VOL. XXXIV. No. 1. JANUARY. 1920. .•«»». • #H.V. A * wv Issued March 27, 1920. Entered at Ottawa Post Office as second cUus matter. THE OHAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS' CLUB President: M. Y. WiLUAMS Vice-Presidents: L. D. BuRUNG; P. A. Taverner Secretary : Treasurer : Miss E. B. Crampe Clyde L. Patch (Research Station, (Geological Survey) Dept. Agriculture, Hull, Que.) Additional Members of Council: HoYES Lloyd; W. T. Macoun; G. A. Miller; R. M. Anderson; Miss M. E. Cowan; C. B. Hutchings; C. M. Sternberg; H. I. Smith; H. McGiluvray; F. W. Waugh. THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST Editor: Arthur Gibson, EntomologiceJ Branch, Department of Agriculture, Ottawa. Associate Editors: E. Sapir M. O. Malte F. R. Latchford M. Y. WiLUAMS Anthropology Botany Conchology Geology A. G. Huntsman P. A. Taverner E. M. Kindle R. M. Anderson Marine Biology. Ornithology Palaeontology Zoology CONTENTS. Fall Migrants. By L. McL Terrill 1 The Rhopalocera, or Butterflies, or Hatley, Stanstead County, Quebec, 1919. By H. Mousley 7 A Rare Fungus New to Canada. By W. S. Odell 10 A Fable of To-day. By Ralf Ranger . 13 Notes on the Nesting Habits and Food of Prairie Horned Larks in Manitoba. By Norman Criddle 14 Brief Report of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club for the year ending Dec. 2, 1919 — 16 Notes and Observations: The Yellow-throated Vireo near Seeley's Bay. W. E. Saunders 17 A New Mammal for Canada. W. E. Saunders 17 Phenacomys intermedius from High River, Alberta. W. E. Saunders 17 Brewer's Sparrow in Saskatchewan and Alberta. W. E. Saunders 17 Puss in a Sparrow Chase. Herbert Groh 18 Alberta Natural History Society 18 Book Notices and Reviews: Six New Fishes from Northwestern Canada. R. M. Anderson 19 The Birds of the Red Deer River, Alberta. W. E. Saunders 19 Articles in the Auk- P- A. Taverner — '. 20 Publications of the American Museum of Natural History 20 THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST, lately The Ottawa Naturalist, estab- lished thirty-two years ago, "to publish the results of original research or investigation in aD departments of naturjJ history," is issued monthly, excepting for the month* of June, July and August. Papers, notes and photographs should be addressed to the Editor. Manuscript should be typewritten. Subscriptions should be sent to the Treasurer, Miss E. B. Crampe, Research Station, Department of Agriculture, Hull, Que. The price of this volume is $1.50. THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST VOL. XXXIV. JANUARY. 1920. No. 1. FALL MIGRANTS. By L. McI. Terrill, St. Lambert, Que. (Read before the Province of Quebec Societ}) for the Protection of Birds.) An airman recently expressed the belief that the increasing interest in air navigation would eventually tend to induce a seasonal movement on the part of the human race. Even now many wealthy peo- ple spend the winter in Florida and California. In the days of the stage-coach, less than a century ago, this was unthought of. At that time a journey to the nearest town, even to one's nearest neighbor, was often an event. Only with the harnessing of steam and electricity was the Californian or Floridan trip possible to the northerner. Who can say what the mastery of the air will produce within another century. Such thoughts should stimulate us in the study of bird movements — the migrations of these pastmasters in aeronautics. However, anyone who has become well launched in this study needs no such stimulant. Each recurring season he is refreshed by the return of familiar birds and thrilled with a glimpse of others that journey on to a more northern home. In the fall the southward journey completes the two movements known as bird migration — or rather I should reverse the order — the spring movement is the return home. Should it happen that certain birds, moving south in the fall, were to remain there, they would be emigrants from our point of view and immigrants from the southerner's viewpoint. Migra- tion entails a return journey. In this latitude the spring migration may be said to commence in February and finish in June; while the fall migration commences in July and extends into the winter, making an almost continuous move- ment of one sort or another, throughout the year, with the exception of three or four weeks during June and July, which marks the height of the nest- ing season in the north. Thus the fall migration covers late summer, autumn, and early winter, and the term is one of convenience as it marks the height of the movement. To the novice, who has watched the return of birds in the spring for the first time, there is a vast difference in watching their fall departure. If you consider merely the facility in naming birds as they pass and repass, the spring time is the most favor- able for observation. In the first place, after our long winter we are eagerly awaiting the birds that we associate with warmer weather, and so most northerners are to some extent familiar with the ap- pearance of our common birds in spring, although it is often the song that is welcomed — if it were not for the song many birds might escape notice. When recording the return of our summer resident birds one has these advantages. The bird is in full plumage (with rare exceptions) limited at most to two phases (male and female) ; it is generally in song, and one is more keenly on the lookout for it. Familiarity with the bird throughout the summer begets carelessness about its departure and the last birds are apt to slip away unnoticed. On the other hand those that merely pass through this district to nest farther north are often in a hurry — they may linger in the states to the south, but when this lati- tude is reached they appear to have an important ap- pointment elsewhere and we miss seeing many of them. In the fall these northerners are more leisurely ; the call to move south is seldom so insistent and we have more opportunity to watch them. Again, they keep more in the open — one sees birds of the deep woods right at his door-step. Many times before starting on an all-day walk I have taken a prelim- inary survey in my garden, and have seen there the rarest birds of the day. The feature that makes fall study at once a delight and a torment is the many different plumages often found in one species. Thus we may see juvenile birds changing into first fall plumage, those of an earlier brood that have already assumed fall dress, and adult birds in various stages of moult, all in the same flock. If, as is often the case, you are watching a mixed flock of birds that contains species with close resemblances and all in constant motion, confusion may reign. In regard to classifying birds the disadvantages in studying fall migration are chiefly, comparative absence of song and greater variation of plumage ; The Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. while the advantages are a greater tendency on the part of many forest birds to come into the open, and to linger in orchards and gardens, even in the heart of the city. This fact gives us at least one distinct and much needed advantage. During the height of the spring migration (April and May) there is a plentiful supply of water in the shape of surface pools and running streams, and the weather is cool. During the corresponding period of the fall migration (August and September) the country is much drier; few surface pools are found and the average tem- perature is higher. I well remember one late summer's day, several years ago, passing through a small wood and hearing the call of some chickadees. As the chickadees were moving in my direction I awaited them to see what their travelling companions might be. Nature lovers generally are well aware of the chickadee's sociable nature during migration. Very soon I heard faint isips and iseeps, and saw the vanguard of a flock of warblers and other birds. Instead of flitting past in the tree tops, they dropped to the ground about twenty-five feet away in a small glade where I joined them and found the ground about a small water hole literally covered with birds, all pressing forward for a drink and a bath. Others kept continually dropping to the ground and I soon counted a dozen species with scarcely any trouble, a contract that might have taken hours of observa- tion under ordinary circumstances. I found that this was the only supply of water in the vicinity and I was so impressed with the ad- vantage of being enabled to view the birds from all angles at close range that I went home, resolved to build a bath in my garden. I merely dug out a shallow basin beneath a spruce tree a few feet from the dining-room window, and lined it with concrete. Since then I have been enabled to watch birds and dine at the same time. I must admit that it is sometimes a source of uneasiness to members of my family, alhough latterly some of them have become so interested in watching, for instance, a robin hold- ing the bath against all comers, that they, too, have forgotten the more immediate purpose of the dining- room. The study of migration is very exacting — pleasur- ably so. If one is keen to identify all of the pass- ing birds he is liable to be dubbed a crank. I am constantly making observations from a car window, often to the disgust of my travelling companion, who may be in the midst of an anecdote. One cannot always choose ornithologically inclined company, and further one is loath to lose the psychological moment for an observation that may never occur again. Then there is the desire to give pleasure to another or rather to share the pleasure of your dis- covery with another. Some weeks ago (Oct. 6) while half-asleep about midnight, I became suddenly alert at the repeated calls of a screech owl, coming in through my open window. I was so overjoyed that I immediately awakened my brother. On the night of Oct. 14, about the same time, I could scarce believe myself awake when I heard sch'rvet, sch'xvet, from the garden. Actually a saw-whet owl saw- whetting right under my window. On this occasion experienced warned me to restrain my enthusiasm and I listened alone. With regard to the screech owl, it seems to me that it is becoming more common in this district ; that there is an apparent movement from south to north. Previously I had seen it oc- casionally, but this season I found i;s nest once and heard its notes on three occasions; once at St. Lam- bert, once at Lacolle, and again near Chambly. I have also heard other reports of its presence in other localities near Montreal. I cannot imagine why it was called screech owl — perhaps the original namer had conjured some terrible apparition after a bad fright and named it after his emotions. To me it sounds a soft, tremulous rvhe-e-^ou-ou-ou, repeated at short intervals. When making the bath in the garden I thought, perhaps selfishly, that if my neighbor's gardens had no greater attractions than my own, in the matter of food and protection, my garden would still have to its credit a bird bath and drinking pool, which would attract some of my neighbor's birds. This it has done, and further, it has been the means of pro- longing their stay. However, I did not carry my selfishness to an extreme and have since induced some of my neighbors to instal bird baths. As previously stated, the great advantage of the bath is that it brings the birds to the ground and enables you to see distinctly the markings cf the upper plumage — an impossible feat when birds are in the top foliage of trees. This is especially true of warblers. Often in the fall when the yellowing leaves are drifting it is even difficult to say which are leaves and which are warblers. Moreover, I can safely say that it would be possible for me to follow the fall migration of most of our small perch- ing birds without leaving the vicinity of the bird bath. I call it a bath instead of drinking pool, because as a bath I count it a greater attraction, as most birds can obtain sufficient water for drink- ing purposes from the beads of dew found in early morning on leaves and grass blades. As it would take too much space to discuss the fall migration in all of its phases I am going to speak more par- ticularly of these garden visitors that can be ob- served by anyone who has a yard with vegetation, at a maximum cost of fifty cents and an hour's January, 1920] The Canadian Field-Naturalist labor. Of course you will have the trouble of keeping the bath filled with water, but with a gar- den hose it is a simple matter. It has been my custcm for several seasons to spend a few moments daily watching this bath. Even five minutes will give surprising results. In comparison with field notes, I find that the col- lective results give a fairly accurate idea of the birds prevailing at any time, except during very wet or cold weather. After the middle of July, when vegetation is be- ginning to lose its bloom, and the cicadas are com- mencing to sing, I look in my garden for the first signs of migration. There are already arrivals to be seen along the beaches, such as certain shorebirds that start south early in July, but I am going to confine myself to birds that may be found in gardens. At this time you will find the usual concourse of summer resident garden birds at the bath — such as song and chipping sparrows, catbirds, robins, red- eyed vireos, wood peewees, yellow warblers, al- ways the domestic sparrow, and possibly the Balti- more oriole, if it has not already effected its usual mysterious disappearance. Here is a chance for investigation. We know there is a period when the oriole stops singing in the garden, but does it really leave? There seems to be no direct evidence on this point. In the lot adjoining our garden there are some huge elm trees, that might harbor dozens of orioles in the dense foliage of the upper branches. I have caught glimpses of them there, also of wood pewees, catbirds, robins, and vireos, at times when their absence from the garden proper was very ap- parent. Go to the woods at this time and you will find a corresponding scarcity of birds. Occasion- ally ycu will get a glimpse of vireo, flycatcher, or warbler, feeding young in the upper foliage, but where are the many birds one saw earlier in the season? Are they, too, sitting motionless in the tops of the trees? Comparatively few of them have com- menced to migrate. A little later when they com- mence to appear in force in our gardens we know the reason for the deserted woods. Perhaps the fact that there is little to attract us to the woods in late July and August is responsible for our lack of knowledge in regard to the habits of moulting birds. True, there are fewer mosquitoes, but I find the im- mense numbers of spiders that spin their webs every- where, even a greater nuisance. When I note the inactivity of birds during the moulting period, I am reminded of the custom of human beings at Easter. After wearing out their old clothes during the winter there is a blaze of color and activity on Easter morning. However, we cannot draw parallels between the habits of birds and human beings. There is probably a more vital reason for the retiring habits of buds during the moulting season. For one thing their loosening feathers and ragged plumage may induce a distaste for flight. They may feel handicapped in the struggle with their enemies and so remain in seclus- ion until new feathers have replaced the old. What- ever