker in Winnipeg, Man. By Robert M. Blakely PSNR Tie Me ba neti OL ACME IA 96
Winter Observations, Guelph, Ont. By Henry) Howitt vce esa ethan es 96
Why the Field Sparrow has Become Searce. By Anna E. MacLoghlin................ 96

Book Reviews:—

Grasses of Indiana (Charles C. Deam). By M. O. Malte...................... 00005. ey.96

Field Book of North American Mammals. By R. M.Anderson.,.................... ee
Excursions of The Ottawa: Field-Naturalists? €luby1930-u 322 «tins wes: oe ei ote eee oe 100

#3 The official publications of THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB have been issued
; since 1879. The first were The Transactions of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club, 1879-1886,
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HH of the results of original research in all departments of Natural History.

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“ast Ne
ot ee

The Canadian Field-Naturalist

VOL. XLIV

_OTTAWA, CANADA, APRIL, 1930

No. 4

SOME NATURAL FACTORS GOVERNING THE FLUCTUATIONS OF GROUSE
IN MANITOBA
By NORMAN CRIDDLE

AAT there are marked fluctuations, from

time to time, in nearly every form of
wild life is now recognized by all com-
petent observers. We know that this is
the case in many well known insect pests, it has
been recognized among certain mammals, such as
snow-shoe rabbits, beavers, skunks, badgers and
weasels—to mention but a few outstanding
examples. The same pendulum-like swing occurs
in birds and since most people are more interested
in the larger forms of life, grouse have become
well known examples of this.

Now the question which we are all asking, and
over which there is a good deal of controversy, is:
what brings about this fluctuation? Is it due to
predatory mammals or birds, to parasites, di-
seases or weather, or are the sportsmen and
trappers responsible? It is perhaps natural that
the average person should point to the destruction
of eggs or nestlings by crows, hawks and pre-
datory mammals as important factors in this
fluctuation; but is not this, with the possibe
exception of the Goshawk, a yearly toll rather
than an intermittent one? Does it fluctuate
from year to year to any marked extent? Per-
sonally, I think not. Moreover, we cannot
blame predators for the almost periodic reduction
in snow-shoe rabbits. Is there, therefore, any
great justification for crediting them with the
fluctuation in the number of grouse? After
reviewing the evidence I am convinced that pre-
dators, at most, are only of secondary importance.

The influences of excessive rainfall and cold
have been long recognized as important factors in
reducing the number of young birds which would
otherwise attain maturity, although it has not
always been understood how this is brought about.
Judging from my own observations I suspect that
the mortality among young birds is not directly
due either to rainfall or cold but that the real
cause is starvation brought about by the inac-
tivity of the insect population upon which the
young birds are fed. _If insects are excessively

abundant, such as is the case, for instance, when
there is a grasshopper outbreak, then the birds
will have no difficulty in finding them even under
adverse conditions, and the young, despite the
rain and cold, will survive, but if insects are not
in abnormal numbers then there will be a very
high death rate due to starvation.

The above conclusions were brought rather
forcibly to my attention through a study of
Mountain Bluebirds and Tree Swallows. Both
these species nest in hollow trees or in boxes
erected for their accommodation and the young
are, therefore, absolutely protected from rain
and to a marked degree from cold; yet it is by no
means an uncommon event for some of them to
perish during prolonged cold or wet spells. On
watching and timing the parent birds as they
brought food to the young I discovered that the
amount of food collected and taken to the nest-
lings, was only a third as great under conditions
of cold and rain as it was when the weather was
bright and warm. It will be seen, therefore, that
while rain and cold are important in restricting
the number of young birds reared, their influences
are largely indirect and that the same results
might be brought about without them, providing
there was a scarcity of the insects upon which
the young birds were normally reared.

The influence of parasites, both external and
internal, upon wild life has been shown to be of
importance. Moose and deer are at times killed
by ticks, snow-shoe rabbits and jack rabbits
suffer severely from tape-worn cysts, and of late
there have been rather important discoveries
made relating to the internal parasites of grouse
some of which, it is believed, were introduced
with the importation of foreign birds. We have

still much to learn regarding the parasites of wild

life and the study is so intricate that it can only
be successfully carried out by fully equipped
specialists.

Finally there is the question of diseases to be
considered and it seems highly probable that in

78 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

these will utlimately be found the greatest of all
causes for the fluctuation in wild life. Their
influences to-day are best recognized in the case
of the snow-shoe rabbit but as I have pointed out
above, the baleful effect of disease is manifested
in many other animals, including grouse. The
recent widespread rarity of Ruffed Grouse can, I
think, be explained in no other way; certainly it
cannot be accounted for through the influence of
predators nor by wide-spread adverse meteorolog-
ical conditions.

A few years ago I commenced to make obser-
vations with a view to checking over some of the
prevailing ideas concerning the fluctuation in wild
life. One of the methods employed was to make
a bird breeding census of one, or more, definite
areas, the undertaking being a cooperative one
with the United States Bureau of Biological
Survey. In this work two areas were chosen
which it was expected would remain unaltered for

[VoL. XLIV

a number of years, the idea being to get uniform-
ity of conditions for a long period of time. One
of these census areas was planned to include a
wood-lot, the other a farmyard with surrounding
gardens, trees and fields. The census, unfor-
tunately, has only been carried on for 16 years;
a period far too short from which to draw accur-
ate conclusions. The evidence, however, is sug-
gestive and it seems, on that account, worth
recording. The census, it will be noted, deals
with upland birds and of these the only ones of
special interest to sportsmen are the Ruffed
Grouse and Crow. Both census areas are in-
cluded in the following table though the grouse
and crows were only present in the wood-lot.
A number of the rarer birds have been purposely
omitted. No hunting has been permitted in
these areas at any time, the only predators ex-
cluded during the nesting season being Cooper
and Sharp-shinned Hawks.

BirD NESTING CENSUS AT AWEME, MANITOBA, SHOWING THE NUMBER OF BREEDING PAIRS

Ruffed | Black- | Least | Horn-

Balti- | Vesper| Chip- | Clay- | Cat- | House
Year |Grouse| billed | Fly- ed Crow | more | Spar- | ping |colored| bird | Wren
Cuckoo} catcher| Lark Oriole | row |Sparrow|Sparrow

1914..... 2 4 5 10 1 1 11 2 9 6 14
Ts 5 13 6 10 11 0 4 14 6 14 6 ‘15
TONGRREe. 7 3 14 12 Z 3 10 5 11 6 17
LOT ohh: 3 4 14 Wie Zz; 3 iil 5 11 7 17
OS Rene iL 4 12 iil Pe 2 8 5 8 5 20
LOT eee. 2 A 7 7 0 2 9 4 9 5 16
1920..... 2 5 12 9 1 2 15 3 9 a 16
LOD . 9 5 il 8 3 2 14 5 13 i 20
WPA 5 6.0 2 7 2 13 7 2 2 11 5 9 8 16
NEPA S36 03 12 4 14 5 1 1 9 6 12 a 19
19240. 12 5 9 9 2 2 17 4 12 9 11
1925 ee 10 6 a ef 1 2 10 3 8 5 14
LO2ZGR ae 3 5 8 9 1 1 12 6 12 6 12
OQ aay 2 2 6 6 0 2 10 7 18 5 15
W928 ike 1 4 4 7 0 2 14 6 12 6 13
TSR Be ele i il 4 7 0 1 15 8) 9 5 11

Perhaps one of the most significant suggestions
from this study is that which indicates an almost
periodic fluctuation in Ruffed Grouse. The
area from which this evidence is drawn consists of
a wood-lot comprising about 26 acres to which as
I have pointed out Crows at all times have free
access, while the Western-horned Owl and Gos-
hawk are not infrequent visitors there. It seems
evident, therefore, that the fluctuations in grouse
which have taken place are not brought about by
predators either feathered or furred, nor can the
sportsman be blamed for them.

There may be a little disappointment on noting

that the total number of migratory birds nesting
within the areas in 1929 was so nearly the same
as in 1914 but on consideration it will be seen that
the list is made up almost entirely of small birds
a majority of which have long enjoyed protection;
the table, therefore, shows a normal fluctuation.

Perhaps one of the most interesting points
brought out in another local study of wild life
fluctuation has been one showing the remarkable

‘regularity with which Sharp-tailed Grouse fluc-

tuate in company with grasshoppers; that the
young grouse were reared to a large extent upon
grasshoppers has been recognized by my brothers

April, 1930]

and me for some years but that the birds are
apparently dependent to such a marked degree
upon these insects will come to most people as a
revelation. Indeed it seems wise to accept the
apparent fact with reservation until it can be
verified or disproved by further studies. The
study, indeed might be enlarged to include other
forms, and we suspect that, when it is completed,
more will be thought of the value of insects in
preserving birds and less of birds as destroyers of
insects.

The following graph speaks for itself; the infor-
mation upon which it is based has been taken from
the journals of my father, Percy Criddle, and my
own, supplemented by observations of Messrs.
E. and §. Criddle. I have also consulted the
Reports of the Dominion Entomologist, Dr.
James Fletcher, covering the period of 1895-1907.
My personal association with grasshopper control
work has enabled me to keep a fairly accurate
record of the fluctuation of those insects, while
the almost continuous residence at Aweme,
Manitoba, of my brothers and myself since 1882
has ensured a reasonable appraisement of the
comparative numbers of grouse present from

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 99

year to year. That the records are only approxi-
mate is obvious and it is hardly necessary to
add that the curves shown on the graph are
based on approximations rather than actual
numbers.

One interesting point brought out by this
graph is that rainfall seems to be of far less in-
fluence in accounting for grouse fluctuation than
is generally supposed. it will be noted, however,
that the beginning of a grasshopper rise is nearly
always preceded or accompanied by abnormally
dry seasons but that having once risen well above
their minimum numbers the further multiplica-
tion of these insects is then so rapid that precipi-
tation becomes a minor factor in controlling them.
The grouse, on the other hand, being able, in
times of grasshopper abundance, to procure a
sufficiency of food under any weather condition,
rear the maximum number of young and so become
plentiful in spite of excessive rainfall.

The question might be asked, by those unfa-
miliar with insect habits: If grasshoppers multiply
irrespective of meteorological adversities, why do
they ever sink to insignificance? To this we
reply that most insect pests rise to importance

Graph showing fluctuations in grouse and grasshoppers at Aweme, Manitoba. Upper lines

represent Sharp-tailed Grouse, the lower ones Ruffed Grouse and the broken

hoppers.

ones grass-

The lower columns show rainfall for the five months May-September the amount

indicated by short projections on the left, each of which represents two inches.

80 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST ~~

during an absence of their natural enemies, but
that these enemies eventually overtake and sub-
due them. Abundance means close contact and
close contact is one of the greatest aids to the
distribution of disease.

Referring again to our graph it will be observed
that all the high points of Sharp-tailed Grouse
abundance were preceded and accompanied by
grasshopper outbreaks. Of these outbreaks the
one of 1900-1903 was much the worst that we ever
experienced in the Aweme district and it was not
finally subdued until 1905. The peak of grouse
abundance was also attained at this time and we
have no records of Sharp-tailed Grouse ever being
in greater numbers. The Prairie Chicken of the
south, or what in Manitoba is more commonly
known as the Pinnated Grouse, also reached its
zenith in our province at that time. Referring to
my note book I find under the year 1901: ‘“‘Grouse
very plentiful, there is hardly a female that did
not rear a full brood of from 12 to 18 young.”
And in 1902: ‘‘Sharp-tails and Pinnated Grouse
dancing everywhere (during the spring). They
again reared full families.”

The other two grasshopper outbreaks recorded
on the graph did not attain the same heights in
our district as the one referred to above although
that of 1919-23 was more widespread and of
greater intensity in other parts of the province.

A perusal of the available data prior to 1895
and back to 1882 shows that Sharp-tailed Grouse
maintained a greater average number in those
days than they did after that time. We note, too,
that the oscillation since then seems to have taken
a lower level; this is to be expected with the
settling of the country and the subsequent restric-
tion of the bird’s breeding grounds by cultivation
and grazing.

While grasshoppers are apparently necessary
food for young Sharp-tailed Grouse, this is prob-
ably not true of the adult birds and in their case
some other explanation seems necessary for their
almost abrupt reduction from time to time. The
failure to rear young would naturally produce a
marked impetus to the downward trend, but it
does not seem sufficient wholly to account for it
and we suspect it is at this stage that disease comes

{VoL. XLIV

most prominently into play. This phase of the
question is still poorly understood. We also need
to know more of the influence of Goshawks on a
grouse population already depleted by other
agencies. These hawks sometimes invade the
grouse habitations in considerable numbers and
it has been estimated that a single Goshawk may
destroy fully 50 grouse in the course of a winter.
Our records show that one such invasion took
place during the winter of 1907-8. This hawk,
however, is the only important predator with
which we are concerned because, while crows un-
doubtedly take both eggs and young birds, their
numbers are sufficiently stable to remove them
from the causes of wild life fluctuation.

Perhaps I should add that the district of Aweme
from which the above data were gathered has
always been a favourite one for Sharp-tailed
Grouse. Also that predators, with the exception
of the Goshawk and Cooper Hawk, have never
been molested there. This also applies to crows
which rear their families unhampered by the per-
secutions to which they are subjected in other
sections of the country.

The ups and downs in Ruffed Grouse fluctua-
tion seem to be less affected by grasshopper pre-
valence than are Sharp-tailed Grouse and it will
be noted that their oscillations are less abrupt.
The latter fact is to be expected in a species which
is relatively much less numerous. There does,
however, seem to be some relation between the
rise in grasshoppers and Ruffed Grouse, only in
this case the birds have taken longer to respond
to the rise of the insects. Here the explanation
may lie in the fact that the broods of this grouse
are much smaller. We must remember, too, that
the species of grasshoppers which breed in, or
close around, woodlands are few in comparison
to those which do so in the open and on this
account we should expect those insects to be of
less importance to Ruffed Grouse than they are
to the Sharp-tail. The food habits of all our

grouse are still very imperfectly understood and —
a much more careful study of them is necessary
before an accurate estimate of the value of insects
in grouse survival can be made.

April, 1930]

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 81

“AN EXPEDITION TO SUB-ARCTIC CANADA, 1924-1925
By CAPT. J. C CRITCHELL-BULLOCK

TRAVELLING CONDITIONS IN THE NORTHERN TREELESS PLAINS IN
WINTER, AND THE NAVIGABILITY OF THELON RIVER

ROM the end of October until the be-
ginning of June travelling conditions in
the interior of the Canadian sub-Arctic
are all that can be desired. The snow-
fall is slight but sufficient at all times, and only
on rare occasions is the precipitation so heavy
as to make going difficult. Out of two hundred
and twenty days during those months it snowed
apparently on about fifty occasions, and even
then several of the days noted as snowing may
only have appeared so on account of heavy
drifting.

Rarely are snow storms unaccompanied by
high winds, so that loose snow does not lie
thickly distributed everywhere. - On the lower
ridges and along all the valleys in our vicinity
there is sufficient vegetation in the form of moss
and sedge to collect the snow and keep it at a
uniform depth of about two inches. The pre-
vailing winds are from the north, north-west,
north-east, with an occasional blow from the
south-east, hence all the narrow valleys running
east and west become filled with hard packed
snow, sometimes to a considerable depth.

Were the winds more moderate than they are
and the temperature less uniformly low the
surface of the snow would generally be even,
though of course not so hard. As it is, however,
the fierce winds cut the surface of these drifts
into sastrugi, small, sharp ridges about six
inches to a foot in height, rather in the form of
ripples in the sand at the edge of the sea, only
exaggerated. These ridges become as hard as
rock and are analogous to an irregularly ploughed
field that has been frozen. This condition may
extend for miles where the country is covered in
sedge, or in some broad valley where the snow
lies deeper than elsewhere.

This sort of snow is very tiring to travel over.
In winter when there is little daylight it becomes
most irksome, and on those days when the light
is so diffused that no shadow is cast it is more
disconcerting. It is not practicable to wear
snow-shoes to bridge the ridges as they would be
broken, and walking without them occasions fall
after fall.

The country is for the most part low-lying,
but morainic ridges and eskers are constantly
met with. The tops of these ridges and eskers
do not however provide a solution to the diffi-

culty, as not only do they usually run across
one’s line of travel instead of along it, but the tops
of them are invariably blown clear of snow.
With a good leader to the team it is possible
in clear weather to avoid the worst places, or if
two men are travelling they can take in turns to
run ahead and lead the way. This is what we
invariably used to do. Frequent blizzards are
an unpleasant feature of the country, and there
are days in every month when nothing would
induce a man to travel but dire necessity. A
gale blowing from a different direction to that

of the last causes more discomfort than a fiercer

wind from the same direction... Such a wind will
eat into the drifts laid down by the last storm,
rip the snow into ribbons and whirl it away like
sand to the valleys lying transverse to the direc-
tion of the wind. On such occasions it is folly
to travel except for short distances, as one is
not only likely to lose one’s way, but even though
a fight should be made against it all day, but a
few miles in the required direction will be made
at the expense of considerably more energy than
would be expended in doubling the usual day’s
travel. To be lost in the treeless country of the
sub-Arctic is far from a pleasant experience;
snow-houses cannot be constructed except on
rare occasions, and to be caught out entails
digging into a snowdrift that may suddenly end
against rock after a foot or two. Tents, as may
well be imagined, would hardly stand against so
fierce a storm when pegged out with nothing but
the odd rotten stick one might be carrying, and
in any case it would be almost impossible for a
couple of men to erect one, certainly not the lone
traveller.* The only thing todo is to lie down
and curl up amongst the dogs.

The storms in the Northern Plains last either
three or seven days, and for those periods they
will blow with all the fury of the first day. Being
caught out for a single night is a serious enough
matter, but seven days without rest and shelter
is not to be serenely contemplated. We travelled
throughout the entire winter, but we were care-
ful; we were only two and we could not afford to

1The Southern Party of the Canadian Arctic Expedition,
1913-18, evolved a light modified form of the R.G.S. ‘*Alpine
tent’’ which could be pitched by one or two men in any
weather, wherever they could find a rock, log, eraas or block
of ice to form one solid anchorage to windward. This could
be carried on a toboggan. The dome-shaped tent of the West-
ern Eskimos is Papioually, pitched in the open in every kind
of weather—R.M.A

82 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

take unnecessary risks, one man’s foolhardiness
would compromise the other. Nevertheless there
were occasions on which we had unpleasant ex-
periences, and for a white man who is none too
well-fed a single night out in the open in such
a region is an experience to be avoided.

A large party can afford to take greater chances
than a small one, the loss of one individual where
several are concerned need not necessarily be a
serious matter. Even frostbite does not seem so
awesome when it is known that skilled treatment
will be received on reaching camp. But where
only two men are concerned, and when the
success of the expedition depends on the ability
of those two men to remain fit and do each their
share of the daily chores, the whole matter re-
ceives a different light.

Travel in the interior, away from all source
of fuel except that which can be picked up along
the line of march, depends in distance on either
one’s ability to glean sticks, heather or moss
‘from beneath the snow, or the facilities for carry-
ing a sufficient supply.

The Inland Eskimos live without fuel in winter,
or at least they used to, but little or no travelling
is done and they keep to their sod built houses.
For the whiteman bent on experiments in habit-
ability this mode of existence may also be possible,
but for him who wishes to move about and con-
duct investigations it is out of the question.
Unnecessary risks cannot be'taken by a small
party, and should not be taken even, by a party
of considerable size.

The smallest of snow-shoes may be worn in the
windswept country north of the timber limit,
and during many days they may be dispensed
with. Hornby, who suffered from tender feet,
wore them only when absolutely forced to, prob-
ably only on thirty occasions. But he is a man
lightly built and has large feet. I, weighing two
hundred pounds, used to find that, being of very
light construction, they were a great advantage.
The only objectfon was that the patches of ex-
tremely hard and sharp snow would cut through
the babiche and necessitate constant repairing.
Practically any type of sleigh but the extremely
heavy is good for winter travel in this region.
We used the ordinary toboggan, and found that
four dogs could haul a load of three or four
hundred pounds for the distance of thirty miles
a day with comparative ease.

In the fall before much snow has fallen, yet
when the ground is frozen and the vegetation
covered in frost, steel runners are essential and
with them it is possible to commence sleigh work
before the end of September. In Spring when
the snow commences to leave the ground and ice,

[VoL. XLIV

or when at night the late frosts sheet the snow
with a hard crust they are again almost indis-
pensible. In spring high runner sleighs are not
necessary, the water on the small lakes does not
flood the ice to a depth exceeding a couple of
inches except at the sides, and an ordinary
toboggan raised three inches will serve the pur-
pose.

Apparently fresh meat is always procurable on
the mainland during winter, as the caribou are
scattered all over the country between the two
periods of migration. Nevertheless during the
cold weather they are not easy to approach, and
until April do not show the foolish inquisitiveness
about which so many have written. During the
winter months the snow is hard and brittle, and
every footstep is accompanied by considerable
noise, and at this time of the year strange noises
soon put the caribou on the run. It is important
to avoid being winded or seen, then, provided
the hunter can run on the snow under cover
making with his feet the sound of the quick steps
that the animals with their four feet do; he has
every opportunity of coming within shooting
distance. The reason for the caribou’s vigilance
at this time is difficult to determine, probably
the intense cold has something to do with it
keeping them restless; wolves also, as at this time
of the year they are usually hungry and the
caribou being aware of this fact are ever on the
alert.

Accurate shooting in winter is more difficult
than at any other time, principally because of
the cold and the rapidity with which fingers
become touched with frost. I know of nothing
to disturb aim so entirely as fast freezing hands.
The degree of discomfort however can be greatly
lessened by the choice of rifle to be used. I
saw six different types of rifles in use during the
winter and the one with the flattest trajectory
for the first five hundred yards, and the largest
magazine capacity was far and away the most
suitable weapon. I have used many rifles but
I know of no stock rifle as efficient for Arctic use
as the .280 Ross sporting model. Had it a larger
magazine capacity it could not be excelled. We
were fortunate enough to have one and on several
occasions obtained with it game that we would
not have contemplated shooting at with any of
our other rifles. When using Winchester am-
munition there was never any necessity to take a
coarse sight for any distance less than five hundred
yards.

Owing to the fact that one may, with reasonable
certainty, depend on securing the required food
with the rifle) and we found that the female
caribou are sufficiently fat at this time of the year

April, 1930]

to be fairly nutritious, the greater part of the
sleigh may be utilized for the transportation of
fuel. Fuel that will provide a maximum heat is
essential as it would never be wise to depend on
being able to build snow-houses. A tent would
have to be carried and, as the winter wind will
blow through any manufactured material, only a
roaring fire would make it humanly habitable.
The blizzard in the treeless plains is an affliction
at the best of times, but a severe seven day’s
storm, if under no better cover than a porous tent
and provided with insufficient fuel, would doubt-
less prove something of a danger, especially if
experienced in some bleak spot where lack of
drifted snow prevented the erection of a good
wind-break. Although it is an undoubted fact
that it must be an exceptionally bad spell of
weather to lay an experienced and determined
white man low, the fact must be remembered
that few would be travelling the country in winter
without any other purpose than to find out how
much cold it is possible to withstand. Some
scientific object of importance would be the reason
for such a trip, and because nothing can be ac-
complished if continually fighting, and reduced
by fighting, the inclemence of the exhausting
weather, the wise traveller would take all pre-
cautions to ensure some measure of comfort.
Not only should this viewpoint receive considera-
tion, but there is also the game of the country
to be conserved. A man constantly exposed to
extreme cold, fast uses up all the vitality in his
system and, once in a lowered physical condition
the very fattest and most nutritious foods are
required to set him on his feet again, keep his
blood heat up, and enable him to carry on ener-
getically. A spell of bad weather in a tent in an
exposed situation, on practically a straight meat
diet would seriously reduce him physically, so
that in order to build up again it would entail

selecting from the game shot nothing but the most _

‘nutritious and heat-giving portions. In this
sorry plight he might be expected to favour but
the tongues and heads, discarding what remained
of the carcass except that used for dog feed.

In the interior of the Arctic and sub-Arctic
continent temperatures are lower in winter than
anywhere further north where the sea and large
bodies of water have a moderating influence.
Probably there are places in Canada where as
low as 90° below zero fahrenheit would be
registered, as near Verkhoyansk in Siberia, and
to be camped in a tent under such circumstances
would be decidedly undesirable. During the
latter part of December, and throughout January
and February very long periods of intense cold
must be expected, with possibly but the difference

‘for seven days.

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 83

of a degree or two for weeks onend. Only Eskimo
clothing is suitable for wear, and even then the
cold is difficult to withstand.

Christmas 1924 found me in a most unenviable
position. The worst storm of my experience blew
For three days I was without
fuel, and living on raw oatmeal and snow.
Everything became frosted uv, my beard and the

- edge of my sleeping bag a mass of ice; underfed,

my blood temperature became lowered, and had
I not been fortunate enough to find my way to
another camp my position would have been
critical. It served to show me that these plains
are a hard country unless almost unlimited fuel
is procurable.

We had some little difficulty with our dogs
in the matter of housing them. In spite of the
fact that these animals can withstand the most
intense cold unimpaired, it is a tax on their
strength to be forced to do so throughout an entire
winter, and moreover any humane person dis-
likes seeing his faithful brutes shivering in the
teeth of a raging gale. Could we have allowed
them to wander about, and select their own dens
much discomfort would have been saved them
and ourselves considerable labour. But wolves
were generally in the vicinity, we had too few
dogs, and we could afford to take no risks, hence
they were kept tied up. During a storm they
would become so badly and rapidly snowed up
that within an hour or so they would be lying
on tops of mounds of snow that had risen to a
height corresponding to the length of their chains.
This would necessitate turning out and tying
them elsewhere. Generally we built snow-
houses for them, but if the entrances were closed
they would not be content until they had fought
their way outside and wrecked the whole con-
struction. It did not matter whether we closed
the entrances to their kennels, or whether the
drifting snow did so. We never solved the
difficulty.

Although March is a blustery month, travelling
is good. The days are long, and it is possible to
sit out and bask in the sun, provided one is in
the lee and sufficiently well clad. Snow glasses
have to be worn. and the cold wind combined with
the strong sun blackens exposed portions of the
skin in a surprising manner. Tent life is suffer-
able, but still fuel in large quantities is a boon,
if not absolutely necessary. During March 1925
sixteen days brought high winds and low tempera-
tures that turned us into our sleeping bags as
soon as the fire died down. By this time how-
ever it should be possible always to find sufficient
snow for snow-house construction, there are more
drifts of the required consistency, and also there

84 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

is the daylight to permit them being looked for
at the end of the day’s journey, provided the
storms are not so fierce that it is impossible to
see the requisite distance.

In April, if there is sufficient fuel for cooking
and, of course, food to be cooked, few anxieties
need arise. A tent is comfortable and generally
speaking there is no limit to the distance that
can be covered during the day. With a good
dog team and average weather a thousand miles
would be no great achievement for the month.
The caribou are everywhere in thousands, at
least south of the Arctic Circle, and travelling is
a pleasure. Above all, work of a scientific nature
can be commenced without its entailing hardship.
During 1924 there was only one day during this
month that the temperature rose above freezing
without dropping towards nightfall, and that was
at the edge of the timber. Night travel may
have to be adopted at any time during this month,
but on the average only towards its end. Steel
runners consequently have to be taken out of
cache. Twenty hours travel a day may be de-
pended on.

In May the snow commences to leave the ground
rapidly, the maximum temperature is above
freezing, and although it usually freezes at night
there are no zero readings. Glare ice travel on
the large lakes is perfect at night, and unlimited
distances with tremendous loads can be covered
provided dogs’ feet are shod with tanned moose
hide. Travel over the snow across country be-
comes confined to the low country where the
drifting has been heavy, but the night crust is
not to be depended on to bear heavy loads on
runner sleighs. It was May that caused us much
anxiety. We had an exceedingly heavy load on
one sleigh with but three dogs to haul it, two
canoes being included in the load. We started
two weeks too late to commence with, and a few
unexpected and heavy falls of snow greatly
hampered us.

By May 26th cross-country travel off the ice
was impracticable. What snow remained was
hollow, and our feet and the sleigh broke through
all the way. It necessitated double and treble
tripping our loads.

The action of the sun and frost in Spring is
such that during the daytime the surface of the
snow melts, but the latent cold in the snow and
ground beneath prevents thawing, and with the
cool of evening and a drop in temperature below
freezing this moist surface freezes like ice. Going
in consequence is remarkably good, and is anal-
logous to that secured on glare-ice. This is the
ideal condition. Unfortunately a fall of snow,
(and snow is to be expected), will limit activities

[VoL. XLIV

where heavy loads are concerned as completely
as at any other time. Again a heavy thaw during
the day may not be succeeded by a sufficiently
low temperature during the night to freeze the
snow to the depth that the sun thawed it. Later
the ground, and the vegetation, absorb heat
beneath the snow, and the snow commences to
thaw from the bottom up. . The crust then
formed is merely like a shell, all being emptiness
beneath.

The snow that has thawed to water runs off
the hills into the lakes and ponds, and, before
the end of May all those of limited size are flooded
to various depths by water. The larger lakes
flood only at the sides, the small ones throughout
their entire surface, and are a mass of slush.
If any current is passing through a chain of lakes
which because of their size are flooded, holes
will rapidly open up in the ice, round holes
varying from an inch or two to three feet across;
these allow the water to drain off. The ice then
gradually cracks and opens up. The larger lakes
have about them moats of water varying in
breadth according to their size and the area
drained, say from twenty to a hundred feet broad.
The ice in the centre of the lake rises because
of the streams of water that trickle from the land
and find a way below the ice of the lake, and ©
bulge it; this rise in the surface of the centre of
the lakes results in the shore ice being corres-
pondingly low-lying, here the water forms.
After a while, two or three weeks, this water
thaws the shore ice and opens up leads. This
process continues until the lake ice is surrounded
by open water, the ice, except where it has
grounded, being afloat.

Travelling may now be proceeded with either
by sleigh across the ice or by canoe along the
edge of the ice. As sleigh travel is more rapid
it is still continued on large lakes until a few
days before the ice actually goes out. On small
lakes, however, especially where there are currents,
it comes to an end rather sooner, a bad spot is
struck and the load goes through; also where
lakes are so small that canoes are in constant use
for transporting supplies to the ice edge the con-
tinual loading and unloading, and sleigh tying
becomes irksome. Then, unless the shore line
is exceedingly irregular, sleigh travel finally
ceases. Canoes are loaded and paddled or poled
along the shore. It is a slow method of travelling
however. A heavy wind will pile the ice against
the promontories, floes break off and obstruct
the channel, and bottom ice rises to threaten
canoes with capsizing. In practice, one only
travels to while away the time, or by reason of
the necessity of making every mile possible in

ay!
ond

April, 1930]

the required direction. Eight to ten miles a day
along the shores of small lakes is a good day’s
work, and a heavy one.

But, except for those few occasions on which
it is necessary to wait for the water to eat through
the ice and drain away, there is no period of the
year when it is impossible to travel either by dog
sleigh or canoe in the Northern Plains. Travelling
may be no pleasure at times, but it is generally
possible.

The Hanbury River is a treacherous stream,
and J. W. Tyrrell, who surveyed it in 1900,
does not lay sufficient emphasis on the fact either
in his report or on the series of maps he prepared.
All that can be said for it is that it constitutes the
only canoe route known between the central
lake system and the Thelon River.

The level at which the water is standing affects
considerably the navigability of the river, or at
least so it would appear, as Tyrrell has marked as
“currents” (strong or swift) many places that
should undoubtedly be noted as rapids.

The first instance of this is that constriction
in the channel ten miles below Sifton Lake.
It is marked as a strong current. Here the river
passes round an island. The right hand channel
is too shallow, and although the other might be
run safely there would be an element of risk
attached, especially as in the middle of it there
is a great rock, to the right of which any canoe
would be upset. Throughout the entire river
care must be taken, and it is necessary for travel-
lers to go ashore in many places before running
certain waters.

Below Grove Rapids we found a cairn and post;
it stands on the shore of the lake at the end of
the portage. On this post were engraved the
following words. “Lake Hanbury, Named
13th August, 1911, R. V. Radford, T. G. Street’.
Both these men were later murdered by Eskimos
on Bathurst Inlet, and I trust that the lake to
which the notice applies will receive the name
they wished given to it.

About fifteen miles below Lake Hanbury there
isanother lake at an elevation of 1030 feet, and
just before it Tyrrell has marked on his map the
words “‘strong current’. For two miles here the
river should be carefully watched. On the
southern shore near the eastern extremity of
this lake there is an esker, whereon a little scrub
spruce grows. At the foot of this esker there
is an eddy in the stream, and fair whitefish and
trout fishing is to be had. This lake I request
should be named Cruikshank Lake, after J. R. H.
Cruikshank, B.A., F.R.G.S., now of Pittsburg,
a gentleman much interested in exploration and

THE CANADIAN FIBLD-NATURALIST 85

who has done much to improve existing maps in
many parts of the world.

Another ten miles and a narrow gorge occurs
through which the river runs. It is about a mile
long and the river drops eleven feet in that dis-
tance. . It is not marked as being a dangerous
stretch of water on Tyrrell’s map, but it is so in
actuality, and it should be carefully inspected
before being run. The channel is under the left
hand cliff but half way down there are rocks that
must be avoided at all cost. It is speculative
whether it would be possible to ascend this portion
of the river without being forced to portage.

The lake succeeding it I suggest should be
named Lake Radford and Street. After this lake
the river turns northward and after about fifteen
miles eastward again. Here there is more swift
water that should be inspected.

The series of falls and rapids that follow Sandy
Lake constitute the most serious obstructions to
navigation on the river. But at Ford’s Falls
the portage may be reduced from half a mile to
three hundred yards by taking the opposite side
of the river (left) to that chosen by Tyrrell.

Between Helen’s Falls and the last-falls on the
river there is another gorge a mile in length.
It is difficult to see how Tyrrell made a five
hundred yards portage of this stretch of river,
but with his large complement of expert canoemen
to each canoe he was doutless enabled to run a
portion of the gorge. This would be suicidal
except with light loads and full crews.

At this time we were rather under-fed and in-
clined to take chances. Consequently we man-
aged to make a fifty yards portage of Helen’s
Falls by running down to the brink, and lowering
our loads and craft over the precipice immediately
below the fall. This was safely accomplished,
but lining the canoes down the left hand side of
the gorge was, as it happened, far from a simple
undertaking. The result was we almost lost the
entire contents of one canoe, and our lives from
a landslide that suddenly hurtled down on us
from the cliff above. Fortunately, although we
were not more than fifteen yards apart, it rushed
into the river between us. The last reach of the
Hanbury before joining the Thelon is the most
beautiful piece of country between Artillery Lake
and the sea, that is about Hawk Rock. There is
exceptionally good fishing and although the
scenery is not awe-inspiring as the Dickson Canyon
may be, it is park-like, and dainty. It was the
one spot on the river system travelled by us
that I should like to return to. Unforttinately
there are shoals and swift water at the mouth of
Hanbury River, but once this bad stretch is
passed the rest of the river would be navigable

86 THE CANADIAN’ FIELD-NATURALIST

for a powerful flat bottomed and engined launch.
This shallow water might cause considerable
difficulty with a heavy cargo, however.

The Hanbury river, though a comparatively
good canoe route down stream with small loads,
would prove a tremendous grind for any heavily
laden party going up.

Thelon River starts off well and for several
miles gives the impression that it is all that
Tyrrell has reported it to be, navigable for river
steamers and vessels of shallow draught for five
hundred and fifty miles, except for two places
just above Baker Lake.

I entirely disagree however. I have had con-
siderable experience with power boats drawing
from two to ten feet of water, and in them I have
voyaged through many difficult waters, but for
any boat drawing more than a foot and a half
laden, and incapable of exceeding a speed of
twelve knots Thelon River is not to be considered
navigable.

About the only type of power it would be
feasible to use on the river would be the aero-
thrust motor. Then provided sufficient speed
were atained under load even the rapids on the
lower stretches of the river could be navigated

The rapids on the lower river do not constitute
a menace to navigation except because of their
swiftness. In all three of them there is sufficient
water in the main channel to float a boat drawing
more water than could be utilized on the river
higher up, above where the Dubawnt comes in.
A high-powered tunnelled boat might possibly
get through if drawing not more than eighteen
inches but it would be unwise to attempt the
passage with a valuable cargo, until an experi-
mental run up had been made.

The heaviest rapid on the river is that about
five miles below Schultz Lake. It is about a
mile long, and we made a portage after spending
an entire day looking it over from both banks.
It commences by falling over a shelf against
which it first piles. The immediate fall is about
a foot, but the water does not break. Studded
along the shelf are several small islands forming
about five distinct channels, only one of which
however appears to be really deep, this is slightly
to the North (left) of midstream.

For the next two thirds of a mile the channel
runs obliquely towards the southern (right)
shore the water breaking with its force. Here
at the commencement of the last stretch the main
part of the river rushes over and through heavy
rocks against which the strongest hull would be
destroyed. Swift and deep water in a broad
channel is to be found between these rocks and
the southern bank, deep water running to within

[VoL. XLIV

a few feet of this bank for the remainder of the
rapid. The rate of flow of this rapid was not
determined, but the last portion of the rapid
we ran in our large canoe, and I timed it that we
took two minutes and a few seconds to travel
about half a mile. As our safety in that par-
ticular portion of the rapid depended on our
ability to keep considerable way on our canoe
over and above the rate of flow of the water,
I take it that the flow in the rapid is about eleven
or twelve miles per hour. This rapid however,
I believe not to constitute the greatest obstacle
to navigation on the Thelon.

About four miles above it there is another
rapid. When we were there, in late August
there was much broken water in mid-stream
and it was only possible to run it by hugging the
right hand bank. This again is deep water,
however, and as it is but two hundred yards
long would not be difficult to navigate.

Possibly the worst stretch on the whole river
is the rapid at the entrance to Baker Lake. It
commences about four miles up from the mouth
and is dangerous water for a mile and a half.
The river is not particularly swift, although there
is broken water in places running probably over
seven miles an hour, but the danger lies in the
curving nature of the channel and the numerous
shoals. Although it is difficult always to choose
the main channel when running down a broad
river in a canoe, one takes good care to choose
one almost as good, especially in rapid water
where the slightest mistake may result in the loss
of the entire outfit.

In this rapid I almost came to grief. I was
leading in the small canoe, its load including
myself weighing approximately seven hundred
pounds. The sun was in my eyes and although .
I expected a rapid and was constantly standing
up in order to see it in time, I did not observe
rough water until within two hundred yards of it.
At the time I was that distance also from either
bank. It looked bad for my uncovered canoe,
but there was nothing to do but paddle straight
ahead for speed and hope for the best. I suppose
I was fated to get through, as nothing beyond a
scare and a little water in the canoe resulted.

After the first stretch of this rapid which is
between high cliffs, the river broadens out over
the delta deposits of shingle and boulders. It
it much divided, and rocks and shoals either break
the surface or almost do so at numerous places.
Another half mile, and several shoals run trans-
verse to the flow. Over these however a good
deal of water sweeps, and often one is forced to
cross the current obliquely in such a narrow
channel that there is ever the danger of being

April, 1930]

drifted on to one of the shoals before the edge of
the shingle bar is passed and another change of
direction made. During our passage we made
no less than four such crossings in the last three
quarters of a mile, and one’s situation is analogous
to paddling along a weather shore with a strong
wind blowing, the tendency always is to be washed
up on the beach with the whole force of the water
piling on one. In one place there appears to be
a very shallow stretch, and I took it for the main
channel. It may not be so, but were my sup-
position correct no boat drawing more than a foot
could pass over the shelf.

Stretches of river similar to this are to be found
frequently on the great bend after Grassy Island,
and even in our canoes we would touch bottom
on occasions if just out of the channel. Fortun-
ately these shallows are invariably where there
is only shingle to ground on. Wherever the river
cuts through granite or sandstone the water is
swifter, but the channel being more confined is
deeper, although jagged rocks protrude not
infrequently.

For canoe work with heavy loads the river
would be difficult to ascend, much tracking would
have to be resorted to, and often where the water
is most swift the banks are so precipitous as to
make tracking far from simple.

The extent to which the river is navigable
largely depends on the usage to which the river
might be put as a transportation route. Whether
to be used by large parties such as miners and
investigators, or by individual trappers and ad-
venturers.

We know that certain members of the latter
fraternities are excellent rivermen. No matter
how forbidding a river, so long as advantage can
be taken of eddies, and provided the river is not
a series of falls, these men, with a bridle for
tracking, by poling and portaging will take an
outfit up a stream that to the inexperienced
would prove impassable. Were the Thelon in
one of the Provinces the banks would be dotted
with cabins of such as these. As it is, however,
it is situated so far from railhead that the returns
ot a trapping venture could not be expected to
defray the costs of getting in and out again.

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 87

The only parties likely to enter the valley would
be scientists, Government employees, miners,
personnel forming part of an aerial exploratory
party detailed to establish bases, and so on.
None of these would travel as does the trapper,
alone with a large canoe or light scow, tracking
and poling most of the way. They would be
accompanied by assistants, have considerable
supplies and make use of power boats. They
should not be expected to have to travel in any
other manner in fact. The first passage of
Thelon River with such craft could not be expected
to be other than something of an adventure,
and, as likely as not, the party would not es-
tablish itself on the upper Thelon until the summer
succeeding that on which the start was made.

Because of this fact it would seem advisable
to send a winter’s fuel supply with the party in
case Beverly Lake and drift timber were not
reached. Unless the party wintered at Chester-
field Inlet, so as to be able to make an early start
on the river the following summer, an attempt
to ascend in all probability could not be made
until summer was well advanced. Now, even
though the first portion of the river should
present no difficulties, Schultz and Aberdeen
Lakes, without any harbours whatever, must be
considered treacherous for flat-bottomed craft
and quite likely to prove snares to hurrying
people. I saw a few very dangerous snags and
reefs.

Neither Baker Lake, nor the mouth of Dubawnt
River would be very far distant, the former to
retreat to, and the latter to send to for fuel.
But establishing on the spot to conduct winter
researches seems preferable to retiring, as does
having the fuel in hand, when the only alternative
would be to go and hunt for it when the time
might much better be occupied building sod
houses for the winter and surveying the surround-
ing country, which, around the lakes, seems
geologically interesting.

It is necessary to observe, that although
doubtless the river could be ascended by craft
drawing as little water as possible it cannot be
said how long it would take to make the initial
passage.

(To be continued)

88 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

[VoL.XLIV

ADDITIONS TO “BIRDS OF THE LINDSAY DISTRICT’”’
By J. A. MUNRO

2 IN The Canadian Field-Naturalist (Vol.
8 39, Nos. 3 and 4) Mr. E. W. Calvert
published ‘‘A Preliminary List of the

=” Birds of the Lindsay District, Ontario’’.
The present writer was familiar with the Ka-
wartha Lake Region, between Balsam Lake on
the south and Big Mud Turtle Lake on the north,
during the years 1901 and 1910 and again in
September 1919 and October 1926. This region
adjoins, and is similar in topography to, that
covered by Mr. Calvert’s paper. The present
writer had considered preparing a list of the birds
of Victoria County but as this now would be
largely a duplication it was decided to record
only those species that are additions to the
published list together with what other data is
considered of interest.

Colymbus holboelli. HOLBOELL’S GREBE.—
On October 3rd, 1910, a satisfactory view was
obtained of a single bird of this species while the
writer was paddling across Silver Lake.

Uria lomvia lomvia. BRUNNICH’S MuURRE.—
A specimen mounted by Mr. James Moore of
Coboconk was examined by the writer. This
was said to have been picked up dead in Somer-
ville Township, Victoria County, on March 29th,
1909.

Mergus americanus.
common migrant in autumn.
earliest date.

MERGANSER.—Fairly
August 15th-is the

Lophodytes cucullatus. HooDED MERGAN-
SER.—On June 15th, 1903, a female was seen on
Silver Lake leading a brood of newly hatched
young.

Aix sponsa. Woop Duck.—During the period
1901 to 1910 Wood Ducks were quite common
on the Gull River north of Coboconk. In the
fall of 1919 and again in 1926 the once well
populated haunts of this species were searched
in vain, not a single individual was encountered.

Oidemia perspicillata. SURF SCOTER.—On
October 7th, 1901, five specimens were shot from

a flock of twenty or more on Big Mud Turtle
Lake. These were all immature birds.

Rubicola minor. AMERICAN WOOoDCOCK.—
Not observed in 1919 or 1926 in localities which
the species frequented in earlier years.

Falco columbarius — columbarius. PIGEON
Hawk.—An adult male seen close to Little Mud
Turtle Lake on October 2nd, 1910.

Pandion haliaétus carolinensis. AMERICAN
OsprREY.—A pair nested yearly on the west side
of Balsam Lake. The nest was last observed in
the summer of 1904.

Phloeotomus pileatus abieticola. NORTHERN
PILEATED WOODPECKER.—An adult male was
taken by the writer close to the south end of
Big Mud Turtle Lake on September 17th, 1910.

Loxia curvirostra minor. RED CROSSBILL.—
On August 10th, 1908, a flock was seen extracting
the seeds from green spruce cones close to the
shore of Silver Lake. Two, apparently mated
birds, were seen on May 22nd, 1909.

Pipilo erythrophthalmus erythrophthalmus.
TOWHEE.—Although this species was looked for
in all likely places it was not encountered in the
Coboconk region until July 3rd, 1910, when a
singing male was seen. On October 6th, 1926,
two birds in first winter plumage were observed.
It seems probable that this indicates a local
northward extension of range.

Vireosylva philadelphica. PHILADELPHIA VIREO.—
Two specimens taken near Little Mud Turtle
Lake on September 9th, 1919.

Dendroica tigrina. ‘CAPE MAy WARBLER.—
A male in first winter plumage taken on August
21st, 1910; others observed. A second im-
mature male was collected on September 4th,
1919.

Dendroica castanea. BAY-BREASTED WAR-
BLER.—Immature birds were very abundant near
Coboconk during the first two weeks of Septem-
ber, 1919.

BIRD NOTES FROM PARRY SOUND DISTRICT
By H. W. FAIRBAIRN

HE following notes were made during
the summer of 1928 while the writer
was attached to a field party of the

Geological Survey of Canada. The
area under consideration includes Monteith,

Christie, and parts of adjacent townships, and
is but a few miles north of the Muskoka Lakes.
The C.N.R. Ottawa-Depot Harbour line cuts the
area into two parts.

The observations to follow were made more

April, 1930]

or less at random and are by no means complete.
They may, however, give some information of
interest concerning the distribution of certain
species in a district which is well known to many
people.

Podilymbus podiceps. | PIED-BILLED GREBE.—
Observed only once, on Horn Lake, but is prob-
ably a common species.

Gavia immer. _ComMMON LOON.—Several times
young birds were seen to stick one leg out of the
water at a seemingly impossible angle, but ap-
parently no harm was done as the bird would
resume its swimming immediately after. The
species is present on all the lakes.

Larus argentatus. HERRING GULL.—Obser ved
frequently on the larger lakes.

Mergus americanus. AMERICAN MERGANSER.—
Seen- occasionally on the Seguin River.

Anas rubripes. BuLack DucKk.—Only one
specimen was observed.

Botaurus lentiginosus.
Common.

Ardea herodias. GREAT BLUE HERON.—A
small rookery was found on an island in Clear
Lake. There were four nests in each of two tall
spruce rampikes, built at intervals of several
feet above each other. The locality was visited
after the breeding season, but to all appearances
the topmost nest was the one most recently
used. The lower ones became successively more
dilapidated. This heron is quite common.

Rubicola minor. AMERICAN WooDcock.—
Dr. Quirke flushed one bird during the early
part of the summer. Mr. Malkin, a resident of
Orrville, states that the woodcock is of regular
occurrence here, but has never been common.
Spreadborough, in Macoun’s “Catalogue of
Canadian Birds”, has recorded the species from
Bracebridge, 40 miles to the south. More data
regarding the distribution of the woodcock in
central Ontario would be of interest.

Actitis macularia. SPOTTED SANDPIPER.—
Common.

Oxyechus vociferus. KILLDEER PLOVER.—
Commonly found in the open settled country.

Bonasa umobellus. RUFFED GROUSE.—This
bird has apparently increased in numbers of late
years, for residents of the district say that it was
seldom seen before the Game Laws were en-
forced.

Circus hudsonius. Marsh HawKk.—The most
common hawk of the district. A young bird
followed me for some distance one day, but
eventually decided that I wasn’t worth attacking
and flew off.

Accipiter velox.
Noted only once.

AMERICAN BITTERN.—

SHARP-SHINNED HAwKk.—

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 89

Accipiter coopert. CooPER’s HAwk.—One
observed in the vicinity of Bear Lake. It is to
be hoped that neither of these two hawks is much
more common than is indicated here.

Buteo borealis. RED-TAILED HAWK.—One was
seen in the vicinity of Axe Lake at close enough
range to make out the rufous tail.

Buteo lineatus. RED-SHOULDERED HAWK.—

Fairly common.

Cerchneis sparverius. AMERICAN SPARROW
Hawk.—This hawk was noted only once during
the summer but may be commoner than’ this
would indicate.

Pandion haliaétus carolinensis. AMERICAN
OspREY.—Dr. Quirke observed one bird in the
vicinity of Orrville.

Coccyzus_ erythrophthalmus. BLACK-BILLED
Cuckoo.—Although more often heard than seen,
the cuckoo is a common summer resident in this
district. Its note is a very elusive quantity to
follow due to its peculiar carrying power, and the
bird itself is a master of the art of concealment.

Ceryle alcyon. BELTED KINGFISHER.—Com-
mon on all the streams and lake shores.

Dryobates villosus. HarIRY WOODPECKER.—

Fairly common.

Dryobates pubescens. DOWNY WOODPECKER.—
Common.

Sphyrapicus varius. YELLOW-BELLIED SAP-
SUCKER.—Next to the flicker, the sapsucker was
the most common woodpecker of the district.
In the ‘Catalogue of Canadian Birds” J. H.
Fleming also has noted the abundance of these
birds in Muskoka and Parry Sound Districts.
One sapsucker which was noted had developed
flyeatching habits and would repeatedly dart
away from his tree to make an aerial capture in
the most approved flycatcher manner.

Chordeiles virginianus. NIGHTHAWK.—A nest
was found on a gray gneissic rock where the
young birds blended most perfectly with the
banding of the rock. In August a flock of about
twenty birds was seen one evening about sunset.

Chaetura pelagica. CHIMNEY SwiFT.—Occurs
regularly but does not seem to be abundant.

Archilochus colubris. RUBY-THROATED HUM-
MINGBIRD.—Common.

Tyrannus tyrannus. KINGBIRD.—Common.

Myiarchus crinitus. CRESTED FLYCATCHER.—
Observed several times in the heavy timber.

Sayornis phoebe. PHOEBE.—Occurs regularly
but is not abundant.

Nuttallornis borealis. OLIVE-SIDED FLy-
CATCHER.—Noted several times in burned country.

Myjiochanes virens. WooD PEWEE.—Common.

90 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

Empidonax trailli. TRAILL’Ss FLYCATCHER.—
One was seen at Bear Lake. The call note was
distinctive.

Empidonax minimus. LEAST FLYCATCHER.—
This is probably the commonest flycatcher of the
area.

Cyanocitia cristata. BuuE JAy.—Abundant.

Corvus brachyrhynchos. AMERICAN CROW.—
Common only in the vicinity of the settlements.

Dolichonyx oryzivorus. BOBOLINK.—Nesting
at Bear Lake in July. Fleming has noted it as
uncommon in this district. As more land is
opened up it may become more common.

Molothrus ater. COWBIRD.—Common.

Agelaius phoeniceus. RED-WINGED BLACK-
BIRD.—Common in the marshes.

Sturnella magna. MEADOWLARK.—Common
in the cleared land around Orrville.. Its numbers
have evidently increased of late years for Fleming
has reported it as rather uncommon here.

Icterus galbula. BALTIMORE ORIOLE.—One
male, with several females and juveniles was seen
at Orrville late in August. The district seems
to be suitable for them as far as the hardwood
bush is concerned, but nevertheless they seem to
be uncommon here.

Quiscalus quiscula aeneus. BRONZED GRACKLE.—
Common.

Carpodacus purpureus.
Common.

Passer domesticus. House SPARROW.—A few
were seen in the neighbourhood of the villages.

Astragalinus tristis. AMERICAN GOLDFINCH.—
Common.

Pooecetes gramineus.
Abundant.

Zonotrichia albicollis.
ROW.—Abundant.

Spizella passerina.
Fairly common.

Junco hyemalis.
Abundant.

Melospiza melodia.
dant.

Hedymeles ludovicianus.
BEAK.—This species was fairly common here.

Piranga erythromelas. SCARLET TANAGER.—
During the early part of the summer the tanager
was seen very commonly in all the hardwood
country.

Petrochelidon lunifrons.
Fairly common.

Hirundo erythrogastra. BARN SWALLOW.—
Common at all the settlements.

Iridoprocne bicolor. TREE SWALLOW.—This
is the most common swallow.

PURPLE FINCH.—

VESPER SPARROW.—
WHITE-THROATED SPAR-
CHIPPING SPARROW.—
SLATE-COLOURED JUNCO.—

SONG SPARROW.—Abun-

CLIFF SWALLOW.—

ROSE-BREASTED GROS-,

[VoL. XLIV

Riparia riparia. BANK SWALLOW.—Found
nesting in most of the steep gravel hillsides.

Bombycilla cedrorum. CEDAR WAXWING.—
Abundant in late summer.

Vireosylva olivacea. RED-EYED VIREO.—A
common species and one of the most persistent |
songsters of the woods.

Lanivireo solitarius. | SOLITARY VIREO.—A
male was seen early in July.

Mniotilta varia. BLACK AND WHITE WARB-
LER.—Observed only once during the summer.

Dendroica aestiva. YELLOW WARBLER.—A
common warbler. Migration takes place early,
for none were seen after August Ist.

Dendroica coronata. MYRTLE WARBLER.—
Fairly common.

Dendroica magnolia. MAGNOLIA WARBLER.—
More common than the Myrtle Warbler.

Dendroica pennsylvanica. CHESTNUT-SIDED
WARBLER.—Fairly common.

Dendroica fusca. BLACKBURNIAN
LER.—Common.

Dendroica virens. BLACK-THROATED GREEN
WARBLER.—Found commonly in the thickest
bush and is a very persistent songster.

Seiurus aurocapillus. OVENBIRD.—A common
species and also a very persistent songster.

Oporornis philadelphia. MouRNING WARB-
LER.—Found several times in scrubby under-
growth in early July.

Geothlypis trichas. MARYLAND YELLOW-
THROAT.—Commonly found in the alder thickets.

Wilsonia canadensis. CANADA WARBLER.—
Fairly common.

Setophaga ruticilla.
Common.

Dumetella carolinensis.
common.

Toxostoma rufum. BROWN THRASHER.—Oc-
curs regularly throughout this district. Fleming
has noted very few records of the species, but
with the opening up of more land it has probably
increased in numbers since that time.

Troglodytes aedon. HousE WREN.—Common.

Nannus hiemalis. WINTER WREN.—Frequents
black spruce swamps quite commonly. It has a
very powerful voice for such a diminutive bird.

Penthestes atricapillus. |BLACK-CAPPED CHICK-
ADEE.—Abundant.

Hyocichla fuscescens.
Common.

Hylocichla gutiata.
mon everywhere.

Planesticus migratorius.
Abundant.

Sialia sialis. BLUEBIRD.—Occurs regularly
but is never abundant.

WARB-

AMERICAN REDSTART.—

CATBIRD.— Fairly

WILSON’S THRUSH.—
HERMIT THRUSH.—Com-

AMERICAN ROBIN.—

April, 1930]

In conclusion, mention should be made of
Phasanius colchicus torquatus, the Ring-necked
Pheasant. The writer learned on good authority
from Mr. Malkin, of Orrville, that a few Pheasants
were found in this neighbourhood until about
three years ago. Individual birds fed occasional-
ly with the poultry on a farm at Lake Isabella,
but they were very wary and difficult to approach.
The discovery of a few of the long tail feathers
later on seems to be the last trace of them known
to this neighbourhood and nothing could be

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 91

learned concerning the time and circumstances
of their introduction. In the September, 1928,
issue of The Canadian Field-Naturalist, Hoyes
Lloyd, in a review of the present Pheasant situa-
tion, makes no mention of the bird in Ontario
except in the southern parts of the province.
The writer submits this additional information,
therefore, with the hope that more evidence will
be forthcoming concerning the northern dis-
tribution of this interesting species.

MARINE CRUSTACEA, MALACOSTRACA AND PANTOPODA (PYCNOGO-
NIDA), COLLECTED IN THE GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE, NEWFOUND-
LAND AND THE BAY OF FUNDY IN 1919, 1922, 1923, 1925 and 1926

By FRITS JOHANSEN

INTRODUCTION

HE following specimens collected by me
during vacation trips in eastern Canada,

(T

have been kindly identified in the
U.S.N.M., Washington, D.C., viz:—

The Decapods, Pantopods and Schizopods by
M. J. Rathbun and W. L. Schmitt; the Amphi-
pods by C. R. Shoemaker; and the Iscpods by
M.O. Maloney. In return some of the duplicate
specimens have been retained by the U.S.N.M.

In 1919 I went by steamer from Quebec City,
along the north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence
to Harrington, Que., and back, the occasional
stops giving opportunities for shore-collecting.

In 1922 I was on the east side of Gaspé Penin-
sula at Charlottetown, P.E.I., and on the east
and west sides of Newfoundland, sailing or
collecting from the shore.

In 1923 I went by steamer along the north
shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence to Anticosti
Island and back. I cireumnavigated this island
in a sail boat, and made shore collections at the
various places.

In 1925 I was on a bicycle trip along the east
coast of New Brunswick from Chaleur Bay to
Miscou Island and Chatham collecting along the
shore. I also spent some time in a fishing boat
in the Bay of Chaleur, visiting its north side.

In 1926 I continued my bicycle trip along the
south side of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, from
Chatham, N.B., to Pictou, N.S. (including the
western end of Prince Edward Island), and along
the east side of the Bay of Fundy, from Windsor
to Yarmouth, N.S., making shore collections
at many places.

A number of notes and articles dealing with
the natural history observations and collections

made on these five trips of mine, have appeared
in The Canadian Field-Naturalist from 1920 to
date, and more may follow in the future.

In the following list of Crustacea, the records
(localities) are arranged approximately from west
to east, under each species.

To the records are added a fewspecimens (also
identified at the U.S.N.M.) collected by others
in the area in question and sent to me; and one
collection by myself in the Gulf of St. Lawrence
in 1927, secured on my way to Hudson Strait.

The number in brackets after each record
means the number of specimens.(*)

Except when otherwise stated, the specimens
are all from beach or shore water.

DECAPODA

Neopanope texana Sayi (Smith)
Under stones at low tide, Geddes
Buctouche, N.B., September 1, 1926 (1).
Cancer irroratus Say
Dalhousie, N.B., end of August 1925.
Maria, N.-side of Chaleur Bay, Que., Aug. 25,
1925.
Cape Ozo, Gaspé Bay, Que., August 10, 1922.
Shippigan, N.B., September 8, 1925.
North end of Miscou Island, N.B., Sept. 11,
1925.
Escuminac Point, N.B., end of Aug. 1926
(also some post-larve).
Richibucto Head, N.B., August 30, 1926.
Geddes Point, N.B., September 1, 1926.
Cape Bald Harbour, N.B., September 7, 1926.
Cape Tormentine, N.B., September 10, 1926.
Pugwash Harbour, N.S., September 19, 1926.
Ellis Bay, W.-end of Anticosti Island, end of

Point,

July 1923.

*Under the very common species the numbers are omitted.

92 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

Fox Bay, N.E.-side of Anticosti Island, August
6th, 1923.

Port au Port, W.-coast of Newfoundland, be-
ginning of September 1922.

Kelligrews (Conception Bay),
Newfoundland, August 26th, 1922.

Hyas araneus (L.)

From cod stomachs, Bay of Chaleur, August
20-25, 1925, 15-20 fathoms (1).

From cod stomachs, Abrahams Cove (Bay St.
George), W.-coast of Newfoundland, September
6, 1922 (10).

Hyas coarctatus alutaceus Brandt

Savoy Landing, S.-end of Shippigan Island,
N.B., September 10, 1925 (1).

Escuminac Point, N.B., end of August 1926 (2).

Gulf of St. Lawrence (lat. 51°N., long. 58°W)
July 20, 1927 (from cod stomach).

Chionocoetes opilio (O. Fabr.)

Cape Ozo, Gaspé Bay, Que., August 10, 1922 (1).

Pagurus acadianus Benedict
Geddes Point, N.B., September 1, 1926 (2).
Pugwash Harbour, N.S., September 19, 1926 (1).
Halls Harbour, N.S., (Bay of Fundy), October

4, 1926 (6).
Pagurus pubescens Kroeyer

Cod stomachs, Bay of Chaleur, 15-20 fathoms.
August 22-25, 1925 (8).

Pagurus Kroeyeri Stimpson

Cod stomachs, Bay of Chaleur, 15-20 fathoms,
August 22-25, 1925 (8).

Homarus americanus M.-Edw.
Escuminac Point, N.B., August 21-23, 1926 (1).
Ellis Bay, AnticostiIsland, August 11, 1923 (1).

Crago septemspinosa (Say)

Dalhousie, N.B., end of August 1925.

Outlet of Eel River, 4 miles east of Dalhousie,
N.B., August 30, 1925.

North side of Heron Island, Chaleur Bay,
August 22, 1925.

Maria, north side of Chaleur Bay, Que., August
23, 1925.

Barachois at Port Daniel, Gaspé Peninsula,
Que., August 9, 1922.

Creek-outlet at Shippigan, N.B., September 9,
1925.

Creek-outlet at Mal Bay, north end of Miscou
Island, N.B., September 12, 1925.

Tracadie, N.B., September 17, 1925.

Escuminac Point, N.B., August 21-23, 1926.

Richibucto Harbour, N.B., August 27, 1926.

Buctouche, N.B., August 31, 1926.

Ellis Bay, Anticosti Island, August 12, 1923.

Malpeque Bay (west side) P.E.I., September 13,
1926.

Cape Tormentine, N.B., September 10, 1926.

E.-coast of

[Vou. XLIV

Port au Port, Newfoundland, beginning of
September 1922.
Nectocrangon dentata Rathb.
Cod stomachs, Bay of Chaleur, 15-20 fathoms,
August 22-25, 1925 (17).
(probably) Pandalus borealis Kroeyer ;
Gulf of St. Lawrence (lat. 51°N., long. 58°W.)
July 20, 1927 (cod stomach).
Pandalus montagui Leach
Cod stomachs, Bay of Chaleur, 15-20 fathoms,
August 22-25, 1925 (1).
Spirontocaris spina (Sowerby)
Cod stomachs, Bay of Chaleur, 15-20 fathoms,
August 22-25, 1925 (1).
(?) Spirontocaris gaimardiit (M.-Edw.)
Cod stomachs, Bay of Chaleur, 15-20 fathoms,
August 22-25, 1925 (1).
Spirontocaris gaimardii (M.-Edw.)
Halls Harbour, N.S., October 4, 1926 (1).

SCHIZOPODA

Michtheimysis stenolepis Smith

Dalhousie, N.B., end of August 1925.

Outlet of Kel River, 4 miles east of Dalhousie,
N.B., August 30, 1925.

Gaspé Basin, Quebec, July 12, 1923, J. D.
Soper coll.

Shippigan Harbour, N.B., September 15, 1925.

Escuminac Point, N.B., August 21-28, 1926.

Freeland, north side of Prince Edward Island,
September 14, 1926.

West side of Malpeque Bay, P.E.I., September
13, 1926.

Pictou Harbour, N.S., September 22, 1926.

Westbay, Port au Port, Nfld., September 3,
1922:

Picadilly, Port au Port, Nfld., September 5,
11922.

Mysis oculata (Fabr.)

Ellis Bay, Anticosti Island, July 30, 19238 (6)

From stomach of Microgadus tomcod; same
place, August 12, 1923 (11).

ISOPODA

Idothea baltica (Pallas)

Northside of Heron Island, Chaleur Bay, N.B.,
August 22, 1925 (1).

Creek outlet at Mal Bay, Miscou Island, N.B.
September 12, 1925 (1).

Escuminac Point, N.B., August 21-23, 1926 (4).

Richibucto Harbour, N.B., August 27, 1926 (1).

Geddes Point, N.B., September 1, 1926 (1).

Cape Tormentine, N.B., September 10, 1926 (4).

English Bay, west-end of Anticosti Island,
August 4, 1923 (from sculpin stomach) (1).

Ellis Bay, Anticosti Island, August 12, 1923 (4).

April, 1930]

Idothea sp. (probably ochotensis Brandt)
Shippigan Harbour, N.B., September 15, 1925
(2).
Synidothea bicuspida (Owen)

Attached to sponges, Hydroids, etc., Bay of
Chaleur, 15-20 fathoms, August 22-25, 1925 (2).
Chiridothea coeca (Say)

Scott Bay (Blomidon, Bay of Fundy), N:S.,
October 2, 1926 (many).

Iaera Marina (Fabr.)

Under stones at Escuminac Point, N.B., August
21-23, 1926 (several).

Under stones at low tide, Quidi Vidi, St. Johns,
Nfld, August 25, 1922 (many).

M Aega psora (Linn.)

From cod, Northwest Cove, mouth of Codroy
River, S.W. end of Newfoundland, June 1925,
A. English coll. (1).

AMPHIPODA

Anonyx nugax (Phipps)

Cod stomachs, Bay of Chaleur, 15-20 fathoms,
August 22-25, 1925 (4).

Cod stomach, Gulf of St. Lawrence (lat. 51’N.,
long. 58°W.), July 20, 1927.

Pardalisca abyssi Boeck

Cod stomach, Gulf of St. Lawrence (lat. 51°N.,

long. 58°W.), July 20, 1927.
Rhachotropis aculeata (Lep.)

Cod stomachs, Gulf of St. Lawrence (lat. 51°N.

long. 58°W.), July 20, 1927.
Calliopius laeviusculus (Kroeyer)

Off English Bay, Anticosti Island, August 4,
1923, (pelagic; many). .

Ellis Bay, Anticosti Island, Aug. 12, 1923,
(from stomachs of Urophycis; 2).

Among algae growing on pier at Port Daniel,
Quebec, August 8, 1922 (1).

Eskimo Point, N.-shore of Gulf of St. Lawrence
Que., August 1919 (many).

Escuminac Point, N.B., August 21-23, 1926 (1)

Westbay, Port au Port, Nfld., September 2,
1922 (pelagic; 1).

Torbey, E.-end of Newfoundland, August 28,
1922 (4).

‘Kelligrews (Conception Bay), Nfld., August 26,
1922 (many; also from sculpin-stomach here).
Pontogeneia inermis (Kroeyer)

Among algae on pier at Port Daniel, Que.,
August 8, 1922 (4).
Gammarus annulatus Smith
Creek-outlet at Belledune Point, N.B., Sep-
tember 4, 1925 (1).
Gammarus locusta (Linn.)
Tadoussac, Que., August 1919 (North shore
Gulf of St. Lawrence).

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 93

Clark City, Que., August 1919 (North shore
Gulf of St. Lawrence).

St. Anne de Monts, Que. (South shore of Gulf
of St. Lawrence), August 3, 1922.

St. Helier (Grand Etang), Gaspé, Que., August
LOD: ;

Dalhousie, N.B., end of August, 1925.

Outlet of Eel River, 4 miles east of Dalhousie,
N.B., August 30, 1925.

Belledune Point, N.B., September 4, 1925
(Creek-outlet).

Miscou Point, Miscou Island, N.B., September
AZ) O25:

Escuminac Point, N.B., August 21-23, 1926.

Richibucto Harbour, N.B., August 27, 1926.

Geddes Point, N.B., September 1, 1926.

English Bay, Anticosti Island, August 4, 1923
(from sculpin-stomach).

Ellis Bay, Anticosti Island, August 12, 1923
(also from fish stomachs here).

Eskimo Point, Que., August 1919 and July 27,
19235

Cape Tormentine, N.B., September 10, 1926.

Scott Bay, (Bay of Fundy), N.S., October 2,
1926.

Westbay, Port au Port, Nfld., September 3,
1922.

Kelligrews, Nfld., August 26, 1922 (also from
sculpin-stomach here).

Torbey, Newfoundland, August 28, 1922.
Quidi Vidi, Newfoundland August 25, 1922.
Gammarus locusta (?)

Pond at Avonport (Minas Basin), N.S., Sep-
tember 30, 1926 (6).

Carinogammarus mucronatus (Say)
Lagoon at Port Daniel, Que., August 9, 1922 (2).
Pond at Avonport, N.S., September 30, 1926 (1).

Eurystheus sp.

Halls Harbour (Bay of Fundy), N.S., October

AMO AG (Le
Orchestia grillus Bose.

Head of St. Mary’s Bay (Bay of Fundy), N:S.,
October 10, 1926 (together with Oniscoidea:
see Canadian Field-Naturalist, 43: 106, 1929, many).

Amphitoe rubricata (Montagu)

Among algae on pier at Port Daniel, Que.
August 8, 1922 (1).

Corophium cylindricum (Say)

Bay St. George, W.-coast of Newfoundland,
September 7, 1922 (2).

Ischyrocerus sp.
Torbey, Newfoundland, August 28, 1922 (2).
Aeginella longicornis (Kroeyer)

Cod stomachs, Bay of Chaleur, 15-20 fathoms,

August 22-25, 1925 (6).

94 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

Caprella linearis (Linn.)
Scallop-beds in Chaleur Bay, 14-15 fathoms,
gravel-bottom, dredge, August 26, 1925 (on
Hydroids, ete.) (5).

Caprella septentrionalis Kroeyer
Among algae on pier at Port Daniel, Que.
August 8, 1922, (many).

[Vou. XLIV

PANTOPODA (PYCNOGONIDA)

Phoxichilidium femoratum (Ratke)=

P. Mazillare Stimpson

Attached to algae and Hydroids, pier at
Charlottetown, P.E.I., August 22, 1922 (10).

OUTSIDE NESTS OF FLYING SQUIRRELS
By JAS. L. BAILLIE, JR.

LTHOUGH preferring hollow trees or
stubs and deserted woodpecker nests
for nesting purposes, both species of
North American Flying Squirrels have

been known to build outside nests in which to

- raise their young or pass the winter.

Snyder! has recorded such a nest, found at
Point Pelee, Ontario in 1920, used by the small
Eastern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys v. volans)
and Howell, in his Revision of the American
Flying Squirrels? mentions other instances of the
same habit and further states that this species
will, at times, utilize other squirrels’ nests.

On April 38rd, 1921, some boys found an outside
nest of a flying squirrel (probably volans) in the
Don Valley, Toronto, and the nest was seen by
Mr. T. B. Kurata later. It was composed of
small sticks and was placed fifteen feet up in a
cedar in a growth of scattered cedars on a farm.

The only other local evidence of this habit came
to light on December 18, 1926, when some boys
found a nest of this species, sixty feet up (against
the trunk) in a cedar tree in a dense pine grove
at Dentonia Park, Toronto. This nest, which
is now in the Royal Ontario Museum of Zoology
is composed of soft materials (mostly cedar-bark
shreds) with the entrance-hole at one side. The
nest measured thirteen inches in width and six-
teen inches in height.

At King township (thirty miles north of
Toronto) a Northern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys
sabrinus macrotis) was disturbed from an outside
nest in a balsam tree by a farm boy who was

aN

iJournal of Mammalogy, 2: 171, 1920.
3North American Fauna, No. 44, 1918, p. 7.

cutting “Christmas trees’ in December 1929.
This nest was shown to Professor A. F. Coventry
and the writer on December 30, was a bulky
spherical affair (about eighteen inches across)
and was composed of moss and cedar-bark strips.
It was located in a dense balsam and cedar wood,
being situated twenty-five feet from the ground
and approximately two feet out from the trunk.
In the same tree another nest of similar construc-
tion was found but it was uninhabited at the
time. Examination of the occupied nest revealed
two Flying Squirrels and one of these, a male,
was collected. The specimen proved to be
G. 8s. macrotis (as did also the two previous
specimens we have taken in King township).

Our first two specimens were found in old
woodpecker holes in dead stubs, the usual loca-
tion of the Flying Squirrel’s home. On another
occasion, April 2, 1927, one was found in a Flicker
box that had been placed in a tree near our
cabin. Years ago Mr. J. H. Ames saw a nest
of a flying squirrel (volans) that had been built
in a Flicker box. The young were reared suc-
cessfully. This was at North Toronto.

Mr. Holton B. Haugh informs me that he has
found flying squirrels (macrotis) at Little Lake,
Barrie, by disturbing them from bulky nests in
spruce trees and Howell (loc. cit.) cites three
instances of this northern species occupying
moss- and_ stick-constructed outside nests in
coniferous trees but it is not the usual habit of
either species.?

®The writer found a specimen of G. s. macrotis occupying
a nest (about 8 feet from ground) in a thickly branched white
Cedar in the outskirts of Hull, Quebec, in the month of May.—
R.M.A.

_ April, 1930]

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 95

NOTES ON THE SUMMER BIRDS OF THE INTERIOR OF WESTERN NOVA
SCOTIA
By A. L. RAND, Laboratory of Ornithology, Cornell University

HE following notes were made during
the summers of 1927 and 1928 while
at Annapolis Royal Camp for Boys
which is eighteen miles south of Ann-
apolis Royal on Fisher’s Lake, one of the Liver-
pool chain.

Numerous canoe trips were made along the
headwaters of this chain and it was on these trips
that many of the notes were made. The lakes
mentioned belong to this system of waterways.
The general area is the drainage basin of the head-
waters of the Liverpool River.

The country has few clearings. It consists of
coniferous forests and sphagnum swamps in the
valleys, and hemlock and hardwood forests on
the ridges. Much of the forest has been burned,
giving extensive barrens growing up to bushes.

The following boreal types were among the
common summer birds of the region.

Black-backed Gull; Spruce Grouse; Olive-
sided Flycatcher; Yellow-bellied Flycatcher;
Canada Jay; Rusty Blackbird; Myrtle Warbler;
Yellow Palm Warbler; Acadian Chickadee;
Golden-crowned Kinglet; Olive-backed Thrush;

Less common boreal birds found as summer

residents were Pine Grosbeak; Ruby-crowned

Kinglet.

Many other less northerly types were fairly
common such as: Loon; Merganser; Goshawk;
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker; Pileated Woodpecker;
Alder Flycatcher; Raven; Solitary Vireo; Black-
throated Blue Warbler; Magnolia Warbler;
Blackburnian Warbler; Black-throated Green
Warbler; Water-thrush; Canada Warbler; Win-
ter Wren; Brown Creeper; Red-breasted Nut-
hatch; Hermit Thrush.

Other species with widespread distribution,
especially southward, are equally common: Black
Duck; Great Blue Heron; Woodcock; Spotted
Sandpiper; Ruffed Grouse; Marsh Hawk; Sharp-
shinned Hawk; Red-tailed Hawk; Sparrow
Hawk; Osprey; Barred Owl; Chimney Swift;
Ruby-throated Hummingbird; Least Flycatcher;
Blue Jay; Crow; Song Sparrow; Swamp Sparrow;
Cliff Swallow; Barn Swallow; Tree Swallow;
~ Red-eyed Vireo; Great-horned Owl; Kingfisher;
Hairy Woodpecker; Downy Woodpecker; Flicker;
Nighthawk; Black and White Warbler; Parula
Warbler; Chestnut-sided Warbler; Ovenbird;
Maryland Yellow-throat; Redstart; Black-capped
Chickadee.

Less common Transition Zone birds observed
were: Bittern; Mourning Dove; Bald Eagle;
House Sparrow; Chipping Sparrow; Yellow
Warbler; Cathird; Veery.

The following are of especial interest in es-
tablishing definite records of occurrence or
nesting:

Philohela minor—Woopcock.—The Woodcock
is a fairly common summer bird. They were
present in nearly every suitable swamp.

Zenaidura macroura—MouRNING DoveE.—On
August 18, 1928, one lit on the tennis court
at the camp. The bird occasionally occurs in
the Province in the fall but this is an early date
and its appearance in a wooded region such as
this was unexpected.

Halizetus leucocephalus—BALD EAGLE.—A
beautiful adult with white head and tail ap-
peared over camp on August 20, 1928. It is
fairly common along the ‘South Shore” of Lunen-
burg and Queens Counties in the winter but I
know of no nest in this part of the country.
Occasionally a nest is reported but it always
proves to be that of the Osprey.

Pinicola enucleator—PINE GROSBEAK.—This
bird nested in the extensive spruce areas to
the north of Bear Lake in 1927 and 1928.
Here on August first, second and third, there
were several short-tailed young accompanied by
an adult. They could not have travelled far
from the nest. On August 18, 1928, I collected
a fully feathered immature male in the same
locality.

Dumetella carolinensis—CATBIRD.—A pair were
feeding their young on an island in Fisher’s
Lake, July 25, 1927. This is a Transition Zone
bird quite common in the Annapolis Valley, but
to find it breeding amid such Canadian surround-
ings was surprising.

Nannus hiemalis—WINTER WREN.—The Win-
ter Wren is a regular but uncommon summer
resident throughout this region. On August 3,
1928, I found a nest in the up-turned stump of
a hemlock in a cool moss-grown hemlock wood.

Hylocichla fuscescens—VEERY.—At Fisher’s
Lake in both 1927 and 1928 there were at least
four pairs present that probably bred there.
On July 22, 1927, I found a nest in a low brushy
area near the lake. It was in a spruce near the
ground and contained four young. I heard a
Veery singing on June 27, 1928, some four miles

96 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

northwest of South Brookfield, which probably
represented another pair.

This bird is rather irregular in Nova Scotia
and, with so wide a range to the south, it is in-

{[VoL. XLIV

teresting that it should become established in
such a typically Canadian locality and be absent
from the Transition Zone in the Annapolis
Valley.

NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS

THE NORTHERN LIMIT OF THE WHITE-TAILED
DEER IN ONTARIO.—It is generally known that
the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)
has been gradually extending its range north-
ward in Ontario, but little definite informaton
as to its northern limit at different periods is on
record. This note is published with the idea of
stimulating others to record information on this
subject.

About two years ago Mr. J. C. Swartman
informed the writer that during the winter of
1926-27, two specimens of this deer had been
killed at Newpost on the Abitibi river. This
point is a little more than one hundred miles
south of Moose Factory on James Bay.—J. R.
DyMOND, Royal Ontario Museum of Zoology.

LEWIS WOODPECKER IN WINNIPEG, MAN.—
On Sunday, November 17th, 1929, I observed
a Lewis Woodpecker flying about the trees close
to the buildings of the Agricultural College.

When I had satisfied myself as to the identity
I got in touch with the President of the Natural
History Society, A. G Lawrence, who together
with Mr. Broley, came out to see it the same
afternoon. Since then it was under more or
less constant observation by the bird students of
Winnipeg; Mr. T. Shortt, a bird artist of Win-
nipeg even making a sketch, in the field, for the
Tribune.

It spends its nights and in cold weather the
greater part of its days in a hole in a pole.

To H. Mossop of St. Vital belongs the credit
of first observing the Lewis Woodpecker in
Manitoba. He having identified one at the
Canoe Club property on October 24, 1929.

Our bird may be the same individual. ROBERT
M. BLAKELY.

WINTER OBSERVATIONS, GUELPH, ONT.—It will
perhaps be of interest to your readers to learn

that on November 28rd, 1929, about ten miles
from Guelph the writer saw a flock of six Bohe-
mian Waxwings, and on December 15th, inside
the City of Guelph, twenty-five or more Pine
Grosbeaks. Both species were carefully observed
and positively identified; was the advent of these
boreal visitors caused by the unusually early
severe, winter weather?—HENRY Howitt.

WHY THE FIELD SPARROW HAS BECOME
ScCARCE.—I read with interest the letter of
Mr, James Baillie, Jr., in The Canadian Field-
Naturalist for January, alluding to the scarcity
of Field Sparrows at Toronto. I would like to
suggest that their disappearance may be due,
partly at any rate, to the cutting down and clear-
ing away of light woods on the outskirts of the
city where these birds are found.

In Hamilton there are but two places to my
knowledge where Field Sparrows nest in any
numbers. These are the Colquhoun woods on
the Mountain and the Chedoke woods west of
the golf links. Here in the scrubby pastures
and among the thorn trees, their sweet trilling
can be heard throughout the summer months.

Bradford Torrey in his delightful book Birds

in the Bush after describing the usual song of
the Field Sparrow, gives also a description of it
sung in reversed order, and mentions this as
unusual. This may be so in the White Moun-
tains where his description was written, but here
in Hamilton this form of the song is often heard
in either of the woods I have mentioned.
- Bird lovers of this district are wondering what
will become of the Field Sparrow when the Col-
quhoun woods are cleared to make way for the
scenic highway and the beautiful Chedoke woods
are cut down to allow the golf links to be ex-
tended.—ANNA E. MACLOGHLIN.

BOOK REVIEWS

DEAM, CHARLES C.—Grasses of Indiana; 356
pages, with 86 plates, 23 figures in the text
and 216 quarter-page maps. Cloth, 10 x 7%
inches in size. State of Indiana Department
of Conservation, Division of Forestry. Publi-
cation No. 82, Indianapolis, Ind., 1929.

Grasses on the whole, constitute a group of
plants comparatively difficult to identify and to
understand, taxonomically, particularly to stu-
dents who are not intimately conversant with the
homology between their organs and those of
other flowering plants, and with the names which

April, 1930]

are applied to the various parts of the grass plant.
The difficulties in the taxonomic study of grasses
encountered by the average student are, in
“Grasses of Indiana’’, in quite a large measure
removed by an article on “The Grass Plant’,
by Paul Weatherwax, which precedes the de-
scriptive part of the book by C. C. Deam him-
self. In this article a brief, clear, and concise
account of the structure of the various parts of
the grass plant is given.
account has to make use of quite a number of
_ technical terms the meaning of which, however
is elucidated by 14 excellent text figures, also by
Paul Weatherwax. For further explanation of
technical terms the reader also has recourse to a
glossary at the end of the book.

In “Grasses of Indiana’’ 201 species, 19 varieties
and 7 forms of grasses are described, for the most
part from specimens collected by Mr. Deam
within the State. The measurements, which
are taken from herbarium specimens, are given
in the metric system. For the guidance of those
not familiar with the metric system a comparison
between it and the English system is given on
page 349. In the nomenclature the International
code is followed, and when any name used differs
from that of Gray’s Manual, Edition 7, and Brit-
ton and Brown’s Illustrated Flora, Edition 2,
the names of those works are given as synonyms.
The author refrains and, in the reviewer’s,opinion,
quite rightly so, from the extensive use of so-
called common or popular names of grasses, on
the ground that they are not universal, “fre-
quently misapplied, commonly misunderstood,
often fanciful and meaningless, and usually un-
dignified’’. He advocates the greater use of
scientific, latin names, reminding those who
object to them that “they are no more unfamiliar
and difficult to learn than some meaningless trade-
mark names such as “kodak” and “postum”’
and that “‘they are no more difficult than ‘car-
buretor’, ‘differential’, and ‘static’ ’’.

For the identification of the various grasses
keys to the tribes, genera, and species are pro-
vided. These keys which, as the author points
out, are entirely artificial, are on the whole simple
and easy to work. In a few instances, however,
the clearness of the characters separating sec-
tions of the keys is somewhat dimmed by the use
of such words as “usually”, “‘generally’’, and the
like. This is pointed out, not in a spirit of finding
fault, but merely to advise students, in case any
doubt should arise as to in what section of a key

*A typographical error occurs on page 25, bottom line,
where the reader is referred to Plate 71 for illustrations of
Danthonia. It should read Plate 31. The mistake is some-
what unfortunate as Danthonia by a curious coincidence
is omitted from the Index.

By necessity, this

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 97

a plant under examination ought to be placed,
to study carefully the very full and comprehensive
descriptions of the species prepared by the author,
and the numerous, excellent plates* by Paul
Weatherwax.

To sum up, the book is a valuable contribution
to the knowledge of the flora of Indiana, very
creditable to the author and to the Department
under whose auspices it has been prepared. And
it is more than that. It is an up-to-date treatise
on grasses which, as such, should commend it-
self to botanists all over both the United States
and Canada.

The book is attractively made up and neatly
bound in strong cloth of a pleasing dark-green
colour.—M. O. MALTE.

FIELD Book oF NorRTH AMERICAN MAMMALS—
Descriptions of every mammal known north
of the Rio Grande together with brief accounts
of habits, geographical ranges, etc. By H. E.
Anthony, M.A., Curator, Dept. of Mammals,
American Museum of Natural History. With
32 coloured plates and 175 photographs, pen-
and-ink sketches, and maps. G. P. Putnam’s
Sons, New York-London, The Knickerbocker
Press, 1928. 12mo. cloth, xxv, 625, price $5.00.

This compact little book of 7 x 44 x 1 inches
will prove a boon to all persons interested in the
study of mammals, being the only modern hand-
book which gives description, range, common
and scientific name of all the species and sub-
species of mammals, 1,445 in all, recognized as
inhabiting this territory. The descriptions of
our mammals have been scattered in various
books and periodicals comparatively inaccessible
to most young students, and in many cases too
technical for ordinary use. The various popular
books, while useful for life histories, are practically
useless for the purpose of determining an unknown
specimen in hand. The progress in study of
mammals has been so rapid and extensive in
recent years, and so many new species have been
discovered and named, that even the best of the
early books fall far short of modern needs.

The size of this book prevents the treatment
from being completely monographic, and while
it would not be possible positively to identify
all specimens by aid of this book, sufficiently
clear characters are given for recognition of all
the important forms, and for many of the sub-
species. References are given where the sub-
jects may be pursued farther if necessary. As
few skull characters are given, some forms based
on such characters can not be adequately de-

98 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

termined. The lack of systematic keys is a de-
fect in many eyes, although the descriptions
of families and major groups are as a rule full
enough for practical purposes, and the generous
use of illustrations and distributional maps will
generally enable the user of the book to run down
the species. The numerous distributional maps
are particularly useful in giving the ranges of the
species and subspecies at a glance. As they
display few serious inaccuracies, and as most
mammals are quite rigidly fixed in their habitats,
provisional identification by ranges is much more
dependable than it is with birds or other widely
migratory animals. It is only fair to state that
the few slight inaccuracies in mapping ranges are
largely due to lack of publication of known records
and detract little from the value of the book as a
field manual or key. The description of habits
of the groups and species are very characteristic
and readable, reflecting the wide field knowledge
of the author, and give briefly the most interesting
and essential facts. In a word, the chapter
introductions and running comments here and
there give the general information about mammals
which everyone ought to know.

The tones of some of the coloured plates leave
much to be desired, and the line drawings while
generally aptly illustrative, and in many cases
admirably catching the spirit of the subject,
would appear more artistic in a larger, wider-
margined book on rough paper. The distribu-
tion maps, while serving their purpose very well
also have a somewhat crude appearance in a
small book on thin India paper. The publishers
informs us, however, that the plant cost of pro-
ducing the book was about $7,500 irrespective
of the running cost of printing and binding.
As a book of this character is necessarily of com-
paratively limited circulation, minor criticisms on
technique are superfluous, and the publishers
should be heartily commended and thanked for
their courage and enterprise in bringing out such
a neat and useful volume at the price asked.

From the standpoint of scientific nomenclature,
G. S. Miller’s “List of North American Recent
Mammals, 1923’’ has been taken as the basis
although some new data involving changes of
names have been incorporated. Miller’s List
was purely technical and gave no English or
vernacular names. The reviewer believes with
Anthony that common names are a necessity in
a book of this type. The selection of suitable
names of this character is by no means an easy
task, and while we believe that the author has
made by all means the best selection of names
up to the present time, it is not difficult to raise
objections to some of the names given. Where

[VoL. XLIV

obviously inappropriate names have actually
come into common use and are de facto in the ver-
nacular there is admittedly nothing that can be
done about it, but the reviewer has a deep-seated
prejudice against stilted and artificial inventions
like the ‘“‘Cantankerous Meadow Mouse’ of
Elliot. Is there not some hidden vernacular
limbo or synonymy into which we can drop such
ridiculous appellations?