the reason for the oriole's disappearance we know that for about two weeks during the latter part of July they do not sing in our gardens. I usually hear them again at the end of July or beginning of August. We have, in St. Lambert, a flock of bronzed grackles that nest in the neighborhood and often visit the garden. I have come to the conclusion that the grackle does considerable damage in gardens, al- though I have never had the heart to disturb them. For instance, my corn suffered. A year ago I planted it in shallow drills and the blackbirds promptly ate it. This year I planted it so deeply that it rotted in the wet soil. Later, they turned their attention to the peas and ripped open some of the pods. However, I am repaid to some extent by their increasing tameness. They are not greatly ad- dicted to bathing — they merely splash noisily through the water in their course over the lawn. Once my sister called attention to a new bird in the bath. It was merely another grackle, a high plumage male, with an exceptional sheen of bronze and bluish-green on its head and back, in great contrast to some sober colored females nearby. One of the first signs of a bird movement is the appearance of an occasional downy woodpecker in the garden. I have never seen this bird enter the bath, but have seen individuals clinging to a spruce tree near it and evidently thoroughly enjoying a shower from the garden hose. When in a hurry to discover what birds are in the garden I sometimes arrange the hose so that a fine spray falls over the bath and spruce tree. This quickly attracts most birds and it is much enjoyed by otherwise diffident bathers. I have frequently watched that model of industry, the downy woodpecker, as it examined the spruce tree for larvae, suddenly stop as it reached the arc of the spray, fluff out its feathers and settle down for a bath. The birds that I usually see next are the redstarts in various plumages — family parties that have nested in the vicinity (they never nest in the garden). The redstart, like most of the warblers, is a great bather. It usually appears between August 5 and 16, and is closely followed by black and white and chestnut- sided warblers. Most of these early comers are still in family parties. The black and white warbler is especially fond of a good bath. I have seen one, with a mixed lot of warblers, settle down in the shallow water and remain for several minutes after The Canadian Fieljj-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. the others had sought a perch to sun and preen themselves. Last year (1918) the myrtle warbler was the first migrant warbler seen in the garden, arriving on July 31. In 1919 they were first noted on August 10, which is nearer the average time. I can usually find a few in the garden on any day after their arrival until late in October. Occasionally a few remain after the first of November. This bird is the first migrant to come from a distance (referring only to garden visitors). Their nearest nesting haunt that I know of is in the Laurentian hills. The water-thrush is one of the earliest birds to come, as is also the Canadian warbler. I never see many of the latter, but the water-thrush is a regular visitor. As is well known it is one of our thrush- like warblers, resembling the ovenbird, but lacking the orange crown-patch. It can always be dis- tinguished from the ovenbird by its sew-saw walk, very similar to that of the spotted sandpiper. I seldom see the ovenbird in the garden ; it is one of the few of the smaller birds that keeps almost en- tirely to the woods, but the water-thrush delights in inspecting moist lawns. It is not a great bather, but loves the vicinity of the bath. Even though in- doors I usually know of his presence — his loud clinl( or cleen^ has a very penetrating quality, and I generally come out to watch this daintily marked "tip-up" as he zig-zags down a spruce limb and in- spects the wet lawn before taking a light bath. In its summer home the water-thrush lives in the sha- dows— in the cool wet woods — and in the garden, too, it is more active during the twilight of early morning and late afternoon, and is generally the last to bathe. The sew-saw motion of the water-thrush, and certain other birds, has always excited my curiosity. The semipalmated sandpiper, almost wholly a bird cf the beach (during migration), follows the shore line by little runs and never bobs its body. Continual necessity for rapid action in avoiding the incoming waves may be responsible for this mode of advance. This small sandpiper keeps to the shore level and avoids boulders and other obstacles in its path. On the other hand the spotted and solitary sandpiper and the pipit, when feeding on the beach, generally examine the tops and boulders. It seems probable that similarity in feeding habits is responsible for the bobbing motion common to these three birds. Did the water-thrush acquire its similar motion in a like manner and has it only re- cently left a water habitat for the woods? Watch a spotted or solitary sandpiper as it flies from stone to stone in the bed of some swift-flowing brook, bal- ances a moment on the polished slippery surface, and creeps to the edge in its search for food amongst the clinging mosses, and you will readily perceive one reason by which the "tip-up" may have acquired its motion. Even a sandpiper may not relish an unpremeditated ducking. The balancing of the spotted sandpiper is the most pronounced, while the solitary bobs spasmodically, as befits a sand- piper that has adopted the habit of rearing its young in trees, although it has not yet learned the art of nest-building. Often the bay-breasted warbler is amongst the first arrivals. They are always in flocks and by the time they appear the fall moult is almost if not quite complete. It is difficult to reconcile their fall dress with that of the spring. About the only recognition marks to be distinctly seen are the white wing bars and spots on the outer tail feathers and these marks are common to other species. Here is where the value of the bath is felt. If you look closely you can usually make out a little bay color on the sides, sometimes deepening to chestnut, according to the age or sex of the individual. This will serve to distinguish it from the young of the black-poll which often associates with the bay- breasted and which it resembles closely. I have watched these birds carefully during the past few years and have come to the conclusion that the bay- breasted far outnumbers the black-poll, at least in this district during the fall migration. It is a pretty sight to see the bright yellowish-green backs of half- a dozen or more of these birds as they bathe in per- fect harmony. The bay-breasted warbler comes early and remains late and is one of the most com- mon fall garden visitors. In 1919 they were noted from August 20 until September 21. The Cape May, Magnolia, Nashville, and Ten- nessee warblers follow more or less closely. It seems almost unreal to see a Tennessee warbler composedly bathing a few feet away, it is quite a contrast to watching them in their nesting haunts where they seldom approach closer to you than the tip of some dead bleached limb, fifty feet or more from the ground. Then the male bird's breast feathers were a dazzling white, now they are a dusky yellow or yellowish-white. On Aug. 10 this year I saw the first white- throated sparrow in the garden, but they did not become common until the second week in September. They were always to be seen from that time until late in October. Most of the sparrows are fond of bathing, but are not as energetic about it as the warblers. Vireos are much less given to bathing. They are usually content to perch beneath the spray and allow the mist to fall over them. Often they will dive through it and occasionally take a proper dip in the bath. The red-eyed vireo is found in the garden January. 1920] The Canadian Field-Naturalist thrcughout the summer, sometimes until October. The warbling vireo is less common, while the sol- itary and Philadelphia are rare visitors. I have only one record for the latter — August 11 (1918). It is a beautiful little bird, much smaller than the red-eyed vireo, and with a great deal of greenish- yellow in its make-up. I watched it glide along the elm twigs until it seemed a part of the foliage and melted from view. The pursuit of its prey — the small hairless caterpillars, lying inactive in the curled-up elm leaves — called for a smooth, un- hurried progress. These caterpillars are very at- tractive to other vireos and especially to the Balti- more oriole. Flycatchers act much like vireos toward the bath. The wood peewee takes an occasional bath, but more often simply flies from perch to perch, back and forth through the spray. It is loath to remain long away from its beloved perch. Dab- bling in a bath gives opportunity neither to flip its tail nor snap up passing insects. Another speedy bather is the ruby-throated hum- mingbird. I have never seen it do more than dive through the spray at the usual rapid gait. The ruby-throat is a color specialist. I have not known it to nest in the garden, but it often visits us during August and September — even as late as Sept. 14; it is generally found about flowers of a reddish hue. Sometimes late flowering scarlet runners are its ob- jective; again the orange lily is chosen. This brings us well into September. 1 he yellow warbler has gone entirely. It disappears suddenly and very regularly about the end of August or dur- ing the first few days of September. As we are near the northern limit of this warb'er's range in the east, there are few arrivals from the north to take the place of departing local birds. The Maryland Yellow-throat is liable to visit the shrubbery at any time in September, but that is as far as it gets. I have never seen one bathe. Al- though August (in the garden) h essentially a warbler month, there are a few of them that I gen- erally fail to see before September — such as the black-throated blue, black-throated green, and yellow palm warblers. They stay here quite late but the myrtle outcomes and outstays them all. If August is a warbler month, then September might be called a sparrow and thrush month. Be- sides the robin and bluebird I have seen four of the true thrushes in my garden — Wilson's, olive-backed, gray-cheeked, and hermit — and all but the gray- cheeked bathed. The robin and the olive-backed thrush are especially fond of a bath and they bathe very thoroughly. The true thrushes arc mild- mannered, but the robin finds the bath all too small to permit of mixed bathing, and generally chases other birds away. Some of them are discouraged for a time, but not so with the song sparrow. I have often watched this persistent little fellow dodg- ing in and out, looking for an opening, until the larger birds finally vacated the bath. The robin has a far northern range, which is in- dicated by repeated influxes during September and October. One may fail to see them for a time and then some morning the lawn will be dotted with them. The lawn is the robin's market-place. I watched an amusing incident one day. A robin had just pulled a worm from its retreat and landed it safely on the ground when another robin darted up and seized it. It was amusing to see the wild chase that followed. The white-crowned sparrow usually arrives abcut Sept. 18, and can often be heard singing a low- voiced song. Never a boisterous singer, its fall song is especially subdued. Most of the sparrows are now in the midst of a song revival, but the songs are usually incomplete and faintly uttered; some- times a mere whisper of the spring song, and at other times quite different from it. As the weather becomes cooler the song often changes in volume and quality until frequently the full spring song is uttered. Many birds sing but a portion of the mating song. The Tennessee warbler, for instance, gives only about half of its full song, but it can always be recognized by the piercing insistence of the climax note. Little appears to be known as to what pro- portion of these unfinished songs is the product of mature and immature birds. Much might be learned in regard to subspecific relations from a study ol immature birds' songs. About the time of the white-crown's arrival there IS an influx of chipping sparrows ' from the north, and the purple finch is Hable to visit the garden al any time in September. Both of these birds arc fond of a bath. Red-breasted nuthatches are seer about Sept. 16, closely followed by the brown creeper, ruby-crowned kinglet, and an occasional winter wren. I have only once seen the winter wren bathe and it scclded all of the time. The creeper is the busiest bird I have ever seen. It is incessantly on the hunt for its daily bread and must consume an immense amount of insect eggs and larvae. Up to the top of one tree and away to the foot of another, there is always another tree and never time for a bath. It does not relax even to sing; it is noted foi Its lack of song. I have heard it but once, curiously enough not in the depths of its woodland home, bul in a garden on the main street of St. Lambert, during a drizzling rain— a very sweet song that took me some time to locate, owing to the ventriloquial qua!