In addition to notes on habits, food, etc., the
author has given a brief summary of the enemies
of each group, but has fallen into a common error
in listing “Wolves, Polar Bears, and possibly
(when young) Snowy Owls’’ as enemies of the
Arctic Fox. It is well known in the North that
the wolf is essentially a big-game hunter, and while
an occasional aged or wounded wolf may eat
dead foxes found in traps, the healthy fox is far
too alert to be caught by a lone wolf and the
skimpy carcass of the little white fox is an un-
economical quarry for hunting by wolves in
packs. On the contrary, where caribou are
common, the foxes follow them and glean much
of their winter food from the wolves’ abandoned
kills. Foxes often live on the sea ice far from
land, and habitually follow the polar bear as a
parasite which is at least tolerated, living largely
upon the remnants and spilled blood of seals
killed by the bear. The Snowy Owl doubtless
picks up an occasional fox cub, but as the snowy
owls, foxes, and lemmings reach their peak of
abundance about the same time and the lemming
is the principal food of both the others, the owls
do not appear to bother the foxes very much.
However, as there is a notable movement of
arctic foxes as well as owls to the southward
following the periodic decline of the lemming
population, and as these migrating foxes do not
appear to return again to the North and never
get a permanent foothold in the South, it may
be a case of “dog eat dog” at such times, with
the foxes coming out second-best.

A few cases may be mentioned where deviations
are made from Miller’s 1923 List. The reviewer
has for some time held Anthony’s idea of making
Ovis stonet a subspecies of Ovis dalli, as every
shade of intergradation, including the so-called
Ovis fannini, is found between the two. Ovis
dalli fannini seems hardly worthy of retention
unless we adopt the principle of naming inter-
grades, and that logically leads to describing
intergradvs between intergrades. Anthony is un-
doubtedly right in considering Ovis canadensis
nigra Millais as a synonym of Ovis dalli stone,
but Ovis canadensis samilkameenensis is certainly
not the same as stonei, as it belongs to the heavy,
thick-horned group. Samilkameenensis may not

April, 1930]

be worthy of subspecific recognition, but there is
still some doubt whether it belongs with Ovis
canadensis canadensis Shaw or Ovis canadensis
californiana (Douglas). We also agree with the
author in dropping four of Matschie’s species of
wolverine, Gulo auduboni, bairdi, katschemakensis
and niediecki being all synonymous with G.
luscus (Linnaeus). The so-called Southern
Wolverine, Gulo luteus Elliot, separately largely
on grounds of paler colour pattern, is said to range
from California to Alaska, but is matched in
pale colour by many specimens throughout the
range of luscus, and if recognizable at all must be
purely a geographic race or subspecies of Gulo
luscus.

-A few other supplementary points may well be
called to the attention of Canadian mammal
students without any spirit of criticism. Microtus
drummondii (Audubon and Bachman) is now
quite widely recognized as a subspecies of M.
pennsylvanicus.

Three alleged Canadian species of bats have
recently been placed in synonymy (Miller and
Allen, “American Bats or the genera Myotis
and Pizonyx’’, 1928): Myotis pernox Hollister =
Myotis lucifugus alascensis Miller; Myotis alti-
frons Hollister = Myotis volans longicrus Miller;
and Myotis californicus cilialabrum Merriam =
Myotis subulatus subulatus (Say). Miller lists
the Pacific Raccoon, Procyon psora pacifica
Merriam but Anthony places it as a subspecies
of the Eastern form, Procyon lotor. The Black
Bears of North America as a whole have not been
worked up thoroughly, and although the reviewer
agrees with Hall (Univ. California Publ. Zool.
1928) in considering them all subspecies of
Ursus americanus, the author conservatively
retains them under six species of Huarctos. On
the other hand he has more or less arbitrarily
cut down the 84 forms of Grizzly and Big Brown
Bears of Merriam (N. A. Fauna, No. 41, 1918)
to 18 forms which he retains. The reviewer has
no faith in two recognizable subspecies of Musk-
oxen occupying substantially the same Canadian
range near Hudson Bay and would relegate
Ovibos moschatus niphoecus Elliot to synonymy.
The small amount of white on head and face of
some continental specimens probably shows
intergradation with O. m. wardi Lydekker of the
northern islands.

Grinnell and Dixon (1926) place the Queen
Charlotte Marten, Martes nesophila (Osgood)
and their newly described subspecies vancowverensis
as subspecies of Martes caurina. The Labrador

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 99

Marten, listed as Martes brumalis (Bangs) is also
almost certainly a subspecies of Martes ameri-
cana.

The Puget Sound Weasel, Mustela streatori (Mer-
riam) is apparently a subspecies of M. cicognanit.
The reviewer is unable to recognize any valid
distinctions between the Canada Lynx, Lynx
canadensis canadensis Kerr and the so-called
Arctic Lynx, L. c. mollipilosus Stone. The nor-
thern lynxes make periodic irruptions in large
numbers to the Arctic coast when the varying
hares fail in the interior districts, but there is
little to show that the lynxes differ (See Annual
Report, for 1927, Nat. Mus. of Canada, 1929,
pp. 98-99). We are also unable to make any
distinctive characters hold between the circum-
polar Bearded Seal, Hrignathus barbatus (Erx-
leben), and the Pacific form, EH. b. nauticus (Pallas),
the characters specified by Osgood (N. A. Fauna,
No. 24, 1904), in reviewing the latter name being
evidently based on juvenile characters in a few
specimens and these are not at all constant.
Ellesmere Island Caribou is hardly a satisfactory
name for the polar caribou, as they are also found
on the Sverdrup Islands, and apparently inter-
grade with Rangifer arcticus, in which case the
form should stand as Rangifer arcticus pearyt
(Allen). :

The Oregon Mole, Scapanus townsendii (Bach-
man) has recently been found to occur in extreme
southwestern British Columbia (Ann. Report
1927, Nat. Mus. Canada, p. 20), specimens being
taken at Huntingdon, B.C., in 1927. Anthony’s
distribution map of Prairie-dog does not show
this species as reaching the Canadian border,
but recent researches and collections made in
1927 and 1929 show that there are several colonies
of Cynomys ludovicianus ludovicianus (Ord) in
southwestern Saskatchewan. This species is also
said to have formerly been found in southwestern
Alberta, and while the records are not very de-
finite and are perhaps not authentic, they are
worth investigating further. The little short-
tailed Shrew Cryptotis parva has also recently
been taken in Ontario. (Cross and Dymond,
Mammals of Ontario, 1929, p. 23).

In conclusion the reviewer wishes to state that
he has tried out this Field-Book thoroughly in
the field and in the laboratory and can con-
scientiously say that it is a most valuable and
reliable text which no working mammalogist in
Canada can afford to be without.—R. M. ANDER-
son, National Museum of Canada, Ottawa.

100 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST [VoL. XLIV

EXCURSIONS OF THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB,
1930

Kindly do not pick wild flowers except for scientific purposes.

1. GEOLOGY.—Ottawa River, Hintonburgh,
Saturday May 3rd, commencing at 3 p.m. Take
Somerset Street O.E.R. car going West as far as
Parkdale Avenue, thence walk North to termina-
tion of said avenue at Ottawa River. Leaders:—
Dr. F. J. Alcock and others.

2. AMPHIBIANS AND OTHER NATURAL HIs-
TORY.—Rockcliffe vicinity, Saturday, May 10th,
commencing at Rockcliffe Ferry at 2.30 p.m.
Take Rockcliffe O.E.R. car. Leaders:—Dr.
R. M. Anderson, Mr. G. A. Miller, Mr. Herbert
Groh, and Robert Lockwood.

3. BIRDS AND OTHER NATURAL HISTORY.—
Fairy Lake vicinity, Saturday, May 17th. Take
Hull Electric Rly. car at Chateau Laurier for
Wrightville at 2.30 p.m. Leaders:—Mr. Hoyes
Lloyd, Dr. Ralph De Lury, Mr. G. A. Miller,
Dr. R. M. Anderson, Mr. Herbert Groh, Mr. C. E.
Johnson, and Dr. H. M. Ami.

4, BOTANY AND OTHER NATURAL HISTORY.—
Britannia-on-the-Bay, Saturday, May 31st. Meet
at the O.E.R. terminus at Britannia at 3 p.m.
Leaders:—Mr. Herbert Groh, Mr. G. A.. Miller,
Dr. R. M. Anderson, Miss M. E. Cowan, Miss
Faith Fyles, and Robert Lockwood.

ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THESE EXCURSIONS.

Bertam A. Fauvel, Convener, Phone Res. C. 4102, Office Q. 6300, Local 342.
William H. Lanceley, Asst. Convener, Phone Res. R. 1196-J.

a a ii a i

a
‘

_ W. A. CaAssnLs, Red Deer, Alta.; 2nd Vice-President:
skiwin, Alta.; Mr. F. L.

_R. Wootton; Hon. Treasurer: A

a Executive: Mrs.

‘September to Apri! inclusi

- NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF

MANITOBA
1929-30 /

President Emeritus: J. J. GOLDEN; Honorary President:
NORMAN CRIDDLE; Past President; A. A. oe
President; A. M. DAVIDSON, M. Des Vice-Presidents: H.
SPEECHLY, M.D., C. W. Lows, M. Sc., G. SHIRLEY Beco

a Gre LAWRENCE, J . B. WALLIS, B.A.; Treasurer: NORMAN
awe 817 Simcoe Street; Auditor: R. M. Tuomas; Social
Convener: Mrs. G. SHIRLEY Brooxs; General Secretary:
B. W. CARTWRIGHT, 392 Woodlawn Street, Deer Lodge:
Executive Secretary: L. T. S. NORRIS-ELYE.

ORNITHOLOGICAL SECTION—Chairman: C. L. BROLEY;
Secretary: A. B. GRESHAM. — _ENTOMOLOGICAL SEC-

TION—Chairman: R. A. M. Se.; Secretary:
= aa D. OS BOTANICAL SECTION—Chairman:
. Roperts, M. Sc.; Secretary: Miss B. M. BRADSHAW.

BisOLOGICAL, SECTION. Chatman: R. S. Kirk, Ph. D.;
Secretary: H. C. PEARCE.

Meetings are held each Monday evening, except on potdage

from October to April, in the physics theatre of the University,
Winnipeg. Field excursions are held each Saturday after-
noon during May, June and September, and on public nendee
Se July and August. N

NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF BRITISH
: COLUMBIA, VICTORIA, B.C.

Hon. President:. C. C. PEMBERTON, 806 Quadra St., Victoria,
B.C.; 18t— Vice-President: Wm. HUDSON, 606 Douglas St.,
Victoria, B.C.; 2nd Vase auton H. Letuasy, 608 View
St. , Victoria, B. C.; Hon. Secretary: WM. A. NEWCOMBE, Pro-
vincial Museum,, ‘Victoria, B.C,; Hon. Treasurer: RENA G.
JONES, St. Margaret’s School, Victoria, B.C.

ALBERTA NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

Hon. President: Mr. J. J. Gantz, Red Deer, Alta.; Presidents

SNELL, Red Deer, Alta.; 1st Leen broker tpee er
R.S.
PAMELY, Red Deer, Alta.; Directors: Mrs. G. F. Root, Wetae
FARLEY, Camrose, Alta.; Mr. W.A.
CASSELS, Red Deer, Alta.; Mr. B. LAWTON, Edmonton, Alta.;
Mr. K. Bowman, Edmonton, Alta.; Pror. W. Rowan, Univ.
of Alta., Edmonton, Alta.; Mr. T. E. RANDALL, Camrose,
Alta.; Hon. Sec.-Treas.: Mrs. S. PAaMELY, Red Deer, Alta.

The meetings of this Society are held in Red Deer on the
last Friday of each month except during July and August and
perhaps September. The annual meeting is held in Red Deer

Mr. C. H

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VOL. XLIV, No. 5 MAY, 1930, ,

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OTTAWA AELORAUSRE
ISSUED MAY Ist, 1930.

Entered at the Ottawa Post Office as second-class matter

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Patrons: : oe a

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Associate Editors:

DSJENNESS 23.56 sibs cites eee ce Anthropology CLYDE LiPATCH 22 fo. eh ee ee Herpetology —
INES Oe MEAG TE Pr eee at oe Botany R. M. ANDERSON............. .Mammalogy —
F. R. LATCHFORD......... ree _.. .Conchology A. G. HUNTSMAN...........: Marine Biology
ARTHUR GIBSON............2-5 Entomology P. A. TAVERNER................Ornithology
BO VAL COCK iat te os ieee ree ies Geology HM KENDER fo en eee '..Palzontology —
CONTENTS eg ee Fee
PAGE
Some Decapods from the South-Eastern Shores of Vancouver Island. By Josephine F.L. Hart... 101
Notes on Birds of the Labrador Peninsula in 1929. By Harrison F. Lewis...................... 109
~ An Expedtion to Sub-Arctic Canada, 1924-1925. By Capt. J.C. Critchell-Bullock...... Sar aoa 111
A Collection of Plants from Point Abino, Ontario. By H. D. House........................... 117
Notes and Observations:— : Z
The European Starling at Riviere-du-Loup. By Wilson Baillairgé....................... 120
Starlin in: Winter. ‘By’ Christian W.. Paulsone/2 tices sou eae eps ee es ee ae 120
First Nesting of the European Starling in Nova Scotia. By R. W. Tufts................. 120
Sunspots in Relation to Fluctuations in Grasshoppers and Grouse at Aweme, Manitoba.
By Ralph Deliuryon: Soh Saas een ee Naan har agen nein ree ee ran nes a AE Rey oe =. one EOE
Book Review:— .

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(D

The Canadian Field-Naturalist

VOL. XLIV

OTTAWA, CANADA, MAY, 1930

No. 5

SOME DECAPODS FROM THE SOUTH-EASTERN SHORES OF VANCOUVER
ISLAND

By JOSEPHINE F. L. HART

URING the summer months of 1928,
a collection was made of some of the
weet shore forms of Decapoda occurring
3 around Victoria. These specimens were
examined at the University of British Columbia.
Further material was obtained in 1929, in the
Nanaimo and Victoria Districts. Practically all
were found on the shore at low tide or in less
than three feet of water. My thanks are due to
Dr. C. McLean Fraser for suggesting the work,
helping in identification, and obtaining literature.

At Gonzales Point, on the southwest of Gon-
zales Hill, Victoria, most of the collections in the
early part of the summer of 1928 were made.
This part is exposed to heavy tides most of the
time and the greater part of the shore is very
rocky, dropping sharply off shore, to judge by
the proximity of kelp beds. The rocks have
large fissures between them and these are partly
filled with gravel, so that at low tide there are
deep tide pools.

At Brentwood Bay, there is an entirely different
type of shore. It is about fifteen miles northeast
of Victoria and about the same distance from the
mouth of the Saanich Arm, so that it does not
get the same effect of wind and tide that the
beaches of Victoria and the more exposed part
do. There is very little sea-weed, and the beach
is of sand mixed with strong-smelling mud.

At Parry Bay, the conditions resemble some-
what those of Gonzales Point and the fauna is
quite similar. The Bay is bounded by Albert ©
Head on the east and William Head on the west,
and is about ten miles southwest of Victoria.

At Horswell Point, at the head of Departure
Bay, there are loose, flat sandstone rocks, in
which the water has worn hollows and crevices
that form perfect hiding places for numbers of
crabs.

Certain species were found under similar con-
ditions in the various localities studied. Hemi-
grapsus oregonensis and H. nudus, especially the

PLATE I
Spirontocaris macrodonia. Male, X 11. Gonzales Point.

102

latter, were common from high to low tide lines
almost everywhere. Hermit crabs, Pagurus
hirsutiusculus, P. granosimanus, and P. beringanus
were present on all rocky and weeded parts of
Gonzales Point and Parry Bay. Cancer pro-
ductus, C. oregonensis, and Lophopanopeus bellus
were found in the sand between loose stones of
rocky shores. Sand shrimps, Upogebia pugettensis,
were in burrows in coarse sand or fine gravel.

The eel grass growing in the tide pools of
Gonzales Point, harboured large numbers of
Pugettia gracilis, and occasionally P. producta,
and Oregonia gracilis.
macrodonta was found among the eel grass. On
a flat rock, covered with multicolored encrusta-
tions and weed, were Cryptolithodes sitchensis and
Telmessus cheiragonus.

At Brentwood Bay, in the sand, Pinnizxa
schmitti was found along with numerous young,
and larval stages of the species of crabs inhabiting
the locality. Young of Cancer productus were
common in shallow water as well as under rocks
on the beach. Females in berry, and large males,
ot Pugettia producta, were clinging to the piles
and sides of the float. Numerous small trans-
parent shrimps of the species, Spirontocaris
paludicola and S. moseri, were found among the
fine algal growth on the edge of the wharf.

Immature Pugettia gracilis and P. producta
were found clinging to the various sea-weeds in
shallow water at Parry Bay. Under rocks near
the low tide mark, Petrolisthes eriomerus were
very common and the young of the same species
were found nearer the high tide line. Pinnizxa
schmitti and P. tubicola were commensal in the
tubes of sand worms. In the shallow water off
shore small shrimps; Spirontocaris brevirostris,
S. stylus, and S. tridens, were caught among the
Ulva and Laminaria.

On the west side of the Bay, Witty’s Spit
affords an ideal spot for Cancer magister and the
commensal crabs in clams. Pinnixa littoralis
and P. faba, were obtained mainly in the mantle
cavity of Schizothaerus nutallii, although some
small specimens were living inside edible clams.

Adult Pugettia gracilis and P. producta were
found by pulling the ribbons of Nereocystis out of
the water, from the side of a rowboat. Here also
were caught shrimps of the species; Hippolyte
ealiforniensis and Spirontocaris stylus.

The complete list of the species found in-
habiting the beaches of the Island is given. One
new species is described, new records for distri-
bution are given for Orthopagurus ‘schmitti and
Pinnixa tubicola, and variations in color or form
are noted for each species listed. The complete
list is as follows:

_ THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

One shrimp, Spirontocaris

[VoL. XLIV

MACRURA. Hippolyte californiensis Holmes.
Spirontocaris macrodonta Hart.

si tridens Rathbun.
stylus (Stimpson).
brevirostris (Dana).
sitchensis (Brandt).
moseri Rathbun.
paludicola (Holmes).

ANOMURA. Upogebia pugettensis (Dana).
Pagurus granosimanus (Stimpson).
ae hirsutiusculus (Dana).
beringanus (Benedict).
Orthopagurus schmitti (Stevens).
Petrolisthes eriomerus Stimpson.

Cryptolithodes sitchensis Brandt.

cé

BRACHYURA. Oregonia gracilis Dana.
Pugettia producta (Randall).

“* gracilis Dana.
Scyra acutifrons Dana.
Lophopanopeus bellus (Stimpson).
Cancer productus Randall.

“magister Dana. _
oregonensis Dana.
Telmessus cheiragonus (Tilesins)
Pinnizxa faba (Dana).

*< littoralis Holmes.
tubicola Holmes

“ schmitti Rathbun.
Scleroplax granulata Rathbun.
Hemigrapsus nudus (Dana).

i oregonensis (Dana).

HIPPOLYTE CALIFORNIENSIS HoLMEs

Hippolyte californiensis Holmes, Proc. Calif.
Acad. Sci. (2), 4, 576, figs. 21-26, 1895:
Schmitt, Univ. Calif. Publ. in Zool. 28, 48,
fig. 26, 1921.

Colour. Transparent kelp-brown with pale blue

spots on carapace, rostrum, and antennal scale,

not entirely green as given by Holmes.

Dimensions. Ovigerous female, 32 mm. in length.

General Distribution. Sitka, Alaska, to San Diego,

California (Rathbun).

Local Distribution. Parry Bay, between ribbons

of Nereocystis.

Remarks. Of two ovigerous females, one has two

dorsal teeth on the rostrum, the tip of which

appears to bifid, and the other has three teeth
placed proximally; neither of which is typical.

SPIRONTOCARIS MACRODONTA
NEw SPECIES
PLATE I.

Allied to S. prionota (Stimpson).
Characters. Male. Carapace dorsally crested for
nearly its entire length; armed with four teeth,

66

“é

May, 1930]

the anterior margins of which are armed with
small spines, (usually four on each tooth). There
are three supraorbital spines in a longitudinal
row. The rostrum is shorter than the carapace;
lamelliform, and very deep, armed above with
15 small curved teeth and below with 7, which
decrease in size anteriorly. Eye with 3 small,
hair-like spines on inner anterior angle. Antennal
peduncle reaching beyond the second segment
of the antennular peduncle. Antennular scale
reaching to the end of the third segment of the
peduncle; the thickened portion of the outer
flagellum, very much thickened and reaching
beyond the antennal scale. Antennal and ptery-
gostomian spines well developed.

Maxillipeds reaching beyond the antennal
scale, and armed with dark, corneous-tipped
spines. First pair of legs stout; dactyls armed
with two corneous teeth. Dactyli of last three
pairs of legs about one third as long as their
propodi.

Posterior margin of third abdominal segment
produced backward medially; somewhat angled
laterally. The fourth and fifth segments have
the postero-lateral angles produced in a sharp
tooth. Sixth segment slightly longer than fifth,
about two-thirds the length of the telson, which
is provided with four pairs of lateral spinules.

Female.—The female is similar to the male
except that the two anterior dorsal teeth on the
carapace are cut dorsally into two small teeth.
There are 20 teeth on the upper edge of the rostrum
and 6 below. The posterior margin of the third
abdominal segment is produced backward medi-
ally but is not angled laterally as is the case in
the male.

Colour. Male. Sides of carapace finely spotted
with red, as well as the rostrum, acicle, maxilliped,
chelipeds, basal segments of the legs and the
anterior part of the abdomen. There are blue
streaks on the posterior mid-dorsal margin of the
carapace and the proximal part of the abdomen,
on body below the pterygostomian spine, and on
the base of the first leg and ischii of the third
and fourth legs.

Female. A female from shallow water is
similar in colour to the male except that the colours
are less intense, but one from ten fathoms has the
carapace and the inner pair of uropods a tawny
olive, while the rest of the animal is rufous.
Dimensions. A male is 20 mm. and a female is
33 mm. in length.

Local Distribution. A male was found among
eel grass in a tide pool at Gonzales Point, June
20th, 1928. At False Narrows, near the water’s
edge, and also in about ten fathoms in Departure

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

103

Bay, females were obtained on May 8th and July
22nd, 1929.

Remarks. Differs from S. prionota in the rostrum
being armed with small, curved teeth, which vary
in number from 12 to 20, rather than being
minutely serrated above, and by 6 or 7 teeth
instead of 4 or 5 below; in the length of the an-
tennal scale and maxillipeds, and in the dactyls
being less than one half as long as their propodi.
The maxillipeds and the antennal scale reach
beyond the rostrum, which differs from the original
description of S. prionota by Stimpson. There
are only two supra-orbital spines in one of the
females, but otherwise the specimens are similar.

SPIRONTOCARIS TRIDENS RatTHBUN

Spirontocaris tridens Rathbun. Proc. U.S. Nat.
Mus., XXIV, 896, 1902. Rathbun, Harri-
man Alaska Expedition, 10, 81, fig. 34, 1904.

Colour. Body transparent, with very fine blue

and red spots arranged so as to give a striped

appearance, and the maxillipeds are red. An-
tennal flagella banded with red.

Dimensions. About one half the type length of

61 mm. (Rathbun).

General Distribution. From the Aleutian Islands

to Washington, to a depth of 48 fathoms.

Local Distribution. Parry Bay, among Laminaria,
in shallow water.
Remarks. One specimen has 7 spines on lower

limb of rostrum.

SPIRONTOCARIS STYLUS (Stimpson)

Hippolyte stylus Stimpson, Proc. Acad. Nat.
Sci. Phila. XVI, 154, 1864.

Spirontocaris stylus Rathbun, Harriman Alaska
Exped. 10, 84, fig. 36, 1904.

Colour. Transparent, with a kelp-brown tinge

and varying amounts of fine red spotting.

Dimensions. Slightly shorter than length of

44.5 mm. as given by Rathbun.

General Distribution. Barclay Sound and Sucia

Island, St. of Georgia.

Local Distribution. Parry Bay, low tide among

Laminaria and Ulva and at the surface among

ribbons of Nereocystis.

Remarks. Two of the specimens have 7 spines

on the lower limb of the rostrum.

SPIRONTOCARIS BREVIROSTRIS (DANA)

Hippolyte brevirostris Dana, Proc. Acad. Nat.
Sci. Phila. 6, 24, 1852. ;
Spirontocaris brevirostris Schmitt, Univ. Calif.

Publ. in Zool., 23, 66, 1921.
Colour. Semi-transparent, with a kelp-brown
tinge. Blue stripes on dactyls and propodi,
and in some, on the legs and part of carapace.
Dimensions. Of type length (31.8 to 38 mm.).

104

General Distribution. Attu, Aleutian Islands, to
San Francisco Bay, California (Rathbun). Low
water to 25 fathoms.

Local Distribution. Common at low tide among
Laminaria and Ulva in Parry Bay.

Remarks. Of 51 specimens, some immature,
none had 6 teeth on rostrum, 5 had 5, 38 had 4,
6 had 8, and 2 had 2 teeth. Specimens taken at
low tide among Eudistylia tubes at Brockton
Point, Vancouver, March 17th, 1929, were
strikingly different in colour from those obtained
in August, 1928: an ovigerous female had the
main part of carapace an opaque pinkish white,
striped grey and blue legs, and a brilliant green
abdomen, another was deep brown, marked with
blue, and the rest were more transparent, spotted
with deep brown and all had blue tipped walking
legs. One was parasitized by Bopyroides sp.

SPIRONTOCARIS SITCHENSIS (BRANDT)

Hippolyte sitchensis Brandt, Middendorft’s Reise
Sibir., II, Zool. Theil. I, 116, pl. V, fig. 18,
1851.

_ Spirontocaris sitchensis Rathbun, Harriman Alaska
Exped. 10, 102, 1904.

Colour. Carapace and abdomen faintly striped
with bands of fine red and blue spots, on semi-
transparent kelp-brown. Pereiopods, pleopods,
and telson blue striped.

Dimensions. Female, 32 mm. in length.
General Distribution. From Sitka, Alaska, south-
ward to Puget Sound.

Local Distribution. Ross Bay, tide pool, among
broken barnacle shells.

SPIRONTOCARIS MOSERI RATHBUN

Spirontocaris gaimarditi Rathbun, The Fur Seals
and Fur-Seal Islands of the North Pacific
Ocean, Pt. III, 556, 1899 (part).

Spirontocaris mosert Rathbun, Harriman Alaska
Exped. 10, 91, fig. 39, 1904.
Colour. Very transparent, diagonally striped with
blue on carapace, pereiopods, and pleopods.
In some there are fine red dots on the blue stripes.
Dimensions. ~ Specimens about one fourth the
length given by Rathbun (57 mm.).
General Distribution. Bering Sea southward
and eastward to Washington, 60 fathoms to 516.
Local Distribution. Brentwood Bay, among
algae growing on edge of float.
‘Remarks. Rostrum with 6 or 7 teeth above and
3 or 4 below. Sixth abdominal segment less than
twice as long as fifth and seventh with 4 to 6
pairs of lateral spinules. These variations as
well as the occurrence in shallow water are pro-
bably due to the specimens being immature.

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

~ Colour.

[VoL. XLIV

SPIRONTOCARIS PALUDICOLA (HOLMEs)

Heptacarpus paludicola Holmes, Occas. Papers
Calif." Acad. Sa., 7%, 201, pli3h fig: 56,57;
1900. Me

Spirontocaris paludicola, Schmitt, Univ. of Calif.
Publ. in Zool., 28, 64, fig. 42, 1921.

Colour. Not uniform green (Holmes), but trans-
parent and carapace diagonally striped with fine
red spots. Legs banded with pale blue. .
Dimensions. About one half length as recorded
by Schmitt, (22 mm. to 32 mm.).

General Distribution. British Columbia to San
Diego, California.
Local Distribution.
on edge of float.
Remarks. Telson shorter than antennal scale or
about the same length, probably due to the speci-
mens being immature.

Brentwood Bay, among algae

UPOGEBIA PUGETTENSIS (DANA)

Gebia pugettensis Dana, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci.
Phila., 6, 19, 1852.

Upogebia pugettensis, Stevens, Publ. Puget Sd.
Biol. Sta., 6, 318, fig. 1-5, 1928.

Colour. Similar to Stevens’ description.

Dimensions. Total length 65 mm. and carapace

20 mm. Type length, 50.8 mm.

General Distribution. From south-eastern Alaska

to San Quentin Bay, Lower California (Rathbun).

Local Distribution. In burrows, in rather muddy

sand at Parry Bay and Gonzales Point.

PAGURUS GRANOSIMANUS (Stimpson)

Eupagurus granosimanus Stimpson, Ann. Lye.
Nat. Hist: N2Y:, 7, 90; 1859.

Pagurus granosimanus, Stevens, Publ. Puget Sd.
Biol. Sta., 3, 68, 282, 1925.

Colour. Similar to Stevens’ description.
Dimensions. Carapace 12 mm. in length.
General Distribution. | Unalaska to Escanada,
Lower California. Beach to 15 fathoms.

Local Distribution. Common at low tide at
Gonzales Point and Parry Bay.

Remarks. The coloration does not agree with
Rathbun’s description but this is probably because
she described them from preserved specimens.
Two specimens from Parry Bay occupied the same
shell, the smaller one showing through a broken
part of the shell.

PAGURUS HIRSUTIUSCULUS (DANA)

Bernhardus hirsutiusculus Dana, Proc. Acad.
Nat. Sci. Phila., 5, 70, 1851.

Pagurus hirsutiusculus, Stevens, Publ. Puget Sd.

Biol. Sta., 3, 68, 281, 1925.
Similar to Stevens’ description.

~

May, 1930]

Dimensions.
(31.8 mm.).
General Distribution. St. Paul Island, Pribilofs
j. Kineaid); Siberia, Kamchatka (Rathbun);
Aleutian Islands to San Diego, California
(Schmitt); Japan, (Stimpson). Low tide to
17 fathoms (Schmitt).

Local Distribution. The commonest species at
low tide at Parry Bay and Gonzales Point.
Remarks. A large number parasitized by
Pseudione giardi Calman; usually in the right
branchial cavity, less frequently in the left, and
occasionally in both sides.

Less than type length of carapace

PAGURUS BERINGANUS (BENEDICT)

Eupagurus beringanus Benedict, Proc. U.S. Nat.
Mus., 15, 17, 1892.

Pagurus beringanus, Stevens, Publ. Puget Sd.
Biol. St., 3, 68, 283, 1925.

Colour. Similar to Stevens’ description except
that distal end of merus with flame colored band
rather than the same colour as the tips of the
fingers.

Dimensions. Slightly smaller than the type
length of carapace (21 mm.).

General Distribution. Bering Sea (latitude of
Nunivak) southward, along the Aleutian Islands
and Coast of Alaska to Monterey, California;
5 to 19 fathoms (Rathbun). Rather common on
most rocky shores at low tide and in tide pools
(Stevens).

Local Distribution.
and Gonzales Point.
Remarks. MDactyls slightly longer than propodi.

Shallow water, at Parry Bay

ORTHOPAGURUS SCHMITTI (STEVENS)

Phylopagurus schmitti Stevens, Publ. Puget Sd.
Biol. Sta., 3, 297, fig. 19-22, 1925.

Orthopagurus schmitti Stevens, Publ. Puget Sd.
Biol. Sta., 5, 249, 1927.

Colour. Similar to Stevens’ description.
Dimensions. Somewhat smaller than the type
length of 34 mm.

General Distribution. Vicinity of Friday Harbour,
Wash. (From previous records).

Local Distribution. Horswell Point, common in
the tubes of Serpulids exposed by minus tides.

PETROLISTHES ERIOMERUS STIMPSON

Petrolisthes eriomerus Stimpson, Ann. Lyc. Nat.
Hist. N.Y., 10, 119, 1871. Schmitt, Univ.
Calif. Publ. in Zool. 23, 180, fig. 114, pl. 32,
Pe

Colour. Reddish brown mottled with varying

amounts of blue. A soft-shelled specimen is

almost entirely blue. All have at least part of
outer maxilliped and proximal internal angle of

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 105

dactylus. of cheliped a bright porcelain blue.
Dimensions. Carapace 13 mm. long and 14 mm.
wide. Schmitt reports largest carapace as 10 mm.
long and 10.5 mm. wide. ¢
General Distribution. From British Columbia to
Lower California.

Local Distribution. Underneath rocks at low
tide at Ross Bay, Gonzales Point, Parry Bay and
Horswell Point.

CRYPTOLITHODES SITCHENSIS BRANDT

Cryptolithodes sitchensis Brandt, Bull. Phys-Math.
Acad. Imp. Sci. St. Petersb., 11, 254, 1853.
Schmitt, Univ. Calif. Publ. in Zool. 23,
155, fig. 100, pl. 20, fig. 3 and 4.

Colour. Male. Carapace white, dorsally finely

pencilled with fine red lines, emphasizing aerola-

tions and margins; two white commas on lateral
margin of gastric region; ventrally speckled in an
irregular brown ribbon parallel to margin.

Distally pereiopods are red-brown. Red spot on

anterior lateral part of ischium of first three pairs

of walking legs and pleuron of abdomen also
spotted. Dactylus of first three pairs of walking
legs black. Dorsal side of blade of antennal
scale marked like the carapace and the flagella
banded with brown.

Female. Markings similar except pencilled in
pale grey-green, a chocolate brown streak on the

-median line and irregular blotches of the same

colour and red-brown scattered over the rest of
the carapace. Markings on ventral margin
paler than in male.

Dimensions. Male, 37 mm. long and 57 mm.
wide and the female 50 mm. long and 70 mm.
wide.

General Distribution. From Sitka, Alaska, to
Pacific Grove, California.

Local Distribution. Among eel grass at Gonzales
Point.

Remarks. Female large and of unusual color as
compared to Holmes’ record, but compared with
specimens from Queen Charlotte Is. is usual size.
Difference of shape between male and female;
male about 12 as wide as long and female ile

OREGONIA GRACILIS DANA
Oregonia gracilis Dana, Amer. Journ. Sci. ser.
2, 11, 270, 1851. Rathbun, U.S. Nat. Mus.,

129, 71, fig. 19-20, pl. 24-25, 1925.

Colour. Tan with red chelae.

Dimensions. About two thirds the type length
of 65.7 mm.

General Distribution. Bering Sea to Monterey,
California. Shallow water to 212 fathoms.
Local Distribution. Among eel grass at Gonzales
Point.

106

PUGETTIA PRODUCTA (RANDALL)
Epialius productus Randall, Journ. Acad. Nat.
« Sei. Phila., 8, 110, 1839.

Pugettia producta Rathbun, U.S. Nat. Mus.,

129, 167, pl. 56-57, 1925.

Colour. Similar to Weymouth’s description.
Dimensions. Somewhat smaller than the large
male described by Weymouth.

General Distribution. Vancouver Island, B.C., to
Rosalia Bay, Lower California (Balss). Common
to at least 40 fathoms (Way).

Local Distribution. Gonzales Point, Brentwood
Bay and Parry Bay.

Remarks. Several specimens were tan that were
not especially young or recently moulted, as they
had well developed barnacles on the carapace,
which point differs from Weymouth’s observa-
tions. Among anumber of P. producta none were
parasitized with Sacculina, as Weymouth found
the case, although in the same locality Lopho-
panopeus bellus was badly infected.

PUGETTIA GRACILIS DANA

Pugettia gracilis Dana, Amer. Journ. Sci., ser. 2,
/ 11, 268, 1851. Rathbun, U.S. Nat. Mus.,
129, 172, pl. 58, fig. 64-65, 1925.
Colour. “Dorsal surface usually greenish brown,
ventral side much lighter; but specimens found
among red algae are a brilliant red.’’ (Way).
Dimensions. The type size of 538 mm.
General Distribution: From the Western ex-
tremity of the Aleutian Islands eastward and
southward to Mendocino, California. Shore to
40 fathoms.
Local Distribution. Gonzales Point, among eel
grass and Ulva, and at Parry Bay among Kelp
ribbons.
Remarks. Red specimens were found when not
near red algae. Most have last segment of ab-
domen white and in young specimens, the chelipeds
and various parts of sternum are white. In some
cases the flagellum of the antenna reaches beyond
the rostrum.

SCYRA ACUTIFRONS DANA

Scyra acutifrons Dana, Amer. Journ. Sci., ser. 2,
11, 269, 1851. Rathbun, U.S. Nat. Mus.,
129, 195, pl. 224, fig. 4-5, 1925.

Colour. Dark red carapace, with lighter coloured
bands on legs. Chelipeds bright red.
Dimensions. Slightly smaller than type length
of 52.6 mm.

General Distribution.
Diego, California.
Local Distribution.
Parry Bay.

Kodiak, Alaska, to San
Low tide to 45 fathoms.
Shallow water on rock at

THE CANADIAN FIBELD-NATURALIST

[Vot. XLIV

LOPHOPANOPEUS BELLUS (Stimpson)
Xantho bella Stimpson, Ann. Lyc. Nat. Hist.
N.Y., 7, 204, pl. 5, 1860 (1862).
Lophopanopeus bellus, Schmitt,
Publ. in Zool. 28, 241, 1921.

Colour. Dorsal surface usually purplish red with
varying amounts of dirty white, so that.in a few
cases the carapace may be entirely white. Ven-
trally fawn and grey; on the inner surface of the
ischium of the outer maxilliped there is a deep
red spot.
Dimensions.
wide.
General Distribution. Prince William Sound;
Kasaan Bay, Prince of Wales Island, Alaska
(Rathbun). Vancouver Island, British Columbia
to Monterey Bay, California (Holmes). Lower
California (A. Milne Edwards).

Local Distribution. Brentwood Bay, Gonzales
Point and Parry Bay.

Remarks. Variation in the number of tubercles
on antero-internal angle of carpus of cheliped;
from one well defined tubercle, one large and one
small, to two well developed ones. There is also
a graduation in the sharpness of the teeth on the
carapace. Badly parasitized by a Sacculina, the
only species found so infected during the summers
of 1928 and 1929.

Univ. Calif.

Male is 19 mm. long and 26 mm

CANCER PRODUCTUS RANDALL

Cancer productus Randall, Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci.
Phila., 8, 116, 1839., Schmitt, Univ. Calif.
Publ. in Zool., 23, 220, fig. 186, 1921.

Colour. Similar to Weymouth’s description.
Dimensions. <A dried carapace is 85 mm. long
and 140 mm. wide. Weymouth gives the di-
mensions of 103 mm. by 173.5 mm.

General Distribution. From Kadiak, Alaska, to’
Magdalena Bay, Lower California.

Local Distribution. In shallow water and under
rocks at Brentwood Bay, Gonzales Point, Oak
Bay and Parry Bay.

CANCER MAGISTER DANA

Cancer magister Dana, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci.
Phila., 6, 73, 1852. Schmitt, Univ. of Calif.
Publ. in Zool., 23, 229, fig. 138, 1921.

Colour. Similar to description by Stimpson.
Dimensions. A specimen in the Provincial
Museum, caught at Victoria, is considerably
larger than the measurements given by Schmitt,
the carapace being 117 mm. long and 195 mm.
wide.

General Distribution.
Bay, Lower California.
Local Distribution.

Unalaska to Magdalena
Low water to 50 fathoms.
Sandy beach at Parry Bay.

May, 1930]

CANCER OREGONENSIS (DANA
Trichocera oregonensis Dana, Proc. Acad. Nat.
Sci. Phila., VI, 86, 1852. j
Cancer oregonensis, Schmitt, Univ. Calif. Pub.
in Zoél. 28, 234, pl. 36, 1921.

Colour. Dark red dorsally, light-coloured below
In young specimens there is often great variation
in white markings; i.e. cardiac region white,
or gastric and hepatic region white, and the rest
of the carapace red or the whole carapace and
chelipeds may be mottled red and white.
Dimensions. Slightly larger than the type size
of 18 mm. by 23 mm.

General Distribution. Aleutian Islands to Lower
California (Holmes). Low water to 238 fathoms.
Local Distribution. Common at Gonzales Point,
Oak Bay, and Parry Bay.

Remarks. The dorsal surface of the carapace is
granulated on the prominent lobes in the larger
specimens, but almost smooth in the young.
(Spence Bate). Chelipeds of male larger in
proportion to carapace than those of female:
male and female with length of carapace 21 mm.
have respectively chelipeds 9 mm. and 8 mm.
in depth, while another male of the same sized
carapace has its chelipeds 11 mm. There is
considerable variation in the sharpness of the
marginal teeth.

TELMESSUS CHEIRAGONUS (TILEsIus)

Cancer cheiragonus Tilesius, Mem. Acad. Imper.
Sci. St. Petersb., V, 347, pl. VII, fig. 1, 1815.

Telmessus cheiragonus, Schmitt, Univ. Calif.
Publ. in Zool. 23, 235, 1921.

Colour. Similar to Way’s description.

Dimensions. A dried carapace is 52 mm. long

and 65 mm. wide, which is slightly larger than

Holmes’ measurements. A specimen in the

Provincial Museum is 68 mm. by 85 mm.

General Distribution. Northeastern Siberia;

Kamchatka; Kurile Islands; Bering Sea to
California (Holmes). Low water to 20 fathoms
(Rathbun).

Local Distribution. In shallow water at Gonzales
Point and Parry Bay.

PINNIXA FABA (DANA)

Pinnothera faba Dana, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci.
Phila., 5, 253, 1851.

Pinnixa faba Rathbun, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus.,
97, 142, fig. 87-88, pl. 31, fig. 1-4, 1918.
Colour. Tan, with varying amounts of white,
some being almost entirely tan or entirely white.
Dimensions. Male, larger than measurements
given by Rathbun, is 8.5 mm. long, and 15 mm.
wide, while the female is about 1 mm. smaller

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

107

than hers, which is 15.2 mm. long and 22.8 mm.
wide.

General Distribution. From Prince of Wales
Islands, Alaska, to Humboldt Bay, California
(Rathbun), San Pedro, California (Holmes).
Local Distribution. In mantle cavity of Schizo-
thaerus nutalli in the sand flats at Parry Bay.
Remarks. A large number of Polyzoa were at-
tached to the carapace and legs of two of the
females.

PINNIXA LITTORALIS Hotmes

Pinnixa littoralis Holmes, Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci.,

ser. 2, 4, 571, pl. 20, fig. 14-16, 1894. Rath-

bun, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., 97, 145, fig. 89-90

pl. 31, fig. 5-8, 1918.
Colour. Males are white with rufous bands on
the first three ambulatory legs and immature
females have similar colouring. The mature
females, in formalin, usually have large patches
of coral red on carapace and in median line of
abdomen, while one is tan and white like P. faba.
Dimensions. A male, with carapace 8 mm. by
16 mm., is slightly larger than Rathbun’s record,
but the females are smaller than hers.
General Distribution. From Sitka, Alaska, to
San Diego, California. _Commensal in clams.
Remarks. “Can be told from P. faba by the
constantly differing color”. (Rathbun). This was
found to be the case only in males and immature
females.

PINNIXA TUBICOLA Ho.tmrs

Pinnixa tubicola Holmes, Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci.,
ser. 2, 4, 569, pl. 20, fig. 17-18, 1894. Rath-
bun, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus., 97, 165, fig. 103,
pl. 36, fig. 5-8, 1921.

Colour. Tan and gray mottled.

Dimensions. Larger than Rathbun’s specimens;

male, carapace, 4.5 mm. long and 9 mm. wide;

female 5 mm. long and 13 mm. wide.

General Distribution. Puget Sound to San Diego,

California. (From previous records). Com-

mensal in leathery tubes of annelids (Holmes).

Local Distribution. Parry Bay, Horswell Point,

and Shelter Point, (near the mouth of Campbell

River), at low tide under rocks in the sand tubes

of Amphritite worms.

PINNIXA SCHMITTI RATHBUN
Pinnixa occidentalis Rathbun, Harriman Alaska
Exped. 10, 187, 1904. (specimens from
Cape Fox).
Pinnixa schmitti Rathbun, Bull. U.S. Nat. Mus.,
97, 162, fig. 101, pl. 35, fig. 6-7 and 9, 1918.
Colour. Carapace and legs grayish white. In
some there are tan markings on the carapace,

108

Dimensions.
Rathbun.
General Distribution. Port Levasheff, Alaska,
to San Francisco Bay, California. 7 to 80
fathoms (Rathbun).

Local Distribution. In muddy sand at Brentwood
Bay and in tubes of Amphritite worms, under
rocks at Parry Bay, with P. tubicola.

Remarks. |Chela of some males are granulate
with comparatively long thumbs, others non-
granulate with shorter thumbs. Unusual to find
teeth of fingers of male as smooth as in figure by
Rathbun; often serrate margin proximal to the
median tooth of thumb. Some have two large
teeth on thumb and the tips of fingers are slightly
hooked as in females.

Smaller than type as given by

SCLEROPLAX GRANULATA RATHBUN

Seleroplax granulata Rathbun, Proc. U.S. Nat.
Mus., XVI, 251, 1893. Wells, Publ. Puget
Sd. Biol. Sta., 6, 304, fig. 42-47, 1928.
Colour. Carapace ivory white with tan markings
and the merus of the walking legs is rufous.
Dimensions. Male: length of carapace 5 mm.,
width 8 mm., which is larger than the type
specimen.
General Distribution. Departure Bay, B.C., to
Ensenada, Lower California.
Local Distribution. In burrows of Upogebia
pugettensis, at Gonzales Point.

HEMIGRAPSUS NUDUS (Dana)

Cyclograpsus marmoratus White, (not Cancer
marmoratus Fabricius). List Crust. Brit.
Mus., 41, nomen nudum, 1847.

Hemigrapsus nudus Rathbun, Bull. U.S. Nat.
Mus., 97, 267, pl. 69, 1918.

Colour. Similar to Holmes’ description.

Dimensions. Male, slightly smaller than one

described by Rathbun, which has carapace 40 mm.

long and 56.2 mm. wide. Female, length of

carapace 27 mm. and width 30 mm.

General Distribution. From Sitka, Alaska, to

Gulf of California (Rathbun).

Local Distribution. Gonzales Point, Brentwood

Bay and Parry Bay.

Remarks. A freshly moulted specimen (carapace

30 mm. long), was yellowish with very few red

spots on chelipeds. Two others of about the same

size were brick-red, and were living among eel
grass.

HEMIGRAPSUS OREGONENSIS (DANA)

Psuedograpsus oregonensis Dana, Proc. Acad. Nat.
Sci. Phila., 5, 248, 1851.

Hemigrapsus oregonensis, Rathbun, Bull.
Nat. Mus., 97, 270, pl. 40, 1918.

US.

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

' [VoL. XLIV

Colour. Dorsally dull gray mottled with dark
red spots, the chelipeds usually yellowish, and
ventrally whitish. Variation in young, often
all white.
Dimensions.
by Rathbun.
General Distribution. From Prince William
Sound, Alaska, to Gulf of California, Mexico.
Local Distribution. Gonzales Point, Brentwood
Bay and Parry Bay.

Remarks. Smallest ovigerous female found
measured 7 mm. long and 9 mm. wide.

Smaller than measuremerits given

REFERENCES

JOHNSON AND SNOOK. Seashore Animals of the
Pacific Coast. The MacMillan Co., New
York, 298-402, text fig. 257-358, 1927.

RATHBUN, Mary J. Descriptions of New Decapod
Crustaceans from the West Coast of North
America. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. 24,
885-905, 1902.

Decapod Crustaceans of the Northwest Coast
of North America. Harriman Alaska Exped.
X, 3-190, text fig. 1-95, pl. I-X, 1904.

The Grapsoid Crabs of America. U.S. Nat.
Mus. Bull. 97, 1-445, text fig. 1-172, pl.

1-161, 1918.
The Spider Crabs of America. U.S. Nat.
Mus. Bull. 129, 1-598, text fig. 1-153,

pl. 1-283, 1925.

ScuMITT, WALDO L. The Marine Decapod Crus-
tacea of California. Univ. of Calif. Publ.
in Zool., vol. 23, 1-859, text fig. 1-165,
pl. 1-50, 1921.

SMITH, GERTRUDE M._ Notes on the Distribution
of Some Decapod Crustacea Collected near
Sidney, B.C. The Canadian Field-Naturalist,
vol. XLII, no. 7, 163-165, 1928.

STEVENS, BELLE A. Hermit Crabs of Friday
Harbour, Washington. Publ. Puget Sd.
Biol. Sta., vol. 3, no. 68, 273-309, fig. 1-24,
pl. 34-86, 1925.

Callianassidae from the West Coast of North
America. Publ. Puget Sd. Biol. Sta., vol.
6, 315-869, fig. 1-71, 1928.

TAYLOR, GEORGE W: Preliminary List of One
Hundred and Twenty-nine Species of British
Columbia Decapod Crustaceans. | Contribu-
tions to Canadian Biology, 187-214, 1906—
1910.

Way, EVELYN. Brachyura and Crab-like Anomura
of Friday Harbour, Washington. Puget Sd.
Marine Sta. Publ., vol. 1, no. 30, 349-3882,
pl. 80-82, 1917.

May, 1930]

WELLS, WAYNE W. Pinnotheridae of Puget
Sound. Publ. Puget Sd. Biol. Sta., vol. 6,
283-314, fig. 1-78, 1928.

WEYMOUTH, FRANK WALTER. Synopsis of the
True Crabs (Brachyura) of Monterey Bay,
California. Leland Stanford Junior Univ.

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 109

Publ., Univ. ser. no. 4, 5-64, text fig. 1-9
pl. I-XIV, 1910.

University of British Columbia,
Vancouver, B.C.
Nowe 519292

NOTES ON BIRDS OF THE LABRADOR PENINSULA IN 1929
By HARRISON F. LEWIS

URING 1929 I was engaged in bird
protection activities on the south shore
pees} of the Labrador Peninsula, in Saguenay
eee County, Quebec, from June 7 to Sep-
tember 14. The following notes, with the ex-
ception of one concerning the Lapwing, relate
to observations made during that period.

1. Colymbus auritus. HORNED GREBE.—A
specimen of this species came into my possession
in July, at Whale Head, about fifteen miles east
of Harrington Harbour. I was told that it had
been shot at Whale Head, in October, 1928, by
Mr. Albert Mauger, a resident of that place.
Neither Mr. Mauger nor other hunters of Whale
Head who saw this bird could remember having
seen another like it at any time. Presumably
this record indicates the approximate periphery
of the range of the species in this part of North
America. The specimen has been presented to
the National Museum of Canada.

2. Phalacrocorax carbo. COMMON CORMOR-
ANT.—The colony of this species on the cliffs of
Lake Island, near Cape Whittle, was observed
to contain at least 49 occupied nests on June 28,
1929, which may be compared with 48 occupied
nests found here on June 13, 1928 (Can. Field-
Nat., 42: 192). Many young were reared suc-
cessfully in this colony in 1929.

3. Mergus serrator. RED-BREASTED MERGAN-
SER.—An adult female, accompanied by five
young unable to fly, was seen in the eastern cove
of Wapitagun Island on August 16.

4. Somateria mollissima dresseri. AMERICAN
EIDER.—This species prospered along the south
shore of the Labrador Peninsula in 1929. The
hatch of young Eiders was a large one, and it
seemed to me that a much larger percentage of
the young than usual escaped the manifold
dangers of infancy and attained full size and the
ability to fly.

5. Branta canadensis canadensis. CANADA
GoosE.—In the course of a walk, on July 22,
from the head of Bradore Bay to the summit of
Mt. Cartier and back, I saw two pairs of Canada
Geese with their young. One pair was on a

rather large pond, about four and one-half miles
northeast from the head of the bay; the other
pair was on a very small pond, about two hundred
feet by fifty feet, situated about five miles north-
east of the head of the bay. A small amount
of snow and ice still remained unmelted on the low
bank of the latter pond. There were four young
in the family on the large pond and two young
in the other family. In both cases the young
were small and downy and were estimated to be
about ten days old.

The above statements are published as a definite
record, but not as an exceptional one, for, ac-
cording to information furnished by many cred-
ible residents of this coast, Canada Geese in
similar numbers, at similar distances from the
shore and thence inland, may be found breeding
near a large part of the southern coast of the
Labrador Peninsula.

6. Pisobia fuscicollis. _WHITE-RUMPED SAND-
PIPER.—First observed on fall migration on
August.5, when a flock of five was seen at St.
Mary Islands Bird Sanctuary. The only later

observations of this species were those of a flock

of 10 at the same place on August 7, and of a
flock of 5 at the Boat Islands, about three miles
south-west of St. Mary Islands, on August 18.

7. Vanellus vanellus. | LAPWING.—From in-
formation obtained from several local residents
in 1929, it is evident that the invasion cf Lapwings
in the Newfoundland-Gulf of St. Lawrence
region in December, 1927, reached at least as
far west as Harrington Harbour, Saguenay
County, Quebec (long. 59‘ 28’ W.), where at least
one individual was killed, and apparently one
or two others were seen.

8. Arenaria interpres morinella. RuDDY
TURNSTONE.—First observed on southward mi-
gration on July 31, when one individual was seen
at St. Mary Islands Bird Sanctuary. Observed
frequently in small numbers, as usual, throughovt
August. During the period from September
5 to September 13, which I spent at Havre St.
Pierre, this species was common there and was
the most numerous shore bird in the vicinity.

110

The maximum number recorded in one day was
100 on September 6.

9. Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis. ROUGH-
LEGGED HAwKk.—This species was moderately
common and nesting from Wolf Bay eastward,
its abundance bearing presumably a direct re-
lation to that of the meadow mice (Microtus
pennsylvanicus subsp. ?) of the region, which
were likewise fairly common in the summer of
1929.

On the island called The Black Land, in Wolf
Bay Bird Sanctuary, I saw, on August 9, five
Hawks of this species, of which four were adults
and one was a young bird apparently not long out
of the nest. This island is a nesting-ground
for thousands of Puffins and Razor-billed Auks,
as well as some other sea-birds. On an accessible
ledge of a low cliff, about fifteen feet high, close
beside one of the principal concentrations of
nesting Auks and Puffins, which here live among
large boulders, I discovered a recently-vacated
nest which had apparently been used by the
Rough-legged Hawks. In its vicinity I found
nine skeletons of Puffins, with the wings attached
to the skeletons. One was on the edge of the
Hawks’ nest. All of them appeared to have
been stripped of flesh within a month prior to
the time of their discovery. Three small pellets
of mouse fur and bones were also found near the
nest.

The Rough-legged Hawk enjoys an enviable
reputation as a mouse-killing Hawk and as one
that practically never touches a bird. I should
be sorry to see its reputation damaged, but the
evidence recorded above is sufficient to make it
appear probable that the individual Rough-legged
Hawks that nested at this place were unable
wholly to withstand the temptation afforded by
large numbers of birds of rather poor powers
of flight gathered immediately beneath their nest.
The evidence is offered for what it is worth, as
it is circumstantial only, and not entirely con-
_¢lusive. No Rough-legged Hawks were actually
seen catching, killing, or eating Puffins, and it
is possible that the birds whose skeletons were
found had been killed by Duck Hawks (Falco
peregrinus anatum), which are known to nest
frequently at Wolf Bay.

10. Colaptes auratus borealis. BOREAL FLICK-
ER.—One was observed near Natashquan on
August 13. This is the easternmost point at
which I have seen this species at the coast,
although it is known that farther east migrating
individuals cross the treeless coastal area, pre-
sumably en route to wooded areas farther inland.

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

[VoL. XLIV

11. Otocoris alpestris alpestris. HORNED
LARK.—At Havre St. Pierre*, where this species
is not known to nest, migrating individuals were
first seen in autumn on September 12, when a
flock of 20 was observed.

12. Perisoreus canadensis subsp. CANADA
JAY.—There was unusual activity among birds
of this species along the south coast of the Labra-
dor Peninsula in August and September, 1929.
In most years not many Canada Jays are ob-
served near this coast in spring and summer,
although a few are seen at long intervals. I have,
however, recorded a distinct movement, accom-
panied by flocking, that took place here in late
August, 1925 (The Auk, 44 : 65).

On August 15, 1929, three individuals of this
species were observed about the houses at Wolf
Bay settlement. Thereafter the species was
observed on August 16—17—-18-19-23-24-30 and
September 1—4—5—6—7—8-—9-10-11-12. On Sep-
tember 13 I embarked on a steamer to leave
this coast. The Canada Jays were seen chiefly
about settlements or on the islands that fringe
the coast and that are generally bare or nearly
bare of trees. | Usually only one or two birds
were seen at once, but there were exceptions to
this. For example, at Pointe au Maurier on
August 19 at least thirteen Canada Jays were
flitting about the one house to be found there and
at Havre St. Pierre on September 6 fourteen
were counted in the village. | Observations of
this species were made as far east as St. Augustine
(August 23) and as far west as Mingan (Sep-
tember 5). These were the extreme limits of my
travels between August 15, when the species
was observed at Wolf Bay, and September 13,
when I took ship to leave the coast, so probably
similar conditions existed beyond the places
mentioned. Indeed, there is evidence from
other sources that this movement of Canada
Jays extended far beyond the Labrador Peninsula,
and information concerning it is now being
gathered, with a view to preparing a separate
paper on the subject.

13. Spizella monticola monticola. TREE
SPARROW.—When, on July 22, in company with
Mr. E. C. Abbe, I walked from the head of
Bradore Bay to the summit of Mt. Cartier and
back, I observed five scattered Tree Sparrows in
song. Mt. Cartier is situated somewhat east of
north from the head of Bradore Bay. We found
our way to and from it by different routes and
estimated that we walked sixteen miles in the
entire trip. These figures will give some indica-

*Previously known as Eskimo Point.

May, 1930]

tion of the degree of abundance of the Tree
Sparrow in that region. West of Bradore Bay
I have not observed it at all in the nesting season,
although Dr. Charles W. Townsend has recorded,
it at Old Romaine on July 9, 1915 (The Auk,
34 : 139).

14. Mniotilta varia. BLACK AND WHITE
WARBLER.—One was observed on June 20, at
Mascanin (long. 62° 26’W.). This, as far as I
know, is the easternmost record for this species
on this coast.

15. Anthus rubescens. AMERICAN PIPIT.—
At Havre St. Pierre, where this species is not
known to nest, migrating individuals were first
seen in autumn on September 8, when no less
than 35 were observed.

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

111

16. Certhia familiaris americana. BROWN
CREEPER.—One was observed at Havre St.
Pierre on September 8.

17. Sitta canadensis. RED-BREASTED NuT-
HATCH.—In 1929 this species was observed more
often than has been usual in this region in the
past. At St. Mary Islands two were seen to-
gether on July 31, one was seen on August 1,
and one on August 3. Five were observed in
trees on the mainland at Natashquan on August
13. One was observed on the Boat Islands on
August 18, one on the mainland at La Tabatiére
on August 23, and one on the mainland at
Betchewun on September 3.

AN EXPEDITION TO SUB-ARCTIC CANADA, 1924-1925
By CAPT. J. C. CRITCHELL-BULLOCK

PHYSIOLOGICAL CONDITIONS

(Continued from page 87)

CIENTIFIC investigations in this field
were impossible, and also hardly neces-
ay Sary as the conditions in the Treeless
Plains do not vary to any marked degree
from the rest of central Canada. The average
winter temperature is doubtlessly lower, but not
low enough where we were to effect organically
the average human being.

A few notes nevertheless may be of interest.

All the members of our party had lived for a
number of years in northern Canada except
myself, and apart from the fact that, excluding
Hornby, I knew little of them, I did not see them
often enough to study any changes that might
have taken place.

That the land of the caribou is healthy in the
extreme, there is no doubting. A great deal of
fresh meat is eaten, and unlimited exercise is the
order of almost every day. There were only
two instances of indisposition amongst eight of
us during an entire year.

The first was the case of the youngest member
of the party, an extremely powerful man of the
age of about twenty-six, who whilst standing over
six feet weighed little less than two hundred
pounds, an American by birth who had resided
most of his life in the Peace River district. This
man suffered from intestinal trouble in the form
of three regular evacuationsa day. This appeared
normal with him, and it seems that it had been
going on for a number of years, and a cursory
inspection of the motion showed no abnormal

conditions. During the heavy work over the
portages, when he did more than his full share of
work, I.was surprised to notice that no weakness
seemed incurred, especially as he was a small
eater. It may be mentioned that he was, whilst
with us, a total abstainer. Like many of his
class he was somewhat averse to adopting a
straight or almost straight meat diet, being very
fond of the foods to which apparently he had
been used at home, flour, pork, butter, milk,
beans, etc.

As the weather became colder, and the dis-
comforts of yielding to nature became more
noticeable, because it was found impossible to
erect any form of shelter, it was but natural
that this peculiarity caused him to try and effect
a change in his habits.

During November a short trip with dogs was
made, when as might be expected, a further
effort at control was attempted. At the con-
clusion of the trip a day or two of rest was in-
dulged in followed by intense abdominable pains
that confined him to bed for four days, and for
a while complications in the form of an appendici-
tis were feared. The trouble, however, gradually
passed, and he was persuaded eventually to live
more on fresh meat. For a while no change was
noticed as regards the frequency of evacuation,
but as is invariably the case, the liking for fresh
meat grew until a preference was shown for this
form of diet. With preference a distinct change
however came, and a return to normality ensued,
a condition which in my opinion gave him both

112

an added resistance to the cold, and increased
energy.

One member of the party was seventy years
old, and although he told me that in recent years
he has suffered variously, I know that at the end
of his sojourn on Artillery Lake his health and
spirits were all that could be desired. This man
however lived quite comfortably throughout the
winter in the timber, neither overworking nor
suffering from any lack of staple provisions.

The second case of sickness was in the instance
of Hornby. Although I had noticed no weak-
ening on his part it occurred that after a rather
arduous trip in mid-winter during which the
most adverse weather conditions were experi-
enced, he returned one evening and collapsed.
Violent vomitting ensued with acute pains in
the stomach. For three days I experienced no
little anxiety, having no medical comforts with
which to render treatment. He gradually re-
covered, though I am of the opinion that a return
to normal was not made for some weeks after-
wards.

It would appear that the older the man the
greater the stamina, in most instances, up to the
age of about fifty-five. This, however, must be
explained. Take two men of the same physical
and mental characteristics, but one of 26 years,
and the other of 50 years of age. Although
twenty-six is the age when athletes are often at
the top of their form their prowess as athletes
is not in accordance with the performance put
up by them when out day after day under ex-
acting conditions. Although the world’s champ-
ion boxer at the age of twenty-six would un-
doubtedly despatch the former world’s champion
in the same weight with little difficulty, it would
be found that were they also travellers, the younger
man would have much more difficulty in leaving
behind the man of fifty did the test happen to
take the form of a walk across country for a
thousand miles living on the game shot. The
younger man would probably arrive in after the
older, but whereas the former beyond a certain
lassitude might show no signs of exhaustion, the
latter might come in to collapse. Had the younger
man however arrived so used up as to collapse
as did his competitor, there would be little doubt
but that he would have won the race. He did
not use himself to the last of his energy and so
lost, failing simply because the stamina was not
in him to make him go the limit.

It struck me that this was the case with Hornby.
Nothing would ever cause him to feel that he
was beaten until he was so reduced as to collapse
suddenly. Where I would admit fatigue he
never would. Where I would have made two

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

[VoL. XLIV

trips over the portage with the last load he would
make one colossal load of the stuff and stagger
over, and so on. Apparently the difference is
that whereas a young man, when feeling hard
put to it to carry on, may feel as though he is
in danger of collapsing at any moment, an older
man will not consider the thought either until
he has collapsed, or until weakness has brought
him to his knees already once or twice.

As regards myself, I had retired from the Army
in 1923 as an invalid. I had suffered from
tropical disease for eight years. During the latter
part of my service I was for three years almost
constantly in hospital undergoing treatment for
a mixed infection of malaria contracted when with
the Desert Mounted Corps. I arrived in Canada
nominally as a visitor, but became caught up
in a hunting trip to the Rocky Mountains.
Hardship was experienced and absolutely no time
could be wasted by being sick. We starved a
little and worked ourselves to skin and bone.
The result was that when food was procured I
commenced to build up and feel well again,
better than I had done for eight years The
reason was apparently that the shortage of food
and exacting nature of the work caused us to live
to a large extent on the less important tissues in
our bodies, and that amongst those which I
used up were parts that were diseased and causing
so much trouble. In any case after that I ex-
perienced but one more relapse, about two months
later.

During the expedition that followed, that with
which we are concerned in this report, I found
myself living to a great extent on salted meats
from June until September; I was worried the
while over extraneous matters and this combined
with the diet served to upset my digestion and
impair my blood. No symptoms of scurvy were
noticeable, but had there been greater periods
of inactivity it is probable that a slight attack
might have been contracted. In September
fresh deer meat was secured, and I immediately
took to eating large quantities of it, in fact except
for an occasional bannock little else was eaten
thereafter for an entire year.

My condition gradually improved, until: in
February I found myself physically more erect
than at any other time, but a severe strain
causing bone pressure, and subsequent exposure,
resulted in acute sciatica which steadily became
more troublesome as time wore on.

After April we commenced to lose strength.
During the winter we suffered considerably from
discomfort, and exposure, and the almost straight
meat diet which we had adopted during winter
when the caribou are not in prime condition had

ee
Sie)

May, 1930]

probably failed to do other than make us feel fit,
and keep our bodies in normal condition. But
just as a man living on a diet of oatmeal and sugar
may be able to keep well and strong under certain
conditions, the necessity of having suddenly to
do a double share of work may find him without
the basic strength that might have been there
had he been living on a more strengthening food.
As I say. although we felt exceedingly well, we
discovered that we fell off more rapidly than we
would have done had we been living on fatter and
richer foods.

The night work in April was heavy, and on one
trip I had taken a fall on the ice when travelling
to Fort Reliance resulting in a badly sprained
ankle. My sleigh was so heavily laden that
riding was impossible and although it occasioned
me great pain I was unable to rest it longer than
for single nights until civilization was reached
many months later. For two months it remained
in a very swollen condition and even now I
find it impossible to wear footwear made before
going north. This added to the injury to my
back probably contributed to the state of weak-
ness from which I suffered after crossing the
portages on the Hanbury River.

At the beginning of May a rest was indulged
in, but fat caribou meat was not secured, and
although we took on weight again, we probably
put on little reserve of strength. This rest was
followed by a period of most exacting night work.
Our dogs were too few in number, and snow con-
ditions being unfavourable it was rarely possible
to take a spell on the sleigh even when travelling
back empty for another portion of the load.
Thirty miles of every fifty during the night would
be occupied hauling as a dog.

Again, although we would often travel in
this manner for fifteen hours a night, the other
nine could never be taken for sleep. Fuel and
meat would have to be procured and both of
us would be occupied well on into the day,
leaving possibly an average of five hours for
sleep.

This continued until about the middle of
June, when we found ourselves without any
food at all, except an emergency ration carried
in case of sickness. It consisted of quarter of
a pound of sugar, two ounces of bacon, and one
pound of flour. We ate it before making the
last portage of the journey, that at the outlet
of Schultz Lake.

On the Hanbury river fish were not plentiful,
the river is broken by heavy falls and rapids.
Most of the northern fish are to be found but
the heavy fat fish that are essential when living
off the country on a straight fish diet were

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

113

wanting. It was at MacDonald Falls that we
first commenced to feel weak. There a large
number of herring gulls were nesting on an island
in the middle of the rapid. We tried to secure
some but they were wild and we had no success.
This was on July 13th, caribou not having been
seen for some weeks. Until July 25th we lived
on fish and gradually lost condition. Suckers
and white fish, and an occasional Back’s Grayling
we ate for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

None of this would have troubled us much
had we been able to lead a life of rest and ease,
but we had the daily grind of the portages with
our huge loads, the knowledge of our lateness
that necessitated pushing along at the utmost
speed at all times, and the endless chores that
kept us wakeful when by rights we should have
been abed. When approaching Thelon River,
gulls were fortunately observed again and we
secured a number. At this time of the year
they are in excellent condition, still fat from
feeding along the coast, and had we been able
to rely on them we need never have had any
anxiety as to our physical condition. . Un-
fortunately however, they are scarce along this
route and only on one occasion did we shoot
enough to provide us with an entire day’s food.
Some of the less fastidious of the whitemen at
the trading posts occasionally eat gulls I find,
but invariably the young ones. Juvenile birds
we found did not possess the nutritious qualities
of the old birds, and indeed a straight fish diet
is preferable. It is the same with caribou meat,
the older the animal the more body there is to
the meat even though it may be slightly tough.

Whilst living on fish we experienced some diffi-
culty with the cooking. Gathering fuel takes
time in the northern plains, and all the fish
caught during the night would be boiled in one
large pot and used as required. Although this
would be cooled off as quickly as possible, and
kept when travelling in as cool a place as pos-
sible, it was found that it would soon ferment,
particularly if the boiling had failed to evaporate
most of the water, whitefish and suckers giving
the most trouble. For awhile we failed to notice
this, but acute gastric trouble caused us to look
for a cause. Thereafter we roasted the fish
whenever practicable, and when boiling it took
care not to add too much water in the first
instance.

On July 24th we failed to find a fishing site,
and having been on short commons for a con-
siderable period the shortage was making itself
felt. So much so that we were extremely
grateful to have passed the portages. On the
morning of the 25th our nets yielded us one

114

small trout. Ten of our good dogs had long
since been destroyed so that we had no cause
for worry on their account, but a working white
man when in need of building up requires a
large number of fish to keep him going, and with
the average fish weighing but four pounds we
had for the two of us to catch at least eight of
them every day, or their equivalent, to keep us
on our feet. We were considering the matter,
when in the distance moving forms were ob-
served. This turned out to be the main caribou
migration from the north. We met it and killed
four animals. Camp was pitched, the deer
butchered, and an attempt made to dry the
meat. However our efforts proved unsuccessful.
Within a few days our entire supply at the bot-
tom of our canoes had became blown and putrid.
Many days were then spent with this as our
sole diet. For a while we did not notice any
harmful effect, but eventually our weakened
digestive organs rebelled and the resultant in-
disposition was painful “dysentery’’. Fortun-
ately blood was not passed, but there was a
considerable flux of mucus that caused some
little concern. Motions were extremely frequent
and after three days we were more distressed
than at any previous time, so that it was but by
sheer force of will that we could bring ourselves
to do other than the most important duties.

As soon however as it became apparent that
to continue eating’ such meat would enhance
our discomfort a special effort was made to dis-
cover a good fishing site.
in the search and an eddy yielded a fair catch.
Boiled and roasted fish were both tried but little
relief was experienced. The situation for me
with a known tendency to dysentry commenced
to look grave, and my lowered condition in-
creased the sciatic pains from the hip to the heel,
as well as causing spinal discomfort which
developed what has recently been diagnosed as
a slight curvature. But something always seems
to turn up in the north, and the next morning
a fat wolf was shot. Hornby who has had
experience of wolf meat held that in our weakened
state such rich food would affect us in much
the same manner as would a bottle of cream
fed to a new-born child. Nevertheless we cut
the animal into small pieces and cut off every
particle of fat. About a pound and a half
of good lard was forthcoming when it had been
all rendered down, and for three or four days
we lived right royally on fried fish.

One other period of shoctage was experienced
towards the middle of August. Fat fish were
very scarce and the caribou we saw almost all
lost calves, and skin poor. Apparently these

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

Two days were spent |

[VoL. XLIV

little animals had become separated from their
mothers during the crowding of the migration,
or had drifted in from Inland Eskimo country
to the north where the cows had been shot.
They were frequently seen travelling rapidly
along the river bank. One morning found us
without fish and such a calf was killed. We
butchered it and boiled every part down for fat
and rich soup. Head, bones, kidneys, every-
thing went into the pot, but not a single bubble
of fat was yielded by the entire carcass.

Without fat, boiling was the only means of
cooking possible, and, although we occasionally
ate raw meat, this lean stringy stuff did not
appeal. Of straight meat a man will, when
working hard eat from nine to eleven pounds
a day and we had the pots to cook about twenty
pounds at a time. When we had cooked the
meat before starting on the day’s journey, we
would drink what we could of the soup, and
then because we found that moist meat was
apt to sour, the rest would be poured away,
the best of the meat (what little best there was)
would be lost. The meat left in the pots would
look all right, but apart from the fact that it
tasted much like grass it had about the same
energising properties. In consequence we again
commenced to weaken.

On August 22nd Hornby was fortunate enough
to shoot the two year old bull caribou already
mentioned. This was the first male animal we
had seen since the migration, and he was alone.
Skinned we found that he had commenced to
put on back fat, about a third of a pound being
taken. This meant that all the meat was in
excellent condition. The head was boiled and
eaten, and another pound of fat collected. We
stopped right there and feasted until we could
eat no more. The weather was cooler, the blow
flies had mostly disappeared, and meat could
be better cared for. We gorged ourselves on
raw marrow, and pounds of the tenderloin that
had been laid in the sun for a day and was as
tender as sucking pig. All our troubles auto-
matically ceased, gastric disturbances were un-
known, and we increased in weight incredibly.

Shortly afterwards a portage of a mile had to
be made, and we both admitted that had not
fortune come our way we might have been forced
to wait on the wrong side of it until it did.

The main difficulty encountered on our journey
consisted in the difficulty of procuring fats.
When we left our winter camp it was hoped to
be able to reach the Thelon River on the snow,
without having to make the portages of the Han-
bury River. Banking on this we started out
with but a month’s staple provisions. The

May, 1930]

extremely heavy work encountered owing to our
heavy loads and the bad snow conditions caused
us to eat up all this nutritious food before the
portages were reached, as we slaved along day
and night in an attempt to avoid what portages
we could. The thaw came rapidly and when
further dog work was impracticable we were
still on the wrong side. However, except for a
certain ennui we were still strong by the time
the first one on Lac du Bois was reached. But
hunting did not come up to expectations, only
two caribou were seen, both old bulls skin poor,
and evidently on their last legs. It struck us
as strange that the wolves had not found and
destroyed them. In such wretched condition
were they that except for the tongue, we did not
trouble to cut from the carcasses more than the
hams from each of them.

After the first portage or two the flies and
mosquitoes commenced to contribute to our
discomfort. We were travelling what we had
to consider an unknown river, and as it was
necessary to be able to see as far ahead as pos-
sible to recognize rough water before we came
to it, and in order to keep on the lookout for
game, veils and protective measures had to be
dispensed with. These pestiferous insects will
always attack those whom they sense to be in
a weakening condition, and accordingly they
worried us. Fortunately we were both well
versed in the ways of these pests, Hornby after
nineteen years experience of them in the north,
and I in the tropics. This was just as well
because this year was one of the worst known
in recent years, and I have no doubt that many
a man would have been seriously tried by them.
On one occasion the black flies attacked us so
viciously that my beard was a mass of blood,
and to rub it was to paint my hand as with a
brush of scarlet. The portaging was most
irksome at times, especially when carrying a
canoe over ground willows, the mosquitoes
disturbed would rise in clouds, become caught
under the inverted canoe to bite to their heart’s

-content.

These of course are the experiences of all
travellers in the treeless plains, but travellers
are not always living off the country as were we.
When game is scarce and one’s vitality is in
consequence lowered they are a factor to be
considered, as without any doubt a great deal
of energy is expended not only in fighting them
but in composing oneself to disregard their at-
tentions. Smudges have to be made at all camp
sites if personal comfort is a matter of any
importance at all, and during the week many
hours are spent at the expense of no little labour

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

115

in collecting from an unsympathetic country the
fuel required for the purpose.

Throughout the trip we each had eight heavy
and cumbersome loads to take over. every
portage, and over two and a half miles this
entails thirty-seven miles of walking, more than
half of it under load. Then there was the con-
stant necessity for speed, everlasting hunting
and fishing, and the endless search for fuel.
An average night’s sleep was five hours at this
time. All added to our fatigue. Again there
were nights when with an empty larder the
net would be put in and possibly hours spent
watching the floats in order that the first fish
to strike it might be pulled out forthwith and
eaten.

And not least was a mental state arising
from the knowledge that an enforced wintering
on Hudson’s Bay would not only result in the
loss or deterioration of all our photographical
records and biological specimens, but also in
our exploitation by the traders to the hilt before
we would be able to acquire the necessities
to carry us through for another year. Later
incidents showed us only too well that this would
have occurred had we not managed to escape
their clutches. We never dwelt tediously on
these thoughts, and not infrequently we both
experienced a measure of despondency.

On such an expedition as ours the importance
of having congenial companionship must be
realized. Matters had not gone very well
with us so far as the organization of the business
was concerned, and without doubt there were
numerous occasions on which controversy might
have passed to fiery debate. But this would
have been intolerable, living together practically
isolated in a wretched hole in the ground measur-
ing but ten feet by seven feet, and I cannot
remember any instance of finer feeling being
usurped by grossness, or lack of chivalry.

Under such conditions as we lived two men
come either to great friendship or great hatred.
The slightest tactlessness with its resultant
irritation reacts dangerously, it comes to memory
anon as inactivity and confinement lend time
for narrow and prejudiced reconsideration. Of
reproach there must be none, because one must
know that in working for the common cause
each is doing his utmost; encouragement and
assistance must take its place. There must be
no thought of avoidance, the indisposition, mis-
fortunes, and incompetence of the one must
be the pleasure of the other as permitting him
the opportunity to express in action the gratitude
that two men can rarely express in words.

So far as general health goes a few notes seem

116

desirable. Although we weakened from the lack
of sufficient nourishment no distressing effects
were noticed except for the two mentioned,
lassitude, and gastric disturbances. During
the time just before securing the bull caribou
on the lower Thelon River, a time when we
were probably most weak, I happened to cut
my foot very badly with an axe, almost severing
the first two toes of the right foot. Rest was
impossible, and little attention could be paid
to the wound, but never have I known a wound
to heal so rapidly, and only for three days did
it limit my activities to any great extent. There
was no discharge of pus at all.

The growth of the hair when living under such
conditions aS were we is interesting. Both
Hornby and'I have very thick hair, and no
increase in the growth was noticed, but one or
two of the others were very thin. The oldest
man in the party was practically bald when he
entered the country, but on leaving I was sur-
prised to notice that he had regained much of it;
it was the same as with one of the others. No
doubt the high percentage of vitamines in the
foods eaten in the north has something to do
with it. Teeth were not observed, but I came
across no instance of toothache in our party.
This was more a matter of luck than anything,
I believe, because most of them were very partial
to concoctions of flour and sugar, and both
these set up an acidity that goes to introduce
decay. Correct and regular cleaning will
prevent this trouble and for awhile I thought
that some system was being observed, but this

was not the case, they very rarely used to clean ~

the teeth. The ordinary white man’s diet in
the north lending carbohydrates to the saliva
is responsible for much trouble in this country,
and the Eskimo who have adopted such diets
are suffering severely already. Our party pro-
bably ate sufficient under-done meat to neutralize
harmful acidity.

’ During the entire winter we had our food
pleasantly flavoured with sand. Our dug-out
was constructed in the top of a glacial sand
esker, and nothing that we did would prevent
sand from sifting through the roof into every-
thing. As I held Jordan Valley and Egyptian
desert sand responsible for much of my tropical
intestinal troubles I experienced no little alarm
on account of the amount we daily used to chew
and swallow. Surely, I thought, it would bring
a recurrence of some indisposition. But it
never did, and no matter how callous either of
us were with regard to its presence in food, no

~ inconvenience arose at all.

Colds were things unknown. No matter

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

[VoL. XLIV

how wet or cold we slept, no matter what draught
we sat in we had not a cough nor a sniffle.
Apparently it was pneumonia or nothing. Yet
as soon as I reached civilization I contracted the
most severe cold I have ever had, and it kept me
to bed for a couple of days. This, however, was
merely caused through change in humidity be-
tween the north and the south, the former having
a much drier atmosphere. Both Hornby and I
when we returned suffered from the heat, and even
after being in civilization four months, living on
civilized foods and in overheated buildings, the
feeling was the same. It often amuses me that
people think it strange that a temperature a
few degrees below freezing should cause us to
muffle up, and not a few I know believe that my
practise of dispensing with an overcoat whenever
possible is nothing less than a pose. I feel the
heat in public and private buildings positively
oppressive, long to open up at least one window,
and failing that am unhappy until I am per-
mitted the comparative freshness of the street
air.

One word about the use of tobacco. As
everyone knows the old-timer is always pictured
with a pipe between his teeth, very often we
see him with it whilst driving his dogs, in
pictures. Well so he may, but one thing is
certain, that if fast work is to be accomplished
running hard all day behind dogs at a slinging
trot, that smoker is not only going to suffer
for it but he will also fall behind his equal in
strength who does not smoke. People have
argued with me concerning this matter, but
nothing will induce me to believe that smoking
does not impair the wind. Jama heavy smoker
myself and I know. Not only does a smoker
have laboured breathing but, according to the
amount he smokes, so is he a nuisance in that
sufficient tobacco must be taken along to keep
him contented. For a heavy smoker a long
trip means several pounds of tobacco, and even
though he carried it himself it merely means
that the other members of the party have to
pack for him an equal weight of something else.
And these are not all the drawbacks. One and
not the least is the fact that a sudden end to
his supply is going to make him a curse to
everyone. A smoker deprived of his smoke
is an abomination, and it is sickening to see
a man take himself so seriously as to beg you
not to throw the tea leaves away, and a chewer
pull out the lining of his coat pocket, wherein
tobacco had reposed, in order to chew that.

In my estimation a chewer is worse than a
smoker. I know because I have done both.
The chewer requires more tobacco than the

May, 1930]

smoke addict, and above all his habits are
perfectly disgusting even if the hygienic side
of the business can be forgotten.

Whenever I have to get down to hard work,
‘tobacco goes, but I will plead guilty to one pipe
a day even when travelling my hardest. I
_ could dispense with that, but I find that it
composes me to write my diary no matter how
unpropitious the conditions may be for doing
so. My diary I always made the first considera-
tion and on the entire trip I only failed to write
it on one evening. Moreover I think that this
one pipe does not impair my wind, because on

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

117

those occasions when I have done without it
for a period I have noticed no increased vigour.

NotEe:—The human body requires certain vitamines which
in this country are supplied by the balanced ration which
we use. In the north where foods are not plentiful and of
a limited variety one has to try and equalize in vitamine
contents the foods at hand. Scurvy develops from lack
of certain vitamines, but fresh meat eaten raw or practically
so will prevent scurvy. The internal organs are especially
valuable as antiscorbutics, i.e.—heart, liver, pancreas, and
intestines. Excessive cooking destroys vitamines and re-
cooking is fatal to the vitamine contents of any food.

Any cereals such as peas, beans, ete., which can be
sprouted in water are a very valuable asset to the northern
traveller. These put in warm water in a warm place will
sprout in a very few days and can be cooked rapidly and eaten.

(To be continued)

A COLLECTION OF PLANTS FROM POINT ABINO, ONTARIO

By H. D. HOUSE
(New York State Museum, Albany, N.Y.)

large collection of plants was made in
the vicinity of Buffalo, New “York,
between 1918 and 1927, by Mr. Frank
# W. Johnson, then residing in Buffalo.
In this work he was associated with several other
members of the botanical section of the Buffalo
Society of Natural Sciences.
lection was deposited with the New York State
Museum for study.

During the course of his botanical excursions
in the vicinity of Buffalo, Mr. Johnson made
several trips to Point Abino, Ontario, on the north
shore of Lake Erie, and situated about twelve
miles west of Buffalo. It is the purpose of this
paper to place on record the plants collected
there by Mr. Johnson. The dates of his visits
are as follows: May 8, 1921, June 19, 1921,
June 1, 1923, August 11 and 20-22, 1923; August
23-25, 1924; July 11, 1925 and July 18, 1926.
The collection also includes a number of plants
collected by Mr. L. C. Davis at Port Maitland
and at Turkey Point and Crystal Beach, the two
latter stations situated between Point Abino and
Buffalo.

Osmunda regalis L.

Adiantum pedatum L.

Pteris aquilina L.

Equisetum arvense L.

oe levigatum A. Br.
variegatum Schleich
Lycopodium lucidulum Michx.
Juniperus communis L., var. depressa Pursh
ne virginiana L.
Larix laricina (DuRoi) Koch.
Thuja occidentalis L.
Potamogeton heterophyllus Schreb.
e perfoliatus L.
Triglochin palustris L.

6é

In 1928 this col- _

Agrostis alba var. maritima (Lam.) G. F. W.
Mey.

Ammophila arenaria (L.) Link

Andropogon furcatus Muhl.

os scoparius Michx., var. frequens

Hubbard.
Arrhenatherum elatius (L.) Beauv.
Bromus inermis Leyss.
Calamagrostis canadensis (Michx.) Beauv.
Cenchrus pauciflorus Benth.
Deschampsia cespitosa (L.) Beauv.
Elymus robustus Serib. & Smith
““ robustus var. vestitus Wiegand (E. glau-
cifolius var. crescendus (Rameley) Bush)
Eragrostis minor Host.
Ly peregrina Wiegand.
Festuca elatior L.
“nutans Spreng.
Glyceria borealis (Nash) Batchelder
“ septentrionalis Hitche. (Port Maitland,
Davis).
Hystrix patula Moench
Milium effusum L.
Oryzopsis asperifolia Michx.
Panicum flexile (Gattinger) Scribn.
os Scribnerianum Nash
tennessense Ashe
_ virgatum L.
Poa compressa L.
“* pratensis Li.’
Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash
Sporobolus cryptandrus (Torr.) Gray.
Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop.
Triplasis purpurea (Walt.) Chapm.
Cyperus rivularis Kunth.
fe Schweinitzii Torr.
strigosus L.
Eleocharis acicularis L.

ce

ce

ce

118

Eleocharis capitata (L.) R. Br.
Scirpus americanus Pers.
“ validus Vahl.

Rynchospora alba (L.) Vahl
Cladium mariscoides (Muhl.) Torr.
Carex communis Bailey

**" convoluta Mackenzie
lanuginosa Michx.
“* Muhlenbergii Schk.
plantaginea Lam.
prasina Wahl.
tribuloides var. reducta Bailey (C. projecta
Mackenzie)

Carex tribuloides Wahl.

“rosea var. radiata (Wahl.) Dewey

"varia Muhl.
viridula Michx.
vulpinoidea Michx.
tetanica var. Woodii (Dewey) Bailey
_ Dioscorea villosa L.

Spiranthes cernua (L.) Richard

xe lucida (H. H. Eaton) Ames
Commelina communis L.
Luzula campestris var. multiflora (Ehrb.) Celak;
Juncus alpinus var. insignis Fries.

“ balticus L. var. littoralis Engelm.
brachycephalus (Engelm.) Buch
nodosus L.

Torreyt Coville

Allium tricoccum L.

Ornithogalum umbellatum L.

Polygonatum pubescens (Willd.) Pursh
Maianthemum canadense var. interius Fernald;
Uvularia grandiflora J. E. Smith

Smilacina racemosa (L.) Desf.

i stellata (L.) Desf.

Trillium grandiflorum (Michx.) Salish.
Populus balsamifera L. (P. tacamahaca Mill.)
ie tremuloides Michx.

Salix cordata Muhl.

“ pedicellaris var. hypoglauca Fernald
Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.
Quercus Muhlenbergii Engelm.
Pilea pumila (L.) Gray
Laportea canadensis (L.) Gaud.
Comandra umbellata (L.) Nutt.
Polygonum arifolium L.

a amphibium L. (P. natans Eaton)
Chenopodium hybridum L.

te leptophyllum Nutt.
Corispermum hyssopifolium L.