- The Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. ity of the creeper's voice and the bark-like appear- ance of its plumage. September finishes with an occasional visit from a yellow-bellied sapsucker or blue jay and the ar- rival of the first batch of slate-colored juncos. The jays never linger long, merely alight on the tops of the elms and away again. These elms offer an at- tractive resting place for birds of the open country. Once a sparrow hawk perched there; an occasional crow is seen in early morning, and meadowlarks often sing from the tip-top foliage. Red-winged blackbirds, too, sometimes rest there ; once I saw one of them bathe. About the beginning of October bands of restless golden-crowned kinglets visit the apple and cherry trees, as well as the evergreens, while an occasional white-breasted nuthatch prefers to examine the bark of the elms. A little later the black-capped chicka- dees come and tell me that migration is rapidly wan- ing. Though there are a few finches and others still in the garden, October is essentially a chickadee- kinglet month. The chickadees are the gleaners that follow in the wake of the earlier hosts of insect hunters. They are always followers rather than leaders Their pro- gress must need be slow if they would hunt out all of the tiny stages of insects that the others have over- looked in their haste. I sometimes wonder that there is an insect astute enough to hide its progeny from that army of keenly peering eyes. It seems to me that, not only each tree, but each twig and leaf is e.xamined many, many, times. The hermit thrush is more commonly seen now. On Oct. 13, 1919, at dawn I saw one taking a bath, or rather, I heard him in a varied repertoire as it was scarcely light enough to' see him distinctly. First he gave his usual chuch, followed by a whis- tled pheii, and then that nasal n'})ea, that the Wil- son's thrush delights in, and finally he sang in an extremely subdued tone. I had not been making a daily practice of arising at dawn but, heartened by hearing the hermit sing, I tried it again the following morning and saw a bird new to the garden, a fox sparrow, having a royal time all to itself in the bath and splashing noisily. At first I thought it another hermit, but the whir of the wings as it splashed spelt fox sparrow, and as it grew lighter I saw it distinctly — the first of this species I had seen in the garden. Towards the end of October, pine siskins, red- polls, and tree sparrows pay brief visits to the gar- den, and still later possibly grosbeaks and waxwings, but the bathing season is over. It is cold now and the birds do not feel the need of it The indomit- able song sparrow is still here in small nuTibers, and a few white-throats, juncoes, and robins, but the bulk has gone. November is mainly a chickadee month. What other birds there are have mostly retreated to the shelter of the woods. A list of the birds observed to actually rest in my garden, save two species, the saw-whet and the screech owl, which were plainly heard but not seen, is given below. Those designated by an asterisk used the bath, while several others were content with the spray. I have made no mention of birds seen passing overhead, such as swallows, swifts, nighthawks, and others. The lot on which these notes were made is situated in the town of St. Lambert (opposite Montreal), a quarter of a mile from the river shore. This lot is about one hundred feet square and contains lawn and garden with apple, cherry, ash, maple, elm, cedar and spruce trees. A favorable feature is a thicket of hawthorn and wild cherry in an adjoining lot. The list follows: sparrow hawk; screech and saw-whet owl; hairy and downy woodpecker; yel- low-bellied sapsucker; flicker; ruby-throated hum- mingbird; *wood peewee ; *least flycatcher; '^phoebe; kingbird; crow; blue jay; ^bronze grackle; *red-winged blackbird; cowbird; ^Balti- more oriole; meadowlark; evening grosbeak; pine grosbeak; redpoll; ^purple finch; ^goldfinch; ^domestic sparrow; '^^song, *white-throated, ^white- crowned, ^chipping, *fox, and tree sparrows; ^slate- colored junco; *black and white, ^black-poll, *bay- breasted, *black-throated blue, ^black-throated green, *Cape May, ^yellow, ^yellow palm, *Ten- nessee, ^Nashville, ^chestnut-sided, ^myrtle, ^magnolia, and Canadian warblers; yellow-throat, ^redstart, ovenbird, and ^water-thrush; ^red-eyed, solitary, Philadelphia, and warbling vireos; *cat- bird ; ruby-crowned, and golden-crowned kinglets; ''^red-breasted. and white-breasted nuthatches; black-capped chickadee; brown-creeper; house, and ^winter wrens; ^Wilson's, gray-cheeked, ^olive- backed, and '"^hermit thrushes; ^robin ; and bluebird. THE RHOPALOCERA, OR BUTTERFLIES, OF HATLEY, STANSTEAD COUNTY, QUEBEC, 1919. By H. Mousley. In January of 1840 there was published in Lon- don a book entitled, "The Canadian Naturalist," written by P. H. Gosse, who afterwards became a Fellow of the Royal Society, and a well known author of works pertaining to invertebrate zoology. Gosse who was born in 1810, came to reside at Compton, a village some seven miles to the north- east of Hatley in 1835, and remained there For about three years. During that time he wrote the above book, which contains probably the first and only general account of the Rhopalocera and Het- erocera of this district. Of the first named I find there are twenty-five species and forms enumerated in the work. Of this number I have to-day verified twenty-three, be- sides adding another twenty, thus making a total in all of forty-five to the present day, certainly not a very large proportion of the si.\ hundred or more species to be found in North America, north of the Gulf of Mexico and the Rio Grande. Hatley, therefore, cannot be said to be nearly so rich in butterflies as it is in birds, for of the latter I have already recorded one hundred and seventy-five species, or nearly one quarter of all those known to inhabit the United States and Canada. Before proceeding further, however, it may be well to state that my data regarding the butterflies has been gathered casually during the past nine years, whilst pursuing my favorite study of ornithology, and therefore the list does not profess to be final in any way, but may serve as a basis for further systematic work. Of the nine seasons referred to, the present one (1919) has been by far the most prolific, many species such as the Great Spangled and Silver-spot Fritillaries literally swarming, whilst the Yellow- spot and Tawny-edged skippers appeared in myr- iads, it being almost impossible to walk anywhere without putting them up in clouds. Apparently a similar state of things existed eighty years ago, for Gosse in his "The Canadian Naturalist," 1840, p. 228, says, "Among the clover blossoms, hundreds of little skippers are dancing in their peculiar jerk- ing way from flower to flower. The Yellow-spot (Pamphila pecl^ius) is abundant, and another species much resembling it, the Tawny-edged skipper (Pamphila cernes)." Other species such as the Red Admiral, Hunter's Butterfly and most of the Grap- tas (now genus Polygonia), were more numerous than usual, the hot, and for the most part humid weather of June and July, no doubt, accounting for this extra abundance. In seeming contrast to this profusion, however, might be noticed the un- usual scarcity of the Black Swallow-tail, as well as the total absence of the Monarch, both of these species being as a rule fairly plentiful. The country around Hatley is of an undulating character, the village itself standing at an elevation of 1,000 feet above the sea level, with Lake Mas- sawippi, a fine sheet of water, nine miles in length, and about one mile in width, lying on the western side. It is between this lake and the village, that most of my records have been made, and I know of no species on the eastern side of the village, that cannot be found on the western, although a few are somewhat more abundant on the former side. Of the nine families of butterflies represented in the United States and Canada, namely, Papilionidae, Pieridae, Danaidae, Satyridae, Nymphalidae, Liby- theidae, Riodinidae, Lycaenidae and Hesperiidae, all but two have been found at Hatley, the missing families being Libytheidae and Riodinidae. The Nymphalidae or "Brush-footed Butterflies," the largest of all the families of butterflies, is also the best represented here with twenty species, then fol- lows the Hesperiidae or "Skippers," with nine, the Lycaenidae or "Blues," "Coppers," and "Hair- streaks," with six, and the remaining four families with ten representatives. Most of these species are to be found generally distributed and in fair num- bers, but there are some that seem to call for special remarks, and I propose to deal with these, in the order in which they appear in the latest check list. The BI^CK swallow-tail, Papilio pol^xenes Fabr. In view of the general abundance of this species in most seasons, it is interesting to note what Gosse says about it in his "The Canadian Naturalist," 1840, p. 184: "Another species, the Black Swallow- tail (Papilio asterius), is likewise found in New- foundland and the Southern States, in both of which I have found it numerous, and I have seen it men- tioned in lists of New England insects, yet I have not met with it in this province. I should suppose, however, that it is a native, but probably, as in New- foundland, only appears plentifully in particular seasons." Considering that Gosse lived three years at Compton, we can only come to the conclusion, that he could hardly have passed it over, if it had been there in those days, for he records another of the same genus, the Tiger Swallow-tail, as being plentiful. 8 The Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. The cabbage butterfly, Pieris rapae Linn. I never go into my garden and see a host of these butterflies flying about the cabbages, without think- ing of the halcyon days that must have existed in Gosse's time, for he does not record this greatest of pests, although he mentions the Grey-vemed White. Surely the march of civilization brings a trail of evils in its wake! The clouded sulphur, Eurymus philodice Godt. This is a very common and well distributed species, being more plentiful, however, in some sea- sons, than in others. It is fond of congregating on moist places, especially on roads, where I have seen as many as fifty gathered together so closely, as to be almost touching one another. There are at least two broods, the first appearing in May, and the second in August, my dates for fresh examples ranging from May 15, to as late as Oct. 27. They vary considerably in size, several of the second breed especially, b;ing merely dwarfs, whilst many of the females are albinos, but I have never come across a melanic form of the male as yet. The pearly eye, Enodia porilandia Fabr. I only came across this species in 1918, and then only two examples were met with, one on July 31, and the other on Sept. 3. In the following year, con- ditions were evidently similar, for I only saw four examples between July 12 and 17, so that it is evidently an uncommon species here. In "The Canadian Naturalist," Gosse, 1840, p. 246, there is an illustration of it drawn by the author himself, who speaks of it as a rarity here in those days, al- though plentiful in the Southern States. The clouded wood-nymph, Cercyonis alope form nephele Kirby. Probably the present excep- tionally humid season, may have been responsible for my finding two male examples of this dimorphic variety of Cerc^onis alope, showing rather more yel- low on the fore wings than is quite typical, in fact a mild compromise between nephele and alope, Harris' Checker-spot, Melilaea harrisi Scud. Of the smaller crescent-spots this apparently is the rarest, there being only one meadow where I have taken it so far, and even there it seems to be very scarce, only one specimen being seen in 1918, and none during the present prolific season of 1919. Nycteis, Phyciodes nycteis Dbl. and Hew. As this little butterfly may be mistaken on the wing for Melilaea harrisi, with which it is often found flying, it is not so easy to define its exact status here, but so far as my experience goes, I have found it next to Harris' Checker-spot, to be the rarest of the smaller crescent-spots. I only came across one ex- ample in 1917, none in 1918, and only five during the present season. The violet tip, Polygonia interrogationis Fabr. Of the genus Pol^gonia, this is certainly the rarest species here, for I have only come across it this season (1919), and then only three examples have been noted, as against large numbers of P. comma and P. progTie. The green comma, Polygonia faunus Edw. Of the four Graptas (now genus Polygonia) men- tioned by Gosse, this is the only one that I have been unable to verify so far, which seems some- what strange, in view of the fact that the present season (1919), has been an exceptionally good one for the other members of this interesting genus. The compton tortoise, Aglais j-album Bdv. and Lee. This large and handsome butterfly, al- though having a wide range, is more or less uncom- mon everywhere, and its numbers at Hatley of late years, seem to be on the decrease if anything, al- though in July, 1911, it was quite common on the "meadow road" to the east of the village, which at that time was bordered by willow trees (on which the larvae feed) most of which, however, have since been cut down. Apparently there are two forms of the underside, one dark and the other light, but probably this difference is only sexual, the males being the brighter colored. Hunter's butterfly, Vanessa virginiensis Dru. Until the year 1918, I had always looked upon this handsome butterfly as being particularly scarce here, but during June, August and September, quite a number of specimens were observed, probably owing to its being a good year for the species, the same as 191 1 was for Aglais j-album. The hot summer of 1919 seems to have suited it also, for its numbers have been even greater than in the previous year. Gosse does not record it in his work, nor yet the still more showy Red Admiral. The painted lady, Vanessa cardui Linn. Ap- parently this is an uncommon, if not a somewhat rare butterfly here, as I have never come across it until the present year (1919), and then only four examples have been noted, one on Aug. 7, and the other three at the end of September. The banded purple, Basilarchia arthemis Dru. This beautiful butterfly is fairly well distributed, and may be found from about June 1 1 to the middle of July, although I have seen worn specimens at the end of the latter month. Gosse in "The Canadian Naturalist," 1840, p. 306, however, records an example as late as September 4, which he con- cludes was only an occasional straggler, or one of an unusual late hatching. The viceroy, Basilarchia archippus Cram. This handsome butterfly mimics the Monarch (Danaus archippus Fab.), and is one of the most striking cases of mimicry, which occurs in our fauna. It is by no January, 1920] The Canadian Field- Naturalist means plentiful here, only very few examples having been met with each season, and these for the most part on the roadside. During the present excep- tional season (1919), I have only seen it once, on Aug. 7 The ACADIAN HAIR-STREAK, Strymon acaclica Edw. Prior to the present year (1919) this was the only hair-streak I had met with at Hatley. I first found it in 1914 on the roadside, about two miles to the south of the village, but only in very limited numbers. From that date onwards 1 lost sipht of it until July of the present year (1919), when I found it again in the same locality, but in rather increased numbers. The striped hair-streak, Strymon Uparops Bdv. and Lee. This is generally considered a somewhat rare little butterfly wherever it occurs, which remark is certainly true of it at Hatley, for I have never seen it until the present season (1919), and then only in two or three places, along the same roadside that the Acadian Hair-streak frequented. The two species were flying together, from about July 9-14 in about equal limited numbers. The wanderer, Feniseca tarquinius Fabr. This apparently is another rare little butterfly here, for I have only come across two specimens of it so far, one on June 8, 1917, and the other on May 25, 1918. Only one species of the genus is known. While it is true that almost all the larvae of lepidoptera subsist upon vegetable food, neverthe- less there are exceptions, one of which is the present species, whose slug-like larvae feed upon the woolly aphid of the alder. The spring azure, Lycaenopsis pseudargiolu:, form marginaia Edw. Prior to the spring of 1919, I had only come across the form marginata, of this very polymorphic species, although Gcsse in "The Canadian Naturalist," 1840, p. 123, speaks of it as Polyommatiis lucia, by which it might be as- sumed he refers to the form lucia Kirby, and was unacquainted with marginaia. Both lucia and marginaia are winter forms, coming from chrysahds which have lived through the winter and are the first to appear in early spring. As already in- dicated, I have found marginata to be by far the commonest form, two examples only of luc:a having been taken in May of the present year, 1919. The black skipper (Thymele brizo?) This name was used by Gosse on page 184 of his work. The reference may possibly be referable to the Sleepy Dusky-wing (Thanaos brizo Bdv. and Lee), although the note of interrogation might al- low of its being placed under Thanaos icelus Lint.. (The Dreamy Dusk-wing), which latter I hav> found to be not