Claytonia virginica L.
Arenaria serpyllifolia L.
Stellaria longifolia Muhl.
Silene antirrhina L.

“— Armeria L.
Actzxa rubra (Ait.) Willd.

6é

6é

(73

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

-[Von. XLIV

Anemone canadense L.
“cylindrica Gray.
Aquilegia canadensis L.
Clematis virginiana L.
Hepatica acutiloba DC.
Ranunculus abortivus L.
he recurvatus Poir.
sceleratus L.
Thalictrum dioicum L.
Alyssum alyssoides L.
Arabis Drummondii Gray
“* glabra (.) Bernh.
“ levigata (Muhl.) Poir.
“* lyrata L.
Cakile edentula (Bigel.) Hook., var. lacustris Fer-
nald
Cardamine pennsylvanica Muhl.
Sisymbrium Thalianum (L.) J. Gay
Erysimum cheiranthoides L.
Dentaria laciniata Muhl.
Dicentra canadensis (Goldie) Walp.
Chelidonium majus L.
Benzoin aestivale (L.) Nees
Caulophyllum thalictroides (L.) Michx.
Polanisia graveolens Rat.
Sarracenia purpurea L.
Sedum acre L.
Parnassia caroliniana Michx.
Mitella diphylla L.
Tiarella cordifolia L.
Ribes floridum L’her.
** Cynosbati L.
LL San opulifolius (L.) Maxim.
“4 var. intermedius (Rydb.)

(73

Robinson
Spirea alba DuRoi
Potentilla anserina L.
© recta L. var. sulphurea (Lam.) Lapeyr.
Sanguisorba minor Scop.
Rosa blanda Ait.
‘carolina L. var. glandulosa Farwell (R.
serrulata Raf.) (Turkey Point, Davis)
Rubus odoratus L.
Amelanchier canadensis (L.) Medic.
Prunus pumila L. |
‘ susquehanna Willd. (P. cuneata Raf.)
virginiana L.
Amphicarpa monoica (L.) Ell.
Lathyrus maritimus (L,) Bigel. var. glaber (Ser. )
Eames
Lathyrus palustris L.,
(Port Maitland, Davis)
Lespedeza capitata Michx. var. velutina (Bickn.)
Fernald (Turkey Point, Davis)
Melilotus alba (Medic.) Desr.
Strophostyles helvola (L.) Britton
Geranium maculatum L.

ce

var. linearifolius Ser.

May, 1930]

Geranium Robertianum L,

Euphorbia corollata L. Turkey Point, Davis

“é

polygonifolia L.
Evonymus obovatus Nutt.
Acer saccharum Marsh.
Hypericum Kalmianum L.

Viola arvensis Murr. Crystal Beach, Davis.

ce

canadensis L.
rostrata Pursh
Hydrocotyle americana L.
Osmorhiza Claytoni (Michx.) Clarke
Zizia aurea (L.) Koch
Cornus alternifolia L.f.

a Amomum Mill
Baileyi Coulter & Evans
paniculata L’ Her.
circinata L’ Her.
Pyrola elliptica L.
Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi (L.) Spreng.
Chamezdaphne calyculata (L.) Moench
Vaccinium corymbosum L.

5 macrocarpon Ait.

Lysimachia terrestris (L.) B.S.P.
ey thrysiflora L.

“ce

“cc

“é

ce

Steironema quadriflorum (Sims) Hitche.

Syringa vulgaris L.
Menyanthes trifoliata L.
Convolvulus Sepium L.
Phlox divaricata L.
Hydrophyllum canadense L.
Lappula echinata Gilibert

ve virginiana (L.) Greene
Lithospermum arvense L.
Myosotis laxa Lehm.

Agastache nepetoides (L.) Kuntze
Satureja glabra (Nutt.) Fernald
fs vulgaris (L.) Fritsch
Physostegia virginiana (L.) Benth.

Pycnanthemum virginianum (L.) Durand &

Jackson

Leonurus cardiaca L.

Scutellaria galericulata L.
is parvula Michx.

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 119

Solanum nigrum L,
Gerardia paupercula (Gray) Britton (Agalinis
paupercula, var. borealis Pennell) ;
Gerardia tenuifolia Vahl
Pentstemon hirsutus (L.) Willd.
Veronica officicinalis L.
Conopholis americana (L.f.) Wallr.
Epifagus virginiana (L.) Bart.
Galium circezans Michx.
““ lanceolatum Torrey
“ Mollugo L.
“ pilosum Ait.
triflorum Michx.
Lonicera dioica L.
es glaucescens Rydb. (Port Maitland,

ce

Davis) :
Sambucus racemosus L.
Viburnum acerifolium L.
<s dentatum L.
ne Opulus L.
Valerianella chenopodifolia (Pursh) DC.
a Locusta (L..) Betske) Crystal Beach,
Davis.
Campanula aparinoides Pursh
ia americana L.
rapunculoides L.
uliginosa Rydb.
Lobelia Kalmii L.
“ syphilitica L.
Prenanthes alba L.
Achillea Millefolium L.
Artemisia caudata Michx.
Bidens trichosperma (Michx.) Britton, Turkey
Point, Davis
Chrysanthemum Balsamita L., var. tanacetoides
Boiss.
Coreopsis lanceolata L. Turkey Point, Davis.
Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers.
- Helianthus decapetalus L.
Liatris cylindracea Michx. Turkey Point,
Davis
Polymnia canadensis L.
Solidago graminifolia (L.) Salisb., var. Nut-

be

6é

Teucrium occidentale Gray, var. boreale (Bickn.) tallii (Greene) Fernald.
Fernald

120

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

[VoL. XLIV

NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS

THE EUROPEAN STARLING AT RIVIERE-DU-
Loup.—As far as I am aware, the Kuropean
Starling was observed in Riviere-du-Loup, Quebec,
approximately opposite the mouth of the Saguenay
River, for the first time on April 11, 1929. On
that date I saw one in a Maple tree in the town,
and my friend, Mr. Joseph Y. Pommet, observed
a flock of six. During the summer of 1929 I
observed a pair of these birds at Riviere-du-Loup
that seemed to have a nest in an old nesting
cavity made by some Woodpecker. —WILSON
BAILLAIRGE.

STARLING IN WINTER.—On November 28rd,
1929, I saw a Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) feeding
in a field near the River Annapolis between
Bridgetown and Annapolis Royal, N.S. The
weather at the time was cold but settled.—-
CHRISTIAN W. L. PAULSON.

First NESTING OF THE EKUROPEAN STARLING
IN Nova Scot1A.—The first* recorded European
Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) for Canada was a
bird found dead at Halifax on December Ist,
1915. Since that date the writer has established
records of fifteen additional starlings in Nova
Scotia but it was not until 1928 that the bird
was found to be breeding here. In June of that
year a pair took up house-keeping in an old
flicker’s nest in an ash tree in front of the club
house of the Gorsebrook -Golf Club in Halifax.
Believing the species to be undesirable and de-
sirous therefore to check its invasion of our pro-
vince, Col. R. B. Willis of Halifax who reported
the nest to me on June 26th, was asked to destroy
the birds, whereupon the male was shot but the
female escaped.

On that date the nest was examined by the
writer and was found to contain five eggs which
are now in his collection at Wolfville. In June
1929 it is interesting to note that a pair of Starlings
appeared at the old nest at Gorsebrook, undoubt-
edly the same female with a new mate. Both
these were collected by Col. Willis, before the
eggs were laid, and were presented to the Pro-
vincial Museum at Halifax. To date this is
the only breeding record of the starling in Nova
Scotia which has come to my attention.—R. W.
TUFTS.

Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Feb. 13th, 1930.

*There was an attempt at introducing the species in
Canada in 1875 at Quebec but the birds failed to persist and
as far as we know no other records were produced from them.—
ORNITH. ED.

SUNSPOTS IN RELATION TO FLUCTUATIONS IN
GRASSHOPPERS AND GROUSE AT AWEME, MANI-
TOBA.—In the April, 1930, issue of The Canadian
Field-Naturalist (44:77), Mr. Norman Criddle
presents records of the fluctuations in numbers
of grasshoppers and grouse at Aweme, Manitoba.
It is worthy of note that these fluctuations show
a striking relationship to the variations in the
spottedness of the sun. The grasshoppers,
sharp-tailed grouse and ruffed grouse show
maximum points in their curves of numbers, at
or near the minima of sunspots (1901, 1913, 1923);
and minimum points near maxima of sunspots
(1905, 1917, 1928). Mean curves for the three
eleven-year sunspot cycles, show striking corre-
lation and smooth variation:

Maxima

Grasshopper......... at sunspot minimum,

Sharp-tailed grouse. ..at sunspot minimum and
next 2 years,

Ruffed grouse........ at sunspot minimum and
next 2 years.

Minima
Grasshopper......... one year before sunspot
maximum, ;
Sharp-tailed grouse...one year after sunspot
maximum, 4

Ruffed grouse........ one year after
maximum.

sunspot

It would seem that the lesser organism, the
grasshopper, responds quickly to the sunspot
influence, while the grouse lag a little, and may
well reflect a grasshopper influence, as Criddle
suggests. However—as has been demonstrated
in the cases of tree-growth, numbers of varying
hares, and dates of arrival of birds—all three,
grasshopper, sharp-tailed grouse and ruffed grouse,
do reflect the eleven-year sunspot cycle, whatever
be the mechanism (a problem in each case).
Grasshoppers will probably be again at a maxi-
mum in 1934, at Aweme, and grouse in 1934-6.

At the Dominion Observatory, Ottawa, we
have been investigating for some years the re-
lationship of sunspot variations to living things
and we should be happy to receive from any
readers such valuable and faithfully kept records
as these under discussion. Such records are
especially desired in connection with the investi-
gation of the change in phase for different parts
of Canada, of the sunspot relationship to natural
phenomena.—RALPH EH. DELuRY, Ottawa.

Ss

May, 1930]

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

121

BOOK REVIEW

Our WILD ORCHIDS, TRAILS AND PORTRAITS, by
Frank Morris and Edward A. Eames. . With
130 full-page illustrations, four in colour,
octavo. Scribners. $7.50.

It never rains but it pours is a good old saying
which seemed well exemplified the other day in
Montreal, where in a stationer’s shop two copies
of this book were displayed with a suitable
printed card, setting forth the attractions of the
work, whilst in a nearby florist’s window, a large
crowd were gazing on several magnificent cut
blooms of a Cattleya—I forget which species—
a large printed card informing the public that
never before in the history of Canada had it been
possible to offer such blooms at fifty cents each! !
Truly, things seemed to be running riot in “‘Or-
chidland’’, for here were magnificent blooms
being literally given away, judging from the
notice, whilst, the same thing might be said of
the book, seeing that the 130 exquisite plates
work out at about six cents each.

Anyone familiar with the writings of Frank
Norris, or the pictures of Edward Eames, would
naturally come to one conclusion as to the result
of such a combination of authors, namely, a

perfectly delightful record of the doings of two
orchid enthusiasts spread over a number of years
which may be all the authors intended. To those
who had long been hoping that the next orchid
book would be a thoroughly up-to-date one
embracing all that was known concerning our wild
orchids the present volume will come as a dis-
appointment, since no reference whatever is made,
even, to the old and well recognized varieties,
to say nothing of the more recent ones, including
one new species, the omission of any reference
as to the extent of variation, if any, each species
is liable to, the method of propagation, fertiliza-
tion, and underground development, the out-of-
date heights given for many of the species, the
lack of a bibliography, and the fact that when
references are given to recent work accomplished
they invariably go in one or two directions only.
Evidently the perfect orchid book is a long way
off yet, but in the meantime the present volume
fills a long-felt want, and will surely prove a
source of delight to those about to study our
wild orchids in their native haunts, the explicit
text, and beautiful plates, enabling the student
to name and determine off-hand most of the
species he is likely to come across.—H.M.

MEMBERS OF OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB AND SUBSCRIBERS
TO THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST, MAY, 1930

A ADAMS, JOHN,

Central Experimental Farm,

Ottawa, Ont.

AGRICULTURE, DEPARTMENT OF,
Entomological Branch Library,
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ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES,
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Game Commissioner,
Edmonton, Alta.

AGRICULTURE, DEPARTMENT OF,
Library, West Block,
Ottawa, Ont.

122

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“‘Bntomologist’’,
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Library,
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GC. H. Snell, President,
Red Deer, Alta.
Aucock, F. J.,
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Ottawa, Ont.
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TORY,
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B

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c-o Royal Ontario Museum of
Zoology,
Toronto, Ont.
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Ottawa, Ont.
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Toronto, Ont.
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National Museum,
Ottawa, Ont.
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THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

BERGEN’S MUSEUM,

Bergen, Norway.

BERNARD, H.,

Editor, ‘‘Le Courier,”
St. Hyacinthe, P.Q

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P.O. Box 234,

Conway, N-H., U.S.A.
BioLoGy, LIBRARY OF,

Mont Saint-Louis,

224 Sherbrooke Street East,

Montreal, P.Q.

BirD, RALPH D.,

University of Oklahoma,
Norman, Okla., U.S.A.

BisHopP, Louis B.,

450 Bradford Street,
Pasadena, Cal., U.S.A

Buack, GEo., M.P.,

House of Commons,
Ottawa, Ont.

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581 Sherbrooke Street West,
Montreal, P.Q.

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11 Summerhill Ave.,
Montreal, P.Q.

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70 Duggan Ave.,
Toronto, Ont.

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76 Fentiman Ave.,
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TORY,

234 Berkeley Street,
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15 Oswald Crescent,
Toronto, Ont.

BRIMLEY, J. F.,
Wellington, Ont. °

B.C. NATURAL HiIsToRY SOCIETY,
c-o Provincial Museum,
Victoria, B.C.

B.C. PROVINCIAL LIBRARY,
Victoria, B.C.

BRITISH MUSEUM,

General Library,
Cromwell Road,
London, S.W.7, England.

BROLEY, C. L.,

Bank of Montreal,
Corydon Ave. Branch,
Winnipeg, Man.

Brooks, Major ALLAN,
Okanagan Landing, B.C.

BRooMAN, R. C.,

P.O. Box 98,
Oakville, Ont.

Brown, H. H.,

42 Pacific Ave.,
Toronto 9, Ont.

Brown, J. ROLAND,

26 Spring Street,
Hamilton, Ont.

Brown, Mrs. R. D.,

388 Main Street,
Ottawa, Ont.

Brown, W. J.,

250 Oliver Ave.,

Westmount, P.Q.
BUCHANAN, A.,

Y.M

275 Broadview Ave.,

Toronto, Ont.
BUCKLE, J. W.

134 Craig Street West,

Montreal, P.Q.

[Vou. XLIV

BUFFALO MUSEUM OF NATURALScience,
Humboldt Parkway,
Buffalo, N.Y., U.S.A.
BULLER, PRor. A. H. R.,
Dept. of Botany,
University of Manitoba,
Winnipeg, Man.
BURWASH, FE. M.,
Department of Mines,
Toronto 5, Ont.

Cc

CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES,
San Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.
CALIFORNIA BUREAU OF EDUCATION
AND RESEARCH, LIBRARY,
Division of Fish and Game,
510 Russ Building,
San Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.
CALIFORNIA, UNIVERSITY OF,
Library,
Berkeley, Cal., U.S.A.
CALVERT, J. F.,
London Collegiate Institute,
London, Ont.
CAMERON, J. H.,
355 Dufferin Ave.,
London, Ont.
CAMPAGNA, PROF. E.,
Dept. de Botanique,
Ecole d’Agriculture,
Ste. Anne de la Pocatiere, P.Q.
CAMPBELL, ARTHUR,
21 Edgehill Road,
Westmount, P.Q.
CAMSELL, DR. CHAS.,
Deputy Minister of Mines,
Ottawa, Ont.
CARDINAL, V.,
1448 Cote des Neiges Road,
Montreal, P.Q.
CARNEGIE LIBRARY,
Ottawa, Ont.
CARTWRIGHT, B. W.,
392 Woodlawn Street,
Deer Lodge,
Winnipeg, Man.
CASSELS, Mrs. W. A.,
Red Deer, Alta.
CHAMBERLAIN, C. W.,
Hotel Hemenway,
Boston, Mass.
CHAMBERS, W. LEE,
Eagle Rock,
Los Angeles, Cal.,.U.S.A.
CHICAGO UNIVERSITY LIBRARY,
Chicago, IIl., U.S.A.
‘“CITIZEN’”’,
The Editor,
Ottawa, Ont.
CLARK, THOMAS H.,
Peter Redpath Museum,
Montreal, P.Q.
CLEMENS, W. A.,
Director, Pacific Biological Station,
Nanaimo, B.C
CoLUMBIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARY,
New York, N.Y., U.S.A.
CoLUMBIAN COLLEGE LIBRARY,
New Westminster, B.C.
CoLwELL, Mrs. E. B.,
15 Redpath Crescent,
Montreal, P.Q.
ConpDoR, THE,
c-o J. Grinnell,
University of California,
Berkeley, Cal., U.S.A.
CONNELL, REV. ROBT.,
1828 Oak Bay Ave.,
Victoria, B.C.
Coomss, Mrs. F. E. L.,
279 Second Ave.,
Ottawa, Ont.
CoRNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY,
Ithaca, N.Y., U.S.A.
COVERDALE, W. H.,
Lemoine Farm,
Porstmouth, Ont.
Cowan, Miss M. E.,
97 Stanley Ave.,
Ottawa, Ont.
Cox, Pror. P.,
329 St. John Street,
Fredericton, N.B.

oy

May, 1930]

CRAWFORD, H. C.,
-Entomological Branch,
Dept. of Agriculture,
Ottawa, Ont.
CRERAR LIBRARY,
Chicago, Ill., U.S.A.
CREWS, REV. A. C.,
United Church Publishing House,
Queen and John Streets,
Toronto 2, Ont.
CRICKMAY, COLIN H.,
University of California,
Los Angeles, Cal., U.S.A.
CRIDDLE, NORMAN,
Treesbank, Man.
CRIDDLE, STUART,
Treesbank, Man.
CRONE, KENNEDY,
“Canadian Travel’,
316 Lagauchetiere Street West,
Montreal, P.Q.
CROSBY, MAUNSELL S.,
Rhinebeck, N.Y., U.S.A.
CROSSLEY, F.,
Camrose, Alta.
CROWSON, ARTHUR,
154 Goulbourne Street,
Ottawa, Ont.
CuRRY, NATHANIEL,
621 Craig Street West,
Montreal, P.Q.

D

DALE, CHAS. F.,

625 Cote St. Antoine Road,
Westmount, P.Q.

DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY,
Halifax, N.S

Darcus, 8. J.,

Penticton, B.C.

DAVIDSON, PROF. JOHN,
Department of Botany,
University of British Columbia,
Vancouver, B.C

DAVIS, ELI,

R.R..No. 7,
London, Ont.

DEAM, CHAS.,

Bluffton, Ind., U.S.A.

DEAR, MAJor L. S.,

P.O. Box 89,
Port Arthur, Ont.

DeLury, Dr. RALPH E.,
Dominion Observatory,
Ottawa, Ont.

DEMETRIO, REY. C. H.,

1202 Azalia Street,
Memphis, Tenn., U.S.A.

DENIS, KEITH,

248 St. James Street,

Port Arthur, Ont.
DENMARK ZOOLOGICAL MUSEUM,
Copenhagen, Denmark.

DES RIVIERES, H.,

Grand Allée,
Quebec City, P.Q.

Dewar, Miss A. F.,

Patent and Copyright Office,
Langevin Block,
Ottawa, Ont.

Dicer, LEE R.,

University of Michigan,
Ann Arbor, Mich.

Dickey, D. R.,

California Institute of Technology,
Pasadena, Cal., U.S.A.

DINGMAN, RUSSELL G.,
217 Bay Street,
Toronto, Ont.

Dossig, Mrs. W. J.,
Glenwyld,

Weston, Ont.

Dosis, Dr. W. H.,

2 Hunter Street,
Chester, England.

- DOMINION PRESS CLIPPING AGENCY,

74-76 Church Street,
Toronto, Ont.
DOoo.LittLe, E. A.,
Painsville, Ohio, U.S.A.
DOXEE, WM.,
Dominion Observatory,
Ottawa, Ont. ¥

THE CANADIAN FIBLD-NATURALIST

DymMonpD, J. R.,
Royal Ontario Museum of Zoology,
Toronto, Ont.

E

EAST, GORDON,
Wetaskiwin, Alta.
EASTHAM, J. W.,
Court House,
Vancouver, B.C.
EDMONTON PUBLIC LIBRARY,
Edmonton, Alta.
EDWARDS, D. KEMP,
Lansdowne Road,
Rockcliffe Park,
Ottawa, Ont.
EIFRIG, PRor. C. W. G.,
1029 Monroe Ave.,
River Forest, Ill., U.S.A. -
EINKAUFSTELLE DES BOERSENVEREINS
DER DEUTSCHEN BUCHHANDLER,
Gerichtsweg 26,
Leipzig, Germany,
ELLIS, RALPH,
2420 Ridge Road,
Berkeley, Cal., U.S.A.
ELTON, C.S.,
6 Museum Road,
Oxford, England.
EMERTON, J. H.,
30 Ipswich Street,
Boston, Mass., U.S.A.
Emery, F. H.,
620 Euclid Ave.,
Toronto 4, Ont.
ENGLISH, H. A.,
303 Athabaska Street West,
Moose Jaw, Sask.
Evans, Miss E. L.,
c-o Preventorium,
Queen Alexandra Sanatorium,
R.R. No. 7,
London, Ont.

F

FAIRBAIRN, H. W.,
- Science Hall,

University of Wisconsin,

Madison, Wis., U.S.A.
FarGo, W. G.,

506 Union Street,

Jackson, Mich., U.S.A.
FARLEY, F. L.,

Camrose, Alta.

FAUQUIER, G. E.,

Rockcliffe Park,
Ottawa, Ont.
FAUVEL, B. A.,
263 McLeod Street,
Ottawa, Ont.
FIELD, Miss C.,
1461 Mountain Street,
*Montreal, P.Q.
FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL History,
Library,
Chicago, IIl., U.S.A.
FIELD, Pror. R. M.,
Princeton University,
Princeton, N.J., U.S.A.
FISHER, A. A.,
Lloyd’s Building,
Regina, Sask.
Fisk, H. H. S.,
86 Maple Ave.,
St. Lambert, P.Q.
FLEMING, J. H.,
267 Rusholme Road,
Toronto, Ont.
FOERSTER, R. E.,
Biological Board of Canada,
Veddar Crossing, B.C.
Foote, Mrs. H. R.,
Sunnyside Ranch,
Stellaco, B.C.
Forest, Miss A. M.,
Queen Alexandra Sanatorium,
R.R. No. 7,

FOWLER, Roy,
Aldersyde, Alta.

123

FRASER, PRor. C. MCLEAN,
University of British Columbia,
Vancouver, B.C.

FRASER, F. J., ‘

Geological Survey,
Ottawa, Ont.

FRASER, G. B.,

4 Murray Ave.,
Westmount, P.Q.

FREEMAN, F.,

Mount Elgin P.O., Ont.

FREEMAN, F.,

Gwynne, Alta.

FYLEs, Miss F.,

Central Experimental Farm,
Ottawa, Ont.

G

GARDNER, G. C.,

Manager, Bank of Toronto,
Sparks Street,
Ottawa, Ont.

GAULDIE, DONALD,

6873 Terrebonne Ave.,
Montreal, P.Q.

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY LIBRARY,
Ottawa, Ont.

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY LIBRARY,
Department of Interior,
Washington, D.C., U.S.A.

GERFAUT, LE,

c-o Ch. Dupond,
Square Prince Charles 21,
Lachen, Bruxelles, Belgium.

GIBSON, ARTHUR, ~
Entomological Branch,
Department of Agriculture,
Ottawa, Ont.

GISSING, A.,

Cochrane, Alta.

GODFREY, E\ARL,
Wolfville, N.S.

GOULD, Harry,

High River, Alta.

GOULD, V. E.,
Wolfville, N.S.

GREEN, MorRIs,

39 South Wyoming Ave.,
Ardmore, Pa., U.S.A.

GRINNELL, J.,

University of California,
Berkeley, Cal., U.S.A.

Grist, Miss Mary L.,
251 Laurier Ave. East,
Ottawa, Ont.

GRoH, H.,
Botanical Division,
Central Experimental Farm,
Ottawa, Ont.

Gross, Dr. A. O.,

Bowdoin College,
Brunswick, Maine, U.S.A.

GUELPH PUBLIC LIBRARY,

Guelph, Ont.

H
Hacar, Miss C. M.,

376 Mountain Street,
Montreal, P.Q.

. HALKETT, ANDREW,

216 Lyon Street,
Ottawa, Ont.
HAMILTON, Dr. A. B.,
Highland Park, IIl., U.S.A.
HAMMOND, G. H.,
Hemmingford, P.Q.
HANHAM, A. W.,
R.M.D., No. 1,
Duncan, B.C.
Harpy, Capt. €. P.,
1 Main Street East,
Hamilton, Ont.
Hare, C. T.,
5 Summerhill Terrace,
Montreal, P.Q.
HARKNESS, W. J. K.,
Department of Biology,
Toronto University,
Toronto, Ont.
HAROLD, J. B.,
c-o Sanderson, Harold Co.,
Paris, Ont.

124

HARPER, FRANCIS,

206 Dickinson Ave.,
Swarthmore, Pa., U.S.A.
HARRINGTON, PAUL,
813 Bathurst Street,
Toronto, Ont.
Harris, R. D.,
243 Lindwood Street,
St. James, Man.
Harris, W. E
283 Somerset Street West,
Ottawa, Ont.

Hart, J. L.,

Pacific Biological Station,
Nanaimo, B.C

Hart, N. C
Western University,

St. George Street,
London, Ont.

Hart, W.S.,

Province of Quebee Society for
Protection of Birds,

P.O. Box 1185,

Montreal, P.Q.

HARVARD UNIVERSITY,
Arnold Arboretum,
Jamaica Plains, Mass., U.S.A.

HARVARD UNIVERSITY,
Museum of Comparative Zoology,
Cambridge, Mass., U.S.A.

HARVARD UNIVERSITY,

Gray Herbarium,

Cambridge, Mass., U.S.A.
Hayegs, Dr. A. O.,

Rutgers University,

New Brunswick, N.J., U.S.A.

HEMBER, A. D.,

P.O. Box 309,
Kingsville, Ont.

HENDERSON, A. D.,
Belvedere, Alta.

Hopeson, E. A.,

Dominion Observatory,
Ottawa, Ont.

HoFrrMaNn, E. C.,

1041 Forest Cliff Drive,
Lakewood, Ohio, U.S.A.

Howpom, REv. M. W.,

The Rectory,
Chilliwack, B.C.

Ho.LMEs, C. F.,
Dollard, Sask.
Hope, C.,

501 Arlington Ave.,

Toronto, Ont.
HousseEr, F. B.,

10 Glengowan Road,

Lawrence Park,

Toronto, Ont.

HowWaARD, MR. JUSTICE E. E.,
655 Grosvenor Ave.,
Westmount, P.Q.

HowakrbD, J. K.,
Shawmut Bank Building,
Boston, Mass., U.S.A.

Howilrtt, H.,
52 Lyon Ave.,
Guelph, Ont.

HuBER, W. W.,
225 St. Mark’s Square,
Philadelphia, Pa., U.S.A.

Hupson, H. F.,
Entomological Laboratory,
Strathroy, Ont.
Hupson’s Bay CoMPANy,
68 Bishopsgate,
London, E.C. 2, England.

Flushing, L. i U.S.A.
HUNTSMAN, A. G.,
University of "Toronto,
Toronto, Ont.
HURLBURT, DR. W. E.,
Vineland, Ont.
HUTCHINGS, C. B.,
Entomological Branch,
Department of Agriculture,
Ottawa, Ont.
HUTCHISON, JAS.,
260 St. James Street,
Montreal, P.Q.

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

Ipis, THE,

e-o Zoological Society,
Regents Park,
Vondon, N.W., England.

IpE, F. P.,

Department of Biology,
University of Toronto,
Toronto, Ont.

ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY LIBRARY,
Urbana, IIl., U.S.A.

INDIANA UNIVERSITY LIBRARY,
Bloomington, Ind., U.S.A.

INGERSOLL, E.,

88 Morningside Ave,
New York, N.Y., U.S.A.

INGLIS, R. A.,

Division of Botany,
Experimental Farm,
Ottawa, Ont.

J

JACKSON, A. Y.,

Studio Building,

Severn Street,

Toronto, Ont.
JACKSON, H. A. C.,

35 Campbell Ave. 43

Montreal West, P.Q.
JARVIS, GERALD,

Bank of Nova Scotia,

Arnprior, Ont.
JENNESS, D.,

National Museum,

Ottawa, Ont.
JENNINGS, OTTo E.,

Carnegie Museum,

Pittsburgh, Pa., U.S.A.
JOHANSEN, F.,

Zoological Museum,

Copenhagen, Denmark.
JOHNSON, C. E.,

Geological Survey,

Ottawa, Ont.
JOHNSON, Mrs. G. E.,

70 Flora Street,

St. Thomas, Ont.
JONES, A. C. R.,

Killarney, Ont.
JONES, H.,

Eastend, Sask.
JONES, N. G.,

513 Quebec Street,

London, Ont.
‘* JOURNAL”,

The Editor,

Ottawa, Ont.

K

KANSAS UNIVERSITY, 4
Watson Library,
Lawrence, Kan., U.S.A.

KEALEY, Miss LuLu,

14 Blackburn Ave.,
Ottawa, Ont.
KELLEY, N. P.,
625 Oriole "Parkway,
Toronto, Ont.
KENNARD, F. H.,
Dudley Road,
Newton Centre, Mass., U.S.A.

KENT, W. R.,

Marwayne, Alta.

KINDLE, E. M.,

Geological ‘Survey,
Ottawa: Ont.

KING, W. C
508 Maclaren Street,
Ottawa, Ont.

KinestTon, A. G.,

112% Lisgar Street,
Ottawa, Ont.

KiTTO, V.,

317 Queen Street,
Ottawa, Ont.

Kuueu, A. B.,

Queen’s University,
Kingston, Ont.

[VoL. XLIV

KNECHTEL, G. W.,
33 Ahrens Street,
Kitchener, Ont.

- Kurata, T. B.,

359 Ellis Park Road,
Toronto, Ont.

L’ABBE, J. H.,

467 Holland Ave.,
Ottawa, Ont.

LAING, H. M.,

Comox, B.C.

LAMBERT, Mrs. A. J. F.,
2321 Halifax Street,
Regina, Sask.

LAMBERT, H. F.,

7 Rideau Gate,
Ottawa, Ont.

LANCELEY, W. H.,

23 Elmdale Ave. ss
Ottawa, Ont.

LANGELIER, GUS.,
Cap Rouge, P.Q.

LA ROocQuEg, A.,

National Museum,
Ottawa, Ont.

LATCHFORD, Hon. F. R.,
Osgoode Hall,
Toronto, Ont.

LATHE, G. H.,

180 Cartier Street,
Ottawa, Ont.

LAVAL UNIVERSITE,
Bibliotheque,

Quebec ie P.Q.

LAWRENCE, A.

City Tidaite Department,
Winnipeg, Man.

LEECHMAN, D.,

National Museum,
Ottawa, Ont.

LEES, W.A. D.,

P.O. Box 138,
Wetaskiwin, Alta.

LEFEBVRE, O.,

Quebec Streams Commission,
New Court House,
Montreal, P.Q.

LEM, A. H.,

Fisheries Experimental Station,
Halifax, N.S.

LEONARD, Mrs. R. W.,
Springbank,

St. Catherines, Ont.

Lett, Mrs. R. C. W.,

12920 Stony Plain Road,
Edmonton, Alta.

Lewin, H. M.5&.,

261 James Street,
Montreal, P.Q.

LEWIS, GRACE L.,

Dom. Bureau of Statistics
Ottawa, Ont.

LEWIS, HARRISON F.,

34 Grosvenor Street,
Ottawa, Ont.

Lewis, Mrs. HARRISON F.,
34 Grosvenor Street,
Ottawa, Ont.

LuoypD, B.,

Davidson, Sask.

LuLoyD, Pror. F. E.,
McGill University,
Montreal, P.Q.

LiLoyD, HoyEs,

582 Mariposa Ave.,
Rockcliffe Park,
Ottawa, Ont.

LiLoyp LIBRARY,
Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A.

LLoyD, WILMOT,

582 Mariposa Ave.,
Rockcliffe Park,
Ottawa, Ont.

LOGIER, SHELLY,

Royal Ontario Museum, .
Toronto, Ont.

Lowe, CHAS. W.,
Botanical Department,
University of Manitoba,
Winnipeg, Man.

May, 1930]

Lyon, W. I.,
124 Washington Street,
Waukegan, IIl., U.S.A.

.M

Macautay, T. B.,

109 Westmount Boulevard,

Westmount, P.Q
MacCauuum, Miss M.,

P.O. Box 182,

Carleton Place, Ont.

MACDONALD, THOREAU,

Studio Building,
Severn Street,
Toronto, Ont.

MaAcFARLANE, D. H.,

Mont St. Hilaire, P.Q.

MacLouGHuin, Mrs. A. E.,

43 Inglewood Drive,
Hamilton, Ont.

MacNaAmara, CHAS.,
Arnprior, Ont.

Macoun, W. T.,
Experimental Farm,
Ottawa, Ont.

MactTipr, A. D.,

1040 Sherbrooke Street West,
Montreal, P.Q.
MAGEE, M. J.,
603 South Street,
Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., U.S.A.

MALtTE, Dr. M. O.,

»National Museum,
Ottawa, Ont.

MANITOBA NATURAL HIsToRY SOCIETY,
c-o Winnipeg Public Library,
William Ave.,

Winnipeg, Man.

MANITOBA UNIVERSITY,
Agricultural College Library,
Winnipeg, Man.

MANITOBA UNIVERSITY LIBRARY,
Kennedy Street,

Winnipeg, Man.

MARcoTTE, ABBE LEON,

St. Charles Seminary,
Sherbrooke, P.Q.

MarrTIN, N.,

274 St. Clarens Ave.,
Toronto, Ont.

MASSACHUSETTS, COMMONWEALTH OF,

State Library,
State House,
Boston, Mass., U.S.A.

MAUDSLEY, J. B.,

University of Saskatchewan,
Saskatoon, Sask.

McAvity, A. G
Canadian Ind. Oil Co.,

St. John, N.B.

McCasz, T. T.,

Barkerville P. OF B-C:

McCaucuHey, Dr. 8. (eu
Medical Arts Bldg.,

Ottawa, Ont.

McDOona_p, D.,

Deputy Minister of Game and
Fisheries,

Parliament Buildings,
Toronto, Ont.

McELHINNEY, Dr. M. G.,
252 Lisgar Street,
Ottawa, Ont.

McFADDEN, R. W. E.,
70 Chatham Street,
Brantford, Ont.

McGAHEY, PEARL,

193 O’Connor Street,

Ottawa, Ont.
McGILuL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY,

65 McTavish Street,

Montreal, P.Q.

McILWRAITH ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB,
E. M.S. Dale,

297 Hyman Street,
London, Ont.

McKEcanIE, S. W. C.,

765 Granville Street,
Vancouver, B.C

McKinnon, Mrs. J. S.,

24 Jeanne d’Arc Street,
Hull, P.Q. ¢

¥

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

McLainB, L. S.,
Entomological Branch,
Department of Agriculture,
Ottawa, Ont. -

McMAstTER UNIVERSITY LIBRARY,
273 Bloor Street West,
Toronto, Ont.

MEAGHER, Mrs. J. J.,

5387 Pine Ave. West,
Montreal, P.Q.

MEREDITH, R.,

46 Dalhousie Street,
Quebec, P.Q.

MERRIAM, Dr. C. Hart,

1919 16th Street,
Washington, D.C., U.S.A.

MERRIMAN, R. O.,

101 Clergy Street West,
Kingston, Ont.

METZGER, C. T.,

6312 South Ashland Ave.,
Chicago, IIl., U.S.A.

MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY,
Ann Arbor, Mich., U.S.A.

-MILEs, A.,

P.O. Box 9,
Woodroffe, Ont.

MILLEN, Miss C.,

190 Coltrin Road,
Rockcliffe. Park,
Ottawa, Ont.

MILLER, G. A.,
Normal School,
Ottawa, Ont.

MILLER, RICHARD F.,

2627 North Second Street,
Philadelphia, Pa., U.S.A.

MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MUSEUM,
Library,

Milwaukee, Wis., U.S.A.

MINARD, Miss R.,

154 Pretoria Ave. ip
Ottawa, Ont.

MINER, JOHN Mk
Kingsville, Ont.

MissouRI BOTANICAL GARDEN,
St. Louis, Mo., U.S.A.

MITCHELL, A. G
c-o Price Brothers,
Quebec, P.Q.

MITCHELL, H. H.,

Provincial Museum,
Normal School,
Regina, Sask.

MITCHELL, MRs. O. S.,

24 Wychwood Park,
Toronto, Ont.

Monr, Dr. F. W. C.,

297 Laurier Ave. East,
Ottawa, Ont.

MONTIZAMBERT, Miss TUDOR,
123 Cooper Street,
Ottawa, Ont.

MONTREAL MECHANICS INSTITUTE,
Atwater and Tupper Streets,
Westmount, P.Q.

MONTREAL UNIVERSITY,
Botanical Laboratory,

St. Denis Street,
Montreal, .P.Q.

MOoopig, Miss M. E.,

157 Northcliffe Ave.,
N.D.G., Montreal, P.Q.

Moore, W. H.,

Mouth Keswick,
R.M.D. No. 1,
York Co., N.B.

Moran, P. J.,

Dept. of Mines,
Ottawa, Ont.

MorrIs, F.,

694 Aylmer Ave,

Peterborough, Ont.
Morris, Dr. RoBERT T.,

114 East 54th Street,

New York City, N.Y., U.S.A.
Morrow, Miss Epiru,

.O. Box 8,

Knowlton, P.Q.
Mous ey, H.,

4073 Tupper Street,

Westmount, Montreal, P.Q.

MOxX.LeEy, E. A.,
103 Fifth Street East,
Owen Sound, Ont.

125

Munro, J. A.,
Okanagan Landing, B.C.
MUuRIE, A.,
University of Michigan,
Ann Arbor, Mich., U.S.A.
Murpny, Miss L.,
9 Summerhill Ave.,
Montreal, P.Q.
Murray, A. P.,
1390 Sherbrooke Street West,
Montreal, P.Q.

N

NATIONAL PARKS OF CANADA,
Department of Interior,
Ottawa, Ont.

NATURE,

c-o Macmillan & Co. Ltd.,
St. Martin Street,
London, W.C. 2, England.

NEWCOMBE, 'W.A
138 Dallas eoal
Victoria, B.C.

New LISKEARD PUBLIC LIBRARY,
New Liskeard, Ont.

NeEwTon, H. EF,

P.O. Box 935,
Victoria, B.C.

N.Y. BoTANICAL GARDEN,
Bronx Park,

New York City, N.Y., U.S.A.

N.Y. STATE COLLEGE OF FORESTRY,
Syracuse, N.Y., U.S.A

N.Y. STATE LIBRARY,

Albany, N.Y., U.S.A.

N.Y. ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY,
185th Street,

Bronx, New York, N.Y., U.S.A.

NICHOLS, D. A.,

National Museum,
Ottawa, Ont.

NORMAL SCHOOL,
Brandon, Man.

NorMAL SCHOOL,

c-0 Principal,
Strathcona Ave.,
Hamilton, Ont.

NORMAL SCHOOL,
London, Ont.

NORMAL SCHOOL,
Elgin Street,
Ottawa, Ont.

NORMAL SCHOOL,

Vancouver, B.C.

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY,
18 University Hall,

Dept. Geol. and Geog. My
Evanston, Ili., U.S.A.

NORTON, Mrs. Harry A.,
Edgewater Farm,

Ayers Cliff, P.Q.

Oo

OBERHOLSER, H. C.,
2805 18th Street N.W.,
Washington, D.C., U.S.A.
OBERLIN COLLEGE,
Science Library,
Oberlin, Ohio, U.S.A.
O’ConnoR, J. L.,
Dominion Observatory,
Ottawa, Ont.
O’DoNOGHUE, CHas. H.,
Department of Zoology,
University of Edinburgh,
Scotland.
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY,
Library,
Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A.
ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE,
= Library,
™ Guelph, Ont.
ONTARIO LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY,
a Library,
* Toronto, Ont.
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL MUSEUM,
St. James Square,
Toronto, Ont.
ORDE, Hon. MR. JUSTICE,
Osgoode Hall,
Toronto, Ont.

126

OREGON UNIVERSITY LIBRARY,
Eugene, Ore., U.S.A.
OSHAWA COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE,
Library,
Oshawa, Ont.
OSLER, H. S.,
e-o John Murray,
Club House,
Port Perry, Ont.
Ostrom, F. H.,
Apt. 21, Prince Rupert Apts.,
588 O’Connor Street,
Ottawa, Ont.
OTTERSON, J. H.,
c-o du Pont de Nemours,
Wilmington, Del., U.S.A.
OUTHET, RICKSON A.,
1096 Beaver Hall Hill,
Montreal, P.Q.

P

PARLIAMENTARY LIBRARY,
Ottawa, Ont.

Paton, H.,

P.O. Box 2646,
Montreal, P.Q. .

PATRICK, JOHN A. M.,
Yorkton, Sask,

PAULSON, C. W. G.,

e-o R. M. Bartman,
Fairmont Springs, B.C.

PAYNE, F. F.,

Toronto Golf Club,
Long Branch, Ont.

PEAKE, L. A. M.,

P.O. Box 688,
Nanaimo, B.C.

PEARSE, THEED,

P.O. Box 158,
Courtney, B.C.

PEARSON, DR. T. GILBERT,
1974 Broadway,

New York, N.Y., U.S.A.

PEMBERTON, C. C.,

606 Sayward Bldg.,
Victoria, B.C.

PENNSYLVANIA BIOLOGICAL ABSTRACTS,
University of Pennsylvania,
Philadelphia, Pa., U.S.A.

PENNSYLVANIA GAME COMMISSION,
South Office Building,
Harrisburg, Pa., U.S.A.

PENNSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY,
Library,
34th St. and Woodland Ave.,
Philadelphia, Pa., U.S.A.

PERKINS, E. H.,

P.O. Box 52,
Waterville, Maine, U.S.A.

PHELPS, FRANK M.,

130 Cedar Street,
Elyria, Ohio, U.S.A.
PHILIP, P. B.,
220 Broadway,
New York City, N.Y., U.S.A.

PHILLIPS, JOHN C.,

Wenham, Mass., U.S.A.

PIcHER, R. H.,

Mines Branch, Sussex Street,
Ottawa, Ont.

PORSILD, A. E.,

Northwest Territories Branch,
Department of Interior,
Ottawa, Ont.

PoRSILD, M. P.,

Disko, Greenland.

PORSILD, R. T.,

Aklavik,, N.W.T.

POSTLETHWAITE, G. S.,

25 Rupert St.,
Ottawa, Ont.

PotTtTeR, J. K.,

437 Park Ave.,
Collingwood, N.J., U.S.A.

POTTER, LAWRENCE B.,
Gower Ranch,
Eastend, Sask.

PREBLE, E. A.,
Biological Survey,
Washington, D.C., U.S.A.

PRICE, JOHN H.,

e-o Price Bros. & Co., Ltd.,
Quebec, P

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

PRIESTLY, Mrs. I. M.,
34 Warton Lodge,
Balmoral Street,
Winnipeg, Man.
PRINCE, Prop. E. E.,
321 McLeod Street,
Ottawa, Ont.
PRINCETON UNIVERSITY LIBRARY,
Princeton, N.J., U.S.A.

Q

QUEBEC SOCIETY FOR PROTECTION OF
BIRDs,
P.O. Box 1185,
Montreal, P.Q.
QUEEN’sS UNIVERSITY,
Douglas Library,
Kingston, Ont.

R

RABBITTS, GOWER,
P.O. 5358,

St. Johns, Newfoundland.

RACEY, KENNETH,

3262 1st Ave. West,
Vancouver, B.C

RAND, AUSTIN L.,

c-o Governor General,
Tananarive, Mie aeas Gam:

RASAY, REV. C. E.

Little Falls, N. a U.S.A.

RAYMOND, P. E.,

Harvard University,
Cambridge, Mass., U.S.A.

REFORD, DR. LEWIS,

3501 Drummond Street,
Montreal, P.Q

REXFORD, I. P.,

4292 Montrose Ave.,
Westmount, P.Q.

ROBB, WALLACE H., 2
Abbey Dawn Farm,

R.R. No. 1,
Kingston, Ont.

ROBERTSON, C. N.,

805 Lewis Building,
465 St. John Street,
Montreal, P.Q.

Ross, Miss E. G.,

P.O. Box 34,
Pakenham, Ont.

Ross, F. D.,

P.O. Box 370,
Quebec, P.Q.

Rowan, WM.,

Department of Zoology,
University of Alberta,
Edmonton, Alta.

ROWAYNE, JOHN,

Pemberton Meadows, B.C.

RowB, T. C.,

27 Gwynne Ave.,
Ottawa, Ont.

ROYAL CANADIAN INSTITUTE,
198 College Street,
Toronto, Ont.

RuTTER, R. J.,

48 Burgess Ave.,
Toronto, Ont.

Ss

St. CATHERINES COLLEGIATE INSTI-
TUTE,
Library,
St. Catherines, Ont.
SAINT-SULPICE BIBLIOTHEQUB,
1700 Rue Saint Denis,
Montreal, P.Q.
SANDIFORD, Ps
Ontario College of Education,
University of Toronto,
Toronto 5, Ont.
SANSON, N. B.,
Banff, Alta.
SARNIA COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE,
Sarnia, Ont.
SASKATCHEWAN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY,
Saskatoon, Sask.

[VoL. XLIV

SAUNDERS, P. B.,
e-o A. P. Saunders,
Clinton, N.Y., U.S.A.
SAUNDERS, W. E.,
© 240 Central ‘Ave. bi
London, Ont.
SAVAGE, JAS.,
Athletic Club,
Buffalo, N.Y., U.S.A.
SCHANTZ, ORPHEUS M.,
10 South Lasalle Street,
Chicago, IIl., U.S.A.
Scott, W. L.,
383 Stewart Street,
Ottawa, Ont.
ScOUrA: Mrs. RB. A.,
Rocky Mountain. House,
Alberta.
SETON, ERNEST T.,
Lake Ave.,
Greenwich, Conn.
SHAw, W. T.,
1002 Cambridge Ave.,
Fresno, Cal., U.S.A.
SHEARER, G. W.,
390 Cote des Neiges Road,
Apartment No. 14,
Montreal, P.Q.
SHEPPARD, E. W.
493 John Street,
Niagara Falls, Ont.
SHERMAN, Miss A. R.,
National,
via McGregor, Iowa, U.S.A.
SHERWOOD, E. S.,
140 Wellington Street,
Ottawa, Ont.
SHIRAS 8RD, GEO.,
4530 Klingle Street,
Washington, D.C., U.S.A.
SHOREY, Major F. G.,
460 St. Francois-Xavier Street,
Montreal, P.Q.
SHutTt, Dr. F. T.,
Central Experimental Farm,
Ottawa, Ont.
SIFTON, Dr. H. B.,
10 Rathnally Ave.,
Toronto, Ont.
SkEy, W. R.,
560 Huron Street,
Toronto, Ont.
SKINNER, M. P.,
Jergens Trust Building,
Long Beach, Cal., U.S.A.
SLYFIELD, A.,
212 Court Street,
Oshawa, Ont.
SMALL, Dr. H. B.,
150 Laurier Ave. West,
Ottawa, Ont.
SMITH, A. G.,
Wainwright, Alta.
SMITH, F.,
Manor and Buena Vista,
Rockcliffe Park,
Ottawa, Ont.
SMITH, FRANK,
79 Fayette Street,
Hillsdale, Mich., U. Ss. A.
SMITH, NAPIER,
e-o Bank of Montreal,
Verdun, Que.
SMITH, Miss N.,
14 Oldfield Ave.,
Montreal, P.Q.
SMITH, RONALD,
Wolfville, N.S.

SmiTH, Miss V. E.,
219 Laurier Ave. West,
Ottawa, Ont.

SNELL, C. H.,
Red Deer, Alta.

SNYDER, L. L.,
Royal Ontario Museum of Zoology,
Toronto, Ont.

SOCcIETE PROVENCHER D’HISTOIRE NA-
TURELLE DU CANADA,
38 Sherbrooke Street,
Quebec, P.Q.
Soper, J. D.,
Department of Interior,
N.W.T. & Y. Branch,
Ottawa, Ont.

May, 1930]

Sowter, T. W. E.,

Aylmer East, P.Q.

SPEECHLY, DR. H. M.,

609 Medical Arts Bldg. oh
Winnipeg, Man.

Speirs, J. M.,

17 Wolfrey Ave.,
Toronto 6, Ont.

SPENCER, G. J.,

Department of Zoology,
University of British Columbia,
Vancouver, B.C.

Sprot, G. D.,

Cobble Hill,
Vancouver Island, B.C.

SqurrEs, Mrs. NATHAN C.,
Fredericton, N.B.

Srarr, Dr. F. A. E.
Woodville, Ont.

STEFANSSON, V.,

36 Bedford Street,
New York, N.Y., U.S.A.

STEPHENS, Dr. T. C.,
Morningside College,
Sioux City, Iowa, U.S.A.

STERNBERG, CHAS. M.,
Geological Survey,
Ottawa, Ont.

STEWwaRT, Dr. A. D.,
Manitoba Sanatorium,
Ninette, Man.

STEWART, JOHN,

28 South Street,
Halifax, N.S.

SWEDISH RoyYAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCE,
Stockholm, Sweden.

Tr

TAIT, SIR THOS.,

342 Sherbrooke Street West,
Montreal, P.Q
TAVERNER, P. A.,
National Museum of Canada,
Ottawa, Ont.
TAYLOR, A. M.,
68 Yale Street,
St. Catherines, Ont.

TAYLOR, R.,

Dunedin Street,
Orillia, Ont.

TERRILL, LEWis M.,

24 Prince Arthur Ave.,
St. Lambert, P.Q.

THACKER, J. L.,

Little Mountain,
Hope, B.C.

THOMPSON, STUART,

286 Wychwood Ave.,
Toronto, Ont.

THOMSON, PrRor. R. B.,
Botanical Laboratories,
University of Toronto,
Toronto, Ont.

THORNE, H. M.,

e-o B. L. Thorne,
3027 7th Street West,
Calgary, Alta.

TurRosBY, H. T.,

Mount Royal Hotel,
Montreal, P.Q.

Tipp, SercT. C. B.,

Ross River Detachment,
Yukon Territory,
via Whitehorse.

TORONTO FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB,
Colin S. Farmer,

151 Roehampton Ave.,
Toronto, Ont.

TORONTO UNIVERSITY,
Department of Geology,
Toronto, Ont.

TORONTO UNIVERSITY LIBRARY,
Toronto, Ont.

TOWNSEND, DR. CHAS. W.,
Ipswich, Mass., U.S.A.

TOWNSON, JOHN,

2104 Queen Street East,
Toronto, Ont.

Turts, R. W., <
Wolfville, N.S.,

TURNBULL, J. F.,

P.O. Box 1097,
North Bay, Ont.

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

TWINn, C. R.,
Entomological Branch,
Department of Agriculture,
Ottawa, Ont.

TYRRELL, J. B.,
Room 810,
Lumsden Building,
Toronto 2, Ont.

TYRRELL, W. B.,
Crombrook Museum,
Bloomfield Hills, Mich., U.S.A.

U

UPPER CANADA COLLEGE,
Library,
Toronto, Ont.

UPPSALA UNIVERSITY LIBRARY,
Chief Librarian,
Uppsala, Sweden.

Vv

VAN CLEAVE, H. J.,
Department of Zoology,
University of Illinois,
Urbana, Ill., U.S.A.

VANCOUVER NATURAL History SOoc.,
W. F. Connor,

3529 Second Street West,
Vancouver, B.C

VANCOUVER PUBLIC LIBRARY,
Vancouver, B.C.

VICTORIA PUBLIC LIBRARY,
Victoria, B.C.

WwW

WAILES, G. H.,
4337 Willow Street,
Vancouver, B.C
WALCOTT, E. J.,
36 Tenth Ave.,
Lachine, P.Q.
WALKER, BRYANT,
13C6 Dime Bank Building,
Detroit, Mich., U.S.A.
WALKER, DUNCAN,
Principal, Norma! School,
Peterborough, Ont.
WALKER, Dr. E. M.,
67 Alcina Ave.,
Toronto, Ont.
WALLER, L. W. T.,
Asst. Director, Sporting Powder
Division,
E. I. Dupont de Nemours,
Wilmington, Del., U.S.A.
WALLIS, J. B.,
Schoo! Soard,
Svruce Street,
Winnipeg, Man.
WALTER, MRS. FE. F.,
62€ Victoria Ave.,
We: oor PQ.
WALTON, G
Fort Churchill, Man.
WARWICK, F. W.,
36 Blenheim "Street,
Galt, Ont.
WASHINGTON STATE COLLEGE,
Library,
Pullman, Wash., U.S.A.
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY,
Puget Sound Biological Station,
Seattle, yesh U.S.A.
WESTLAND, C.
406 O’ ee Street,
Ottawa, Ont.
WESTMOUNT PUBLIC LIBRARY,
Westmount, Que.
WHaite, Mrs. E. F. G.,
185 Wurtemburg Street,
Ottawa, Ont.
WHITE,.E. F. G.,
185 Wurtemburg Street,
Ottawa, Ont.
WHITE, JAS.,
Snelgrove, Ont.
WHITE, Miss M.,
185 Wurtemburg Street,
Ottawa, Ont.

127

WHITEHEAD, A. B.,

302 Grande Allée,
Quebec City, P.Q.

WHITEHOUSE, F. C.,
Canadian Bank of Commerce,
Nelson, B.C.

WICKHAM, Pror. H. F.;
911 East Iowa Ave.,
Iowa City, Iowa, U.S.A.

WICKSTEED, Miss W.,

412 Sparks Street,
Ottawa, Ont.

WILLEY, PRoF. ARTHUR,
McGill University,
Montreal, P.Q.

WILLIAMS, D. B. L.,

293 Greenwich Street,
Brantford, Ont.

WILLIAMS, Dr. M. Y.,
University of British Columbia,
Vancouver, B.C.

WILLIAMSON, E.,
Westbridge, B:C.

LORD WILLINGDON,
Rideau Hall,

Ottawa, Ont.

LADY WILLINGDON,
Rideau Hall,

Ottawa, Ont.

WILSON, Miss ALICE E.,
Geological Survey,
Ottawa, Ont.

WILSON, Miss E.,

Acacia Ave.,
Rockcliffe Park,
Ottawa, Ont.

WILSON, H. S.,

c-o Nipissing Mining Co.,
Cobalt, Ont.

WILSON, Dr. M. E.,
Department of Mines,
Ottawa, Ont.

WINNIPEG PUBLIC LIBRARY,
Main Branch,

William Ave.,
Winnipeg, Man.

WINSON, J. W.,
Huntingdon, B.C.

WINTEMBERG, W. J.,

16 Grosvenor Ave.,
Ottawa, Ont.

Woop, A. A.,
Entomological Laboratory,
Strathroy, Ont.

Woops, COLONEL J. W.,
Chapel Street,
Ottawa, Ont.

Woop, Cou. WM.,

59 Grande Allée,
Quebec City, P.Q.

WriGcut, Dr. A. H
Zoological Laboratory,
Cornell University,
Ithaca, N.Y., U.S.A.

WricuHrt, H. H.,

568 MacLaren Street,
Ottawa, Ont.

WRIGHT, J. FRANK,
Geological Survey,
Ottawa, Ont.

WRIGHT, Miss S. E.,
Department of Health,
Ottawa, Ont.

Y

YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY,
New Haven, Conn., U.S.A.
YEOMANS, MIss A.,
Alma College,
St. Thomas, Ont.
YOUNG, A. F.,
254 Keeth Road East,
North Vancouver, B.C.
YOUNG, C. H.,
Victoria Memorial Museum,
Ottawa, Ont.

Z

ZOOLOGICAL SoOcIETY, LONDON,
Regents Park,
London N.W. 8, England.

128 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST [VoL. XLIV

Canada North of F ifty-six

By Dr. E, M. Kinpie

(This article won the $1000 prize donated by the late Sir Wm. H. Price)

THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB offers a limited
remainder of this splendid number, profusely illustrated,
at 50 cents each, postage paid. If ordered for schools,
etc., in quantities of ten or more the price is 40 cents each.
This is a splendid general article on Northern Canada.

Send orders with cheques payable at par, Ottawa, to the Hon-
orary Treasurer, Wilmot Lloyd, 582 Mariposa Ave., Rock-
cliffe Park, Ottawa, Canada.

The Autobiography of
John Macoun, M.A.

Canadian Naturalist and Explorer

THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB has a few bound

copies of this book for sale at $3.00 each, postage paid.

The book of 305 pages is neatly bound, and this may be

your last chance to secure a copy because this work will
probably not be reprinted.

Send orders with cheques payable at par, Ottawa, to the Hon-
orary Treasurer, Wilmot. Lloyd, 582 Mariposa Ave., Rock-
cliffe Park, Ottawa, Canada.

}

‘Executive Secretary:

q
.
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NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF

MANITOBA
1929-30

President =Emeritus: J. J. GOLDEN; Honorary President:
NorRMAN Sete Past President; A. A. MCCOUBREY;
President; A. M. DaAvipson, M. ae Vice-Presidents:
SPEECHLY, M.D., C. W. Lows, M ’ Sc. ., G. SHIRLEY BROOKS
A. G. LAWRENCE, J. B. WALLIS, B.A.; Treasurer: NORMAN
LowB, 317 Simcoe Street; Auditor: R. M. THOMAS; Social
Convener: Mrs. G. SHIRLEY BrooKs; General Secretary:
B. W. CARTWRIGHT, 392 Woodlawn Street, Deer Lodge;
L. T. S. NoRRIS-ELYE.

ORNITHOLOGICAL SECTION—Chairman: C. L. BROLEY;
Secretary: A. B. GRESHAM. BH AS bt ar SEC-
TION—Chairman: R. A. WAR M. Se.; Secretary:
IDS GER IB BOTANICAL L SECTION—Chairman:
H. F. RosBerts, M. Sc.; Secretary: Miss B. M. Sa ee
GEOLOGICAL SECTION—Chairman: R. S. Kirk, Ph.
Secretary: H. C. PEARCE.

Meetings are held each Monday evening, except on holidays
from October to April, in the physics theatre of the University,
Winnipeg. Field excursions are held each Saturday after-
noon during May, June and September, and on public holidays
during July and August.

ROBERTS.

NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF BRITISH
COLUMBIA, VICTORIA, B.C.

Hon: President: C. C. PEMBERTON, 806 Quadra St., Victoria,
B.C.; 1st Vice-President: WM. Hupson, 606 Douglas St.,
Victoria, B.C.; 2nd Vice-President: H. LETHABY, 608 View
St., Victoria, B.C.; Hon. Secretary: WM. A: NEWCOMBE, Pro-
vincial Museum, Victoria, B.C.; Hon. Treasurer; RENA G.
JONES, St. Margaret’s School, Victoria, B.C.

NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY
J. J. GAETZ, Red Deer, Alta.; Presidente

ALBERTA.
Hon. President: Mr. J

: Mr. C. H. SNELL, Red Deer, Alta.; 1st Vice-President: MRs.

W. A. CASSELS, Red Deer, Alta.; ‘gnd Vice-President: Mr. S
PAMBLY, Red Deer, Alta.; Directors: Mrs. G. F. Root, Weta-
skiwin, Alta.; Mr. F. L. FARLEY, Camrose, Alta.; Mr. W.
CASSELS, Red Deer, Alta.; Mr. B. LAWTON, Edmonton, Alta.: >
Mr. K. BowMAN, Edmonton, Alta.; Pror. W. ROWAN, Univ.
of Alta., Edmonton, Alta.; Me T. B. RANDALL, Camrose,
Alta.; Hon. Sec.-Treas.: Mrs. § . PAMELY, Red Deer, Alta.

The meetings of this Society are held in Red Deer on th®

last Friday of each month except during July and August and

perhaps September. The annual meeting is held i in Red Deer
on the last Friday in November.

MelLWRAITH ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB,
LONDON, ONT.

President: ELI DAvis, R.R. 4, London, Ont.: s Recording
Secretary: Miss Nina M. Norra, 328 St. George St., London,
Ont.; Orne ng Secretary and Treasurer: E. M. s. DALE,
297 Hyman London, Ont.; Members qualified to answer
questions: W. E. SAUNDERS, 240 Central Ave., London, Ont.,
C. G. WATSON, 201 Ridout St. South, London, Ont.; J. F.
CALVERT, 461 Tecumseh Ave., London, Ont.; E. M.S. DALE,
297 Hyman St., London, Ont.

Meetings held the second Monday of the month, except
during the summer.

VANCOUVER NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

Hon. President: L.S. KLINcgE, L.L.D., Pres. Universtiy of B.C.:
President: JOHN DAvipson, F.L.S., F.B.S.E., University 0;
B.C.; Vice-President: Pror. M. Y. WILLIAMS; Hon. Secretaryf
C. F. Connor, M.A., 3529 W. 2nd Ave., Vancouver, B.C.;
First Asst. Sec.: B. J. Woop, B.A.; Second Asst. Sec.: Mr. A.
R. Wootton; Hon. Treasurer: A. H. EEN, 2142 Collingwood
St., Vancouver, B.C.; Librarian: J. TURNBULL; Members
of Executive: Mrs. FRANK Nett “Mr. R. A. ‘CUMMING,
Mr. M. M. Dopps, Mr. J. L. PLoMMER, Mrs. C. G. McCrim-
MON; Auditors: H. G. SELwoop, W. B. Woops.

Fortnightly meetings in the University Buildings from
September to April inclusive). Semi-monthly excursions fron

-May to August (inclusive),

Louts-B. LAvoin; Chef de la section scientifique:

Affiliated Societies

PROVINCE OF QUEBEC SOCIETY FOR THE
PROTECTION OF BIRDS

Hon. President: Dr. I. GAMMELL; Past Presidente: Mr. L.
MclI, TERRILL, MR. NAPIER SMITH; President: Mr. W. S.
Hart; Vice-Presidenis: Mr. W. A. OSWALD, Mr. L. M.
SPACKMAN, Miss HARRIET STONE; Vice President and Trea-
surer: Mr. H. Moustey; Corresponding Secretary: MR. H.
A. JACKSON; Recording Secretary: MR. A. P. MURRAY;

Curator of Slides: Miss EMILy LUKE; Commitiee: Mr. J. W.

BUCKLE, Miss EDITH Morrow. Mrs. C. F. DALE, Miss M.
S. NICOLSON, MRs. JOHN RicHIn, Miss K. D. MALCOURONNE.
Mrs. C. L. HENDERSON, Miss MAup Sg#ATH, Hon. E. E,
HOWARD, MR. R. A. OUTHET.

Address aJl correspondence to the Society at P.O. Box 1185

‘Montreal, P.Q., Canada.

SOCIETE PROVANCHER D’HISTOIRE
NATURELLE DU CANADA

Bureau de direction pour 1929

Patron Honoraire: Son Excellence LE VICOMTE WILLINGDON,
G.C.S.I., G.C.M.G., G.C.I.E. G.B.E., Gouverneur-Général,
de la Puissance du Canada; Vice-Pairon Honoraire: Honor-
able M. H. G. CARROLL, Lieutenant-Gouverneur de la Pro-
vince de Québec; Bureau de Direction pour 1929: Présidents
R. MEREDITH, N.P.; Jer vice-président: Dr. J.-E. BERNIER;
2éme vice-président: G. STUART AHERN; Secrétaire-trésorier:
Dr. D. A.
Dery; Chef de la sectoin de Propagande éducationnelle:
ADRIEN FALARDEAU, C.R.; Chef de la section de protection:
Major Jos. MattsE; Chef de la section d'information scientifique
et pratique: EDGAR ROCHETTE, M.P.P.; Directeurs: Dr. S
GAUDREAU, RONALD LINDSAY, GEO. M. MITCHELL. _ 2
Secrévaire-irésorier: LOUISE-B. LAVOIE,
88 Sherbrooke St., Quebec.

THE TORONTO FIELD-NATURALISTS’ |
CLUB -

OFFICERS FOR 1929-30.

Honorary President: PROFESSOR A. P. COLEMAN; President:
Pror. J. R. DYMOND; Vice-Presidents: Mr. J. H. FLEMING,
Dr. N. A. POWELL, Mr. Coxuis S. FARMER; Secretary:
Mr. F. P. Ipe, (Dept. of Biology, University of Toronto);
Publicity Secretary: Dr. L. B. JackES; Treasurer: MR.
FRED H. BRIGDEN; Executive Committee: Pror. R. B. THOM-
SON, Pror. E. M. WALKER, Messrs. STUART L. THOMPSON,
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VOL. XLIV, No. 6 ~SEP 6 1930

September, 1930 _ .

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ISSUED September 2nd, 1930.

Entered at the Ottawa Post Office as second-class matter

THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB

Patrons:
THEIR EXCELLENCIES THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL AND VISCOUNTESS WILLINGDON ©

President: HARRISON F, Lewis, 34 Grosvenor Ave., Ottawa.
1st V ice-Pres' ident i rah M. STERNBERG 2nd Vice-Presdent: M. E, hess
Seere‘ary: BERTRA ‘A! Fauven, 263 McLeop St., Treasurer: WiLMoT LLoyD, 582 Mariposa Avenue
hay ONG 6 Rockcliffe Park.

Additional Members of Games F. J. Aucock, H. M. Amt, Miss M. E. Cowan, Messrs. H. G. Craw-
FORD, NORMAN | CRIDDLE, R. EH. DELurRyY, Miss FaIti FYLES, MEssRs. HERBERT GROH, ANDREW
HALKETT, D. JENNESS, @ E. JOHNSON, A. G. KINGSTON, RE. M. KINDLE, W. H. LLANCELEY,
DOUGLAS. LEECHMAN, HoyveEs Lioyp, W. T. Macoun, M. O. MALTE, MARK 'G: MCcELHINNEY, G.
A. MILLER, A. E. PORSILD, H. PRINCE, Je DEWEY Soper, P. A. TT AVERNER, E. F. G. WHITE,
W. J. WINTEMBERG, AJ dts WRIGHT and Presidents of Affiliated Societies.

Editor: a
DouGLAS LEECHMAN
National Museum, Ottawa, Canada ~ e

Associate Editors:

DG AENNESS G0) si0 eos ea ee ata Anthropology Civ Ea PATCH epee ihe nua Herpetology —
Me OU NATE nets oR DN ae te Botany Ree VV ANDERSON: ice en Mammalogy
HR UATCHMORD: cure a ae Conchology ACG) eELUINTSNUAING = hes eos Marine Biology
ARTHUR GIBSON.............26. Entomology BAL TAVERNER 00S. tame genes Ornithology

es NTC OCK IG oe ie Fae IOS 7 oa rentals Geology Ei WISIN Dili cen ee eee Palzontology

CONTENTS

PAGE
Some Notes on Birds of the Gaspé Peninsula in November. By Harrison F. Lewis........ 129
Observations on the Movements of the Pike (Hsox lucius). By R. A. McKenzie.......... 130
Mammalsiof Point Grey;. By Jan MeTageart-Cowan .7 2049s ee ee eee 133
Coleoptera Found in the Rainy River District, Ont. By J. F. Brimley...................... 135
“An Expedition to Sub-Arctic Canada, 1924- 1925. By Capt. J.C. Griichel Bullock (Continued) 140
_ Bumblebee Occupying Oriole Nest. By Arthur GHpson jie: rg ie Seem aan Ae eg ee ee eee 146
Bird-Life Changes in Twenty-five Yearsin Southwestern Saskatchewan. By LawrenceE. Potter 147

Notes and Observations:
Garter Snakes as Fishermen. By C. M.Sternberg...................... eta eee ale Si 149
Activities of the European Hare. By R. Delamere Black, Jr......................... 149
Bomoxisconnitaris in Ontarlo.i. By, Resta olinne pe ec Lee es Sse ar en eee 149
Unusual-Nesting Sites, | By Bobsadshawen 4... ee ee ee chet are Da RN oan 149
The House Wren in New Brunswick. By Susan K. Squires....................2.005. . 150
Annual Report.of the McIlwraith Ornithological Chua i Gay Re ee Cian 7 iain ie Oem 151

Book Review. By R. M. Anderson

i The official publications of THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB have been issued
He since 1879. The first were The Transactions of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club, 1879-1886,

=: two volumes; the next, The Ottawa Naturalist, 1886-1919, thirty-two volumes; and these
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The Canadian Field-Naturalist

VOL. XLIV

OTTAWA, CANADA, SEPTEMBER, 1930

No. 6

SOME NOTES ON BIRDS OF THE GASPE PENINSULA IN NOVEMBER
By HARRISON F. LEWIS

T fell to my lot to visit the Gaspé Penin-

sula from November 9 to 138, 1929,

and, as records of the bird life of that
region at that season are few, the fol-
lowing account of the observations then made
is placed on record. I travelled by rail along
the south shore of the peninsula to Percé, in the
vicinity of which I spent November 10, which
was a beautiful, clear autumn day, although rather
cold. Activities on this day included the climb-
ing of Rosy Peak, north of Percé, and the en-
circling of Bonaventure Island in a motordoat
with the congenial companionship of William
Duval, the local game warden and student of
bird life. Leaving Percé on the morning of
November 11, I returned along the south shore
by easy stages, making stops at New Carlisle,
Carleton, and Oak Bay Mills, and travelling in
part by taxicab and motor coach and in part by
rail. During the three days occupied by this
return journey the weather was cloudy and mild,
_ with light, variable winds.

1. Gavia immer. Loon.—At New Carlisle one
was observed on the 11th and four on the 12th.

2. Cepphus sp. GUILLEMOT.—When en-
circling Bonaventure Island on the 10th, 15
Guillemots, either Black Guillemots (C. grylle).
or Mandt’s Guillemots (C. mandti), or both,
were observed.

3. Alle alle. DovmekIE.—Seven scattered
Dovekies were observed during the sail around
Bonaventure Island.

4, Larus marinus. GREAT BLACK-BACKED
GULL.—Four of these birds were seen with a
flock of Herring Gulls at Percé on the 10th.

5. Larus argentatus. HBRRING GULL.—This
species was fairly common all along the coast
where I travelled. Two flocks of about 75 birds
each, including both adults and young, were
observed, one at Percé on the 10th and one at
Port Daniel on the 11th, and smaller numbers
were observed at several other places.

6. Moris bassana. GANNET.—At Bonaventure
Island, on November 10th, I saw four large
young Gannets on the ledges occupied by this

species for nesting purposes, and one other young
one, which had apparently just left its natal
ledge, was seen swimming in the water close to
the base of the cliff. Three adult Gannets were
observed flying in the vicinity, but not very near
the cliff where they nest. Of all the thousands
of Gannets that make Bonaventure Island their
home in summer, no others were to be seen.

It is doubtful if, on the date of these observa-
tions, any young of any other species of native
bird remained at their nests anywhere in eastern
Canada. As the bright morning sun warmed the
great cliffs of Bonaventure Island, large icicles
loosed their hold from the higher prominences
and fell crashing upon the rocky shelves below,
or dropped direct into the sea. The young Gan-
nets on their home ledges were in great jeopardy
of being instantly killed by these falling ice-
masses, surely an unusual predicament for nesting
birds!

7. Mergus americanus. AMERICAN MERGAN-
SER.—Seven birds of this species were identified
at Oak Bay Mills onthe 13th. Near Bonaventure
Island, on the 10th, I saw a female or young
Merganser that may have been either this species
or the Red-breasted Merganser (M. serrator).

8. Anas rubripes subsp. BLAck Duck.—
Six Black Ducks were observed at Oak Bay
Mills on the 138th.

9. Glaucionetta islandica. BARROW’S GOLDEN-
EYE.—At Bonaventure Island, a group of three
Golden-eyes, of which one was an adult male
and the two others were females or young, was
seen close to the low western cliff of the island on
November 10th. The adult drake was recognized
as a Barrow’s Golden-eye by the high, crescent-
shaped white mark between bill and eye, which
was seen through X6 binoculars at compara-
tively close range, and the two other birds were
presumably of the same species, although there
was not time to examine them closely before
all three birds flew away.

10. Clangula hyemalis. OLD SQuaw.—Old
Squaws were common in scattered flocks at Percé
and New Carlisle, and probably all along the

130 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

intervening coast. Two hundred were seen at
Percé on the 10th. This species was also common
at Bic, on the south side of the lower St. Law-
rence, on November 8th.

11. Somateria sp. EmeEr.—A flock of about
15 Eiders in brown plumage was seen at a little
distance near Bonaventure Island on the 10th.

12. Oidemia perspicillata. SURF SCOTER.—
An adult drake was seen near Bonaventure Is-
land.

13. Branta canadensis canadensis. CANADA
GOOSE.—Twenty-three were counted near Oak
Bay Mills on November 13th. Of several flocks
of Branta seen from a motor coach between
Carleton and Oak Bay Mills on the same date,
some were probably of this species.

14. Branta bernicla glaucogastra. BRANT.—
On the morning of November 13th, 99 Brant in
one flock were seen feeding peacefully, about a
gun-shot from shore, directly in front of the busy
little village of Carleton. A little later on the
same morning a flock of about 75 of these birds
was seen in a similar situation at St. Omer. Of
other flocks of Branta, of about the same size,
seen between Carleton and Oak Bay Mills from
a moving motor coach that morning, some were
probably of this species. Two hundred Brant
in scattered flocks, were counted on the waters
of Bay Chaleur near Oak Bay Mills.

15. Dryobates villosus _ villosus. HAIRY
WOODPECKER.—One was observed at New Car-
lisle on the 11th and one at Oak Bay Mills on
the 13th.

16. Otocoris alpestris (subsp”). HORNED
LARK.——A flock of six was seen near shore at
Percé on the 10th.

17. Cyanocitta cristata cristata. BUUE JAy.—
One was observed at Oak Bay Mills on the 13th.

18. Cervus corax principalis. RAVEN.—One
was observed near Cape Cove on the 11th.

19. Corvus brachyrhynchos — brachyrhynchos.
Crow.—The only Crows observed were one at
Percé on the 10th and two at Oak Bay Mills on
the 138th.

20. Sturnus vulgaris. STARLING.—Three were
seen at close range at Oak Bay Mills on Novem-

[Vou. XLIV

ber 13th. This is apparently the first record for
this species in that vicinity.

21. Pinicola enucleator leucura. PINE GRos-
BEAK.—On November 10th I watched 12 Pine
Grosbeaks, including three rosy males, while
they were feeding for half an hour or more in
oat-stubble in a small field, partly surrounded by
spruces, high on the southern side of Rosy Peak.
The flock, after descending into the stubble from
the tops of the neighboring trees, scattered some-
what and hopped about on the ground. Once or
twice one of the birds appeared to hull a grain of
oats, but for the most part they picked up some-
thing else, invisible to me, which was probably
weed-seed. The noise made by their mandibles as
they ate was practically continuous and resembled
that made by a canary when hulling seeds.

A Pine Grosbeak was heard, but not seen, at
Oak Bay Mills on the 13th.

22. Loxia sp. CROSSBILL.—One Crossbill was
seen at Percé on the 10th, and, at New Carlisle,
twelve were seen on the 11th and one on the 12th
but in no case was I able to recognize the par-
ticular species present.

23. Acanthis linaria linaria. REDPOLL.—Two
Redpolls were seen at Percé on the 10th and
fifteen at New Carlisle on the 12th.

24. Spinus pinus pinus. PINE SISKIN.—
One was observed at New Carlisle on the 12th.

25. Plectrophenax nivalis nivalis. SNOW
BuUNTING.—I saw thirteen at New Carlisle on
the 12th and thirty-four at Oak Bay Mills on
the 13th.

26. Certhia familiaris americana. BROWN
CREEPER.—One was found in a wooded swamp
at Oak Bay Mills on the 13th.

27. Penthestes atricapillus atricapillus. CHICK-
ADEE.—One was observed at Oak Bay Mills on
the 13th.

28. Penthestes hudsonicus (subsp?). ACADIAN
CHICKADEE.—Two were noted at Percé on the
10th and one at Oak Bay Mills on the 18th.

29. Planesticus migratorius migratorius.
Ropin.—Among scattered conifers of rather
small size, on the sandy, level area in front of
New Carlisle, I saw five Robins on the 11th and
sixteen on the 12th.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE MOVEMENTS OF THE PIKE (Esox lucius)
By R. A. McKENZIE

T is a fact well-known to everyone that
many animals wander over the face of
} the globe to a greater or lesser extent.

Ee3 These wanderings are prompted chiefly

- by two stimuli, namely, the desire for food and

the urge to mate, nest or spawn. The former
might bring about practically constant wandering
of the animals, while the movements or migra-
tions caused by the latter are almost arrested
at least during the period of deposition and hatch-

September, 1930]

ing of the eggs. The nesting and rearing of their
young confine birds to limited areas. It is found
also that some species of fish build nests and
guard their young, as for example, bass and
sticklebacks. The great majority of fishes,
however, spawn and move away from the spawn-
ing beds shortly after spawning. There is no
apparent reason for these fish, which do not
guard their nests, eggs and young, to remain
in one vicinity. This is more particularly the
case if they are carnivorous fish living in a lake
in which their prey, small and young fish, are
found widely scattered. This is especially true
of the pike, a non-nest builder, which frequents
the shallower water where small fish are usually
numerous.

There is practically nothing recorded about the
movements of the pike. Thoreau (1817-1862)
states, and Nash and Jordan quote him without
disagreement as saying, that the pike (Hsox
lucius) is “a solemn stately ruminant fish, lurking
under the shadow of a lily-pad at noon, with still,
circumspect, voracious eye, motionless as a jewel
set in water, or moving slowly along to take up
its position; darting from time to time at such
unlucky fish or frog or insect as comes within
its range, and swallowing it at a gulp. Some-
times a striped snake, bound for greener meadows
across the stream, ends its undulatory progress
in the same receptacle.’ Up to the present
there is little, if any, evidence to show whether
or not this fish lurks under the same lily-pad or
in the shadow of the same rock or fallen tree-
trunk from which he makes foraging expeditious
into his surrounding territory. The speckled
trout is believed by many anglers, and has been
shown by H. C. White (1924 and 1930), to
exhibit in a marked degree the characteristic
of pool domination.

During the summer of 1926 some information
was obtained on the movements of the pike.
At the same time the Ontario Fisheries Research
Laboratory of the University of Toronto, was
located on Shakespeare Island Lake, Lake Nipi-
gon, Ontario. As pike were plentiful in this lake,
the author took advantage of the opportunity
to carry on some tagging experiments which were
incidental to the main investigations of the labor-
atory. The author wishes to acknowledge the
co-operation of Professor W. J. K. Harkness, who
was supervising the work of the laboratory,
Mrs. Harkness and Dr. A. L. Pritchard.

Tagging operations were carried out during
the months of July and August. The pike to be
tagged were caught by trolling from a canoe,
and the course followed was parallel to, and
rarely more than one hundred feet from the shore.

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

131

The fish used in this study were taken, with some
exceptions, between the hours of five and nine
in the evening.

After being brought into the boat the fish
were released from the hooks. During this
operation they were held on the bottom of the
canoe by one person while another extracted the
hooks with as little injury as possible to the gills
and throat. A monel metal tag was then clamped
through the base of the caudal fin and allowed
to hang down around the under-side of the fin.
The fish was then released. The tag number,
the date and the place where the fish was re-
leased were all recorded.

During the time spent on this investigation
sixty-one pike were tagged and released. Two
of the tags, having become detached from the
fish, were found lying in the shallows at the
places where the fish were tagged—one three
weeks and the other five weeks after tagging.

Five of the tagged fish were found dead along
the shore. The lake is small, scarcely more than
a mile in any direction, and as the members of
the laboratory were working on all parts of the
lake daily, it is improbable that any of the tagged
fish died and escaped notice. None of the dead
fish showed excessive growth of fungus about
the tag, so in probability the mortality was due
to injuries received from the hooks.

These fish were found from two to nine days
after being tagged—three of them in the places
released. The other two were found within a
hundred and fifty yards of where they had been
released. One of these, from the nature of its
final location, must have moved of its own ac-
cord westward along the shore about a hundred
and fifty yards; the other could easily have
drifted, from the exposed point where it was
released, across the mouth of a bay to the point
where it was found—a distance of about fifty
yards. From this it may be seen that only one
of the five fish found dead need necessarily have
moved voluntarily from the place where it was
released.

Ten of the tagged fish were retaken and found
to be in a healthy condition. ‘The details con-
cerning the movements of these fish are pre-
sented in the accompanying table.

On the accompanying map are indicated the
points at which the tagged fish were released,
and the distance and direction to the points
where the ten fish were recaptured.

An examination of the table and map shows
some interesting points. Three of the ten re-
captured fish, three of the dead fish and the
two detached tags were taken or found at the
points where the fish bearing their respective

132 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST [VoL. XLIV
DATA ON RECOVERED TAGS
Tag Date when Point of recapture relative to place of release} No. of days

Number tagged intervening be-

tween tagging

and recapture
No. 59 Sualy7eO2 Gee aes Same Placer wera sree aes ea eae ae LL oe 4
No. 63 dfwlhy QD, IPAS eS ne Se oleae AINE LA CO Nase Cae ete settee lacee eras INEZ Ue ANN 1
*No. 65 JulyatOh O20 eee hagetiound) same places agen seep ee ne 34
+ No. 66 Juiliy: USO Gis he ae Dead) same placety Wales ans en een Z
*No. 78 runliyasl Ah et O2 Gey ipa ws Mac oundisameyplacess ssc ee ere ie 22
Nott duly el 2 O26 eee Dame wp lacey. aes se etal a elle cps Ane ay Sie aps
+ No. 24 BUG "3 OAG oye rei. Dead same placer Waery (27.1, Seu enan tn iat 3
+ No. 127 PNG AL SANS 6 nia sn oe oo & Dead sameyplace7 yor ivi A ke we sah ole 6 Banas 9
No. 69 ably? Le WS oo sino 6 Oe ZOKVATOSCASt ae Mee ei aik SOND tau sag fae 23
No. 81 July, wo hO2Gi is Geb he uA SOMyaTdS) West igs sie a oc ke an so eae ae Ohare 16
t No: 92 ARbUNG 7AS es eA Sieate alia Dead, 50 yds. north, across mouth of bay.... —
No. 64’ ANUS BY, IGVAG ss 5 a6 6a 0: SO Vardsyeastriy cae er he ahaa wale mer penice, 15
No. 67 folly 1b, USA ss oo ek SO Vardswesten i, hut ne ism): Ben TNs ene 21
No. 64 why Ge WB sn ose oe ee OO yardStwestis lho arses ke tenis An Pacts Sie 23
t No. 90’ Aue OZGN Sed. Dead, 140 yds. west along the shore......... —
No. 167 ANTORR. Be NGG oa g ede 250 yards south-west across the lake......... 14
No. 68 doubye TbILs TAG YS ee set 500 yard south-east across the lake......... 2

Note:—Tags 64’ and 90’ were from a series of small tags, while the others were large tags.

* Tags detached from fish.
{ Fish dead when found.

tags were released. Five of the living fish and
the remaining two dead ones were taken within
one hundred and fifty yards of the point of
tagging. The other two fish had traversed a
considerable distance—two hundred and fifty
and five hundred yards. Only three of the living

fish were recaptured within two weeks from the
time of release, and one of these, captured on
the second day after tagging, had travelled the
greatest distance. This indicates that all these
fish had ample time to move to other parts of
the lake.

Shakespeare sand Late.
Latte Nipigon Ontario.

Tagged fish released — «

Seale in yards
eS”

Fecaptured same place - @)

Recaptured somo

distance away - 64- --X

September, 1930]

Trolling and netting were carried on in a/
parts of the lake, but pike were taken only .
proximity to the shore. A larger number o:
pike were taken along the north shore of the lake
than elsewhere, which indicates that this is an
excellent pike habitat. However, an examination
of the map indicates that they were taken along
all parts of the shore-line. This shows that the
whole lake shore is more or less suitable for
pike, and consequently there is nothing to pre-
vent a fish moving from one location to another.

Of the sixty-one fish which were tagged, only

THE CANADIAN FiBLD-NATURALIST

133

five are known to have died and two to have
lost their tags while the ten which were recaptured
were found to be in good condition. From this
we assume that the remaining forty-four were
alive and bearing their tags. If this is the case,
this method of tagging is approximately 88%
efficient, there being a loss of seven in sixty-one.

Of the ten fish which were retaken alive, eight
were caught in approximately the same place
as they were released. It may be seen from these

‘figures that 80% of these fish appear to have

their respective retreats.

MAMMALS OF POINT GREY
By IAN McTAGGART-COWAN

OINT GREY is the name given to the
point of land that lies to the west of
are the City of Vancouver. This point is
mie bounded on one side by the mouth of
the North arm of the Fraser river, and on the
other side by the waters of Georgia strait and
Burrard inlet.

On the west the point ends abruptly and drops
off in sheer sand cliffs; in between these cliffs
the steep banks aré of a rather moist nature
and support a heavy growth of salmon berry,
devil’s club, and sword fern, with numerous
Douglas fir, cedar, maple and alder trees.

Proceeding inland a short distance there is a
noticeable decrease in the number of conifers
present; instead of these the dominant tree is
the alder, with a few maples; here the under-
growth is not quite so dense, but there is a great
number of fallen trees and stumps. The ground
is drier and there is a fair covering of leaf mould
over the somewhat sandy subsoil. Further in-
land still is a recent burn, on which there is very
little vegetation except salal, bracken and willow.
In this there are one or two marshy areas.

On the southwestern side, bordering on the
mouth of the Fraser river there is a strip of flat
meadowland between the steep banks and the
water.

So far as mammals are concerned Point Grey
is rather peculiarly situated in that it is completely
shut off, by the city, from all communication
with other areas of wild land.

Civilization is fast encroaching on the remaining
wild areas so that in a few years hardly any
of the more timid species will be found here.
On the northwest corner are the lands and build-
ings of the University of British Columbia; on
the east and south, building and road-making
are going on apace.

The following species have, unless otherwise
stated, been taken by the writer during the past
three years, or are in the collection of Mr. Kenneth
Racey to whom the writer wishes to extend
his sincerest thanks.

Scapanus orarius schefferi Jackson. SCHEF-
FER’S MOLE.—Fairly abundant in all cultivated
areas, but found only occasionally in the deciduous
areas adjoining cultivation. Specimens have been
taken in the Botanical Gardens. Not as yet noted
in the burnt areas or in the damp coniferous belt.
It seems to prefer a somewhat sandy soilin which
to burrow.

Neurotrichus gibbsii gibbsii (Baird). GIBBS
SHREW MOLE.—Very common in deciduous belt
where nearly every log has a network of burrows
under it, however the numbers are not as great as
one would imagine from the number of burrows,
for each individual has quite an extensive net-
work of these and it is only very seldom that
more than two individuals are taken in a single
set of workings.

Sorex vagrans vagrans Baird. WANDERING
SHREW.—Very widely spread throughout the en-
tire district. I have taken it in the runways of
Neurotrichus and Microtus serpens in the woods
to the west of the University buildings, but
most commonly in the runways of Microtus
townsendi in the small marshy area behind the
University Library.

Sorex obscurus. setosus Elliot. Dusky SHREW.
—Not as abundant as the last species but fairly
common in the wooded areas everywhere on
the point. In places by lifting up the covering
of fallen leaves a network of tiny runways is
exposed. These runways are the work of shrews
but whether of this or the preceding species I
am unable to state.