uncommon here, whereas brizo is out of its habitat. The arctic skipper, Carlerocephalus oalaemon Pall. This little skipper, which is totally unlike any other species in the fauna, is described by Gosse in "The Canadian Naturalist," 1840, p. 219, as very rare near Ccmpton, and I had held a similar view regarding it at Hatley, until June 4, 1918, when I first came across it in an open space in the centre of a little swampy wood, about a mile or rather more, to the north of the village. Later on I found it m some marshy ground, adjoining the meadow road to the east of the village, and in several other places as well. It seems strange I should never have come across it before, unless the above year was an exceptional one for the species, which I think it must have been, seeing that I have failed to come across it again during the present season (1919), (which might be described as a "skipper" year), when all the other members of the family have been unusually abundant. The long-dash, PoUtes mystic Scud. So far I am unable to say very much about this skippei, having only come across it for the first time during the present season (1919). In point of numbers, however, it was nothing to be compared with those of the smaller members of the genus, such as ihe Yellow-spot and Tawney-edged skippers, besides which its distribution seemed much more restricted. The dun skipper, Euphyes vestris Bdv. This is another skipper whose presence was undetected until the present year, and looking to the general difficulty of capture, and identification in the field, I think this family probably offers more scope for additions to the Hatley list, than any other. As with the Long-dash, I am unable to say very much about its status, except that its distribution was more restricted, and numbers even less, than those of the former. Possibly the remark in my paper on the Orchids of Hatley (OTTAWA NATURALIST, Vol. XXXII, 1919, No. 8, pp. 144-147) that the possibilities of the place had only been touched upon, so far as regards those lovely flowers, may apply equally well here to the butterflies, and that before long others will be found able and willing to extend the fol- lowing list, the nomenclature of which is the same as that used by Barnes and McDunnough in their Check List of the Lepidoptera of Boreal America. List of the butterflies of Hatley, 1919. papilionidae. *The Black Swallow-tail, Papilio polyxenes Fabr. The Tiger Swallow-tail, Papilio glaucus canadensis R. and J. PIERIDAE. The Grey-veined White, Pieris napi Linn. *The Cabbage Butterfly, Pieris rapae Linn. The Clouded Sulphur, Eurymus philodice Godt. The Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. DANAIDAE. The Monarch, Danaus archippus Fabr. SATYRIDAE. The Pearly Eye, Enodia porilandia Fabr. *The Little Wood-satyr, Cissio euryius Fabr. The Eyed Brown, Salyrodes canihus Linn. *The Clouded Wood-nymph, Cerc\)onis alope form nephele Kirby. NYMPHALIDAE. The Great Spangled Fritillary, Argynnis c^bele Fabr. The Silver-spot Fritillary, Arg\;nms aphrodite Fabr. The Silver Bordered Fritillary, Brenihis myTina Cram. *Meadcw Fritillary, Brenthis bellona Fabr. The Baltimore, Euphydyras phaeton Dru. ^Harris' Checker-spot, Melitaea harrisi Scud. *Nycteis, Phyciodes nycteis Dbl. and Hew. The Pearl Crescent, Phyciodes tharos Dru. The Violet Tip, Polygonia interrogationis Fabr. Hop-merchant, Polygonia comma form dryas Edw. **The Green Comma, Polygonia faunus Edw. The Gray Comma, Polygonia progne Cram. The Compton Tortoise, Aglais j-album Bdv. and Lee. The American Tortoise-shell, Aglais milherii Godt. The Mourning Cloak, Aglais aniiopa Linn. *The Red Admiral, Vanessa atalanta Linn. ^Hunter's Butterfly, Vanessa virginiensis Dru. ''^The Painted Lady, Vanessa cardui Linn. The Banded Purple, Basilarchia arihemis Dru. *The Viceroy, Basilarchia archippus Cram. LYCAENIDAE. *The Acadian Hair-streak, Strymon acadica Edw. *The Striped Hair-streak, Strymon liparops Bdv. and Lee. *The Wanderer, Feniseca arquinius Fabr. The American Copper, Heodes hypophlaeas Bdv. The Spring Azure, Lycaenopsis pseudargiolus form marginaia Edw.* and form lucia Kirby. HESPERIIDAE. *The Northern Dusky-wing, Cocceius pylades Scud. *The Dreamy Dusky-wing, Thanaos icelus Lint. **The Black Skipper (Thymele hrizo?) The Arctic Skipper, Carter ocephalus palaemon Pall. The Tawny-edged Skipper, Polites cernes Bdv. and Lee. *The Long-dash, Polites mystic Scud. The Yellow Spot, Polites pecl^ius Kirby. ^The Hobomok Skipper, Poanes hobomot( Harris. ■^The Dun Skipper, Euphyes vestris Bdv. "Xot recorded by Go.sse. *''Recordf>d by Gosse but not yet -^ erified. A RARE FUNGUS NEW TO CANADA By W. S. Odell. While collecting fungi in the vicinity of Ot- tawa during the past year, for the Victoria Memorial Museum, one of the earliest forms found was the edible morel, Morchella esculenta Pers. Shortly after snow had left the ground and before leaves appeared on the trees and shrubs, its dark olive green or brownish cone was seen protruding a few inches above ground. It is fairly common, growing usually in damp situations, and lasts during May and part of June if the weather is favorable. Any- one who has seen this peculiar fungus will remem- ber and readily recognize it. It belongs to the order Ascomycetes, family Helvellaceae, and differs from mushrooms, puff balls, etc., in the manner in which its spores are borne. In mushrooms the reproduc- tive bodies called spores, are borne, four in number, on ends of club-shaped bodies called basidia, cover- ing both sides of the gills. The spores which are the seeds of the mushroom, are of various sizes; they are microscopic, but may be seen en masse by placing a specimen on black paper, tightly covered with a glass jar to prevent air currents. After a few hours the paper will be covered with a whitish deposit, which consists of spores in inconceivable numbers. Spores are dispersed by the wind ; some fall to the ground, and in process of time, it may be months, often years, produce under proper con- ditions, tiny thread-like jointed strands called "spawn" by gardeners, which grow through the substance on which the plant feeds. A familiar form occurs in white mould often seen on vegetables or on bread, and is better known as mycelium. It may be found by digging up young mushrooms or under matted leaves or in much decayed logs in the woods, permeating every part. In fact the mycelium is mainly responsible for the rapid decay of wood, and causes much loss annually to standing timber. While in the form of threads mycelium is the vegetative stage of the mushroom. When the fruit- ^ ing stage begins, small knobs appear on these strands, ^O" minute at first, varying from the size of a pinhead/^J January, 1920] The Canadian Field-Naturalist 11 Fig. 1, :Morehella esculenla; 2. Morchella esculenta. section: 3, Moichella bispora; 4 Morchella bispora. showing partitions (!»); o. Morchella bispora, showing mycelium (M). ]Z The Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. to that of a pea, growing larger all the while, mak- ing their way to the surface of the ground, when if conditions are favorable mushrooms will mature in a short time. The cap or pileus of a mushroom is the expanded part; on its under side are gills or lamellae, thin plates radiating from the stem to margin of the pileus, affording a foundation on which club-shaped cells stand parallel to each other. The entire sur- face of the lamellae is covered with these cells, called basidia. In Ascomycetes, including morels, the distmctive feature consists of spores enclosed m a long cylin- drical tube or ascus. Like mushrooms, morels con- sist of two prominent parts, stem or stipe, and cap or pileus; but are very unlike them in general ap- pearance. The pileus varies much in form being conical, ovate, rounded, bell-shaped, or cylindrical, and is always pitted. These depressions are usually regular, covering the entire outer surface, and are separated from each other by ridges with rounded blunt edges, thus forming a network assuming a honeycombed appearance. Unlike mushrooms, the upper or exterior surface is the spore bearing part in morels, and spore sacs are developed on both ridges and depressions. The pileus is hollow, closed at the apex, and attached throughout its length to the sides of the stipe. In color it varies from shades of olive, to greenish brown, and light ochre yellow. Its stipe is hollow and continuous with the cavity of the pileus. It is stout, smooth, but covered with minute granular par- ticles, and varies from Yz to I inch in diameter. Its spores as before mentioned contained in an ascus, are smooth, hyaline, elliptical, standing obliquely, eight in a continuous row, varying in size from 19 to 22 microns long by 1 1 microns wide. The plant is from 2 to 4 inches high, but is often found larger. The rare species referred to in the title of this article, namely Morchella bispora Sor., or the Two- spored morel, is a morel somewhat similar to the one described, but unlike it in several distinctive characteristics. Its surface is reticulated, with ndges running in a more regular longitudinal man- ner, and differs in having its pileus free from stipe along lower margin, but is attached to it at its apex. Its main difference, however, lies in the fact that its ascus contains only two exceedingly long spores, while all other morels have eight. The pileus is dark greenish brown in color, 1 to 1 1/2 inches long by 1 to 1% inches wide. Its stipe is stuffed with a pithy substance, at intervals of one-half inch, form- ing partitions, leaving hollow spaces between. It is cylindrical, very fragile, tapering to apex, straight, often slightly curved, easily separating from pileus, having base covered with a thick floccose substance readily rubbed off. In size it is from 4 to 5 inches long, and from J/2 to ^ of an inch thick, at widest part. Its spores are cream or light yellow, faintly granular, two in an ascus, often slightly curved, fairly uniform in width, exceedingly variable in length. They are narrowly-oblong, size 52-62 microns long by 14 to 17 microns wide. Morchella bUpora grows singly, under open hardwood trees, in rocky soil, among leaves; height from 4 to 6 inches. A few plants were found in Gilmour's grove, Chelsea, Que. ; two in Arm- strong's bush near Green's creek, and six in Bill- ings' bush, both of these latter localities being in the province of Ontario, near Ottawa. After May 15, no more specimens were seen. Possibly if the sur- rounding woods were systematically searched in early spring, the range of its habitat might be ex- tended. Considerable interest is attached to this species partly on account of its rarity, but mainly I fi 6 7 8 Fig. 6, Basidium of Coprinus comatu.s (A. spores: St., sterigmata: B, basitiium): 7, ascus of Morchella esculenta (A, spores): 8. ascus of Morchella bispora (A, spores). All highly magnified. because there is no record of its having been pre- viously found in Canada. All morels are edible, and in the writer's estima- tion surpass all other kinds of mushrooms, as a choice article of diet. They are not found in large numbers in the district of Ottawa, but are general around suburbs of the city in such places as the edges of woods, in grass, and in shady places. They have been found at Rcckcliffe, at the Rifle Range, ExperimenLal Farm, High Bridge over Rideau river, Wychwood, Lake Flora, and in the woods south of Lemay's lake. There seems to be a popular misconception re- garding the food value of mushrooms. From articles appearing in newspapers, one would be led to infer that their food value is high — that they could take the place of our staple foods, wheat, beans, Hour or meat. Investigation proves that their edible value is not so high as is supposed. Careful analyses have been made of many species, and while there is con- January, 1920] The Canadian Field- Naturalist •13 siderable variation in composition, the average is 85 to 90 per cent water and 10 per cent solid matter. In Morchella esculenta it is 89.54 per cent water, 10.46 solid matter; in the cultivated mush- room, Agaricus campeslris, 91.8 per cent water, 8.2 per cent solid matter. This would place them on a par with cabbages and turnips, which are not generally considered as being highly nutritious. Large quantities of edible mushrooms go to waste every summer. This is to be regretted since they are easily accessible. While some mushrooms have an indifferent taste, most are of fine flavor, and would repay the trouble taken in collecting them. If their value as a delicacy were more generally known, sufficient numbers could be found all through summer, at the cost of a little exertion, to furnish an appetizing relish for many a meal. Thanks are due to the late Mr. J. M. Macoun, Botanist of the Victoria Memorial Museum, for the photographs from which the accompanying plate has been made and to Prof. John Dearness, London, Ont., for identification of specimens. A FABLE OF TO-DAY. By Ralf Ranger. Once upon a time there was an Old Naturalist. He was quite a good Old Naturalist too, and if you look in many of the books you will find many observations and the results of interesting and im- portant investigations credited to him, and not a few monographs bear his name as author. After some further years of work this Old Naturalist was about to write a book dealing with a good many different forms of animal life. One day he went up to a big museum and introduced himself to Mr. Flittin Nomen, the young expert in charge of the ornithological section. "Ah, yes, sir," said Mr. Flittin Nomen, "I am extremely glad to meet you. I have always ad- mired your monograph on Planesiicus migratorius." "Pardon me, but I could not have been the author of the work you refer to. I do not even know the species of which you speak." "Yes, yes, but I mean your monograph on the American Robin." "Oh, the American Robin. But is not the name Merula migratoria .- ' "It has not been called Merula migratoria for a long, long time, for four years at the very least," said Mr. Flittin Nomen. "Your account of the habits of Dendroica fusca, too, I have always held in very high esteem." "Dendroica fusca? I thought that I knew the genus Dendroica pretty well, but I know of no such species. "It used to be called Dendroica blacl^burniae, but not for a long time, not for the last three years certainly. And you know," said Mr. Flittin No- men, his eyes brightening, "it is really not worth your while learning the name fusca for this species, for I have recently made a great discovery — I have found that the specific name alba really has prior- ity. That is the name used in the work published a week before the publication of fusca and con- sequently— " "But this species is not white'' exclaimed the Old Naturalist. "Oh, that doesn't matter a bit, alha has priority by a whole weelf; — think of that! It took me a long time, and much very careful research, to make sure of the exact week of publication of the two works, but I have confirmed it, and am proud to say that I have thus been able to make a very valuable contribution to science. I know that in the old days it was supposed that a scientific name should be in some degree descriptive of the species, or at least should not be entirely misleading in its significance, but that idea is now entirely out of fashion. Alba is undoubtedly a lapsus calmi, but that doesn't matter either, it has priority, and that's the thing." "But is there no such thing as a nomen con- servenda, thus allowing a name which has become thoroughly established to remain?" "I believe there used to be, in ancient tim.es. but such absurd ideas are entirely out of date." The Old Naturalist turned to go. "So very glad to have met you," said Mr. Flittin Nomen," and I can give you a bit of advance in- formation. I believe that I can prove that Melos- piza IS untenable for the Song Sparrows, and it should be Rubraspizella. It's really a very good job too, for they have been Melospiza long enough." "Truly, 'the letter of the law and not the spirit'," murmured the Old Naturalist as he wandered off in the direction of the entomological section. In the entomological section the Old Na'uralisl met the expert in charge. Dr. Changem Offen, and tried to converse with him, but as all the names the Old Naturalist used had to be dug up in a list of synonyms, there was little time left for discussion of life-histories, habits, habitats, economic status, and other points in which the Old Naturalist was interested, but which Dr. Changem Offen seemed to regard as of very secondary importance. 