Lasionycteris noctivagans (Le Conte). SILVER-
HAIRED BAT.—Known from a single specimen, a

134

female No. 310, in the writer’s collection which
was found hibernating under a loose strip of cedar
bark about twelve feet off the ground on Febru-
ary 27, 1929.

Procyon lotor pacifica (Merriam). PACIFIC
RAcoon.—Rare, known only from its tracks which
the writer observed on the beach in the fall of
1927.

Mustela streatori (Merriam). STREATOR’S WEA-

SEL.—Rare, single specimen, a male, No. 1028, was
taken by Mr. A. S. Walker on March 24, 1923,
and is now in the collection of Mr. K. Racey.
Since that time I do not know of any specimens
being seen or taken.
Mustela vison energumenos (Bangs). NORTH-
WESTERN MINK.—Not common. Its tracks have
been observed on the beach several times and the
animal itself seen on one occasion in the spring of
1928.

Spilogale phenax olympica (Elliot). PUGET
SouND SPOTTED SKUNK.—The most abundant
representative of the weasel family. There is a
single male specimen taken in May, 1928, in the
writer’s collection and a female No. 17, taken
by Mr. A. S. Walker on October 19, 1922, in the
collection of Mr. K. Racey. This skunk seems
to prefer damp places and its tracks are frequently
seen beside a small river that runs through the
Indian Reserve.

Eutamias townsendii (Bachman). 'TOWNSEND’S
CHIPMUNK.—Not very common. One or two
animals have been seen in the southern part of the
district, but I do not know of any specimens
having been taken.

Sciurus douglasii Bachman. DOUGLAS SQUIR-
REL.—By far the most abundant of the larger
mammals found in this district. Wherever maple
trees abound these squirrels are very much in
evidence. I have found nests inside hollow
cedars and in hollow maple trees. Nests were
characteristic of the species and made of moss
and dry leaves with a lining of cedar bark.

Ondatra gibethica osoyoosensis (Lord). MUSK-
RAT.—Abundant everywhere along the lower
Fraser and its tributary streams wherever the
country is suitable. No houses are constructed,
the animals living in burrows in the banks of
streams.

Peromyscus maniculatus austerus (Baird). WHITE
FOOTED MousE.—Fairly abundant in nearly all

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

[VoL. XLIV

uv

localities. Specimens have been taken in th
marsh along with Microtus townsendii, and in the
woods where they prefer up-turned roots and fallen
logs. When the snow is on the ground t hey some-
times travel quite long distances, often a number
of them going together and making a path in the
snow. All the tracks in this path will point the
same way, showing that the path was not made
by the passing and repassing of one or two in-
dividuals.

Microtus townsendii (Bachman). 'TOWNSEND’S
VOLE.—Not common. A single male specimen
was taken in the marsh behind the Library in the
fall of 1927, when they were fairly numerous.
Intensive trapping in 1928 and 1929 failed to
produce a single specimen.

Microtus serpens Merriam. CREEPING VOLE.—
Fairly abundant in alder woods where their
burrows can be found ramifying under logs, moss,
etc.

Mus musculus Linnzeus. House Mouss.—
Found around all the buildings and barns of
the University but it does not seem to have taken
to the woods and fields.

Rattus rattus rattus (Linneus). BLACK RAT.—
Known from a single partly disintegrated speci-
men found lying on a trail to the west of the
University buildings.

Rattus norvegicus (Erxleben). Norway Rat.—
Found around the barns of the University farm
but it has not become naturalized to the extent
that the previous species has.

Zapus trinotatus trinotatus Rhoads. JUMPING
MousE.—Not common. A single female speci-
men No. 126, collection of Mr. K. Racey, was
taken by him on June 11, 1927, in a ditch at the
end of 16th Avenue.

Lepus washingtonii Baird. WASHINGTON HARE.
—Very common. Owing to the killing off of
the predatory animals and birds this animal has
increased remarkably. When the snow is on
the ground its tracks can be seen almost any-
where on the roads and trails of the campus.
Owing to the fact that they do not make definite
paths, but just wander at large, they are hard
to snare. The writer has a single specimen taken

in the spring of 1929.
Depariment of Zoology,
University of British Columbia.

September, 1930]

COLEOPTERA FOUND IN THE RAINY RIVER DISTRICT, ONT.

THe CANADIAN FIBLD-NATURALIST

By J. F. BRIMLEY.

a IN the preparing of this list the writer
x has had much assistance from H. C.
Fall, Emil Liljeblad, who identified the
Mordellide, and C. A. Frost. This
help has been greatly appreciated. The numbers
refer to the earliest and latest months in which
taken.
CICINDELIDAE.
Cicindela purpurea Oliv.
Cicindela repanda Dej. 5. 9.
Cicindela longilabris Say. 5. 6.
CARABIDAE.
Sphaeroderus lecontei De}. 4. 5.
Carabus maeander Fisch. 10.
Calosoma calidum Fab. 5. 8.
Nomius pygmaeus Deg. 6. 7.
Bembidion cheyennense Csy. 9.
Bembidion patruele Dej. 4. 9.
Bembidion quadrimaculatum L. 4. 8.
Tachyta nana Gyll. 5. 10.
Euferonia coracina Newn. 5. 7.
Poecilus corvus Lec. 5.
Poecilus lucublandus Say. 4. 5.
Omaseus caudicalis Say. 5. 10.
Pseudargutor erythropus Dej. 9.
Micromaseus femoralis Kby. 4. 9.
Bothriopterus pennsylvanicus Lec. 4. 10.
Bothriopterus luczoti Dej. 6. 9.
Curtonotus pennsylvanicus Hayw. 5. 9.
Bradytus apricarius Payk. 7.
Percosia obesa Say. 9.
Amara impuncticollis Say. 4. 10.
Amara fallax Lec. 10.
Amara cupreolata Putz. 4. 9.
Amara crassispina Lec. 5.
Triaena pallipes Kby. 10.
Pristodactyla impunctata Say. 5.
Platynus decens Say. 5.
Platynus anchomenoides Rand. 6.
Platynus melanarius Dej. 4. 5.
Platynus cupripennis Say. 6.
Platynus placidus Say.
Platynus cupreus Dej. 4. 9.
Platynus bogemanni Gyll. 6. 7.
Platynus quadripunctatus Dej. 5. 10.
Platynus sordens Kby. 5. 10.
Platynus ruficornis Lec. 4.
Platynus gemellus Lec. 6.
Platynus lutulentus Lec. 7.
Platynus obscurus Hbst. 4.
Lebia pumila Dej. 6. 9.
Lebia fuscata Dej. 6. 7.
Metabletus americanus Dej. 5. 6.
Chlaenius aestivus Say. 6.

Chlaenius sericeus Forst. 5. 6.
Anomoglossus emarginatus Say. 5.
Harpalus pennsylvanicus DeG. 7.
Harpalus herbwagus Say. 5. 10.
Harpalus fallax Lee.

Anisodactylus nigerrimus Dej. 9.
Anisodactylus nigrita Dej. 10.
Anadaptus baltimorensis Say. 5. 10.
Trichocellus ruficrus Kby. 5. 10.
Agonoderus pallipes Fab. 5. 9.

HALIPLIDAE.,

Haliplus ruficollis DeG. 7.

DYTISCIDAE.

Bidessus affinis Say. 7.
Agabus discolor Harr. 6.
Ilybius subaeneus Er. 7.
Ilybius angustior Gyll. 6.
Ilybius biguttulus Germ. 7. 9.
Ilybius confuscus Aube. 7.
Rhantus binotatus Harr. 7.
Colymbetes sculptilis Harr. 5. 7.
Dytiscus fasciventris Say. 7.
Dytiscus sublimbatus Lec. 6.
Dytiscus dauricus Gebl. 5.
Dytiscus verticalis Say. 7.
Graphoderes cinereus L. 7.

GYRINIDAE.

Gyrinus minutus Fab. 6.
Gyrinus confinis Lec. 9.
Gyrinus maculiventris Lec. 5. 8.

HY DROPHILIDAE.

Helophorus tuberculatus Gyll. 5. 10.
Helophorus oblongus Lec. 7.
Helophorus lacustris Lee. 6.
Helophorus lineatus Say. 4. 7.
Hydrochus squamifer Lec. 7.
Hydrous triangularis Say. 5. 6.
Hydrophilus obtusatus Say. 7.
Tropisternus glaber Hbst. 6.
Tropisternus lateralis Fabr. 6.
Enochrus perplexus Lec. 4. 7.
Spheridium scarabsoides. L. 5.
Cercyon pretextatus Say. 6.
Cercyon pygmezxus Illig. 7.
Cercyon granarius Er. 6.
Cercyon analis Payk. 6.
Cryptopleurum minutum Fabr. 5.
SILPHIDAE
Necrophorus vespilloides Hbst. 9.
Necrophorus tomentosus Web. 8. 10.
Silpha lapponica Hbst. 5.
Silpha noveboracensis Forst. 5.
Choleva terminans Lec. 6.
Hydnobius latidens Lec. 9.

135

136 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

Leiodes discolor Melsh. 5.
ORTHOPERIDAE.

Sacium lugubre Lec. 4.
STAPHYLINIDAE.

Micropeplus tesserules Curtis. 10.

Megarthrus americanus Sachse. 6.

Anthobium horni Fauv. 6. 7.
Anthobium pothos Mann. 6.

Phyllodrepa punctiventris Fauv. 4.

Phyllodrepa florale Payk. 7.
Omalium humerosum Fauv. 9.
Bledius fumatus Lee. 6. 7.
Stenus bipunctatus Er. 4.
Stenus vicinus Csy. 7.
Stenus flavicornis Er. 7. 9.
Stenus annularis Er. 7.
Stenus tarsalis Ljungh. 7.
Stenus canadensis Csy. 7.
Stenus croceatus Csy. 7.
Paederus littorarius Grav. 4: 5.
Stilicus biarmatus Lec. 4.
Astenus binotatus Say. 6.
Astenus discopunctatus Say. 4. 5.
Nudobius cephalus Say. 4. 10.
Gyrohypnus hamatus Say. 5. 9.
Gyrohypnus pusillus Sachse. 8.
Philonthus politus L. 6. 10.
Philonthus lomatus Er. 9.
Philonthus cyanipennis Fab. 6.
Philonthus brunneus Grav. 5. 10.
Philonthus nigritulus Grav. 4.
Staphylinus badipes Lec. 5. 9.
Staphylinus pleuralis Lec. 5.
Staphylinus violaceus Grav. 6.

. Creophilus villosus Gray. 5.
Quedius ferox Lec. 9.
Quedius mesomelinus Marsh. 4.
Quedius sublimbatus Mak. 4.
Tachinus luridus Hr. 5.

Tachyporus chrysomelinus L. 4. 10.

Tachyporus nitidulus Fab. 4. 5.
Erchomus ventriculus Say. 5. 10.
Conosoma imbricatus Csy. 9.
Bolitobius anticus Horn. 4.
Aleochara pleuralis Csy. 7.
Baryodma nitida Grav. 7.
SCAPHIDIIDAE.
Scaphidium piceum Melsh. 10.
Scaphisoma convexum Say. 9.

Scaphisoma impunctatum Reit. 6.

Baeocera concolor Fab. 9.

Baeocera congener Csy. 9.
HISTERIDAE.

Hister foedatus Lec. 6. 7.

Hister depurator Say. 6. 9.

Platysoma depressum Lec. 5. 10.

Platysoma coarctatum Lec. 5.

LYCIDAE.
Calopteron reticulatum Fab. 8.
Caeniella dimidiata Fab. 6. 7.
Lopheros fraternus Rand. 7.
Eros thoracicus Rand. 6. 7.
Eros aurora Hbst. 5. 6.
Eros humeralis Fab. 7.
Plateros canaliculatus Say. 7.
LAMPYRIDAE.
Lucidota atra Fab. 6. 7.
Lucidota corrusca Li. 4. 9.
Lucidota autumnalis Melsh. 4. 9.
Pyractomena angulata Say. 7.
Pyractomena lucifera Melsh. 7.
Photinus ardens Lec. 6.

Photuris pennsylvanica DeG. 7. 8.

CANTHARIDAE.
Podabrus frater Lec. 7.
Podabrus basillaris Say. 6.
Podabrus diadema Fab. 6.
Podabrus modestus Say. 6. 7
Podabrus piniphilus Esch. 6.
Cantharis excavatus Lec. 6.
Cantharis fraxini Say. 7.
Cantharis carolinus Fab. 7.
Cantharis lineola Fab. 6. 8.
Cantharis rectus Melsh. 6. 7.
Cantharis scitulus Say. 8.
Cantharis tuberculatus Lec. 6. 7.
Silis percoomis Say. 6.
Malthdes concavus Lec. 6.
MELYRIDAE.
Malachius ulkei Horn. 6.
Anthocomus erichsoni Lec. 7.
Attalus otiosus Say. 6. 7.
CLERIDAE.
Thanasimus undulatus Say. 6.
Enoclerus quadriguttatus Oliv. 6.
Enoclerus ichneumoneus Fab. 7.
Enoclerus quadrisignatus Say. 6.
Trichodes nutalli Kby. 6. 9.
CORYNETIDAE.
Chariessa pilosa Forst. 7. «
Necrobia violacea L. 5.

CEPHALOIDAE.

Cephaloon lepturides Newn. 6.
OEDEMERIDAE.

Asclera puncticollis Say. 6. 7.
MORDELLIDAE.

Mordella quadripunctata Say. 7.
Mordella melaena Germ. 7.
Mordella marginata Melsh. 7. 8.
Mordella albosuturalis Lilj. 6. 7.
Mordellistena bicinctella Lec. 7.
Mordellistena ornata Melsh. 7. 9.

Mordellistena scapularis Say. 6. 7.

Mordellistena cervicalis Lec. 7.

[VoL. XLIV

September, 1930] THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 137

Mordellistena aspersa Melsh. 7. Elater semicinctus Rand. 7.
Mordellistena pustulata Melsh. 7. Elater apicatus Say. 5. 6.
Mordellistena convicta Lec. 7. Elater mixtus Hbst. 6. 7.
Anaspis nigrina Csiki. 7. Elater luctuosus Lec. 6.
Anaspis flavipennis Hald. 5. 7. Elater nigricans Germ. 6. 7.
Anaspis rufa Say. 6. 8. Megapenthes stigmosus Lec. 6. 8.
MELOIDAE. Melanotus castanipes Payk. 6. 7.
Macrobasis unicolor Kby. 7. 9. Melanotus corticinus Say. 6.
PYTHIDAE. MELASIDAE.
Lecontia discicollis Lec. 5. 7. Deltometopus amoenicornis Say. 7.
Pytho planus Hbst. 7. 9. Microrhagus pectinatus Lec. 7.
Salpingus virescens Lec. 7. Microrhagus triangularis Say. 8.
PYROCHROIDAE. THROSCIDAE.
Schizotus cervicalis Newn. 6. 7. Throscus chevrolati Bonv. 5. 7.
Dendroides bicolor Newn. 6. 7. BUPRESTIDAE.
Dendroides concolor Newn. 6. 7. Dicerca divaricata Say. 6. 8.
PEDILIDAE. Dicerca prolongata Lec. 6. 7.
Pedilus lugubris Say. 6. 7. Dicerca tenebrica Kby. 6.
ANTHICIDAE. Dicerca chrysea Melsh. 6.
Tomoderus constrictus Say. 10. Poecilonota cyanipes Say. 8.
Anthicus formicarius Laf. 9. 10. Buprestis maculativentris Say. 8. 9.
Anthicus scabriceps Lee. 7. Anthaxia aeneogaster Cast. 6. 7.
Anthicus pubescens Laf. 8. Anthaxia quercata Fab. 7.
ELATERIDAE. Chrysobothris dentipes Germ. 8.

Chrysobothris scabripennis Cast. 6. T.
Eupristocerus cogitans Web. 7.
Agrilus anxius Gory. 6. 7.

Agrilus pensus Horn. 7.

Agrilus cephalicus Lec. 7.

Agrilus coryli Horn. 8.

Adelocera brevicornis Lec. 7.
Adelocera obtecta Say. 6.
Limonius aeger Lec. 7.

Limonius basillaris Say. 6. 8.
Lepturoides denticornis Kby. 6. 7.
Ludius virens Schrank. 6. é Z
Ludius resplendens Esch. 6. 7. ALTIUS POOTES SENo Oo Te

Ludius appressus Rand. 6. ae ee cee) ee e 7
Ludius tarsalis Melsh. 6. EECA a eal coe ae

; z Taphrocerus gracilis Say. 7.

Ludius spinosus Lec. 6. 7.

Ludius ea Lec. 6. HETEROCERIDAE.
Heterocerus brunneus Melsh. 4.
Heterocerus tristis Mann. 6.

HELODIDAE.

Cyphon obscurus Guer. 5. 9.
Cyphon variabilis Thunb. 4. 9.
Cyphon padi L. 7.
DERMESTIDAE.
Byturus unicolor Say. 5. 6.
Dermestes vulpinus Fab. 6.
Dermestes lardarius L. 4. 6.
Anthrenus castaneae Melsh. 7.

Ludius propola Lec. 5. 8.

Ludius nigricollis Bland. 5. 6.
Ludius triundulatus Rand. 5. 7.
Ludius medianus Germ. 7.

Ludius splendens Zieg. 7.

Ludius nigricornis Panz. 6. 7.
Ludius hieroglyphicus Say. 6. 7.
Hemicrepidius memnonius Hbst. 7.
Cryptohypnus abbreviatus Say. 5. 6.
Cryptohypnus nocturnus Esch. 5. 7.
Cryptohypnus bicolor Esch. 5. 7.

Oedostethus femoralis Lec. 6. 7. OSTOMIDAE.

Dolopius lateralis Esch. 6. 9. Tenebroides corticalis Melsh. 5.
Sericus incongruus Lec. 6. Calitys scabra Thunb. 6.
Agriotes stabilis Lec. 6. Ostoma ferruginea L. one dead.
Agriotes fucosus Lec. 6. 7. NITIDULIDAE.

Agriotes pubescens Melsh. 6. 7. Cateretes pennatus Murr. 6.
Agriotes limosus Lec. 6. 7. Cateretes bipustulatus Payk. 7.
Betarmon bigeminatus Rand. T. Brachypterus urticae Fab. 7.
Elater pullus Germ. 6. 7. Conotelus obscurus Er. 6. 9.
Elater nigricollis Hbst. 7. Meligethes aeneus Fab. 6.

Elater sellatus Dej. 7. Carpophilus brachyterus Say. 4. 8.

138 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

Carpophilus discoideus Lec. 6.
Nitidula bipunctata L. 5.
Nitidula rufipes L. 4. 8.
Omosita colon L. 4. 10.

Omosita discoideus Fab. 5.
Epuraea helvola Er. 6.

Epuraea rufa Say. 6.

Epuraea terminalis Mann. 6. 9.
Epuraea ovata Horn. 7.
Epuraea labilis Er. 5. 9.
Cyllodes biplagiatus Lec. 6.
Glischrochilus fasciatus Oliv. 4. 10.
Glischrochilus vittatus Say. 4. 9.

RHIZOPHAGIDAE.

Rhizophagus remotus Lec. 6.

CUCUJIDAE.

Silvanus planatus Germ. 5. 10.
Pediacus fuscus Er. 7.
Cucujus clavipes Fab. 5. 7.
Laemophloeus liquidus Csy. 5.

EROTY LIDAE.

Triplax thoracica Say. 6. 9.

CRY PTOPHAGIDAE.
Cryptophilus integer Heer. 8.
Loberus impressus Lec. 6. 10.
Cryptophagus actuangulus Gyll. 6.
Henoticus serratus Gyll. 5. 8.
Atomaria pumilio Csy. 5.
Anchicera ephippiata Zimm. 5. 9.
Anchicera ochracea Zimm. 4. 5.
Anchicera ovalis Csy. 4. 5.

MYCETOPHAGIDAE.
Mycetophagus flexuosus Say. 5. 6.
Mycetophagus bimaculatus Melsh. 10.
Litargus balteatus Lec. 6.

COLY DIIDAE.

Cerylon castaneum Say. 5.

LATHRIDIIDAE.

Lathridius liratus Lec. 6. 10.
Enicmus consimilis Mann. 10.
Corticaria pubescens Gyll. 5.
Corticaria elongata Tyll. 5.
Corticaria ferruginea Marsh. 5.

Melanopthalma distinguenda Com. 4. 10.

Melanophthalma gibbosa Hbst. 4. 9.

Melanophthalma cavicollis Mann. 5.
ENDOMYCHIDAE.

Endomychus biguttatus Say. 9.
PHALACRIDAE.

Phalacrus pumilio Lec. 7.

Olibrus semistriatus Lec. 7. 8.

Olibrus pallipes Say. 7. 10.

Stilbus apicalis Melsh. 7.
COCCINELLIDAE.

Hyperaspis signatus Oliv. 6. 9.

Hyperaspis undulatus Say. 7.

Microweisea misella Lec. 6.

Scymnus laurenticus Csy. 7.
Scymnus rubricauda Csy. 4. 8.
Scymnus agricola Csy. 8.

Scymnus tenebrosus Muls. 6. 9.
Scymnus nanus Lee. 5. 8.

Scymnus americanus Muls. 8.
Coccidula lepida Lec. 7.

Psyllobora viginti-maculata Say. 5. 6.
Anisosticta bitriangularis Say. 7. 8.
Hippodamia tredecim-punctata L. 7.
Hippodamia parenthesis Say. 4. 10.
Hippodamia convergens Guer. 9.
Coccinella perplexa Muls. 5. 9.
Coccinella tricuspis Kby. 9.
Coccinella transversogutiata Fald. 6. 9.
Adalia bipunctata L. 10.

Adalia frigida Schn. 7. 8.

Adalia disjuncta Rand. 7. 8.

Adalia humeralis Say. 7. 8.

Cleis hudsonica Csy. 5. 6.
Anisocalvia duodecim-maculata Gebl. 8.
Anatis quindecimpunctata Oliv. 8.
Anatis mali Say. 5. 8.

Chilocorus bivulnerus Muls. 6. 8.

ALLECULIDAE.
Hymenorus niger Melsh. 7. 8.
Hymenorus melsheimeri Csy. 6. 8.
Hymenorus pilosus Melsh. 7.
Isomira sericea Say. 7.
Isomira quadristriata Couper. 6. 8.
TENEBRIONIDAE.
Blapstinus moestus Melsh. 5.
Scaphidema aeneolum Lec. 6.
Hypophloeus parallelus Melsh. 5.
Iphthimus opacus Lec. 5. 6.
Alobates pennsylvanica DeG. 4. 7.
Upis ceramboides L. 5. 9.
Tenebrio obscurus Fab. 6.
Tenebrio molitor L. 7. 10.
Boros unicolor Say. 7. 10.
Paratenetus fuscus Leu. 5. 6.
MELANDRYIDAE.
Penthe obliquata Fab. 7.
Synstrophus repandus Horn. 7.
Xylita laevigata Hellw. 5. 7.
Scotochroa basalis Lec. 7.
Enchodes sericea Hald. 7.
Symphora flavicollis Hald. 6. 7.
Canifa pusilla Hald. 6.
Canifa pallipes Melsh. 6. 7.
Osphya varians Lec. 6. 7.
ANOBIIDAE.
Hadrobregmus linearis Lec. 7.
X yletinus lugubris Lec. 7.
Stagetus profunda Lec. 6.
Catorama confusum Fall. 7.
Dorcatoma dresdensis Hbst. 6.

[VoLt. XLIV

[
:

September, 1930] THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 139
Ptilinus ruficornis Say. 7. Orsodacne atra Ahr. 5. 7.

BOSTRICHIDAE. Syneta ferruginea Germ. 6. 7.
Stephanopachys rugosus Oliv. 7. Zeugophora varians Cr. 6. 9.

SCARABAEIDAE. Chlamys gibbosa Fab. 6. 8.
Onthophagus hecate Panz. 5. 7. Pachybrachys obsoletus Suffr. 7. 8.
Aphodius fossor L. 5. Monachulus saponatus Fab. 7.
Aphodius validus Horn. 6. 7. Cryptocephalus notatus Fab. 6. 7.
Aphodius fimetarius L. 4. 5. Cryptocephalus quadrimaculatus Say. 7.
Aphodius ruricola Melsh. 7. Diachus auratus Fab. 7. 9.
Aphodius granarius L. 6. 7. Diachus catarius Suffr. 7. 9.

Aphodius vittatus Say. 5. 9. Bassareus mammifer Newn. 6.
Aphodius distinctus Mull. 4. 7. Bassareus sellatus Suffr. 7. 8.
Ataenius gracilis Melsh. 6. Xanthonia decemnotata Say. 7.
Geotrupes semiopacus Jek. 6. 7. Adozxus obscurus L. 6. 9.

Trox capillaris Say. 5. Paria quadriguttata Lec. 7.
Serica vespertina Gyll. 5. 6. Chrysochus auratus Fab. 7. 9.
Serica intermixta Blatch. 6. 7. Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say. 6. 10.
Phyllophaga anxia Lee. 5. 7. Zygogramma exclamationis Fab. 6.
Dichelonyx canadensis Horn. 7. Calligrapha elegans Oliv. 6.
Dichelonyx subvittata Lee. 6. 7. Calligrapha philadelphica L. 6. 8.
Trichiotinus piger Fab. 7. Calligrapha spireae Say. 5. 8.
Trichiotinus affinis G. & P. 6. 7. Calligrapha bigsbyana Kby. 5. 9.
LUCANIDAE. Gastroidea polygoni L. 6.
Platycerus depressus Lec. 6. Lina lapponica L. 6.
CERAMBYCIDAE. Lina scripta Fab. 9.

Asemum moestum Hald. 6. 7. Phytodecta pallida L. 6. 7.
Criocephalus agrestis Kby. 7. 9. Phytodecta vitellinae L. 7.
Evodinus monticola Rand. 5. Trirhabda canadensis Kby. 9.
Acmaeops proteus Kyb. 6. 7. Galerucella sexvittata Lec. 7.
Brachyleptura canadensis Fab. 8. Galerucella cavicollis Lec. 6. 8.
Parallelina subargentata Kby. 6. 7. Galerucella nymphaeae L. 6. 7.
Strangalepta pubera Say. 6. 7. Galerucella decora Say. 6.

Leptura nigrella Say. 6. Diabrotica duodecimpunctata Fah. 7. 9.
Leptura chrysocoma Kby. 6. 7. Phyllobrotica decorata Say. 7.

Leptura proxima Say. 6. 8. Cidionychis limbalis Melsh. 4. 7.
Leptura mutabilis Newn. 6. Disonycha pennsylvanica Ill. 7.
Leptura luridipennis Hald. 6. Disonycha quinquevittata Say. 5. 9.

Bellamira scalaris Say. 8. Disonycha tridngularis Say. 6.
Typocerus sparsa Lee. 9. Haltica bimarginata Say. 6. 7.
Physocnemum brevilineum Say. 7. Halltica ignita Ill. 6.

_Merium proteus Kby. 7. Chalcoides helxines L. 4. 9.
Phymatodes dimidiatus Kby. 7. Epitria cucumeris Har. 6. 10.
Xylotrechus quadrimaculatus Hald. 7. _ Chaetocnema protensa Lec. 7.
Xylotrechus undulatus Say. 7. Chaetocnema cribrifrons Lec. 7.
Neoclytus muricatulus Kyb. 7. Systena hudsonias Forst. 9.
Anthoboscus ruricola Oliv. 6. 7. Systena frontalis Fab. 9.
Psenocerus supernotatus Say. 6. 7. Longitarsus turbatus Horn. 7.
Hyperplatys aspersa Say. 7. 8. Longitarsus alternatus Zieg. te
Pogonocherus penicellatus Lec. 6. Phyllotreta vittata Fab. 4.
Pogonocherus salicicola Csy. 7. Phyllotreta stnuata Steph. 7.
Saperda calcarata Say. Lif he Psylliodes punctulata Melsh. 5. 9.
Saperda tridentata Oliv. 6. Anoplitis inaequalis Web. 7. 8.
Saperda moesta Lec. 6. Microrhopala vittata Fab. 7.

CHRYSOMELIDAE. 4 Microrhopala xerene Newn. 7.
Donacia subtilis Kunze. 7. Chelymor pha cassidea Fab. 4. 8.
Donacia distincta Lee. 7. Chirida guttata Oliv. 7.

Donacia flavipes Kby. 6. 7. Chirida pennsylvanica Sp. 7.

i:

140

Metriona bicolor Fab. 6. 9.
MYLABRIDAE.
Mylabris fraterculus Horn. 8.
PLATYSTOMIDAE.
Eusphyrus walshi Lec. 9.
Gonotropis gibbosus Lec. 7.
Allandrus bifasciatus Lec. 7.
Euparius marmoreus Oliv. 6. 9.
Brachytarsus sticticus Boh. 7.
CURCULIONIDAE.
Rhinomacer pilosus Lec. 6.
Rhynchites cyanellus Lec. 6. 7.
Aitelabus rhois Boh. 6. 7.
Apion pennsylvanicum Boh. 7.
Apion centrale Fall. 7. 8.
Apion nigrum Hbst. 6. 8.
Apion puritanum Fall. 7.
Phyxelis rigidus Say. 7. 9.
Brachyrhinus ovatus L. 7. 9.
Sitona hispidulus Fab. 10.
Sitona tibialis Hbst. 4. 9.
Phytonomus nigrirostris Fab. 4. 10.
Lepyrus palustris Scop. 6. 10.
Listronotus appendiculatus Boh. 7.
Hyperodes solutus Boh. 6. 7.
Hyperodes sparsus Say. 7.
Pissodes dubius Rand. 6.
Hylobius pales Boh. 6. 8.
Hylobius confusus Kby. 6. 7.
Dorytomus parvicollis Csy. 6.
Dorytomus indifferens Csy. 6.
Dorytomus subsimilis Blatch. 6.
Dorytomus brevicollis Lec. 4. 10.
Grypidius equiseti Fab. 7.
Notaris aethiops Fab. 7.’
Notaris puncticollis Lec. 10.
Proctorus armatus Lec. 5. 6.
Proctorus decipiens Lec. 6. 9.
Magdalis hispoides Lec. 7.
Magdalis alutacea Lec. 7. -
Magdalis inconspicua Horn. 5. 6.
Magdalis salicis Horn. 6. 7.

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

[VoL. XLIV

Magdalis armicollis Say. 6. 8.
Tachypterellus quadrigibbus Say. 6.
Anthonomus haematopus Boh. 5. 9.
Anthonomus corvulus Lec. 5. 10.
Anthonomus musculus Say.
Anthonomus robustulus Lec. 7. 8.
Anthonomus elongatus Lec. 7.
Elleschus bipunctatus L. 5. 9.
Elleschus ephippiatus Say. 5. 6.
Orchestes ephippiatus Say. 6. 8.
Orchestes salicis L. 6. 9.
Orchestes pallicornis Say. 6. 8.
Orchestes rufipes Lec. 7.
Acalyptus carpini Herbst. 4. 9.
Piazorhinus scutellaris Say. 6. 9.
Lizus deceptus Blatch. 6.
Acallodes ventricosus Lec. 7.
Coeliodes flavicaudis Boh. 6. 7.
Ceutorhynchus rapae Gyll. 7. 8.
Ceutorhynchus sulcipennis Lec. 7.
Ceutorhynchus decipiens Lec. 6. 9.
Rhinoncus pyrrhopus Boh. 7. 8.
Conotrachelus nenuphar Hbst. 6.
Cryptorhynchus bisignatus Say. 6. 7.
Dryophthorus americanus Bedel. 10.
Cossonus impressifrons Boh. dead.
Sphenophorus pertinax Oliv. 7.
Sphenophorus robustus Horn. 5. 7.
SCOLYTIDAE.
Scolytus piceae Sw. 8.
Polygraphus rufipennis Kby. 6.
Dendroctonus simplex Lec. 6.
Dendroctonus valens Lec. 6. 8.
Hylurgops pinifex Fitch. 5. 8.
Hylastes porculus Er. 6.
Trypodendron rufitarsis Kby. 7.
Gnathotrichus materiarius Fitch. 6.
Ips perturbatus Hich. 5. 6.
Ips pini Say. 5. 6.
Orthotomicus caelatus Wich. 5. 7.
Orthotomicus vicinus Lec. 6. 8.
Dryocoetes americanus Hopk. 6. 8.

“AN EXPEDITION TO SUB-ARCTIC CANADA, 1924-1925
By CAPT. J. C. CRITCHELL-BULLOCK

WEATHER

(Continued from page 117)

‘YLTHOUGH efforts were made to compile
meterological records, conditions were
bY such that the mass of notes and obser-
vetions made were not up to the standard
ae, by the Meteorological Office. 'Tempera-
tures for the main part were merely recorded to
the nearest degree, and wind directions only to

the points of the compass. This is somewhat
regrettable as hitherto no one had had the op-
portunity of making winter observations in the
treeless country of the interior distant from the
moderating influence of the sea.

The minimum temperature at the extreme east
end of Great Slave Lake on January 28th, 1925,
was 64° below zero, the altitude being 480 feet.

_ north and north-west.

September, 1930]

On the same day the temperature at our tent on
Casba Lake at an altitude of 1210 feet was pro-
bably well down into the seventies, if not lower.
We were travelling at this time, and in my diary
I record the cold as excessive, for on the 29th
and 30th we were forced to lie up.

Extreme low temperatures are not, however,
in themselves exacting, on account of the relative
dryness of the atmosphere, the worst feature is
the fact that almost invariably heavy winds
accompany them. I do not mean to imply that
low temperatures bring wind, but the region is,
during winter, so windswept that even on the
coldest days strong winds will occur and they
contribute more than anything to personal dis-
comfort.

The coldest winds are those from between the
Next coldest are those
that blow from the north-west and west-north-
west. Those from towards the east are usually
warmer.

During September 1924 the prevailing winds
were south-west and north-west. The month was
exceedingly rough with fifteen days of gales.
The first snow fell on the 19th, the 20th bringing
a considerable precipitation.

During October north and _ north-easterly
winds were the rule, nine days bringing heavy
gales in the early part of the month. Artillery
Lake was frozen over on the 25th, and most of
Casba River by the 27th.

The first thirteen days of November brought
strong south-westerly winds, the latter part of
the month being given to winds that came from
the east and east-south-east. The minimum
temperature for the night of 14th-15th was
28° below zero. The weather during the latter
part of the month was unsettled, snowy, and
stormy.

December commenced well with a falling tem-
perature, 52° below zero being registered on the
15th. Between that time and the 21st, however,
the temperature steadily rose until on that date
zero was registered. With the rise in tempera-
ture came the heaviest gale of the year, and a
blizzard continued to blow for seven days in all
its fury. Prevailing winds north and _ north-
west.

January was cold and during the first days of
the month the swift watter at the constrictions of
Casba River froze over. Generally speaking,
however, it was a fine month, with but two bad
storms. Winds northerly and variable between
east and west.

February was cold and rough with a seven day
blizzard commencing on the 12th. There were
many fine clear days, but not a day passed without

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

141

a strong wind. Prevailing winds west of north.

March was rough again, blizzards blowing for
fifteen days, the worst from the 10th to the 16th,
although another almost as bad prevailed from
the 27th to the 30th. On the 20th, however,
drops of blood frozen on a caribou hide were
melting when exposed to the sun in asheltered
position. At our base near the site of old Fort
Reliance the maximum temperature recorded on
the 24th was 26°, although on the 9th 43° below
zero was registered. The prevailing winds were
from the north-west.

April was an exceedingly fine month with many
south-easterly winds blowing. There was, how-
ever, a bad three days’ gale during the 27th,
28th, and 29th. On the 22nd the temperature
rose as high as 42°, but on Artillery Lake at
2 a.m. on the 27th it dropped to 2.5° below zero
again. First rain fell on the 30th.

May started badly and continued so until the
22nd, the end of the month, however, being
exceptionally fine. The thermometer hovered
around thirty and forty, and whereas at night
there was very little freezing it was not until
the end of the month that heavy thawing set in.
The latter part of May should not be depended
on to give good snow travelling conditions. The
majority of the days in May were essentially
Spring-like and clear, the bad weather referred
to was merely the occurrence of heavy ground
winds, the prevailing direction of which were,
to commence with south-south-east, later changing
to east, north-east, and north-north-east.

In June we had the first calm days, but even
so there was always a sort of draught; indeed
there was no day during the entire year that a
silk handkerchief hung in the wind would not
flutter. On the night of the 5th the first heavy
rain fell, the storm continuing for two and a half
days. Wet cloudy weather occurred during eigh-
teen of the days of May. Winds east-south-east,
and west-north-west. It continued to freeze at
night until the 26th.

July came in well and continued a fine month
except for occasional rain storms and a few heavy
winds. The temperature rapidly rose with the
disappearance of snow and ice, and by the 25th
it was most oppressive in the open rocky country.
As we were travelling at this time along Thelon
River and had not the energy to climb out of the
valley to determine the true direction of the
wind I do not consider my notes worth giving.

August was a stormy month, and it was re-
markable for the fact that during a morning,
possibly, the wind would make as many as four
distinct changes in direction and velocity. For
the day to commence with a south-westerly or a

142

north-westerly wind invariably meant that bad
weather was to follow later. The first frost
occurred on the 14th.

September saw us arrive at Chesterfield Inlet
where there is a meteorological station, further
remarks therefore are unnecessary.

My notes on weather filled twenty-two pages
of foolscap, and, indeed, the subject is practically
inexhaustible. Hardly a day passed that did not
bring with it peculiar weather conditions well
worth noting, but although much of the informa-
tion would be invaluable to future travellers or
residents in the country, they do not seem de-
sirable here. However, there are one or two
points that ought to be given.

As stated elsewhere in this report, gales in the
treeless country of the interior invariably, I
think I may say, last either three or six and seven
days especially during winter. They occur very
regularly from October to February at about
seven or ten day intervals. There are exceptions
to this rule, but the rule should generally be
accepted and remembered by those contemplating
lengthy dashes with a minimum of provisions and
fuel. The southerly winds should be regarded
suspiciously as they generally precede blizzards
by a day or two.

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

[VoL. XLIV

A seven day blizzard generally quietens for the
matter of an hour or so during the third day.
This does not mean that there will be a calm
during that period, but the wind may be expected
to decrease in velocity by about twenty miles
an hour. Advantage should be taken of such a
momentary lull to evacuate a disagreeable posi-
tion or to avoid a critical situation, and any man
unfortunately placed would do well to keep
awake during the twenty-four hours of the third
day in expectation of that lull.

Inland, away from large bodies of water, such
as the sea, there is little mist. Mists do occur
however as late as November and as they are
thick and not unlikely to last three days, they are
not to be trusted by those to whom the country
is new.

In spring, summer, and fall a haze is often met
with that very much resembles smoke. The
color is identical and the manner in which it
hangs and drifts in the air is very similar. This
phenomenon presages rain either by one or three
days.

During the summer heavy dews fall and every
care should be taken to cover perishable material.

TRAPPING

I have yet to meet the man who will deny
that trapping fur with steel traps is other than a
cruel practice. The further north we go the more
obvious the inhumanity of the practice becomes.

In the woods and in those latitudes where
winter weather is less persistently exacting, the
trapper is enabled to visit his line with some
regularity. He does not necessarily find this
incumbent because of an inborn desire to reduce
the cruelty entailed by his occupation to a mini-
mum, but because trapped animals are ever
likely to damage their hides struggling in the
snare, or are subject to the raids of predatory
animals. He, moreover, is anxious to visit his
traps at frequent intervals just as the financier
watches the tape machine; considering profits,
contemplating the future, and making quick
returns. The trap that is holding an animal
cannot catch another until that animal is removed.
Close attention to the line is all-important also
because settings become frozen and drifted up
with snow.

In the woods the trapper chooses his line,
blazes it; and on the average covers a twenty-
mile stretch three times a week. Animals are
rarely left to linger more than two days before
being put out of their misery.

On the coast, however, in the treeless country,
and at the edge of the forest different conditions
prevail. Blizzards are common occurrences, snow
is constantly drifting, and generally travelling is
distinctly unpleasant, and where igloos are im-
possible to build for want of snow it is not in-
frequently a hazardous undertaking.

The average trapper who pushes outward to
the timber’s edge is not equipped for climatic
conditions as are the expeditions that are generally
associated with undertakings in the wilder and
unexplored districts. He is short-handed, certain
days of the week are wholly occupied with neces-
sary camp chores, hunting for his dogs, and the
number of bad days that render work on the line
impossible, bring the percentage of days, whereon
the line goes unattended, remarkably high.

I am chiefly concerned with white fox trapping
in this report, and it is this branch of the pro-
fession that requires attention.

White foxes are the easiest of the fur bearers
to trap. Put the trap down with sufficient bait,
and, provided the animals are in the region, the
foxes will be caught.

The method employed varies, but according
only as whether the trapper is a white man or a
native.

:

;

,

September, 1930]

The Indian realizes that the fox is migratory,
or rather that it follows the migrations of those
animals that provide it with food. As soon as
the caribou come in from the north the Indians
make a point of making a large killing, because
they know that if the caribou move off again the
foxes will surely follow them where they go unless

_ the carcasses of deer are left lying about for them

in some other direction.

to feed on. Before the foxes are prime these
carcasses are cached in the rocks or elsewhere,
but as soon as the season opens up they are
used as bait and traps set around them. The
killing may have been made several miles away
from winter headquarters and it may not be
visited more than three or four times during the
year.

After a while a band of caribou is met with
All is excitement,
rifles are unlashed, and the sport commences.
If the Indians are fortunate the whole band is
wiped out. Each sleigh takes home a leg or so,
the tongue and a few other choice parts and the
remainder of the kill has traps set about it. All
go cheerfully home, after, possibly making a poor
attempt at caching a few ribs.

A period of want may ensue and a trip to the
scene of the slaughter may have to be made.
Should this be the case what foxes have been
caught in the meantime will be picked up and
brought in. If the catch has not been as large
as was expected, perhaps the traps also will be
pulled up and brought away. The remainder
of the meat will stay there of course .... in
any case it helps to attract fur.

Some days later another killing will be made.
The same will happen again, a little meat brought
in, and traps set around the carcasses.

If it is a good caribou year several more
slaughterings will ensue closer to home, the out-
lying traps will be forgotten except when house-
hold troubles or hunting days turn the men out
in that direction.

No organized system is ever observed by Indian
trappers, and traps may be left unattended for
months.

The Eskimo traps in a different manner about
those Posts that I visited. Fish is invariably
used, rotten fish in small baits. Apparently they
are content to catch the foxes as they pass through
or have not learned that large baits will serve to
keep fur in the vicinity after the migration has
pessed. The difficulty no doubt lies in the fact
that large baits are not easily procured in a country
to which the caribou no longer penetrate in
large numbers, although they must have heard

that the carcass of a whale left on the shore is-

the scene usually of the best trapping possible.

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

143

However, the Eskimo are not such an improvident.
people and they are most careful to preserve for
their own uses nearly everything but that which
is absolute refuse, at any rate they take care to
place it en cache in case misfortune should accrue
in the future even though it may never actually
be used.

The white trapper has not yet penetrated the
interior treeless country, though there are a few
that live at the edge of the forest and trap a short
distance into the treeless zone. Bringing with
them white man’s food apportioned to last them
throughout the winter, and not being imbued
with the same zest for slaughter they are not
forever on the trail killing and caching meat for
the “rainy day’’, as the Indian may be said to do.

Their mode of existence is more orderly and
consequently their system of trapping comes
under the same heading.

During the fall the surrounding country is
“looked over’’, a suitable line is chosen, not
longer than ten miles without an intermediate
shack. Just before the streams freeze up the
traps are put in selected places, a little trench
being cut in the ground for the toggle and frozen
there with water. Hummocks at points of lakes
or along the bends of streams are the best places,
and they are selected with a view to their not
being subsequently drifted up. The traps are
then marked with a willow stick (they remember
them on Hudson Bay!) and left until the season
opens.

Where there is good fishing a considerable
quantity of fish will be put up during the summer,
but for use principally as dog food. In the in-
terior it would appear as though the foxes are
much better attracted by caribou flesh, although
along the coast (of Hudson Bay at least) little
else but fish is used. White trappers usually
have some strong smelling paste or fluid with which
they scent the trap. In some cases it is useful,
but by far the best method is to sprinkle the setting
with fox urine, or bury under it part of the re-
productive organs of one of the animals.

Wherever a caribou is shot and gutted is an
excellent place to set a few traps; they like to
nibble the fat off the intestines, and a frozen
“gut-pile”’ will receive the attention of foxes for
a week and more. But whereas the Indian
would set his traps right on the spot where the
caribou was shot, the white man will drag the
deer to some place on his line and eviscerate the
animal there.

Although, white trappers are in the habit of
killing caribou for fox bait, it is difficult to adopt
a censorial attitude towards the practise. I saw
a good deal of trapping about Artillery Lake,

144

but never an instance of an entire carcass being
left out for bait by white men. Invariably they
will take away the hams, shoulders, tenderloin,
brisket, and neck, leaving little more than the
skeleton for bait.

The only successful method employed for setting
the trap is to use a snow crust. A long knife
is carried with an eight to twelve inch blade.
A thin block of snow of the right consistency is
cut and thinned down to a thickness of about
half an inch. This is placed over the jaws of the
trap, the trap having been sunk into a shallow
hole in the snow slightly larger than the jaw-
spread. The crust is placed in position and a
little loose snow and frozen blood sprinkled over
it.

When an animal of sufficient weight treads on
it the crust is broken, the pan depressed and the
jaws close. Until recently the ordinary plain-
jawed trap has been used, usually Numbers 2
and 1z for foxes. Now, however, it has been
found that the No. 2} otter trap with teeth is
more satisfactory. The latter is a much heavier
trap, seems to have a larger jaw spread and has
the advantage of being an excellent wolf trap as
well. Moreover it is found that in exceedingly
cold weather a plain, rather sharp-edged pair of
jaws is apt to bite through fur and flesh and
allow the animal to escape. The white fox is a

fierce, and hardy little animal and will fight untii

the last. They will “worry” the trap until (if
they be in good condition) the leg bone breaks,
until the bone pierces the flesh in many places
all round the limb above the trap, and until
constant twisting and turning parts all the tissue
but the stronger tendons. A fox must usually
be 1n a trap for about two and a half days before
this occurs. If when he was trapped his con-
dition was such that his reserve of fat could keep
him alive over this period, it is possible that a
drop in temperature will freeze those remaining
tendons, then if the strength still remains in the
animal a sudden jerk may free him. I have
seen four foxes escape in this manner, and it is
quite a common occurrence with Arctic Hares
when caught by the fore leg. Their hind legs
are so powerful that they will often tear the
tissue high up in the shoulder, when a mass of
blood will be found under the hide all over it.

The trap with teeth rarely allows an animal
toescape. In the first instance it seems invariably
to catch the fox higher up the limb, preventing
excessive movement, the teeth pierce the flesh
and before the leg becomes frozen probably there
is a considerable loss of blood which weakens the
animal.

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

The trap is heavier and this prevents

[VoL. XLIV

the fox from running about with it and fighting
with the fierceness that tears the flesh.

As soon as a fox is trapped he will commence
rushing in every direction. After a while he
commences to scratch; he does this at the end of
the length of chain, always keeping the chain
taut. The result is, that about the point on
which he pivots, which is that end of the chain
attached to the toggle and frozen into the earth,
a large mound of snow is piled; over and about
this the animal urinates and drops blood, this with
the constant padding of his feet freezes and packs
it. As the mound grows higher the chain grows
shorter, until the wretched beast is left perched
on a pinacle three feet high and as pointed as a
sugar cone. Only the trap remains above the
snow, and the swing of it on its swivel is the
limit of his movement, the trap and the top of
the mound. becomes a mass of blood and snow
and so hanging by the mangled limb, head down-
wards he lies to die of exhaustion or cold.

It is a slow death and an agonizing death.
It is also unnecessary.

There are Indians and Eskimo that never
(comparatively speaking) recover a fox alive, and
they may catch a hundred in a season.

One or two people have asked me whether the
steel trap is cruel. In writing, at any rate in a
report of this nature, it is impossible to render
graphically the very torment that the word
trapping implies. The attitude with which the
practice is regarded is essentially hypocritical.
It is positively ludicrous when we read about the
methods and punishments adopted in civilized
life to prevent cruelty to animals, supremely
ridiculous when we see persons deeply incensed by
the sight of a lame horse being driven about the
streets, particularly when one observes that those
very persons themselves are wearing a coat made
of the hides of many animals that have suffered
the tortures of the damned

It would be foolish to censure the practice
unless some alternative method of conducting the
industry were offered. Fur will always be in
demand, and moreover the revenue derived from
the industry is of great importance to Canada.

Two methods of relieving the situation of much
of its unpleasantness might be adopted. Either
or both. Poison and an impetus given to fox
farming. a

Taking poison first. I think if Bruno Lorringer,
the Government wolf poisoner, could be induced
to describe his observations unreservedly, we
might learn that by far the most satisfactory
manner of catching fur is by the use of strychnine.
He could tell us candidly that no animal, even
the wary raven included, is able to detect its

September, 1930]

presence if the meat into which it has been in-
troduced has not been so handled by human
beings, or implements smelling of then, as to
rouse the suspicions of the ever alert wild animal.
Possibly the fact would become known that quite
a number of individuals escape but to die some
distance from the bait, but I think this could
be reduced to a minimum in fox poisoning, to
such a degree in fact that losses due to this
might be rendered inconsiderable. Little or no
danger need be the portion of the trapper using
strychnine. Foxes would be picked up free of
the covering of blood and filth which snaring
causes and every advantage could be taken of
using the remains of caribou for bait, much trouble
and time would be saved were cumbersome traps
dispensed with, caribou would never suffer from
being caught in traps as they often are, a greater
percentage of wolves would be killed, as seems
desirable, and finally much of the cruelty at-
tending present methods would automatically
disappear. A few convulsions and all would be
over.

The indiscriminate use of poison, however,
must not be tolerated until white fox farms are
permanently and successfully established. Poison
might be distributed to applicants by authorized
druggists in certain quantities. It might be made
up in phials, each phial containing sufficient
strychnine to make one poison bait. The poison
could be distributed in varying quantities to
trappers, according to the districts in which they
intend operating. Or, instead of this, whenever
a district showed signs of becoming depleted of
fur a ban could be put on trapping in that district
until such time as the animals had again in-
creased. This would obviate the trouble that
might arise from jealousy on account of an uneven
distribution of poison. Difficulties of course
would be experienced in keeping smuggling down
to a minimum, but this matter could be controlled
by making the offence punishable by a term of
imprisonment.

With the increase in number of white fox farms
the necessity for strict vigilance in this matter
would become less. It is held that the partial
extermination of the wolf is necessary if the cari-
bou are to be safe-guarded, hence if the fox
breeding industry is firmly established the cam-
paign against wolves could be conducted without

_the possibility arising of the valuable white foxes

being lost to the country and the market. Wolf
poisoning cannot be undertaken without there
being a danger of these foxes being wiped out.

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

145

I have heard it claimed that whereas a wolf
will take a poisoned bait, a white fox will not.
With me I had a bottle of Burroughs & Welcome’s
Iron and Arsenic Compound, in tabloid form
and non-sugar-coated. A few of these tablets
I powdered up, and with the powder “‘poisoned”’
a couple of baits. This particular compound
contains strychnine, arsenic, quinine sulphate
and iron. Now, although it would appear as
though the foxes, that attacked the bait, spat
out those parts of it tainted by the powder, they
could not nevertheless discriminate between the
good and the bad until it had been tasted. No
wolves happened to pass by these baits, but
several foxes did, and most of them had a feed
I never found any sign of a fox being harmed by
my experiment, but I felt satisfied in assuming
that on the average ten foxes to every wolf would
be the harvest yielded by poison.

In the spring of 1925 I passed through the camp
of the wolf poisoners, who at that time had moved
up to one of our shacks on Artillery Lake. They
had been there about two weeks, and although
they told me that they had killed no wolves
there up till that time, it was evident from the
number of white fox carcasses lying about that
my theory was more or less correct.

Notge.—It is strongly recommended that the
season for white fox trapping be changed. White
foxes trapped between November 15th and De-
cember 15th, are not, in the southern portion of
their habitat, as valuable as those trapped in
April, and along the edge of the forest, at least,
much waste would be averted were the open
season made a month later, i.e. from December
15th to May 1st*. Trappers would undoubtedly
benefit from such a change, although it is difficult
to conceive that they would be content to sit
in their cabins doing nothing during November
and December. It would possibly have a bene-
ficial effect, in that men knowing that so much
time is ahead of them, might feel more inclined
to penetrate further into the interior, and into
unexplored country, a fact which, if large fur
returns are viewed with favour by the Govern-
ment, and if the discovery of mineral is held as
the only factor governing the opening up and
development of the country, seems desirable.

* The writer seems to disregard the ill effects of killing
the animals during the breeding season. I have seen ten
embryos taken from a female fox in April. Many Arctic
coast trappers quit trapping voluntarily at end of March
because the fur begins to get loose at that time. April foxes
may look well but show loose hair abundantly—R.M.A.

(To be continued)

146

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

[VoL. XLIV

BUMBLEBEE OCCUPYING ORIOLE NEST
By ARTHUR GIBSON, Dominion Entomologist, Ottawa, Canada

IN January last I received from Mr.
Arthur R. Athey, of Canton, Ont., an
) old nest of the Baltimore Oriole which
had been appropriated by the common
bumblebee, Bremus fervidus (Fabr.). The nest
was found, about 16 feet from the ground, in an
elm tree. With its contents it was forwarded
to Dr. T. H. Frison, of Urbana, IIl., an authority
on wild bees and their nests. In reporting upon
this unusual nesting site, Dr. Frison stated:

“T have carefully searched the comb for rem-
nants of bees which might lead to the determina-
tion of the insect originally making the comb.
I am glad that I have found sufficient material
to make a positive identification of the species
involved. Since you request some information
which might be adapted for use in one of your
Canadian publications I include a few remarks
pertinent to the subject.

The finding of colonies of bumblebees in the
nest of birds and other queer places has been
the subject of frequent anthropomorphic out-
bursts both in America and Europe. When we
analyse the requirements of a good nesting site
from the point of view of a bumblebee queen,
the utilization of a bird’s nest for a colony site
presents no factors differing from the common
use of a mouse nest for the same purpose. Any
place which affords protection from sunlight,
rain, etc., and provides soft materials which can
be used to cover the comb, is a potential site for
a bumblebee colony. There is no difference to
certain species of bumblebees between a good
nesting site in a hanging oriole’s nest and a mouse
nest in a discarded shoe in a pasture. The
difference is purely due to the human point of
view. Bumblebees do exhibit certain preferences
regarding their nesting sites but these differences
deal with such ecological factors as a preference
for woodlands versus the prairies, terrestrial
strata versus subterranean strata, ete.

The remnants of six workers and two males
were found in the nest debris. All the workers
and one of the males belonged to the species
Bremus fervidus (Fabr.). The other male is a
specimen of Bremus impatiens (Cress.). Both of
these bumblebees are common _ throughout
southern Ontario, and one of them—fervidus—
has a distribution from British Columbia to
Nova Scotia. An examination of the contents
of eight cocoons containing fully developed bees
further proves that this comb was produced by a
colony of Bremus fervidus.

The presence of a male of Bremus impatiens in

the upper part of the comb is explained as simply
a case of a male entering the nest of another
species. This frequently happens and the samc
species (impatiens) has been found in the hive
of the common honeybee. No doubt these
visiting males, which are not bound by home
ties like the females, are attracted to the nests
of other species by their odour. Although I have
published records to the effect that queens of
certain species of bumblebees will upon occasion
invade the recently established nests of other
species, kill the queens originally starting the
nests, and produce mixed colonies, such was not
the case in the present instance.

A count of the empty and full cocoons in this
nest reveals that this colony produced approxi-
mately one hundred and fifty bumblebees; a
medium-sized colony for this species of bumble-
bee. No traces of inquilines or social parasites
were found in the nest debris.”

Apparently few definite records are available
in North America regarding the use by bumble-
bees of old nests of birds for the purpose of
establishing colonies.

Dr. L. O. Howard (1918)! records a colony of
Bremus americanorum (=pennsylvanicus) in Mis-
souri which was found in an abandoned nest of
the English sparrow in a tall elm tree. Dr.
Frison (in litt., Feb’y, 1930) has given me the
ollowing additional notes.

‘Hoffer (1882)? states that most nests of birds
under certain conditions are occasionally oc-
cupied by colonies of bumblebees. Hoffer’s
observations applied to the European species. |
Rau (1922)3 records a nest of americanorum in a
wren’s nest made in an old paint bucket. Pre-
rovsky (1899)4 records a nest of bumblebees in
an old dove or crow nest in a pine tree. I now
have in press, an article dealing with the bionomics
of americanorum which will record a nest of this
species found by myself in a Red-headed Wood-
pecker’s nest in an old tree. Under controlled
conditions I have managed to get bumblebee
‘queens to start their colonies in old bird nests.”

1 Howard, L. O.—An Unusual Bumblebees’ Nest (Hym.).
Ent. News, Vol. XXIX No. 3, March, 1918, pp. 114-115.

2 Hoffer, E—Die Hummeln Steiermarks. Lebensge-
schichte und Beschreibung Derselben. Erste Halfte. Hin-
unddreissigster Jahresbericht der Steiermarkischen Landes—
Oberrealschule in Graz. 1881-1882. (2 pls.) pp. 1-92.
Graz, 1882.

3 Rau, Phil—Notes on Captive colonies and Homing
of Bombus pennsylvanicus DeGreer. Annals of the Ent.
Soe. America, Vol. XVII, No. 4, pp. 368-380 with 1 plate.
December, 1924.

4Prerovsky, Dr.
series Hummelnestes.
Bd. IV, p. 128. 1899.

Richard—Auffallendes Vorkommen
Illustrierte Zeitschrift fiir Entomologie.

September, 1930]

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

147

BIRD-LIFE CHANGES IN TWENTY-FIVE YEARS IN SOUTHWESTERN
SASKATCHEWAN
By LAWRENCE E. POTTER

HE district referred to in this article
lies south of the Cypress Hills in the
aay extreme southwest corner of Saskatche-
———— wan. The writer came to this point
in the valley of the Frenchman river in 1901.
At that date, of course, such large game as the
buffalo and elk had been exterminated several
years; the prong-horn antelope was still fairly
plentiful. Regarding the bird-life, however, prob-
ably little if any change had taken place. Settle-
ment was sparse and that only in the valleys and
creek bottoms, the land was untouched by the
plough and covered with grass, while the many
sloughs and streams gave harbour to wild fowl in
scarcely diminished numbers. It was certainly
an almost virgin country for the ornithologist.
With the exception of Macoun, who passed this
way on his journey west in 1895, no naturalist,
I believe, had ever visited this section. The
country north of the Cypress Hills described by
A. C. Bent (Birds of South-West Saskatchewan,
Auk XXIV 1907, p. 407) differs in many respects.

With certain exceptions this paper is a some-.

what melancholy and monotonous repetition of
steady diminution in the numbers of many of
our finest and most interesting species. As has
been the case all over North America, wild fowl
of all kinds have decreased considerably. In the
river bottom this is most notably in the case of
the American Merganser, which used to breed
here freely. However, at the present time, an
attempt is being made to establish trout in these
streams, so perhaps, too many ‘“‘fish-ducks”
would not be desirable. Other species, such as
Mallard and Pintail, are still numerous, but
appear to fight shy of the valley, preferring the
open sloughs. The Canada Goose formerly
nested here in limited numbers. The last time
the writer saw a pair with downy young on the
river was in 1912.

During the years that beaver were plentiful,
that is, from about 1908-1918, the American
Bittern became very common, evidently finding
the shallow water areas caused by the beaver
dams suitable to its habits. But beaver were
almost wiped out later and have never regained
their former numbers: and the bittern has like-
wise decreased and is now rather rare. The Blue
Heron has increased and is now a familiar bird;
of late years a new heronry has become established
about 15 miles upstream. On account of its

_ fish-eating propensities this bird is also regarded

with suspicion today.

If ever the Whooping Crane occurred here it
was before my time.

Twenty-five years ago the Longbilled Curlew
swarmed everywhere; today it has become a
rarity in the valley, but a few may yet be seen
on the prairie. Other large shore-birds such as
Marbled Godwit, Willet, and Bartramian Sand-
piper, are less common, especially the latter.
The Golden and Black-bellied Plovers I have
never known here.

The Hungarian Partridge extended its range
from the west to this neighbourhood about 1924
and I saw my first pair on May 21st of the fol-
lowing year. By 1926 the partridge had become
plentiful, but since then its numbers seem to have
fallen again. This apparent decrease is possibly
due to the last two summers, 1927 and 1928,
having been more than usually wet, and is prob-
ably only a temporary setback. The Ruffed
Grouse is a bird of general distribution across
the continent and it is a curious fact that the
Cypress Hills is the only considerable wooded
area in Canada in which this species is not in-
digenous. Inthe spring of 1922 a number of these
grouse were liberated in the district by the Game
Department, some of them within 10 miles of
here; but that any of their descendants survive
today seems unlikely. I have been informed
now and again of the Pinnated Grouse occurring
here, but it is still scarce; I have never seen it
except on one occasion, and that was while
motoring in south-east Alberta in 1925.

It is truly regrettable to note the ever-growing
scarcity of the Sharp-tailed Grouse; whether
the close season recently imposed will be of any
assistance in saving this very excellent bird may
be doubted. Several observers remarked to me
last fall how few prairie chicken they had seen
in places where not so long ago the chicken were
plentiful. The loss is the greater because the
sharp-tail is one of our few birds that habitually
frequent the farm-yard in winter time. Even
more regrettable is the disappearance of the Sage
Grouse. In the old days there were two “‘dancing-
grounds” close by and the young birds used to
become very tame and confiding. They would
“‘dust-bath’’ close by the buildings, and invading
the vegetable garden pluck out the hearts of the
lettuce and other green plants. We would
gladly grow lettuce to feed sage-chicks today!
As it is, the most we see is an odd bird or two in
winter, and during the last two winters not
even that.

tate

148

The Mourning Dove has increased very notice-
ably in the last ten years.

Now that grain farming has largely displaced
cattle ranching the Turkey Vulture, once plenti-
ful, is now uncommon. Of the larger hawks,
our most prominent species is the Swainson hawk.
At one time this valuable bird seemed to be
threatened, but in recent years it has nearly
regained its former abundance. Unfortunately,
the same cannot be said of its larger relative, the
Ferruginous Roughleg. Never as common as the
Swainson, yet ten or a dozen of this fine hawk’s
nests might have been easily found in a day’s
walk; last year in the same time and area I was
rewarded by finding one nest. The Golden
Eagle is not uncommon in an average winter,
and while a pair or two probably nested here in
former times, I do not think that any do so now.
Two other disappearing birds-of-prey are the
Prairie Falcon and Richardson’s Merlin. For-
merly the immature prairie falcon in October
was our most troublesome poultry robber; a
bad habit that has probably been the bird’s
undoing. The Merlin used commonly to nest
in the vicinity; in the past four or five years I
have failed to find a nest.

On July 18th, 1912, I saw a Black-billed
Cuckoo for the first time. The cuckoo was un-
doubtedly attracted to this neighbourhood, which
is about the extreme western limit of its range in
southern Saskatchewan, by the abundance of the
tent caterpillar. As the latter increased in suc-
ceeding years, so did the cuckoo, until 1923,
when the characteristic notes could be heard
in every thicket. On July 5th of that year I
was shown a cuckoo that had been killed by a
cat. It proved to be a brooding female, with
breast bare of feathers and a fully developed
egg in the oviduct. Since 1924 the caterpillar
pest has abated and we have seen no more
cuckoos.

The Horned Lark, which used to be invariably
the earliest spring migrant, now winters with us,
in limited numbers. Apparently our only va-
riety at all times of the year is the Desert Horned
Lark (O. a. leucolaema), but a series of winter
skins might prove to contain a proportion of
northern forms, such as hoyti.

During 1901-1904, the first three years of my
time here, the Magpie was fairly common. Then
for the next six years it vanished altogether.
A. C. Bent in his list does not include the Magpie,
though he mentions finding one deserted nest,
In the fall of 1910 a few Magpies appeared again
and since then they have multiplied to the ex-
tent of becoming a. serious pest; and have,
moreover, extended their range north and west

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

[VoL. XLIV

into central Alberta, where previously they were
unknown. When visiting Red Deer in October,
1919, I was informed that the Magpie was then
penetrating into that country; the Magpie is
also cited as a newcomer in Taverner’s Eirds of
the Red Deer (Auk XXXVI 1919, p. 1). The
Raven was never common here, and I have
recorded only about two or three individuals,
the last in 1912. As usual, the Raven has re-
tired before settlement, whereas the Crow has
increased until lately, when its numbers have
been reduced by systematic persecution.

This type of country is scarcely suited to the
Bobolink, which is only occasionally noted,
but the bird is said to be spreading over the west
in irrigation districts, and for some years about
five or six pairs nested in a hay meadow at a
neighbouring ranch.

One of the first arrivals every spring is the Tree
Sparrow and it stays as late in the fall as possible.
During the winter of 1924-25 half a dozen tree
sparrows wintered at a farm in this valley, and
this present winter there have been a few in the
town of Hastend, five miles further down the
river. The Western Meadowlark and the Red-
winged Blackbird occasionally contrive to winter
here, given sufficient shelter and feed in the shape
of waste grain. It is safe to say that none of
these three species would have wintered in Sas-
katchewan before the days of settlement.

The first House Sparrow appeared on this
ranch on October 6th, 1907.

For some reason, in the last four or five years
the Barn Swallow has become very scarce. At
one time there would be three or four pairs
nesting in our outbuildings; but since 1923 this
very welcome bird has never appeared. Other
observers have noted the same falling off. In
1927 I saw just one pair of barn swallows, which
were nesting in a culvert upon a high road; in
1928 none at all. The Cliff Swallow has also

decreased, but the Bank Swallow is as plentiful

as ever.
In 1922 a pair of Eastern Bluebirds nested

near by. This was my first acquaintance with —
Since then nearly -

the species in Saskatchewan.
every year occasional bluebirds have been noted
and last summer (1928) a peir again nested here
in a telegraph pole. The eastern bluebird is
said to have reached Manitoba about 1883.

There is no mention of its presence in Saskatche-

wan in Macoun’s Catalogue of Canadian Birds,
published in 1909; and yet the bluebird reached
this end of the province in 1922.
interesting to know whether by this time it has
been seen in Alberta, only 40 miles away. The
Mountain Bluebird was presumably always here;

It would be

ba
ar

September, 1930]

nevertheless, it has gained in numbers perceptibly
in my own experience.

From further enquiries during this summer
(1929) it is gratifying to learn that the Ruffed

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

149

Grouse is spreading out into the Hills from the
Forest Reserve; also in the south slope a few
birds have been observed near Ravenscrag, Sask

NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS

GARTER SNAKES AS FISHERMEN.— While carry-
ing on palaeontological field work, in southern
Saskatchewan, last summer (1929) I was much
surprised at the abundance of Garter Snakes
(Thamnophis ordinoides vagrans) especially in the
neighborhood of some of the shallow, alkaline
lakes.

While working along the northern shore of the
eastern half of Twelve Mile lake, on a very hot
day in July, I was surprised to see the beach
almost covered with these Garter Snakes. A
rough count showed fifty snakes in a distance of
one hundred yards and on most sections of the
shore they seemed equally numerous. Twelve
Mile lake is very shallow and in many places
the water is not more than a foot in depth for a
distance of fifty yardsfrom shore. In this shallow
water were countless thousands of minnows from
about one to three inches in length. The Garter
Snakes seemed to be fond of fish for they all
appeared to be fishing and all followed the same
method of securing their dinner but, of course,
the smaller snakes took smaller fish. A snake
would swim out into the lake, where the fish were
numerous, dive down, swim under water, and
catch a fish. The fish was caught by the middle
and immediately lifted out of the water. The
snake would then swim to shore with the fore
part of the body erect and the jaws, which held
the fish, from three to six inches above the water.
After reaching the dry, rocky, beach the snake
would drop the fish, turn it to suit and swallow
it. They made sure that they were well away
from the water before letting the minnow down.

In the April, 1918, issue of this magazine,
J. M. Macoun reported the catching of a small
trout by a Garter Snake, in Kingsmere lake,
near Ottawa, and no doubt many others have
observed such performances but the fishing was
being done on such a large scale in Twelve Mile
‘lake that it seems worthy of recording. I have
often observed the Garter Snake frequenting
quiet, shallow water where small fish have
congregated, in the edge of the Red Deer river
in Alberta.

It is quite likely that small fish make up a
considerable part of the Garter Snake’s diet,
especially in certain sections of western Canada,
where toads and frogs are very scarce.—C. M.
STERNBERG.

ACTIVITIES OF THE EUROPEAN HARE.—Port
Credit, Ont., 11th March, 1930. Until this year
the European Here was very uncommon in this
locality, but this winter increased numbers have
done extensive damage in two or three young
orchards.

Two weeks ago on a walk along the bank
of the Credit River I found that nearly all low
bushes had been pruned off at about 15 inches
from the ground; twigs up to the size of a pencil
being cleanly cut.

Low branches and small trees had been cut in
many cases and some were girdled.

Oak, apple, hawthorne, poison ivy, butternut,
hemlock, grape and sumach had all been attacked.

In the case of fallen apple trees nearly all the
bark had been cleaned off. Sumach seemed to
be the next favourite, and poison ivy was well
trimmed. I found in the flats that very few
willows had been touched.—R. DELAMERE BLACK,
JR.

Pomoxis annularis IN ONTARIO.—On June
26th, 1929, I took a specimen of the white Crappie
(Pomoxis annularis Rafinesque) in the Grand
river, at Dunnville, Ontario, which is about
eight miles from Lake Erie. I believe that this
specics has been authentically recorded only
once previously from Ontario waters, viz., from
Burlington bay, Lake Ontario. (The fishes of the
Canadian waters of Lake Ontario, by J. R.
Dymond, J. L. Hart and A. L. Pritchard, Univ.
Toronto Studies, Biol. Ser. No. 33, Pub. Ont.
Fish. Res. Lab. No. 37, 1929).—R. F. CAIN.

UNusuAL NESTING SITES.—While engaged in
field work members of the Museum Staff have
observed several instances of unusual nesting
sites that might be worthy of record. I am at
a loss to explain the departure from recognized
habits, but in some cases, at least, there is a sug-
gestion that an abundant food supply might have
been instrumental in diverting the birds from
their usual habitations, to areas where conditions
necessary for their normal nesting requirements
were lacking. In other cases this theory would
not apply, for normal conditions were available,
and some other motive must be attributed for
the change. Possibly, a greater measure of safety
was sought but it is doubtful if the object was

150

achieved. At any rate, not so far as their enemy,
man, is concerned, for the new situation in nearly
all cases observed was more easily found than
would have been the case had the nests been built
in customary places.

Normally, the American Crow, as is well known,
builds in trees its bulky nest of sticks, weeds,
and other coarse materials. In many treeless
sections of the prairie, such as Big Quill Lake,
crows have been found nesting on the cross-arms
of telephone poles. In such cases one usually
finds nearby a marsh well-stocked with ducks,
coots, rails, grebes, and other marsh-loving
birds. Probably the easy available food supply
is the principal factor for the crow locating in
such areas.

A similar attraction was no doubt the reason
for a crow building its nest in a rose bush almost
on the ground on The Last Mountain Bird
Sanctuary.

The most unique nesting site of the crow en-
countered was one found on the top of a chimney
of a country church, between the towns of Pense
and Lumsden. One Sunday afternoon, about
five years ago, while waiting outside the church
for a friend who was attending service, we were
attracted by a crow making repeated trips be-
tween the field and the chimney. Upon closer
inspection we could see plainly the sticks of the
top portion of the nest protruding above the
chimney, and once or twice we saw the heads
of the young birds as one of the parents returned
to the nest with food. Last summer while driving
by the church with a friend I related the incident
to him. Scarcely had I finished the story when,
passing an abandoned farm house, two miles
south on the same road, we noticed a pair of
crows that seemed to have a fascination for the
old building. The foregoing incident no doubt
prompted us to stop the car and look over the
situation, and we were surprised to find, upon
investigation, that these crows had also nested
in the chimney. It is interesting to speculate
as to whether these were the same birds, or any
of the progeny of those, first seen. It is worthy
of note, in both these cases, there were plenty of
suitable trees nearby that the crows might have
chosen for their nests.

Only on one occasion have I found the Mallard
nesting in trees, but this habit is apparently of
frequent occurrence as evidenced by the number
of reports received from time to time relating to
similar incidents. I have also in my possession
a photograph of a Canada Goose nesting in a
tree, presumably about twenty feet high. The
person from whom I received this photograph
informs me that it was taken in Alberta. The

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

[VoL. XLIV

old, disused nests of crows, or hawks, were usually
chosen by these waterfowl.

In Saskatchewan we mostly find the Great
Blue Heron and the Double-crested Cormorant
nesting on the ground or on rocks on small is-
lands, but in the Moose Mountain Game Pre-
serve, there is a small island where both these
birds nest in the same trees. The smaller nests
of the Cormorants were about fifteen feet from
the ground, while those of the heron were much
higher and near the top of the trees. It was
interesting to observe that several Bronzed
Grackles occupied the Herons’ nests, making
their homes in the openings of the nest near the
base. Mountain Bluebirds have also been no-
ticed occupying homes that were part of the nest
of the Ferruginous Rough-legged Hawk.

The Flicker, for the most part, in treeless
areas of Saskatchewan, makes its home in tele-
phone poles and fence posts. This year a nest
and eggs were found in a hole in the banks of the
Frenchman River near Val Marie, reminding one
of the habits of the Bank Swallow and the King-
fisher.

The open bars of the iron platform of the fire
escape at the Normal School, Regina, was the
choice of the Mourning Dove for its scanty nest.
While the least disturbance would have wrecked
the nest and sent the two white eggs to the ground
twenty feet below, no such fate happened and
the young were successfully reared.

No doubt other observers could add _ con-
siderably to the foregoing list of unusual nesting
sites and it occurs to me that it might be of
interest to have such observations noted.—
F. BRADSHAW.

THE HousSE WREN IN NEW BRUNSWICK.—
The house wren is quite a rare bird in New
Brunswick. It is not included in either of the
old lists of the birds of this province and in
Mr. Wm. H. Moore’s list it is simply noted as
‘Rare, seen in Fredericton’. It seems reason-
able to suppose that the species may have been
seen in other parts of New Brunswick but with
the exception of one bird seen in Fredericton
nearly twenty years ago, I know of no record
until one visited our premises in 1923. This
being so perhaps it would be worth while recording
my acquaintance with the species.

On the 24th of May, 1923, I was planting seed
in my garden when I noticed feathers and straws
dropping around me. On looking to see where
they were coming from I saw that a small brownish
backed bird was dropping them out of a bird
house that was almost over my head. On getting
a good look at the bird it did not take much

se

September, 1930]

thinking to decide that it must be a house wren.
After working industriously for a while, it flew
to a nearby plum tree and bubbled over in song,
so I knew it was a male.

He stayed around for nearly a month emptying
the bird houses of rubbish and then filling them
up again, always busy and singing as if someone
pressed a button. He tormented a pair of tree
swallows in one bird house nearly to death.
He would dodge into their apartment every time
he had a chance but they couldn’t scare him.
He didn’t seem to have any mate for he was
around the bird houses every day and always
alone for I watched him carefully.

The next spring, 1924, what I supposed to be
the same bird, came back the last week in May.
He was just as industrious, just as meddlesome
and just as musical but he did not stay quite
as long and again he seemed to be alone. Then
for four years I did not see a wren.

Last spring on May 27th, 1929, another male
wren arrived and on the 10th of June I have
written in my note book “‘House wren still here’”’
but I am not positive just how much longer he
stayed. Why a lone male bird should come té6
this province where his kind are so scarce when
he could go where he could find a mate and be
fruitful and multiply is beyond me. Perhaps
there must be pioneers. There doesn’t seem to
be any adequate reason why house wrens shouldn’t
come here, as well as fly catchers, vireos or others
of our insectiverous birds. We certainly have
enough insects to feed them.—SusAN K. SQuiREs,
Fredericton.

ANNUAL REPORT.—Mcllwraith Ornithological
Club, 1929: During the year seven regular
meetings were held, one in the London Life

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

151

Auditorium with an attendance of 300, being
addressed by Dr. R. M. Anderson of Ottawa.
Of the other meetings four were addressed by
Mr. W. E. Saunders and one each by Mr. J. H.
Cameron and Mr. E. M. S. Dale, from our own
club. The average attendance at these meetings
was 48.

On January 11th a banquet was held in the
Hotel London in honor of Mr. W. E. Saunders.
This was attended by 60 including Dr. H. G.
Arnott representing the Hamilton Bird Pro-
tection Society, and Mr. Jack Miner, of Kings-
ville, while other sister societies sent messages
of congratulation which were very much appre-
ciated.

On June Ist a picnic was held at ‘“Wannacotte”’
while on September 21st our meeting took the
form of a corn roast and bonfire on the grounds
of the Queen Alexandra Sanatorium.

Four Saturday afternoons in April and May
were ziven over to organized bird walks in charge
of some of our field men, and excluding the first
week when it rained heavily, were enjoyed by
an average of 21 persons. The annual morning
bird hike for the Normal School students took
place at Saunders Pond, May 17th, while on
December 28th we conducted our twentieth
Christmas Bird Census listing a total of 39
species, as already recorded in the pages of The
Canadian Field-Naturalist

During the year, 191 species of birds were
observed, some of the rarest being, Black Tern,
Gadwall, Wood Duck, Whistling Swan, Dowitcher
(second record for the county), Golden Eagle,
Canada Jay (first record), White-rumped Sand-
piper (first record), Evening Grosbeak, Pine
Grosbeak, Lapland Longspur and Carolina Wren.
—N. M. NortH, Secy.

BOOK REVIEW

PROVISIONAL List OF LAND MAMMALS OF THE
STATE OF WASHINGTON, by Walter P. Taylor,
Senior Biologist, Bureau of Biological Survey,
United States Department of Agriculture, and
William T. Shaw, formerly Professor of Zoology
and Curator of the Museum, State College of
Washington. Occasional Papers of the Charles
Rk. Conner Museum, No. 2, December, 1929.
The State College of Washington, Pullman,
Washington. pp. 1-32.

The authors, well known to our readers as the
writers of a previous joint work, “The Mammals
and Birds of Mount Rainier National Park’’
reviewed in these columns, (42:180-2, Oct.,
1928), have just produced another paper recording

the occurrence of 175 species or subspecies of

land mammals in the State of Washington, be-
longing to 65 genera, 24 families, and 7 orders,
giving their distribution in the State and im-
portant locality records, particularly of the rarer
forms. It is based primarily on species and notes
acquired by the Bureau of Biological Survey and
co-operating institutions, notably the State
College of Washington. A summary is given of
the work which has been done on mammals of
the State, beginning with Biological Survey work
in 1889. A list is given of the number of speci-
mens of Washington mammals in various insti-
tutions and private collections, the largest number
being 6,821 in the Biological Survey collection
at Washington, D.C., and the second 700 in the
State College of Washington. The Museum of

152

Zoology, University of Michigan, follows with
573 specimens, and the Field Museum of Natural
History, Chicago, with 520 specimens. More
than ten thousand specimens of Washington
mammals are reported in the collections listed,
not including an unknown number in the U:S.
National Museum.

The range of some of the species might well be
extended in some instances. For example, the
first species in the list, Townsend Mole, Scapanus
townsendit, is listed ““West side, north to Rock-
port, ....” but is now known to range north
to the British Columbia boundary, specimens
having been collected for the National Museum
of Canada in 1927 by C. H. Young and H. M.
Laing just north of the International Boundary
at Huntingdon, B.C. Seven species of the shrews
listed, including Sorex trowbridgii and Sorex
bendirii, also range north into parts of British
Columbia. Eighteen species of bats are listed,
and as only part of these have been recorded in
British Columbia, the attention of our Western
collectors may be very profitably directed to this
group with every probability of adding to the
Canadian list. The California Badger, Taxidea
taxus neglecta ranges into several of the interior
dry valleys of British Columbia and it would be
well if more were known of its distribution and
economic status before this rather helpless
species is wiped out completely by excessive
trapping due directly to the recent phenomenal
price put on its head by the fur trade. We
should also like to know more of the habits and
occurrence of the four species of lynxes or wild-
cats which are listed from Washington, at least
three of which occur locally in British Columbia.

Many detailed records are given of many
different forms of chipmunks, pocket gophers,
mice, and voles, which come close to the Canadian
border. There records should be carefully checked
up by British Columbia collectors, as many of
the smaller mammals are not found unless they

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

[VoL. XLIV

are looked for, and these notes give many clues
as to what species may be expected to stray over
the line. We note with approval that the authors
have placed the Agassiz Meadow Mouse as a
subspecies, Microtus oregont serpens Merriam,
but do not agree with their placing Microtus
drummondii (Audubon and Bachman) as a full
species, preferring to follow Hollister (Canadian
Alpine Journal, 19138) and Bailey (N.A. Fauna,
No. 49, 1926) in considering it a subspecies of
Microtus pennsylvanicus. It is recorded from
only the extreme northwestern part of Washing-
ton, but occurs commonly north and north-
westerly in British Columbia. The various
records of big game are of great interest, partic-
ularly as many species are on the decline and are
apt to take a sudden plunge into extinction.
The so called ‘Coastal White-tailed Deer,”
Odocoileus virginianus leucurus (Douglas), is said
to be extinct in Washington, and we regret to
state that its status is very uncertain in southern
British Columbia, although a few individuals are
believed to be still alive. The Washington
Bighorn Sheep, Ovis canadensis california Douglas
is said to have formerly occurred north to the
Canadian boundary, but it is now nearly ex-
tirpated in the State except for reports of irregular
occurrence in the Mount Chopaka and Mount
Bonaparte region. This seems to be the same
subspecies as the Okanagan, Lillooet, and Simil-
kameen sheep of southern interior British Colum-
bia. It would be very desirable for naturalists
who are in a position to do so to gather historical
and scientific data on the last two forms and put
as much information as possible on record before
it is too late. The list on the whole is full of in-

formation on distribution of species and pro-
vocative of many questions, which we hope will
be stimulating and valuable to naturalists on
both sides of the International Boundary.—
R. M. ANDERSON.

NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF

MANITOBA
1929-30

President Emeritus: J. J. GOLDEN; Honorary President:
NORMAN CRIDDLE; Past President; A. A. McCCOUBREY;
President; A. M. Davipson, M.D.; Vice-Presidents: H. M.
SPEECHLY, M.D., C. W. Lows, M. Sc., G. SHIRLEY BROOKS
A. G. LAWRENCE, J. B. WALLIS, B.A.; Treasurer: NORMAN
LowE, 317 Simcoe Street; Auditor: R. M.THomasS; Social
Convener: Mrs. G. SHIRLEY Brooks; General Secretary:
B. W. CARTWRIGHT, 392 Woodlawn Street, Deer Lodge;
Executive Secretary: L. T. S. NoRRIS-ELYE.

ORNITHOLOGICAL SECTION—Chairman: C. L. BROLEY;
Secretary: A. B. GRESHAM. ENTOMOLOGICAL SEC-
TION—Chairman: R. A. WARDLE, M. Se.; Secretary:
L. H. D. RoBerts. BOTANICAL SECTION—Chairman:
H. F. Roperts, M. Sc.; Secretary: Miss B. M. BRADSHAW.
GEOLOGICAL SECTION—Chairman: R. 8S. Kirk, Ph. D.;
Secretary: H. C. PHarcr.

Meetings are held each Monday evening, except on holidays
from October to April, in the physics theatre of the University,
Winnipeg. Field excursions are held each Saturday after-
noon during May, June and September, and on public holidays
during July and August.

NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF BRITISH
COLUMBIA, VICTORIA, B.C.

Hon. President: C. C. PEMBERTON, 806 Quadra St., Victoria,
B.C.; 1st Vice-President: Wm. Hupson, 606 Douglas St.,
Victoria, B.C.; 2nd Vice-President: H. LETHABY, 608 View
St., Victoria, B.C.; Hon. Secretary: WM. A. NEWCOMBE, Pro-
vincial Museum, Victoria, B.C.: Hon. Treasurer: RENA G.
JONES, St. Margaret’s School, Victoria, B.C.

ALBERTA NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

Hon. President: Mr. J. J. GAETZ, Red Deer, Alta.; President:
Mr. C. H. SNELL, Red Deer, Alta.; 1st Vice-President: MRS.
W. A. CASSELS, Red Deer, Alta.; 2nd Vice-President: Mr.S.
PAMELY, Red Deer, Alta.; Directors: Mrs. G. F. Root, Weta-
skiwin, Alta.; Mr. F. L. FARLey, Camrose, Alta.; Mr. W. A.
CASSELS, Red Deer, Alta.; Mr. B. LAWTON, Edmonton, Alta.;
Mr. K. BowMAn, Edmonton, Alta.; Pror. W. ROWAN, Univ.
of Alta., Edmonton, Alta.;~Mr. T. E. RANDALL, Camrose,
Alta.; Hon. Sec.-Treas.: Mrs. S. PAMELY, Red Deer, Alta.

The meetings of this Society are held in Red Deer on the
last Friday of each month except during July and August and
perhaps September. The annual meeting is held in Red Deer
on the last Friday in November.

McILWRAITH ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB,
LONDON, ONT.

President: Et Davis, R.R. 7, London, Ont.; Recording
Secretary: Miss NINA M. NormTH, 328 St. George St., London,
Ont.; Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer: E. M.S. DALE,
297 Hyman S., London, Ont.; Members qualified to answer
uestions: W. E. SAUNDERS, 240 Central Ave., London, Ont.,

. G. WATSON, 201 Ridout St. South, London, Ont.; J. F.
CALVERT, 461 Tecumseh Ave., London, Ont.; E. M.S. DALE,
297 Hyman St., London, Ont.

Meetings held the second Monday of the month, except

_ during the summer.

: _ May to August (inclusive).

VANCOUVER NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

_ Hon. President: L.S. KLINCK, L.L.D., Pres. Universtiy of B.C.:

President: JOHN DAVIDSON, F.L.S., F.B.S.E., University 0;
B.C.; Vice-President: Pror. M. Y. WiLuiAMs; Hon. Secretaryf
C. F. Connor, M.A., 3529 W. 2nd Ave., Vancouver, B.C.;
First Asst. Sec: B. J. Woop, B.A.; Second Asst. Sec.: Mr. A.
R. Wootton; Hon. Treasurer: A. H. BAIN, 2142 Collingwood

_ St., Vancouver, B.C.; Librarian: J. D. TURNBULL; Members

of Executive: Mrs. FRANK MCGInn, Mr. R. A.

_ Mr. M. M. Dopps, Mr. J. L. PLomMeErR, Mrs. C. G. McCriIm-
_ MON; Auditors: H. G. SELwoop, W. B. Woons.

CUMMING,

Fortnightly meetings in the University Buildings from
September to Apri] inclusive). Semi-monthly excursions from

A fhiliated Saeed

PROVINCE OF QUEBEC SOCIETY FOR THE
PROTECTION OF BIRDS

Hon. President: Dr. I. GAMMELL; Past Presidents: Mr. L.
McI. THeRRILL, Mr. NAPIER SMITH; President: Mr. W. S.
HART; Vice-Presidenis: Mr. W. A. OSWALD, MR. L. M.
SPACKMAN, Miss HARRIET STONE; Vice President and Trea-
surer: Mr. H. Moustey; Corresponding Secretary: MR. H.
A. JACKSON; Recording Secretary: Mr. A. P. MuRRAY;
Curator of Slides: MiIss EMILY LUKE; Commitiee: MR. J. W.
BuckKLE, Miss EpITH Morrow. Mrs. C. F. DALE, Miss M.
S. NICOLSON, Mrs. JOHN RICHIE, Miss K. D. MALCOURONNE.
Mrs. C. L. HENDERSON, Miss MAupD SBATH, Hon. E. E
HOWARD, Mr. R. A. OUTHET.