14 The Canadian Field- Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. The Old Naturalist wandered on to the mamma- logical section. Here he found the curator con- templating a tray of skins of the genus Microtus, while on the table lay a snigle specimen. After introducing himself, he enquired as to the identity of the specimen on the table. "I don't know what it is," said the curator. "In fact, I am afraid it is impossible to say. You see it has lost its label, and without the locality I am entirely unable to say to what subspecies it be- longs." "But, if you cannot tell what it is without a locality label, it can hardly be worth bothering about," said the Old Naturalist. "Oh, yes, indeed yes. That's not the point at all. If any two mammals come from different local- ities they must belong to different subspecies, whether we can see the differences or not, and we're all right, quite all right, as long as we have the labels." "I thought that subspecies were named to facil- itate reference, caused by climatic conditions, and that their chief interest lay in correlating these dif- ferences with the conditions under which they were produced. " "That, I know, used to be the old idea, but we have got far beyond that now, and we know that subspecies exist for each locality. It is a great im- provement on the old method and quite simple as long as we have the labels." The Old Naturalist left the curator hunting for his lost label, and proceeded to the botanical section. Here he introduced himself to Dr. Synn O'Nymm Seeker, Chief Taxonomist of the Order Rosales. "I used at one time," said the Old Naturalist, "to be interested in the genus Crataegus. What is the situation in that genus at the present time?" "The genus Crataegus?" exclaimed Dr. Synn O'Nymm Seeker, "why my dear sir, there is no such genus. It was discovered long ago that each of the old species of that so-called genus was really a separate genus, and that each of these separate genera had from fifty to a hundred species. But even this point of view is now obsolete, as Professor Splittem Finer has just found that every individual hawthorn is a distinct species and he is now en- gaged in the momentous task of going over the whole of North America tagging every tree with its own specific name." The Old Naturalist turned sadly away. Poor old out-of-date chap! He returned to his home, spent the rest of his life in trying to catch up with a synonomy which got away from him in one group while he was working at another, and in trying in vain to find some rhyme or reason in the mass of published subspecies. So he wore himself out and died — and never wrote his book. I remember the Old Naturalist well. He was a good worker and a progressive. He would have done even more practical field work if his time had not been so largely taken up in controversy with the conservatives of his day. However, we owe him a larger debt of gratitude than is generally realized. It was largely due to him a code of nomenclature was established which ended the existing practice whereby each individual crank was a law unto him- self, the confusions from which we are only just straightening out to-day. He had a caustic pen too. His papers on Turdus vs. Merula in the old numbers of Ornithologica are classics of sarcasm and irony, and well worth occasional re-reading. P. A. T. NOTES ON THE NESTING HABITS AND FOOD OF PRAIRIE HORNED- LARKS IN MANITOBA. By Norman Criddle, TitEESBANK., Man. The notes presented below are largely from ob- servations made during the spring of 1918, and owe their origin to the fact that I was unable, at that time, owing to ill-health, to devote my atten- tion to the more strenuous work which usually falls to the lot of a field officer of the Dominion ento- mological service. As it happened, the horned- larks were nesting close at hand and, therefore, pre- sented opportunity for study without fatigue to the observer. The horned-larks of Manitoba have already been dealt with in this journal,* but as the present notes ♦Ottawa Naturalist, Vol. XXX, No. 11, Feb. liHT. add to what was previously written they seem worthy of record here. Prairie horned-larks are the first birds to return to their summer homes from the south; they are usually with us in numbers by March 1 and at the end of that month are, as a rule, busily engaged in incubating a clutch of eggs. My 1918 records read somewhat as follows: April 18, young birds almost able to fly; April 30, young flying; May 3, nest with 3 eggs; young from this nest left on May 26. May 16, nest with 4 eggs, young hatched May 26 and left the nest June 4. On June 7, a nest with 4 eggs was discovered and on July 2 one January, 1920] The Canadian Field- Naturalist with 2 fresh eggs. On July 14 siill another nest was located, this one having 4 eggs. At this last date males were singing everywhere and the time was undoubtedly one of general breeding. From these records it will be seen that there is a nesting period of at least four months, also that the birds rear three and perhaps four broods in a season. It is interesting to relate that while the birds do not, as a general rule, rear two families in the same nest, one pair did so, while another couple built a second nest within a few feet of the first. One nest, under close observation, contained young which left it in nine days after hatching, and though they were still unable to fly at that time they had, never- theless, acquired considerable feathering. The nest to which 1 devoted most attention was situated quite close to the house and within easy vision from a window; it was built among chips and sunken, as usual, in the ground, the locality being one frequent- ed by humans as well as by dogs and poultry. When either of the first two drew near, -the brooding bird slipped quietly from the nest, apparently trusting to the color similarity of the young and the nest to the surroundings to keep them from harm, but when a hen came within reach the small bird flew at her with such vigor as to cause the hen to become ser- iously alarmed and make her leave in a hurry. The young birds were attended by both parents from the time they were hatched until they left the nest and both adults took an equal share in feeding their offspring, as well as cleaning the nest. As it began to grow dark the female fitted herself over the young for the night while the male after singing in the twilight went to rest in the vicinity. Judging from the observations made in 1918, it would seem that the food of young prairie horned- larks consists very largely of cutworms which the parent birds dig out of the ground by aid of their beaks. The locating of these insects is performed with remarkable accuracy though it is due to a knowledge of the insects' haunts rather than to a perception cf the exact situation in which they rest. Thus, parent horned-larks were seen, repeatedly, searching around clumps of weeds which were more or less isolated through being surrounded by bare spots, these being the situations which our observa- tion have shown are most frequented by cutworms. The time occupied in securing one of those insects naturally varied, but on an average required rather less than four minutes. A pair of birds watched on June 4, feeding young a week old, and com- mencing at sunset, visited the nest with food on an average every two minutes. Judging from these and other observations we can, therefore, estimate the total number of cutworms consumed in a day at fully 400; in other words, nearly 3,000 a week, and this does not take into consideration the number of insects eaten by the adults which would add con- siderably to the total. Cutworm hunting is naturally a daylight oc- cupation and since it continues until dark there is every reason to suspect that it commences soon after dawn, especially as the male birds begin to sing at the first indication of returning day. The birds I had under observation abandoned their work as the day grew dark. A few mornings after the records mentioned above were taken, I found the young still in position in the nest, but at 8 a.m. the largest and oldest nest- ling followed its mother away and was soon after lost in the herbage, neither birds being seen again. The male continued to feed the remaining two until five minutes after nine, when the ne.xt largest fol- lowed him away. The third nestling was smaller than the others and I fully expected that it would be left to perish as often happens when food is scarce. For a time the male continued to devote all his attention to the one that had followed him but eventually he returned to the nest with a cut- worm and shortly after with yet another. Feeling sorry for the hard worked little bird I placed five full sized cutworms on the edge of the nest and then awaited developments. The male soon re- turned with the usual fare, and then spying the in- sects placed near, he stuffed four of them in suc- cession down the throat of his greedy charge, taking the last grub to the other bird. He continued to labor on behalf of both young until shortly after eleven o'clock when the remaining nestling followed him away. The habit of the male bird continuing to support both young after the female had evidently deserted them is naturally a very important characteristic providing it is one that is generally followed. The question remains, would he have attempted to do so had food been scarce? The evidence is in the negative. It is common knowledge to those who have studied horned-larks that they seldom rear more than one of the first brood, the reason for this is apparently the scarcity of insect food at that time, especially the scarcity of cutworms. During June cutworms are at the height of their season and, therefore, the birds find little difficulty in rearing the full allotment of young. July is also a favor- able month owing to the presence of locusts and caterpillars of various kinds. The food of adult horned-larks is less insectiv- orous than is that of the young and is at least m part made up of seeds and sprouted plants of var- ious kinds, but from the fact that enormous flocks of these birds sometimes continue on the grain fields for two or three weeks in spring time without doing 16 The Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. any appreciable harm we must conclude that they and later nested nearby. We have also seen them are either eating weed seeds or insects. We know repeatedly devour cutworms during the nesting sea- that before the spring really opened that horned- son so that the evidence of their usefulness seems larks partook daily of the weed seeds placed for to be without question, them. This is doubtless why they became tame RRIF.F RFPORT OF THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS' CLUB FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 2, 1919. At the March, 1919, annual meeting of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club, the constitution was amended to make the club year coincide with the calendar year, and, therefore, each future volume cf the club publication will cover one calendar year instead of parts of two as in the past. In spite of the fact that owing to this change in the constitution, the past year — the fortieth of the existence of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club, covering a period of only nine months — was the most successful in the recent history of the society, which now has a membership of 644, or more than double that of 1917. The club activities are directed toward the popu- larizing and the diffusing of knowledge of the na- tural sciences, and are carried on in three chief ways: a course of lectures, two series of field ex- cursions, and the publication of The CANADIAN Field-Naturalist. Owing to the short year the lecture programme was net begun prior to the annual meeting. A list of thirty-six lectures to be given by club members has been sent to local societies, clubs, churches and schools from which they may select and request de- sirable talks. The eight field excursions were well patronized, the average attendance being 23. Scientific men attended the excursions to direct interest and answer questions. The Canadian Field-Naturalist, the official organ of the club which has completed its thirty-third volume, is also now being used as a medium of publication by the four affiliated societies listed on the cover. At a recent meeting the council was informed that Mr. R. B. White had bequeathed the club one hundred dollars per year, which will be allowed to accumulate along with other funds in trust to form the nucleus of a trust fund the interest of which will eventually be used to promote natural history research work in Canada. The officers and committee for the year 1920 are as follows: President, M. Y. Williams; Vice-Presidents, L. D. Burling, R. M. Anderson; Secretary, Clyde L. Patrh; Treasurer, Miss E. B. Crampe; Editor, Arthur Gibson. Additional members of Council: Hoyes Lloyd, W. T. Macoun, G. A. Miller, Miss M. E. Cowan, C. B- Hutchings, C. M. Sternberg, H. I. Smith, P. A. Taverner, E. Sapir, F. W. Waugh, E. M. Kindle, W. J. Wintemberg, R. E. DeLury, F. Johansen. STANDING COMMITTEES OF COUNCIL. Publications — Clyde L. Patch, A. Gibson, L. D. Burling, H. Lloyd, F. Johansen. Excursions — F. W. Waugh, C. M. Sternberg, G .A. Miller, Miss M. E. Cowan, C. L. Patch, C. B. Hutchings, W. T. Macoun, H. Lloyd, F. Johansen. Lectures — R. M. Anderson, P. A. Taverner, L. D. Burling, W. T. Macoun, G. A. Millar. M acoun, Trust Funds — W. T. Hewitt, H. M. Ami. Auditors — J. Ballantyne, E. C. Wight. C. Gord ordon LEADERS AT EXCURSIONS. Archaeolog]) — Harlan I. Smith, F. W. Waugh, W. J. Wintemberg, Dr. C. M. Barbeau, Dr. E. Sapir. Botan\)~G. A. Millar, W. T. Macoun, Mrs. A. F. Brown, Dr. M. O. Malte, J. R. Dymond, E. C. Wight, Miss M. E. Cowan. Entomology) — C. B. Hutchings, Arthur Gibson, J. M. Swaine, F. W. L. Sladen, Miss Crampe. Geology— Dr. E. M. Kindle, Dr. M. Y. Williams, H. McGillivray. L. D. Burling, E. Poitevin, Dr. M. E. Wilson. Ornithology — P. A. Taverner, C. L. Patch, Dr. M. Y. Williams, A. G. Kingston, Hoyes Lloyd. Zoology~Dr. R. M. Anderson, A. Halkett, C. L. Patch, E. A. LeSueur, C. H. Young, C. E. Johnson. Photography — W. S. Hutton. 