Address all correspondence to the Society at P.O. Box 1185
Montreal, P.Q., Canada.

SOCIETE PROVANCHER D’HISTOIRE
NATURELLE DU CANADA

Bureau de direction pour 1929

Patron Honoraire: Son Excellence LE VICOMTE WILLINGDON,
G.C.S.I., G.C.M.G., G.C.I.E.' G.B.E., Gouverneur-Général,
de la Puissance du Canada; Vice-Patron Honoraire: Honor-
able M. H. G. CARROLL, Lieutenant-Gouverneur de la Pro-
vince de Québec; Bureau de Direction pour 1929: Président:
R. MEREDITH, N.P.; ler vice-président: Dr. J.-E. BERNIER;
2éme vice-président: G. STUART AHERN; Secrétaire-trésorier:
Louts-B. LAvoIE; Chef de la section scientifique: Dr. D. A. —
Dery; Chef de la sectoin de Propagande éducationnelle:
ADRIEN FALARDEAU, C.R.; Chef de la section de protection:
Masor Jos. Matte; Chef de la section d'information scientifique
et pratique: EDGAR ROCHEITE, M.P.P.; Directeurs: Dr. S
GAUDREAU, RONALD LINDSAY, GEO. M. MITCHELL.
Secrcaire-trésorier: LOUISE-B. LAVOIE,
88 Sherbrooke St., Quebec.

THE TORONTO FIELD-NATURALISTS’
CLUB

OFFICERS FOR 1929-30.

Honorary President: PROFESSOR A. P. COLEMAN; President:
Pror. J. R. DYMOND; Vice-Presidents: Mr. J. H. FLEMING,
Dr. N. A. PowELL, Mr. Couin S. FARMER; Secretary:
Mr. F. P. Ipn, (Dept. of Biology, University of Toronto);
Publicity Secretary: Dr. L. B. JACKES; Treasurer: MR.
FRED H. BRIGDEN; Executive Committee: Pror. R. B. THOM-
SON, Pror. E. M. WALKER, Mgssrs. STUART L. THOMPSON,
J. A. PARTRIDGE, A. M. PaTTERSON, E. B. S. Locier, W. H.
Wricut, Dr. McKINLEY; Committee on Conservation: MR.
R. G. DINGMAN; Leaders: Birds—Messrs. J. H. FLEMING,
Stuart L. THompson, L. L. SNYDER, J. L. BAILLIE; Mam-
mals—Pror. J. R. DYMOND, Mr. E. C. Cross; Reptiles and
Amphibians—MEsskrs. E. B. S. Locrer, WM. LERAY; Fish—
Pror. J. R. DyMOND, PrRor. W. J. K. HARKNESS; Insects,
etc.—Pror. E. M. WALKER, Dr. N. ForpD, Mr. E. P. IDE;
Botany—Pror. R. B. THOMSON, Pror. H. B. SirTon, DR.
G. WRIGHT; Geology—Pror. A. MCLEAN.

————————————————————————eeeee

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particularly the Secretaries, of all the
Affiliated Societies to assist us in our
task of building up the circulation of
this magazine. By securing every
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leading Natural History publications
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VOL. XLIV, No. 7 October, 1930

—— : I °@
Dd eS STS’
ISSUED October ist, 1930.

Entered at the Ottawa Post Office as eeebd: class matter

THE OTTAWA FIELD- NATURALISTS’ CLUB

Patrons: %
THEIR EXCELLENCIES THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL AND VISCOUNTESS WILLINGDON i

/ Presi t: HARRISON F. LEwIs, 34’ Grosvenor Ave., Ott :
1st Vice-Presidents Cc. Hibs ee 2nd Vice ede M. E. WILSON —
Secretary: (BERTRAM A. Hipehece le Re McLEop St., Treasurer: W1LMoT LLoyD, 582 Mariposa Avenue —

\ Rockcliffe Park. —

Additional Members of Council: F. J. ALCOCK, H. M. Ami, Miss M. E. Cowan, Messrs. H. G. CRAW-
FORD, NORMAN CRIDDLE, R. E. DELURY, Miss FAITH FYLES, MESSRS. HERBERT GROoH, ANDREW
HALKETT, D. JENNEsS, C. E. JOHNSON, A. G. Kineston, E. M. KINDLE, W. H. LANCELEY, at
DOUGLAS LEECHMAN, HoyEs LiLoyp, W. T. Macoun, M. O. MALTE, MARK G. MCELHINNEY, G.
A. MILuer, A. E. PORSILD, KE. E. PRINCE, J. DEWEY Soper, P. A. TAVERNER, E. F. G. WHITE,
W. J. WINTEMBERG, J. F. Wricut and Presidents of Affiliated Societies. ;

Editor:
, DovucLas LEECHMAN
National Museum, Ottawa, Canada

Associate Editors: ,
VENNESS 325 Ghee wet ule ene Anthropology CLYDE, PATCH Co oa ee Herpetology

D.

NEO SNCAL TE hie Sine bel eia si claetn Botany R. M. ANDERSON.............. Mammalogy
F. R. LATCHFORD................ Conchology A. G@. HUNTSMAN............ Marine Biology
ARTHUR GIBSON..............-: Entomology PAS TAVERNER 7 echoes ee Ornithology

Bey ALCOCK szeauicts teen so uae aa bee Geology E. M. KINDLE Seis Ree Gen tee eae

CONTENTS

PAGE

Notes on the Occurrence of Various Animals.on the Fishing Grounds on the Coast of British
Columbia.” By EleC. Williamson, DiS. 4) eye a ce eee eg ee 153

© An Expedition to Sub-Arctic Canada, 1924-1925. By Capt. J. C. Critehell-Bulloek (Continued) 156

A Day with the Tufted Titmouse at Toronto. By Stuart L. Thompson........... ....... ieramen aye}
Edwin Beauprec By BR: O..Merimant oo. yo e) ee ee eee pee Rena e's 164
Red-headed Woodpecker in Winter at Toronto. By James L. Baillie, Jr..................... 165
Notes and Observations.— 4
Mortality of Juvenile Black-backed Gulls at Lake George, Nova Beatie By R. W. Tufts 166
A Bronzed Grackle Foster Parent. By Wilson Baillargé............................. .
Lesser Scaup Breeding at’Toronto. By John Townson..... ARUN GNC, 5 Gas Re so pracre oe a Ry PE 167
Whistling Swan at Rigaud, Quebec. By Hoyes Lloyd....,..........5.............. ee allGm
Bands of Biological Station, Helgoland, Germany, Being Used in Central America. 167.9
A Tardy Horned’ lark. (By Harrison, HW: Wewis augers ae oe es oe eee te eae 167 &
Hawk Killed by Electrocution. By R. Meredith....... Bt dap En Rem es rok sins UREA 167 9
Outside Nests of Flying Squirrels. By Richard F. Miller............................ 167
BOONE VIOWSi. isk sic fs os leh Semen ee RE eed icra”. 1 Ea nro Fee eae Po Ns 168
Oficial Canadian: Record of Bird-Bandine Returns 75. eh ee ea eaten et eee i.

HH The official publications of THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB have been issued
iz since 1879. The first were The Transactions of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club, 1879-1886,
# two volumes; the next, The Ottawa Naturalist, 1886-1919, thirty-two volumes; and these :
#: have been continued by The Canadian Field-N aturalist to date. The Canadian Field-Naturalist #
#2 is issued monthly, except for the months of June, July, and August. Its scope is the publication #
# of-the results of original research in all departments of Natural History. 5 #

Price of this volume (9 numbers) $2.00; Single copies 25¢ each.

The Membership Committee of The Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club is making a special effort to
increase the subscription list of The Canadian Field-Naturalist. We are, therefore, asking every reader —
who is truly interested in the wild life of this country to help this magazine to its rightful place among ©
the leading Natural History publications in America. 4

Subscriptions ($2.00 a year) should be forwarded to ~ : an

WILMOT LLOYD, j
Ottawa Field-N Grice Club,

582 Mariposa Ave. ae

Rockceliffe Park, OTTAWA, CANADA

The Canadian Field-Naturalist

VOL. XLIV

OTTAWA, CANADA, OCTOBER, 1930

No. 7

NOTES ON THE OCCURRENCE OF VARIOUS ANIMALS ON THE FISHING
GROUNDS ON THE COAST OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

By H. C. WILLIAMSON, D.Sc.
Pacific Biological Station, Nanaimo, B.C.

HILE the writer has been engaged during
the past few years in various fishing in-
vestigations on the west coast of Van-
couver Island and northward, a number

of interesting animals have come under observa-

tion and it seems worth while to place on record
some of the occurrences.

FISHES

In 1925 a porbeagle shark, Lamna cornubica
Gmelin, was taken on the spoon at Hippa Island.
A blue shark, probably Prionace glauca (Linn.)
is somewhat frequently caught by trollers along
the coast. Dogfishes, Squalus sucklii (Girard)

are very commonly caught on the spoon and at’

times are very troublesome to the fishermen. In
May, 1928, they were especially numerous on the
South Bank off Barkley Sound and were so eager
that the salmon had little chance of taking the
spoon. Thus one man caught in oneday twenty-
eight dogfish and but one salmon.

Sting-rays, Dasyatis sp., have been caught at
Kyuquct, some of them “snagged” but one was
hooked in the mouth. An electric skate, Tetro-
narce sp., as taken there in July, 1928. The
troller was fishing “‘light’’ which indicates that the
fish had been well up off the bottom.

A number of sunfish, Mola mola (L.), (Fig. 1),

Fic. 1—The Sun Fish, Mola mola

were observed in 1926 and a specimen of Ray’s
bream, Brama rati (Bloch), (Fig. 2), was taken on
a spoon.

Fic. 2—Ray’s Bream, Brama rait

SALPS

Salps occur sometimes in great abundance and
they cause trouble to the fisherman through
becoming impaled on the hook and thus prevent-
ing the spoon from working properly. They often
float some distance below the surface and their
presence is revealed by their fouling the spoons.
One fisherman said they were in a sunk zone, one
to two fathoms thick, and that the level at which
they were swimming altered during the day.
When he found the salps on his hooks he was
able to avoid the zone by altering the length of
his lines. Many of the salps floating on the sur-
face were partially torn and were often covered
more or less by air-bells. The probability is that
some of the damaged specimens had been bitten
by diving seabirds, and had, in their torn condi-
tion, risen to the surface. McIntosh has des-
cribed how gulls peck at the salp on the surface
and remove the “nucleus”. Some of the salps
observed here at the surface were minus the
‘nucleus’.

In June, 1925, large individual salps 3 inches
long, probably Salpa fusiformis var. aspera,
(Fig. 3), were observed off Barkley Sound. They
were common off Hippa Island in July of the
same year. Little salps also occur in chains, of
varying thicknesses, some being less than one-
quarter of an inch broad. The broadest chain
observed was three-quarters ‘of an inch wide.

154

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

[VoL. XLIV

Fic. 3—Salp, Salpa fusiformis var. aspera.

The salps are united side by side in a ribbon or
chain which may be 3 feet or more in length and
which may be seen floating a foot or so below the
surface. They have a slow, undulating move-
ment, and break up rapidly.

In 1926, salp chains were first observed on
May Ist, in Ucluelet Arm, Barkley Sound.
During that month great quantities were seen
in the Arm, in Ugly Channel and in the South
Bank. Lancefish were observed hovering near,
as if intent on attacking the salps. Solitary salps
were observed on the Big Bank, and on one occa-
sion a salp 1)4 inches long was brought up on
the fishing line although none was noted at the
surface at the time. Some solitary salps 1144
inches long were seen off Amphitrite Point in
June. It was recorded on June 21st that no
salps had been seen for some time.

In the summer of 1927 the big, solitary salps,
accompanied by chains three-quarters of an inch
in breadth were abundant off the coast of Van-
couver Island and gave the fishermen much
trouble during July. Mr. H. E. Neave, Kyu-
quot, designed an attachment to the book to
prevent the salp becoming impaled. (Fig. 4).
A piece of clock spring one-eighth of an inch
broad was attached by one end to the shank of
the hook. The other end of the spring pressed
against the point of the hook. Two fishermen
tried the improved hook and got more fish on it

Fic. 4—Wire spring attached to hook to prevent salps
becoming impaled.

(Natural size)

than on the ordinary hook. At that time, how-
ever, fish were scarce and it happened just at the
close of the season, so that an extended trial of
the hook was not possible. It was evident that
the attachment of the spring to the hook did not
interfere with its catching properly.

On September 22nd, 1928, the writer observed
a large quantity of small salps, seemingly dead,
or moribund, at the surface, five miles off Ou-ou-
Kinsp Inlet. They were principally solitary salps,
but one chain was noticed.

JELLYFISH

Medusz, such as Aequorea, Cyanea, Sarsia, etc.,
and Ctenophores occur in quantity at times. A
specimen of Cydippe was found in the stomach
of a chum salmon.

During August, 1928, some material in the
water clogged the trolling lines and spoons.
Strings became attached to the spoons, interrupt-
ing the wiggling movement. When the line was
hauled the material came off, accumulating in a
mass in the hand. This occurred for about ten
days off Barkley Sound and it appeared also off
Estevan about the same period, or a little later.
Very few spring salmon and hardly a coho was
captured during this time. Whether the salmon
were absent or whether that was due merely to
the spoons not working properly, one could not
tell. A sample of the material was obtained and
Mr. G. H. Wailes, who examined
it, reported that it resembled the
fine tentacles of a jellyfish. When —
fresh the mass was of a reddish-
brown colour. It was found on
the line 4 or 5 fathoms down and
it occurred, it was said, down to
at least 15 fathoms, the deeper
the more abundant.

In July, 1929, attention was
drawn to the fact that something
in the sea was causing the hooks
and wires to rust very quickly. It

October, 1930]

occurred where the spoons were worked close to
the surface, between Ship Island and Satellite Pass.
Deeper down than 5 fathoms the action did not
occur. There were large numbers of big, brown
jellyfish in the water and these fouled the lines.
It was suspected that some fluid from the jellyfish
caused the pitting of the hooks, which could be
detected after a few hours in the sea.

VELELLA

Velella, (Fig. 5), popularly known as Portu-
guese-Man-o’-War, was extremely abundant dur-
ing the summer of 1926 off Barkley Sound, and
according to other observers it occurred in extra-
ordinary numbers from Cape Mendocino north
to Hecate Strait. The first specimens observed
by the tagging staff were secured by Mr. Baxter

Fic. 5—Velella, commonly called on the Pacific
Coast, Portuguese-Man-o’-War.

on May 11. Thereafter they were seen continu-
ously up to the middle of August all over the
fishing grounds. In some cases the velelle were
so closely packed together on the surface that
they formed a green patch, visible from a consid-
erable distance. They were touching each other
so that no water was visible between them. The
largest velella observed was three and three-
eighths inches long. The broad margin of the
raft is of a deep blue colour while the sail and
center of the raft are colourless. The sail is set
obliquely on the raft and the velella sails alongin
front of the wind when the sea is smooth. No
instance came under observation of a velella being
impaled on the hook, so that it seems probable
that they are restricted to the surface. The
velellae drifted into Ucluelet Arm and they were
thrown up on the beaches on the outside of the
Ucluelet peninsula, dead in enormous quantities.
The dried skeletons persisted in the beach for
some time after the fleshy part had decayed. On
August 16th only a few velellae, and these were

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 155

dead, were observed on the S.W. Bank. On
August 28th and September Ist no velellz were
seen at Amphitrite Point. Velellae have been seen
before at Ucluelet but apparently many years
previously.

In several of the velellz, food was found con-
sisting of a lancefish one and one-quarter of an
inch long, a flat-fish eleven-sixteenths of an inch
long, a large megalops anda zoea. Spring salmon,
cohoes and sunfish were found to have eaten the
velellae.

In 1927, velellae were reported on the South
Bank in March. They were smaller than those
of 1926: some were not more than three-quarters
of an inch in length. No later report of them was
received in 1927.

In 1928 the writer observed velellae on a number
of occasions. Some were seen in Walter’s Cove,
Kyuquot, on May ist. They were very small,
about one-half to three-quarters of an inch in
length. On May 10th large numbers were re-
ported ten miles south of Amphitrite Point.
They had been observed also off Cape Cook and
were recorded as mostly small. On May 30th,
several small velellae and great numbers of Cy-
dippe were seen 30 miles south-west of Amphi-
trite Point, and on June 4th great quantities of
full-sized velellae were observed from 25 to 33
miles south of Cape Beale. There was a big
concentration of velellae one mile off Cape Beale
on the same date. Between these offshore and
inshore points, few were noticed. The fact that
so many small velellae were observed in 1928
would seem to point to the velella having repro-
duced its species at some place not very far off
the coast of British Columbia. In 1929, as late
as August, no report had been received of velellae
occurring off the West coast.

BARNACLES

The floating barnacle, Lepas fascicularis Ellis
and Solander, (Fig. 6), has been observed on the
West Coast between Quatsino-and Cape Cook by
Captain Laird, F.P.S. Malaspina, and in Queen
Charlotte Sound by Captain Henderson, F.P.S.
Givenchy. Mr. I. E. Cornwall, who identified
it, quoted Darwin as describing the float as a
singular development of the cement tissue which
ordinarily serves to attach the barnacles by their
bases to some extraneous object, but here, sur-
rounding that object and the peduncle, gives
buoyancy by its vascular structure to the whole.
Attached to the larger barnacles were some speci-
mens of the small barnacle, Lepas anatifera L.
Two very small barnacles were found attached
to the under side of a velella in July of 1926.
Mr. Cornwall states that they appear to be the

156

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

[VoL. XLIV

Fic. 6—The floating barnacle, Lepas fascicularis

young of Lepas fascicularis, which Darwin records
as occurring on this host.

AN ISOPOD
A large Isopod parasite, Cirolana, was fre-
quently observed on the spring salmon, and
occurred also on the ling cod.

AN EXPEDITION TO SUB-ARCTIC CANADA, 1924-1925
By CAPT. J. C. CRITCHELL-BULLOCK

(Continued from Page 145)
RING our residence north of the timber
we had every opportunity to observe
habits of the Barren Lands wolves
(Canis occidentalis tundrarum). We
lived amongst them and but few days passed

consecutively without some sign of them being
seen.

The wolf is a noted animal and more data con-
cerning him will be found by turning to the bio-
logical section of this report. From time imme-
morial his presence and often his name has been

‘ee

being killed by a wolf.

October, 1930]

heralded by dread. Numberless stories have
been written describing his ferocity, sagacity, and
fearlessness, all of them supposed to be based on
fact, but most of them nevertheless audacious
and quite ridiculous fabrications. Only in the
story of Romulus and Remus do we find any
lenity expressed, and there of course the other
extreme is touched, though the exaggeration is
hardly greater than that displayed by certain
writers when treating of his viciousness.

I have studied the wolf in his natural habitat,

both when he has been fat, and when he has
been starving, but my conclusion is that nowhere
in the north country would I feel dismayed on
his account at being forced to travel unarmed.
Time and time again have I been followed into
camp by wolves in varying numbers, and with
varying degrees of appetite, but although some
wolves do make an attempt to preserve their
dignity when they know that they have been
observed by man, the vast majority beat a
hurried and ignominious retreat.
_ John Hornby, who because of his nineteen
years in wolf country and his propensity for
travelling in unorthodox ways, usually alone,
knew empirically the barren land wolf better
probably than any living white man, stated that
except for an occasional alarm, on no occasion has
the behaviour of one or many wolves caused him
to distrust the security of his position as a lone
traveller of the north country. The most startling
incident of his experience occurred north of Great
Bear Lake. He was sleeping out alone on the
tundra, when he was awakened by an unearthly
noise. He started up to find a wolf with its
muzzle witbin three inches of his face, the wolf
that had howled. No doubt the immediate effect
proved somewhat disconcerting, but it is none
the less true that the animal, on recognizing that
the creature he had come upon was nothing less
than his instinctive enemy, man, turned tail and
fled with precipitation. Around his house on
Great Bear Lakehe records that wolves were ex-
ceedingly numerous and venturesome about fif-
teen years ago, and that after dark they would
come round, howling and sniffing at the caches
and garbage heaps. But only on one occasion
has he heard of an authentic instance of a man
That was somewhere
north on the Mackenzie River many years ago,
and that man happened to be badly crippled.

The only other instances of wolves killing
human beings that I know to be perfectly true,
have been in the instance of an occasional Indian
or Eskimo child who had become waylaid during
a blizzard and had fallen down. We hear that
Eskimo children have been carried off by wolves.

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 157

I have no reason to doubt this, but we may safely
assume thet the child had wandered some distance
away from camp, fallen down, become demoralized
and offered too dainty a morsel for a hungry wolf
to pass by. Wolves are not the only animals that
will attack human beings in the north. Only
just recently was there the shocking case of Mrs.
Clay of Chesterfield Inlet, who lost her life after
being terribly mauled by sleigh dogs at the trading
post. But here again we learn that the poor
woman fell down before the dogs set on her. For
months she had known these animals, had made
pets of them, and on this occasion was actually
playing with them. Indian children have often
been killed by sleigh dogs, but there is no evidence
to show that they have been attacked while
standing on their feet.

I will not digress so far as to discuss the situa-
tion in Siberia and Russie. Most of the thrilling
stories read of in fiction originate there, and tales
are told of wolves travelling in enormous packs
and attacking whole communities. I can but
feel that gross exaggeration has its part here as
well.

The largest pack I have ever seen consisted of
five wolves. Hornby, I believe, saw them tra-
velling in packs up to nine, but never in larger
numbers.

On one occasion I was travelling with dogs
southwards on Artillery Lake. With me was a
man who was continually reporting the presence
of huge packs of wolves. It was in April and we
had just left bis camp in the early morning. As
we passed on to the ice from the timber he sud-
denly halted me, bade me hide behind the sleigh
whilst he pointed out one of his famous wolf packs.
They were about a thousand yards away, and
about twenty travelling rapidly together. Being
somewhat intrigued I got out my glasses and
handed them to him. He took a glance, then
removed them from his eyes, rubbed his nose and
then the lenses and had another look. “By
God’ he said, ‘‘they’ve got horns”, meaning of
course they were caribou. I took back the glasses
and we said nothing more about it.

Before continuing, however, it seems advisable
to quote a passage from J. W. Tyrrell’s “Across
the Sub-Arctics of Canada”. It was at nightfall
on 12th August, 1893, that, “. .. after a long
day’s struggle with the opposing elements, as we
were hauling the canoes ashore towards the
shelter of some rocky cliffs, we were suddenly
set upon by a pack of huge grey wolves. A great,
gaunt, hungry looking brute with dilated eyes
balls led the attack © He was the largest wolf in
the pack and a daring brute; but for once, at
least, he met his master, as he was promptly

158 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

bored from end to end with a slug from my
brother’s rifle. The leader of the pack having
been thus despatched, the others fled, but avenged
themselves by howling at us all night from the
surrounding hills.”

According to the testimonies of my associates
it would appear that Canis occidentalis tundrarum
does not travel in larger bands than eight or nine.
Hence it would seem reasonable to assume that
the packs seen north of the timber are formed by
parent wolves and their own litters.

During the winter of 1924-25 I was walking
over a trap line that extended southwestwards to
the northern extremity of Artillery Lake, and
coming to the top of a hill Isaw that in the last
setting there were several moving forms. I was
still at a distance of over a mile, and forgetful for
the moment of the tricks the northern light played,
took for granted that the entrapped animals were,
in spite of the fact that they appeared rather
dark in colour, white foxes showing up without
their usual bright whiteness, by reason of the
fact that they were between me and the setting
sun. JI walked onwards into an intervening
valley, but on ascending the next ridge summit,
saw to my surprise that they were indeed wolves.
Two had been caught alongside one another, the
two traps having been set with but a yard separ-
ating them. Both these wolves were frantically
hustling one another in their efforts to escape.
The third wolf was caught at a distance of about
ten yards. I immediately killed the three and
examined them. All three were males, of the
same age, apparently twenty months old, and
evidently of the same litter. Unfortunately I
was unable to take their measurements because
I skinned two on the spot, and the third froze
into such a contorted position that when it was
skinned, still in a semi-frozen condition, we con-
sidered it not worth while.

Wolves were most numerous during the first
two days of April, they passed in bands of three
or four individuals at such frequent intervals that
I crossed no less than eleven sets of tracks in
nine miles. They were moving in a north-wester-
ly direction.

I have failed to solve the problem of this move-
ment. Apparently they were moving in advance
of the caribou migration, for the caribou did not
move past us in large numbers until towards the
middle of the same month.

Throughout the remainder of the year there was
evidence of their presence in our vicinity almost
every day. Notes on our observations may be
read by turning to the biological section.

The barren-land wolf apparently breeds during
the first two weeks of June, and the place usually

[VoL. XLIV

chosen for a den is one of the many glacia Jeskers
or some other place where there is loose drift
material in which to dig a tunnel and hole. Here
the pups are born, the site usually being chosen
near some deer-cross where thereshould be reason-
able opportunities for the old animals to obtain
the required amount of meat. The pups are
suckled for about two months and are then fed
either on chosen pieces of meat or the partially
digested contents of the mother’s stomach dis-
gorged for that purpose. At two years old they
are practically full grown. The young animals
then follow their parents until they themselves
take mates.

The wolf apparently prefers to frequent the
district in which he was born, and although
necessity may take him abroad for considerable
distances, he will often return to the old home.
Although this is difficult to prove, careful investi-
gation has given us to believe that such is the
case. Nevertheless there must be a number of
exceptions. For instance if two wolves from
different localities mate, and if, as is supposed to
be the case not infrequently, they pair off for
periods of several years, then both of them cannot
very well return rep2atedly to familiar surround-
ings about the old den. Even so it is not improb-
able that the country about both of the dens
should be visited, and the more attractive of the
two chosen.

Favourable breeding places are not found
everywhere in the Northern Plains, and there are
huge areas where wolves may be said never to
have their young. The most desirable site is
that which combines good hunting and the suit-
able soil for digging into. Hence there must be
districts in which wolves breed in comparatively
large numbers. However, we believe that these
animals would not favour crowded conditions, as

_this would entail all the worst features of com-

petitive hunting arising at that time of the year
when the parent animals have not themselves
alone to feed.

From what I have been able to gather, both
from my own observations and by listening to the
reports of the natives of the country, wolves are
not likely to be found breeding in any given
locality in greater numbers than about one pair
to four square miles. A certain Indian I met
informed us that he had taken wolves in seven
wolf dens from the esker on which we spent the
winter, from a stretch about ten miles long. He
did not find signs of wolves breeding in numbers
anywhere along the route we travelled, but a
series of old dens showed us that in country which,
though suitable for den burrowing, was not well
stocked with game the year round, the interval ©

ey

October, 1930]

t

between dens was usually about twelve miles.
No doubt, however, there are known instances of

_ two or more dens being found in use within a much

- more confined area.

In certain localities I believe the wolves to be
more uniformly numerous than in others, not

_ solely because of better hunting, but also because

of suitable breeding grounds. Where these two

_ factors combine, such as in those places where the

z

caribou are to be found both in summer and
winter, no doubt the slaughter is heavy. Where
we were, however, although the caribou were
numerous the whole of the winter we found prac-
tically no signs of wolves having killed off more
than an occasional deer. Wolves, as has been
remarked already, were with us the year round

as well.

~ extent on small rodents.

It is useless to try and persuade sophisticated
persons to believe that the wolf lives to a large
He may in summer to
some extent, but in winter he must be almost
entirely dependent on big game. I do propose,
however, attempting to prove that the wolf’s
influence in the north country is not wholly

harmful,

The Barren Land wolf is dependent for a live-
lihood on meat, even though I have found evidence
to show that herbs are eaten when times are
hard. It is the same with the fox. But the
wolf has a larger body to clothe and feed, and only
the most nutritious food in winter will keep him
in that condition which will provide the coat and
fat to resist the cold, and the energy and speed to

- run down the fleet caribou in the clogging, tiring

_ baits.

-_ snow. Some say that wolves are given to fighting

amongst themselves and feeding off the carcasses
of the fallen ones. I am doubtful about this
even though I have known wolves to devour their
own kind when, skinned, they have been left
lying about the trap line.

During January, 1925, I killed and skinned out
a wolf, leaving the carcass on the trap line. For
three weeks it remained there untouched, no

animal passing within a considerable distance.

At the end of this time, however, a wounded wolf
commenced to frequent our camp, causing a good
deal of trouble by eating up all Hornby’s trapping
After a while it seemed that something
scared him, possibly a trap he sprung gave him
a painful nip on the foot, at any rate he kept away
from caribou meat. One day we walked to the
place where the wolf carcass had been lying, but
found that it had been dragged away some dis-
tance, and that a great part of it had been eaten.

_ We watched for a few days and eventually it was

all eaten. I think this is unusual for the Barren
Land wolf, why I know not, except that this was

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

159

the only wolf carcass of many left lying about that
was eaten by another of its own kind. In the
timber I believe matters are different, and the
Government wolf poisoners have told me that it
was not uncommon to find a wolf eaten by another.
In all cases these animals had not been touched,
however, until dead, and I know of no instance
where a deliberate attack has been made on one
by another in order to stave off hunger.

I have much belief in what John Hornby says,
that a starved wolf is like any other starved animal,
too enervated to engage willingly in deadly com-
bat. Invariably his experience has been that
brute force under such conditions gives way to
added cunning. Had a wolf the strength to hunt
I feel that he would not face another of his kind
equally ferocious and as determined as all wild
creatures are to defend themselves from their
enemies to the last of their strength.

The depredations on the stockman’s ranges do
not yet have to be considered by usin this report.
The remarks that I have to make with respect
to their attacks on the wild game may, however,
be considered applicable to the reindeer farming
industry which we expect to see practised in this
region before many years have passed.

The Barren Land caribou range the northern
plains in numbers that can only be spoken of in
millions. Their number has as yet been only
very approximately assessed, some have suggested
five millions, others forty millions. In fact no one
knows to within millions how many caribou there
are in northern Canada. The best way to arrive
at some idea of their numerical strength is to
consider the northern plains in much the same
manner as we do the prairies, and to allot to each
animal a certain area, and to divide that grazing
area into the whole. It is not a matter to be
discussed here however.

The question of the number of wolves is even
more difficult to consider; and can only be spoken
of in the abstract. During recent years a scare
seems to have arisen suggesting that the caribou
in the north are in danger of extermination by
wolves owing to an increase in the number of
wolves, or owing to a diminution in the number
of caribou caused by the promiscuous use of fire
arms by all and sundry. We are, however, in-
clined to believe that a point of balance is reached
by reason of the fact that not only do caribou
suffer at the hands of the modern hunter, but also
the wolves.

The government has placed a price on the wolf’s
head, and a high price too, and every year the
amounts paid out in bounty testify to the fact
that large numbers of wolves are destroyed,
wolves that not only live in the timber but those

160

also that penetrate the treeless regions during the
summer and live among the caribou. The incen-
tive that is given by this bounty of $30 per pelt
causes in our opinion a sufficient destruction of
wolves to compensate for the added number of
caribou that are yearly falling before the rifles
of hunters. In other words by the introduction
ofthe bounty, and the wolf hunting which receives
an impetus by reason of its introduction, the bal-
ance of nature is maintained, and actually the
caribou are in no danger of extermination by
wolves as yet.

Without any doubt at all great inroads. are
made by wolves into the caribou herds annually.
For instance, assuming that there are four million
caribou ranging Canada, and fifty thousand wolves;
and holding that every wolf on the average will
kill one caribou per week we find that the annual
destruction of caribou by wolves is over two and
a half million. Almost incredible, but not an
unreasonable assumption. A wolf must have a
caribou a week, because the foxes must be taken
into consideration, animals that will smell a wolf
kill possibly miles away, and gorge themselves on
it just as soon as the wolf’s back is turned. If a
pack of five wolves kill caribou it will last them
no longer than for one day, indeed they might
take no more than one feed off the carcass, and
once left it is reasonably certain that to return
the next day would, in fox country and it is all
fox country, be to find but the bones left.

But the caribou is a remarkably fecund animal,
and moreover the cows are more numerous than
the bulls. Again the cow invariably breeds the
year following its birth, and we believe we have
evidence that calves have been dropped at the
age of one year. Rarely are dry cows come
across, and during the migration in the summer,
when thousands upon thousands passed us, we
saw no matured female animal that was not
accompanied by a calf.

The annual number of calves born then may
be taken as more than compensating for the
number of mature animals killed by wolves. The
number has to be somewhat in excess to provide
against the number that die from natural causes.
This number, however, is exceedingly low. It
would be foolish to argue that the wolf makes a
practise of hunting down the best conditioned and
strongest animals. Every instance we saw of
caribou having been destroyed by wolves showed
us that rarely are any calves killed, rarely any
but the oldest cows, and usually either the aged
bulls or the bulls when straggling in the autumn
heavy with fat and encumbered with great horns,
inclined rather to stand at bay after a short
gallop, than to continue a prolonged and hopeless

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

/ [VoL: XLIV ~

The first animals to fall ;

flight across country.
are those that, wounded or sickly, have failed to
gain the sanctuary of some isolated island. The
number of sickly individuals was found to be
negligible. Only one was come across that appear- 2
ed in this condition, an aged bull found on the
Hanbury River route, and he, strange to say,
appeared to be suffering from old age rather than
from any specific disease.

In winter when the snow is on the ground the
wolf is somewhat at a disadvantege; though a
fast mover, he is not essentially built for speed,
and the caribou with their specially constructed
feet can travel so rapidly and easily that the wolf
must have learned long ago that chasing perfectly
conditioned animals through deep snow often
results abortively. Moreoversuch caribou would —
doubtless take the opportunity to join up with
the first herd met with. The sickly animal,
however, apart from his loss of speed, would be
less inclined to follow the main herd, and could
be more easily diverted from doing so. In winter,
therefore, the female and young caribou who keep
to the treeless country, although travelling
straggled out over the country, are to some’ extent
protected by their fleetness.

In summer the wolf comes into his own in the
matter of ability to travel rapidly, but in summer
the females and young usually are in large bands,
and again only the stragglers that remain behind
and the ill-conditioned individuals are subject to
ravages. Moreover the lakes and rivers are
open, and the caribou know instinctively that
once in the water they are immediately in the
ascendent, being remarkably rapid swimmers as
compared to the wolf. A caribou willswim almost
any distance, he will enter almost any water no
matter how swift or disturbed by wind, and the
wolf’s one object is to prevent his reaching it.

The cows and calves are what must be pro-
tected primordially, but as yet there seems to be
no danger of their extinction from these. causes.
The bulls suffer to a large extent no doubt, and
the smallness of their numbers somewhat sur-
prised me, but even so the fact that all the cows
we saw had young with them causes us no alarm
on their account.

In the southern portion of their range where
the bull caribou move into the woods during the
winter, the slaughter must be heaviest, and from
what we can gather the number of wolves within -
the confines of the forest would appear to be on
the increase. Every endeavour should be made
to check this increment, because it would appear
that the wolf of the timber to-day is of little
economic importance. The reason for this in-
crease, if it is such, is possibly due to the fact

- October, 1930]

that in certain localities the introduction of the
domesticated animal provides him with a more or
less dependable food supply.

Whether the wolf is subject to periodical de-
creases in numbers in the north as are, apparently,
most of the fur bearers, is a moot point. I am
inclined to believe that they are, and will deal
with this matter later.

Before considering the advisability of whole-
sale wolf destruction as applied to the animals
that, have the treeless country for their natural
habitat, we must determine their economic import-
ance. Here there is no question of their destroy-
ing noxious rodents given to eating and killing
young trees or valuable plant life, because the
foxes of the region are ever sufficiently abundant
to deal with any that there may be; moreover,
except for a certein amount of grass and moss
there would appeer to be little vegetation of
value except as providing the means of susten-
ance for the caribou, and these types of vegeta-
tion do not appear to suffer from the depredations
of the rodents of the region.

The economic importance of wolves, disregard-
ing their value as fur bearers, may be considered
almost solely with regard to their status where
the caribou are concerned. Although many have
been of the opinion that the Northern Plains
could support more than twice the number of
caribou that they do at present, I find myself
unable to rule so broadly. Within historic times
no evidence has been brought to show either an
increase or decrease in the number of these
animals as a whole. Only have natives and hun-
ters occasionally reported a mysterious falling off
in numbers in certain districts. These are to be
explained simply, it may be supposed, by the
fact that the establishment of trading posts and
trappers’ buildings, and intensive hunting have
served to deflect the animals from such districts.
Nature, it would seem, has allotted to a primitive
people, and certain species of mammals, a definite
area in which, under natural conditions, all to
which the allotment has been made will live and
have their being as nature has ordained. Such is
the balance of nature. Nothing is placed on this
earth in its natural state without purpose, and
it may be justly assumed that the wolves of the
north are there for some good reason. They are

_ there indirectly to preserve the identity of the

various species with which they are associated.
No one who has hunted in those regions where
primitive conditions still prevail can fail to be
impressed with the healthiness of the game.
Rarely do we find unhealthy individuals where
game is subject to the attacks of carnivorous
beasts. There is no more striking exemplification

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

161

of this than the caribou of the north. They are
unquestionably the finest herd of big game that
I have ever seen, and I have hunted in many
parts of the world. They exemplify the survival
of the fittest; none but the perfect are allowed to
live and breed, hence their perfection. We believe
that the wolf is in no small degree responsible for
this high standard, and that were he killed off the
species as a whole would suffer. Not only would
there be an immediate increase in numbers, but
individuals though aged or otherwise unfit would
be enabled to breed and cause a general tendency
to degeneration. The effects of over-crowding,
excessive interbreeding, and other unnatural
agencies are shown by the domestic reindeer
herds in Alaska and elsewhere. There the animals
are subject to many diseases and infections which
are not observed amongst the wild animals.

The wolf is undoubtedly the natural scavenger
of the species, and as such his status must be
considered.

If it should become necessary to control his
numbers it would seem better to adopt some
other method of control than the system that
has been in vogue up to the present, namely the
use of poison. The use of poisons can only be
indiscriminate if the cunning wolf is to be killed
off, and as such it contitutes a menace to the
valuable white foxes as well, which are killed in
our estimation at the rate of about ten to every -
wolf. If the matter has to receive consideration,
it can only be satisfacttorily undertaken scienti-
fically. The average man sent to destroy wolves
is not generally interested in his work except in
the very capacity in which he has been despatched
to his given district. He is there to trap, shoot,
and poison wolves, and except that he will study
the animal in its cunning ways, he probes no
deeper into the matter. It is hardly to be expected
that he would do so, he is jealous of his position
and he would consider it bad business to bring to
light some new method of control which, employ-
ing the scientist, would lose him his own position.
The wolf-poisoner, unless he be either of private
means or so given to science that material gain
is to him a sccondary consideration, intends
poisoning to go on until someone else and not he
discovers the truth of the matter, and it is to be
expected that he will not co-operate whole-
heartedly with those whose investigations are
likely to bring about his downfall; a man cannot
serve two masters.

History has shown us that all such menaces as
these, including such as the plague-carrying rat,
have only been dealt with satisfactorily when
science has intervened, and so it is with the wolf.
No matter whether it be the wolf of the timber,

162

or the Arctic wolf, conclusive evidence to prove
that any one method: of control is economically
sound, will not be forthcoming until the matter
has been threshed out by interested scientists in
the field.

The caribou are of great economic importance
to us. The north country, because of them, is
potentially valuable, and even if it comes no
sooner it will take but another war with its con-
sequent rationing to prove the truth of this to us.

The Musk-oxen must not be left out of the
question either. So far as the domestication of
the wild game animals of the north is concerned,
there is little doubt that these animals are the
better adapted for it. The wild caribou herds
will one day be put to national use, but not,
probably, before the musk-oxen have been farmed,
an industry that would bring man into closer
contact with the caribou and give him achance to
scheme on their account.

So far as we could see the range of the musk-
oxen on the Thelon River was free of wolves.
The country in this district is extremely sandy,
and at the time of the year when we were there
wolves usually travel at the water’s edge. We
moved about to a considerable extent and while
doing so were careful to note any signs of wolves,
Hornby holding that the bear and not the wolfis
the musk-oxen’s greatest enemy. Butsearch as we
_did, and numerous though the musk-oxen were,
we saw no evidence of their presence at all. This
was one of the most striking observations we
recorded. It may signi’y little, but it does show
that at that time of the year, and for a period of
some weeks before we arrived there, the range
was free of these voracious animals.

Donald MacMillan wrote to me recently and
his testimony is that of all other investigators in
the northern regions. I quote him verbatim:

“The wolf is their (the musk-oxen’s) greatest
enemy, cutting out the calves from their mothers,
and even surrounding big bulls and gradually
wearing them down—lone animals banished by
the younger bulls of the herd.” His first remark,
that concerning the calves is typical, but in the
latter he makes a wise reservation. I do not
disagree with respect to the herds with which we

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

(VoL. XLIV

came into contact, but I cannot refrain from re-
marking that I believe few calves suffer in this
manner. Wesaw many calves with their mothers,
and on no occasion did we observe any tendency
on the part of the former to straggle without the
mothers immediately taking account of the fact.
A wolf could not attack and destroy a calf very
rapidly, and because it may be supposed that they
rarely wander to any great distance from their
mothers the attacks of wolves do not constitute a
serious menace. The sickly and aged, as is the
case of the caribou, no doubt fall before them, as
well as an occasional calf, but the wolves them-
selves alone do not constitute a grave danger except
when their attackes are associated with the ravages
wrought by man.

It is the same with both of these valuable
species, the caribou and the musk-oxen, primor-
dially they must be protected to a greater extent
from man. Man is more easy to control than the
inaccessible wild animal. If, however, the en-
croachment of civilization seems likely to threaten
the existence of the game, the number of the wolves
must be regulated so as to preserve the balance
demanded by the lessening of their available food
supply. The methods employed to effect this
control, I feel, should be other than the use of
poison.

As I wrote during my sojourn in the north, if
the wolf is subject to the periodical fluctuations
to which are most, if not all, of the other species
of fur bearers, the reason and causes of these
fluctuations must be investigated, and if neces-
sary exploited. If any disease is discovered that
conforms to an epizootic, bacteriologists could
prepare toxins for the purpose of spreading the
disease at intervals amongst the wolves. The
hypodermic syringe could be used to convey the
infection to the pups in spring, or to individuals
specially bred for the purpose. Care would have
to be taken, however, to determine whether the
disease in question could possibly be conveyed to
other animals, and under no circumstances should
the system be employed until a satisfactory and
safe conclusion has been arrived at.

(To be continued)

A DAY WITH THE TUFTED TITMOUSE AT TORONTO
By STUART L. THOMPSON

N Good Friday, March 29, 1929, we
had the pleasure of making prolonged
(3 Dey observation of the Tufted Titmouse
: (Bzolophus bicolor) this being the second
occasion, as far as I know, of its occurrence at

it

Toronto. The weather was fine and warm,
Mrs. Thompson, her friend, Miss Alley, of Toronto
University, and myself planned to spend the entire
day afield. Our choice of locelity on this occasion
was a dense wood of conifers and deciduous trees

vw

October, 1930]

on the edge of Scarboro Bluff, some eighteen miles
east of the city. We had long had this spot in
mind and this holiday offered us our opportunity
to explore it.

In the course of our rambles we had become
separated. Amid the many calls and songs to
be heard on all sides, I heard a loud resounding
Whee-o whee-o-wheeo, coming from the depth of
the woods. Half expecting to find a red-shoul-
dered hawk, I went forward in the direction of
the calls looking for a large bird as the call sug-
gested. But, though I could see far through the
naked limbs, no large bird was in sight. So
clearly was the call enunciated that I naturally
imitated in response. In a couple of minutes I
saw a small bird flitting from tree to tree, coming
my way, whistling loudly at every perch. I could
see clearly through the glasses that the bird was
a Tufted Titmouse. On he came evidently looking
for the other Tit which so persistently replied to
his calls. It was really amusing to see his eager-
ness. He dashed about here and there, peering
this way and that, calling and listening, thoroughly
puzzled. Several times he came within twenty
feet of my head. Finally, apparently at a loss to
locate the other bird, he squattea on a limb with
trembling wings uttering a low thin “‘scree-ing”’
note.

I was very anxious for the others to see this
rarity so, by a short cut through the woods and
whistling the ‘“‘whitethroat”’ call—our understood
signal for meeting—I found Mrs. Thompson and
her companion and brought them back to ‘“‘meet”’
the Titmouse. He behaved admirably. Although
out of sight and silent, I soon got a response by
whistling whee-o-whee-o as before. He came from
the depths of the woods, tree after tree, and egain
we were favoured by many views of this active
little crested midget as he frantically sought for
the other Tit who answered him. But before long
he gave it up and returned to the deeper woods.

Later on, when we met again, Mrs. Thompson
told me that she had seen him again and brought
him to her by whistling.

As noon drew near we ate an outdoor lunch of
bacon fried over a fire, hot coffee, and sandwiches.
A band of chickadees was attracted by such signs
of repast and, as they flew about expectantly,
naturally the suggestion of feeding them came to
us. We stuck pieces of bread about on the twigs
near us and soon were rewarded by seeing the
confiding little birds alight near us and feed freely.
They seemed to have more fear of each other
than of us. We were amused sometimes to see
absurd angry little tussles or some huge (?) bully
of a chickadee who drove off others and dined at
will, But even better than these sights a few

THE CANADIAN. FIELD-NATURALIST

by calling.

163

feet from us, was the fact that both Mrs. Thomp-
son and Miss Alley had the novel experience of
having chickadees perch on their outstretched
hands and feed several times. It is signifienat
to note here that Mrs. Thompson was wearing a
scarlet tam which did not seem to embarrass the
birds in the least. The Tufted Titmouse did not
put in an appearance at the picnic at all.

Incidentally it is strange the view we humans
take of such experiences as this. We enjoyed
watching chickadees help themselves to our
provender. Had tkey been Blue Jays or Crows
would we not have considered the birds thieves
and stealing?

The following couple of hours were spent without
difficulty amid the ample bird-life of the same
woods. Then, later in the afternoon, we came
again to the scene of our camp fire and noon-day
meal. The chickadees were still feeding on the
bread on the bushes. But they had company
now. Among them was the Tufted Titmouse and
as much at home as one of them. Without restraint
we approached and at a distance of fifteen and
twenty feet we watched him feeding. He lingered
long over his repast trying several crusts, standing
on some, beside others and clinging chickadee-like
to others—but in silence throughout.

It occurred to me now to try his patience again
He responded at once, ceased eating
and answered with a loud whistle. But this time
it was a different note. Not the smooth whee-o
of before, but more sharply and abruptly uttered.
It might be written Wheet-o, Wheet-o in two dis-
tinct syllables, rather than the long whee-o in
which the first vowel was slurred into the other.
Again he went off on a mad search for the other
Tit. From time to time he varied his calls so that
in all we heard: First—a low thin see-see-see-see
accompanied with trembling wings. Second—a
harsh grating Scray, scray. Third—a call which
clearly showed the family relationship with the
chickadee, Sic sic sic quay quay quay-y. The first
part is identical with the chickadee’s well-known
call, the second part more harsh and nasal than
that bird’s final syllables. We followed him
some distance through the woods, listening and
noting down these various calls till at length he
vanished amid the haze of trees and upper branch-
es. This was the last we saw of him. We have
hunted and called through the same woods on two
occasions since but failed to have either sight or
sound of our Titmouse friend again. We can only
believe he paused in this wood for one day and is
now in parts unknown.

Apart from this memorable experience, March
29 was full of interest, so much so that without
going outside of five hundred yards during the

164

entire day we noted thirty different species of
birds. We finally ended the holiday by a very
close approach to four Long-eared Owls which we

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

[VoL. XLIV

discovered roosting in a dense cedar grove—part
of a day’s birding with us is to find an owl or two

of some kind before going home.

EDWIN BEAUPRE
By R. O. MERRIMAN

IN THE death of Edwin Beaupre, bird-
study in Canada loses one of its most
enthusiastic and careful field observers
and collectors, and his associates lose
a valued friend.

Edwin Beaupre was the youngest son of Edward
Beaupre and his wife, born Esther Moffatt, and
was of French blood on his father’s side and of
Scottish and Irish extraction through his mother.
He was born in Portsmouth, Ontario, and received
his early education at a private school, and, except
for a short time in early manhood spent in Al-
berta, he lived all his life in Portsmouth and
Kingston, Ontario. He was in the hotel business
for some years, and later was a wine merchant,
and since the advent of prohibition he was a
manufacturer of carbonated beverages. He was
a widower without children, having married, in
1904, Anna Leahy, of Cleveland, who died in
1914.

When Edwin Beaupre was a boy, a chance meet-
ing with the late Dr. C. K. Clarke, then super-
intendent of “Rockwood”, the provincial lunatic
asylum at Portsmouth, led to a lasting friendship
and infected Beaupre with Dr. Clarke’s enthusiasm
for bird-study, for which he was widely known.
Beaupre himself dated his scientific interest in
birds from 1894, when he started his ornithological
library with a copy of Mcllwraith’s “Birds of
Ontario,” and taught himself to prepare bird skins
and to mount birds. His collection of birds,
which were mostly mounted specimens, did not
grow to large proportions; but at bis death his
collection of eggs included a good representation of
Canadian birds. He collected constantly through
the neighbourhood of Kingston and along the
lakes of northern Frontenac County and the
adjoining counties, and made collecting trips to
more distant breeding grounds. He exchanged
with collectors in other parts of Canada, but he
did not habitually buy or sell specimens; for he
was a conservationist as well as a collector, and
he was keenly aware of the danger to rare species
through the work of the commercial collector.

Among his longer collecting trips may be mention-
ed his visits to the Gulf of St. Lawrence, (the
Magdalen Islands, Percé Rock and Bird Rock),
in 1903 and 1926, his trip to the Georgian Bay
in 1918, and his last trip, to the neighbourhood
of Fort Assiniboine, Alberta, north of the Atha-
basca River, in the spring of 1929. On this last
trip he was especially pleased to observe the
breeding of the Solitary Sandpiper; for he had
been indirectly connected with, but had never
accepted, one of the now generally rejected
records of this species nesting on the ground in
Southern Ontario. Beaupre was an accurate and
conservative observer, supporting his observations
by collecting specimens whenever necessary, and
making notes on breeding habits and habitats,
migration, and many other topics. He also used
photography and bird-banding as methods of
bird study. He contributed occasional notes to
The Canadian Field-Naturalist and other maga-
zines; but his usual method of making known the
fruits of his observations was by letter, his corres-
pondents including the late E. H. Forbush, P. A.
Taverner, A. C. Bent, several members of the
staff of the Royal Ontario Museum of Zoology
and others. At the Ottawa meeting of the
American Ornithologists’ Union, of which he was
an associate, he met several of his correspondents
for the first time, and in some instances for the
only time.

He was unable to watch the migration of birds
this spring, and in May he was taken to the Hotel
Dieu Hospital, Kingston, where he died on June
2, 1980, aged 58. After his illness was known to
be mortal, he was delighted to receive a set of
eggs of the Canada Jay, from a homesteader in
Northern Alberta with whom he had _ lodged
during his trip in 1929, and from the hospital
he gave directions for the care of these specimens.
The collection which thus interested him to the
last days of his life now goes by his will to the
Royal Ontario Museum of Zoology. In religion
he was a Roman Catholic, and his requiem was
sung in St. Mary’s Cathedral, Kingston. R.I.P.

October, 1930]

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

165

RED-HEADED WOODPECKER IN WINTER AT TORONTO

By JAMES L.

T IS the purpose of this note to place on

record several instances of the occurrence
of this bird in winter at Toronto. There
are records of the species having been
seen occasionally in winter in other parts of south-
ern Ontario, e.g., in Kent county and at Cold-
stream, London and Elora, but the literature con-
tains only four records of it at Toronto during the
winter season, in 1890 (Thompson)!, in 1905
(Fleming)?, in 1921 (Harrington and Starr)? and
in 1929 (Rutter)‘.

Although very numerous here at one time’, the
Red-headed Woodpecker has become, of recent
years, much reduced in numbers. It is still, how-
ever, One of the familiar breeding birds of the
Toronto region. Twenty-six years of migration
records of Toronto naturalists (on file at the Royal
Ontario Museum of Zoology) supply the average
date of arrival, namely May 3, which is one day
later than the average arrival date at London
(one hundred miles to the south-west) according
to seventeen years of records compiled by the
Mellwraith Ornithological Club®. The earliest
date of arrival at Toronto (excepting birds that
may have wintered) is April 14, in 1922 (six birds)
and on April 19 of the same year the birds were
present in one small section of southern High
Park. In the autumn it has usually disappeared
by the end of September, the latest record being
of six birds seen an October 16, 1921.

There is no evidence to indicate that it had
ever been found here in winter until February 28,
1886, on which date Mr. Hubert H. Brown, saw
one in the grounds ot the University of Toronto.
The bird had wintered in the neighbourhood and
the record is taken from Mr. Brown’s journal in
the possession of the Museum. Four years later,
on March 20, 1890, one was seen at Lorne park by
Mr. Ernest E. Thompson (loc. cit).

Not until the winter of 1904-05 was the species
again noted in the winter and during that season
three were seen, one at the corner of Avenue road
and St. Clair avenue (December 9 and February
4 and 11) by Mr. Stuart L. Thompson and one in
High Park on January 28 by Mr. Oliver Spanner
(according to the journals of Mr. J. H. Fleming).
In his diary for 1907 Mr. Stuart Thompson
states that he saw one on February 16 on Daven-

1 E. E. Thompson, Trans. Can. Inst., 1 : 60, Oct. 1890.
2 J. H. Fleming, Auk, 24 : 76, 1907.

eS D. Harrington and F. A. E. Starr, Bird-lore, 24:10,

4 R. J. Rutter, Can. Field-Nat., 44 : 38, 1930.
5 Handbook of Toronto, 1858, p. 53.
6 Leaflet published in 1927.

BAILLIE, Jr.

port road and two in “Roache’s ravine” on March
23.

Then came a period of fourteen years during
which there is no record of any Red-headed Wood-
peckers having sojourned here through the winter
but in 1920-21 at least four of them remained
throughout the season. Twoof these frequented
the oak-covered east hillside of southern Grenadier
pond (December 19 to March 26) where they were
seen regularly by Mr. R. G. Dingman and the
writer. The third was observed on Januray 22
in the Mount Pleasant cemetery grounds and the
fourth on February 19 at the foot of McLean
avenue, Balmy Beach, both by the writer.

During the following winter (1921-22) four
were again seen throughout the season but this
time all were frequenting the same locality on the
bank of Grenadier pond. They were seen on
different occasions between October 23 and April
8 by Messrs. Thompson, Harrington, Starr and the
writer, on certain days all four birds being obsery-
ed. Harrington and Starr recorded three of them
on their Christmas census (loc. cit.).

In 1924 Mr. John Townson noted a single bird
at Fisherman’s island on Januray 27 and February
7, according to his notes supplied to the Museum.
In 1925 Mr. Holton B. Haugh saw two at Grena-
dier pond on December 31 and it is very likely
that the birds spent the whole winter there.

This winter (1929-30) the Red-headed Wood-
pecker is once more passing the winter with us, at
its old haunts on Grenadier pond. The birds, two
of them, were first seen as early as December 8
and on the 22nd of the month members of the
Brodie Club, taking their fifth Christmas bird
census, saw them (Rutter, loc. cit.). Throughout
the winter the birds were seen by several other
local naturalists and a second pair was discovered
wintering in the neighbourbood of the zoo, in
High park not far from Grenadier pond.

Observations over a period of forty-four years at
Toronto thus show from one to four individuals of
the species to have been present during nine
winters. Several of the winter occurrrences can
be unquestionably correlated with mild and open
seasons but in the instance of the present winter
such is not the case. The early part of the winter
was particularly cold and at least until the third
week of February the ground was continuously
blanketed with snow of sufficient depth to cover
any food-supply that might have been available on
the ground. Unlike the Hairy Woodpecker, this
species exhibits a decided liking for small fruits
and berries and this fact, combined with the bird’s

166

habit of storing away in loose bark and cavities
beechnuts and acorns for future use, probably
solves the question of their food supply in snowy
seasons.

It is granted that a few individuals can find
sufficient food to persist through even an especi-
ally inclement winter but why they choose to
remain here is not so clear. It is unlikely that as
many as four birds all suffered physical handicaps

THE CANADIAN FIBELD-NATURALIST

- {Von. XLIV

or injuries that would prohibit migration.

Since four of the last nine winters have seen
red-heads sojourning in a certain section of High
park, it would seem that,—given an adaptable
species capable of subsistence on a more or less
omnivorous diet, place it in a protected, wooded
ravine where a supply of food is to be had in bad
weather,—all individuals of the species may not
migrate.

NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS

MORTALITY OF JUVENILE BLACK-BACKED GULLS
AT LAKE GEORGE, Nova Scotia.—During the
last decade the writer has visited the well-known
nesting grounds of the Black-backed Gull at Lake
George, Yarmouth County, at different periods
during the breeding time of these birds. A
number of these visits were made in May when the
islands on which they lay, some six or seven in
number, were well covered with eggs. At such
times a small number of adult birds, approximately
four to eight, were found dead in various stages
of decomposition. ‘The ones which had most
recently died were examined but no cause for their
death could be determined. It is the writer’s
opinion that they may have succumbed to the
ravages of old age.

In the four years from 1925 to 1928 four hundred
and sixty-five juvenile birds were banded on Gull
Island which is by far the largest island of the
group. This work was performed by Mr. Basil
Colbran, of Windsor, and the writer who visited
the island during the month of July for that pur-
pose. At the time of these visits the young showed
various stages of development, a few being in the
downy stage while many others were well able to
fly and take wing at our approach, the latter readily
eluding us. The dates of these respective visits
were as follows: In 1925, July 21st; in 1926,
July 28th and 29th; in 1927, July 22nd, and in
1928, July 21st. It was found that July 28th
was rather too late, the other three visits being
more timely as the young were very readily caught.

During these four banding excursions we found
approximately thirty or forty dead immature
gulls each year and a number of others which were
so sickly that they probably died and in no case
were the sickly birds banded. The dead birds
which had died most recently and the sickly
birds were invariably examined and in every
case it was found that the tops of their heads were
severely bruised, the wounds on the living birds
frequently showing fresh blood. What agency
was responsible for this condition we were not
able to determine but we are firmly of the opinion
that these birds were killed or injured by adult

gulls other than their own parents, for when these
fly in from the coast bearing food for their own
offspring, it is quite reasonable to assume that this
food is eagerly sought by numbers of other young
gulls and these unwelcome intruders are no doubt
repulsed by being pecked on the head which often
proves fatal.

In the month of October, 1926, this island was
visited by two duck hunters from Port Maitland
and in their travels they by chance noticed the
remains of a young gull with a band on its leg.
Thinking that there was a cash reward for each
band so recovered, they searched for others with
the result that twenty bands were thus found and
subsequently turned in. It was in 1926 that the
largest number of birds were banded, namely one
hundred and eighty-seven. Unfortunately similar
searches were not made in the other three years
for which reason it is impossible to state whether
the ratio of mortality among the birds which were
banded in 1926 was high or low. All of the band-
ing of these birds was done under my supervision
and I am morally certain that in not a single case
were any birds, which were so handled, injured
by us.

If this banding is carried on at Lake George
another year, it is my intention to re-visit the
scene of the banding operations myself within a
few weeks for the purpose of gathering further
information of a more accurate nature concerning
the subject at hand.—R. W. TuFTts.

A BRONZED GRACKLE FOSTER PARENT.—
During June, 1929, while I was staying at my
mother’s summer residence at St. Michel, Belle-
chasse County (opposite Quebec city), Quebec, I
frequently noticed a pair of Bronzed Grackles
about the house. Whenever we went on the
gallery the female Grackle flew from branch to
branch in a near-by tree, scolding noisily. I
looked for her nest but could not find it, but did
find a Chipping Sparrow’s nest, containing three
young, in a grapevine that was trained along the
gallery. I was surprised not to see any sign of
the parent Chipping Sparrows, and watched the

ob eo ple

October, 1930}

nest carefully, first from a window, and then
from a doorway. Finally, I saw the female Grackle
go to the nest and feed the young Chipping Spar-
rows; she fed them three or four times in my
presence, not more than a few feet from me.
That afternoon one of the young Chipping Spare
rows flew from the nest to a tree near by, and was
followed by the female Bronzed Grackle, which
showed every sign of maternal anxiety.— WILSON
BAILLAIRGE.

LESSER SCAUP BREEDING AT TORONTO.—It can
easily be imagined that I was both surprised and
delighted to see a duck of this species (Marila
affinis) and her brood of seven young swimming
about near the throngs of people at Toronto
Island on July 27, 1929. At that time the young
could not have been more than two or three days
old. When I first saw them they emerged from
under the willow bushes that grow along the edge
of the lagoon on Toronto Island and I saw them
every day from that date until September 12
when I left Toronto for some weeks.

The most amazing thing about the young scaups
was the rapidity with which they grew. In five
weeks (about September 1) they were nearly fully
grown and were able to fly short distances. About
this time the male made his appearance. For a
few days he was not allowed to associate with his
family but in the course of a week they were all
united.

Wood Ducks, Black Ducks and Blue-winged
Teal formerly bred in the marsh at Ashbridge’s
bay, at the east end of Toronto harbour, but this
scaup is the first of the diving ducks to raise a
family in the vicinity of Toronto in my recollec-
tion.— JOHN _TOWNSON.

WHISTLING SWAN AT RIGAUD, QUEBEC.—A
Whistling Swan (Olor columbianus) was shot at
Rigaud, Quebec, during the first week of November,
1925. Identity was established by E. G. White
who saw the bird which had been mounted by a
taxidermist —Hoyves Luioyp.

BANDS OF BIOLOGICAL STATION, HELGOLAND,
GERMANY, BEING USED IN CENTRAL AMERICA.—
In “‘News from the Bird Banders’’, published by the
Western Bird Banding Association for January,
1930, it is stated that Mr. Walter Wenzel is band-
ing Vaux Swifts (Chxtura vauxi) at El Zopte, Gaute-
mala, with the bands of the Biological Station,
Helgoland, Germany. Since this species occurs
in British Columbia, it is possible that birds
bearing these bands may be found there. Anyone
finding a Swift bearing one of these bands should
report the fact to the National Parks of Canada
Branch, Department of the Interior, Ottawa,

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

167

Canada, for the Canadian banding records, and
the Parks Branch will advise the bander.

A TARDY HORNED LARK.—Mr. Fred W. Os-
borne, Guardian of St. Mary Islands Bird Sanc-
tuary, on the north shore of the Gulf of St.
Lawrence, has written to me in a letter, dated
February 19, 1930, that at his winter home in the
village of Harrington Harbour, Saguenay County,
Quebec, which is also on the north shore of the
Gulf of St. Lawrence, ‘‘We also had a Horned
Lark feeding around the place until January 28th.
They may be common in Canada the year through,
but to my knowledge I never saw any later than
November of any year’’.—HARRISON F. LEwIs.

HAWK KILLED BY ELECTROCUTION.—The night
of the 3rd-4th of May, 1930, a high tension wire
carrying a heavy voltage broke near Montmagny,
P.Q., a place about 40 miles below Quebec on the
south shore of the St. Lawrence. The separate
ends touched the ground not far from each other,
and the current continued running.

In the morning when the men went to make re-
pairs they found between the ends of the wire,
where the current had been passing, a large hawk
with his wings outstretched, sort of half sitting on
his feet and his tail, and in his claws a field-mouse
which he had just caught, and they had both been
electrocuted. It is interesting to surmise whether
the mouse crossed the danger zone alone, and was
killed, and then acted as an electrified bait for the
hawk, or whether the mouse was running away, and
they were both killed at the same time.

The father of a young lady who works in our
office is the Manager of the Power Company, and
sbe saw the hawk and the mouse exactly as they
were found, as the repair man came to get her fath-
er to show them to him before moving them. Un-
fortunately, I could not find out what kind of a hawk
it was, or what had become of it.—R. MEREDITH.

OUTSIDE NESTS OF FLYING SQUIRRELS.—In the
April, 1930, issue of The Canadian Field-Naturalist,
Mr. Jas. L. Baillie, Jr., had a paper regarding “‘Out-
side Nests of the Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys v.
volans)’’ which interested me, inasmuch as I have
only found one such nest in thirty-three years.

This nest was found on May 5, 1899, at Walnut
Hill, Montgomery County, Pa., (twelve miles
north of Philadelphia), in a hemlock wood on a
rocky creek bluff, and contained two blind, naked
young. The female was frightened from the nest
and captured. The nest was 25 feet up in a small
hemlock, placed in a cluster of shoots, against the
thin trunk; it was oval shaped, composed of hem-
lock twigs, dead leaves, grasses and fine bark strips,
built thickly with fine bark shreds, and had the en-
trance hole, 2 inches in diameter, in the side of the
trunk; it was about 10 inches in diameter and com-
pactly built —RICHARD F. MILLER, Philadelphia.

168

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

[VoL. XLIV

BOOK REVIEWS

THE MAMMALS OF ONTARIO by H. C. Cross and
J. R. Dymond. Royal Ontario Museum of
Zoology. Handbook No. 1. University of
Toronto Press. 1929. Price Twenty-five
cents. 8vo. pp. 56,1 map and 4 line drawings.

During the past few years the members of the
staff of the Royal Ontario Museum of Zoology
have been showing commendable zeal in reviving
interest in the study of the fauna of the Province
in various ways: (1) by stimulating the young
field-naturalists of the Toronto region; (2) by
making intensive studies and systematic collec-
tions of the animal life in hitherto neglected
districts; and (3) by publishing short papers on
faunas of different parts of the Province of On-
tario.

As the authors of the report under review have
truly stated, one of the great difficulties met by
naturalists beginning the study of many groups
of animals in Ontario is the lack of publications
describing the different forms found in the Pro-
vince. This is partly due to incomplete know-
ledge of many forms, and partly to existing
knowledge being scattered and practically un-
available to most students. The importance of
such knowledge is coming to be recognized, as
the crop of fur-bearing mammals in Ontario runs
into millions of dollars annually, the big game
mammals produce many thousands as a food
supply in many districts, and probably still more
is spent by sportsmen and tourists who are
interested in the big game mammals—deer,
moose and bear—to say nothing of the large
proportion of the population who derive esthetic
pleasure from the wild life.

The authors have listed 68 species of mammals
authentically known to occur in Ontario within
recent times, with additional subspecies bringing
the number of recognized forms up to 87 , adding
that “it is quite probable that future study will
add a number of species to those known to occur
within our boundaries.” It may be mentioned
that the Ungava Phenacomys was first taken in
Ontario in 1925, and the Little Short-tailed
Shrew (Cryptotis parva) was taken for the first
time in Ontario (and in Canada) only in 1928.
While no attempt has been made to give descrip-
tions of all the forms, the general characters of
the main groups are given. Brief descriptions,
In some cases with line drawings of essential
characters, are given of the species which are
apt to be confused, so that the student may be
able to identify most of the common forms. An
important feature consists of notes on the present
status of many species. The subspecies are

treated in footnotes under the species and their
treatment is generally confined to their geo-
graphical ranges. A fairly complete and classi-
fied list of the most important published works
is given for the benefit of those who wish to
pursue their studies further.

Attention is called to some general principles
of animal distribution in the Province, with
reference to a map of Ontario showing the life
zones generally recognized in the Province.
The Carolinian life zone is shown to extend along
the north shore of Lake Erie south of a line
drawn from Lake St. Clair to the west end of
Lake Ontario. The Transition zone lies north
of the Carolinian and south of a line from north-
east end of Georgian Bay to the Ottawa River.
The Canadian zone is north of the Transition
and south of a line drawn from the middle of
James Bay west to the Manitoba border. The
Hudsonian zone includes all the area north of the
Canadian zone in Ontario, with the possible
exception of a narrow strip along the southwest
side of Hudson Bay, which certainly has Boreal
characteristics, although the Boreal zone is not
mentioned. The authors are well-advised in
stating that there is no hard and fast line de-
marking the distribution of the various animals
in the different zones, as there is much inter-
mingling of animals on the borders of different
zones and some animals range widely in two or
more zones. For that reason the designation of
range and habitat by life zones is unsatisfactory.

The reyiewer has in the past found great
difficulty in reconciling the alleged distribution
of species in the Province of Ontario, owing to a
general prevalence of ‘terminological inexacti-
tude’”’ in the geographical sense. Ontario is a
Province of vast geographical extent and irregular
borders, with its eastern border on Quebec ex-
tending farther east than Philadelphia and its
western boundary on the Manitoba and Minne-
sota side much farther west than Minneapolis.
In latitude the Province extends from far up
the west side of Hudson Bay to Pelee Island, on
the line of Northern Ohio and Indiana on the
south. Some naturalists are still following the
nomenclature of a century ago when Ontario
was a narrow settled strip along the upper St.
Lawrence River and the eastern Great Lakes
known as “Upper Canada,’ and continue to
refer to London and Windsor as in western
Ontario. While not designating any definite
geographical or physiographical divisions of the
Province, the authors of this handbook have
apparently classed any district south of Georgian —

October, 1930]

/

Bay, Parry Sound, and Algonquin Park as
Southern Ontario, and the remainder of the
Province as Northern Ontario, which on the whole
corresponds roughly with the boundary between
the Transition and Canadian zones.

Attention is called to the importance of study-
ing fluctuations in the numbers of mammals,
the differences between animals of the same
species from different localities, and the fact
that many closely related animals are fitted for
different conditions. Average measurements are
given for each species listed, brief accounts of
its life habits, food, economic value, and its
principal enemies. In at least one instance the
authors have fallen into error, in giving the chief
enemies of the Arctic Fox as wolves and polar
bears. Many years of field experience with these
species have satisfied the reviewer of the virtual
lack of competition between these species. While
an occasional hungry wolf may eat foxes caught
in traps, the foxes are too small to be of much
importance to wolves and the foxes are far too
alert to fall a prey except under very exceptional
circumstances; while the foxes which live on the
sea ice in winter where polar bears are found,
habitually accompany the bears as friendly, or
at least tolerated, parasites, living largely on the
discarded remnants and blood of seals killed by
the bears. The same may be said of foxes and
wolves on the land, where there are plenty of
-earibou, and the foxes glean the carcasses left
by the wolves.

In the present state of our knowledge the
authors can hardly be criticized for not attempting
an enumeration of the pinnipeds and cetaceans
which have a place in the mammal fauna of
- Ontario, but the title of the report might more
properly have been the ‘“‘Land. Mammals of
Ontario.”” There are old records of the harbour
seal (Phoca vitulina) in both the Ottawa and
‘upper St. Lawrence rivers, and as Ontario is
working towards real maritime expansion in the
north, we should not forget the ringed seal
(Phoca hispida) and bearded seal (Hrignathus
barbatus) and probakly the Atlantic walrus
(Odobenus rosmarus) in Hudson and James Bay.
The cetacean population is more problematical
but the white whale (Delphinapterus leucas)
occurs in Hudson and James Bays, and possibly
also the bowhead may come within Ontario
waters as it is known from the northern part of
Hudson Bay.

This little book fills a long-felt need, and should
be in the hands of everyone who is interested in
the mammal life of Canada. A copy should be
-in the hands of all Ontario teachers of zoology,
and as nearly every country boy who hunts

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

169

or traps, and every Boy Scout, sees animals
which he would like to be able to name or to
know more about, a copy should be in every
school library in the Province—R. M. ANDERSON,
National Museum of Canada.

INSECTS, T1ckS, MITES AND VENOMOUS ANIMALS
OF MEDICAL AND VETERINARY IMPORTANCE.
By Walter Scott Patton and Alwin M. Evans,
786 pages, 60 plates and 734 figures. Price 20
shillings, including postage to any part of the
world. Obtainable only from the Entomological
Department, Liverpool School of Tropical
Medicine, England.

This work has been prepared by authors well
qualified for the undertaking—Prof. Patton’s
studies in tropicel diseases and of the insects and
other animals related to them, are well known.
Dr. Evans has also had a distinguished career as
an investigator of animal carriers of disease and
her work has been very favourably commented
upon. We believe that the authors in preparing
this volume have fully lived up to their reputation
and that it is a work of exceptional merit; well
planned for the object in view and almost indis-
pensable to the student aspiring to study tropical
diseases.

The book replaces Patton and Crigg’s Textbook
of Medical Entomology which the authors state is
now “‘out of date and out of print”’.

The matter dealt with is arranged as a series of
28 “‘meetings’’ including 20 lectures, rather than
in chapters, the lectures being intended to cover
a ‘‘course for the Diploma in Tropical Medicine,
University of Liverpool and for the Diploma in
Tropical Medicine and Hygiene in other tropical
schools and universities”’.

There is no table of contents and in view of the
continuous nature of the subject discussed it is
difficult to give a definite summary of the text.
Accepting the ‘‘meetings” as divisions the subjects
would run somewhat as follows:—

First meeting.—A brief classification of the
animal kingdom. Groups of animals of medical
and veterinary importance, including a “‘short
classification of parasites and their carriers used
in the school’”’.

Second and Third meeting.—External anatomy.

Fourth and Fifth meeting—Internal anatomy.

Sixth to Eighteenth meeting.—Classification and
bionomics of Diptera and their part in the spread
of disease.

Nineteenth and Twentieth meeting—Studies in
fleas.

Twenty-first meeting.—Studies in lice.

Twenty-second and Twenty-third meetings—
Studies in ticks.

170

Twenty-fourth meeting.—Studies in mites.

Twenty-fifth meeting.—Stinging, vesicating and
venomous animals.

Twenty-sixth meeting.—Dissecting,

preserving and breeding.

collecting,

Twenty-seventh meeting.—Repellents and control
measures.

The discussions are clear and full and the illus-
trations so good that they help immeasurably to
understand the text. By far the greatest portion
of the book deals with classification but in addi-
tion the bionomics of many of the species are
described and followinz this a less extensive out=
line of the diseases with which they are associated
is given. A vast majority of the diseases and
carriers depicted belong to tropical countries but
while this is so it must not be supposed that we
in Canada are wholly free from them. The spotted
fever tick Dermacentor venustus, as the authors
state, occurs in British Columbia and we might
add that it has also been taken as far eastward as
Manitoba. Houseflies, stableflies, fleas and lice
are in our midst and all of these have been proved
to be earriers of disease.
final 35 pages are a list of mosquito repellents and
a table showing disease carrying mosquitoes, the
diseases they disseminate and the countries they
inhabit.

Brief but interesting statements are z2iven
describing the causes of disease and how the in-
fection is brought about; much of this information
has appeared in journals inaccessible to the
average person and on that account it is practically
unknown. We might, as an example, draw atten-
tion to the statement on page 196: ‘Until re-
cently Stegomyia fasciata was the only known
insect victor of the unknown virus of yellow fever,
but it is now known, as the recent work of Bauer
and Philips has shown, that several allied Aedians
can also transmit the parasite.’ And again
under typhus fever: ‘“‘This disease cannot, as far
as known at present, be acquired in any other
way than by the bite and the feces of the louse’.

At the end ot the volume is a large chart, illus-
trated by drawings of the animals, giving a classi-
fication of the Arthropods of medical importance.
The work is to be followed by three additional
volumes, Part 2 Public Health, Part 3 Tropical
Hygiene and Part 4 Veterinary.

The book is admittedly for class work and as
such it should find a place in every university.
It will also prove a useful reference work to the
economic entomologist, especially for those spe-
cializing in medical entomology and other animals
affecting the health ot man. Noteworthy features
are the number and excellence of the illustrations,

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

\

Among the items in the |

[VoL. XLIV

most of which are original and prepared especially
for this volume.

There will be those who would like to see a
more definite division of the subject matter into
chapters but when it is realized that the subjects
have been arranged for class work the objection
will not carry so much weight. Indeed the merits
of the book are so great that we can readily over-
look the few apparent defects NORMAN CRIDDLE.

ORNITHOLOGICAL INVESIIGATIONS NEAR BELVE-
DERE, ALBERTA, 1926. By P. A. Taverner.
National Museum of Canada. Bulletin 50,
pp. 84-104. Ottawa, 1928.

Belvedere, some eighty miles north-west of
Edmonton, has become well known to Zoologists
through the careful investigations of Mr. A. D.
Henderson and it was important that collections
should be made for the National Museum in this
region. Mr. P. A. Taverner was accompanied by
Mr. Hamilton M. Laing and the late Mr. C. G.
Harrold. Some three months were spent in the
field, with results that add much to our knowledge
of the breeding ranges of many Canadian birds.

Bonaparte’s Gull was found breeding about
Belvedere and northward to the Fort Assiniboine
region, as Mr. Henderson has already recorded.
The American Golden-eye, the Bufflehead and the
White-winged Scoter, are mong the more interest-
ing ducks found breeding. In 1925, Mr. Henderson
took the eggs of the Dowitcher in the Fort Assin-
iboine region, and the Museum is fortunate in the
gift of a nest and eggs by Mr. R. C. Harlow. It
is interesting to learn that the Hungarian Par-
tridge has already become resident in the Belve-
dere region. There is an unexpected record of
the Indigo Bunting, and at last we have authentic -
records of the Connecticut Warbler breeding.—
J. H. FLEMING.

BIRDS AND MAMMALS OF THE Mount LOGAN
EXPEDITION, 1925. By H. M. Laing, P. A.
Taverner and R. M. Anderson. National
Museum of Canada. Bulletin 56, pp. 69-107.
Ottawa, 1929.

This is 2 welcome addition to our scanty know-
ledge of the fauna of the glacial region of south-
western Canada. Mr. Laing accompanied the
Mount Logan Expedition as far as the upper
Chitina river, where he established camp at the
foot of the Chitina moraine. The country proved
difficult to traverse and no crossing of the Chitina
river was possible. Collections of animals, birds
and plants were made in the different life zones,
with results that-fully justify Mr. Laing’s repu-
tation as an efficient and discerning field-naturalist,
much of the time alone and always in a difficult

~~,

October, 1930]

country. Mr. Laing has added much valuable
material to the National Museum. The list of
birds is annotated by Mr. P. A. Taverner and in
the subspecific determinations show a distinctly

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIS1

171

eastern tendency. The mammals
determined by Dr. R. M. Anderson

The text throughout is marred by an excessive
use of the blue pencil.—J. H. FLEMING.

have been

| OFFICIAL CANADIAN RECORD OF BIRD-BANDING RETURNS

Published by Authority of the National joe of Canada Branch, Department of the Interior,
anada

RETURNS UPON BIRDS BANDED IN 1913.

BRANDT’S CORMORANT, No. A.B.B.A.
14088, banded by O. J. Murie, at Three Arch
| Rocks, Orgeon Coast, on July 4. 1913, was killed

a year or so before August 14, 1929, and was report-
ed by a resident of Alert Bay, British Columbia.

RETURNS UPON BIRDS BANDED IN 1922.

GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL, No. 201,252.
nestling, banded by Theed Pearse, at Mitlenatch,
north of the 50th parallel in the Strait of Georgia,

British Columbia, on July 30, 1922, was found
dead at Brunette Creek, Maillardville, New
_ Westminster, British Columbia, on July 24, 1929.

BLACK DUCK, No. 101, 149, banded by H. 8.

Osler, at Lake Seugog, Ontario, on August 20,
1922, was killed at Lake Hrie, near Lakeside,
Ohio, during the fall of 1928.

BLACK DUCK, No. 228,448, banded by H. S.
Osler, at Lake Seugog, Ontario, on October 8,
1922, was killed at Denson’s Landing, Tennessee,
on January Sin dey).

RETURNS UPON BIRDS BANDED IN 1923.

GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL, No. 232,867,
nestling, banded by Theed Pearse, at Mitlenatch,
Strait of Georgia, British Columbia, on August 12)
1923, was found injured at Beverly Hills, Washing-
ton, on November 17, 1928. The ‘band was

removed and the bird released.

RETURNS UPON BIRDS BANDED IN 1924.

BLACK DUCK, No. 297,919, banded by H. S.
Osler, at Lake Seugog, Ontario, on October 26,
1924, was shot at Onancock, Virginia, on J anuary
14, 1929.
__ PINTAIL, No. 305,433, m., banded by J. G.
| Cunningham, at Lulu’ Island, British Columbia,

on April 7, 1924, was killed at Colusa County,
_ California, on January L929:

RETURNS UPON BIRDS BANDED IN 1925.

HERRING GULL, No. 225,213, yg., banded
_by Dr. D. A. Dery, at Razades d’en bas, Temis-
couata County, Quebec, on July 17, 1925, was
found dead at Fall River, Massachusetts, on
December 14, 1928.
BLACK DUCK, No. 323,825, banded by H. S.
Osler, at Lake Seugog, Ontario, on September 24,
B 1925, "was shot at Brush Creek, "Hamlin Township,
Monroe County, New York, on November 15,
192
BLACK DUCK, No. 389,316, banded by H. S.
- Osler, at Lake Seugog, Ontario, on October 3,
1925, was caught in a muskrat trap, at South
Monaghan, Ontario, during the month of April,
1928.
__ BLACK DUCK, No. 389,077, banded by H. S.
- Osler, at Lake Scugog, Ontario, on October 19,
1925, was killed at Currituek Sound, North Caro-
lina, on January 1, 1929.

SCAUP DUCK, No. 301,731, m., banded by
S. M. Batterson, at Mohler, "Oregon, on January
7, 1925, was killed at Pedder Bay, British Colum-
bia, on December 16, 1928.

GHICKADEE, No. A35 202, ad., banded by
R. H. Carter, Jr., at Muscow, Saskatchewan, on
September 21, 1925, repeated on November 1 and
November 2, 1925, and was found dead ina shop,
in the same locality on November 22, 1928.
Death probably caused from flying against the
window pane.

RETURNS UPON BIRDS BANDED IN 1926.

GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL, No. 418,-
740, juv., banded by Harrison F. Lewis, on
Eastern island, St. Mary Islands, Saguenay
County, Quebec, on August 4, 1926, was caught
at Tweed Island, Newfoundland, during the
year 1926.

HERRING GULL, No. 418,711, juv., banded
by Harrison F. Lewis, on Middle Island, St.
Mary Islands, Saguenay County Quebec, on
August 3, 1926, was probably killed at Trout
River, District of St. Barbe, west coast of New-
foundland, on January 1, 1929.

COMMON CORMORANT, No. 301,425, juv.,
banded by Harrison F. Lewis, at Lake Island,
Saguenay County, Quebec, on July 16, 1926, was
aon at Cross Island, Maine, on January

MALLARD, No. 409,348, f., banded by F. C.
Lincoln, at Bath, Illinois, on January 8, 1926,
was killed on September 15, 1928 reported by
a resident of Thicket Portage, Manitoba.

MALLARD, No. 409,755, banded bya Bu. Cy
Lincoln, at Bath, Illinois, on January 11, 1926,
was caught in a muskrat trap, at Leask, Saskat-
chewan, on May 10, 1929.

MALLARD, No. "388, 546, m., banded by Paul
K. Page, at Lac Ste. Anne, Alberta, on August
22; 1926, was shot at Beardstown, Illinois, —re-
ported on January 25,1929.

MALLARD, No. 322 960, juv., f., banded by
Bert Lloyd, at Davidson, Saskatchewan, on
September 26, 1926, was shot at Bell City, Loui-
siana, on December 18, 1928.

BLACK DUCK, No. 457,514, banded by H. S.
Osler, at Lake Scugog, Ontario, on October 3,
1926, was shot at Hunting Island, off the coast
of South Carolina, on December 19, 1928.

BLACK DUCK, No. 457,651, banded by H. S.
Osler, at Lake Seugog Ontario, on October 9,
1926, was killed at Wassaw Island, Savannah,
Georgia during the month of January, 1929.

BLACK DUCK, No. 457,664, banded by H. S.
Osler, at Lake Scugog, Ontario, on October 9,
1926, was killed at Lac Nichicun, Central Quebec,
on March LS LOZ9E

BLACK DUCK, No. 457,846, banded by H. S.
Osler, at Lake Scugog, Ontario, on October 13,

172

Lee ae shot at Lockbourne, Ohio, on December
22, 1928. ; >

BLACK DUCK, No. 464,106, banded by H. S.
Osler, at Lake Scugog, Ontario, on October 14,
Uae wae killed at Erie, Michigan, on November
15, 1928.

BLACK DUCK, No. 464,134, banded by H. S.
Osler, at Lake Scugog, Ontario, on October 15,
1926, was killed at Crisfield, Maryland, on Janu-
ary 2, 1929.

MALLARD, No. 456,101, banded by F. H.
Rose, at Moiese, Montana, on October 15, 1926,
ia auek at Golden Spike, Alberta, during the fall
Ce) (fe
SWAINSON’S HAWK, No. 233,107, banded
by Herman Battersby, at Oak Lake, Manitoba, on
August 19, 1926, was shot at Northwood, North
Dakota, on May 26, 1929.

BLACK-HEADED JAY, No. 439,767, banded
by T. T. & E. B. McCabe, at Indianpoint Lake,
Barkerville, British Columbia, on September 29,
1926, repeated several times in 1926 and 1927, once
in 1928, and was killed in a squirrel trap, one-
quarter of a mile from the place where it was
banded, on October 3, 1928.

CROW, No. 406,598, juv., banded by Robert
Morton, at Springfield, Manitoba, on June 6,
1926, wasshot on April3, 1929, and was reported by
a resident of North Transcona, Manitoba.

BRONZED GRACKLE, No. 49,325, banded
by H. Battersby, at Oak Lake, Manitoba, on
July 16, 1926, was killed in the same locality in
which it was banded, on June 10, 1929.

REDPOLL, No. 34,329, ad., f., banded by
Ralph E. DeLury, at Ottawa, Ontario, on March
13, 1926, repeated the following day in the same
trap, was found alive but in a weak condition, at
Fairy Lake, four miles north of place where band-
ed, near Hull, Quebec, on March 14, 1926. Thebird
died the same day.

HOARY REDPOLL, No. 184,706, ad., m.,
banded by Ralph E. DeLury, at Ottawa, Ontario,
on April 5, 1926, repeated several times, and was
pd dead at the Experimental Farm, on April

JUNCO, No. 184,585, banded by Mrs. J. S.
Chamberlain, at Amherst, Massachusetts, on April
8, 1926, was killed by a cat, at Le Quille, Annapolis
County, Nova Scotia,—reported on April 22, 1929.

RETURNS UPON BIRDS BANDED IN 1927.

BLACK GUILLEMOT, No. 293,354, juv.,
banded by Harrison F. Lewis, at Yankee Harbor,
Saguenay County, Quebec, on July 28, 1927, was
found dead at Little Egg Harbour Bay, New
Jersey, on May 15, 1929.

GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL, No. 422,-
521, banded by R. W. Tufts, at Lake George,
Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia, on July 22, 1927,
was found dead at South Harpswell, Maine, on
May 30, 1929. The body was badly decomposed
when found.

CALIFORNIA GULL, No. 544,677, yg., banded
by Frank L. Farley, at Gull Island, in Bittern Lake,
12 miles west of Camrose, Alberta, on June 22,
1927, was killed near Mud Lake, forty miles
northwest of Idaho Falls, Bonneville County,
Idaho, on November 1, 1927.

CALIFORNIA GULL, No. 544,812, yg., band-
ed by Frank L. Farley, at Gull Island, in Bittern
Lake, 12 miles west of Camrose, Alberta, on June

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

[VoL. XLIV

22, 1927, was found at Lac la Biche, near Big
Bay, Alberta, on July 4, 1929.

RING-BILLED GULL, No. 565,961, banded
by Wm. I. Lyon, at St. Martin’s Island Shoal,
Michigan, on July 12, 1927, was caught in a fish
net at Belle Anse, Gaspé County, Quebec, on
November 6, 1928.

COMMON TERN, No. 584,987, nestling,
banded by Edward S. Thomas, at Middle Island,
about two and one-half miles due south of Pelee
Island, Lake Erie, Ontario, on July 22, 1927, was
found dead in the same locality, on July 1, 1929.

MALLARD, No. 405,457, banded by T. E.
Musselman, at Lima Lake, near Meyer, Illinois,
on March 22, 1927, was shot at Bradwell, Saskat-
chewan, on November 15, 1928.

MALLARD, No. 379,928, banded by J. A. M.
Patrick, at Yorkton, Saskatchewan, on September
20, 1927, was killed at Fonebill, about 10 miles
west of Yorkton, Saskatchewan, on September 4,

1928.

MALLARD, No. 602,520, banded by F. H.
Rose, at Moiese, Montana, on September 29,
1927, was found dead at Glenevis, Alberta, on
May 2, 1929.

MALLARD, No. 421,920, ad., f., banded by
D. H. Bendick, at Leduc, Alberta, on October 4,
1927, was killed at Bayou Meto, Lonoke County,
Arkansas, on December 22, 1928. ;

MALLARD, No. 594,270, banded by F. H.
Rose, at Moiese, Montana, on November 2, 1927,
was shot at a lake, fifty miles west of Medicine
Hat, Alberta, on November 11, 1928.

MALLARD, No. 594,768, banded by F. H.
Rose, at Moiese, Montana, on November 6, 1927,
was shot at Mountain View, Alberta, during the -
fall of 1928. e

BLACK DUCK, No. 557,455, banded by W. B.
Large, at Rochester, New York, on November 13,
1927, was caught at Demers Centre, Quebec, on
April 19, 1929.

BLACK DUCK, No. 596,514, banded by W. B.
Large, at Rochester, New York, on November 17,
1927, was killed on the Kenogami River, Ontario,
on June 20, 1929.

BLACK DUCK, No. 557,627, banded by W. B.
Large, at Rochester, New York, on December 4,
1927, was caught in a muskrat trap, at Arden,
Ontario, on April 4, 1929.

PINTAIL, No. 838,180, banded by E. W.
Ehmann, at Lake Merritt, Oakland, California,
on February 1, 1927, was shot at Golden Spike,
Alberta, during the fall of 1927.

GREAT HORNED OWL, No. 301,324, banded
by George Lang, at Indian Head, Saskatchewan,
on May 28, 1927, was found at Clavet, near Sas-
katoon, Saskatchewan, on August 2, 1929.

BRONZED GRACKLE, No. 361,759, ad., m., |
banded by Ralph E. DeLury, at Ottawa, Ontario
on June 5, 1927, was shot at the Experimental
Farm, 300 yards from the place of banding, on
September 7, 1928.

BRONZED GRACKLE, No. 384,612, yg.,
banded by Bert Lloyd, at Davidson, Saskatchew-
an, on June 8, 1927, was drowned in a water
trough at Loreburn, Saskatchewan, on July 19,
1929. ;
SHUFELDT’S JUNCO, No. A61,603, ad., m.,
banded by T. T. & E. B. McCabe, at Indianpoint
Lake, Barkerville, British Columbia, on April
27, 1927, repeated twice in 1927, once in 1928,

4

dint
> = Lee”,

i a

October, 1930]

and was killed by a squirrel in a trap on Sep-
tember 21, 1928.

SHUFELDT’S JUNCO, No. 573,704, im.,
banded by T. T. & E. B. McCabe, at Indianpoint
Lake, Barkerville, British Columbia, on September
16, 1927, repeated several times in 1928, and was
found dead in the same locality, on May 10, 1928.

SONG SPARROW, No. 183,691, banded by
Arthur Morley, at Swampscott, Massachusetts,
on April 14, 1927, flew into a house at Newport
Landing, Hants County, Nova Scotia, on or about
July 3, 1929. The bird was kept ‘and fed for
several days and then released without its band.

RETURNS UPON BIRDS BANDED IN 1928.

MURRE, No. 531,665, juv., banded by Edmund
ia Fletcher, at St. Mary Islands, Saguenay Coun-
ty, Quebec, on July 18, 1928, was shot at Mingan
Harbour, Saguenay County, Quebec, on November
4, 1928. This band was originally reported as
placed on a Juvenile Razor-billed Auk by Mr.
Fletcher. In forwarding the recovery, Mr.
George Maloney reported the bird as a Murre.
In view of the fact that Mr. Fletcher was handling
numerous birds, while Mr. Maloney had only the
one specimen to deal with, and was competent to
identify this bird, his identification has been

accepted.

HERRING GO No. 703,622, fledgeling,
banded by W. B. Grange, at Hat Island, Green
Bay, Wisconsin, on June 30, 1928, was shot at
Bersimis Reserve, Bersimis, two ‘hundred and
twenty-five miles below Quebec, during the
month of October, 1928.

HERRING GULL No. 706,688, banded by
Wm. I. Lyon, at Little Gull Island, Delta County,
Michigan, on July 3, 1928, was ‘found dead in

-Prince Edward County, Ontario, on June 22, 1929.

HERRING GULL, No. 660 463, juv., banded
by Edmund H. Fletcher, at St. Mary Islands,
Saguenay County, Quebec, on July 20, 1928, was
trapped about November 10, 1928, by a resident

CALIFORNIA GUE) Noi 555,835) juve,
banded by Frank L. Farley, at Gull Island, north
end of Bittern Lake, 15 miles northwest of Cam-
rose, Alberta, on June 23, 1928, was shot at Czar,
Alberta, on May 25, 1929.

CALIFORNIA Gia, No. 555,842, juv.,
banded by Frank L. Farley, at Gull Island, north
end of Bittern Lake, 15 miles northwest of Cam-
rose, Alberta, on June 23, 1928, was killed in a
trap at MacLeod, Alberta, on July 21929)

CALIFORNIA Gun: No. 699 OOZ> yyy,
banded by Frank L. Farley, at Gull Island, north
end of Bittern Lake, 15 miles northwest of Cam-
rose, Alberta, on J une 23, 1928, was found dead at
Wetaskiwin, ‘Alberta, on June 17, 1929. The bird
had probably been dead since the previous fall.

CALIFORNIA GULL, No. 699,175, juv.,
banded by Frank L. Farley, at Gull Island, north
end of Bittern Lake, 15 miles northwest of Cam-
rose, Alberta, on June 23, 1928, was found dead
at Brawley, California, on December 8, 1928.

CALIFORNIA GULL, No. 699, 422, juv.,
banded by Frank L. Farley, at Gull Island, north
end of Bittern Lake, 15 miles northwest of Cam-
rose, Alberta, on June 26, 1928, was caught at
Colusa, California, on December. 20, 1928.

CALIFORNIA GULL, No. 699 467, juv.,
banded by Frank L. Farley, at Gull Island, north
end of Bittern Lake, 15 miles northwest of Cam-

-of Pigeon Hill, New Brunswick.

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

173

rose, Alberta, on June 26, 1928, was found dead at
San Luis Obispo, California, on February 22, 1929.

CALIFORNIA GULL, No. 699,875, juv.,
banded by Frank L. Farley, at Gull Island, north
end of Bittern Lake, 15 miles northwest of Cam-
rose, Alberta, on June 28, 1928, was shot at San
Francisco, California, on January 65) 1929;

CALIFORNIA GULL, No. 699, 886, juv., band-
ed by Frank L. Farley, at Gull Island, north end
of Bittern Lake, 15 miles north west of Camrose,
Alberta, on June 28, 1928, was shot at Edmonton,
Alberta, on September 15, 1928.

CALIFORNIA GULL, No. 699,898, juv.,
banded by Frank L. Farley, at Gull Island, north
end of Bittern Lake, 15 miles northwest of Cam-
rose, Alberta, on June 28, 1928, was shot at Dids-
bury, Alberta, on September 15, 1928.

DOUBLE- CRESTED CORMORANT, No.
303,755, banded by Bert Lloyd, at the north end
of Last Mountain Lake, Saskatchewan, on July
21,1928, was captured in ‘a lumber shed at Millville
Florida, on February 26, 1929. The bird was
probably killed.

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT, No.
303,826, banded by Bert Lloyd, at the north end
of Last’ Mountain Lake, Saskatchewan, on July
21, 1928, was shot at Jackson Bayou, St. Mary
Parish, Louisiana, on January 17, 1929.

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT, No.
466,924, banded by Bert Lloyd, at the north end
of Last Mountain Lake, Saskatchewan, on July 21,
1928, was shot at Little Arm, Regina Beach,
Regina, Saskatchewan, on September 15, 1928.

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT, No.
466,937, banded by Bert Lloyd, at the north end
of Last. Mountain Lake, Saskatchewan, on July
21, 1928, was killed at Horse Shoe Lake, ‘Seyppell,
Arkansas, on November 20, 1928.

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT, No.
466,984, banded by Bert Lloyd, at the north end
of Last Mountain Lake, ‘Saskatchewan, on July
21, 1928, was found ‘dead at Sherburne, Louisiana,
reported on October 27, 1928.

MALLARD, No. 326 306, m., banded by F. R.
Butler, at Elk Lake Game Farm, near Victoria,
British Columbia, on January 18, 1928, was shot
at Brentwood, Vancouver Island, British Colum-
bia, on January 30, 1928.

MALLARD, No. 498 ,319, banded by Clarence
E. Chapman, at Oakley, South Carolina, on
February 6, 1928, was killed at Moss Lake, 100
miles north of Indian Lake, Manitoba, during the
month of October, 1928.

MALLARD, No. 496,394, ad., m., banded by
Paul Willson, at Mile High Duck Club, Brighton,
Colorado, on February 12, 1928, was shot at
Beechy, Saskatchewan, on October 27, 1928.

MALLARD, No. 557, 022, partial Fibino! band-
ed by Bert Lloyd, at Davidson, Saskatechwan, on
July 21, 1928, wee killed at Bastrop, Louisiana, on
January 10, 1929

MALLARD, No. 557,064, partial albino, band-
ed by Bert Lloyd, at Davidson, Saskatchewan, on
July 21, 1928, was shot at Bayou Meto, Arkansas,
on January 10, UGG).

MALLARD, No. 557,072, banded by Bert
Lloyd, at Davidson, Saskatchewan, on July 21,
1928, was killed at Tipperary, Arkansas, on
January Sit Aw).

MALLARD, No. 557,078, partial albino, band-
ed by Bert Lloyd, at Davidson, Saskatchewan, on

174

July 21, 1928, was shot at a place six miles east of
Stalwart, Saskatchewan, on November 14, 1928.

BLACK DUCK, banded about April 15, 1928,
by Mr. Hubert L. Mallory, at Mallorytown,
Ontario, with a band bearing the inscription
“H. L. Mallory, Escott, Ontario, Canada,” was
killed on Beaver Dam Lake, Tunica County,
Mississippi, on January 18, 1929.

BLACK DUCK, No. 656,332, banded by V. E.
Gould, at Wolfville, Nova Scotia, on June 14,
1928, was shot at Cherry Hill, Nova Scotia, on
December 23, 1928.

SHOVELLER, No. 656,094, banded by Alex.
Glennie, caretaker of Many Island Lake Bird
Sanctuary, at Walsh, Alberta, on June 25, 1928,
was killed at Rudy Slough, seven miles northwest
of Salt Lake City, Utah, on December 8, 1928.

PINTAIL, No. 601,791, m., banded by E. W.
Ehmann, at Lake Merritt, California, on January
17, 1928, was shot at Fort Providence, North West
Territories, on September 12, 1928.

PINTAIL, No. 567,457, banded by Wm. P.
Sparks, at Waco, Texas, on February 2, 1928, was
shot at the Rae Detachment, Royal Canadian
Mounted Police, Great Slave Lake, North West
Territories, on September 23, 1928.

PINTAIL, No. 600,234, banded by Wm. P.
Sparks, at Tehuacana Club Lake, Waco, Texas,
on February 14, 1928, was killed at a place
three miles north of Bistcho Lake, at the
extreme N.W. corner of the Province of Alberta,
on June 14, 1929.

PINTAIL, No. 600,759, banded by F. W. Robl,
at Ellinwood, Kansas, on March 5, 1928, was shot
at Mantario, Saskatchewan, during the year 1928.

KILLDEER, No. 384,627, banded by Bert
Lloyd, at Davidson, Saskatchewan, on June 27,
1928, was shot on the Platte River, Butler County,
Nebraska, on November 18, 1928.

RUFFED GROUSE, No. 208,603, ad., banded
by Ralph E. DeLury, at the Experimental Farm,
Ottawa, Ontario, on March 17, 1928, flew into a
post and killed itself, in the same locality, during
the month of May, 1928.

MARSH HAWK, No. 227,545, banded by John
Wilkie, at Point Edward, Ontario, on July 15, 1928,
was shot at West Panolu Plantation, Lake Provi-
dence, Louisiana, on December 5, 1928.

CHIMNEY SWIFT, No. B52,637, ad., banded
by R. O. Merriman & assistants, in a chimney
trap at Nicol Hall, Queen’s University, Kingston,
Ontario, on June 9, 1928, was re-captured in the
same chimney on July 20, 1928, and was found
dead in the same locality on May 23, 1929.

CHIMNEY SWIFT, No. B52,845, ad., banded
by R. O. Merriman & assistants, in a_chimney
trap at Nicol Hall, Queen’s University, Kingston
Ontario, on July 20, 1928, was trapped and acci-
pooually killed in the same chimney, on May 10,

CHIMNEY SWIFT, No. B52,965, ad., banded
by R. O. Merriman & assistants, in a_chimney
trap at Nicol Hall, Queen’s University, Kingston
Ontario, on July 20, 1928, was trapped and acci-
seule killed in the same chimney, on May 10,

CROW, No. 223,249, ad., banded by John W.
Piggott, at Bridgetown, Nova Scotia, on February
11, 1928, was shot in the same locality about
January 5, 1929.

STARLING, No. 483,986, banded by E. S.
Thomas, at Columbus, Ohio, on January 4, 1928

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

(VoL. XLIV

was found dead at Strathroy, Ontario, on Decem-
ber 1, 1928. Reported as dying from cold.

COWBIRD, No. 337,668, ad., f., banded by
Ralph E. DeLury, at Ottawa, Ontario, on April
BO eee: was killed in the same locality, on May
3, :

YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD, No. 588,-
384, yg., banded by R. H. Carter, Jr., at Muscow,
Saskatchewan, on June 24, 1928, was found dead
in the same locality, on J uly 1, 1928.

BREWER’S BLACKBIRD, No. 468,687, ad.,
m., banded by P. S. Walker, at the University of
British Columbia, Point Grey, British Columbia,
on April 1, 1928, was killed by a cat in west Point
ete Vancouver, British Columbia, on April 4,

BRONZED GRACKLE, No. 507,813, banded
by C. E. Folsome, at Oscoda, Michigan, on April
16, 1928, was shot at Jamestown, Ontario, on
June 1, 1929.

BRONZED GRACKLE, No. 643,827, m.,
banded by Philip Siemens, at Hepburn, Saskat-
chewan, on May 1, 1928, was found with a broken
leg NO Battleford, Saskatchewan, on June
PN SPAS).

PINE SISKIN, No. B27,652, ad., banded by
T. T. & E. B. McCabe, at Indianpoint Lake,
Barkerville, British Columbia, on June 14, 1928,
sepeaned several times and was killed on July 20,
1928.

GAMBEL’S SPARROW, No. 576,119, ad.,
banded by T. T. & E. B. McCabe, at Indianpoint
Lake, Barkerville, British Columbia, on May 6,
1928, repeated on May 6, 1928,and was found
dead in the same locality, on May 20, 1928.

OREGON JUNCO, No. 492,953, ad., banded
by Gladys Hamersley, at Crofton, British Colum-
bia, on February 1, 1928, repeated on February
3, 1928, and was found dead in the same locality,
on February 23, 1928.

OREGON JUNCO, No. B5,229, ad., banded
by Gladys Hamersley, at Crofton, British Colum-
bia, on February 4, 1928, was found dead in the
same locality, on February 23, 1928,

SHUFELDT’S JUNCO, No. B12,902, ad., f.,
banded by T. T. & E. B. McCabe, at Indianpoint
Lake, Barkerville, British Columbia, on May 5
1928, repeated several times in 1928, and was found
dead in a post hole, in the same locality, on May
21, 1928.

SHUFELDT’S JUNCO, No. B12,939, ad., f.,
banded by T. T. & E. B. McCabe, at Indianpoint
Lake, Barkerville, British Columbia, on May 9,
1928, was killed in a trap by a Sparrow Hawk, in the
same locality, on May 12, 1928

SONG SPARROW, No. 494,732, ad., banded
by Ralph E. DeLury, at Ottawa, Ontario, on
April 15, 1928, repeated on May 10, and May 17,
1928, was found dead in the same locality on June
1 928-

SONG SPARROW, No. 519,127, ad., banded
by Joseph Wendle, at Bowron Lake, Barkerville,
British Columbia, on April 18, 1928, was found
dead at Newlands, British Columbia, on June 24,

1929.

LINCOLN’S SPARROW, No. B27,597, ad.,
banded by T. T. & E. B. McCabe, at Indianpoint ~
Lake, Barkerville, British Columbia, on June 7,
1928, repeated on June 9, 1928, and August 4, 1928,
and was killed in a trap in the same locality, on
September 10, 1928.

Pg

\%

October, 1930]

ROBIN, No. 467,943, ad., m., banded by T. T.
& E.B. McCabe, at Indianpoint Lake, Barkerville,
British Columbia, on April 26, 1928, was found
dead in the same locality on August 14,1928. The
bird had apparently been dead some time.

ROBIN, No. 104,494, im., banded by R. W.
Tufts, at Wolfville, Nova Scotia, on June 4, 1928,
was found dead in the same locality, on July 4,
1929. The bird had apparently been dead for
some time.

RETURNS UPON BIRDS BANDED IN 1929.

MALLARD, No. A624,144, f., banded by R.
M. Stewart, at McGillivray Creek Game Reserve,
Chilliwack, British Columbia, on January 1, 1929,
was shot at Dewdney, British Columbia, on
January 28, 1929.

MALLARD, No. 654,204, banded by W. R.
Priebe, at Twin Falls, Idaho, on February 3, 1929,
was caught in a trap at Battle Lake, Alberta, on
April 29, 1929. The bird’s leg had been cut off
just above the band. The bird escaped and was
an pevera| times in the same locality, on June

’ ,
' PINTAIL, No. A620,255,. banded by HE. W.
Ehmann, at Lake Merritt, Oakland, California, on
January 17, 1929, was killed at Cardston, Alberta,
on April 16, 1929.

PINTAIL, No. A621,227, banded by A. D.
Trempe, at Irvington, California, on January 31,
1929, was caught in a muskrat trap at Deep Lake,

‘near Lake Athabaska, Alberta, on May 1, 1929.

PINTAIL, No. 543,507, banded by Wm. P.
Sparks, at Tehuacana Lake, Waco, Texas, on

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 175

March 8, 1929, was killed at Marcelia, Saskat-
chewan, on April 25, 1929.

STARLING, No. A304,186, banded by E. S.
Thomas, at Columbus, Ohio, on March 8, 1929,
was caught in a stable at Rosenthal, Ontario, on
June 5, 1929.

SNOW BUNTING, No. 698,401, banded by
Dave Fast, at Hepburn, Saskatchewan, on Jan-
uary 12, 1929, was found killed by a stray cat, in
the same locality, on January 15, 1929.

SNOW BUNTING, No. B80,267, banded by
Oscar M. Byrens, at McMillan, Michigan, on
February 23, 1929, was found wounded, at Chelms-
ford, Ontario, on April 18, 1929.

CHICKADEE, No. B59,486, banded by Dave
Fast, at Hepburn, Saskatchewan, on February
18, 1929, repeated in the same locality on Feb-
ruary 19, 1929, and: was found dead in the same
locality, on March 2, 1929.

CHICKADEE, No. B59,488, banded_ by
Dave Fast, at Hepburn, Saskatchewan, on Feb-
ruary 19, 1929, repeated several times in the same
locality during the month of March, 1929, and
was eaten by a cat, one-half mile north of Hep-
burn, Saskatchewan, on April 15, 1929.

CHICKADEE, No. B59,498, banded by Dave
Fast, at Hepburn, Saskatchewan, on February 20,
1929, repeated on February 21, 1929, and was
found dead in the same locality, on March 3,
19295

CHICKADEE, No. C3,274, yg., banded by
R. H. Carter, Jr., at Muscow, Saskatchewan, on
June 16, 1929, was found dead in the same locality,
on June 20, 1929.

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Any

the fact that a number of the early issues are comparatively scarce.
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DoucLas LEECHMAN National Museum OTTAWA, CANADA

176 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST [VoL. XLIV

Canada North of Fifty-six

By Dr. E, M. Kinpiz

(This article won the $1000 prize donated by the late Sir Wm. H. Price)

THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB offers a limited
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This is a splendid general article on Northern Canada.

Send orders with cheques payable at par, Ottawa, to the Hon-
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THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB has a few bound
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NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF

MANITOBA
1929-30

President Emeritus: J. J. GOLDEN; Honorary President:
NORMAN CRIDDLE; Past President; A. A. MCCOUBREY;
President; A. M. DAvipson, M.D.; Vice-Presidenis: H. M.
SPEECHLY, M.D., C. W. Lowe, M. Sc., G. SHIRLEY BROOKS
A. G. LAWRENCE, J. B. WALLIs, B.A.; Treasurer: NORMAN
LowE, 317 Simcoe Street; Auditor: R. M.THOMAS; Social
Convener: Mrs. G. SHIRLEY BRooKs; General Secretary:
B. W. CARTWRIGHT, 392 Woodlawn Street, Deer Lodge;
Executive Secretary: L. T. S. NORRIS-ELYE.

ORNITHOLOGICAL SECTION—Chairman: C. L. BROLEY;
Secretary: . GRESHAM. TE Oe eines SEC-
TION—Chairman: R. A. War M. Se.; Secretary:
L. H. D. RoBERTs. BOTANICAL SECTION—Chairman:
H. F. Roperts, M. Sc.; Secretary: Miss B. M. BRADSHAW.
GEOLOGICAL SECTION—Chairman: R.S. Kirk, Ph. D.;
Secretary: H. C. PEARCE.

_ Meetings are held each Monday evening, except on holidays
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Winnipeg. Field excursions are held each Saturday after-
noon during May, June and September, and on public holidays
during July and August.

NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF BRITISH
COLUMBIA, VICTORIA, B.C.

Hon. President: C. C. PEMBERTON, 806 Quadra St., Victoria,
B.C.; 1st Vice-President: Wm. Hupson, 606 Douglas St.,
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vincial Museum, Victoria, B.C.; Hon. Treasurer: RENA G.
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a ae ae a

SS Oe

ALBERTA NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

Hon. President: Mr. J. J. GAETZ, Red Deer, Alta.; Presidents
Mr. C. H. SNELL, Red Deer, Alta.; 18t Vice-President: Mrs.
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PAMELY, Red Deer, Alta.; Directors: Mrs. G. F. Root, Weta-
skiwin, Alta.; Mr. F. L. FARLEY, Camrose, Alta.; Mr. W. A.
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VOL. XLIV, No. 8 NOVEMBER, 1930

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Entered at the Ottawa Post Office as second-class matter

THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS CLUB

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De OENNESS 37.5 os cheleee genau © 66 Anthropology CLYDEVGW PATCH © on oe ee Herpetology —

INE OBERT R Ss ite ey ae ces Botany R. M. ANDERSON.............- M ammalogy
MER. LATCHPORD 353) eet cies oe Conchology — A. G. HUNTSMAN............ Marine Biology
ARTHUR GIBSON. ............--- Entomology — P. A. TAVERNER Ornitholog
Be ATC OCK so rae AON Oe aan Ne Geology E.

CONTENTS

The Home Life of the American Goldfinch. By Henry Mousley........................-00-

&. Eskimo Stone Graves in North-Eastern Labrador and the Collection of [Anthropelestal Material

from Them. By Bernhard Hantzsch. (Translated by M. B. A. Anderson)..............

Some Recent Collections of Canadian Fresh-Water Sponges. By Frank Smith...... BAe Sa SUN

The Black-billed Cuckoo and Tent Caterpillar. By Susan K. Squires.....................-5

An Expedition to Sub-Arctic Canada, 1924-1925. By Captain J. C. Critchell-Bullock (Continued)

Obituary—Edward Arnold. By Henry Mousley............... ccc cece cence tect e en eas :
Notes and Observations: :

An Early Lake Erie Seiche Record. By E. M. Kindle... TP EHENE attic, dae oan Ream iniemcciaah Les

The Increase and Present Status of the Starling at Toronto. By L. L. Snyder and J. L.

Batllion Sricgs Reuter, GAS CON Wie aha ee ie a ener a acacia Ree aia ae By re ae Sahin

European Starling. By R. Meredith ENP UAE RUG ARE AMR acd pe v SoC Aa air ee Ree ai a ta

Groundhog Active in Winter. By EiS: Hall. 22043 ee SONOS NN oa ne

fhe European Hare at-Meatord. « By J. Ri Dymond.) i.0 eo

OB OGIRE View. | Go MCan Gin CA COCHLEA Ea Sct aie eae an non Nor Rea MAR oars et oa

So Plecense co oren cores cccEsoesenser sauce tes SS0cc RCE SCSeSCSS OSC CRS SSE SESE SCO SeG CSCS SO SEEC DES USECSE NS Ce eenseE ce cecedeseaseUsOSUseCUsasOFeESOeseU SORT sVesGneseCeeEEosseseessesessossecEsSneaesss

Ee The official publications of THE OTTAWA Fretp-NATURALISTS’ CLUB have been issued
i; since 1879. The first were The Transactions of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club, 1879-1886,
#: two volumes; the next, The Ottawa Naturalist, 1886-1919, thirty-two volumes; and these
48 have been continued by The Canadian Field-Naturalist to date. The Canadian Field-Naturalist
i# is issued monthly, except for the months of June, July, and August. Its scope is the publication
Fe of the results of original Heer in all departments of Natural History.

Price of this volume (9 numbers) uae Single copies 25¢ each.

The Membentip Committee of The Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club is making a special effort t
increase the subscription list of The Canadian Field-Naturalist. We are, therefore, asking every rea
who is truly interested in the wild life of this country to help this magazine to its rightful place am
the leading Natural History publications in America.

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Rockcliffe Park, OTTAWA, CANAD

‘Nhe Canadian Field-Naturalist

VOL. XLIV

OTTAWA, CANADA, NOVEMBER, 19380

No. 8

THE HOME LIFE OF THE AMERICAN GOLDFINCH'
By HENRY MOUSLEY

URELY the home life of a bird is a fas-
cinating subject, yet how few really
intensive studies can be found of even
the commoner species, to say nothing of
the rarer ones. Of the literature bearing on the
present subject, I have so far found very little,
the best accounts being those of Mary Emily
Bruce in the Auk for July, 1898, “A Month with

the Goldfinches”, and that of the late Ora Willis

Knight in his “Birds of Maine’’, 1908, neither of

which, however, can be said to be strictly inten-

‘sive, whilst the present paper, unfortunately,
deals mostly with the later stages of the Gold-
finch’s home life.

My first visit to the nest—which was about
six miles from Montreal—was made on August
14th of the present year (1929) in company with
Mr. Terrill, who had previously found it on Aug-
ust 3rd, when it contained six eggs. On the day
before our arrival, he had again visited it, when,
instead of eggs, the nest contained five very ugly,
nearly naked young birds, probably two or three
days out of the shell. In deference to the wishes
of my friend our cameras were set up about twelve
feet from the nest, much too far away to my

liking and that of my camera; my two pictures, ©

one of the male perched on the top of the nesting
tree, the other just below and to the right of the
nest, showing the bird on a very small scale
indeed. The only other item of interest on this
occasion, was when the male bird fed his partner
once—a habit very characteristic of the Gold-
finches, as well as that of caressing one another—
but I missed seeing this and have no picture of
it—although, fortunately, Mr. Terrill obtained
one—my attention at the time being devoted to
examining a plant of the Hooded Ladies’ Tresses
(Spiranthes Romanzoffiana), an orchid I had
hitherto not found round Montreal, although, so
very common at Hatley and many other places
in the Eastern Townships.

My next visit took place on the 16th, when, on
this, and subsequent visits, I was alone, placing

1Read before the Province of Quebec Society for the Pro-
tection of Birds, Montreal, October 14, 1929 (illustrated).

my camera less than five feet from the nest, whilst
secreting myself under some small bushes about
twelve feet away, so that I obtained an excellent
view of the nest, without the birds seeing me.
The nest, a somewhat large one, was situated
four feet above the ground, in the forks of a
sapling oak, being composed outwardly of fine
soft vegetable fibre, bark strippings and silky plant
fibres, compactly felted and lined with cat-tail
down, the average dimensions being as follows:—
Outside diameter 3.5, inside 2.5 inches; outside
depth 3, inside 1.25 inches. It was not long
before I discovered that the male was the bolder
of the two, encouraging his partner later on by
generally feeding the young first, and then wait-
ing for her to do the same, when they usually
went off together. The feeding of the young by
this male is in direct contrast to the experience
of the late Mr. Knight, who says: ‘The males
seem to feed the females more or less even aiter
the young are hatched, but rarely if ever do they
feed the young birds, this as well as incubation
being done almost exclusively by the mother’’.
On the other hand, Miss Bruce’s experience agrees
with mine, for she speaks of the young being fed,
sometimes by the male, sometimes by the female.
In my case, during the twenty hours I was at the
nest, the young were fed on eighteen occasions,
nine by the male, and nine by the female, at
intervals of about an hour, or to be exact, once in
every 53.3 minutes, which agrees very well with
Miss Bruce’s experience, for she speaks of the
parents feeding the young very “slowly and thor-
oughly’? about once an hour. This continued
slow rate of feeding came as a great surprise to
me, after such a long experience with the warblers,
who usually feed their young every ten or eleven
minutes, and much oftener than that, as recorded
in the Auk for April, 1926, in the case of a pair of
Yellow Warblers (2), who during the twenty-nine
hours I was at their nest in 1924, fed the young
389 times, or at an average rate of once in every
4.5 minutes—or again, in the case of a pair of

2Auk, Vol. XLII, No. 2, April, 1926.

178

Maryland Yellow-throats (3), which during the
110 hours Miss Nellie E. Shaver, assisted by
others—was at their nest in 1917, fed the young
1234 times, or at an average rate of about once
in every 5.85 minutes. These records fall down,
however, when compared with that of Mr. Biggle-
stone, who, assisted by others as in the case of
Miss Shaver, watched a pair of Yellow Warblers (4)
in 1912, feed their young 2,373 times during
the 144 hours of observation, which works out
at an average rate of once in every 3.7 minutes.

Even this record is easily beaten by the female
Black-throated Blue Warbler (5) which I watched
in 1921, feed her two young 349 times in fourteen
hours, or at the rate of once in every 2.4 minutes
but this average is over a much shorter period of
time than the others. The nearest approach to
this slow rate of feeding that has come under my
notice was in July, 1924, when a pair of Oven-
birds (6) that I was watching fed their young
seventy-five times only during the forty-eight
hours I was at their nest, or at an average rate of
once in every 38.4 minutes.

On the present occasion (August 16th) I arrived
at the nest at 9 a.m., but it was nearly noon
before either of the parents ventured to feed the
young—and then it was the male only, the female
looking on from a small branch to the left of and
somewhat below the nest,—the near proximity of
the camera to their home undoubtedly being the
cause. Possibly, the two events of greatest
interest occurred later on, when I secured a
picture of the female standing on the edge of the
nest, as if contemplating whether to brood the
young or not, and one of her actually in the nest,
this being the one, and only, occasion during the
whole of my visits, that she seemed disposed to
brood the young. Thisagainisin direct opposition
to my experience with the Warblers which, in the
early stages of the home life when brooding is
necessary, invariably do so. Possibly the camera
may again have had something to do with it,
although, from the remarks of Miss Bruce, one
gathers that in her case the young birds were
little brooded, for she says: ‘‘although so seldom
fed the little ones seemed to thrive on fresh air
and sunshine”. A good instance of this fresh air
treatment is seen in another picture obtained
wherein the young are peacefully resting with
the mother again perched on the same small
branch—already mentioned—to the left of, and
somewhat below, the nest. Certainly, I must say
she kept furtively glancing at the young, as indi-
eated by her attitude in the picture—seemingly

3University of Iowa Studies, Vol. VIII, No. 2, 1918.
4Wilson Bulletin, Vol. rte No. 2, 1913.

5Auk Vol. XLI. No. 2,

6Auk, Vol. XLIII, No. oy aay 1926.

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

[VoL. XLIV

undetermined whether to brood them or not.
Eventually, however, she gave up the idea, and
went off to join her partner, with whom, appar-
ently, she spent much of her time.

My next visit to the nest was on the following
day (August 17th), when I again secured several
interesting pictures of the parents feeding the
young. On this occasion, however, it was the
female who first fed them, two hours after my
arrival, and who, contrary to the previous day,
spent some little time, at intervals, round about
the nest, uttering a series of notes which I inter-
preted at the time as bee, bee, beeb, bare-bee
and ba-be, but never once did she attempt to
brood the young, although, on two occasions she
did remove an excreta sac, eating it once, and
flying away with it the other, a quite unnecessary
proceeding at this stage of affairs, when the rim
of the nest, as is shown in the photographs, was
lined with a fringe of excrement, so very different
again to the Warblers, who as a rule keep their
nests scrupulously clean, so clean in some cases,
that after the young had left, I could have pre-
served the nest had I so wished, a thing not to
be desired in the present instance, for on the
insertion of a small twig into the lining of the
nest, it was instantly covered with a swarming
mass of mites, so different again to the experience
of Miss Shaver, who in her study of the Maryland
Yellow-throats, relates how “‘the nest throughout
the period was kept in an immaculate condition”.
This fouling of the rim of the nest in the case of
Goldfinches seems characteristic, for Mr. Knight
speaks of the same thing occurring in the case of
the Arkansas and Lawrence’s Goldfinches in the
West. The male was not much in evidence,
although he passed over the nesting ground at
times in the well known undulating flight, whilst
giving vent to the per-chic-o-ree notes, as figured
and described by Dr. Chapman in his ‘Birds of
Eastern North America’.

My next visit was not paid until two days later,
or on August 19th, by which time the young birds
were getting quite lively, standing well up in the
nest to be fed, which was done by regurgitation,
the parents pumping up the semi-digested food
from their interiors before giving it to the young.
So rapid was the method of delivery, that I can
best describe it by saying that the parents literally
spat the food into the mouths of the young, not
fed it, “very slowly and thoroughly’, the words
used by Miss Bruce in her description, which
certainly differs from my own experience, and
that of others I have consulted. Mr. Knight
best describes the process as a peculiar, pecking,
spitting motion, which description exactly fits
my view of it. So rapid, indeed, was the perform-

November, 1930]

ance, that a shutter exposure of 1/50 of a second,
to avoid all movement, would have been pre-
ferable to the 1/25, all that the varying condi-
tions of light allowed me to give at the time.
However, I obtained some very fair pictures of
the feeding of the young, as well as the activities
of the latter in the nest, which are well described
by Miss Bruce when she says: “‘the young had
a comical fashion of lying with their long necks
stretched out and their heads hanging over the
edge of the nest, their eyes half closed and their
mouths wide open as if gasping for breath’’.
This restlessness and gasping for breath, in my
case, was certainly due to the heat of the sun as
it emerged at times from behind clouds. It was
more than evident by now, that the feeding
grounds lay to the south of the nest, as they
always went off and returned from that direction,
never, however, flying direct to the nesting tree
when returning, but always alighting first in some
nearby tree or shrub, to make sure that all was
well, before venturing near the nest. This they
finally reached by flying to the top of the nesting
tree, and from there working their way down and
through it, always to the south side of the nest,
all my pictures showing the young being fed
from that point of the compass—only. This
stereotyped method of arrival at the nest is by
no means peculiar to the Goldfinches, many birds,
especially, the Warblers, having a well defined
route for reaching their nests, sometimes the
male having a different one from that of the
female and not the same, as in the present instance.
On leaving, no definite routine was adhered to,
both birds flying off in a southerly direction after
the young had been fed. Fortunately, I was
always made aware of their return by the twitter-
ing notes of the male, given when on the wing,
and no doubt intended as a signal to the young
of their parents approach. The female, as on
the 17th, spent some little time in the vienity of
the nest, uttering the same notes as before, but
never actually approaching the nest, whilst the
male again passed over it at times. At this date,
the young must have been at least eleven or twelve
days old, and had they been Warblers would by
this time have left the nest. Goldfinches, how-
ever, seem to spend an unconscionably long time
in their home, Knight giving the period as from
fifteen to sixteen days, which agrees with that of
Miss Bruce, who says the young in her case left
the nest on the sixteenth day. This being so,
apparently four days had yet to elapse before

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

179

the young in my case would be leaving, but judg-
ing from their present state of feathering and
activity, I could hardly believe this possible, so
decided to allow one more day only, to elapse,
before again visiting them. It was fortunate I
did so, for upon arrival at the nest at 11 a.m. on
the morning of August 21st, one young bird
almost immediately left, before I had even time
to set up the camera. However, I managed to
obtain some interesting pictures of the others,
which could now be fourteen, fifteen or perhaps
even sixteen days old, there being a margin of a
week to account for between the finding of the
incubated eggs by Mr. Terrill on August 38rd,
and the young birds on the 10th, as already men-
tioned. The departure of the first bird was
quickly followed by that of two others, so that
by 11.15 a.m. two only remained in the nest, and
both of these were gone by 11.30 a.m., just half
an hour after my arrival, so that I was kept
pretty busy taking their pictures, the last being
of one which had flown into a little sapling birch,
close to my hiding place, and which I had not
noticed until eating my lunch at noon, when the
repeated approach of the female to the spot, drew
my attention to it. Being on a very slender
twig, and not in a good position for feeding it, the
mother—by her actions—was evidently trying to
entice it away, as not long after its picture had
been taken, it took courage and made quite a
respectable flight, to a better and less open spot.
To get his last picture, I had to leave my hiding
place and set up the camera again, and it was
whilst doing this, that I just caught sight of a
large bird as it disappeared into my hiding place,
where I had left my lunch and other parapher-
nalia lying about. As a clapping of hands failed
to bring it out, I went to investigate, when up
rose a fine female Marsh Hawk, but what had
attracted it to the spot I cannot say, as nothing,
apparently, had been touched, or was removed.
After this little episode, I finished my lunch, and
bade adieu to the last of the young Goldfinches,
which I happened to notice perched on the far
side of the nesting tree which, apparently, it had
never left, being the smallest of the brood, the
last to have left the nest, and the least able to
fly, but which, some day, perhaps, when clad in
a coat of gold, will not only bring a gleam of sun-
shine into the life of its partner, but also into that
of the fortunate person who may be recording its
home life, with those early courtship scenes, so
characteristic of the Goldfinches.

180

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

[VOL. XLIV

~ ESKIMO STONE GRAVES IN NORTH-EASTERN LABRADOR AND THE
COLLECTION OF ANTHROPOLOGICAL MATERIAL FROM THEM
By BERNHARD HANTZSCH

TRANSLATED BY M. B. A. ANDERSON

Translated by M. B. A. Anderson from ‘‘Uber Eskimo-
Steingriber im nordéstlichen Labrador und das Sammeln
anthropologischen Materials aus solchen,’”’ Abhandlungen und
Berichte des Kgl. Zoologischen und_ Anthropologisch-Ethno-
graphischen Museums zu Dresden, Dresden, Volume XII,
1908, pp. 55-58.

(P. 55)

OME of the specimens discussed in a
previous paper by Dr. Oetteking rep-
resent the result of my activity as a
collector during a sojourn, in 1906, of
about ten weeks in extreme north-eastern Labra-
dor. While my expedition was intended primar-
ily for ornithological research, I took advantage of
the opportunity to examine about thirty or forty
stone graves, many of which had fallen down
and were completely empty. It may be stated
with certainty that the skulls, parts of skele-
tons, and two fairly complete skeletons, come
from individuals of unmixed race. The inhabi-
tants of extreme north-eastern Labrador and
Ungava Bay until recently have had little contact
with Europeans; also interbreeding with In-
dians, as may occur in the South of Ungava Bay,
is not probable in this district. The small
amount of material collected by me in the neigh-
bourhood of the mission station of Hebron, which
is situated somewhat further south, comes from
such old heathen graves, that purity of race can
be vouched for in no less degree. With the
Christianization of the natives the heathen burial
customs are disappearing, and with them the
slightest possibility of obtaining material for
anthropological collections. The Christian Es-
kimos of the Labrador coast—and at the present
time they are all Christians except a few in the
extreme north-east—are buried in the ground in
cemeteries. White people have examined the
stone graves in all the better-known places in
Labrador, and often have taken at least the
skulls, or have paid well to have them brought to
them by certain venal natives. Other graves
have collapsed as a result of storms and other
climatic influences; or bears, wolves, foxes,
domestic dogs and other carnivorous animals
have brought about their destruction. In the
accessible parts of the district, it is difficult to
discover an untouched stone grave, especially as
the inhabitants like to conceal their existence,
and usually oppose the removal of well preserved

recent bones. . Still, the material I collected may
be of interest.

(P. 56)

The heathen method of burial according to my
own investigations and the accounts of the
Eskimos I questioned is as follows. They put
on the dead person allhis clothing and, if there is
an abundance of new seal or caribou skins, they
sew the body up in them in a sort of roll. Now
they look for a near-by spot close to the sea,
above high-water mark, usually on the summit of
an elevation of land along the coast, and lay the
dead man on a level surface of stone, or on the
ground, from where when living he could see the
sea and his gaze could reach his home. The body
is stretched out at full length, never placed in
a sitting posture or flexed. The hunting knife of
a good hunter is placed under his right shoulder,
and small objects of special value to the deceased,
such as amulets, are added. Large flat stones are
then dragged up and erected like a wall round the
dead man, without touching the body. The re-
sulting long structure is usually built in a very
careful, regular and finished manner, all inter-
stices filled with small stones, and toward the top
the walls draw together. Right across this lower
structure are laid heavy flat stone slabs, which
often are dragged from a considerable distance.
The stratified gneiss, which is the chief rock of
the whole district, is suitable material for this
purpose; elsewhere limestone is used. When the
whole rock wall has been covered with slabs to a
slight height above the dead man, smaller stones
are laid above and the whole structure presents the
same natural form as our earth-built graves.
Only occasionally is a hollow stone structure
erected at the head, in which certain possessions
of the dead man are placed. At the foot, how-
ever, especially with men, an additional chamber
is constructed, which is often lower than the
grave itself, and serves mainly for the reception of
the smaller possessions of the dead man, such as
knives, harpcon and arrow heads, tools, snow-
goggles, stone pots, etc. In many cases, espe-
cially farther south on the Labrador coast, these
extra rooms are not built in close proximity to the
main grave, but at some distance from it. Occa-
sionally use is made of natural holes, cavities in
the rock and spaces between large rock masses
for this purpose, but the larger openings are

November, 1930]

usually closed with stones, so that the work of
the survis ors is evident in such tombs. Now and
then smaller possessions are merely laid nearby or
superficially buried in the earth. If the inves-
tigator wishcs to search thoroughly for other grave
articles, he bas to dig up the earth’s surface near
the grave carefully. The graves of women are
often less well constructed than those of the
men; frequently the little extra room is entirely
lacking. In such cases the cooking gear of the
dead woman is placed on the stone mound and
her sewing tools and such little possessions as
knives, comb, amulets, and the like, are placed
near the body. I never found real articles of
adornment, only beads and little bells of some
length and little bells used as trimming, which
were originally made from spoons (P. 57) but
later were introduced by the Hudson Bay Com-
pany in trade. I saw few graves of children,
and deduced that the Eskimo often spared
themselves the trouble of constructing a stone
grave for those who died quite young, and used
other means of burial. Where they did take the
trouble, however, as a rule they put shells and
small bright stones—playthings for the children
—on and near the mounds, and this custom
still survives among the baptized Eskimos of to-
day. Inmany cases I found white pieces of quartz
on the graves of adults, which were often visible
at some distance. Perhaps they are to serve as
distinguishing marks, even for the spirits (Torn-
get) in which they believe. Certain old mounds,
which I visited were merely massive, almost in-
penetrable, heaps of stones. I suspect that these
arose gradually, when the descendants and
relatives of renowned people added new stones
at every visit to the place—a well-known, wide-
spread custom. In some few cases I discovered
well preserved, but empty, graves, such as a child’s
grave near the mission station at Killinek. They
told me that occasionally they erected stone
graves for the drowned, or otherwise unburied
and lost people, and this may have been the
case with such cenotaphs. Several times rather
large graves were shown to me in which two dead
people have been laid together. Apparently it
was a case where two had died at the same time,
perhaps a married couple. Or such common
graves contain the remains of people who have
perished from hunger, cold, epidemics, etc.,
have been found later and buried by relatives
or kind-hearted strange Eskimos. Occasionally
they gathered the larger bones from disturbed
graves, and put them in a new mound, where they
lie in confusion. I found such a grave on the
Tunnusuatsuk peninsula.

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

food near the graves.

181

In earlier times the larger possessions of the
man, especially his kayak, his sled, arrows and
bow, harpoons, etc., were also placed near the
grave; the team of dogs was often killed, or the
animals tied so fast that they could not get loose
and had to starve to death. In all these customs
it was believed, naturally, that the deceased
had need of things taken with him in the after
life. To-day they keep the more valuable pos-
sessions and the relatives inherit them, or small
worthless imitations of wood are placed on the
graves. The ancient custom practised farther
north of carving imitations in walrus ivory, when
it is desired to keep the actual objects, does not
seem to have been wide-spread among the Lab-
rador Eskimos. In this district there was an
abundance of drift wood. They often placed
They do this frequently
now, provided they have not forgotten the dead
and still desire a blessing from the spirits of the
departed. Is this heathen religion really ancestor
worship, which does not easily disappear when
people are baptized into Christianity? They
like to put old cooking vessels on the graves of
the women, tobacco for the men, a pipe, matches
and other modern articles. Many white people
take the objects away from the graves and lay
worthless things there in exchange, to satisfy the
Eskimos who accompany them. Wind, weather,
or animals soon destroy these objects; probably
the old sorcerers (Angakut) often took the things
away too.

The stone graves in north-east Ungava Bay
and extreme North-Eastern Labrador which I
visited, are, as a rule, easily recognized in spite
of their slight height, as soon as one is at all
familiar with the landscape. Often they have
been erected on an empty plateau, which prob-
ably resulted from the grinding action of the
glaciers, of which there is an abundance in the
district. Occasionally a mere heap of stones is
mistaken for a grave. But it seldom happens
that such a heap is regular in form. It is more
difficult to recognize the graves in the valleys.
In such localities there are many in close prox-
imity to each other, and their discovery is thus
rendered easier. Many of the burial places in
this district have already been examined and
disturbed, but localities farther away, such as the
Button Islands, might show numerous untouched
stone graves. But a traveller who goes to those
districts for such collecting purposes cannot count
on too much during one season, since the ground
is frozen a great part of the year, and then in-
vestigation of the contents of the graves becomes
almost impossible.

182

(P. 58)

An abundance of plant and animal life has
developed inside the grave, due to protection
from the wind, and the presence of decaying
matter. Insects lay their eggs in the fleshy
parts, and induce their more rapid decay; thick
mosses grow luxuriantly around the gradually dis-
integrating body. Occasionally mice and ermine
inhabit the protected stone structure, and I even
found a deserted bird’s nest, apparently that of
a Snow Bunting, near the human bones. The
back parts of the body decay very rapidly from
the moisture of the moss-covered ground; shoul-
der-blades are soon perforated. The skeleton is
likely to remain complete only on bare ground;
but, according to my experience, in ten graves
there is to be found hardly a single perfect skele-
ton. It cannot be estimated how many years
pass until the large bones are entirely destroyed
by the elements. Many skulls may last for
about a hundred years; others, however, disap-
pear much sooner. Smaller bones, especially in
moist places, decay after 20 or 30 years or vanish
completely. An imperfect skeleton collected by
me was quite destroyed in the back parts and the
finger and foot bones, while it still showed dried
muscle and tendons between the ribs and pelvis.
One may look through the stone slabs of the grave
into the interior and still not be able to judge
correctly the condition of the bones therein.
Occasionally these are so decayed that they are
not worth collecting. In order to reach the
skeleton, it is necessary to carry away the head
part of the stone mound, and this requires care
to prevent the stones from falling in and injuring
the bones. The help of the natives cannot be
depended on in this work, since it is not easy to
obtain their consent to disturb the graves. After
the head part of the stone mound has been re-
moved, the wet and soft bones must be lifted out
carefully and laid on the grass to dry. Since the
back parts as well as the hand and foot bones are

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

[VoL. XLIV

usually covered with a layer of humus, and are
entwined in a thick layer of moss, hours of work
are needed in the case of older skeletons, in order
to hunt up the smaller bones, in so far as these
are not completely destroyed. Also the teeth,
which have few forked roots, have almost always
fallen out in great numbers and been covered with
earth and plants. Careless people, especially
Eskimos, can never be trusted to collect skeletons
on this account, for they are seldom careful to
collect all the bones. It is not a simple task to
undertake the scientific excavation of graves.
In spite of the assistance of the Eskimos I have
spent many hours and days in order to secure the
material now in the Anthropological Museum in
Dresden. But he who once sets about the task
of collecting should proceed in the most careful
and thorough manner in order to rescue for
science all the bones that remain. Any other
form of collecting is objectionable. The Eskimos
have been induced several times by large pay from
missionaries, traders and distinguished visitors to
the district to procure skulls. The Eskimos have
then torn down the graves at the head and taken
away the skulls—of course without the teeth
which have fallen out. I found numerous graves
like this: fallen in, the skeleton covered with
heavy stones and destroyed, a picture of the most
brutal and impious desecration. Such an action
is deeply to be regretted in such a race whose
representatives (which are still racially pure)
number scarce 5,000, and are scattered over a
large territory, which is difficult of access. I
cannot think of any grave in the north-east tip of
Labrador, which had been carefully and thor-
oughly emptied. May every visitor to such
regions reflect on this point; that the collection
of such objects is becoming more and more diffi-
cult, and, in a not far distant time, will be im-
possible, since not only are the old burial customs
vanishing, but the whole Eskimo race itself is
perishing’

SOME RECENT COLLECTIONS OF CANADIAN FRESH-WATER SPONGES

By FRANK SMITH
University of Illinois

MALL collections of fresh-water sponges
have been received by the writer at vari-
ous times during the past ten years from
Mr. Frits Johansen, of Ottawa, Canada.

They were sent for the purpose of having them

identified and returned for the National Museum

there. Most of the collections were obtained in

connection with summer expeditions for study
and collection made by Mr. Johansen to various
places, and included among others, James Bay,
New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Cape Breton
Island, and Newfoundland. A new species of
Spongilla from the vicinity of Shippigan, N.B.
and specimens that seem to throw some light on

November, 1930]

the relations between Heteromeyenia ryderi and
H. pictovensis are of interest. Some additional
data on the distribution of fresh-water sponges in
the Canadian territory are also supplied. Prelim-
inary to giving such data it seems advisable to
make certain statements and explanations con-
cerning some of the species involved.

The chief contributions to our knowledge of the
Canadian forms were made by MacKay and Potts
in papers published prior to 1890. Since that
date but little has been added. Both of these
authors included in Meyenia (=Ephydatia)
fluviatilis forms that belong to two distinct species
Ephydatia fluviatilis and E. millleri. Waltner
(Katalog und Verbreitung der bekannten Siiss-
wasserschwamme, 1895) and recent students of
the group have recognized the two species. Of
these species, Ephydatia miilleri is the one usually
found in the Canadian region, and is the one
figured and described by MacKay as Meyenia
fluviatilis in his highly useful paper of 1889
(Fresh-water Sponges of Canada and Newfound-
land, Trans. Roy. Soc. Canada, Vol. 7, pp. 84-
95).

Ephydatia fluviatilis has uniformly smooth skel-
etal spicules and the length of the shafts of the
gemmule spicules is somewhat greater than the
diameter of their rotules. The gemmule spicules
form but a single layer about the gemmule. Speci-
mens of Ephydatia miilleri exhibit a wide range of
variation in the skeletal spicules which in some
specimens may be smooth, in others rough, and
in many specimens both smooth and rough spicules
may occur in the same fascicles and in varying
ratios. The shafts of the gemmule spicules are
shorter than the diameter of the rotules. The
gemmules may occur in a single layer or they may
be arranged in two or more layers on a gemmule.
Only the single layer arrangement has been
noticed in the relatively small number of Cana-
dian specimens examined by the writer.

The status of the form Heteromeyenia pictov-
ensis has been a matter of difference of opinion
among writers on the group. Potts regarded it
as a distinct species in his original description
(1885). Later (1887) he was convinced that it
should be considered as a variety of H. ryderi.
MacKay in 1889 presented arguments for consid-
ering it as a distinct species. Weltner (1895)
treated it as a variety of H. ryderi. The chief
difference between the two forms is found in the
characteristics of the skeletal spicules. In H.
pictovensis they are relatively much shorter and
stouter than in H. ryderi. In the latter they are
described by MacKay as “nearly 0.013 by 0.0006
inch, fusiform, spined except at the extremities.”’
In H. pictovensis he described them as “0.0075

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

183

by 0.00075 inch. Short, robust, cylindrical,
curved, with spines diverted towards the ends
which may be round and spined or sharply conical.”
The texture of the sponge mass of this form is
stated to be more compact. MacKay (1889)
recorded H. rydert only from Pictou County,
Nova Scotia, while H. pictovensis is recorded by
him from that and two other localities in Nova
Scotia, and also in two localities in S.E. New-
foundland.

Among the collections from Mr. Johansen, H.
rydert is found in one from near St. Andrews
N.B., in 1920 (E. E. Prince coll.); and in two
collections from S.E. Newfoundland, one from
the Collinet River in 1923 (A. English coll.)
and the other from “‘ponds at sandpits”, St. Johns
in 1922. Specimens in a collection from the west
side of Grand Lake in the western part of New-
foundland (1922) had most of the skeleton spicules
like those normally present in H. ryderi, but there
were also a considerable number of much shorter,
blunter ones which are very similar to some of the
longer spicules found in a specimen which is
clearly of the H. pictovensis type in a collection
from Quidi Vidi Lake, St. Johns, Newfoundland
(1922). In view of the great variability in the
skeletal spicules of H. ryderi it seems desirable
to treat H. pictovensis as a variety of that species
and designate it H. ryderi pictovensis.

Spongilla lacustris is another species in which
much variability is found. In some specimens
the gemmules are surrounded by a layer of consid-
erable thickness in which the gemmule spicules
are abundant and many of them assume a posi-
tion nearly vertical to the gemmule wall. In
many specimens the gemmule spicules are much
fewer in number and lie tangential to the gemule
surface in a much thinner layer of material than
that which occurs in those first mentioned. The
first type of gemmule spiculation is present in
specimens of a collection (1920) from an island
along the east coast of James Bay (about lat.
52° N.), while in the majority of the collections
received the gemmules have relatively few spicules
and they are mostly tangential to the gemmule
surface.

Ephydatia miilleri is still another species in
which the gemmule spicules exhibit much varia-
bility. In the variety acuminata Potts the shafts
of the birotulate spicules are prolonged beyond
the rotules in the form of pointed spines of vary-
ing lengths. They have the appearance of being
abnormal but such specimens are commonly
recognized as a variety.

The collections include Spongilla lacustris from
the vicinity of St. Johns in Newfoundland (1922);
Cape Breton Island (1917); vicinities of Bathurst

184

(1925); Dalhousie (1925); and St. Andrews! in
New Brunswick; the Gatineau River?; James
Bay (1920); and the vicinity of Ucluelet? in
British Columbia. Spongilla fragilis from the
Ottawa River (1921-24); and from a lake in
Nova Scotia between Halifax and Windsor (1926).
Spongilla johansenit n. sp. from the vicinity of
Shippigan in New Brunswick (1925). Hphydatia
miilleri from Cape Breton Island (1917), the
vicinities of Bathurst (1925), Dalhousie (1925),
and Shediac (1926) in New Brunswick, the vicinity
of Ottawa (1921-24), and the variety acuminata
from the vicinity of Ucluelet? in British Columbia.
Heteromeyenia rydert from the vicinity of St.
Andrews! in New Brunswick, and from western
and southeastern parts of Newfoundland (1922-
23). The variety H. ryderi pictovensis from Quidi
Vidi Lake in the vicinity of St. Johns in Newfound-
land (1922). Heteromeyenia repens, recently
changed to H. baileyi var. repens, is not included
in MacKay’s list, but is represented in a collection
made at Truro, Nova Scotia, September 23,
1926. Gemmules were few in number, but
sufficient for identification. ‘‘Pond below reser-
voir in Victoria Park’’ was a part of the inscription
onthe accompanying label. Tubella pennsylvanica
recently included by European writers in the
genus T'rochospongilla is represented by specimens
found in Quidi Vidi Lake in Newfoundland in
1922.
Spongilla johanseni n. sp.

Sponge forming a thin layer (1-2 mm.), without
branches. Oscula inconspicuous and the soft
parts of the sponge present a rather compact
mass. Colonies examined were of several centi-
meters in diameter.

Skeleton structure limited almost wholly to
vertical fibers or columns of spicules. Few of the
fibers are branched, and very few of them are
connected with others by transverse fibers. The
fibers include abundant spongin and numerous
skeleton spicules which are extremely slender.
The fibers are attached separately to a thin, basal
membrane which spreads over underlying gemmule
masses or the substratum, when gemmules are
absent. Many of the fibers extend to the surface
membrane which is often raised into slight conical
elevations at the place of contact.

Spicules of the different kinds are all very
slender, straight, and have rather numerous small
spines. The skeleton spicules are in part grouped
in the vertical fibers or columns and in part dis-
tributed quite generally through the cellular mass
and in the outer membranes. Fully developed

1Collected by Prof. E. E. Prince in August, 1920.
2Collected by J. Macoun in the summer of 1911.
’Collected by C. H. Young in the summer of 1909.

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

[VoL. XLIV

ones average about .150X.0025 mm. No special-
ized flesh or dermal spicules have been recognized.
Gemmule spicules are similar to the skeleton
spicules, but the average length is only about
three-fourths as great, the diameter at the middle
is slightly greater; and the spines slightly longer
than those of skeleton spicules.

Gemmules are abundant and are associated in
groups each of which commonly includes 10 to
20 gemmules arranged in a single layer which is
slightly concave on the side next to the substra-
tum on which the sponge colony is borne. The
foramina of the gemmules are usually borne on
the side toward the substratum. The groups of
gemmules are included between very thin mem-
branes which separate them from the substratum
on one side and from the main sponge mass on the
other. Cellular parenchyma is undeveloped ex-
cept in a very thin layer of flattened cells which
spreads over the foraminal surface of the gem=-
mules and covers less than half of the surface of
each gemmule with its foramen as a center.

The material available for study consists of a
few colonies preserved in alcohol which have been
removed from a substratum of rotten wood. They
were collecced by Mr. F. Johansen in a ‘‘Tundra-
lake on bog 4 miles west of Shippigan, N.B.,
September 9, 1925. (On submerged log.)”

Holotype and paratype in the collection of
the National Museum in Ottawa, Canada, and
paratype in the collection of the writer.

The sponge colonies are grayish white in colour
as found in the preservative and form a thin
layer of one to two millimeters in thickness. The
surface is quite even except for the numerous
slight elevations at the summits of the skeleton
fibers and approximately a millimeter apart.
The skeleton structure is conspicuously different
from anything found in any other species seen
by the writer. The careful removal of the soft
cellular mass from between the vertical fibers
without detaching the latter from the basal
membrance leaves these fibers more or less
crooked and widening out at the base where the
spicules change from a parallelrelation and diverge
from each other as they come into relation with
the basal membrane. The writer is reminded,
while looking at these diminutive preparations,
of a fire-swept timber area with only the bare
tree trunks left standing, and these in part
supported by the widening root systems at their
bases. Measurements of 27 of these vertical
fibers, selected from among the longer ones found,
gave an average of 1.4 .035 mm. with only one
attaining a length of 2mm. The maximum dia-
meter found is about .055 mm. They are
composed of an abundance of spongin in which

: November, 1930]

_tree and forest varieties.

are imbedded large numbers of the extremely
slender skeleton spicules. At any given level of
a vertical fiber there are commonly 10 to 20 of these
spicules as seen in an optical cross section.
Probably a greater number than 20 occurs more

frequently than a number below 10.

The diminutive size of the skeleton spicules is
apparent when we consider that the length of
the spicules is but approximately two-thirds as
great as that found in some of our common species
and that the diameter midway of the length is
but one-third or one-fourth as great as that in
most other species. The measurements ot 18
among the longest of the spicules found in the new
form average .155 X .0025mm. Gemmule spicules
are more nearly like the skeleton spicules than in
most species. The lengths of 23 gemmule spicules
averaged .112 mm. and the diameter midway of
the length is .0025 to .003 mm. The spines are
somewhat longer and the diminution in diameter
of the spicule from the middle to the extremities
is more gradual than in the skeleton spicules
which are approximately cylindrical for a con-
siderable part of their length.

The gemmules vary considerably in size and
shape. A few are nearly spherical and in others
the foraminal surface is somewhat flattened. The
foraminal aperture is bordered by a flaring mem-
brane reminding one of a shallow bowl with an
opening in the bottom. Average measurements
of 31 gemmules gave diameters of .3356 X .8648
mm. with minimum and maximum values found
in different gemmules of a single cluster, .282X

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

185

.256 mm. and .400.424 mm. The diameter of
the foraminal aperture averages about .03 mm.;
the diameter of the bowl-shaped border is common-
ly .06 -.08 mm.; and its depth about one-fourth as
great as the diameter. The thin layer that
supposedly represents the cellular parenchyma
shows plainly on the surface of the gemmule area
of which the foramen is the center. In a surface
view it shows a number of irregular polygonal
areas that are commonly hexagonal but many
have but four or five boundary lines in evidence.
Many of them have diameters of .010 -.028 mm.
The thickness of the layer is but a small fraction
of the diameter of the polygonal areas and one
naturally gets the impression of a thin layer of
much flattened cells.

In the younger parts of the sponge colonies
the gemmule clusters are more or less isolated,
but in the older parts they are more crowded
and their margins often in contact and in a few
instances in places where the sponge mass is thick-
est there seems to be a tendency to form two
layers of the flattened clusters.

Spongilla johansent has a combination of
characters which clearly differentiate it from
any other North American species thus far
known and from any species found elsewhere of
which the writer has found a description. Slender
spined skeleton spicules, absence of transverse
skeleton fascicles, scarcity of gemmule spicules,
the slightly developed cellular parenchyma, and
the peculiar gemmule arrangement make a com-
bination of characters that is quite distinctive.

THE BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO AND TENT CATERPILLAR
By SUSAN K. SQUIRES

VERY so often one reads an article on
our American Cuckoos and usually there
Pris 3S) is the suggestion that the species is
al parasitic. One would like to know just
how often one of our Cuckoos lays an egg in
another bird’s nest or if the story is just a myth
inherited with the name. Neltje Blanchan
refuses to credit the idea in her book “Birds
Every Child Should Know’’.

During the summer of 1921, the tent-cater-
pillars were quite plentiful in the trees around the
house and a pair of Black-billed Cuckoos took up
their abode in the orchard. I concluded that
they had a nest somewhere, but I did not find it.

Then came the summer of 1922, and I never
saw the tent-caterpillars so abundant, both apple
One walked on them
and sat on them, found them on one’s clothing,

ran into their webs as they hung suspended from
the trees, the very grass was full of them and they
even began to get into the house. I wondered if
the plagues of Egypt were much worse. The old
apple trees were sprayed but nothing could be
done for the shade trees, they were so numerous
and so tall. By the time the caterpillars were
half grown the trees began to look naked. A
young beech grove was almost as open as in
winter time. The poplars and choke-cherry
bushes were stripped to the sticks. The maples
and oaks were almost as bare but the more acrid
leaves of the butternuts were rejected.

The pair of cuckoos came back on the 16th of
May, and for two months I had the pleasure of
watching them, every day and many times a day.
They were above reproach, both as parents and
as neighbours, and no two birds ever attended

186

more strictly to their own business. Fora month
they did nothing but gorge themselves and then
sit motionless waiting for he food to digest so
they could fill up again. They seemed to have a
particular way of picking up the caterpillars, for
sometimes they would catch one wrong, lay it
down and pick it up again as if they were turning
it round to swallow it right end first. After a
time I became tired of watching them and won-
dered if they were not going to build a nest at all
although I questioned where they would find the
seclusion they require, everything was so stripped,

At last, on the 20th of June, a baseball was
thrown and missed and it fell into the middle of
a clump of syringa, growing on the lawn, about
twenty-five feet from the kitchen door and one
of the cuckoos flew out. Then I knew I had
found the nest. The next morning I went round
and round that bunch of bushes, for it was about
ten feet through and heavy with blossoms. At
last I saw the flat foundation of a nest, about five
feet from me and level with my face. The birds
had evidently been working in the early morning
before I was about. In fact they were so secre-
tive in their movements that I could hardly see
them working when I was watching, for they went
in and out of the bushes on the side away from
the house.

After the nest was finished and incubation
started, by the judicious use of the garden shears
I could get within three feet of the sitting bird
and look it in the eyes. It was good stuff, for it
would sit motionless and watch me and didn’t
seem afraid. It didn’t even leave the nest when
the lawn mower was used close to the bushes.
I was unable to distinguish the male from the
- female, so I couldn’t tell which bird sat on the
eggs or whether they both did, but I concluded
that both did so for there always seemed to be a
bird on the nest. They both carried food when
the young birds were hatched, caterpillars and
more caterpillars. 'Towards the last I even saw
them tear the cocoons open and extract the pupe.
At first the birds were very careful how they
left and approached the nest, gliding silently
through white and purple lilac bushes and then
into the open and vice versa, but it was not long
before they were flying directly across the lawn
and dropping into the centre of the clump of
syringa.

Although I could not see into the nest, I could
see the bill of one young bird turned up in the air
and concluded that that was all there was. When
it was nearly time for the youngster to leave the
nest, I tried to take a photograph and I suppose
frightened it for it hopped out on a branch and
stayed there. ‘This was at noon on a Friday and

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

[VoL. XLIV

until Sunday noon it did not move more than

two feet, sitting like a little image with its bill

turned up in the air. It was not feathered out
enough to fly much and was not an attractive
little bird. At noon on Sunday one of the parent
birds began to coax the youngster to a less con-
spicuous spot. It would fly before the baby and
then call, and the small bird followed, hopping
and taking little flights from bush to bush. I
kept quite close for about forty feet, much to the

distress of the old bird who tried several times to

distract my attention from the young one. It
would fly almost in front of me and then into an
apple tree at a distance. At last the ruse suc-
ceeded for when I turned back to the young bird
it had disappeared into a tangle of high-bush
cranberries and black currants, overgrown with
hop vines, an ideal place to hidein. The old bird
joined it and croaked several times as if chuckling
because it was so clever.

I went back to the nest intending to examine
it, also to see if it contained any unhatched eggs.
I pulled the bushes apart, stretched in my arm,
put my fingers in the nest and they touched some-
thing warm and rough and a queer little stutter-
ing noise greeted me. There was a second small
bird in the nest. Then the other adult bird
arrived with a caterpillar dangling from its bill
and began to scold, so I got away. The second
baby left the nest on the following Tuesday, and
the family was reunited. For a couple of weeks
I heard their calls from an almost impenetrable
thicket of blackberries, red plums and cranberries
which grew along an old stone fence on the upper
side of the orchard. By that time the young
ones could probably fly.

The nest was made almost entirely of the mid-
ribs of the compound black locust leaves with
which the ground was littered. There did not
seem to be any lining in it, and when I tried to
separate it from the bushes it fell to pieces in my
hand.

Meanwhile the caterpillars had quit feeding
and had begun to crawl, hunting for places to
spin their cocoons and some had already pupated.
I watched one large mass and soon discovered that
there was something wrong with it. Numbers of
the grubs kept crawling up the tree trunk and

joining the outside of the mass but none of them —
When I examined |

seemed able to get away again.
them with a lens, I could see something like
mold growing on them. I knew that this must
be a fungus disease and that Dame Nature
herself was taking a hand in the game. The
caterpillars swelled up as if full of gas and then
they all died. The ragged remains clung to the
tree-trunk for a time, and then dried up and

November, 1930]

dropped off. Few of those which pupated emerged
as moths and the next spring there were very few
egg masses to develop into cateprillars.

I did not see or hear the cuckoos in 1923, until
the last week in June. As there was no plentiful
food supply they did not stay to breed.

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

187

I have seen scarcely a tent-caterpillar since,
until last summer (1929) and again I heard the
cuckoos around quite frequently, so I am ex-
pecting both caterpillar and cuckoo for the
summer of 1930.

“AN EXPEDITION TO SUB-ARCTIC CANADA, 1924-1925
By CAPT. J. C. CRITCHELL-BULLOCK

Ovibos moschatus (Zimm).

(Continued from page 162)

ROBABLY the most gratifying work
P| that we accomplished was the successful
Kpugh) photographing of this famous ruminant,

atte securing records, in the form of both still
and motion pictures, depicting the animal in its
natural habitat.

Within historic times these imposing animals
gloried in a vast range that extended over the
entire Northern Plains, but now the species in
continental Canada is confined generally to the
less accessible parts of this habitat.

During the past century their extirpation has
chiefly been caused by the slaughter that has
been wrought amongst them by natives and
traders, who have sought to secure for the fur
markets the valuable hides that are so well
suited for use as robes. The fact of the animal’s
fearlessness has in great manner contributed to
the wholesale slaughter to which it has been
subjected.

The company’s posts at which the majority of
the skins used to be traded, before their destruc-
tion was prohibited, were Fort McPherson (from
the eastern coast Eskimo), Forts Good Hope and
Norman (from the Anderson Eskimo and from
the post Indians who specially hunted them),
Rae anc Resolution, on Great Slave Lake (from
Indian hunters), Lac du Brochet, Reindeer Lake
(from the iniand Eskimo), and Fort Churchiil
(from the Hudson’s Bay Eskimo). During thet
period, hundreds of skins were exported annually
from the Northwest Territories.

The measures that have now been enforced will
doubtless go far to preserve the remainder of the
great herds that used to roam the northern plains.
But opinions adduced from my observations in-
cline me to believe that the species is not numer-
ically on the increase. The conclusion many will
arrive at is that the wolf is responsible. I do not
necessarily suggest that there has been a diminu-
tion in their numbers within the last twenty-five
years, but after a careful comparison of facts as,
fortunately, is made possible by a careful study of

MUSK-OX

the data provided by the writings of Messrs.
Hanbury and Tyrrell it would appear as though
there were some influence rendering efforts at
conservation somewhat abortive.

Although the musk-ox undoubtedly travels and
roams the plains to some considerable extent,
those that inhabit the more southerly portions of
the range are given to retaining a preference for
favoured “stamping grounds”, and I doubt very
much that those on Thelon River ever wander
more than a few miles from such selected places,
especially the bulls.

Edward Sabine first reported this animal from
Melville Island. He says:

“This species . . . inhabits the North Georgia
Islands in the summer months. . . . They arrived
in Melville Island in the middle of May, crossing
the ice from the southward, and quitted it on
their return toward the end of September.”

This is at variance with my conception of the
habits of the continental animals.

Richardson of Franklin’s first expedition states
that—

“To the westward they are not seen in any
numbers lower than latitude 67 degrees, although
from portions of their skull and horns, which are
occasionally found near the borders of Great Slave
Lake, it is probable that they ranged at no very
distant period over the whole country lying
betwixt that great sheet of water and the Polar
Sea. I have not heard of them being seen on the
banks of the Mackenzie southward of Great Bear
Lake, nor do they come to the southwestern end
of that lake, although they exist in great numbers
on its northeastern arm.”

Thomas Simpson found them in large numbers
about Dismal Lakes and between the Coppermine
and Great Bear Lake.

Warburton Pike in 1889 also found them
numerous near the source of the Coppermine
River, north of Aylmer and Mackay Lakes, and
on July 1st, 1890, a large herd consisting entirely
of cows was seen near Sandy Bay, Aylmer Lake,

188

Anderson and Stewart in the summer of 1855
found them numerous along Back’s River, and at
Lake Franklin the Eskimos had constructed lodges
made entirely of their hides.

Frank Russell found several bands between a
point three days’ travel east of the Coppermine
and Bathurst Inlet. He was told by the Indians
that these animals used to be found to the west-
ward of the Coppermine, but that for five or six
years hunters had been forced to penetrate
farther from the wooded country into the Barren
Lands to find them.

Caspar Whitney in March and April, 1895,
found musk-oxen numerous at several points to
the eastward of the Coppermine and to the north-
ward of Point Lake, his party killing forty in two
months.

A. J. Stone in the early spring of 1899 found
musk-ox tracks to the southeast of Cape Lyon, or
about three hundred miles east of the Mackenzie
delta, but seeing no animals presumed that they
had gone further inland in search of food. He
says that about 80 were killed by whalers on Parry
Peninsula in “97-98’’.

J. W. Tyrrell found a band of fifteen on Sifton
Lake, headwaters of the Hanbury River, nine of
which were shot. Later in the same year, 1900,
he found the animals numerous all along Thelon
River.

D. T. Hanbury when exploring Thelon River
first found the tracks of musk-oxen numerous
about thirty-five miles to the westward of its
junction with the Dubawnt. On July 26th, 1901,
he shot a musk-ox a short distance north of Artillery
Lake, and remarks that many years before his
coming the animals used to be numerous round
the lake, but had since been killed off by the
Indians, and when in 1896 he wished to procure
specimens from the region was forced to travel
twelve days from the timber to find them. He
ascertained that musk-oxen were stil] to be found
within a day’s journey from Ogden Bay, inland.
A large bull killed near the head of Dease River
was found to have been living solely on willows
and he mentions that he was of the opinion that
the animal had not moved more than a mile from
its secluded retreat, where it was shot, the whole
winter.

Hubert Darrell, who was Hanbury’s travellng
companion, states that in his day musk-oxen
ranged over most of the country as far south as
latitude 63 degrees in the vicinity of Dubawnt,
Campbell and Walmsley Lakes.

Macfarlane says that the musk-oxen were
fairly numerous in the Anderson River region,
entering the outer forest in winter time, and
penetrating it for distances as great as a hundred

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

[VoL: XLIV

miles. In the spring, he says, they advance
northward.

John Hornby, who traded with the Indians of
Great Bear Lake, and the Copper Eskimos in the
country about old Fort Confidence from 1908-
13, says that upwards of fifty musk-oxen were
brought to him during the last three years of his
residence there, these animals being shot at no
great distance from the north shore of the lake.
In 1922 he found a small band at Walmsley Lake
but when we looked for them they had disap-
peared.

J. W. Tyrrell saw musk-ox robes “‘stacked by
the Eskimo like haycocks” along the shore of
Chesterfield Inlet, awaiting the opportunity to
market them.

At Baker Lake I ascertained from an old Eskimo
the fact that within comparatively recent years
musk-oxen were killed in the country about Baker
Lake and Chesterfield Inlet (north shore), but
that now-a-days none was to be found anywhere
in the surrounding country.

H. Ford, the Hudson’s Bay Company’s factor
at the same place, told me also that quite recently
he had heard that certain Eskimos had slaugh-
tered a large band in the interior towrads Back’s
River.

The musk-ox is a gregarious animal, but is not
migratory. If the band travels it is usually
because of lack of food. They prefer to associate
themselves with a certain chosen locality and
remain there indefinitely. Further north, where
grass and willows do not grow so profusely or so
succulently as towards the southern limits of
their range, it is reasonable to suppose that there
is much more movement amongst them and that
they are constantly forced to seek new feeding
grounds; evidence shows that this is the case,
although I am inclined to think that one or two
writers might have been likely to believe that the
movements observed by them were due to other
causes as well. The periodical journeys south
that those in the north make are without doubt
for the purpose of securing the richer feed which
is to be found within the shelter of the forest.
The musk-ox has in his coat a downy wool that
suffices to give him ample protection against the
most fierce Arctic blizzard.

The musk-ox of the Arctic Islands is a sub-
species of Ovibos moschatus moschatus of Boreal
America, but the former appeared to Sabine to
migrate whilst those on Thelon River remain on
their stamping grounds. The reason is, I think,
that those of Melville Island probably find that
by moving southward better winter food can be
procured. Those on Ellesmere land do not
appear to migrate because they have a large

November, 1930]

island over which to roam and by crossing the
ice to the southward little would be gained.
Individuals and occasional herds may change
their haunts, but only by force of necessity.

Those that have been observed to make regular
traverses of certain tracts of country may, then,
be said either to possess a knowledge of good
winter feeding grounds further south, or to have
been forced to evacuate their usual range because
of lack of fodder. The circumstances may seem
similar but it will be seen that whereas the first
might be said to be voluntary, the latter is un-
deniably involuntary.

The habitat of these animals existing to-day is
practically unknown. Except for those surviving
on the Thelon, I have heard of no bands having
been observed on the mainland within recent
years, excluding of course those killed on Back’s
River. Even G. H. Blanchet, who has made
extensive explorations in the Treeless Plains
during the past few years, and into the very
heart of what was considered the musk-ox country,
between Artillery Lake, the headwaters of Back’s
and the Coppermine Rivers, has seen but one
animal representing the survivors in the district.
This individual, probably a bull, was observed at
the Narrows on-’Lake Clinton-Golden in the
summer of 1924. The previous year, however, he
saw the tracks of a cow and a calf that had been
feeding on an island near the same place. It was
not possible to ascertain in which direction these
last had moved on leaving the island, but the
former animal was seen in the distance travelling
in an easterly direction, as though towards the
Hanbury River. When he arrived with his
Indians on Lake Clinton-Golden he was informed
that musk-oxen might be seen at any time, and
that thirty years previously two bulls had been
killed on Casba River at the northern end of
Artillery Lake. Evidence proving the truth of
this statement was found by ourselves in the form
of portions of a musk-ox skeleton lying near old
axe cuttings in a clump of scrub spruce at the
place described by G. H. Blanchet.

The evidence of H. Ford of Baker Lake gives
one the impression that the inland Eskimo, who
reside about the lakes on Back’s River, and are
so inaccessible as to render their control by the
authorities a matter of great difficulty, must still
be working in opposition to our attempts at
conservation. This is a somewhat serious matter,
because it appears that they are hardy travellers
and well equipped with firearms, not at all loath
to thrust out into the unknown. Living on a
river, that flows through a region that is much
favoured by these animals, they must constitute
‘a grave source of danger to the species.

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

189

There seems to be not even an approximate
knowledge of the numerical strength of the musk-
ox, and although this information would be a
valuable contribution to science it will be most
difficult to make a guess with regard to the
numbers forming the most valuable or accessible
herds until aircraft is employed.

The characteristics of the musk-oxen are most
interesting. As appealing to the esthetic sense
I think there is no more attractive animal and I
have had the pleasure of observing big game in
Asia, Africa, and Europe. I was particularly
struck by the cleanliness of their range, although
it was evident that several of the bulls we saw
had occupied certain stamping grounds for a con-
siderable period, moving for days on end not
more than a few hundred yards, there was no
sign of dung anywhere.

These animals were most numerous about.
Grassy Island on the Thelon River, and we saw
between twenty-five and thirty within an area of
four square miles.

Just below the last falls on Hanbury River, and
on the south shore, nineteen were seen in two
bands. The first numbering eleven, the second
eight.

Upon every occasion when they were observed
it was among the high willow beds that grow at
frequent intervals along this route.

The first band was seen at midnight, July 19-
20, 1925, the second at 8a.m. They were brush-
ing their way through a little clump of small
spruce trees which grow beside a small unexplored
river joining the main stream trom the south-
westward at that point. Growing in some pro-
fusion amidst the timber was a quantity of willow
standing to a height of about four feet, matted
and tangled like jungle undergrowth. Through
this the animals were pushing backwards and
forwards occasionally stopping to feed from the
young shoots et the tops of the bushes. Their
main object, however, seemed to be to rid them-
selves of the insect pests, which were extremely
troublesome at just that time.

Two days later we found time to go in search
of these bands, and taking with us our photo-
graphic apparatus proceeded to scour the woods
and countryside for some considerable distance.
But, although we found many well-worn trails
testifying to the fact that the locality was much
favoured by them, no animals were seen. In one
clump of quite large timber, which is just above
Helen’s Falls, there were deep-cut trails that
could but have been formed by much movement
for many generations.

All these musk-oxen were seen on the south
side of the river, and although I hunted for

190

tracks on the north side none was found at all.
This was the only occasion on which a band was
seen to the southward of our line of travel, though
later on a solitary individual was observed on the
south shore at a point seventy-five miles west of
Beverly Lake, this being the last we saw.

The next occasion on which animals were met
with was on July 27th, when three large bulls
were observed on Grassy Island. Each of these
had his own promenade, in each instance a small
open grassy patch on the river bank about twenty
yards long. Usually they were lying down, but
every now and again they would get up and
proceed to brush the flies from them by pushing
through the twisted iron-stiff willows, which at
this place were as high as eight feet. During the
day we moved over and photographed the largest
bull from a canoe.

The same evening having a little leisure we
hunted out another large bull which was attempt-
ing to find a ford in the river, and watching him
for a full hour provided us with much pleasure.
Eventually he winded us when within but fifteen
yards, and wheeling about rushed magnificently
through the water to his stamping ground where
he turned and tossing his head, bellowed at us
defiantly.

I notice that in my diary I have described
their movements when pacing the river bank
“like policemen on their beats”. I think now
that it explains their action better than any
lengthy decsriptive writing can do.

That night (26th-27th) I spent preparing my
motion picture apparatus, at two o’clock turned
in, but I was awakened at three-thirty by Hornby
calling and saying that fourteen musk-oxen were
crossing the high sandstone hill five miles to the
southwest, and were moving in our direction.
Within a few minutes we were in a canoe and
across the river. We took up a position on a
prominent sand-dune and awaited their arrival.
The sight was superb. Though so early the light
was good with the sun up, and the animals glossy
and almost black, showed up with a golden shot
effect against the yellow of the sand. They were
travelling fast in scattered formation covering an
area of possibly four hundred square yards, one
very large bull leading.

Now the previous evening on our return from
photographing we saw a lerge bull stolidly walk-
ing in a southwesterly direction on the sand on
the opposite side of the river to our camp. Hop-
ing to get photographs of so splendid a specimen
we hastened to paddle for the other side; the
stream, however, was too strong to stem at
speed, and we arrived at our high sand hill just
after he had passed. Hoping still to secure

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

[VoL. XLIV

records we ran after him, but he was moving at
a fast swinging walk and our heavy packs seriously
handicapped us. So we stopped, and there, on
the open sand two hundred yards behind him,
proceeded to howl, shout and make the most
terrible noises of which we were capable in order
to attract his attention. But nothing served to
disturb his equanimity, and without deigning to
favour us with so much as a single glance he
strolled on, his long black robes swinging like
kilts about him.

When next morning we saw so fine a bull
leading this band, which consisted almost entirely
of cows and calves, from exactly the same direc-
tion as that in which our bull of the previous
evening had gone, we commenced to wonder, and
although it was impossible to determine whether
this was the identical bull that had been observed
the previous evening, we felt inclined to believe
that it was, and that possibly he had gone to
bring to the more luxuriant vegetation about
Grassy Island, the animals we had seen on the
Hanbury River. This was considered quite
possible as there seemed to be some resemblance
between the two bands, each containing a similar
complement of young individuals, four calves.

After watching them for some time and taking
a few photographs, we saw two more crossing
the sandstone hill, we walked to meet them, and
several feet of valuable motion picture film were
secured at close range. This band of sixteen
consisted chiefly of young animals, mostly cows
and except for the leader only two other male
animals were seen amongst them, both of them
being apparently two years old.

Later that day we endeavoured to discover
where these animals had gone, but the country
they frequent in this section is so heavily matted
with sturdy willows, and also so swampy and
alive with flies that after an hour or so of torment
we desisted.

In the evening we proceeded down-stream,
seeing and photographing two more large bulls.

On July 30th we found two bull musk-oxen
lying in the undergrowth at a point on the north
shore of Thelon River about forty miles from its
confluence with the Hanbury. We crept on them
and photographed them. This completed to our
satisfaction, we felt that a little movement would
be desirable. With us was a large white sleigh —
dog, part wolf and almost as large as one. After
some exhortation we induced him to rush at the
musk-oxen. Surprised for a moment they turned
and ran, but after a few yards halted and the —
bigger of the two promptly lowered his head and
charged the dog. The dog was ingloriously rout- —

November, 1930]

ed. This little scene I was fortunate enough to
photograph kinematographically.

Thence onwards signs of the animals were fre-
quently discerned, until when about a hundred
and fifty miles down the river the last of the
animals was left behind. Just at this time,
however, we were considerably exhausted and it
was with difficulty that we could travel the sur-
rounding country at the conclusion of the day’s
work, hence it is reasonable to suppose that in
the favourable places that are to be found further
down the river a few more may live.

I see in the Report of the Royal Commission
upon the Musk-ox and Reindeer industries of
1922, that witnesses testify to the animal’s pre-
ference for grass as compared with willow, mosses
and lichens. In the Thelon district I noticed
particularly that a distinct preference is shown
for the young shoots of the willow bushes, in
fact I only once saw an instance when grass was
eaten where willows abounded. Both willows
and grasses grow luxuriantly for a considerable
distance along the river’s edge on either side of
Grassy Island, the former attaining the height
of ten feet. Amongst those at the thickest places
the musk-oxen are most likely to be found, and
rarely did we fail to find an animal if we sought
them in the densest patches.

Our observations differ also with respect to the
number of young animals seen in bands. The
three bands seen by us were composed entirely
of young animals, and the number of calves were
in the proportion of 30%. I observe that many
hold the opinion that cows breed only on alter-
nate years; under ideal conditions, however, I
believe they are more fecund than this.

With respect to flies I was carcful to note that
they suffer none of the torment that the caribou
do; the ears are the parts most susceptible to
attack and at times a considerable amount of
discomfort attends this fact; however the musk-
ox can flick these portions of his anatomy with
the facility peculiar to a tiger, and this goes far
to bring relief.

Another point which interested us considerably
was the fact that about the musk-ox country
there were fewer signs of wolves than anywhere
else. The musk-ox is a much more agile creature
than his appearance leads one to believe, and I
doubt very much that he is subject to the attacks

Rangifer arcticus (Richardson).

A great deal might be written concerning this
famous animal, but as our investigations disclosed
little or nothing more than is already known about
them and their habits, facts that can be obtained

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

191

of wolves. Moreover, the young are so carefully
watched by the cows that I doubt that wolves
would ever have the opportunity or the time to
despatch a calf before the arrival of the mother.
Hornby is of the opinion that the Barren Ground
Grizzly is responsible for depredations; this is
quite possible although the bear is hardly a pre-
datory animal.

It is evident that there are many musk-oxen in
the region travelled by us, but it is impossible to
arrive even at an approximate estimate of their
numbers. Their habits are strange compared
with those of other big game with which I have
come in contact, and one might well pass through
their country again without seeing more than an
occasional bull.

The only way in which the matter can be
satisfactorily investigated is from the air, and
although it should receive serious contemplation
the use of air-craft is still apparently regarded
with much scepticism.

In the Thelon Valley there exists one of the
most valuable and rare species of Canadian big
game. It exists not only as the individual but
in large numbers, residing in an area that com-
paratively speaking is both small and inaccessible.
At the cost of a small initial outlay, less than the
cost even of our expedition, the region could be
surveyed, the number of the musk-oxen accur-
ately determined, the value and extent of the
timber in the valley arrived at, and, en passant,
much done to determine the numerical strength
of one of the largest migrating herds of wild
caribou that annually, I feel convinced, frequents
the district.