17 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS The Yellow-throated Vireo near Seeley's of the other genus taken there and in the nearby Bay. — This bird is usually looked on as rather regions. When I showed the specimen to a noted southern in Ontario, and I was a little surprised mammalogist he said at once that he recognized to hear its well-known and easily distinguished Phenacomys roughly by the long thick fur, but inr.- song in the woods near Seeley's Bay while motoring mediately he found that Microtus druminondi from to Ottawa on July 3, 1919. On looking up the the same locality was indistinguishable. The root records I find that there are many reports of its characters of the teeth turn out to belong to very occurrence in eastern Ontario, but that observed on old individuals only, and this leaves the younger, the above date is the first one that I remember to though fully grown adults, in the class of "very have seen myself, and perhaps the occurrence is difficult to identify." worthy of record. The tail is short, but so are tails of Microtus W. E. Saunders. found alongside. To illustrate the difficulty the following measurements are of several specimens: A New Mammal for Canada. — In the summer Length. Tail, of 1890 the writer, with Dr. F. A. Saunders, was 854 Phenacomys 123 27 collecting mammals at Ottawa, and among others 882 Microtus minor 118 26 we were after bats. On the evening of July 10, 880 " drummondi 126 35 we took in "Clarke's woods," immediately north- 88-4 " minor 127 29 west of the Observatory gate of the Experimental 883 " " 127 29 Farm, a little brown bat, and unfortunately, we W. E. SaunDERS. managed to lose the skull. Recently, I was send- ing some specimens for identification to Washing- Brewer's Sparrow IN SASKATCHEWAN AND ton, and decided that the little bat was sufficiently Alberta.— In a recent issue of the Condor, there different to be identified without the skull, so I in- j^ ^ ^^^^^j ^f ^1^^ occurrence of this sparrow in eluded it. Alberta, and it is given as the first record for the The answer comes back that it is the Pipistrelle, province. When I looked it up in Macoun's Pipisirellus subflavus, and the first to be taken in gj^j^ ^f Canada, I was surpnsed to find that the Canada. It does not differ from the specimens ^\^^j^ jj correct. My impression had been that it taken in New York state near Lake George, and ^^^ f^j^ly ^^n ^no^n and widespread near the that general region, the only source of records up Alberta-Saskatchewan line, but in this I was mis- to the present. taken Moreover, I find that I have failed to find This bat may now be looked for in all the ter- -^ ^^^^^ ^-^^^^ ^^^^ ^^ ^j^^t ^-^^^ b^ considered ritory between Ottawa and the St. Lawrence, and ^^ ^e favorable ground in those provinces, name- ought to be found at Montreal. ly_ at Gull Lake, Sask. ; High River, Aha., and The little known bats are near enough ahke to Dunmore, Alta. On Sept. I, 1896, I took a be a moderate puzzle to those who do not know specimen, my first, at Maple Creek, Alta., and my them, but most species can be readily picked out records do not show any others observed on that by the initiated. We have in Ontario Eptesicus j^y j j|j j^^t ^^^^t ^jtj^ it ^^^^^ ^j^fjj j^^^ g fuscus, Myotis subulatus, M. lucifugus, and prob- ^gQ^^ ^^^^^ ^^ t^^i^^ ^^^ delightfully held up all ably Nyciicejus humeralis, besides the additional ^^^ ^^ Cummings, in the dry region of Saskatche- species noted above. wan, owing to a "washout." The other passengers W. E. Saunders. fretted, but to me it was a great chance. In my wanderings through the muddy plains that day. Phenacomys intermedius from High River, I found two nests of Brewer's sparrow and took Alberta. — Among a small number of mammals two male birds, and heard and saw many others, sent to Washington for identification, one is re- These are now in my collection and measure turned with the above label. I have been hunting 138, 64, 56, 18 and 140, 65. 61. 17. for specimens of this genus for years, and it is a These birds were inhabiting a sage brush coun- sad commentary en one's acuteness to find that an try, and the nests were in sage at about a foot example has been taken and remained unrecog- from the ground. They resembled those of the nized ! field and chipping sparrows, and the eggs are of It was with a lot of Microtus living in a shrubby the same type, valley, and is really remarkably like some members W. E. SaunDERS. 18 The Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. Puss IN A Sparrow Chase. — Our family cat doubtless has figured in other sparrow chases — of her own instituting, but I want here to introduce her as a star actor in a real humanly-conducted chase, such as the boys in some communities at least, are all familiar with. As everyone knows, the noisy, quarrelsome, hungry, dirty, little English or house sparrow be- comes an intolerably numerous and annoymg nuis- ance at times. To keep him within some sort of bounds, shooting, poisoning, and other means must be employed, and as I have intimated, these var- ious measures may be applied in concert by a whole community. A sparrow chase is ordin- arily launched by the choosing of sides, usually in the winter season, when other birds are out of harm's way. On one ocasion Puss entertained us to some rather extraordinary behavicur, and set us wondering just what goes on in the mind of a mere cat. When our quest of sparrows one night, took us up into the barn, we found Puss there ahead of us on a like errand, experience having taught her that occasional strag- lers might be had for the taking. Being an old pet, our proceedings did not disturb her much, ai.tl she looked on quietly, until presently escaping sparrows, blundering about the mows, aroused her interest. In the fitful light of our lanterns the birds would sometimes find new roosting places under the roof, but as often as not they would settle where quite accessible to us, or the cat. The latter was quick to see her advantage, and would spring after a passing sparrow, or marking its course, would pick her way along the frame- work or across mows, to reach its new resting- place. She was soon fairly beside herself over the novelty of the situation; at least that is how we charitably accounted for some of her eccentric doings. Time and again on capturing a bird, she hurried directly to us, and dropping it at our feet, proceeded to divide her attention between jealously guarding her precious booty, and rubbing herself furiously about our legs. Evidently she knew she "hadn't ought to" trust us humans so far, and yet she was consumed with a desire to manifest her delight, and we were the only beings about to show any adequate appreciation of her magnificent prowess. We surely did lionize her, seeking in so doing to hold her attention sufficiently to enable us to appropriate the sparrow's head before she should take the notion to eat it. The head wa.i all we wanted, but when we feared her appetite might begin to fail, we deftly slipped an occasional bird out of sight, and took care to get her in- terested in the chase again as quickly as possible. For several nights the comedy was repeated, Puss retaining her inordinate vanity, or whatever we call it, to the end of our operations in this barn. Once in a while, through a lurking suspicion of us, or some other whim of her own, she was ready to ignore us, and make a meal of her capture by herself, but usually coaxing was effective, when her own motives would not have brought her. I have thought it worth while to record this, be- cause, while a cat with a bird or mouse will often show a certain degree of friendliness, I have never seen or heard of anything to compare with this de- monstration. On a couple of occasions I have known a cat with young kittens to behave in a somewhat similar manner. After keeping them carefuly secreted for a time, she one day displays unusual attachment to a human friend, persisting in her attentions until she succeeds in drawing him, with evident purpose, to their hiding place — another instance, it would seem, of some overwhelming hunger after human sympathy or commendation, which domestication has placed there. Herbert Groh. Alberta Natural History Society. — The 14th annual meeting of the society was held at Red Deer, on Friday, Nov. 28, 1919. At the afternoon session the usual business was transacted, including the reading and passing upon of the report and financial statement of the secre- tary-treasurer, and the election of officers for the ensuing year, viz: Hon. President, Hon. D. Mar- shall; Hon. Vice-President, Mr. J. J. Gaetz, M. P. P. ; Second Vice-President Mr. H. A. Craig; President, Mr. F. C. Whitehouse; Vice- President, Mrs. W. A. Cassels; Second Vice- President, Dr. H. George; Directors, Mrs. George, Mrs. Pamley, Mrs. Root, Mr. E. Wilton, Mr. C. H. Snell, Mr. W. F. Harris; Edmonton, Messrs. K. Bowman, F. S. Carr, D. Mackie. At the evening session the following papers were read: The executive report, Mrs. Cassels; Annual entomological report, dealing with insect pests, Mr. Whitehouse ; The crow family, Dr. George, illus- trated with specimens and eggs; Birds of Flagstaff, Alberta, Mr. Fleming, of the University staff, Ed- monton. During the year the following papers were given: Feb. 31 — Notes of a survey tour down Peace river and through the Peace Delta, 1916, Mr. C. H. Snell. March 28 — Butterflies of Alberta, demonstrating January, 1920] The Canadian Field- Naturalist 19 ihe use of a mirroscope for showing specimens, Mr. F. C. Whitehouse. Sept. 26 — Edible fungi, Mrs. Powell. In January a meeting was held at Wetaskiwin and special papers were given by members from Red Deer. The Society's publication of "Dragonflies (Odonata) of Alberta" by F. C. Whitehouse, 1918, was followed this year with "Annotated Check List of the Macrolepidoptera of Alberta," by Mr. K. Bowman. The society's report is published annually in the Report of the Provincial Department of Agricul- ture. BOOK NOTICES AND REVIEWS. Six New Fishes from Northwestern Can- ada. By Francis Harper and John Treadwell Nichols. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, Vol. XLI, Art. 1 1 , pp. 263-270, plate XV. New York, Sept. 22. 1919. A collection of fishes made by Francis Harper, while on an expedition of the Geological Survey of Canada to Great Slave lake in 1914, in com- pany with Charles Camsell "An Exploration of the Tazin and Taltson rivers. Northwest Terri- tories," by Charles Camsell, Memoir 84, Geo!. Series 69, 1916, pp. 1-124, plates 18, map 1), has been found to comprise fifteen species, represented by approximately 120 individuals. Although pre- vious collections of fishes from the region had been scanty and the material in poor condition, the col- lection described contained a surprisingly large proportion of previously unknown species. The new species described are as follows: Catastomus richardsoni Harper and Nicho's. Richardson's Gray Sucker; "Gray Sucker." Type locality, Talston river, at its junction with Tazin river, south of Great Slave lake. Geographic range, Mackenzie and Winnipeg (?) Basins. Al- though this species was discovered by Dr. Richard- son, it has been either disregarded or considered identical with various other species for nearly a century. Opsopoeodus borealis Harper and Nichols. Athabasca Minnow. Type locality. Lake Atha- basca, at Fort Chipewyan, Alberta. Type spec- imen. No. 1048, Victoria Memorial Museum, Ottawa. Coregonus preblei Harper and Nichols. Pre- ble's Whitefish. Type locality, Tazin river, about one mile above its confluence with the Taltson river. Type specimen, No. 1038, Victoria Mem- orial Museum, Ottawa. Leucichthys enlomophagus Harper and Nicholr-. Tazin River Cisco. Type locality, Tazin river, at the foot of Kolethe rapids. Type specimen. No. 1021, Victoria Memorial Museum, Ottawa. Leuc'ichthys athabascae Harper and Nichols. Cisco of Lake Athabasca. Type locality, Lake Athabasca, at mouth of Chariot river, northern Saskatchewan. Type specimen. No. 1020, Vic- toria Memorial Museum, Ottawa. Leucichthys macronathus Harper and Nichols. Cisco of Great Slave lake. Type locality, Shore waters of Great Slave lake, near Fort Resolution. Type specimen. No. 1031, Victoria Memorial Museum, Ottawa. All but one of the above are valuable food fishes. The commercial use of these fishes is be- coming more important as settlement advances into this borderland of the north, and the work of Mr. Harper is an indication that much is to be ex- pected when the fish fauna of the region is more thoroughly examined scientifically. R. M. Anderson. The Birds of the Red Deer river. Al- berta, by P. A. Taverner. Reprinted from the Au}f, January and April, 1919. A report of work done on and near the Red Deer river in the su.nmcr of 1918, by the author, assisted by the keen intelligence of Mr. C. H. Young, both of the Geological Survey staff. The party floated down the river in a rough but roomy and competent boat made for the pur- pose, of which the author says that he knows of no important detail where a change would have been advantageous. Camps were made at con- venient locations for several days at a time, and each locality was worked as thoroughly as time and circumstances permitted. A map js attached, showing the location of the various camps, and the topography of the country in general. The present account, including additional infor- mation available from local sources, doubtless in- cludes most of the breeding birds of the region. A commendable feature of the report of the ex- pedition is the treatment of the matter of geogra- phical variation, that bugbear of the field natur- alist. There are specialists whose energies are (or appear to be) wholly devoted to the discovery of infinitesimal shades of difference between ex- amples of a species from different habitats, and far be it from us to hint that theirs is not a useful niche in the world of ornithology, but the results 20 The Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. of their work are often a thorn in the side, until we become sufficiently calloused to ignore them. Tav- erner is a radical, and realizes that varietal differ- ences are not always items of the highest import- ance and goes on his way in blissful carelessness of what some other members of the ornithological world may think or say of his conclusions. It is thus that progress is made, and the present writer finds it difficult, or impossible (?) to criticize such an attitude severely, being too strongly tinctured with that same spirit of radicalism himself. One evident lack in the preparations for the trip, was the providing of a pair of competent listening ears, for while the sight records of the party are beyond criticism, there are omissions which a pair of good ears might have prevented. Sprague's skylark, for instance, probably delivered its song within hearing, dozens of times, before the bird was added to the list at Camp No. I 1 , while the Yellow rail lives in most favorable marshes in the district traversed, and needed only to be listened for, to be added. What the party may have lacked in this regard was fully made up by the keen diligence with which the objects of the expedition were pursued, and the members are to be congratulated on the results obtained. One must not forget to mention the photographs with which the report is illuminated. To take such views, one needs a keen artistic sense as we!! as an accurate knowledge of the capabilities of the camera, and both of these the