With regards to the conservation of the animal
I shall deal later. That these animals are not
more numerous than they were twenty years ago
has not been proved by mehere. It is left for the
reader to compare statistics. Tyrrell never
expressed in figures the number of the animals
seen by him, but by reading between the lines
and by studying his map, some conclusion may
be arrived at.

That musk-oxen have been practically exter-
minated about the headwaters of the Coppermine
and Back’s Rivers seems fairly conclusively
proved by the observations of G. H. Blanchet,
and taking the species as a whole it may justly
be said that its existence is in no little danger.

BARREN GROUND CARIBOU

by reading any of the better works on the North
American fauna, I propose touching on the subject
but lightly.

Although biologists have remarked that there

192

are perhaps two or more distinct species of these
animals, seperated into such by the physiographic
conditions of the country, so far as we are con-
cerned, those on the mainland may be considered
as one species. The different herds, or aggrega-
tions of herds, in continental Canada overlap
during their migrations and at other periods, and
probably those that we find moving in such dense
numbers along Thelon River in July mix with the
more northerly herds at the termination of their
northward migration in May.

It was my intention to try and connect the
movement of the caribou in our district with that
of the herds further north, and for this reason I
addressed letters to all the managers of the Hud-
son’s Bay Company’s posts along the Arctic
coast asking them to keep a rough log of such
movements in the vicinity of their respective
establishments. No replies, however, have been
forthcoming so my hopes of being able to compile
a comprehensive account of the caribou move-
ment throughout the year 1924-25 have been
rendered abortive.

A tabulated account of the various movements
as observed by us during that period is given
here, however, and from that I believe a glance
will show what occurred during the winter, and
on the journey from Great Slave Lake to Hudson
Bay.

The direction of the wind is given because it is
generally held that caribou move against it. The
extent to which they do will immediately be
apparent, and as many instances disproving as
proving the theory will be noticed; it shows that
except for grazing herds having a tendency to
face up wind when feeding, a gale will not cause
caribou to move against it for any considerable
distance. This is an interesting point when the
possibility of domesticating the caribou is con-
sidered, in that there should be little difficulty in
herding the animals during storms. Strong winds
have been marked with a cross.

On September 13th, 1924, we first fell in with
caribou on Artillery Lake at a point opposite
Timber Bay. Most of those seen were bulls, and
it would seem that they were moving in no parti-
cular direction, but merely feeding and putting
on fat for the rutting season. Occasional cows
and calves were observed, these also were feeding
and appeared to be forming no part of a herd in
the vicinity.

On September 29th it was observed that the
bulls had formed into bands and were moving in
bands of varying size from twelve to fifty and
more. This continued, apparently, until about
the 5th November. The bulls were still very fat
on October 10th, but by October 17th, a distinct

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

[VoL. XLIV

change had occurred and they were thinning fast.
On November 7th the first bull antlers were
dropped, and by then the male animals had lost
much of their strong odour. By November 19th
they had practically all dropped their antlers.

On November 4th several hundred cow caribou
were found bunched up on the western shore of
Artillery Lake waiting for the ice to harden and
allow them to pass north-eastward. This condi-
tion continued until the 9th when hunters moved
up from the south and succeeded in driving the
animals away from the lake edge to the north-
west. By the 14th of November, however,
more females arrived and in large numbers
though usually in scattered formation, and
continued to pass northwards throughout the
entire winter.

Apparently the bulls continued with the cows
until about November 21st, but from the 26th
until December 9th the former were seen to be
travelling south again in bands consisting usually
of about fifteen individuals.

Young bulls from one to two years old were
often seen moving with the cows during the
winter, but from the end of January until May
5th, no full sized males were observed in the
treeless country.

The cows commenced to drop their antlers on
or about March 24th, most having fallen by the
middle of April.

All the cows had passed northward by April
27th, and the northward migration of the bulls
commenced immediately after this, the last of
them having moved north of Hanbury River by
June 20th.

On July 23rd at Grassy Island on Thelon River
the main southward migration of the caribou was
intercepted. They were moving, all sexes and
new-born calves, in bands varying in size from
300-500 to 1000-2000. For two days they
passed in this manner presenting a most imposing
spectacle that once seen is never to be
forgotten. During those two days and two
nights when the movement was greatest many
thousands must have passed along the banks of
the river. At no time of the day or night would
a walk to an elevation commanding an extended
view of the country have failed to disclose the
presence of numberless caribou. J. Hornby, who
has assessed the number to pass us as 10,000, has,
I consider, grossly underestimated their number.
When first we saw them I hastened to my canoe
and paddled with all the strength I could com-
mand to intercept them; I hunted them for an
hour, we being entirely destitute of food, and I
feel guilty of no exaggeration when asserting that
within that time alone I saw fully five thousand

November, 1930]

on the north bank and in the country further
inland.

I do not feel inclined to hazard a guess as to
their numbers, being content merely to remark
that they were tremendous.

After the first two days the numbers lessened,
but during the 30th and 31st scattered bands
aggregating in all many hundreds if not thousands
passed southward along the south bank and over
the country further inland. These bands con-
sisted more of bulls than had the previous herds,
the reason probably being that, heavy with
horns, the male animals are less inclined to travel
at the high speed adopted by the females and
their agile offspring.

There is a certain romance attending such a
phenomenon, and the temptation is to wax eulo-
gistic, but neither time nor space permit descrip-
tive writing. ;

The summer of 1925 was somewhat remarkable
for the large number of flies and mosquitoes, and
in the Thelon valley they appear to be more
troublesome than elsewhere, the nature of the
valley is such that it must provide a veritable
paradise for these pestiferous insects. From all
appearances the size of the bands in which the
caribou move, and their speed, is in no small
degree regulated by the measure of success attend-
ing the efforts of these insects to attach them-
selves to the moving bands. As during this
particular migration the animals were either
moving down wind or transverse to it the flies
no doubt experienced little difficulty in aceom-
plishing their purpose.

Never were the caribou permitted to remain
stationary or allowed to travel at a moderate or
uniform speed. A band of several hundreds
would be observed rounding a bend in the river
bank, coming closely bunched and moving more
often than not at a gallop. After five or six
hundred yards, having, apparently, left the flies
behind for a while, they would halt, some to
graze, some to water, and a few to indulge in a
short swim. A minute or so would constitute
the length of such a halt, then suddenly they
would become violently agitated and commence
to jostle one another until the leaders started
southward again. The leaders would commence
moving at a quiet amble, but pressure from
behind invariably caused them to break into a
gallop for another few hundred yards, when,
apparently, another rest would, by common con-
sent, be favoured. Fortunately such interesting
habits we were able to record kinematographi-

THE CANADIAN FIBLD-NATURALIST

by Eskimos.

193

cally. Pictures, however, never adequately des-
cribe such scenes, and even more astounding than
the actual massed movements of such large
numbers of deer, is the great noise attending such
movements—the thunder of so many hoofs, and
the hoarse calls of the mothers and calves com-
bining to swell into such a volume of sound that
it might be mistaken at the distance of a mile
for the roar of some great fall of water.

Amongst these bands, which for the great part
were composed of females and young, occurred
several males. These bulls gave the impression
of being the fittest representatives of their sex,
they were all young animals, few it would seem
being over four years old. Without exception
they had changed their winter coats, unlike some
of the older animals of the same sex that straggled
southward in the rear of the procession.

The females, however, still retained much of
their old hair and presented a most sorry appear-
ance, the young resembling their mothers.

As we travelled eastward stragglers were con-
stantly met with and usually they were either
yearling bulls, or odd sickly cows with their
calves.

In the delta of Dubawnt River there are many
islands and on the larger of these, several falling
within this latter category were noted, possibly
six to an island and fifty over the whole delta.
Here we noted what appeared to be a yearling
cow with a calf. We did not shoot the poor
animal owing to the fact that we had neither any
use for such poor meat as she would provide, nor
would a post mortem examination have revealed
to us much more than we actually saw, we being
enabled, by careful stalking, to creep within a
few feet of them. The fact was hardly to be

‘ eredited, but we both considered that there was

little room for doubt in the matter.

On August 24th the first band of animals,
untroubled with flies and quietly grazing, was
observed, eleven cows and calves, having settled
down apparently to roaming for pasture. A two
and a half year old bull killed on August 22nd
was found to be putting on fat, a third of a pound
being taken in one piece from above the rump.

By September the female animals had again
massed up, and during the first few days of that
month many hundreds were slaughtered in the
vicinity of the mouth of Thelon-Dubawnt river
On September 5th about half way
down Baker Lake, on the southern shore, several
bands of fifty to a hundred individuals in each
band were seen, they being the last animals
observed by us on the trip.

ite
194 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST [VoL. XLIV
Direction of
Date Location Movement Numbers Sex Wind
Sept lSiee ca iArtillerystalces sania ae ee ae No direction .6, very scattered....... Bull sien esaiene ie chece sense ers SW. x 3
HGRA). Artillerylake seen eee Scatteredspe sw everalua. = selpeue se eee ATIISEXES 2).Si eae ey SW.
NL itephatere South of Artillery Lake........... Scatteredeer re everalen seein nae AMMBeXeSh Pants cae elctie iets W. x
AUS sa Ss Wot SouthvofvArtillery sbakers-o gat ail ote veer melee tint iota tan mea a cue ae Saeed Pe Ee ea Pa aa x
SHUI Siasrone Vera e: coe ahistou es ahs eye ee: oT S TOTS AES EM NM eT aye ete Tote |e SS ate era ediarce ra bears oo atts Made ete te ratte chs ee nea et site rote uc ie pave ay ariaat fal meee
Pe eats North of Artillery Lake........... IN eee SORE cede es eines oe 2A CB aI S)) Meee RoC earner SSW. x
(OYeh nati leet North of Artillery Lake........... ING A Smalliband ss ecnmneees OKAMURA An ae Ural NNE. x
PAE nee North of Artillery Lake........... IN Pe Ba On ne Anvoccasionalibulliie jem ieocciete seni netoseuapoienae Ss. 58
Brads North of Artillery Lake........... INI Waren Two bands of 12....... Two bulls, calves and cows.SSW.
ata as North of Artillery Lake........... 5 DIB rer ea irate a Several tracks.......... Cows and calves......... W. x
Os sete North of Artillery Lake........... IN aren tee EU ps ages, Sth saat ie st Bulls in two bands........ x
a Le pessoa North of Artillery Lake........... SIWieerstsecie BOE its) cau s aa Ue Bullsjandscowss.4 ee eee SE. x
LS Me North of Artillery Lake........... ANT ARS SeT ree Several tracks.:......-- Wee SR DARA Sa BLO IN
INOW Is Goan. Casha) Rivernaaniciesitecccne eon Spain de en ais UL AES Hi a a an rh MAR a B00 DN ieee ec aiOMnn SG a, Lt va Ss. x
Bias Becket North of Artillery Lake........... See RU Aa CoH SA Eee RES OL RN One bull leading cows and
calvest ecient oe ee W. x
4-9. ...Last Woods, N. of Artillery Lake...NE......... Several hundred........ Principally cows and calves.SW. x
TBR Lee North of Artillery Lake........... IN Sega 8 Siete eche chet miateas eyes Cows and calves......... SW-N x
ee tole North of Artillery Lake........... IN eee tence Three bands of 15...... Cows and calves.......... NNE.
Sa North of Artillery Lake........... IND aay Dede cas oars bacleeadart est One yearling bull, cows
andicalvestiinrenieeeiae S-N.
Ger North of Artillery Lake........... IN ee ted 200-300 in scattered bands
(0) 7 (Ne Re Sl ene iE Cows, calves and yearling
bullseye eso eee SE.
Oe Le North of Artillery Lake........... INP en ese ne Tie sre eae eee oe dat hate Bulls Hoa ecaaeeiehee ESE. x
De eee cc ate North of Artillery Lake........... ING ech atoris INUMerOUSHAE eee ane Cows and calves......... NE.
INOS ABsoncos North of Artillery Lake........... SSH Sn Giang) eee Bulls ceca ees eee eee WNW. «x
PAS ts org North of Artillery Lake........... SWiree eae ie @laband) eer eee Bulls ieee eee ESE. x
DANG le cree North of Artillery Lake........... Sheeyceptaneci 174 (Oboe Ne see coc codu Bulls caw erences ESE. x
ea Olsiee tyers North of Artillery Lake........... SP at ne te: Severalismallibands ss 5st eerie eos ESE. x
IDE pea cio North of Artillery Lake........... Grazing..... LST (band) pee Bullsecjt cecnacranicon tice WEN &W
Baie North of Artillery Lake........... Moving aim-
lessly..... Smaller eee neu eae Bulls.) Ser eetrasee nie ee W.
Asche te North of Artillery Lake........... ie INMMANATOHSS Sodsboneodac Cows and bulls........... SW & W.x
OU ee et North of Artillery Lake........... . LOS UN me Se cat mae Irak 4 Bulle eee Pde Ss. x 7
1 sae Casbathiver ence eee oe ee Ga Fairly numerous........Cows and calves chiefly...N. x
Te eels Casbathivers.s ese em oaee INU are BOOS eases co neratenetsgs oie hae Cows and calves chiefly...WNW. x
1 Ee NE CasbatRiversaeecert ae eee ne IDINDsacn00 oe INUMErGUSEE eee Cows and calves chiefly. .. NW. x
THs Ses CasbaiRiversncnnen oe cite INGE eee Leyla ea pe INA aN hc See a Chiefly cows and calves...NW. =<
BUTS Sashes CasbayRivern vase eae er eee LOI esi ot Dye ope Sear aee IS Ra nes ere ever Bulls hai ool eee, wap aes. cere NE. x
PADS HORS CasbaiRivierken otk eiierie- etic IN eae btomce eae 8 a Se et Me ae Cows and 2 calves........ NW. x
Pps ie ere WashbaiRivers cnc cecer ieee Seer Staats eon Dane SEN LEER ayaer COWS Wane Sertoli etanee NNW. <x
SOR a Avtilleryplakesans ete ete IN} eae OS ES eae IA el BOIS Ca 1 bull, cows and calves....W. x
dens (Na s'asis Artilleryaliakews Give csieccter steer BE eee BRS SOE Swe eye lata Heats Cowrandicaliteaee een E.
Gene Artillenyghakenscndep sence nite eras Wanderings. Series as iaer arora: Bulls 5. eee rete ails N.
1a a tee Artillery Bake: er ei ademe anon INE pSenien alee Tracks): Aiatnoce: Gece selene Cows and calves......... SSW.
a Tae ae Artillery lake's ihc iekone scans oe ING ES Os Mra ck seus aloe ie bi Cows and calves.......... SSW.
TSAR eee Artillery Wakes i552 csi oe clone ele ONY Goats ete oiedS Mracks et eg Avera tia. Cows and calves.......... W.
EA RON, ale Artillerysaker oops a eteke IN hae ea eee FLT ACKS eee alk cists suaceoees Cows and calves.......... SW.
Pa Ne OS ioe Artillery Make ui aici ioe cus oy euale AW elite areca eneye Ali smallepy seers seine Bulls, cows and calves....N & E.
PAT oem Artilleryaluake on occ oe areas itegaoree ae Re a Orato Go ae a andi eio ches Bulls eee Banter rere Ss.
2G Norn A llernyalMake yo itrsnireci isi eeie ae Grazing..... Gee rae sci ole) ee RRS 124500 he Rat cioinemietoci einrs.o ni N.
SORE Rane Artillery Wakes. ven venemicmere voce AW saab se 1 et en ERS Cee Aen NCR ety Cow eee Sine eae ener W. x
a Se ae Artilleryilaken eerste see SH nse aah gL TAN eo 6 ee a Two yearling bulls, cows
andiealvessaeenescreeier W. x
Bebe a2ece ee. Artillenyaidaketoereccrr een raacr SEA Gea LSi4sbands) ie. ss eee Cows and calves......... N.
BS seseeie CasbalRivers ven sce ae eerie eee DWV bes a NT Shas AMEE Char? JOLIE Ae eae lok Cows ss Reals SS E.
I) Sig aig Casbavkiver ue wee anterees dyads 8 aes Damien er tay alice ey eatenerS Gi Cows aise ae ee aoe E.
De a CasbaitRiviern te ta scyeesrsiiae comers S (when dis-
Lavoe] octal) PrseNoes Neh eek acest eseticy ice imei ey Cows and calves..........N. x
Qs Se CasbarRiverass ats. wee eee. TON ete tege s lenecaneeetrsina tel oteualameleedlcnie Cows and calves.......... WNW.
Daren CasbaRiveriiau sche reince es ING Rae ean Tracks plentiful........ Cows and calves.......... SSW.
ANSE cS GasbarRiver ai iss eee ee SiG Nea Tracks veya seus spate mores Cows and calves......... NNW. «x
PASE Scie 3 CashagRiverthisne ceo eae ING &c Wists 2). 0 UN See Pa eee RE Cows and calves.......... NNW.
QB esek CasbavRiverenicn ce hope ncarenen E.. AS ON anapecanere toptepereeere iNet ter: Cows (no calves ?)........ NNW.
Miarehils. se: ATtillery ake ssc trcres antecvesterenre eee ....Fairly numerous........ Chiefly cows and calves...E.
Dives eres CasbaRiverseac acon tine ere E&S weOddcouplesitye rset elele Cows and calves......... N.
Giiehereanies CASDAVRAIVED. oc icciroce hale onan ters Se careers Tracks plentiful........ Cows and calves.........- SE.

November, 1930] THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST 195
Direction of
Date Location Movement Numbers Sex Wind
March 9.:.... CashavRivers tii) weds ene wiki hoes SEiceictttae aes 16) (in) 4bands)s.2- +. eee Bulls, cows and calves....NE.
25 (1 band)
TGS aan WasbavRivertanryenr eid. cuenepatetowises EI GCES Eire is oo Olsictopelstainicl tre conve alcrstel sacs Cows and calves......... NNE. x
aR Bee Artillenyaualkerieryca dist ani ciskons heences Grazing..... Plentifinleywn seer sterate Cows and ecalves......... W. x
UO ef. Gashaivens ties step he sire, oarantors N. (stragg-
Ning) pete AQRD OME AE et cires o0telstins ti Bulls, cows and calves....W. x
205 SEN C@asbaRivens sant ayes b ors SEG. eine DL b=2O Mw erehitenct sracstavere te ayere. Bulls, cows and calves....S.
CA ae CashapRiventrstattiancao ccc NNW WOO Jes Na eRe Ip cr Cos a So Cows) 0 Se ee eT ee N. x
CAN NO @asbat Rivers. bia tact feioieis. scstecs tees NINIWg hy DO eieae ec uarstels see reine rave voteterses Cows ui tae meinueciear SSE. 1 BS
AAS ms Nes CasbayRiveriie. skies tick teksten INGE So each ORSON 12 eh sucka encteus Young bulls, cows and
CALVES cic) necevererevehavel totone NNW x
CA ae eae CasbavRiveriinnn san ecto aie NTR tN AZO BOP RY I Ca iy ee aes Young bulls, cows & calvesW. x
7A ele desis Casha tRivere 2c ricer neki aie esate NINE eee 200230 0a reel Aneta: Young bulls, cows & calves N. x
QT oa ae CashatRivers ject wera SSE Peiaetae LSE EIS CREED CHO ee Young bulls, cows & calves SE. x
SORE i CashayRiverncn seis tig hci cisions Maer ieiai sia Halnlyantumeroushis sister areas Saad An ANT ats INE es
Gilgen CasbaxRiy eres sieve cian cieke Rua vie deen IDINIBS 6b ee Tracks numerous....... Cows and calves......... NNE. x

Jolly Goeeo or Casbackvvery Acinic eeeletteelere ENE.......Tracks numerous....... Cows and calves......... WSW. x

Bote Cashbajivereu ase eee ee I Herth ees ee Sea eias Nianacie at See ats Cows and calves......... E.
Be Sere @asbavhiversnae ace eh ine 1 eine ene Hundreds (bands of 25).Cows and calves......... WwW. PK
OS idtoadie CashbaghRiv enya eee ee 1 Dee OA Hundreds (bands of 25). Cows and calves......... N.
LOGS: CasbaiRiverscoie vase mses eae 1 De ea ats Hea Hundreds (bands of 25).Cows and calves......... S.
LS ae ots Casbameivelcons: coe sere 1 Deen en ees aa Hundreds (bands of 25).Cows and calves.......... N.
Be SROs CashayRivers ren eee ae Beara cuter Hundreds (bands of 25).Cows and calves......... W. Re
ME era ais CWasbaiRivertern cee eee citer ie TSS e Kuala Hundreds (bands of 25).Cows and calves ........ WNW.
NG Sees Cashbarktiviersr eee eee ena E...........Hundreds (bands of 25).Cows and Calves......... N.
ZO ees PikeisiPonta cere noice terc ee 1 OG ASE eet INUMerOUSH oe Eee Cows and calves.......... SSE.
PA Se ore Pikers|Portare rene ee siseccctens IN oe ouloes Numerous............. Cows and calves.......... NNE. x
Pf (viens We Pike's: Portage ii otae hye E.. re NUMeroussiien eee Cows and Calves......... E. x
Miayg Sree CasbayRivier {eres enters vison siento INF ciusanieiss PAVE aries teeta VR pe Nr nL Bull see hee Weed lasek SE.
Tete ole rs CasbayRiverstrvysocs armenia IN| CD ovasooe TOSS S i ee Nae eo ca Bull seek ah i aes cis Ae Ss:
Sea CWasbavtivern a. schism oe ates INIWier se sh GAC e Rag tes Len aR SIL Sin aE IBS UIs are eterepecs arcu cites eelarens NE. x
TOE CasbavRivertremct ice eee INP UAigis Giooaae AT, SeY AL We 2 ES UNL Nea Bulls Hees vate ey, Becca E.
LOS ear CashanRiverseracca vee vos ee INIWilaieniseie ila Os catia heme RE ema te ea Bull sents iaeickae steteclvetsiere E.
PA Tart Bint, @ashay Rivers}. his stetie ae isonet snes SIN rife ASHE) sie Sete os bo ys yare Bulgar ev pacar e Weikeets E. x
Za P ILA © AS DAM LVeLN es vitae te tact ee wei sete SIWiaieteied ae NST eee AD ats ae ee BUPI SA. ct lista acuteyeia hace eet SW. x
ADAM o Ie Campbelliiake penn ree eer 1 Dee ae GO eerie nes Ae aes Bull saiarcis sag ius ekeneereieiny a SW.
2685.25 Campbelliluaketassensch cereale ING Pal icgerers atats AQUA ASAD Oae ara Bulls arse areas sty NE.
Qi lstsriverss Campbelliitaket Species IN ay ea ee SIA Re PRE COSEN DS Lier any akties Bullsee yg phe eee NE.
29 ee eacampbpelluluake yay isn see ee ays Se neeeret ara CHE Puna AeA LN A MUL! BVA BUI SLA poe cake toe NNE.
SOn ae. Campbellitakess no chee: ANT es Lit Wuetinap oP fia ee a ANE ng ee ORL A Bull se reeesteapevcac ies skor canes NNE.

OUuNe ose Campbellilakessem ascii Wanderings Autewew seine ore Buia piiconcteaen eae SE.

Aven se Campbellilakesceee eee eee ING eee AQ EN at LRT SEs Bullsh ee eee Ae NE.

Hoe h on deel layhiiednos o65 uo sod bobs Heo ING ten About lOOr eerie ie Ball sees sy ete NE.

Wsvery cate 15 Bysloibiny/ RAnARS Gone obo eo Cuda DS IN eRe dat PAU sR ia ay pee sts we aN Bulls aes pear ass atone E. x
lO eeeElanbuLyprivers ence eee IN este eras ALO WAL.) tnt ere ernie Bull see sree leet i ani NW.
SPARS aise Hanbury Rivera enciacriee coke INGE siseed tee ALTO Witte Disdaiecen ete sea aie: BUS eae Noyes Qe, aisles ESE.
epee 3 HanburyaRivel eae hun. IN eae ise JAN Lew. ARES IBUlls eee ee Pe alas eee E.
LAAs tts anburnysiverae aoe eerie ING hele gs Be Abifeyy (s/h ta sepa pon eek ey 2 Bulls seis siete aise as SE. Xx
nL fetes Hanburyalivelann creer ertecceo cee IN aang oersie cic Ay So i ANSE, Pach onateuspenenedeuatens BUNS Fy.) Ssycyote seeps eee Na eal N. x
af eee An DUTY Arve eon Niece hie oye (hos Ra AA SRM Soe MEI a sat Bull seta tee eo ah aas W.
Ie wis ceslseblobinyvaharanuads pouasebacod ce A fiat aces A Cini Boat Ga ccainialy atten: ES ULI Sep reer tet enetey riers W.
ZO Mey HManburyaniverancnat ccc tae seein INGry cats § Bi Pa Det e Mapa Mee ate BUlIS eins peretre oe serene sstebs W. x

AEN eo 8 Be Fanburyabiversse erica delice tents Wandering

aimlessly | Tessie peels ok cpa ale aes BUS ee A ates saves E. x
Lae oe HanburyoRivers tcc ecien cies Wandering
aimlessly. .An occasional bull...... Bullsea cee goals oot ENE,
Sleek Hanburya RAVers emcees ices che Wandering
aimlessly, UN re nse eustantes oN nate te SAD) Oe UR eel ocr ateaceu leh o crore G E.
2328 ee ThelontRivers sis... ste sa shee voles Sie setae Thousands epee: WA lisexes einsspoceaee cera NW.
Aes eee Ste mHelonwRiveryew ids setae oir Stites takai Mhousandspeecm aces WATIVSEXES che eels abnean sere eke NW.
PA chee helonwRiviens says reciecn scene Neen ote Sei ybe sey es oe Less numerous......... WATIISexeS VEIN See seria PHS NE.
CAs ae Eieae MicloneRivetecte site loc acer es Ieee a Merten Numerous again........ PATINSOKES ne micl inated) dicho SW.
Bil Sarah! ‘MhelonpRiveracr “ys maitre ao oat Dh Seclasiiee A few stragglers........ AllSexes ee ss Ns oie vedere W.

PALE Nin rae MiclonyRiverarn cee eee SV eae ae A few stragglers........ IRINSOXCS) neecters ene eee cts W. x
APO Re cyt Mhelondhiver yee seis ta oe ete Soa eas A few stragglers........ WAT BORER A. NG eter fas Chan ehe E. x
Hyer eee PB HelonvRiversreia scicre:sepeite Sc eteche Skit ates aie A few stragglers........ INUGTS CISSE Aug OOOO Oso E. x
Setar. TheloniRiversn2 sissies sey case che les as Wandering

aimlessly..A few stragglers........ SAITISOXES Si. clersieisucpercere ove . NE.

196 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST [VoL. XLIV
Direction of
Date Location Movement Numbers Sex Wind
PROTA ADS Se gac ThelontRiverricicecciecies ceieteiciecios Wandering
aimlessly..A few..........-.0--+. Cows and calves.......... E x
Dp eles ThelonvRiverss ic cietsterycieilclelteleiniisiore Wandering
aimlessly..A few................. Cows and calves.......... NNW x
aie kates ThelontRivenacneceieanoceeeeeeee Wandering
aimlessly a Sivaycioreetsrars tepare levers enetsteheis Cows and calves.......... E x
20)aeye sire ThelontRiverye secs civics sere Wandering
aimlessly..A few...........-2-008 Cows and calves.......... E
Vy TA crs Thelon: Rivers ages oe coe ee Wandering
aimlessly e)eUsie Vie incrrere diate lope oie Bullshit agenke sce eos SW x
PA ied ates ThelontRivern. Asses usc sees. Wandering
aimlessly sides ccscicrec eesti oleate Cows and calves.......... WNW.
PAs oan ThelonsRiver screencast oe Wandering
aimlessly..A few................. Cows and calves.......... NNW.
PAT Seis ThelonvRivercansisccsenys crete arsenic Wandering
aimlessly. .Several................ Cows and calves.......... NNE
Sept. 6...... Baker Lake Station............... Dele Wit ele About: 500m ss <cie eeicrereis Cows and calves.......... W.

x Indicates strong wind

(To be continued)

EDWARD ARNOLD

DWARD ARNOLD, an Associate of the
A.O.U. since 1894, died January 2, 1930,
at his home in Montreal,
Canada, in his 66th year. He was born

at Kingston, Ontario, on August 26, 1864, and

at the time of his death had seen nearly fifty
years of railway service, filling various positions
until finally appointed Auditor of Freight Claims,
with jurisdiction over the whole of the Canadian

National System. He was also an active member

of the American Railway Association, Claims

Section, having been Chairman of the Associa-

tion, a position at the head of railway claims

affairs on this continent, which was an apprecia-
tion of his railway work and value. He was
generally considered quiet, unassuming and
retiring in his manner, strong in his convictions,
loyal to his friends and dependable at all times.

He had been interested in birds all his life, and

travelling about as he had to do in his various

railway capacities gave him the opportunity of
studying birds from the Atlantic to the Facific.

Quebec, |

He was a fearless climber and his large collection
of eggs representing over a thousand species and
sub-species was well known among collectors.
In addition to this collection, he had a small one
of skins and mounted specimens of birds, as well
as a much larger one of postagestamps which he
had started as a boy, and to which he had paid
especial attention during his later years, when
strenuous outdoor work had to be abandoned
owing to ill health. He had acquired, also, a
small but valuable library, numbering many rare
editions, not only in ornithology, but in examples
of modern critical and biographical essays and
works. In addition to being an Associate Member
of the Union, he was a Member of the Cooper
Ornithological Club, the Canadian Field-Natur-
alists’ Club, and a late Member of the Province of
Quebec Society for the Protection of Birds.
He came to reside permanently in Montreal in
April, 1908, and is survived by his wife, Altabella
Simons Arnold, and one daughter, Carolyn.—
H. Mousey (The Auk, 47 : 457).

NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS

AN EARLY LAKE ERIE SEICHE RECORD.—
Largely out of curiosity the writer has examined
each of the four text books on geology in his
library in order to ascertain how many of them
give a description of the phenomenon known as
a seiche. Only one of these mentions or refers

to this curious phenomenon. Since a_ seven
volume dictionary examined also fails to include
the word seiche the writer ventures to preface
this paper with a definition of the term quoted
from Professor Grabau! who discusses this subject

1Grabau, A. W., Principles of Stratigraphy, 1913, p. 230.

November, 1930]

under the general head of tides as follows:

“In large lakes a periodic rise and fall of
the water of slight extent has been observed and
compared with the tides. These lake tides are
very small, that of Lake Michigan, for example,
having an ‘interval of only 2 inches. More irre-
gular oscillations of the entire water body of
lakes are found in the seiches, which are due to
some disturbance of the water as a whole, as in
the case of sudden barometric changes, in storms,
etc., and may be compared to the oscillation of
the water in a basin which has been lifted on one
side and suddenly dropped. Such oscillations will
continue for some time after the cessation of the
disturbing force.”’

The seiche is a phenomenon which appears to
recur as rarely or perhaps more rarely than
earthquake phenomena, and the two are equally
unpredictable, The writer has made enquiries
concerning such phenomena of many persons
living near the Great Lakes who might be expected
to have had opportunities to observe a seiche
but has encountered only one individual who
has personal knowledge of seiche phenomena. It
appears therefore worth while to call attention
in The Canadian Field-Naturalist to a seiche
record of unusual interest which though published
long ago! has probably come to the notice of very
few naturalists. This record occurs in the Journal
of Capt. Thomas Morris, who had a wide exper-
ience in various Indian wars on the American
frontier, in the second half of the eighteenth
century.

Captain Morris was instrumental in causing
General Bradstreet’s army to make a _ hasty
retreat down the Sandusky river where hostile
Indians had planned to encircle amd ambush the
troops. The surprising reception which the
troopers met with from the waters of Lake Erie
however probably led them to wish they had
met the tomahawks instead of the wave which
swamped their boats on the shore of Lake Erie.
Capt. Morris? describes what occurred as follows:

“This army however suffered extremely after-
wards, and great numbers were lost in traversing
the desert, many of their boats having in the
night been dashed to pieces against the shore,
while the soldiers were in their tents. The boats
were unfortunately too large to be drawn out of
the water. The sentinels gave the alarm on
finding the sudden swell of the lake, but after
infinite labour, from the loss of boats, a large
body of men were obliged to attempt ‘to reach
Fort Niagara by land, many of whom perished.
It is worthy of remark, that, during this violent
swell of the waters, soldiers stood on the shore

1Captain Thomas Morris, Miscellanies in Prose and Verse
(London, 1791), pp. 1-39.

This has been republished with other journals in Early
Western Travels, 1748-1846, 1: 295-328. Journal of Captain
Thomas Morris, of His Majesty’ s XVII Regiment of Infantry;
Detroit, Sept. 25, 1764.

2Journal of Captain Thomas Morris, of His Majesty’s
XVII Regiment of Infantry; Detroit, September 25, 1764,
p. 326. Published in Early Western Travels, Vol. I, (1904).

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

197

with lighted candles, not a breath of wind being
perceived. This phznomenon often happens.”

This experience on a calm summer evening in
1764 must have convinced General Bradstreet
that he was indeed “‘between the Devil and the
deep sea’. It is clear from the observation, “‘not
a breath of wind being perceived”, that the
destruction of the boats was wrought by a seiche.
But the writer questions the statement that
“this phenomenon often happens”, though no
doubt Morris had been told of other examples
of it.

Examples of the seiche which have been ob-
served by persons having opportunities to note
this phenomenon would, if reported in The Cana-
dian Field-Naturalist, aid in determining what
degree of frequency this curious and not well
understood phenomenon has.—E. M. KINDLE.

THE INCREASE AND PRESENT STATUS OF THE
STARLING AT TORONTO, 1930.—Since the appear-
ance of our previous note under asmiilar title! the
status of the Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) has
changed sufficiently to be worthy of record. Up
to the spring of 1925 the species had spread from
the south and west and had established itself in
the outskirts on all sides of the city. It had
been noted as having encroached slightly on the
city proper but as a nesting species it was appar-
ently limited at that time to the outlying terri-
tory.

The first appearance of the Starling in the more
central parts of the city was in the winter of 1925-
26 when a few regularly frequented backyards on
Delaware Avenue. There were no reports of the
species nesting within the city during the summer
of 1926, the nearest approaches being at Grena-
dier Pond and Cedarvale. During the fall of
that year and the winter of 1926-27 small flocks
were noted about Exhibition Park and near-
central districts such as Howland Avenue.

On March 31, 1927, the first record for the
center of the city was made when a pair was seen
by Professor T. F. Mellwraith at Queen’s Park.
During that spring and summer (1927) pairs were
noted as nesting in sections well within the city
—Parkdale station, Queen’s park, Spadina Avenue
and Rosedale. During the winter of 1927-28
Starlings were noted regularly by local naturalists
about and within the city but it was not until the
spring of 1928 that they became noticeable to the
casual observer. Pairs were to be found nesting,
scattered throughout the residential sections
(excepting the more central parts) during that
spring and summer. They invaded bird-boxes
about homes, sought out crevices in buildings and

Can. Field-Nat., 39 : 149-50, 1925.

198

took possession of woodpecker holes, ete.

In August and September, 1928, a large congre-
gation of Starlings nightly invaded a section of
Lawrence Park to roost. During the following
winter, 1928-29, the species did not appear to
spread much but in the spring of 1929 there
appeared to be a slight spreading out, within the
territory already occupied in a general way.
Birds re-appeared at nesting sites inhabited the
previous year and new localities were invaded.

In the early fall of this year (1929) Starlings
again congrgeated to roost at Lawrence Park.
The roost was in a small poplar wood approxi-
mately one acre in extent. Starlings, Cowbirds
and a few Grackles resorted there in such numbers
as to create a nuisance to local residents. On
September 3 the roost was visited (by T.F.M.
and J.L.B.) and at about 6 p.m. the birds started
to come in large, specific flocks. They mingled
in the trees and their loud chattering made a
constant din which was almost deafening. By
6.40 p.m. the flocks were apparently all gathered
together and an estimate of 10,000 birds was
computed, approximately fifty per cent of which
were Starlings. Local residents had to take
special measures to protect their trees and lawns
and, at times, during wet weather, the stench
from the excrement beneath the roost was objec-
tionable. Attempts were made by city officials
to discourage the roosting of these birds in Law-
rence Park but they were unsuccessful.

The winter of 1929-30 stands distinctly as a
milestone in the local spread and increase of the
Starling. Pairs which had nested in central
areas remained there for the winter, not disap-
pearing as in previous years. They became a
bird of the city’s streets and backyards. Inquiries
received from all parts of the city concerned
Starlings. Only the noisy, down-town business
blocks are yet to be invaded, and even there
occasionally, individuals are seen.

In tracing the local spread of the Starling it
seems that the searching out of nesting sites in
late winter and early spring results in the dispersal
of the species. In a small way new territory is
invaded and observations during the past winter
indicate that this new territory is held during the
winter months when subsistence is available.
In some instances the species was first observed
in new territory in fall or winter but it might be
supposed that their appearance in flocks at that
time made them more conspicuous, they having
been overlooked when present in scattered pairs.

In our previous note we made mention of such
material concerning the species as had been
brought together in local scientific collections up to
1925. §. L. Thompson has recorded? the first

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

[VoLt. XLIV

set of eggs (May 4, 1926), this set being in his
private collection. Many sets have since been
collected. The Museum possesses a large series
of skins of the Starling mostly collected during
the prosecution of the work carried on by Dr.
H. F. Lewis?. Specimens are also to be found in
the collections of private individuals in the
Toronto region.—L. L. SNYDER and J. L. BAILLIE,
JR., Royal Ontario Museum of Zoology, Toronto.

EUROPEAN STARLING.—In connection with Mr.
W. Baillargé’s article in the previous number of
The Canadian Field-Naturalist relative to European
Starlings being first seen in Riviére du Loup in
April, 1929, I should like to add that in the summer
of 1928 a pair were nesting in a hole in a telegraph
post in front of my father’s property at St. Patricks,
about four miles west of Riviére du Loup. The
same summer I saw three or four of them near
the station at Riviére du Loup, and several near
the church at Cacouna. I am just mentioning
this to complete Mr. Baillargé’s record.—R.
MEREDITH.

GROUNDHOG ACTIVE IN WINTER.—On January
4, 1930, I shot a groundhog near Orton, Dufferin
County, Ontario. At the time it was killed (2
p.m.) this animal was about fifty feet from the
entrance to its burrow and was feeding on sweet
clover leaves, a few of which were found in its
stomach.

For several days previous to the appearance of
this animal the weather had been quite mild and
most of the snow had disappeared. The burrow
near which the specimen was found was situated
in sandy soil on quite a steep hillside. The
weather on the day in question was quite cold
but sunny.

Whether the groundhog had been forced from
its burrow by water from melting snow running
into it or whether the mild weather had induced
a voluntary appearance, is not known. Exam-
ination of the viscera and other parts of the
animal showed it to be quite fat and apparently in
a healthy condition. When alarmed, it did not
move as quickly towards its burrow as is usual
in summer specimens and this, together with the
fact that when shot, there was no quiver or other
movement by the body such as is usually seen in
animals so killed, suggests that it was still in a
partially torpid condition.

The observation indicates that under certain
conditions the groundhog may become active
during winter.—E. R. S. HALL,

2Can. Field-Nat., 40 : 141-42, 1926.
3Univ. of Tor., Biol. Series, Bo. 30, p. 32, 1927.

November, 1930]

THE EUROPEAN HARE AT MEAFORD.—The
following records are of interest in connection
with the spread of the European hare.

Mr. L. H. Beamer reports that these hares
were first seen in Meaford, Gray County, in the
winter of 1927-28, when a pair was seen at inter-
vals throughout the winter in the vicinity of a

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

199

brickyard half-way between Meaford and Thorn-
bury.

Mr. W. J. Linn, who lives about 10 miles north
of Meaford, reports having seen the European
hare for the first time in his neighbourhood about
July 20, 1929, when he found a nest containing
six young ones.—J. R. DYMOND.

BOOK REVIEW

A FAUNAL INVESTIGATION OF SOUTHERN BAFFIN-
LAND. By J. D. Soper. This volume comes
as Bulletin 53, Biological Series No. 15, from
the National Museum of Canada. 129 pages,
with 14 plates and a very poor map.

Containing the results of the author’s work
during the summer of 1923, and of the period
from July 22nd, 1924, to the fall of 1926, when
he returned to the south. While Mr. Soper’s
time was very fully occupied in making collections
and taking notes on every conceivable form of
Natural Science, his chief attention was paid to
Ornithology and Mammalogy. At those times
when there was little to be done in these lines,
such as the darkness of winter, much of explora-
tion and mapping was accomplished, and a very
great deal was added to our knowledge of Baffin-
land. The expedition of 1924-26 realized two
whole summers on the Island, the first part of
which was spent mainly near Nettilling Lake,
and we are given interesting glimpses of the
climate in the interior. Thus, the ice on Nettil-
ling Lake was available for travel until early in
July and by June 20th “three-quarters of the
country was free of snow’’.

The summer climate appears to have been
delightful, the temperatures being given for July
as 52 degrees average at 8 a.m., with a maximum
at midday of about 74, but snow began to fall in
late August, and through most of that month the
higher elevations were covered.

After the lake became open, it was circum-
navigated, and the entrances to the two rivers,
Amadjuak near the south end and Koukjuak
about halfway up on the west side, were explored
for short distances.

The first sledging journey to Nettilling Lake
was commenced on April 22nd, 1925, and after
severe labour, and many mishaps, such as having
the boat and the sledges get stuck in the snow,
and so forth, the eastern extremity of the lake
was reached on May 5th. The remainder of
that month was tempestuous, and not until June
8th did patches of tundra become free from snow,
the morning temperature gradually becoming
higher, reaching the maximum for the month on
the 27th, 60° at 8 o’clock in the morning. The

last snowstorm occurred on June 17th and the
first rain on June 18th, marking the onset of
Spring, which came so rapidly as to clear the
snow from most of the land by June 20th.

It was nearly eight weeks later, however, that
the waters of Nettilling Lake became free of
ice, so that it could be explored; and on August
10th the party of six started to circumnavigate it,
and passing along its north and west shores, the
river Koukjuak, which empties the lake, was
entered on August 22nd. This river was des-
cended for some miles and then a return was
made to the base camp, which was reached on
September 9th. Occasional snows had _ been
falling for two weeks, so the boat and the collec-
tions were left at the base camp until winter
should provide feasible travelling, and the party
returned to Pangnirtung.

In January a trip was made across Baffin
Island, Foxe Basin being reached immediately
north of the Koukjuak River on January 31st,
and after some exploration, a return to the Post
at Pangnirtung was accomplished on February
15th.

During the following Spring Mr. Soper made
a journey to Cape Dorset on the southwest shore
of Baffin Island, where the summer was spent,
and he returned to Ottawa via Amadjuak Bay
and Port Burwell in the fall of 1926

The scientific part of the book is well done.
There is a list of twenty-five mammals, eleven
of which are terrestrial and fourteen aquatic,
including six seals and eight whales and whale
allies. The list is fully annotated, and forms a
real addition to the available knowledge of the
mammalian fauna of Baffin Island.

Highty-five species of birds are listed, of which
a little less than one half are indicated as breeding
on Baffin Island. A good many of the breeding
records are those of Kumlien, who worked there
in 1879, and it is quite possible that changes
have occurred since then. Of the eighty-five
species, there are twenty-elght seabirds, fifteen
ducks, geese and swans, two cranes, eighteen
waders, two ptarmigan, eight raptores, eight
sparrows, Hoyt’s Horned Lark, Pipit, Wheatear
and the Raven.

200 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

There are also list of Fishes, Insects, Pterpoda
and Fungi, but the botanical results are reserved
for a later publication.

This is a most readable volume for all those
interested in Nature as it appears in our northern
regions, and adds very much to our previous
knowledge of the fauna of Baffin Island.

It is regrettable that, in so good a volume, the
map should fall so lamentably short. In two out
of the three copies that this reviewer has exam-
ined, it is inserted upside down, and the style of
the map itself leaves almost everything to be
desired. The legends indicating the explorations
of the author, and of previous explorers, three
legends in all, are so nearly alike that they are
exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to follow,
and the lines used as boundaries resemble the
route marks so closely that the map is rendered
nearly useless as a guide to the movements of the
explorer. Moreover, the names of most of the
localities mentioned by the author do not appear
on the map; and if a map has any purpose at all,
surely it is to identify and define localities where
explorations were made, and scientific results
were attained. A desire to conserve public funds
is laudable, but in this instance it has undoubtedly
been carried too far, and has militated seriously
against the very purpose of the publication in
question.—W.E:S.

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[Vou. XLIV

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ee VOL. XLIV, No. 9 DECEMBER, 1930

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es)

_An Expedition to Sub-Arctic Canada, 1924-1925. By Capt. J. C. Critchell-Bullock (Continued) 720%

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D. JENNESS......... Reese toataeaete Anthropology CLYDE Ti PATCH) 32 ee Herpetology
MSO MALTE eo uete oe ee cee cea Botany R. M. ANDERSON.............. Mammalogy —
BRS UATCHRORD UY Yi. cc cee Conchology A. G. HUNTSMAN............ Marine Biology —
ARTHUR GIBSON.............00- Entomology P. A. TAVERNER........ OS deg he Ornithology

Wd ALCOCK 3 tp es Oe es ee Geology EB; MKINDIE.. | fo ae ee Palzontology q

4

CONTENTS
: PAGE
The Rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus) in Ontario. By W. J. LeRay......................... 201
Notes on the Food of Spring Salmon. By H. C. Williamson, D.Sc.......................... 208
A Further Study of the Home Life of the American Goldfinch. By Henry Mousley........ 204

Notes and Observations:— a
GOTrECEO Te AS AR UR A Sis eater iy a ae Tee 213) aa
Information Wanted on Baird’s Sparrow (Ammodramus bairdi).................--24-- 213
Winter Rambling of a Woodchuck. By R. J. Rutter...................... ie pos manee 218
White-throated Sparrow in Winter. By Clifford E. Hope........................... a, 213a
Black Game and Capercailzie Liberated in Nova Scotia. By R. W. Tufts.......... | 214
More Hungarian Patridges Liberated in Nova Scotia. By R. W. Tufts................ 7’
Caring for a Baby Screech Owl. By Eunice Nicholson

SBoolktRevyiew “By E. Me Windle |. oo ie a) eee ee lee BS cena RNR

INDEX TOs VOU Mi SX DVie ete one an as eA UE Sey Talli ae AS) i Re RE :

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The Canadian Field-Naturalist

VOL. XLIV

OTTAWA, CANADA, DECEMBER, 1930

No. 9

THE RATTLESNAKE (Sistrurus catenatus) IN ONTARIO
By W. J. LeRAY

LTHOUGH the Rattlesnake (Sistrurus
catenatus) has been exterminated over
1 the greater portion of its range in the
Province of Ontario, there are still
large areas in widely separated districts, where,
owing to conditions offering almost complete
protection, it persists, and in some parts where
there are abundant places of concealment it is
still numerous.

The present range of this rattlesnake in On-
tario includes Bruce peninusla, the Georgian bay
district at least as far north as the French river
and a large peet bog near Wainfleet, Welland
county. Specimens from all of these localities
have been secured by the writer.

This species, generally called Massasauga, is
often referred to as the Prairie Rattlesnake in
Ontario, but the latter title is misleading and
tends to confuse it with another species (Crotalus
confluentus) of the western plains.

The Massasauga is believed to be the only
species of rattlesnake now occuring in Ontario.
The Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus), a
larger and more dangerous species, apparently
common enough when the country was first
settled, has not been reported for a number of
years and is now believed to be extinct here
although it is still abundant in the mountainous
districts of New York, Massachusetts, and more
southern parts of its range.

The rattlesnakes are divided into two genera—
Sistrurus, the Ground Rattlesnakes or Pigmy
Rattlesnakes and Crotalus, which embraces the
rattlesnakes proper. These may be distinguished
as follows:

Top of head with large symmetrical shields,
size small. Genus Sistrurus.

Top of head with granular scales, species both
large and small. Genus Crotalus.

A small rattlesnake is one that attains a length
of not more than a yard. The large species
reach a length of six to eight feet.

The Massasauga is of very small size as com-
pared with the average rattlesnake and may at
once be distinguished from other rattlers by the

peculiar scalation of the top of the head. The
head is covered with large shields arranged like
those of the harmless snakes but may be told at
a glance from the latter by the unique caudal
appendage—the ratile.

Because of its resemblance in structural char-
acters and food habits to Agkistrodon (Copperhead
and Water Moccasin of the south), the genus
Sistrurus is believed by herpetologists to be
a direct offshoot of Agkistrodon, an evolutionary
branch independent of the larger and more
highly specialized rattlesnakes (Crotalus).

During a collecting trip in Bruce peninsula, in
the summer of 1927 the writer found the Massa-
sauga to be very common. During two months’
hunting thirty-five living examples were taken
end many others that had been killed by tourists
and fishing parties were examined. Of this lot
of specimens, the largest snake was twenty-nine.
inches long with a rattle consisting of nine seg-
ments.

The majority of specimens collected were
found in the immediate neighbourhood of swamps »
and along the old tote roads that run through
stretches of low ground. Although these records
indicate that they prefer low, wet grounds as
their habitation, they may often be found far
away from water, taking up their abode wherever
there is sufficient cover, among which they can
find at short notice a place of retreat. Several
examples were taken in the clearings around the
old lumber mill and outer buildings of Johnson’s
harbour. Some were found in dry, rocky situa-
tions, and others were taken on the farmland
adjacent to the Crane river which runs across the
peninsula.

None of the specimens taken by the writer
were found hidden under logs, stones and the
loose bark of fallen trees, although many harmless
species select such temporary hiding places. Sev-
eral specimens that were pursued in swampy
situations made their escape among the roots of
cedar trees and in the drier areas they were
observed to glide beneath well rooted stumps, and
from such impenetrable places it was next to im-

202

A CAPTIVE MASSASAUGA (Sistrurus catenatus)

possible to dislodge them. When surprised in
its native haunts the Massasauga does not or-
dinarily try to get away, being lazy or responding
to the instinct that quiet is a better safeguard than
than flight, it will remain motionless and, with
an occasional flick of the tongue, await develop-
ments. If the disturbance is not too great it
will move lazily away, for this species is not
aggressive and seldom strikes unless stepped upon
or approached within eight or ten inches. If
surprised while foraging, the Massasauga will
invariably make a dash for safety and it is when
cut off after an attempted escape that it displays
the greatest anger and excitement. When cor-
nered and unduly annoyed the Massasauga will
stiike repeatedly with closed jaws and its aim is
not always in the direction of the disturbance.
If prodded with a stick it will turn and with some

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

[VoL. XLIV

deliberation attempt to drive its fangs into the
object of its annoyance.

The Massasauga is easily taken alive. The
majority of specimens were made captive in the
following manner. A short stick stretched across
the mouth of a bag, with another stick pressed
against it forming a T sufficed to hold the bag
open, while the snake was scooped in. This
species is safely handled with a pair of leather
gloves, and by pressing the head to the ground
with a stick can be grasped securely close to the
head. In this way it cannot strike the arms
or other exposed parts of the operator.

Definite information concerning the toxicity of
Sistrurus venom is very meagre. Ditmars, in
his Reptile Book, says of this species, ‘“The bite
of an adult if properly delivered—both fangs
thoroughly perforating the flesh—might readily
produce the death of man.” According to

— es ak

Photo. by Prof. A. F. Coventry

»
eee

ens a

a eae

Saree S aie a

December, 1930]

farmers, animals that have been bitten by the
Massasauga, such as dogs, horses and cows,
suffer much, have troublesome swelling, and are
lame for several days.

The writer’s brother, while placing some newly
arrived Massasaugas from Georgian bay in a
case, was holding one by the neck when his
fingers slipped. Turning its head the snake
buried both fangs in his thumb. A ligature was
at once applied and both fang punctures opened
with a razor to a greater depth than the fangs
had actually penetrated. The wounds were
sucked and washed and a solution of perman-
ganate of potash applied. When the ligature
was removed the thumb throbbed painfully and
the arm became badly swollen. After the second
day, however, the swelling rapidly subsided. In
one week the hand and arm were normal, and
he was none the worse for the experience.

Application to the Antivenin Institute of
America for information on the venom of this
species elicited the following reply. ‘‘We have
extracted venom from a number of specimens of
Sistrurus catenatus and have found that the quan-
tity of venom has averaged about 51% to 6 mg. at
each extraction. As compared with the Texas
rattler, this is a very small quantity, the Texas
rattler yielding from 75 to 160 mg. at an extrac-
tion.

“Although much smaller in quantity than the
venom of the Texas rattler, the venom of ths
Sistrurus is considerably more toxic. At least,
our laboratory experiments on pigeons indicate
that the minimum lethal dose when injected
intravenously into pigeons is .038 mg., which
indicates a toxixity of about five times that of

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

203

the average venom of the Texas rattler (Crotalus
atrox).

“This is about the extent of definite informa-
tion that we have on this venom but think it is
enough to indicate that the poison of this species
is highly toxic, much more so than that of the
Texas rattler, yet because of the very small
amount secreted and because of the inability of
this species to inject it deeply into the tissues, a
bite caused by Sistrurus catenatus need not be
regarded as extremely serious. In fact we know
of no reports in the last two years of any deaths
from the bite of this snake. The symptoms, of
course, may be very painful and uncomfortable.”

The Massasauga soon becomes very gentle in
captivity. Several examples now living in the
Department of Biology, University of Toronto,
have become very tame and although they fre-
quently use their rattles, have not attempted to
bite during their captivity.

The rattlesnakes generally eat nothing but
warm-blooded prey,—mammals and birds. This
species, however, feeds as readily upon frogs as it
does on small mammals and birds. Unlike many
serpents the Massasauga is not particular in
demanding living prey. The writer has often
seen captive Massasaugas feeding upon mice
which. decomposition with its attendant gases had
left bloated and with a diffusing odour. The
only specimen which the writer has seen feeding
in a wild state had almost completed swallowed
a Leopard Frog; only the hind legs were exposed.
From the dried and shrivelled appearance of these
it was concluded that the snake had found during
its foraging a frog which had been dead for some
time.

NOTES ON THE FOOD OF SPRING SALMON

By H. C. WILLIAMSON, D.Sc.
Pacific Biological Station, Nanaimo, B.C.

URING the past three years the writer
(D. has had the opportunity of making

some observations of the food found in

the stomachs of spring salmon, Onco-
rhynchus tschawytscha Walbaum, caught along
the west coast of Vancouver Island. The results
of the examinations are given herewith in brief
form.

OBSERVATIONS IN 1926

In 1926 the period of observation extended from
March 28 to September 2.

March.—Only a few stomachs were examined
and these contained lance fish (Fig. 1).

April—The food consisted almost entirely of
lance fish and the schizopod, EHuphausia pacifica

Fic. 1.

LANCE FISH, Ammodytes.

Hansen (Fig. 2). The latter are popularly known
as “shrimps”. Two smelts (unidentified) and
two small gadids (unidentified) were also observed.

May.—The principal food was lance, pilchards
and schizopods, (Euphausia pacifica and Thysan-
essa spinifera Holmes). Large megalopa of
some species of crab were also found (Fig. 3).
Only one herring was observed. It measured
714 inches in length.

204 THE CANADIAN

Fig. 2. SCHIZOPOD OR “SHRIMP”,
Euphausia

June.—The principal food wes lance, pilchardS
and megalopa. Lance and pilchards were fre-
quently found in the same stomach. Other forms
observed were herring, squid, Velella (Portuguese
man-o’-war), shrimp (Crangon sp.) and remains
of a flat fish.

July.—Lance, pilchards and schizopods formed
a large part of the food of the salmon. Some
herrings, Crangon, and squid (Fig. 4) were also
observed.

August.—Lance and pilchards continued to be
the principal food. Schizopods and some her-
rings, 314-714 inches long, also occurred.

September—During this month only a few
stomachs were examined. Two small herrings
3 and 314 inches long respectively, were found.

OBSERVATIONS IN 1927, 1928 AND 1929

In 1927 small herrings provided a considerable
proportion of the food of the salmon off Barkley
Sound, almost as much as did lance. Pilchards
were not so common in the stomachs as in 1926.
Squid (Fig. 4) was for a time a common food on
Wreck Bay Bank, and apparently taken by the
salmon from daybreak on for about two hours
thereafter.

FIELD-NATURALIST

[VoL. XLIV

During the winter the salmon in the inlets feed
largely on herrings. In February, 1928, at
Nootka, the salmon were feeding on herrings,
lance and schizopods. The salmon caught inside
the sound had herrings in the stomachs while
those caught outside had lance in stomachs. One
pilchard was indentified. Herrings were found in
the stomach of a spring salmon caught on Swift-
sure Bank, August, 1929.

The occurrence of the salmon is dependent on
the presence of its food, lance, pilchards, schizopods,
and the location of the latter will be determined
by the presence of their food (plankton). As the
plankton will, from time to time, vary in quan-
tity, quality and distribution, the occurrence of
the salmon may be expected to vary, partly at
least, with such changes.

Fig. 4. SQUID

A FURTHER STUDY OF THE HOME LIFE OF THE AMERICAN GOLDFINCH
By HENRY MOUSLEY

IN The Canadian Field-Naturalist for
November, 1930, I recorded my first
experiences in the home life of these
charming little birds, the nest having
been found on August 14, 1929, about six miles
from Montreal on the southern side of the St.

Lawrence River. In the present instance, the
nest was again situated in the same stretch of
country, only about one mile south of the other,
being first discovered on September 8th, when it
contained five young birds about 10 or 11 days old
as near asI could judge. In the previous account

December, 1930]

the persistent slow rate of feeding the
young—once in every 53.3 minutes—
during the twenty hours I spent at the
nest, had interested me greatly, more
especially so as it was in accord with the
experience of others, and it was mainly
due to this fact that I was induced to
undertake this further study, with a
view to finding out whether these con-
ditions held good at all times, the present
year favouring the project, since gold-
finches appeared to be unusually abun-
dant, so much so that I had no difficulty,
on several occasions, in locating six or
more nests in very restricted areas.
The finding of nests, however, is usually
the least of the difficulties to be encoun-
tered, for more often than not when
found they are either in somewhat dense
foliage, too high up, or the lighting is
poor for photographic purposes, but
worst of all the temperament of the
birds has to be taken into consideration
and tested, to see whether it is worth
while attempting the study or not, that
is, if one is working without a tent—
which I always do. In once case, where
everything such as lighting, height of
nest above the ground, and a convenient
hiding place were all in my favour, the
nervous temperament of both birds
would not allow them to venture near
the nest so long as the camera was there, although,
I tried them for over three hours. Luckily this
behaviour, from the very commencement, was the
exact opposite of that of the present pair of birds.
At least it was so in the case of the male, who fed
the young shortly after the camera had been set
up, the female, however, taking much longer to
overcome her timidity, as will be seen later on.
As already mentioned, the nest was located on
September 8th, its situation being seven feet up
in the fork of a small birch tree—every nest this
year, with the exception of one, being in these
trees—and was the largest of its kind that has so
far come under my notice, in fact, looking more
like a double nest, its dimensions being as follows—
Outside depth, 5 inches; inside 1% inches; out-
side diameter 314 inches, inside 214 inches.
Everything except its height above the ground
was in my favour, so I decided to cut off the
nesting bough and lower it until the top of the
nest with its five young was just three feet six
inches above the ground, the age of the young—
about 10-11 days, as already mentioned—hbeing
just about right for such a proceeding, as the
sense of fear had not yet appeared, and the period

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

Female Goldfinch about to feed young.

of parental instinct was reaching its maximum,
when it would be unlikely for the parents to desert
their young. On my arrival, the old birds were
not about, but during the cutting off of the bough
they put in an appearance, making a great fuss
and demonstration when they saw what was going
on, the male, especially, flying excitably all round.
me, whilst the female in a nearby tree gave vent
to the call notes, bare-bee, bare-bee, interspersed
with beeb, beeb, beeb, and ba-bee. After the
lowering and securing of the nesting bough to the
main stem of the tree, I set up the camera with
the lens just two feet six inches from the nest,
and retired to my hiding place in a little patch
of willows, just twenty feet from the nest. I had
by this time formed the opinion that I should
have little or no trouble with the male, as he had
been very bold during the lowering of the nest,
and this proved to be the case, for he fed the
young at 12.15 p.m., within a quarter of an
hour of my secreting myself. It was not until
2.30 p.m., however, that the female ventured to
do likewise, and then she approached the nest
very cautiously, but once having fed the young
her nervousness seemed to vanish, and she often

206

Nest and 5 Young of Goldfinch near St. Lambert, P.Q.

remained near the nest for quite long periods of
time. Half an hour after her first feeding, both
birds arrived at the nest, but neither of them fed
the young, this being done, however, by the
female twenty minutes later, or at 3.20 p.m., and
this she repeated at 5.15 p.m., a quarter of an
hour before my leaving for home. Thus in five
hours the young had been fed four times only,
once by the male, and three times by the female,
or at the rate of once in every seventy-five minutes,
the intervals thus being longer by twenty-one
minutes—instead of shorter as hoped—than
those of the first study. However, on my next
visit the following day, the thing I had set out to
determine came about. It was about 10.30 a.m.
when I arrived at the site, and 3.30 p.m. when I
left, and during those five hours the young were
fed eleven times, four by the male, and seven by
the female, or at the rate of once in every 27.3
minutes, thus proving that a much quicker rate
of feeding than about once every hour does at
times occur. On one occasion, the female perched
at the base of the nest and remained there for five
minutes before feeding the young. The day fol-
lowing (Sept. 10th), saw me again at the site,

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

[VoL. XLIV

when I quite expected to find that some
of the young would have vacated the
nest, so lively had most of them been on
the previous day. However, they were
all there, but I had to be very careful in
setting up the camera and removing a
branch I had fixed in the ground the day
previous—before leaving—to shield them
somewhat from the rays of the sun, but
this I managed to do successfully, al-
though one of them almost took to flight
during the process. I arrived at one
o’clock, and left again at three-thirty
during which time the young were fed
five times, three by the male, and twice
by the female, or at the rate of once in
every thirty minutes, another proof that
the rate of feeding is apt to vary—more
especially I imagine in the later stages
when the young are older—and that the
male often feeds the young, even, in
excess of the female at times, contrary
to the statement of the late Ora Willis
Knight, who, in his “Birds of Maine”
1908, p. 888, says ‘‘that the males rarely
if ever feed the young birds, this as well
as incubation being done almost exclu-
sively by the mother’. Although pos-
sessing some three dozen photographs of
the parents feeding the young, never be-
fore to-day had I seen both of them
arrive and feed at the same time, al-
though this is a somewhat common occurrence
in the home life of the Warblers. The incident,
unfortunately, took place at a time when the
sun was hidden behind a cloud, so that the
resulting picture is not as clear as the other three
taken on this same day, nevertheless, it is inter-
esting as showing not only the rarity of the event,
at least, in my experience, but also the fact, that
when taking the picture, I had no idea both birds
were in it, having noticed only the male just
prior to releasing the shutter, the female evidently
having squeezed in—from the back—at the last
moment, just above her partner, where she can be
seen straining down to feed one of the young that
was on the outside of those that were being at-
tended to by the male. On another occasion, soon
after the male had fed the young, a female Mary-
land Yellow-throat closely inspected the brood,
and thinking she might be on the point of feeding
them, I refrained from releasing the shutter at the
moment, thereby losing an interesting picture, as
she flew off almost immediately afterwards. As
showing the boldness of the male, I might mention
that on two occasions he perched quite near me,
and inspected me closely, thus knowing where I

December, 1930]

lay concealed, and yet in ten minutes after,—on
both occasions—he was at the nest feeding the
young. It is things like this, and the fact that
one can see all that is going on around one, that
keeps me from using a tent, although, of course,
there are times when this mode of concealment is
absolutely necessary if one is to get any pictures
at all. Other interesting birds that visited my
hiding place, were a whole party of Maryland
Yellow-throats, two young Magnolia Warblers,
and best of all, a fine male Wilson’s Warbler, all
of which remained with me for some little time,
simply because I knew enough to keep absolutely
still and rigid, the one thing necessary, which,
however, is so difficult to instil into a novice.
I was almost forgetting to mention that a young
hare also paid me an extended visit, as well as
several small mice. In addition to these visits, I
heard the notes of various birds all around me,
such as those of the Kingfisher, Virginia Rail,
Black-billed Cuckoo, Swamp Sparrow, Cedar
Waxwing, Catbird and others. It hardly seemed
possible when taking my departure, that I should
find the young Goldfinches still in the nest on
the following day, but so it turned out, for upon
arrival at 10 a.m. the next morning, all five were
still in the nest, although two of them immediately
took wing on seeing me—the instinct of fear had
been acquired the day previous—flying strongly
away to the tops of some small birches before I
had even time to get out the camera. A third
soon followed suit, but I managed to capture and
replace it in the nest, but off it went again, so I
decided to let it go, and devote my attention to
the remaining two, which being younger than the
others, seemed disinclined to leave their home, and
I still had hopes of getting some more pictures of
the old birds feeding them. However, this was

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

207

not to be, as the parents never came near the nest
again during the three hours I remained on the
ground, notwithstanding the fact that, in con-
junction with the others, these two youngsters
kept up an almost incessant call note, which
sounded to me like chee-pee, chee-pee or shee-pee,
at first, very softly, and then louder and more
insistent, no doubt as they became more and
more hungry, until at last, one of them, more
lusty than the other, climbed out and perched
above the nest, eventually flying to a nearby
willow bush, where the female found and fed it.
There now remained only the youngest of the
brood in the nest, and as the parents had devoted
all their attention to those that were in the trees
or bushes, and had failed to visit the nest for the
past three hours, I thought it best—before leaving
—to remove this youngster also, and place it with
its companion, where it would stand a chance of
being fed by the female which, as I have previously
stated, had already found and fed the other.
Judging from their plumage and power of flight,
the first three to leave the nest must have been
14 to 15 days old, the fourth perhaps a day
younger, whilst the fifth, or youngest, possibly
hatched out a day later than the fourth. Before
leaving for good, I took a general view of the nesting
site, which coupled with the pictures of the parents
feeding, and the young at various stages, will
help to remind me of the very pleasant seventeen
and one-half hours I spent with this delightful
little pair of birds, the fouling of whose nest
through want of attention—a trait common to
other members of the family also—was their
only fault, but one which, unfortunately, the
camera never fails to record, at least, in the later
stages of home life.

““ AN EXPEDITION TO SUB-ARCTIC CANADA, 1924-1925
By CAPT. J. C. CRITCHELL-BULLOCK

Canis tundrarum occidentalis—BARREN GROUND WOLF.

(Continued from Page 196)

HIS animal was the only species of the
wolf observed by us north of the timber.
ray They vary in colour considerably from

=’ pure white to a tawny colour somewhat
resembling that of the lion, although the fur of
the breast, belly and legs always tends to white-
ness.

They were numerous about Artillery Lake, and
to the northward, during the winter of 1924-25
and many were trapped by members of the party.
To describe the colour variations in detail would
be a lengthy proceeding, and it is not to be

attempted here. However, it would seem that
the older the animal the more likely he is to be
white, and, I believe, all the white individuals
trapped were found to be advanced in years.
The colour which is most common amongst the
younger animals is grey with distinct back mark-
ings of black, usually in the form of three stripes
running from neck to tail, one along the centre
of the back, the other two a few inches lower on
either side. The tails of such animals are tipped
with black.

In the white wolf inspection showed us that the
last touch of colour remaining before the hide may

208

be said to be perfectly free of blemish, is to be
found on the top of the back immediately in front
of the tail; here, occasionally, a few black hairs
will be found.

Most of the white wolves captured, being aged
animals, were found to have bad teeth, with, in
some instances, a few altogether missing. Such
animals were usuelly thought to be travelling
alone, and, when taken, were found to be in
poor condition.

During the winter a wolf was caught and
skinned which had been wounded. A bullet had
struck him in the shoulder, smashing the bone.
A great deal of suppuration had occurred, and it
was evident that for some time the wound had
been in danger of infection. How long the animal
had been in this condition it is difficult to say, but
for over a week he had been doing considerable
damage along the trap line, and also the wound
did not appear to be of recent occurrence, possibly
three weeks old. Whenever the wolf moved the
injured leg dragged on the ground, but in spite
of this he was found to be exceedingly fat. It
is doubtful, however, whether he would have
lived had he not managed to make a regular tour
of the traps and steal all the baits. In spite of
the clumsiness that must have been consequent
on his injury, he was the most difficult wolf we
had to trap during that winter.

There was no sign of disease amongst the wolves
in our district, although B. Lorringer, the Govern-
ment wolf-poisoner, told me that two years pre-
viously he had found individuals in such a dis-
seased condition that his men refused to handle
them. The only sign of parasitical infection was
the presence of worms in the intestines, and many
of them were troubled in this manner.

Wolves are mentioned in the portion of this
report treating of their economic importance with
respect to the caribou and musk-oxen, and else-
where occasional reference to this species has been
made. It should therefore suffice to describe as
well as possible their movements as observed by
us between Great Slave Lake and Hudson Bay.

Wolves were first noted on Artillery Lake during
the night of 23rd-24th September, 1924. They
were not seen but merely heard, apparently
having become aware of the fact that we had been
killing caribou. Caribou were not numerous
however along Artillery Lake at this time, and it
was not until later that we again detected their
presence. A caribou carcass on the eastern shore
of that lake, about which someone had set several
traps, apparently for the purpose of catching
wolves, had not been visited except by gulls and
ravens, three of the former having sprung a trap,
and been caught.

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

[VoL. XLIV

On October Ist wolves were more numerous
and by the 2nd I noted that their tracks seemed
to be more numerous than those of the caribou.

It is interesting to observe that whereas it
might be expected that wolves would be observed
following hot after migrating bands of caribou,
it was not always the case, and on not a few
occasions they appeared to be in advance of large
bands of moving deer. I never satisfactorily
accounted for this, although I often thought that
in some neighbouring district a different caribou
movement might have been occurring, a move-
ment of which the wolves were aware and were
travelling to intercept.

On October 8th three skeletons of caribou were
found. They were obviously animals that had
recently been killed by wolves. All were full
grown bulls. We believed that in the immediate
vicinity a litter of wolves had been brought up,
because in various other places the remains of
caribou killed earlier in the year were found, also
about this place the tracks of a pack of wolves
were frequently discerned. It was here that the
three wolves of a pack were trapped, animals that
have been described elsewhere, members in all
probability of the actual pack making the locality
their headquarters.

For the next ten days wolves were scarce.
This was probably due to the fact that the
caribou were massing in certain places, other

than where we were, awaiting the formation of.

firm ice to permit them to move northwards.
On the western side of Artillery Lake where
members of our party were travelling, it was
reported that it was evident that wolves were
accounting for many caribou by the 20th October.

However, on November 2nd I have noted in
my diary that fox and wolf tracks were as thick
as those of rabbits about a warren, also that
they were presuming so far as to walk over the
roof of our house and eat the meat we had cached
in the snow outside the door. This was strange,
because in our vicinity there were very few
caribou, but on the following day I travelled
thirty miles down Artillery Lake and there ran
into several hundred caribou waiting to cross to
the northeastward. It would appear as though
the wolves and foxes had sensed the presence of
large numbers of caribou on the far shore, and
they, also being fearful of the ice, were quietly
waiting until their victims should decide to make
the crossing into their midst. It must be remem-
bered, however, that the nearest caribou (in
large numbers, at least) were fully thirty miles
away, a distance that no animal could see over
to recognize deer, and a distance that even with
the wind in the right direction would prove fairly

December, 1930]

lengthy for the best of noses even with an empty
belly behind it. As it happened, however, the
wind was in the wrong direction. I leave it to the
reader to reason out such problems as these.

By November 11th all the wolves had apparent-
ly gone north, the tracks of four separate individuals
_ pointing to this fact. On the 20th, however,
they were numerous again, moving in the middle
of the caribou which were and had been numerous.
With the disappearance of the caribou on the
22nd the wolves also departed.

Foxes were very numerous on and about De-
cember 7th, although wolves were not seen. But
on the 18th wolves were with us again and in
large numbers. It would seem as though they
succeeded in driving off the foxes. They were
more plentiful still between December 29th and
January 2nd, 1925, and it is probable that they
were following behind the caribou that had moved
eastwards a few days previously. They con-
tinued with us until January 22nd, and then left.

With the rather increased number of caribou
towards the end of February wolves visited our
part of the country again and remained in small
numbers for a considerable period.

On March 6th we discovered the signs of a
great wolf battle. From the tracks it was almost
impossible to decide the sex of the animals, but
the impression given was that of the three, two
were males and the third a female. Although
wolves trapped subsequently to this showed no
signs of “running”, the behaviour of these three
animals, as interpreted by their tracks, strongly
testified to the fact that the season was not far off.

On March 10th we trapped an aged white wolf,
a male, length 62 inches, tail vertebrae 15 inches,
hind foot 5 inches, weight 109 lbs. Actually he
was a very large animal, although his short
tail and leanness brought his measurements down.
His height at the shoulder was 32 inches, how-
ever, which was the same as that of the largest
wolf taken by us. This wolf was accompanied
by another younger and quite dark coloured
animal, probably a female from the way in which
it behaved towards the trapped animal. The
male wolf was not “running’’.

From March 16th to 20th wolves were numer-
ous again. Once again apparently heading the
caribou movement, at least certainly not in rear
of it. By the 31st, all the fur was on the move
and between that date and April 3rd wolves and
foxes passed in hundreds travelling northwards.
The wolves, more often than not, were in packs
of from three to five. Then until the 8th wolves
were not seen, but with the great eastward move-
ment of the caribou at that time they again com-
menced to pass.

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

209

On April 2nd I saw evidence to prove conclu-
sively that the Barren Ground wolves were
copulating. Those animals that had not paired
off were observed persistently following female
foxes. I did not believe a wolf would continue
to do this after he had discovered what animal
it was he had been following, but the two sets of
traps put down to prove this showed that a wolf
would walk right up to and all round the trapped
fox before leaving her. This, however, I believe
to have been due to curiosity as much as anything. |

A young male wolf shot on April 8th measured
hind foot 434 inches, tail vertebrae 13 inches,
length 60 inches, weight 96 lbs. Age about
twenty-two months.

A large white male taken on April 9th measured:
hind foot 51 inches, tail vertebrae 17% inches,
length 643% inches, weight 13114 lbs. Age prob-
ably about seven years. This animal had a few
black hairs on the centre of the back just forward
of the root of the tail, this blemish is hardly
noticeable in the hide, being but the size of a dollar
piece, and only about twenty hairs being coloured.

After April 27th the presence of wolves was
not detected until June 15th, when, on Sifton
Lake two young (two or three year old ?) wolves
were seen feeding on the carcass of a caribou on
the edge of the lake ice, an animal that had
evidently died in a deep soft snowdrift. Their
sex could not be determined. On the 19th the
wolf den already referred to was discovered.
The mother was alone and she appeared to be
quite a young animal.

No signs of wolves were then seen until the
Dickson Canyon was reached. Here their tracks
were seen where, evidently, they had passed up
and down the river attempting to find a place to
cross. A solitary female, however, in a fat
though somewhat mangy condition was seen and
shot. Like the other wolves observed during the
summer she behaved in an extraordinary manner,
rather after the fashion of a frightened dog; not
running away for any considerable distance when
shot at, but trotting off for a few yards to stop,
turnround and look anxiously in our direction again.

An occasional wolf was to be seen throughout
the remainder of the journey, but as all the
caribou had passed either north or south no
definite movements on the part of numbers were
recorded. Even during the southward migration
in July only an odd animal was seen following
the movement. A young male wolf shot on July
28th was found to be very fat.- Another in fair
condition was shot on August 5th, measurements:
hind foot 47% inches (very blunt claws), tail ver-
tebrae 1514 inches, length 6012 inches, weight
112 lbs.

210

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

[VoL. XLIV

Gulo luscus (Linn)—HUDSON BAY WOLVERINE

This well-known species was nowhere found to
be common, four individuals only being trapped
or seen in the treeless region.

The date on which these animals hibernated
was not ascertained, but that they do so seems
evident from the fact that on January 27th the
tracks of one were seen about a den where it had
obviously been lying up for the winter. The

animal had pushed its way out through the snow,
taken a fox from a trap and had returned again
to its den.

A male wolverine was trapped near the mouth
of Casba River on November 19th. The next to
be taken was on April 11th, and another was seen
shortly afterwards. The last occurrence of this
animal was one seen during the night of June 2nd-
3rd on Smart Lake.

Vulpes fulua (Deswarest)—RED FOX

The only sign of this animal north of the timber
was seen on Thelon River during August, when
the tracks of a large fox were observed in the sand
on the river bank. There was no definite evidence
to prove that the animal was a representative of
this species, but the size of the tracks gave that
impression.

Generally the red fox seems to keep to the
timber and although one was taken at a point
twelve miles north of Timber Bay on Artillery
Lake it is rare even about the densely wooded
district of old Fort Reliance. Only about six
were taken on Artillery Lake during the winter of
1924-25, all those being trapped south of the
treeless country.

Alopex lagopus innuitus (Merriam)—WHITH FOX

During the winter of 1924-25 about a thousand
of these well-known animals were trapped in
Artillery Lake and in the immediate vicinity.
About six were of the blue colour phase.

The white fox is a great traveller, he may be
here to-day in large numbers, and to-morrow
there may be no sign of him at all. It is difficult
to decide exactly the significance of these move-
ments, because, although they are doubtless
occasioned by the search for food, white foxes
are not infrequently numerous in a locality from
whence the caribou have long since migrated, and
where all small rodents have definitely hibernated.
No doubt they often anticipate the movements of
caribou and anticipate them incorrectly. This
impression is somewhat strengthened by the
fact that foxes were often found in a starving
condition when moving in large numbers.

This species was observed from October, 1924,
until June, 1925. East of Campbell Lake none
were seen, and even the southward migration of
caribou in July failed to bring with it attendant
foxes. Indeed the Thelon Valley seemed absolute-
ly destitute of fox life, only one track being seen
between the last named Jake and Hudson Bay
and that apparently being the track of a coloured
fox. However, the Eskimos met with on Aber-
deen Lake informed us that this species migrated
to the shores of that lake during the winter, and
that they themselves had succeeded in taking
quite a number.

Until October 6th foxes were scarce on Artillery
Lake, but on that date the tracks of large numbers
were seen, all A. 1. innuitus, and unless otherwise
stated it is to this species that I refer when using
broadly the word fox.

On October 10th I observed a fox endeavouring
to catch ptarmigan. Success did not attend his
efforts, and although he (apparently) continued
to do so the next day still unsuccessfully, I could
not form the opinion that he was hunting for
amusement.

By October 30th foxes were becoming quite
tame and numerous and would feed on the scraps
that we used to throw outside the house.

A white fox trapped at the edge of the timber
on November 15th, though prime, was found to
have no guard hairs and was deemed in conse-
quence to be of little value. In my diary I find a
note to the effect that white foxes trapped inthe
timber further south on November 16th were
dark and unlikely to command a good price. At
this time also several trapped in the treeless region
were still slightly touched with colour, the remains
of their summer pelage; they were also very
reduced in condition in spite of the fact that
caribou were numerous. By December 4th I
note both sexes as being fat, although a week
previously they had been poor, particularly the
females.

At about this time a fox was trapped that had
last its left fore foot. I made a note of this fact
and later ascertained that one of our party had
a month previously liberated an unprime fox
from a trap by cutting off the trapped foot, the
foot holding him merely by a few tendons.

During the early part of December foxes were
exceedingly numerous, and a line on which
nineteen traps had been set yielded ten foxes
in one night.

By December 15th all foxes were white and in
a condition to fetch top prices, previously an

,

December, 1930]

occasional animal was trapped that might be
described as shoddy.

In January foxes were less plentiful, and those
taken were found generally to be in poor condi-
tion; an occasional fat male would occur, how-
ever.

February found foxes more numerous again,
most of them apparently being females. March
proclaimed the same condition.

There were two great movements of foxes during
the winter, the first on November 2nd. Unfor-
tunately I failed to note the direction of the
movement; so far as I remember, however, it
was north. In early December they moved in
from the north and apparently remained to the
southward for the winter. On April 1st the second
great movement occurred and the snow showed
that hundreds had moved to the northward
moving with the wolves and with the caribou
migration.

All the foxes trapped seemed to be entirely
free of disease except that several had worms
and a few had a parasitical tick infection of the
hide, several hundreds, and in some cases thou-
sands, of ticks being found under the fur.

This fox apparently will feed on anything.
Caribou meat constituted the usual contents of
stomachs examined, but occasionally a fox would
be found that had been eating quantities of
various kinds of herbs or mosses.

Some foxes apparently den up during the winter.
It is difficult to say to what extent this occurs,
but I saw a number of hides that gave the im-
pression that the animals had, during the coldest
weather, betaken themselves to holes and laid
up for a period. i

The psychology of the fox is peculiar and
interesting, but I can give only one example
here. I had happened to walk down to a certain
setting of traps when I noticed that a fox caught
in one of them was being worried by another that
was free. Seeing that they were snapping at one
another and likely to do harm I unslung my rifle
and proceeded to shoot the uncaught animal.
It was on off day for me and although within
a hundred and fifty yards of the beast I failed to
hit him with six shots. Nevertheless the bullets
spat around him so closely that time and time
again he must have been struck with flying ice,
for this was on a river. However, nothing
served to disturb his equanimity and during that
two minutes he moved unconcernedly in a small
area not greater than twenty square feet. Not
wishing to waste more ammunition I walked down
to him, and when within fifty yards, he moved
off. While taking the other animal out of the
trap I happened to turn round to observe that the

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

211

one I had been shooting at was calmly picking
pieces of meat off a bait about fifty yards behind
me. Taking a piece of ice I threw it at him and
he ran away. He immediately returned, how-
ever, and as I watched him for several minutes
I saw him choose and tear off pieces of meat and
go away varying distances to cache them in th2
snow. After a while I thought I would try and
catch him, so, while he was burying a piece of
meat, ran over and dug up the traps about the
bait and proceeded to re-set them. In the middle
of this occupation I saw him approaching and
was forced to leave my work half done, moving
off a few yards. It is difficult to shorten the
story, and already I have left out several most
interesting details, but space does not permit
verbosity, and I will conclude by saying that fin-
ally after five attempts to catch him by every
sort of trick, I suddenly saw him approaching me
when at no greater distance than ten feet. Move
I dared not for some reason, and stood with the
set trap immediately between my feet. Around
the bait he walked, which I had covered with
blocks of snow to make him scratch and move
about in the vicinity of the traps more, until
eventually he passed between my legs and stepped
right on to the pan releasing the jaws. I im-
mediately took him out, and returned with him
to the house. I intended keeping him, but un-
fortunately Hornby was taken seriously ill that
night and added duties forced me to kill the fox.

One of many other incidents I think may be
given. I found a fox in a trap around which a
few minutes previously a wolf had walked. The
fox had evidently been in the trap when the wolf
had walked up, but not long enough by any means
for exposure or starvation to have affected him.
That fox was obviously frightened almost to
death, and from its behaviour, I took if for granted,
was mad. The wolf had not touched him.

Measurements of foxes were as follows. I mea-
sured about fifty:

Male. Length 34,3, inches, tail vertebrae 1314
inches, hind foot 21% inches.

Male. Length 301% inches, tail vertebrae 1034
inches, hind foot 22 inches.

Female. Length 3114 inches, tail vertebrae
121% inches, hind foot, 258; inches.

Male. Length 32% inches, tail vertebrae 124
inches, hind foot 21% inches.

Female. Length 32 inches, tail vertebrae 124
inches, hind foot 22 inches.

Male. Length 37) inches, tail vertebrae 1414
inches, hind foot 2% inches, weight 1414 lbs.

Male. Length 33 inches, tail vertebrae 134%
inches, hind foot 22% inches.

212 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

Female. Length 32 inches, tail vertebrae 123
inches, hind foot 2% inches.

One of the blue colour phase, a male, measured:
length 321% inches, tail vertebrae 1134 inches,

[VoL. XLIV

hind foot 2,3; inches.
Foxes were noted as “running” at the same

time as were the wolves, during the latter part of
March.

Lepus arcticus canus (Preble) —-KEEWATIN ARCTIC HARE

These hares were first noted on September 17th
on the east shore of Artillery Lake near Beaver
Lodge.

The species is not scattered evenly through-
out the country under review, but occurs in col-
onies of varying size, generally of about six pairs
in favoured localities, usually on rough rocky

hills of a morainic nature.

A young male (of the year) captured at Lake
Hanbury on July 5th, measured: length 9 inches,
tail vertebrae 1 inch, hind foot 145 inches.
We saw no evidence of this species eastwards of
this point, though without doubt it does exist.

Citellus parryt (Richardson).—PARRY GROUND SQUIRREL

This spermophile is common throughout the
region under review, although in certain districts
it is rarely observed. The most noticeable of
these is the wooded district of Thelon River
where often for several miles one might travel
without seeing any signs at all.

The animal was first seen towards the northern
end of Artillery Lake during September, 1924,
and on the eastern shore, wherever mounds of
sandy clay formed suitable burrowing ground,
the species was numerous.

Between Artillery Lake and Hudson Bay sandy
patches frequently occur and when they are of
small size and isolated they will be found almost
invariably to contain a colony of these animals.
Where grass grows seems to be the most favoured
locality, and although burrows were found in the
sides of eskers whereon grass was not growing it
was not usual.

About most of the burrows in isolated sandy
patches in the heart of the rougher treeless dis-
trict evidence in the form of uprooted boulders
and deep excavations testified to the fact that
this animal is considered a dainty morsel both
by bears and wolverines.

The average size of a burrow is from fifteen to
twenty-five holes, more than half of them being
unused.

After the timber on Thelon River was passed
this species was observed more often living along
the banks of the river, and as we paddled down
stream every few yards would bring to view one
of these pretty little animals sitting on a rock,
stiff and upright, inquisitively watching us as we
passed. Between the last wood on Thelon River
and, Beverly Lake the banks of the river are usually

of heavy drift material, in places perhaps a pow-
dered limestone, and this formation seemed to be
most attractive to them.

This spermophile finally hibernated in the
treeless region between October 20th and 26th.
On the 20th they were last seen above the snow,
but on the 26th one was trapped by a buried
flour sack to which it had been over-attentive.
After that date until the spring none was seen.

May 28rd was the date on which we next saw
them, the place being the northern end of Camp-
bell Lake. Two only were observed, and although
another was seen on the 25th it was not until
three more weeks had passed that they were all
on the move. A female killed on June 22nd
measured: length 1414 inches, tail vertebrae
42 inches, hind foot 30 mm. She was found to
have six embryo young, four females and two
males. Their length was about 114 inches.
The tood of the animal was found to be mosses
of a yellow and black variety. A male killed at
Baker Lake September ist, 1925, measured:
length 153 inches, tail vertebrae 414 inches,
hind foot 13%; inches.

Members of this species met with on Thelon
River were found to be more wild than those on
Artillery Lake. I assumed the reason to be that
whereas on Artillery Lake the constant hunting
and trapping of Indians keeps predatory animals
away from the district to a large extent, in the
unvisited country of the Thelon they have every
opportunity of visiting the burrows of these
animals undisturbed, and at certain times of the
year no doubt the districts wherein spermophiles
are most numerous are visited by predatory
animals in considerable numbers regularly.

Dicrostonyx rubricatus richardson Merriam.—RICHARDSON COLLARED LEM-
MING

One specimen of this lemming was taken to the
northward of Artillery Lake on October 26th,
1924. Another was. taken towards the head-

waters of Hanbury River on June 12th, 1925.

The former was turning a silver grey colour, the

latter had practically changed to summer pelage.

$2.6 2% ee et

December, 1930]

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

213

Lemmus trimucronatus (Richardson).—BACK LEMMING

A specimen referable to this species was killed
on October Ist. It was observed eating parts

of another of its kind that was lying dead on the
snow.

Microtus pennsylvanicus drummondi: (Audubon and Bachman).—DRUMMOND
MEADOW MOUSE

A young mouse taken in the treeless country
about Artillery Lake on September 26th, 1924,
is referable to this species. It was found to be

extremely numerous in the sedges on the eastern
side of the lake.

Peromyscus maniculatus borealis Mearns—ARCTIC WHITE-FOOTED MOUSE

This species was found to be abundant in a
shack on Pike’s Portage during April, 1925.
A specimen taken differs somewhat when com-

pared with those in collections; measurements:
length 146 mm., tail vertebrae 67 mm., hind
foot, 19 mm.

Sorex sp. ?—-SHREW

Shrews were seen only at the northern extremity
of Artillery Lake during the fall of 1924. I
managed to collect a specimen, but unfortunately
it was lost. This shrew was caught on November
30th, it was apparently living in the sod wall of

our second camp where the heat of the house
provided it with sufficient warmth, and the scraps
lying about sufficient food to keep it from hiber-
nating.

(To be continued)

NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS

CORRECTION.—Black Dueck No. 457515 (not
457514, as recorded in The Canadian Field-
Naturalist, Vol. XLIV, No. 7, page 171), banded
by H. S. Osler, at Lake Scugog, Ontario, on
October 3, 1926, was shot at Hunting Island, off
the coast of South Carolina, on December 19,
1928.

INFORMATION WANTED ON BAIRD’S SPARROW
(Ammodramus bairdi)—A comprehensive study
of Baird’s Sparrow, Ammodramus bairdi, has been
underaken by B. W. Cartwright and associates
who will appreciate any information on the
species. Migration dates, breeding data and
label data from specimens in private collections
are particularly desired. Information regarding
the southern limits of the winter range is also
needed. We expect to have our material ready
for the press by September, 1931. Address
communications to B. W. Cartwright, 392 Wood-
lawn Street, Deer Lodge, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

WINTER RAMBLING OF A WoopcHUCK.—On
February 2, 1930, we visited the valley of the
Rouge River, east of Toronto. The snow was
deep and walking was not easy without the aid
of snowshoes. Under these circumstances we
were surprised to come upon the trail of a Wood-
chuck that had evidently been made the same
morning. It must have been heavy going for
the animal and the mark left was merely a groove,
three or four inches deep, with the foot prints at
the bottom. The trail came down the east side
of the valley and zig-zagged along the hillside for

several hundred yards, leading in and out of every
crevice under logs, roots, or brush-piles. Finally
it left the hill and we traced it across the river
flats for about a quarter of a mile and into a
dense willow growth. Here there were trails in
every direction, crossing and recrossing each
other, probably all made by the same Woodchuck,
but we were unable to find either an end of the
trail or a place where it led on again across
country.

Apart from the novelty of finding a Woodchuck
travelling so extensively at such an early date
and when the snow was so deep I was reminded of
boyhood experiences when we used to follow the
Woodchuck trails in early spring from one colony
to another. Sometimes these would lead for a
mile or more through the woods but would
always end at another group of burrows pushed
up through the melting snow. Why a single
animal should leave one colony and travel so far
to another and how the whereabouts of the
latter was known always seemed a puzzle to me.
—-R- J. RUTTER:

WHITE-THROATED SPARROW IN WINTER.—
While observing birds in Cedarvale ravine,
Toronto, on January 5, 1930, with Messrs. Jas. L.
Baillie, Jr., R. V. Lindsay and F. H. Emery, my
attention was attracted by the note of a White-
throated Sparrow coming from a brush-pile in a
garbagedump. The bird was collected and proved
to be a male. It is now in the Royal Ontario
Museum of Zoology, the first winter specimen

214

for the Toronto region!. Prior to the date of
collection I had seen this bird, or another, at the
same place on three occasions earlier in the
winter. The abundance of cover afforded at the
dump and the continuous availability of food
were undoubtedly the factors that influenced the
bird to remain here.

A search of the records reveals the fact that the
first White-throated Sparrow to be seen here in
winter was on January 21, 1926, when Mr. R.G.
Dingman saw one at York Mills. This record has
not previously been published. During the
winter of 1927-28 three individuals were noted
about the city by members of the Brodie Club,
two at Cedarvale and one in High Park?. The
latter remained throughout the season. In
December, 1928, one was seen at Svansea and
another at Cedarvale, by the writer and others3.
This winter, in addition to the specimen collected,
Mr. R. J. Rutter and I observed one at East
York on December 1. The present specimen is,
then, the eighth winter observation, all but one
of which have been observed by the writer.
It may be of interest, in this connection, to record
that one was seen at Hampton in Durham county
on December 22, 1927, by Mr. A. E. Allin. The
species has been seen in winter at London, Ottawa
and Arnprior, on rare occasions.

Perhaps there are other Ontario centres that
have records of this bird in winter. If so, it would
be interesting to have them recorded in The Cana-
dian Field-Naturalist —CLIFFORD E. HOPE,
Toronto.

BLACK GAME AND CAPERCAILZIE LIBERATED IN
Nova ScotiA.—Nova Scotia has recently been
favoured by the introduction of two new and
interesting species of game birds, viz., Caper-
cailzie and Black Game. Ten pairs of the former
and five pairs of the latter were brought in from
Sweden last autumn by the Honourable F. B.
McCurdy of Halifax and liberated on October 7th,
1929, at South Brookfield, Queens County, and
individuals of this small flock are reported as
having been seen from time to time during the
winter. Within a week or two after the birds
were released, one of the Capercailzie was found
with a broken wing which apparently was the
result of its having collided with a telephone wire
and it is understood that the injuries were so
serious that the bird was of necessity killed.
Rumor also has it that two of the Black Game
were killed with stones by small boys who it
would appear did not realize the seriousness of
their misdemeanour. It is felt by those who

R. J. Rutter, Can. Field-Nat., Vol. 44 : 38, 1930.
S. L. Thompson, Can. Field-Nat., Vol. 42 : 105, 1928.
S. L. Thompson, Can. Field-Nat., Vol. 43 : 36, 1929.

1
2
3

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

[VoL. XLIV

e

know these birds and understand their natural
requirements that they should do well here.—
R. W. TUFTS.

MorRE HUNGARIAN PARTRIDGES LIBERATED IN
NEw BRUNSWICK.—About two years ago Mr. J. M.
Robinson of St. John liberated a number of Hun-
garian Partridges at Rothesay, St. John County,
but for reasons which are not clearly understood
they appear not to have survived. On
March 31st, 1930, Mr. Robinson released twenty-
five more pairs and twenty-five additional pairs
were turned loose at the same point on April
14th, 1930. The apparent success which has
attended a number of Nova Scotia introductions
of the species, it is understood, is encouraging Mr.
Robinson to repeat his experiments.—R. W.
TUFTS.

CARING FOR A BABY SCREECH OwWL.—Attracted
by the angry shrieks of robins and blackbirds one
June morning, we saw a small grey object flopping
about on a nearby tennis court in Westboro, near
Ottawa. On investigation we found a very
pretty little grey owl. It was unable to fly, so
the only thing, apparently, was to take it to a
place of safety; but our acquaintance with owls
was not sufficient to teach us that their claws are
ready for business before their wings. Our edu-
cation along these lines was soon complete,
however, for the ‘helpless’ little fellow dug
claws and beak into our hands, leaving scars which
we had as a souvenir of his visit for many days.
In spite of his protests we got him safely to the
house, and left him in a room until he was banded.
That evening we placed him in a box on an up-
stairs baleony where we hoped the parent birds
would find him. As soon as it became dark he
started a continuous calling, and about 1.30 a.m.
there was an answering call which came closer,
evidently following the call of the youngster;
then everything was quiet and we knew the old
birds had found the little fellow.

During the following day we kept the box
covered with a window screen in case of accident
and did not remove this until everything was quiet
for the night. This time the old birds were
waiting and came immediately we uncovered the
box and left the baleony. A parent bird lingered
a minute on the box and then dropped in, to the
evident delight of the youngster. Two days
later when the cover was removed from the box
the little fellow made every effort to fly, but
only succeeded in flopping out of the box to
the edge of the balcony. The old birds came
and fed it there but in its efforts to fly it flopped
off the balcony to the garden below and imme-

December, 1930]

diately two cats, evidently anxious for a little
variety in their diet, jumped out at him. We
were just in time to save him from death. We
then decided to try how he would get along on
the tennis court again. Putting on thick gloves
we carried him across the road, but found we were
followed by a procession of cats. Feeling the little
fellow’s fate was sealed if we put him down, we
took him home again. This time we placed him
in a barrel, and we were well repaid for our
trouble; the moon came up full and bright that
night, and we had a wonderful view of the owl
family. First came one owl; it was a little
suspicious of the barrel but, as ell was quiet, it
soon dropped in and fed the little one. After a
short time along came the other parent; it cer-
tainly was a handsome fellow, its reddish coat
with light markings plainly visible as it sat in
the moonlight with a mouse hanging from its
beak. It must have tasted good, judging by the
squeals of delight which greeted it in the barrel.
We had put some pieces of coarse raw meat near

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

215

the barrel to help in the providing of meals and
they were picked up eagerly.

Wakened again about 4.30 a.m., by the angry
shrieking robins who dashed about withnoregard
for traffic laws, we saw one of the older owls making
its last trip for that night with food, although it
was bright daylight.

On June 16th the robins again wakened the
neighbourhood and we discovered the young owl
balancing gingerly on the railing of the balcony.
Feeling that we should like to watch him for a
few more days we tacked cotton along the railing,
but on the morning of the 18th we saw him fly to
the railing of the balcony, flap his wings and fly
into a tree. From there he flew into a thick
patch of bush: the robins had a busy day keeping
track of him. In the evening the old birds re-
turned to the balcony, but soon followed his
calls and found him in some low trees. Two or
three evenings longer we saw him, flying from
one tree to another with the parent birds still
feeding him on mice and June bugs.—HKUNICE
NICHOLSON.

BOOK REVIEW

HIGHER FossiL FAUNAS OF THE UPPER ALLEG-
HENY. By Kenneth E. Caster, Bulletin of
Amer. Palzontology, Vol. 15, No. 58, pp.
4-174, Pls. 1-59, 1930.

There is an extensive region bordering the New
York-Pennsylvania boundary in which the line
between the Devonian and Carboniferous sys-
tems has been drawn much higher in the sections
by some geologists than by others. In parts of
this region the fossils which pioneer workers
labelled as distinctly Middle Devonian have a
disconcerting way of reappearing in the sections
hundreds of feet above the zone in which they
were once supposed to have become extinct.
Upper Devonian fossils which staged a comeback
in early Carboniferous times may possibly be in
part responsible for the zone of disputed age.

The work under consideration deels with the
faunas within and near this zone of uncertain age.
The author has avoided the field of polemics by
omitting to state in most cases for the species
figured and described the system in which they
occur. If, as some geologists affirm, there had
been complete emergence of the continent at the
end of Devonian time, there would be small
excuse for leaving, as this author has, most of his
new species on a nameless doorstep. But the
present stage of our knowledge of the systematic
parentage of the varied sediments and faunas of
this region is such that the author may be par-
doned for leaving to others the task of dividing

his faunas into Carboniferous and Devonian
biotas. We cannot, however, so easily excuse
the enigmatic title used for this paper. A good
title should let one know at sight to what part of
the surface of the earth and the general geological
section it relates. This one does neither; while
the author may have intended ‘‘Upper Allegheny”’
to give his paper geographical orientation the
geologist has no means of knowing until he reads
the preface that the title does not refer to the upper
part of the ‘““Alegheny series” of Rogers and deal
with Coal Measure faunas. In this connection
the observations of Professor W. M. Davis!
may be quoted: “A title should not be a table
of contents but only a concise name, easily cited.
On the other hand, it should not omit essential
words; for example, ‘Fossils of the Dobreva
formation’ is not so intelligible as ‘Lower Triassic
(Dobreva) fossils from Nevada’ ”’.

One of the new species from the Conewango
formation,—a portion of the stratigraphic “no-
man’s land’’,—has attached to it generic names
familiar in Mesozoic and the Ordovician faunas,
but quite unfamiliar in either Devonian or Car-
boniferous horizons. This shell, Anomia (?)
Archinacella (?) incerta, the reviewer suspects
belongs to a genus which would seem more at
home in the horizon involved than either the
Mesozoic pelecypod or the early Paleozoic gas-

anh Preparation of scientffic articles, Science, p. 133, vol. 52,
1 ei

216

teropod genus with which it has been tentatively
courled.

There are some errors in the numbers of pages
and plate references. But the student inter-
ested in the faunas of the region dealt with
should be thankful both to the author and the
publisher, Professor G. D. Harris, for making
available in convenient form 829 figures of the
invertebrate and vertebrate fossils characteristic
of the sediments which found a resting place along
the New York-Pennsylvania boundary in late
Devonian and early Carboniferous times. The

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

[VoL. XLIV

plates are not so sharp and clear as those which
usually appear in “Bulletins of American Palzeon-
tology”, but this is doubtless because a large
share of the figures are reproductions of illus-
trations from various sources. The author has

supplied to go with these assembled figures either
an abridgement of the original diagnosis or a
citation of the original descriptions, which should
make the work a very helpful manual for students
working on the late Paleozoic faunas of Pennsyl-
vania and New York.—E. M. Kindle.

pate

December, 1930]

Abitibi, Molluses....... 68
Acanthis linaria....... 22, 130
Accipiter cooperi....... 89

ELON IN: sare Sacer 47, 89
Acer saccharum........ 119
Achillea millefolium.... 119
Js\(UEAD) (PUAN O88 ob ob an 20 118
Actitis macularia....... 47, 89
Activities of ‘ne Euro-

Dean EaArenaa ae ee 149
Additions al “CBinds of

the Lindsay Dis-

LRICET USNR & 88
Adiantum pedatum.... aL
Aechmophorus occidental-

TSP A TESS Nt OMAN Ke 45
ACUG: DSONGM wee 93
Aeginella longicornis.... 93
INGTON AGI 32008 ob 6 ois de ne 154
Aeshna interrupta lineata 68
ACE DUSTILG Nr ea stee 46
Agalinis paupercula bor-

CONUS Re AA Ce esis 119
Agastache nepetoides.... 119
Agelaius phoeniceus..... 90
Agkistrodon. . Se PAUL
Agrostis alba maritima. 117
ARG SDONSOMAE este 88
TAU Tencillen an ae Meine pub. 29
AllIMePARER Se UbtKe sere Dill
Allium tricoccum....... 118
Alopex lagopus innuitus 210
Alyssum alyssoides..... 118
Amelanchier canadensis . 118
Amimadytes 1. 5.22%. 203, 204
Ammophila arenaria.... 117
Amnicola limosa....... 68
Amphicarpa monoica... 118
Amphiodon alosoides.... 68
Amp aipod avy ese 91, 93
Amphitoe rubricata..... 93
Anas platyrhynchos... . 46

RILOHUD ESM yee: 89) 129
BA

Anderson, M.

trans. Eskimo

Gravis) vel entity 180
Anderson, R. M., Review

LOW shies Naas ” 97, 151, 168
Andropogon furcatus. . 117

scoparius frequens. . 117
Anemone canadense..... 118

CHLNATICA 6. 118
Anodonta grandis footi-

ONO epics edd ee ae 68

marginata......... 68
Anomia Archinacella in-

CORTON cS Meet 215
ANONYE) TUGOG. se 93
ANGELO DE Nery er seeks eae 147
Anthony, H. E., Field

book of North Am-

erican Mammals,

IRENE atlas ga eae 97
Anthus rubescens....... 111
Aphriza virgata........ AT
Aquilegia canadensis... 118
Arabis Drummondi.... 118

GIGDT. Cie. te ea 118

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

Arabis levigata......... 118
EAT HL YUTOLOpA Le 118
Archibuteo lagopus sanc-

L=JONANNIS Taek 110
Archilochus colubris..... 89
Arctic, Zoology........ 25
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi. . 119
Ardea herodias......... 89

herodias fannini.... AT
Arenaria interpres mor-

BILE a i as Gees ie 109

melanocephala..... 47

serpyllifolia....... 118
Arnold, Edward . 196
Arrhenatherum elatius. . lily
Artemisia caudata...... 119
Astragalinus tristis..... 90

tristis salicamans. . . 48
Astur atricapillus stria-

tulUS BAe eee 47
Auklet, Cassin......... 45

Least eae): 46

RNIMWOCELOSh. -sece 45
AWICULOTTO aE ear 39
AVOCEL Riana er ererare 13
Badger, Caltornia: ene 152
Beolophus bicolor . 162
Baffinland, Fauna...... 199
Baillairge, W., Bronzed

Crackle: (one 166

Stanliniowe Wye seam 120
Baillie, J. L., Jr., Field

SparnOwseeeeoe ooo 23

Red-headed wood-

pecker yet cae ae: bee 165

Squirrel nests...... 94
Baillie, J. L., Jr. and

Snyder, L. L., Star-

Pim es Rails ehimonati se Ae 197
Baker, D. , Pigmy Shrew 20
Baldpate ays 12, 43,46; 65
Bands of Biological Sta-

tion, Helgoland, be-

ing used in Central

Amenicayy hae 167
Barnacle weve aoe eter 155

Floating. : 155
Barney Woodchuck . 17
Bat, Silver-haired. . 133
Beary) sea ie ete 67

Big Brown. . ities 99

Blacktie args 99

Grizzlyeeeee aor 99

Polarsaei viene 27, 98
Beaupre, Edwin....... 164
Beaver); . 3.4). +-44,..66,, 147,
Beetles\) sas ices eevee 135
Bentinck Island, B.C... 67
Benzoin aestivale....... 118
Bidens trichosperma.... 119
Bird - banding returns,

Official Canadian.72, 171
Bird-bands, Helgoland.. 167
Bird Census, Christmas,

1929. Beene 34

~INDEX TO VOLUME XLIV

219
Bird notes from Parry
Sound district..... 88
iBInd=NOUSeS)-Wee eee 24
Bird - life changes in
twenty-five years in
south-western Sas-
fi) katchewan. oy 147
Bird-spider. . 30

Birds and mammals of
the Mount Logan
expedition, Review 170
Bittern, American SOR oR AT

Black, R. D. Jr., Euro-
pean Hare. 149
Black-billed Cuckoo and
Tent Caterpillar. . 185
Blackbird, Brewer 35, 87, 45
Red-wing.. oop 90, (148
RUSTY ae 32, 8, 95
Black-game. eae easeue 4
Blakely, R. M., Lewis
Woodpecker. Beet ha Ne 96
Bluebird $97 sms 90
Wasternwa 4 ees 148
Mountains. ei
41, 45, 77, 148, 150
Bobolink. eee see 90, 148
Bombycilla cedrorum. . 90
Bonasa umbellus . re 89
Botaurus lentiginosus. Lf 89
Brachyramphus marmor-
OLUSE OAS Sea ea 46
Bradshaw, F., Unusual
nesting sites. . a 149
JES OO POD .'o SB ONS Ge 153
TBS oy eccrine Aaa anecl aM 130
Bla ekiRes Hi Se haa 47
Branta bernicla glauco-
COSERORD EE sean 130
canadensis canaden-
SUS eh Rae cy Naa 109, 1380
canadensis occiden-
[HOSS UN Se AEN My 47
AGKICOMS 5 ee 47
Bream!) Ray ys 45.angels 1538
Bremus americanorum. . 146
CRUCC US aie 146
ANUDGUENS hs ae 146
pennsylvanicus..... 146
Brimley, J. F., Coleop-
POT ANU GRE ap Nik a 135
British Columbia, Ani-
mals on the fishing
CROUNC SH sree 153
Decapoday.] eae 101
Bromus inermis........ 117
Bronzed Grackle foster
Danrenteer es pee 166
Brooks, Allan, Food of
Great Horned Owl. 50
Bufflehead . ih 35, 36,
38, 44, 170
Bumblebee De ee
Oriole nest........ 146
Bunting, Indigo. . : 170
SVMOM/o 3 con 00 - 34, , 39, 130
Burnaby Lake, B.C.
IBULCOVDOTE ALLS Meee 89

220

Buteo lineatus......... 89

Cain, R. F., White
Crappies-e eee 149

Cakile edentula lacustris 118
Calamagrostis canadensis 117
Calcarius lapponicus alas-

COMSUSH Ree csenee ds 48
Calliopius leviusculus. . 93
Camera lucida work... 11
Campanula americana.. 119

aparinoides........ 119

rapunculoides...... 119

uliginosa. . A 119

Canada, sub-arctic. 5S)
Sieo1it, 140; 156, ae

Cancer irroratus........ 91
magister........ 102, 106
oregonensis...... 102, 107
productus....... 102, 106

Canis tundrarum occiden-

LQLiST ere Bree he 156, 207
@apenrcailzie. 2.45)... 214
Caprella linearis....... 94

septentrionalis..... 94
Cardamine pennsylvanica 118
Cardinal) seen 34, 36, 38
Cardinal, Kentucky.... 36
Carex communis....... 118

OOOUOIVHGN, b06 004006 118

(EDDA MOOSO = 6.0) ang ELI)

Muhlenbergit...... 118

plantaginea........ 118

RASULGm ane eee 118

TINOJECLO Me eels 118

rosea radiata....... 118

tetanica Woodit. 118

tribuloides. . 118

tribuloides reducta.. 118

VOR ten orate Aes 118

VTA eee 118

vulpinoidea........ 118
Cariarachne brunneipes.. 68
Caribou, Cease hele 55, 58
Caribou, Barren-ground 191

Ellesmere Island... 99
Caring for a Baby

Screech Owl....... 214
Carinogammarus mucro-

NUE WS airy eee ae 93
Carpodacus purpureus. . 90
Catbirdya ne. : Sbrie. 905 95
Catostomus catostomus. . 54
Caulophyllum thalic-

tRotdesey eee ea UNe e 118
Celery, wild. .¢ 22203 66
Cenchrus pauciflorus.... 117
Census, Christmas Bird,

TS PAL Rare a St 34
Ceppniusriens 2 2h. Seek ak 129
Cepphus columba....... 46
Ceratophyllum demersum 16, 40
Cerchneis sparverius.... 89
Cerorhinca monocerata. . 45
Certhia familiaris ameri-

CONG AE RON. Tt lx)

toate occidental-

HES che neRe GARR ARS UR 4
Gory GLY COM Sa a 89

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

Ceryle alcyon caurina. .. 47
Chaetura pelagica....... 89
UC ULE oN ra Nee 167

Chamedaphne calyculata 119
Charadrius semipalmata 47

Charr, Dolly Varden... 43
LEE Sine che a re 43
Chatting une 42
Chelidonium majus..... 118
Chen cxrulescens....... 1
Chenopodium hybridum.. 118
leptophyllum....... 118
Chickadee er 128
Chickadee, Acadian...95, 130
Black-capped. . 32
34- 39, 90, 95

Chestnut-backed. . 48

Columbians 2)... 5 45

Eudsonianyi) 40s 32, 33

Long-tailed........ 35

Mountaineers. 385, 45

Oresoneet see 37

Rufous-backed..... 68
Chionocoetes opilio...... 92
Chipmunk, Townsend.. 1384

Wiesternits Ssnc20 a8 68
Chiridothea coeca....... 93
Chordeiles virginianus.. . 89
Christmas Bird Census,

OD OLE Cee i Batara 34
Chrysanthemum balsam-

ita tanacetoides..... 118
Chydorus sphaericus. ... 69
Cinclus mexicanus uni-

COLOT ETE De Wea, kee 49
Circus hudsonius....... 89
CirOlana a eee ee eee 156
Citellus parryi) 2.8: 212
Cladium mariscoides.... 118
Cladoceradtan aero 69
Clangula hyemalis...... 129
Claytonia virginica..... 118
Clematis virginiana..... 118
Coccyzus Daiieahinal:

TUS her PN Mpc an 89
Colaptes auratus borealis 110

cafer saturator..... 48
Coleoptera found inthe

Rainy River district,

Ont ees ae ee 135

Collection of plants from
Point Abino, On-

Cario. es sake ee cee alee
Colymbus auritus....... 109

holboelligns Sane 45, 88
Comandra umbellata.... 118
Commelina communis... 118
Concerning the Burdock-

seed Gelechiid..... Zak
Conopholis americana... 119
Convolvulus sepium..... 119
cog mg eed A aa it a 15, 40
Coots Von ee Whe 2k
Connhoed (Snake).. 201
Coregonus eee ee 54
Coreopsis lanceolata..... 119
Corispermum hyssopifol-

COL OME SONG Ale aa 8
Cormorant, Common... 109

Double-crested...51, 150

Relagicve ies ie 68

Violet-green....... 387, 46

[VoL. XLIV

Cormorant White-crested 37, 46
Cornus alternifolia...... 119

PAULOTILILT ae tat
JOHOR ss 6 EA Sao. iIGle
CITCINGtA A eee ee 119
[DOMOUSMITHD), 5 bbc 5 3 1)
Corophium cylindricum. 93

Corvus brachyrhynchos 90, 130
brachyrhynchos cau-

corax europhilus.... 31
corax principalis..48, 139
Cory, W. W. Foreword il
Coligia nk a iiss Waneene 67

Cowbindee eae eee 90
Crab, Megalops of...203, 204
Crabs ee ieee eh Oi:
Crago septemspinosa.... 92
Cranbertyieo ee ee 66
Crane, Sandhill........ AT

Whooping........ ah NOLAN
Crappie, White....... e 149

Creeper, Brown. .32,
34, 36, 38, 95, 111) 130

Cahiiomiahaeeee re 48
Criddle, N., Fluctuations
of Grousey se ah
Review by........ 169
Cristivomer namaycush. . 54
Critchell-Bullock, Capt
J. C., Sub-arctic
Canadas sere
Si Lal 40 156,
37 20K
Crossbill eer 39, 130
American....... ea
on Voz eS
15 feo awe eee ta rc 45, 88
White-winged..22 , 21. 32
Crosshillssy ase 22
Crotalusatrox eee 203
CONFUCIUS ee ee ie 201
HOnRCUS eee 201
Crow..32, 34-389, 78,
905) 95) ls 0 ae
148, 150
North-western..... 87, 48
Crustacea, Marine..... 91
Crytoglaus acadica brook- sin
Crantolithodés sitchensis 102, 105
Cryptotis parva....... 99, 168
Ctenophores 42s e- 154

Cuckoo, Black-billed . .78,
89, 148, 185
Curlew, Hudsonian..... 47

Long-billed Sh athe 42, 147
Cyaneas ene ee 154
Cyanocitta cristata....90, 130

stelleri carlottae.... 48
Cydippere wae eerie 154
Cynomys ludovicianus lu-

dovicianus......... 99
Cyperus rivularis....... Tales

Schwienitzit ....... IIL

SERIGOSUSE® oe eee 117
Cyprispuver dena er 69
Dailaracutine se 46

Daphnia pulez......... 69

SE ee eS

y

he ai,

December, 1930]

Darcus, S. J., Birds of
Queen Charlotte Is-
landssbssCia' a. seusiat 45
Canada Geese..... Pill

Dasyatismivar aie ait weas 153

Day with the Tufted
Titmouse at Toron-

(O14 Seen Rent 4 Ny Bate 162

Deam, C. G., Grasses of
Indiana, ’ Review. 96

Wecanodaane sew eee 91, 101

Deer, Black-tailed...... 67
Coastal White-tail-

ed. nette 152
White-tailed....... 96

Deermticksioniiy.nn oo 3 17

Deer. hake, BiG Gis 65

Delphinapterus leucas . 169

DeLury, R. E., Sun-
spots, grouse and
grasshoppers. . 120

Dendragopus obscurus ful-
TULOSUS Pee 47

Dendroica aestiva....... 90
caerulescens caeru-
LESCOTIS Annie anne 33
castanea 85
CORONAL EE eer ee 90
TRUS COs reer ei Ae 90
magnolia.......... 90
pennsylvanica...... 90
HOGMOG Ns 0 6, ae) bso 6 060.0 88
vigorsi vigorst...... 33
CUCLOSI Yc Glaser Cee al aes 33, 90

Dentaria laciniata...... 118

Deschampsia cespitosa.. 117

Dicentra canadensis... . 118

Dicrostonyx rubricatus ri-
CROLGSONU aa ee 212

Digitaria sanguinalis. . . 117

Dioscorea villosa........ 118

Dipper se Ved ole Sy, CDG (OM

Discovery of the breed-
ing grounds of the
Blue Goose........ 1

Do otishepewye | hy ne tals 153

Dolichonyx oryzivorus.. ° 90

Dove, Mourning... .49,>

95, 148, 150

Diiviekierei en Nis i ie 26), 129

Dowitcher. ae oe LSI LTO,

Dowling Lake, ‘Alta. 13

Dragon=fly;.... as26 a: 68

Dryobates pubescens... . 89
VOSS ee 89, 130
villosus picoideus. . . 48

Duck, Black. .32, 34,

Bn) ee), Oey eo WAY.
167, 213
Canvas-back...... 37

Greater Scaup..... BOR ot
Lesser Scaup..13,

LSM esG Mak. AO.) 167
pute eeceed Re aU Ae 15

45

Scaupe eae: 15 AUS)” Bis)

myaade .40, 88, 151, 167

Dumetella nents. £905 195
Dymond, J. R., Euro-

pean) Hares) 25 a. 199

White-tailed Deer.. 96

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

Eagle, Bald...35, 37,
41, 42, "AT, 95
Goldene... 2: 148, 151
Early Lake Erie Seiche
MECOLG ean eyecare nee 196
Edward Arnold........ 196
Edwin Beaupre........ 164
Eider, American. :..3. 109
INonuhennieraerierer ese 35
Eleocharis acicularis. . 117
CODILALC MEE 118
Elephas colombi........ 61
DIN PErAlOnan stneee 61
primigenius.......59, 63
Elymus glaucifolius cres-
CONGUSM ete seen 117
TOOUSTUSED Wee weve 117
robustus vestitus. . 117
Empidonax minimus. 90
UO tlisee Mena Aor 90
Ephydatia fluviatilis. . 183
HOOD ines Rs Sle bp 183
miilleri acwminata. 183
Epifagus virginiana. 119
Equisetum arvense...... 117
levigatum......... 117
variegatum........ 117
Eragrastis minor....... Lali
DERCOMUNGM AE hae 117
Ereunetes mauri........ AT
Erigeron annuus....... 119
Erignathus barbatus. ..99, 169
barbatus nauticus.. . 99

Erysimum cheiranthoides 118
Eskimo stone graves in
north-eastern Labra-
dor and the collec-
tion of anthropolog-
ical material from

ESTES Per Pone 180
Esox americanus....... PAM

LCLUSE Re tyrone oe 54, 1380
MOT CHUS een eee ae 9
Euphausia pacifica. ..203, 204
Euphorbia corollata..... 119

polygonifolia....... 119
European Hare at Mea-

POT ees toi ara yan 199

European Starling at
Riviere-du-Loup. .. 120

Eurystheus 5.2... ..0. 2... 93
Eutamias minimies bore-
CLES RON ae 68
townsendii......... 134
Evonymus obovatus..... 119

Excursions of the Otta-
awa Field-Natural-
ists’ Club, 1930.. 100
Expedition to sub-Arctic
Canada, 1924-25.
58}, 81, jill, 140,

UGKS) 5 Ale AVIT
Extension of range of
Eso. americanus. .. PAIL
Fagus grandifolia...... 118
Fairbairn, H. W., Birds
of Parry Sound. . 88
Falco columbarius colum-
DORIS Aes ie eas tet, 88

columbarius suckleyt 47

Falco peregrinus anatum. 110

peregrinus pealei... 47
Hal cone ealennp ae rer 47
Prairie pe cats Se eae 148

Fargo, W.G., and Traut-
man, M. B., Mich-

ipicoten birds...... 30
Farley, F. L., Redpolls 22
Farrel Lake, Alta...... 12
Faunal Investigation of

Southern Baffinland,

Reviews eee 199
Festuca elatior......... 117

TULGTS:. rR iar Some ILALy/
Financial Statement.... 19

Finch, California nue 37
35

Golden.
Purple.. 132) “34, 33) 90
First nesting of the
European Starling
in Nova Scotia.... 120
Mish Lake, BiC sole 43
Pie J. H., Review
i iiilae eA a Oe 170
Flicker TB Be, BT.
8, 95, 150
Flicker, Boreal . 110
Northern MURR eve Be)
Northwestern...... 48
Red-shafted...385, 45, 67
Flycatcher, Alder...... 95
Crested ARE eee hoe 0 89
Eanimondies see 45, 67

Olive-sided . 318 BH.
ABU NAD 67, 89, ae

Tyrant Ac Ses eens ae te 0

Wiestern44) eee 68

Western Traill..... 48

Yellow-bellied..... BBE IS)
Folklore, Pigeon in..... 49
Food of the Great Horn-

CO w Le cag aie 50
Fox pctle AP Tyee 98, 142, 210
COR ea

Fraser, F. J., Camera

Aveidayy se shares ae 11
Freshwater Cladocera

from Southern Ca-

Te Cady isan 7 MAN chp ape: 69
TebU baat a Soe 25
THI una oes ae a ae ' 200
Further study of the

home life of the

American Goldfinch 204

Gadde yl eee ra 203
Gadwallet hata. tse 4a, Lol
Galium circezans....... 119
lanceolatum........ 119
IVIOVALG Oe eee 119
DUOSUM ANN eae 119
UP OOP OW D.c's p oe Eon 3 119
Gallinago delicata....... AT
Gammarus annulatus.... 93
UOMO GUISS soba cdo asc 15, 16
LocuUstdn eee ae ee 93
Gannetin) esa els ae 129
Garter Snakes as fisher-
Haas} aU a HEAR MINH 3 149

Gaspé Peninsula, Birds 129

222
Gavia immer...... ANS CSS) 9 LA)
DUCULC CE rie:
SWAMOGDS 6 oie eal oo be 43)
Gelechiid, Burdock-seed Pal
Geothlypis trichas....... 90
Gerardia paupercula.... 119
LEMMA OL UCR Sere tele 119
Geranium maculatum. .. 118
Robertianum....... 119
Gibson, A., Bumblebee 146
Glaucionetta islandica... 129
Glaucomys sabrinus ma-
CHOLUSIN ei eran 94
volans volans...... 94, 167

Glimpses of little-known
western lakes and

their bird life..12, 40, 65
Glyceria borealis........ MIG
septentrionalis..... ae
Godwit, Marbled. MSF lay,

Golden- -eye, American.
382, 34— 39, 170
Barrow.. Ss) 16,
37, 40, 44, 129
Goldfinch, American. .
32, 34, 35, 36, 38,
Bo. OO, Ur AO
Wralllowesieuuseus 48
Goose; Blue ners ak. 1
Canada. 5 13) 5 ae
PAIL | Sia) 40, AZ 5 OR
109, NOR 147 5 50
Lesser Snow....... 2

STOW eels ee ean 13

White-cheeked..... 47
Gooseberry Lake, Alta.. 12
Goshawk. .382, 35, 36, 78, 95
Goshawk, Western..... 47
Grackle, Bronzed. .32,

34, 90, 150, 166
Grasshoppers......... 78, 120
Graves, Hskimo........ 180
Grebe, Marede lo twee. 13

Holboell. ld.- oO}

ole 38, 44, "AB, 88
Horned. .32, 36, 37, 109
Pied-billed........ 82) 89
Wiestenn@ isch) tite: 387, 45

Groh, "H., Burdock-seed
Gelechiid See gH at 21

Grosbeak, Evening. .35,
36, ay 38, 50, 151

Pine. 34, 35 , 36,

38, 39, 50, 95, 96,

130, ILI

Queen Charlotte
JEAUONeT a ete Mies MO Sect a 48
Rose-breasted..... 90
Groundhogasss aa aee 17

Groundhog active in win-
LSU Ng) MEEPS ENE RDB 198
Grousese ci chin ae 34, 120
Grouse, Blue...... i, 67, 68

Canada Ruffed. 32,
B55) GOs 38, 39
67

Coast Blue........
Brankline #2... ee 14, 45
Oregon Ruffed..... 37
Ruffed..14, 78, 89,
SSATP
Sage Ae eon 147

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

Grouse, Sharp-tailed.... 147
SOO bye Rae eae ya 47, 67
SPRUCes ae Wye: 95

Grouse, Fluctuations of a

Grusmienicanceee eee 47

Guillemot eens 129
WIBHOGNE. 6 belo soc o086 35
PAS Somes o oeeyayees s 46, 68

CUTIE Ee a Val eNO asia gat ab as 13
Black-backed......95, 166
Bonaparte...12, 45, 170
Californians 13
Miranda dys einer 12,18
Glaucous..26, 36, 37, 38
Glaucous-winged...

37, 46, 68
Great Black-backed
386, 388; 129

Herring. ..26, 32,
34; 35) 36), 37, 38)
AGEN SOM 29
26

Ieelandwinenieer ise
Ring-billed..... 13
G4, BO, Bil, se

Short-billed.......

Gulo audubont......... 99
OGAT AG Aa ee 99
katschemakensis.. . . 99
LUSCUS ney ae aera ci)
miediccktn. se ae 99
LeESCUS Hh tue ean ne 99
Lets RE aa pa 99

Tae H. T., Review My

Conicank Wihite! 2... 26

Haematopus bachmani.. . AT

Halizxetus leucocephalus
leucocephalus...... Aly 85)

Hall, HE. R. 8., Ground-

TSO) shel eee Tinea Peat 98
Hanibunya hier: ak 84
Handhills Lake, Alta... 2
Hantzsch, B., Eskimo

Graveshintwrern ae 180
Hare, Huropean...... 149, 199

Keewatin Arctic... 212

Washingtonian 134
Earle quinone 46

Hart, J. F.L., Decapods 101
Hart, sds pias Aguatie
molluscs eee ae 68
Haultain, A. G., Bears 21
Hawk, American Spar-
row...3a2, 35, 38, 89

Broad-winged. . a
Couper. ..382, 34, 38, 89
Duck er ene a 32, "110
Ferruginous Rough-

Lease a .148, 150
Marsh) ne Bln ea Op
Pigeon oso2 SO) oS
Red-shouldered. .

5810), 36, 38, 89
Red-tailed . ao

34, BS, 89, 95

Rough-legged. . a)
Sharp-shinned. 82,

Ae "89 95

Spanlow oes sees 95

[VoL. XLIV

Hawk, Swainson....... 148
Western Red-tailed 45, 67
Hawk killed by electro-

CULION ss Veena 167
Hedymeles ludovicianus. 90
Helianthus decapetalus.. 119
EHeliz hontensiss sane 33

NEMOLAlisye nie rae 33.

sub-globosa........ 33
Hemigrapsus nudus...101, 108

oregonensis...... 101, 108
Hepatica acutiloba...... 118

Heron, Great Blue. .32,
89, 95, 147, 150

Northwest, Age eee 37

North-western

Coasts Seen AT
Herring is) 208, 204
Heterocelus imcanus. ec 47

DOTS OE NORGE naa 184
Piclovensissa ewe sok 183
TEDENS «2 cela ieesyees 184
RYUCETUL Aan emp ae 1838

Higher fossil faunee of

the Upper Alleg-

heny, Review...... 215
Hippolyte californiensis. 102
Hirunde erythrogasira...48, 90

Histrionicus histrionicus 46
Home life of the Ameri-
can Goldfinch..... 177
Homarus americanus... . 92
Hope, C. E., White-
throated Sparrow.. 213
Hiorehoundsas sea 14

Hornby, The late John 58

House, H. D., Plants
from Pt. Abino,
ODG) eee ie ee abe
House Wren in New
IBUPDUNENMIGES 5 oblb oo 6c 150
Howitt, H., Winter ob-
servation. Guelph. . 96
Hummingbird, Ruby-
throated...... ya, tee) Oe)
JEROVOUISS nial aie 516 09 6 45, 48
ELAS TONS ae 92
coarctatus alutaceus. 92
Hydrocotyle americana.. 119

Hydrophyllum canadense 119
Hylocichla aliciae aliciae 33

TiISCESCENS aia ae 90, 95
Guildiace eee 49, 90
guttata pallasi..... 33
Ustulaid ero ee 49
ustulata swainsont. . 33
Hypericum Kalmianum. 119
striae spall Cerner 117
NOGRO WB OROM. 35660056 : 93
Tcterus galbula......... 90
Idothea baltica......... 92
CONUANSISS os b0b00 4 93

Illustrations: Ammodytes 203

Barnacle, Floating 156
Blue Goose........ 8, 10
Blue Goose nesting

areal cine
Bream, Ray....... 153

December, 1930]

Illustrations:
Canoeing, Baffin Is. 6
Captive Massasauga 201
Crab, Megalops of 204
Euphausia pacifica. 204

Female Goldfinch
arene to feed
ae ue 205
Fish- Saale with wire
CUadeneee 154
Home Jack, in
OMA opp. 153
Wancertishaaesees 203
NMastodonteasa44ee 60
Mastodon tooth 60
Musk-ox...... opp. 25
Nest and five young
of Goldfinch... 206
Nest of Blue Goose "
Rackaice aaa 5
Portuguese-Man-o’-
Waren eee IBY)
Salo wae aoe ah ee 154
Sistrurus catenatus . 201
Spirontocaris macro-
dontcn ee 101
Soquide yeaa 204
SUNS ieee eee 153
Inconnu (fish)......... 54

Increase and present sta-
tus of the Starling
at’ Toronto, 1980... 197
Increase of the Starling 22;
Insects, Ticks, Mites and
venomous animals of
medical and veter-

inary importance,

Reviews ats 169
Tridoprocne bicolor...... 48, 90
Tschyrocerus........... 93
Isopoda.......... Oil, BA, UKs
Ixoreus naevius meru-

OTHE Sept 8) ON ANT AES 49
Jaeger, Long-tailed... . 26

Parasitic sie 26

Pomarine.......-. 26
Japanese Starlings at

Mertibaye ni. 5 24, 30

Jay, Blue.32, 34, 35,
36, 38, 39, 90, 95, 130

Canada. . te 2.

35, 38, 39, 50, 95,

110, alsyil
Queen Charlotte. . 48
Rocky Mountain.. 43, 45
Stellersa oe: Or
ellis ete yeh Wc ele ee 154
Johansen, F., Marine
Crustacea..... wil
Juday, C., Cladocera. . 69).
TUNCOM ase eto 4 oo Moos HO
Oregon.

LOM ASMN OM OS
SehuteldGiiis esas: 35
Slate-coloured .32, 36, 90
Junco hyemalis 90
hyemalis oreganus. . 48
Juncus alpinus insignis 118
balticus littoralis.... 118
brachycephalus..... 118
NOGOSUS Me cere 118

ae ee wee

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

Juncus Torreyi........ 118
Juniperus communis de-
JORIS. bid: Bio Bion ily
ORTHO: nooo a ILIA
Kuillldéersarant = wae ans NZ Bis)
Kindle, E. M., Review
yee a OG: Sn Pals)
Selchesmana terse oe 196
Kamngioindaemen ie: 32, 48, 89
Western wcnn ae ac

Kingfisher, Belted. .32,
sh BO, Br, CO, OS
Northwestern Belt-
ed

Kinglet, Golden-crowned
B45 el) BH, BO, Bo Os
Ruby-crowned 32) Ad), 95

Western Golden-
erowned...... 49
eit biwalken ene sc maids rt 26
Kokanee senna ian eae 43

Kurata, T. B., Northern
SCORPION Wane 28
Lae pie Hy ea vewd ervey eens 70
Labrador, Birds. E 109
TPN ARR A a Eee Fa 66
Lamna cornubica....... 153
Lampsilis lutzola....... 69
PROMO 3 oo ee ale 5 Won OY)
Manteevishee se sees 203, 204
Lanivireo solitarius..... 90
Laporiea canadensis.... 118
Lappula echinata....... 119
DURGULTOTLOM eh ee 119
JAD WINCH res Lee 109
Larix larnicing. 2.5.03. 117
Lark, Desert Horned. 148

Horned Es ALG 36, 78,
HOF Oe 148, 167

Hoyt’s Horned... 199
LaRocque, A., Passenger
Pigeons see 49
Pigmy Shrew...... 20
Larsen, I., Woodchuck 17
Larus argentatus 26, 46,
89, 130
glaucescens........ 46
MORCVUS Ae eae 129
HUN bebe ob ois 5.6 26

Lasionycteris noctivagans 133
Latchford, F. R., Intro-
duced molluses.... 33
Late summer bird notes
along the upper Mi-
chipicoten River, On-

Ganroh ies feelers ses 30
Lathyrus maritimus..... 118
palustris linearifolius 118
Ge chy an a cciuciee aes 15
Leech River, B.C...... 66
Lemming, Back........ 213
Richardson Collared 212
Lemmus trimucronatus.. 218
Leonurus cardiaca...... 119
Lepas anatifera........ 155
OSCOCWMORPIS. . o00 5+ 155
Lepus arcticus canus.... 212

washingtonit....... 134

223
LeRay, W. J., Rattle-
snake: sereoca tae 201
Lespedeza capitata velu-
LUT: A Re Ga che 118
Lesser Scaup breeding at
Morontoyme eee 167
Lew Lake, BiGaaeesa: 15
Lewis, H.F.,Gaspébirds 192
Horned Lark...... 167
Wabrador birds.... 109
Lewis Woodpecker in
Winnipeg, Man.... 96
Liatris cylindracea...... 119
dina case ees eee 14

Lindsay, Ont., Birds of 88
List of aquatic molluses
of the Abitibi region 68

Lithospermum arvense... 119
Little Bow Reservoir,

Allitat in kaa eee 13
Lloyd, H., Whistling

SW atiiccs so iy taee ae 167
Lobelia Kalmii......... 119

SUMNVULUCT. = 2s a ae 119
Lobipes lobatus......... 47
Longspur, Alaskan..... 48

ayo lancense seer 38, 151
Lonicera dioica........ 119

glaucescens........ 119
MoonwelApaal> coor oor

Si AA Abr Spm oonlao

JERE... ib bee 005 9 - 45

Red-throated...... Bi Gee 5)

Lophodytes cucullatus . . .

Lophopanopeus bellus.102, 106

OLIN cana 130
curvirostra minor...

BIL Aas aks

leucopterd =. son. ae 31
Lunda cirrhata......... 45
Luzula campestris mutli-

OT Nea 2a apne 118
Lycopodium lucidulum . 117
Bycopus uicidusi. =... oe 14
Lymnaea auricularia.... 34

catascopium....... 68

EnGUGUICO 45 = shee 68

WAITS + 6 oooco0'v 2 68

stagnalis oppressa. . 68
TUynixwAmChiCwn a. 44) sees 99

Canaday nies «een 99
Lynx canadensis cana-

GENSI SS ee ae Nee 99

canadensis mollipi-

LOSUS ares S vel nS See ae 99
Lysimachia terrestris... . 119

tREUSULOLase hee 119
M., H., Review by..... 121
Mabel Lake, BiG eer 42
IMTAKOIROIE) bie isla clo ie. « 66, 68
Wag pierei einer cian: 35, 148
Maianthemum canadense

UILENDUS Ane ene 118
Mialacostracane see eae 91
Mallard lopli sor.

BERS 1), "43, , 44,

46, 66, 147, 150

Malte, M.O. , Review by 96
Mammals of Ontario,

Review? eines 168

224

Mammals of Point Grey 133

Mammit Lake, B.C.... 44
Miaimimotiie 44:5) ise sen 59
Map: Biue Goose breed-
IME eOGOUM Cs Wey 2
Shakespeare Island
Walkers ae ere 132
SouthwesternBaffin
Islands anise: 2
Mareca americana...... 46
Marila affinis.......... 167
Marine Crustacea...... it
Marten, Labrador...... 99
Queen Charlotte... 99
Martes americana...... 99
Oriemalts eee 99
COUTING Se Ae 99
WOSOWMUG. oo 6b 55600 99
vancouverensis..... 99
Massasauga........... 201
Mastodont 23 asset). 59

Mastodon americanus. ..61, 62
Meadowlark 34, 37, 38, 42, 90

Wester. i242 5. 5 148
NMiedusaes ee eae ake 154
Melilotus alba......... 118
Melospiza lincolni striata 48

UGWOOMU. nbs oboaes 90

melodia melodia. . 33

melodia rufina. . 48
Members, 1930, List of 120
M enyanthes trifoliata . 119
Meredith, R.., Electro-

cuted Hawk....... 167

Stamlin ger aries eo 198
Merganser....35, 43, 88, 95

‘American 32, 34,
36, 37, 38, 39, 41,
43, 45, 46, 65, 89,

29, 147

Hooded...32, 36,
37, 46, 88

Red-breasted......
SOM ain LO LOO

Mergus americanus. .46,

83) 89, 29
SCUNCLOT eee 46, 109
Merlin, Black.......... 47
Richardson........ 148
Merriman, R. O., Edwin
IsXeEh OHO. -osoadogbe 164
Metzneria lapella....... 21
Meyenia fluviatilis...... 183
Michtheimysis stenolepis 92
Microscopy............ 11
WOKGROHOIS oo se cob coo able 22
Microtus drummondi...99, 152
oregoni serpens..... 152
pennsylvanicus....99, 152
pennsylvanicus drum-
WOM S i dace | Zuls3
SERDENSHo esi tas 1384
townsendit......... 134
Migration, Experiments
TD dWCE esiesee Uy Sia MUNN hea 70
Milium effusum........ aly
Miller, R. F., Flying
Squirrel nests...... 167
Mink, Northwestern... . 134
Mitella diphyllan =. 118
IMIGES aa Bice Vartan ae 169
Mniotilta varia........ 90, 111

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

MVMiolamola eee 153
Mole, Gibbs Shrew..... 133
Oresonnee see 99
Schetlerse a yaar: 133
Townsend......... 151
Molluses, Aquatic...... 68
Introduced........ 33
Molothrus ater......... 90
Moose, ticks on........ C1
Moris bassana......... 129

Mortality of juvenile
Black-backed Gulls
at Lake George,
INES Re ee oe Ne EGG
Mouse, Agassiz Meadow 152
Arctic White-footed 212

Cooper Lemming... 69
Drummond Meadow 213
Houses ee ease 184
AUbanOM Neg oh doe 4s 134
Richardson Lem-

ming. . to 69

Whitefooted....... 134
Mousley, H., American.
Goldfineh...... 177, 204
Edward Arnold.... 196
Mirae ue ep cttape Sindy 43
Munro, J. A., Birds: of
Lindsay District... 88
Japanese Starling... 30
Western Lakes.....
12, 40, 65
Murre, Briinnich....... 26, 88
Californias aece as 46
OMmmon tere ase 26
Murrelet, Ancient...... 46
Marbled samen 45, 46
Mus musculus......... 134
Musk-ox..... PA 5) Dag So) Use
Ins karen Gi ein rea pia pes oo 134
Mustela cicognanii...... 99
noveboracensis...... 20
SUNCOLOTU ee seit Oo lo.
vison energumenos. . 134
Myiarchus crinitus..... 89
Mytochanes virens...... 89
Myocheilus caurinus.... 43
Myosotis lawa.......... 119
Myotis altifrons........ 99
californicus ciliala-

DFU Meee 99
lucifugus alascensis 99
DETNOLEA: ena ne 39
subulatus subulatus. 99
volans longicrus.... 99

Myrophyllum spicatum. . 14
MVG{SiShOCULATO AR ae 92

Mellwraith Ornitholog-
ical Club, Annual

Report sae: 151
MacLoughlin, Anna E.,

Field Sparrow... 96
McKenzie, R: A., Move-

ments of Pike..... 130

McTaggart-Cowan, L.,
Mammals of Point
Greve ae 133

Nannus hiemalis....... 907295
hiemalis pacificus.. . 48

[VoL. XLIV

Natural History of the
Double-crested Cor-

morant, Review.... 51
Nectocrangon dentata.... 92
Neopanope texana sayt. . Ont
INICOLOIN OR ae 50
Nest of Flying Squirrel 94
Nesting census.... 78
Nesting sites, Unusual 149
Nest-robbing (2) bears.. 21
Neurotrichus gibbsit gibb-

ISD PUREST by Cerne Onl ae 133
New records of masto-

dons and mam-

moths in Canada. 59
Nicholson, E., Screech

Owls Gas ay neha 214
Nighthawk........ 32, 89, 95
Northern limit of White-

tailed Deer in On-

ATL @ rey Weal ae psy Na 96
Note on the food of the

Spring Salmon.... 203
Notes on bird houses. .. 24

Notes on birds of the
Labrador Peninsula
TN OQ hes en 109
Notes on birds of the
northern part of the
Queen Charlotte Is-
land snnel92 (eae 45
Notes on the Northern
Seorpion in British
Columbiave anaes 28
Notes on the occurrence
of various animals

on the fishing

grounds on the coast

OLBiG A ee Rey 153
Notes on the summer

birds of the interior

of western Nova

Scotia ae eae 95
Nova Scotia, Western,

Birds ae eee 95
Numenius hudsonicus. . . AT
Nutcracker, Clark...... 35
Nuthatch, Pigmy...... 35

Red-breasted. ..32,

3D) SOL Oa eo aon

4 : 95, 111

Slender-billed...... 385
White-breasted ..
34-35, 36, sey 39
Nuttalornis boreali Nes Bil 89
Nymphaea microphylla. . 40

OakiGarnyeier .e/ seu 66
Observations on the
movements of the

Pikeupgas leathers tlc 130
Oceanodroma furcata.... 46
LEUCOnLOON aa hneee 46
Odobenus rosmarus..... 169
Odccotleus virginianus.. . 96
virginianus leucurus 152
Oidemia americana..... 46
deglandin asa 46
perspicillata..46, 88, 130
Old-Squaw........... 38, 129
Olor columbianus....... 167

.e <

December, 1930]

Oncorhynchus tschawy-

ESCH GSS ae A ea 203, 204
Ondatra zibethica osoyo-

OSENSUSA DOG a en tent 134
Oporornis philadelphia. . 90
Orchestia grillus........ 93
Oregonia gracilis.....102, 105
Oriole, Baltimore. 78, 90

} Bullock ene sheee 42

PR oY Rh eh A 146

Fe es umbellatum 118
Ornithological investiga-
tions near Belvedere,

Alta., Review . i 170
Orthopagurus schmitt. 102, 105
Oryzopsis asperifolia. . 117
Osmorhiza Claytoni..... 119
Osmunda regalis....... 117
Osprey...31, 32, 42,

47, 88, 89, 95

Ostracodajn. 4. wei 69
Otocoris alpestris....... 1380
alpestris alpestris... 110
alpestris hoyti...... 148

alpestris leucolaema. 148
Ottawa Field-Natural-

ists’ Club, Excur-

sions, 1930 i bi 100
Our Wild ‘Orchids, Trails

and Portraits, Re-

VIEW OL nis dae 120
Outside nests of Flying

Squirrels......... 94, 167
Oven-bird......... 82, 90, 95
Ovibos moschatus....... 187

moschatus niphoecus 99

moschatus wardi.. . 99
Ovis canadensis californi-

NG aa tts. Nite ne 9 AS

canadensis canaden-

SOS Notileee Miu RS 99
canadensis nigra... 98
canadensis samilka-
meenensiS......... 98
COE se Oe ee lal 5 98
HON peek. 98
SLOMEUSMO Ra et edn 98

Owl Barred se iso. hs 39, 95
Burrowing........ 42
Great Gray....... 32

Great Horned. .32,
34, 38, 39, 50, 95
3

awed eee Aono) 8

Island Saw-whet... AT

Long-eared....34, 36, 38

Saw-whet......... 32
Screech....22, 34,

36, 38, 214

SMOWAVs Sea open sds 47, 98

Western horned.... 78

Oxyechus vociferus...... 89

Oyster-catcher, Black...47, 68

Pagurus acadianus..... 92
beringanus...... 102, 105
granosimanus....102, 104
hirsutiusculus....102, 104
VGOCYLT UN a eee 92
pubescens......... 92

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

Pandalus borealis....... 92
MOTLAGILU Me enna 92
Pandion haliaetus caro-

linensis...31, 47, 88, He
Panicum flexile NE i So ane "117

Scribnerianum..... alley

tennessense........ 117

UUnG GLU ee 117
Rantapodae ioscan. e. 91, 94
PaTrasitecMenes eee {Ul
Pardalisca abysst....... 93
Parnassia caroliniana. . . 118
Parry Sound, Birds..... 88
Partridge, Canada

SDEUCeER ee 32

Hungarian..... 35,

147, 17 0, 214
Passenger Pigeon in

Folklore... 3: 49
Passer domesticus . 90
Passerculus sandwichen-

sis sandwichensis . 48
Passerella iliaca town-

SOMO reso teeta eal: 48
Passerherbulus lecontet. . 38l
Paul Lake, B.C........ 14
Paulson, C. W. L., Star-

Hina oeppeed tees tek ake 120

Pelidna alpina sakhalina 47

Pellenes luggani........ 68
Penthestes atricapillus. .90, 130
hudsonicus........ 130
hudsonicus hudsoni-
CUS Wao taal aig) 33
rufescens rufescens. . 48
Pentstemon hirsutus..... 119
Perisoreus canadensis. . . 110
Peromyscus maniculatus
austerus. . : 134
maniculatus borealis 213
Petrel, Fork-tailed . 46
Weachmeneiins: on) 46
Petrochelidon lunifrons. . 90
Petrolisthes eriomerus .102, 105
Pewee, Western Wood. . 45
Wood. Arai eteeD 89
Phalacrocorax auritus cin-
CUNOLUSE PMerses anaes 46
COLOOR Sonne Gye 109
pelagicus robustus. « 46
Phalarope, Northern. 47
Wilson. eas 13
Phasanius colchicus tor-
QUGLUS Hea ee
Rheasante. .40- 34, 35,
36, 37, 38, 68
Ring-necked....... 91
Phenacomys, Ungava... 168
Phenacomys ungava un-
(LeRoi ads ice ey Gta ate 69, 168
Philohela minor........ 95

EOD SNE Lelie 88
Phiox divaricata........ 119
Phoca hispida.......... 169

ULL UEC ae eee 169
Gane set las, ed) Ae canes 32, 89

SS OREN igen aN 13
Phowvichilidiuin femora-

HISTOR GARI) Sm CRC 4

maxillara......... 94
Physa ancillaria........ 68

225
ERUSOOUTANO ete ye 68
sayit warreniana... 68

Physocarpus oputifolius 118
opulifolius interme-

COKYORP NE imine aN 118
Physostegia virginiana... 178)
Pigeon, Passenger...... 49
Pigmy Shrew near Ot-

SU AGEL Es cab Sere tray oe 20
Bakaly ye CAs RA 54
Pike, Movements of 130
Pilchard aaa 203, 204
Pilea pumila eee 118
Pinicola enucleator..... 95

enucleator carlotta. . 48
enucleator leucura. . 130
Pinnira {aoa tana 102, 107
littoralis: va lO2 LOM,
SOOMUBUBS 65 do oe bc 102, 107
LUDICOLas ee 102, 107
Pintail...... We Wales. ls),

37, 43, 46, 66, 147
Pipilo erythrophthalmus

erythrophthalmus... | 88
PIpitee ee at ees 199
American......... 111
Piranga erythromelas.. .. 90
Pisidium concumulum.. . 68
neglectum......... 68
scutulatum........ 68
Pisobia fuscicollis . . f 109
minutilla. . a 47

Planesticus migratorius 90, 130
migratorius propin-

GUUS: Vale rae 49
Rianonbiswe eee 14
atronasus striatus... 68
CLCCWOUSH ee See 68
WAnSUtUS ee =e oe 68
tRevolaSime re wis eas 68
Plectrophenax nivalis ni-
DUETS i eo Manes 130
Plover, Black-bellied..47, 147
olden ee 47
Killdeer........... 89
Semi-palmated.... AT
Poa compressa........-- 117
pratensis.......... 117
Podilymbus podiceps... . 89
Point Abino, Ont., Plants
Prony sii 9 euneuns 117
Point Grey, Mammals... 1383
Poison, Foxes.......... 144
Polanisia graveolens.... 118
Polygonatum pubescens. . 118
Polyganum amphibium.. 118
arifolium.......... 118
NOLO SE he Ee 118
Polymnia canadensis... . 119
Pomaxis annularis..... 149
annularisin Ontario 149
Pondweed, Sago....... 40
Pontogeneia inermis.... 93
Pooectes gramineus..... 90
Populus balsamifera.... 118
tacamahaca........ 118
tremuloides....... 16, 118
Portuguese-Man-o’-War
155, 204
Potamogeton heterophyllus 117
GLO S eee aan 14, 43

pectinatus.14, 15, 16, 40

226

Potamogeton perfoliatus.43, 118
14

D) FOUSOMISE, Saka Ses oe a
Potentilla anserina...... 118
recta sulphurea..... 118

Potter, L. E., Bird-life
in Saskatchewan... 147
Prenanthes alba........ 119
Pr OCYORMOLOT AM ae ae 99
lotor pacifica.:..... 134
psora pacifica...... 99
Prairie-dogis aise 99

Present scarcity of the
Field Sparrow at

AMOFRORMEOY Ye 23
Brionace glauca. 2s 153
Prins cuneate se. 118

DONT. 6 Ps os 3 118

susquehanna....... 118

VERGUNLAN a se ee 118
Ptarmigan, Rock....... 35
Pteris aquilina Spit Fou neces 117
Pterpoda . 200
Ptychoramphus aleuticus 45

RULELLYY es Ura eens se) 3 110

Mudtedie i tawis wiih: 45
PUfinus griseus, 6.2 46
Pugettia gracilis...... 102, 106

producta........ 102, 106
Pycnanthemum virginia-

OHIO ee Ae ONT 19
TAY ENOTONICG Shines he 91, 94
Egrolarellipiica iw. an lS
(QOD ENT Aree eae eaiNay anal SiS il 34

California vey eam Symon
Queen Charlotte Islands,

Binsin cons eben 45
Quercus Muhlenbergii. . 118

Quiscalus quiscula aeneus 90

Rabbit, Jack, tape-worm

1D a A Teac ee al ath
Snow-shoe tape-
wormin...... (Gt
Raccoon, Pacific,....... 99, 134
Race Rocks, B.C. 68

Rainy River, Coleoptera 135
Rand, A. Thy Birds of

Nova Scotia....... 95
Rangifer arcticus...... He), IDL
arcticus pearyi..... 99
Ranunculus abortivus. .. 118
TECUTUGUESH eae 118
SCELET ALS ae 118
Ragu Black aire 134
NOT Way Ye a Saue 134
Wood. 50
Rattlesnake........... 201
Grounds 201
Ere gaNi74 wees ee ne 201
Prairie eeaieean 201
Texas. 203
AIM ere iy ieee 201
Venom of oa 202
InvOntarioy aioe 201
Rattus norvegicus... .... 134
ROLUSET OLLIE eee 134
Raven..... 42, 48, 95,
130, 148, 199
Northern eee 32, 35

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

Raven, South-eastern... 31
Red-headed Woodpecker
inwinterat Toronto 165

Redpoll....22, 35, 36,
38, 39, 130
Redstartey ee: 33, 90, 95
American yi: ee hy 7% 32, 90
ae satrapa olivace- 6
Report ANON se ss = 18
Reserve Fund......... 20
Rhachotropis aculeata... 93
Eeibes lonidamine | eee 118
CYUNOSDATI a eee 118
vices wildy a rene 66
Aparna riparia. ee $0
Robin . 7.32), 38,39, 90, (1380
Western...... AN IB). OO
Rodents, Canadian... .. 69
Rosablanda ea ae 118
carolina glandulosa . 118
SCURULALC A een 118
Rowan, W., Experiments
in bird migration,
Review of......... 70
Rubicola minor........ ee 89
Rubus odoratus . :
Rutter, R. J. , Towhee. . DAS
Weasel nan 20
Wioodchuckes aes wr a2
Rynchospora alba....... 118
S:, W. E., Review by... 199
Sagittaria latifolia...... 43
Sago pondweed........ 66
Saliaitcordaio ees 118
pedicellaris hypo-
Glaucan ae 118
Salvo yy haley tp bsS7
Salmon, Food of....... 153
Spring, Food of 203
Sallie Ha AM atone ity 153
Salpa fusiformis aspera 153
Sambucus racemosus.... 119
Sandpiper, Baird....... 13, AY
Bartramian 2240 147
Thea ste. 4k ai 138, 47
Purples tenure 26
Red-backed....... 47
Solitanye seem wee 32
Spotted..... 32, 45,
CoE go
SCTE ie cee 13
Western tea ee 47
White-rumped...109, 151
Sanguisorba minor..... 118
Sapsucker eats seein seune 34
Northern red-
breasted...... 48
Red-naped........ 45
voleweucliied! SYA) Rsk) WB)
Sarracenia purpurea. . "118
POP ASG oar a ea loli: dst 154
Saskatchewan, Birds.... 147
Satureja glabra......... 119
VULG OTS ce 119
Men W.E., Canada
Gos aie otal es Ice 22
Japanese starlings. . 24

Stanhingerpeeeeeee 22

[VoL. XLIV

Sayornis phoebe........ 89
Scapanus orarius schefferi 133
townsendi........ 99, 162
Scapholebris mucronata. 69
Schizopoda....91, 92, 203 204
Schizothaerus nutalli.. 102
SCUPUSE Ae any ee 16
americanus........ 118
VOUS Hr a eee 118
Sciurus douglasii....... 134

Scleroplax granulata. .
Scorpion, Northern.....
Scoter, American....... 37, 46
Surf. .37, 45, 46, 88, "130
White-winged. .
13, 36, 46, 170

Scuitto Lake, B. Cie 15
Scutellaria golericulata. . 119
DATOULC RE ee 119
Scyra acutifrons,..... 102, 106
Seal, Bearded........99, 169
Ear bourne ieee 169
Ringedya sii: ane ee 169
DECUIMN ACTON enna 118
Seiche phenomena...... 196
Seiurus aurocapillus.... 90
Selasphorus rufus...... 48
Setophaga ruticilla...... 33, 90
Shark. Blue ene ae 153
Dogtishy anes 153
Rorbeaclesaaen nee 153

Shearwater, Dark-bodied A6
Sheep, Washington Big-

Love ae awe NuEr G2! 152
Shidveller saree 12
SHre wees BU CER eel 218

Duskyawa neve ee 133

Little Short-tailed.. 168

Bigniyn taal eon 20

Short-tailed....... 99

Wiandenineyiae ee 133
Shrike, Northern. .34,

BOuMoOH Tone 38, 39
Shrimp, Freshwater . 15
SUQItGEStOlUS ae 90
Silena antirrhina....... 118

YVR OTRUGUANS Gia! Glee oe 5 118
Silviertishi eis 30
Simocephalus exspinosus 69

SCHTULATUS Ae eee 69
Simpson, H. M., Bird

houses) beer ae 24
Siskane Pinte eolieoon es An

35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 48, 130
Sistrurus catenatus...... 201
Sisymbrium Thalianum . 118
Sitta canadensis....... 48, 111
Skate, Hlectries)./.. 53. 153
Skunk, Puget Sound

Spotted eee 134
Sr el Ge ea ee ee 203
Smilacina racemosa..... 118

HONGO. 5 oe aloes 6c 118
Smith, F., Freshwater

PON RES ay enee rae 182
Snake, Garter......... 149
Snipe, Wilson’s....34, 35, 47
Snowllakew ieee
Snyder Ji; sls) and

Baillie, Je seine

Stalin eee 197
Solanum nigrum....... abi)

December, 1930]

Solidago graminifolia
INIRUCHM ey ba bob aa
SOMGbeniGe.|.. 2248s.

mollissima dressert..
Some decapods from the
southeastern shores
of Vancouver Is-
Iliac WRG Fe pdee ay eae Re
Some introduced mol-
MUS CSt eo cet aee s aees
Some natural factors
governing the fluc-
tuations of grousein
Manitoba. !)..2....
Some notes on birds of
the Gaspé Peninsu-
la in November....
Some recent collections
of Canadian fresh-
water sponges.....
Some zoological aspects
of the Canadian
Arctic Expedition. .
Soper, J. D., Blue Goose
(SOURS a ean 5 et AeA oa

obscurus setosus....
trowbridgii........
vagrans vagrans....
Sorghastrum nutans.....
Sparrow, Aleutian Sa-
vannah mA ANIA can Ne

Chipping. .78, 90, 95, 166

Clay-coloured.....
English. .32, 34, 35,

36, 37, 38, 39, 90, 95, 148
23,

SIAN e ice 96
HOGOUS hee 48
OSA sie rk aa i ees 37
Golden-crowned 48
ILECOMK 5 6 6 Sch aducalls Gy
INGER eo 48
Rusty Song....... 45
Savannah......... 382, 42
Song..32, 33, 34,
35, 38, 39, 42, 95
Sooty Song SS av oiae 48
Swamp........ 32, 38, 95
Townsend’s Fox... 48
Tree. .34, 35, 36, 38,

39, 110, 148
WES DET? 5 \et thot ae 78, 90
Western chipuing 45

White-throated .

32, 38, 90, 213

Sparrow, Baird, Infor-
mation wanted on.

Spherium rhomboideum
SCLC OLLI Ree eae ee

ICE TESTES Pimp e a vc) s
UFOS ic BIBT Ble sare
Spider (Avicularia)....
Spiders, western.......
persica phenax olympi-

ae DLIVES ene 31, 48,

LLL OTOL Gee yee tate

Spiranthes cernua......
TION ik SM Reig Bal tee a

213
68
68

134

118

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

Spirontacaris brevirostris
102, 103
GONNA vee eee 92

Spirontocaris macrodo-

donta sp. nov...101, 102
(NGSERU i: Hee ener: 102, 104
paludicula....... 102, 104
siichensis: ... 0... L02), A04
SVM MGhs o> Goeth ondiarole 92
StU LUSH isa ennon 102, 103
tridens. . .102, 103
Spizella mantieatan mon-
GUC OUT Saas cee ee 110
passerina ares 90
{OOUSUMKE 06.3 od e'a ol 23
Sponge, freshwater..... 182
Spongilla fragilis....... 184
Spongilla johansent
NES Diese cea ean 184
lacustris . ieee it 188
Sporobolus cry yptandrus. . 117
qualus sucklit. . vee Woheel Uae}
Squatarola squatarola. . AT
Squaw-fish............ 43
Souidivs erp oice ee 204
Squires, S. K., Black-
billed Cuckoo...... 185
House Wren....... 150
Squirrel, Douglas...... 134
Eastern Flying.... 94
JMAyawaey. 6 \sain'o os op 6 0 167
Northern Flying. .. 94
Parry Ground..... 212

Starling, European. .22,
34, 35, 36, 37. 38, 39,
L205 230 Oren 198

Japanese.......... 24, 30
Starling in Winter..... 120
Statement, Financial... 19
Status of Canada Geese

on the Vaseaux

Lake Bird Sanc-

tuany Coan. oa Dali
Steironema quadrifiorum 119
Stellaria longifolia...... 118
Stenodus mackenztt..... 54

Sternberg, C. M., Mas-
todon and mam-

MOLAR ee yee 59
Snakes fishing. .... 149
SGUEIENG occa deeu0 os 153
Strophostyles helvola.... 118
Stump Lake, B.C...... 40
Sturnella magna........ 90

Sturnus vulgarus. ..120,
130, 197, 198

Sub-aretie Canada.
Sle tA 0: 156, 187, 207

Sucker’ (Gi WS a 54
SUMTISHP ANU NAp tenn 153
SUnSpoOtsy ee eee 120
Sunspots in relation to
fluctuationsin grass-
hoppers and grouse
at Aweme, Man... 120
Shirk lim eee ater 47
Swallow, Bank......... 13, 90
Barn ~32- 45. 48)
NN, SH, Zs

Clutter Is, GO, Oa eS
Wreei A See ite, O06 9D

227

Swan, Australian Black: 50
50

INE C ene Py iae

Trumpeter 40, 41, 42, 43

Wii stlineuuyeeerer 151, 167
Swift, Chimney. ..32, 89, 95

Witla ae anette 167

White-throated.... 42
Synaptomys borealis bor-

COT AOS IN eal, arene eee 69

cooper? cooperi..... 69
Synidothea bicuspida.... 93
Synthliboramphus anti-

CUUS Tm ee bee 46
Syringa vulgaris........ 119
Tanager, Scarlet....... 90
AVEN NS WOMMM sansa bacco a
Tardy Horned Lark.... 167
Tattler, Wandering..... AT

Taverner, P. A., Cana-
dian Arctic Expedi-

ELON eer eee 25
Review by . 51
Taxidea taxus ele 152
Teal, Blue-winged..... 40, 167
Cinnamon......... 40

Green-winged..43, 65, 66
Telmessus cheiragonus 102, 107

Tent-caterpillar........ 185
“deri, ilayoles 4 oh SS ole 151
DOMME Ae eels 13
GR ROMMOURGGs oe ohn 6 on 153
Teucrium occidentale
OORGHO io oo Soak ece 119
Thalictrum dioicum.... 118
Thamnophis ordinoides.
DOUGROUS.s S65 bias ce do 8 ¢ 149
Thelon River...... zt ha 81
Thermobia domestica... . 30
Thompson, S. L., Tufted
DitmMouser yee) 162
aoe Browneseaene 90
Sage ge eG Mone i 42
Thrush, Nea Hermit 49
Gray-cheeked a al 32, 38
Hermit) eco) Ulmoo
Northern Varied... 49

Olive-backed . . .32,
33

Walloweae ane ac 42

Walsonistenaeneaoe 90
Thuja occidentalis...... iLIUY
Tiarella cordifolia...... 118
RICKS aL ae ae OWS)
Titmouse, Tufted...... 162
Totanus melanoleucus. . 47
Mowheeyty 7.5 yes PAB) XD) pe steXe)

Oregon sean ae 3
Townson, J., Lesser

Scaupe acs heaee 167
Toxostoma rufum....... 90
Trapping, Sub-arctic Ca-

Madan jae see 142
Trautman, M. B., see

Farg 0, W. G.
dravalliaes in North. 81
Tree climbing weasel.. 20
Triglochin palustris..... 117
Trillium grandiflorum... 118

Triplasis purpurea..... 117

228

Trochospongilla........ 184
Troglodytes aedon....... 90
PROM Mica tn Neosendenet et 51, 54
Rainbown ase 43
Trout Lake, B.C....... 65
Tubella pennsylvanica. . 184
Tufts, R. W., Libera-
tions in N.B. and
INE Sine eames ahem 214
Mortality of juven-
ile gulls. . 166
Starling nine 120
PIRI GEE Sins es Segond sais 16
Tunkwa Lake, B.C..... 14
ThUTNSTONEH Enews ees PAT
Blackseae Seas aed 47
Ruddy. .c0. Ae ONG
Tyrannus tyrannus..... 48, 389
Unio complanatus...... 68
Unusual migration of
redpolls waa os 22
Unusual nesting sites.. 149
Upogebia pugettensis..102, 104
Uria lumvia lumvia..... 88
troille californica... 46
Ursus americanus...... 99
Uvularia grandifiora.... 118
Vaccinium corymbosum. 119
macrocarpon....... 119
Vaejovis boreus........ 28
Valerianella chenopodi-
HOLUGEN OM aie oh ge Wee, 19
OCUISUBs bao oatacasse 119
Vancouver, Mammals. 133
Veronica officinalis . . 119
Valvata amnicola....... 34
DISCINALIS Mot aes 34
SUNCCTOM MC et ee: 34, 68
URVCOTUN OLA he ae 34
tricarinata unicarin-
CHAO Ga resco canis 68
Vancouver Island, De-
Capodayyeeeitsn win 101
Vanellus vanellus. . Ms 109
Vaseaux Lake, B. C! ..21, 40
INES TIVR I i eA Ms Sel oN) 95
Veleila UN a ner ea ne 155, 204
Vermivora celata lutescens 48
Viburnum acerifolium. . 119
dentaiim ye 119
Opiulish aoe on 119
Viola anvensis «2. 45% 119
canadensis........ 119
ROSENOLG eens 119
Vireo, Blue-headed 32
@assinisi eee 45
Philadelphia....... 32, 88
Red-eyed.....382, 90, 95
Solitary saeaeeae 90, 95

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

Vireosylva olivacea...... 90
err tice Hassel age 88
Vole Creepingy sere elod:
ownsend......... 134
Winigaviaenie wists 69
Vaulpesnialvann ac te: 210
Vulture, Turkey....... 148
Wiel Ras es elec hls Oe 27
AGG Cee gate 169
Warbler, Audubon..... A5
Bay-breasted...... 82, 88

Black-and-white...

S29 Ooo ela:
Black=polllyaeene 82
Black-throated Blue

By 8%), Os
Black-throated
Green. .382, 38, 90, 95

Blackburnian......
382, 90, 95
Canada were 382, 90, 95
Cape May) pe 32, 88
Chestnut-sided....90, 95
Connecticut. ...... 170
Mutescenthas. 2) an 48
Magnolia.....32, 90, 95
Mournings seo. 5. 32, 90
Mivintleae a 32, 90, 95
Nashvillesa = aa. 32
Palimitcyose ie eat 32
Parulalcmaunyeinar ie 95
Pileolatedyyeme ar 48
A SDB aK sy OWE eal ee etna 32, 33
Tennessee......... 382
Wilsonkeas. tere 32
Yellow....82, 45, 90, 95
Yellow Palm...... 95
Water-lily, Red........ 40
Water-moccasin........ 201
Water-thrush.......... 32, 95
Waxwing, Bohemian....35, 96
Cedareicrsy sine 382, 90
Weasel, Large......... 20
Puget Soundeeenee 99
Streator. 134

Weather, Sub- arctic Ca-
nada St See HE a US 140
Whale, White......... 169
Wiheatear aie anlar ais 199
Whip-poor-Will........ 32
Whiskey Jack......... 50

Whistling Swan at Ri-
gaud, Que......... 167
Wihitenshe eager 54

Whitefish, Williamson’s. 43
White-throated Sparrow

IN AWANntere ei 213
Why the Field Sparrow

has become scarce. . 96
Wid ceoneesan eae ar. 37
Wie Ge aa cin a ay Pee 147

Western. ©. 2.5) 4% 12

[VoL. XLIV

Williamson, H. C., Ani-
mals of B.C. ’ Fish-

ing grounds. 3 lay}
Food of Salmon.. 203
Wilsonia canadensis . 90
pusilla pileolata. . uN 48
Winter observations:
Guelph, Ont....... 96
Winter Rambling of a
Woodchuck . 2138

Winter records of
Towhee in Toronto 2S}
WV Oi 8g ie os eas oe ein a ae 98

Hudson Bay....... 210
Southernyaiee soe 99
Wioodchuckey..4-4ee A, Als}
Woodcock, American 88, 89, 95
Woodpecker........... ou
Alaska Three-toed 45
Arctic Three-toed. . 82
Batchelder)... 35

Downy .382, 34, 35,
BiH Gre, OS). tee, OS
5,

IBLE oak oc 34,

BO, Be, ot) 5 89, 95, 130
Harris UMM a NR Ci eT

TiC WAS AS SAND Mee taal 96
Northern Hairy... . 32

Northern Pileated..32, 88
Pileated. .14, 35, 45, 67, 95
Queen Charlotte Is-

landers 48
Red-headed..36, 38, 165
ithree-tocdsas sear 42

Wren, Canyon......... 42
Carolina hE ALI Se be Ne 151
House. .

AZ TO OO Ree 0
Interior Tule...... 45
North-western Be-

WAC Kayi saueias oid
Western Winter....48, 67
Winter. . .32, 37,38, 90, 95

Yellowlegs, Greater, 15, 32, 47
Teessen i SA weatiae 12

PUPS OS a oe Roa 134
Zenaidura macroura.... 95
AAO OMIA ols 4b oo 6 o/b 119
Zonotrichia albicollis.... 90

CORON OLA e ae 48

leucophrys nuitalli. . 48

Zoology, Arctic........ 25

Affiliated Societies

NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF

4 MANITOBA
1929-30

President Emeritus: J. J. GOLDEN; Honorary President:
NORMAN CRIDDLE; Past President; A. A. MCCOUBREY;
President; A. M. Davipson, M.D.; Vice-Presidents: H. M.
SPEECHLY, M.D., C. W. Lowe, M. Sc., G. SHIRLEY BROOKS
A. G. LAWRENCE, J. B. WAuuIs, B.A.; Treasurer: NORMAN
LowE, 317 Simcoe Street; Auditor: R. M. THOMAS; Social
es Mrs. G. SHIRLEY Brooks; General Secretary:

B. W. CARTWRIGHT, 392 Woodlawn Street, Deer Lodge:
Executive Secretary: L. T. S. NORRIS-ELYE.

ORNITHOLOGICAL SECTION—Chairman: C. L. BROLBY
Secretary: A. B. GRESHAM. So eee ae SEC-
TION—Chairman: R. A. WarpD M. Se.; Secretary:
Te De HOBEET®. BOTANICAL, SECTION—Chairman:
H. F. Roperts, M. Sc.; Secretary: aay B. M. BRADSHAW.
GEOLOGICAL SECTION—Chairman: R. S. Kirk, Ph. D.;
Secretary: H. C. PEARCE.

Meetings are held each Monday evening, except on holidays
from October to April, in the physics theatre of the University,
Winnipeg. Field excursions are held each Saturday after-
noon during May, June and September, and on public holidays
during July and August.

NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF BRITISH
COLUMBIA, VICTORIA, B.C.

Hon. President: C. C. PEMBERTON, 806 Quadra St., Victoria,
B.C.; 1st Vice-President: WM. Hupson, 606 Douglas St.,
Victoria, B.C.; 2nd Vice-President: H. LETHABY, 608 View
St., Victoria, B.C.; Hon. Secretary: WM. A. NEWCOMBE, Pro-
vincial Museum, Victoria, B.C.; Hon. Treasurer; RENA G.
JONES, St. Margaret’s School, Victoria, B.C.

ALBERTA

Hon. President: MR.
Mr. C. H. SNBLL, Red Deer, Alta.; 18st Vice-President: Mrs.
W. A. CASSELS, Red Deer, Alta.; 2nd Vice-President: Mr. S.
PAMELY, Red Deer, Alta.; Directors: Mrs. G. F. Root, Weta-
skiwin, Alta.; Mr. F. L. FARLEY, Camrose, Alta.; Mr. W.A.
CASSELS, Red Deer, Alta.; Mr. B. LAWTon, Edmonton, Alta.;
Mr. K. BowWMAN, Edmonton, Alta.; Pror. W. ROWAN, Univ.
of Alta., Edmonton, Alta.; Mr. T. E. RANDALL, Camrose,
Alta.; Hon. Sec.-Treas.: Mrs. S. PAMELY, Red Deer, Alta.

The meetings of this Society are held in Red Deer on the
fast Friday of each month except during July and August and
perhaps September. The annual meeting is held in Red Deer
on the last Friday in November.

NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

McILWRAITH ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB,
LONDON, ONT.

President: ELI Davis, R.R. 7, London, Ont.; Recording
Secretary: Miss Nina M. NortH, 328 St. George St., London,
Ont.; Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer: E. M.S. DALE,
297 Hyman aa London, Ont.; Members qualified to answer
eens W. E. SAUNDERS, 240 Central Ave., London, Ont.,

G. WATSON, "201 Ridout St. South, London, Ont.: J. F.
Chee 461 Tecumseh Ave., London, Ont.; E. M.S. DALE,
297 Hyman St., London, Ont.

Meetings held the second Monday of the month, except
during the summer.

VANCOUVER NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

Hon. President: L.S. KLINCK, L.L.D., Pres. Universtiy of B.C.:
President: JOHN DAVIDSON, F.L.S., F.B.S.E., University 0;
B.C.; Vice-President: Pror. M. Y. WILLIAMS; Hon. Secretaryf
C.F. Connor, M.A., 3529 W. 2nd Ave., Vancouver, B.C.;
First Asst. Sec.: B. J. Woop, B.A.; Second Asst. Sec.: Mr. A.
R. Wootton; Hon. Treasurer: A. H. BAIN, 2142 Collingwood
St.; Vancouver, B.C.; Librarian: J. D. TURNBULL; Members
of "Executive: MRS. FRANK McGinn, Mr. R. A. ‘CumING,
Mr. M. M. Dopps, Mr. J. L. EL OMME Mrs. C. G. McCrim-
MON; Azdéstors: H. G. SELwoop, W. B. Woops.

Fortnightly meetings in the University Buildings from
September to Apri] inclusive). Semi-monthly excursions from
May to August (inclusive).

J. J. Gaztz, Red Deer, Alta.; President:

PROVINCE OF QUEBEC SOCIETY FOR THE
PROTECTION OF BIRDS

Hon. President: Dr. I. GEMMELL; President: Mr. W. S.
Hart; Vice-Presidents: Mr. A. P. Murray, Mrs. C. F.
DALE: Vice-President and Treasurer: Mr. HENRY MOUSLEY;
Recording Secretary: Mr. H. A. C. JACKSON; Corresponding
Secretary: Miss. K. D. MALCOURONNE; Curator: Miss EMILY
G. LUKE, 374 Metcalfe Ave., Westmount, P.Q.

Address all communications for the Society to P.O. Box
1185, Montreal, P.Q.

SOCIETE PROVANCHER D’HISTOIRE
NATURELLE DU CANADA

Bureau de direction pour 1929

Patron Honoraire: Son Excellence LE VICOMTE WILLINGDON,
G.C.S.I., G.C.M.G., G.C.I.E. G.B.E., Gouverneur-Général,
de la Puissance du Canada; Vice-Pairon Honoraire: Honore
able M. H. G. CARROLL, Lieutenant-Gouverneur de la Pro-
vince de Québec; Bureau de Direction pour 1929: Président:
R. MEREDITH, N.P.; ler vice-président: Dr. J.-E. BERNIER;
2éme vice-président: G. STUART AHERN; Secrétaire-trésorier:
Louis-B. LAvoIn; Chef de la section scientifique: Dr. D. A.
Dery; Chef de la sectoin de Propagande éducationnelle:
ADRIBN FALARDEAU, C.R.; Chef de la section de protection:
Major Jos. MATTE; Chef de la section d'information scientifique
et pratique: EDGAR RocHETTE, M.P.P.; Directeurs: Dr. S
GAUDREAU, RONALD LINDSAY, GEO. M. MITCHELL.
Secrévaire-trésorier: LOUISE-B. LAVOIE,
38 Sherbrooke St., Quebec.

THE TORONTO FIELD-NATURALISTS’
CLUB

OFFICERS FOR 1929-30.

PROFESSOR A. P. COLEMAN; President:
Pror. J. R. DYMOND; Vice-Presidents: Mr. J. H. FLEMING,
Dr. N. A. PowELL, Mr. Conin S. FARMER; Secretary:
Mr. F. P. Ips, (Dept. of Biology, University of Toronto);
Publicity Secretary: Dr. L. B. Jackes; Treasurer: MR.
FrED H. BRIGDEN; Executive Committee: PRror. R. B. THOM-
son, Pror. E. M. WALKER, Messrs. StuART L. THOMPSON,
J. A. PARTRIDGE, A. M. PATTERSON, E. B. S. Locier, W. H.
Wricut, Dr. McKINLEY; Committee on Conservation: MR.
R. G. Dineman; Leaders: Birds—Messrs. J. H. FLEMING,
Stuart L. THOMPSON, L. L. SNYDER, J. L. BAILLIE; Mame
mals—Pror. J. R. DyMoND, Mr. BE. C. Cross; Reptiles and
Amphibians—Messrs. E. B. S. Locier, WM. LERAy; Fish—
Pror. J. R. DyMonD, Pror. W. J. K. HARKNESS; Insects,
etc-—Pror. E. M. WALKER, Dr. N. ForpD, Mr. E. P. IDE;
Botany—Pror. R. B. THOMSON, Pror. H. B. SIFTON, DR.
G. WricHtT; Geology—Pror. A. MCLEAN.

Honorary President:

—————————
We would ask the Officers, and more
particularly the Secretaries, of all the
Affiliated Societies to assist us in our
task of building up the circulation of
this magazine. By securing every
member as a subscriber we can truly
make this magazine into one of the
leading Natural History publications

of America.

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