author has with him on the spot, and used them with the very best results. Seldom indeed, is an article read which is illustrated with pictures of such beauty, and which, at the same time, convey to the mind such a clear perception of the country explored. As a whole, the paper makes a fine starting point for the further study of the birds of that part of Alberta. W. E. Saunders. In the Aul( for July, 1919, are the following titles of Canadian interest: Some Notes on the Drumming of the Ruffed Grouse, by H. E. T. Trotter, pp. 325- 339. This recounts personal experience with, and the study of, the drumming of this species and is an important and interesting contribution to a question that has long been of interest and an object of con- siderable controversy amongst observers. The Singing Tree, or how near to the nest do the male birds sing? by H. Mousley, of Hatley, Que., pp. 339-348. This is an account of the methods pursued by this notable warbler nest- finder. The substance of the article is that the male bird has usually a regular habit of singing from a favorite perch, as a rule within twenty yards of the nest. The discovery of a bird habitually singing through the nesting season from a certain point considerably limits the area to be searched for in finding the nest. By carefully watching this area centered on the "singing tree" Mr. Mousley has probably found more warbler nests in the past few years than any one else in an equal time in Can- ada. The article is a valuable contribution to field methods and to our knowledge of bird habits and should be read by all interested in the field study of birds. In Notes on North American Birds, pp. 406- 408, Harry C. Oberholser concludes that our Am- erican Pipit should be reduced to a subspecies of the Old World Anthus spinoleita and should be called Anthus spinoleita rubescens. He also pleads for the recognition, not at present accorded it, of the Kennicott Willow Warbler as a subspecies of Acanthopneuste borealis. In General Notes, under the title of — The Generic Name of the Gannets, p. 417, Harry C. Oberholser recommends the adoption of Mathew's proposal to split the genus Sula but fol- lowing the Code of Nomenclature of the A.O.U. decides contrary to him that the name Moris is the proper term for the division including our Gannets. Sula bassana would thus become Moris bassana. The Status of the Genus Archibuteo, p. 420, the same author, states that further investigation induces him to agree with Hartert's proposal to unite this genus with Buieo as in the feathering of the tarsus, the most important character of Archi- buteo, it intergrades with it. He, therefore, recom- mends that Archibuteo be reduced to subgeneric rank or dropped altogether in which case our two species would stand as Buteo lagopus sancti- johannes, American Rough-legged Hawk, and Buteo ferrugineus, Ferugineus Rough-legged Hawk. p. A. Taverner. Publications of the American Museum of Natural History.— The Ottawa Public Library recently received for the Field-Naturalists' Club, the following three books, from the American Museum of Natural History: "Illustrations of the North American species of the Genus Catocala." "The Indigenous Land Mammals of Porto Rico, Living and Extinct." "Equidae of the OHgocene, Miocene, and Plio- cene of North America, Inconographic Type Re- vision." These memoirs have been placed with the P^ield- Naturalists' collecjii».^a«L.|nay be examined on ap- plication. THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST VOL. XXXIV. FEBRUARY, 1920. No. 2 LAKE-SHORE BIRD MIGRATION AT BEAMSVILLE, ONTARIO. By Hamilton M. Laing, Portland, Oregon. The following field notes were gathered during the summer and autumn of 1918. While in the ser- vice of the Royal Air Force the writer was sta- tioned upon the south shore of Lake On'ario almost due nzrth of the town of Beamsville. Here in checkmg the aerial gunnery practice six or seven hours were spent daily up in a fifty-foot tower at the water's edge. Periods on duty ranged fiom daylight until dark. As every day was spent large- ly out-of-doors and duty commenced on alternate mornings at dawn, excellent opportunity for obser- vation was afforded. A rough bird census was taken daily and new migrants and disappearances thus noted. The country surrounding the tower and within range of the field glasses consisted of the open lake northward, and to the south stretched a flat typically peninsular farming land of fields and orchards in- terspersed with remnant wood lots. Most of the notes were gathered from the tower; unless other- wise stated, each record following may be so taken. A few birds were noted in the woods to southward that did not show themselves close to the water. The course of migration here was from east to west. A great many birds followed the shore and it was plain very early in the season that this was a pathway. Many expected species, however, not- ably the hawks, were disappointments, and the fol- lowing gleanings may be as noteworthy for their omissions as their records. Nearly all migrants chose the fine days for moving and almost invariably passed during the early morning hours, or before 9 a.m. There was little movement in the after- noon. The bobolinks, bluebirds, blackbirds, snow- flakes, horned larks, waxwings, pipits and swallows made a procession of it here; other species were more retiring and veiled their movements. Birds not mentioned in the following list were not seen in the autumn. No specimens were taken. Where any doubt existed in the mind of the writer, the record is marked so (?). The number in italics after the dale gives the number of birds seen. The last notes were made November 26. Col];mbus auritus. Horned Grebe. Oct. 5, first noted; small company. Oct. 13, hundreds occupy- ing waters near shore for several miles. They be- came quite callous to machine-gun fire and were very numerous till the end of the month. Only on rare occasions was one of these divers noted in flight. Numbers declined as follows: Nov. 6 (50); Nov. 8 (50); Nov. 16 (I); Nov. 18 (few); Nov. 26 (I). Cavia imber. Loon. Aug. 10(1); Aug. 20 ( I ) ; Sept. 30 (I). During October seen almost daily and often in flight. Nov. 1 (2 in flight) ; Nov. 6 (young); Nov. II (1); Nov. 19 (one flying high south-east across the peninsula). Lotus argentatus. Herring Gull. Aug. 1 7 (6) ? Owing to the difficulty in distinguishing this from the next species, no exact record could be kept. Argentatus was noted in Septem.ber and October but very sparingly, and in November the numbers rose and fell apparently with the weather. Nov. 4 (numerous) ; Nov. 7 (beautiful adult picked up on shore) ; Nov. 20 (numerous) ; Nov. 26 (adult and young). Larus delewarensis, Ring-billed Gull. Much more common than the preceding species up till November. July 21, July 28, Sept. 26, Oct. 13, Oct. 17, OcL 19 (young); Oct. 23, 26 and 29 (numerous); Nov. 10. Larus Philadelphia, Bonaparte's Gull. Oct. 13 (flock); Oct. 17, Oct. 31, Nov. 1 (flock). Ob- served also Nov. 2, 3, 4, 6. 7, 10 and 18. Unlike the larger gulls, this bird almost invariably was post- ing west close to shore. Sterna caspia, Caspian Tern. Sept. 4 (3); Sept. 25 (2). One of these birds in the first in- stance and both in the second were travelling east fairly close to shore. Sterna hirundo, Common Tern. Aug. 19 (12); Aug. 22 (3) ; Aug. 25 (2) ; Sept. 6 (flock) ; Sept. 17 (11); Oct. 1 (20); OcL 2 (three flocks). In nearly all cases moving westward, low. Phalacrocorax dilophus, Double-crested Cormor- ant. On Nov. 21, 23 and 24, a lone bird, doubt- 11 The Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. less this species, tcok perch on one of the floating targets. Machine-gun fire from the air did not seem to interfere with his fishing. Merganser americanus, American Merganser. Suspected in the distance more than once, but none of the mergansers were positively identified in the autumn. Anas obscura, Black Duck. The commonest duck noted on this shore. Noted plentifully from first appearance July 26, until November. Large flocks on the lake Sept. 15. Last ncted Nov. 4. Mareca americana, Baldpate. Sept. 26?. Spatula clypeaia. Shoveller. Sept. 19 (2). Daala acuta, Pintail. Sept. 20 (3); Oct. 18 (flock); Nov. 1 (1). Aythya marila. Scaup. Sept. 27 (flock) ?. Clangula clangula americana, American Golden- eye. Oct. 26 (flock); Nov. 4, Nov. 5, Nov. 10 (flock); Nov. 26 (3). Charitonetta albeola, Buffalo-head. Nov. 7 (3) ; Nov. 10 (several). Harelda h^emalis, O'd Squaw. Nov. 4 (flock of 35); Nov. 10 (several). Oidemia deglandi. White-winged Scoter. One of the common ducks. Oct. 8 (flock); Oct. 17, OcL 18, OcL 23 (small flock); Nov. 4, Nov. 10 (2); Nov. 21 (6); Nov. 26 (1). Branta canadensis, Canada Goose. Oct. 7 (20) ; OcL 18 (43); Nov. 2 (small flock); Nov. 5 (14); Nov. 8 (6). Three of these flocks when observed were in migration and followed a south-easterly course toward Niagara. Ardea berodias, Great Blue Heron. July 22 (2); July 23 (2). During August seen singly al- most daily, usually going west, low over the water. Not noted between Aug. 22 and Oct. 15. Oct. 15 (I); Oct. 27 (1). None were seen to stop here. Butorides virescens, Green Heron. July 27 (2) ; Aug. 13 (2); Aug. 16 (1);. These two birds were noted at their fishing along the little creek that flowed by the foot of the lower tower. Nycticorax n^cticorax naevius. Black-crowned Night Heron. Aug. 10 (I); Aug. 31 (1). These followed the shore in the evening. Arenaria morinella, Ruddy Turnstone. Aug. 13 (1). Noted resting on the gravelly beach. Numenius hudsonicus, Hudsonian Curlew. July 31 (15); Aug. 5 (1); Aug. 6 (small flock); Aug. 7 (4); Aug. 10 (15); Sept. 8 (3); OcL I (2)?. Those noted Sept. 8 were travelling east ; the others were going west; none were seen to stop on this shore. Bartramia longicauda, Bartramian Sandpiper. July 25, Aug. 9 (2); Aug. 10 (2). This species bred locally not far from the tower. The bird ob- served July 25 either came across the lake or made a wide circuit over the water, as he was noted com- ing inland several hundred yards. The others were high in air and travelling westward. Actitis macularia, Spotted Sandpiper. The com- monest shore bird in this section. Bred plentifully; very numerous through July and August, the num- bers dwindling early in September and by the 11th of the month was gone. A doubtful record Sept. 19. This bird gave no hint of his manner of leave- taking; it simply disappeared. Calidris arenaria, Sanderling. Aug 1 (3)?. In flight low over water, west-going. Squatarola squaiarola, Black-bellied Plover. Aug. 10 (2); Aug. 23 (flock); Aug. 29 (I). On Aug. 2, the two plover were noted in company with eleven curlews. These plover did not rest here; all were observed west-going. Ox\)echus vociferus, Kildeer. July 23 (7) ; July 30 (several); Aug. 5 (1); Aug. 7 (2); OcL 6 (1). The seven observed on July 23 were most probably a family. They were out over the water a considerable distance (300 yards) and were winging off westerly, evidently on a mission. Aegialitis semipalmata, Semipalmated Plover. Aug. 7 (7); Aug. 12 (5). The first group noted were old and young. They did not use this shore as a stopping-place, but went by low as the other shore birds did. Toianus melanoleucus. Greater Yellowlegs. Aug. 1 (I)?. Only a fleeting glimpse of this bird was secured though his notes were heard. No other Yellowlegs were observed throughout the season. Bonasa umbellus togata. Ruffed Grouse. Ob- served in woods back on rocky ridge. During the "mad" season in October a bird of this species was reported in the orchard near the tower. It was not seen by the writer. Zenaidura macroura. Mourning Dove. Common through July, August and September. Noted also Oct. 4 and OcL 1 3. The latter observation was peculiar for at this date a fledgling barely able to fly was discovered. Pandion baliaetus carolinensis, American Osprey. Sept. 20, a beautiful adult hunted near the shore during the afternoon and disappeared to eastward. Circus hudsonicus, Marsh Hawk. An old male in grey plumage came occasionally to hunt in a nearby field. Noted July 25, July 30, Aug. 29, Sept. 10. Doubtless always the same bird. One young bird was seen here also, but the date was not recorded. Accipiter velox, Sharp-shinned Hawk. Nov. 23 (1)?. Accipiter cooperi. Cooper's Hawk. Sept. 17 (1)?; OcL 12 (I); Nov. 30 (1). February. 1920] The Canadian Field-Naturalist 23 Buieo borealis. Red-tailed Hawk. Sept. 18 (1)?. Falco sparverius, American Sparrow Hawk. Bred locally, but no birds were observed in migra- tion along the shore. Buieo smainsoni, Swainson's Hawk. Sept. 2 (1)? Possibly a Red-shouldered Hawk, Buteo Uneatus lineatus. Field description reads: "Yellow- ish below; darker towards breast; little brown mark- ing on under parts. Megascops asio. Screech Owl. Oct. 9, heard hooting in the orchard close to the tower at night. Cocc^zus erythrophlhalmus. Black-billed Cuckoo. One of these birds evidently nested near the tower as it was observed carrying food over a regular beat. Disappeared July 22 and none seen later. Ceryle alcyon, Belted Kingfisher. Aug. 17, Aug. 30, Oct. 3, Oct. 13. Always noted singly; never in migration. Dryohales pubescens medianus. Downy Wood- pecker. Sept. 14, Sept. 20. Dryohales villosus. Hairy Woodpecker. Nov. 2, heard his loud call in the woods a mile south of the lake. Not noted on the shore. Colaptes auratus luieus. Northern Flicker. Sept. 20 (1). Melanerpes erythrocephalus, Red-headed Wood- pecker. Aug. 26. This bird like the flicker, though breeding locally close at hand, did not ap- pear on the shore more than once in migration. Sphyrapicus varius. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Sept. 29. On this date a young bird was noted in the woods back of the ridge. Not noted on the shore. Chordeiles virginianus. Night Hawk. Aug 21 (3); Aug. 24 (8); Aug. 27 (2); Aug. 31 (2); Sept. 3 (1); Sept. 6 (1); Sept. 9 (1); Sept. 23 (I). These followed the usual westerly course. Chaetura pelagica. Chimney Swift. July 28 (4) ; July 31 (4); Aug. 17 (15); Aug. 29 (numerous); Sept. 1 (2); Sept. 2 (2); Sept. 3 (1); Sept. 4 (1); Sept. 5 (3); Sept. 7 (5); Sept. 9 (2); Sept. 17 (3); Sept. 25 (2); Sept. 27 (several). Their destination was wesUvard. Trochilus colubris. Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Sept. 14 (1). Female or young. Tyrannus tyrannus, Kingbird. In greatest num- bers about Aug. 22. Numbers thinned by Aug. 28. Sept. 2 disclosed a family, and Sept. 4 a single bird. Myiarchus criniius. Crested Flycatcher. Sept. 14. A young bird noted in the timber. Not seen on the shore. Sayornis phoebe, Phoebe. Sept. I (family) ; Sept. 2 (heard calling); Sept. 12 (2, old and young); Sept. 17 (1); Sept. 26 (1); Sept. 29 (heard). Contopus virens. Wood Pewee. July 30, Aug. 22, Aug. 28, Sept. I (heard); Sept. 6 (heard); Sept. 11 (heard); Sept. 14, 17 and 18. Empidonax minimus. Least Flycatcher. Aug. 28(1). Empidonax flaviveniris. Yellow-bellied Fly- catcher. Sept. 2 (2). These were noted in the timber back from the shore. Otocoris alpestris praticola, Prairie Horned Lark. Horned larks bred in the adjoining fields, but migrants supposedly this species followed the shore regularly in small parties throughout October and November. Oct. 2 (10); Oct. 10 (numerous); Oct. 26 (flock) ; Oct. 30 (flock) ; Nov. 3 (flock) ; Nov. 6 (flock). Corvus americanus, American Crow. Bred loc- ally, but no flocks passed this way in migration. Sept. 23 (family) ; Sept. 29 (small party) ; Oct. 1 (4); Oct. 7, Oct. 17, Nov. 9 (2). Cyanociiia crisiata. Blue Jay. Observed back in the timber, but not on the shore. Quiscdlus quiscula aeneus. Bronzed Crackle. Bred locally. The flock of locals after gathering up to about fifty strong on July 20, left and was seen no more. Scolecophagus carolinus. Rusty Blackbird. Sept. 30 (flock, males and females) ; Oct. 1 (flock) ; Oct. 4 (flock). Agelaius phoeniceus, Red-winged Blackbird. July 22 (15); Sept 1 (small party, males and females); Sept. 18 (12); Sept. 25 (smaU flock); Oct. 4 (flock). With the exception of the July flock, all the rest were migrants, like the other birds, headed westward. Moloihrus ater, Cowbird. This bird furnished surprises. Bred locally and during July the young were under observation almost daily. On July 31 a female and two young were noted after which the species disappeared entirely until Oct. 4, when a whole flock of males, females and young in company with Rusty Blackbirds, one morning sur- rounded the tower and spent an hour before moving ofl^ westward. A few more followed over the same course Oct 6 and on Oct. 1 5 a male was noted. Icterus galbula, Baltimore Oriole. Aug. 3 (2, young) ; Aug. 1 1 (male in song) ; Aug. 24, Aug. 30 (2); Sept. 1 (1); Sept. 2 (2). These birds probably were locals. On Aug. 24 two were seen to fly out over the lake a distance as though restless and ready to move; and their disappearance a week later followed. Dolichonyx oryzivorus. Bobolink. Bred locally, but it was also one of the most interesting migrants. July 20 ("chinking" restlessly) ; July 22 (flock of fifty, only one faded male in evidence) ; Aug 6 (two small flocks) ; Aug 1 1 (30) ; Aug. 15 (flock) ; 24 The Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. Aug. 17 (flock); Aug. 22 (several flocks); Aug. 24 (several flocks) ; Aug. 26 (several flocks) ; Aug. 28 (flock); Aug. 31 (flock heard in the night, 10 o'clock) ; Sept. 2 (several flocks) ; Sept. 3 (flock) ; Sept. 7 (heard passing over). All these later flocks with the exception of one or two on Aug. 22, moved westward. They picked fair mornings and flew low. Usually they followed a course out over the water, aiming at the points on the shore and cutting the bays, and though they were often disconcerted by the aeroplanes, could not be shaken from their course. The height of their migration passed on Aug. 24. All these flocks were small, suggesting families, from five to eight being the rule. None were observed en route in the afternoon. Sturnella magna, Meadowlark. Bred locally. Observed a small flock of about a dozen almost daily from Aug. 12 till Oct. 17. Only once (Oct. 6) did they show any evidence of migration, when a number of them flew off westward over the orchards as though in farewell. Astragalinus trisiis, American Goldfinch. Sept. 2 (several); Sept. 18 (common); Oct. 29 (five or six flecks heard); Nov. 16 (flock heard). It will be seen that this bird here was somewhat erratic. Only on Oct. 29 when several flocks passed overhead toward the west did it give a clue to its course. Carpodacus purpureas. Purple Finch. This bird was never definitely identified though the clucking notes thought to belong to this species were heard Aug. 12, Sept. 2 and Oct. 6. A male, probably nesting, sang all summer in the ravine behind the main camp to southward. Pooescetes gramineus. Vesper Sparrow, Sept. 14, Sept. 26, SepL 29 (4); Oct. 2 (1); OcL 4 (1); Oct. 12. This was a common summer resident about the tower, but like the song sparrow gave no hint of its manner of leave-taking. It merely disappeared. Passerculus sandrvichensis savanna. Savanna Sparrow. Bred locally. Sept. 2 (1); Sept. 2 (in song) ; Sept. 8 (in song). This was the last de- fini'e record; there was mystery about this bird. What was probably his migration began Sept. 9. On the morning of this date fully fifty sparrows answering to the Savanna's markings, size and notes, came close by the tower. They took perch in the top of the walnut and locust trees and gave excellent view in the field-glasses. In threes and fours they broke away at short intervals and went dodging off westward, plainly on a mission. On Sept. 14 and Sept. 25 they repeated these field manoeuvres. A single bird of the same was noted Sept. 28. To all appearances these were Savannas, but the trait did not seem to ring true. Zonolrichia albicolUs, White-throated Sparrow. Sept. 25 (heard) ; Oct. 4 (heard in song) ; Oct. 7 (several seen). Spizella monticola. Tree Sparrow. Oct. 18 (1); Nov. 6 (5); Nov. 8 (several); Nov. 16 (flock of 12). Never observed en route; always in the shrubbery. Passer domesticus. House Sparrow. During the late autumn several densely crowded small flocks of these adjustible gamins passed the tower. They were mostly west-bound and suggested a local migration. Melospiza melodia. Song Sparrow. Perhaps the commonest bird of the locality. Very numerous during September, thinning out in mid-October. Ob- served also Oct. 31 and Nov. 6 (2). Passer ella iliaca. Fox Sparrow. Oct. 12 (1). Observed in the woods half a mile from the shore. Junco by^emalis. Slate-colored Junco. Oct. 6 (several); Oct. 12 (numerous); Oct. 13, Oct. 14. As usual, these birds were not noted on the march; they merely came, increased and diminished. Passer'ma nivalis, Snowflake. Oct. 15 (2); Oct. 29 (2 flocks) ; Nov. 3 (4 flocks) ; Nov. 5 (flock) ; Nov. 6 (6 flocks); Nov. 9 (flock); Nov. 10 (4); Nov. 16 (flock); Nov. 21 (large flock); Nov. 26 (flock). For the Snowflakes this shore seemed a direct pathway; they never on any occasion showed inclination to come down to the nearby fields. Acanthis linaria. Redpoll. Oct. 18 (1); Oct. 19 (3) ; Oct. 20 (several) ; Oct. 29 (5 flocks) ; Oct. 30 (numerous); Nov. 3 (flock); Nov. 5 (flock); Nov. 6 (flock). These tiny sprites behaved like the Snowflakes, except that they invariably flew higher. Their chattering notes were the only means to identification. Pipilo erythrophlhalnms, Towhee. Bred locally. Observed in timber Sept. 14 (1); Sept. 29 (1); Oct. 7 (1). Not observed at all on the shore. Calcarius lapponicus, Lapland Longspur. Noted only once (Nov. 9) when three went clicking over- head. Peirochelidon lunifrons. Cliff Swallow. Aug. 5 (a few small parties); SepL 8 (1); Sept. 19 (1)?. It was rather hard to definitely identify the swal- lows as they posted by the tower on rapid wings. Several "doubtfuls" were recorded. The bird on Sept. 9 was with barn swallows and chimney swifts; the one noted Sept. 1 9 was alone. All were moving westward post-haste. Hirundo er\)lhrogaster. Barn Swallow. The commonest swallow here in migration. July 19 (family) ; July 22 (80 counted, passing a given point in 5 minutes, west-going); Aug. 10 (flock); Aug. 24 (2 families); Sept. 5 (1); SepL 9 (12); February, 1920] The Canadian Field-Naturalist 25 Sept. 12 (1); Oct. 4 (1). IridopTocne bicolor. Tree Swallow. Aug. 10 (1 young in a flock of barn swallows); Sept. 12 (3)?. Riparia riparia, Bank Swallow. During the sum- mer the commonest swallow species here ; several colonies nested m the perpendicular clay banks. Latest appearances, Aug 26 (2); Sept. 1 (2)?; SepL 12 (5). Progne subis, Purple Martin. Only one martin was seen on this shore. This was late in August ; the date of appearance was neglected. Ampelis cedroTum, Cedar Waxwing. In very large numbers along the shore by Aug. 10. The height of migration passed about Aug 28, in small parties they moved off along the shore almost ex- actly as the bobolinks had done. They travelled low, seldom over two hundred feet. Later dates gave Sept. 4 (I); Sept. 5 (I); Sept. 7 (3); Sept. 10 (2); Sept. II (I). Lanius ludovicianus migrans. Migrant Shrike. Bred locally. Old and young, the former with a fledghng house sparrow in its clutches, observed on the range by the tower Aug. 4. Not seen later. I^anius borealis. Northern Shrike. Nov. IL Shrike noted on a high perch in the field; doubt- less this species. yireo olivaceus. Red-eyed Vireo. Aug. 15 ( 1 ) ; Sept. 2 (several); Sept. 8 (I); Sept. 14 (2); Sept. 24 (1); Sept. 29 (2). Vireo flavifrons. Yellow-throated Vireo. Sept. 8 (1)?. Mniotilta varia. Black and White Warbler. Sept. 8 (I). Observed in timber half a mile from shore. Hclminihophila peregrina, Tennessee Warbler. Sept. 2 (in song) ?. Dendroica tigrina. Cape May Warbler. Sept. 24 (I male). Dendroica aestiva, Yellow Warbler. Bred plen- tifully. Last young noted July 28. Aug. 6 (2) ; Aug. II (6) ; Aug. 22 (2). Neither this warbler nor any of the others were observed to make any bold flights. They merely darted from one cover to another. Dendroica caerulescens. Black-throated Blue Warbler. Sept. 5 (adult male); Oct. 12 (adult male). The second bird was noted back from the shore in the timber. Dendroica coronata. Myrtle Warbler. Sept. 23 (I): Sept. 25 (heard); Sept. 29 (7); Oct. I (I); Oct. 12 (numerous). Observed also Oct. 13, 15, 16 and 17. On Oct. 16 several of these fine war- blers were in company with the bluebirds and as they worked below the tower there was a stiff contest between the two over the capture of a species of large insect prey coming from over the water. Often a bluebird and a warbler went after the same victim. Seen from above it was a beau- tiful picture indeed. Dendroica maculosa. Magnolia Warbler. Sept. 6, Sept. 14 (family); Sept. 24 (adult male). Dendroica striata. Black-poll Warbler. The warbler most commonly observed on the shore. Sept. 5, 6, 15, 17. Sept. 19 (2); Sept. 23 (I); Sept. 24 (2); Sept. 25 (2). Dendroica virens. Black-throated Green War- bler. Oct. 13 (I); OcL 14 (I). Neither of these birds were on the shore; both were back in the timber. Ceothlx^pis trichas brachidactyla. Northern Yel- low-throat. Aug. 29 (I); Sept. 17 (I). The first was an adult ; the second young. Wdsonia canadensis, Canadian Warbler. Sept. 8 (family). These were observed back in the woods. Setophaga ruticilla, American Redstart. Sept. 2 (young). Anihus pcnsylvanicus, American Pipit. Sept. 13 (3); Sept. 23 (I); Oct. 31 (several). All these birds went by westward above the tower and showed no inclination to stop here. Troglodytes aedon. House Wren. Sept. 25 (I). Olbiorchilus hiemalis. Winter Wren. Oct. 7 (heard)?; Oct. 13 (I); Oct. 14 (I). AlUhese birds were in the woods back from the shore. T oxostoma rufum, Brown Thrasher. Bred loc- ally, but not observed near the shore. Caleoscopies carolinensis. Catbird. Aug. 9 (2); Aug. II (I). Sitta canadensis, Red-breasted Nuthatch. Sept. 2 (2); Sept. 8 (2); Oct. 4 (I). The September birds were noted in the timber to southward. Silta carolinensis. White-breasted Nuthatch. Oct. 6 (I); Oct. 17, Oct. 31, Nov. II (I); Nov. 6 (I). This species followed the shore more close- ly than the preceding. Parus atricapillus, Black-capped Chickadee. Sept. 14 (2); Sept. 24 (family); Nov. I (numer- ous) ; Nov. 6, 7, II, 26. These little sprites were most numerous during the first week in November. They plainly were working westward. On Nov. I, during a strong south-westerly wind, four were observed to spring up from a nearby walnut and fight it out with the wind for several minutes. They made two or three trials and then gave it up. They were more numerous at this time than circumstances other than migration could warrant. Regulus satrapa. Golden-crowned Kinglet, Oct. 12, 13, 14, 30 and Nov. 7. On the last two dates only, the birds were in the apple trees along shore. The earlier records were back in the timber. These birds were always in small companies. Regulus calendula. Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Oct. 26 The Canadian Field- Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. I (1); Oct. 4 (1); Oct. 6 (3); OcL 7 (4); Oct. 14 (2). With the exception of the last record when both species were found in company back in the woods, all the ruby-crowns were noted in the orch- ard below the tower. H^locichla aliciae, Grey-cheeked Thrush. Oct. 7 (I)?. Hylocichla uslulala srvainsoni, Olive-backed Thrush. Sept. 2 (several) ; Sept. 8, Oct. 7 (20) ; OcL 12 (50); Oct. 13 (3). Not one bird of these numbers was observed at the tower; all clung to the woods to southward. Owing to the extreme diffi- culty in distinguishing the grey-cheek from the olive-back in the field, it is possible that numbers of the former may have been overlooked. Hylocichla guttata pallasii. Hermit Thrush. Oct. II (I). On this date a thrush with a reddish tail was observed for a few moments almost directly below the tower. It was doubtless a hermit. Not seen elsewhere. Merula migratoria, Robin. Sept. 2 (several) ; Sept. 7 and 8 and Oct. 4, heard in song; Oct. 13 (12); OcL 18 (3); Oct. 31 (I); Nov. I (small flock). Sialia sialis, Bluebird. Sept. (family) ; Sept. 14 (family); SepL 29 (family); OcL 4 (flock of 30); OcL 6 (several; OcL 8 (flock); OcL 9 (several); Oct. 16 (several); Oct. 17 (several); Oct. 18 (several). The September records prob- ably were all local birds; they were seen remote from the tower. But on Oct. 4 the birds were en route westward. They stormed into the locusts nearby — a beautiful blue blizzard — and after a short council they swirled away again over the orchards. On Oct. 8 a large flock went over without stopping to pay their respects. The later birds were in small numbers and taking their time. THE FLORA OF WARRENS LANDING, LAKE WINNIPEG, MAN. By Chas. W. Lowe, M.Sc, Botanical Department, University of Manitoba. Warrens Landing is at the extreme north of Lake Winnipeg and at the source of the Nelson river which carries all the waters of the lake to the Hudson Bay. It is north of the fifty-second par- allel and is, therefore, in that territory which has been recently added to the Province of Manitoba. The source of the Nelson river is about 2'/2 miles wide and is almost blocked by an island which IS nearly 2 miles across with approximately 8 miles of coast line. The eastern channel is narrow and comparatively little water flows through it. The western channel is the important one. Here, the only signs or marks of civilization are four light- houses, two on the mainland and two on the island, and two fishing stations, one on the mainland and one on the island. It was during a visit on the first eleven days in August, 1918, to the fishing station on the island that I made the observations recorded here. Travelling northwards up Lake Winnipeg one cannot help noticing a number of natural features and I think the most conspicuous is the difference between the eastern and western shores. The east- ern shore is strewn with large red rocks of Lauren- tian granite, whilst the western shore is littered with grey Cambro-Silurian hmestone boulders. This feature is alone sufficient to make a study of the flora surrounding the lake of great interest. On the eastern side many species typical of Ontario reach their western limits and on the western shore are found the first of many prairie forms not found in the east. Another conspicuous feature travelling north- wards is the gradual ascendancy of coniferous trees over the deciduous ones. The coniferous trees are not frequent at the southern end of the lake and the deciduous trees are comparatively few around the the northern shores. The prevailing conifer is the white spruce, Picea alba, in the more southern parts, and the bog spruce, Picea mariana, in the swampy regions of the north. The deciduous trees in the northern parts around the lake are comparatively small and restricted to poplars, willows, and a few birches. The island at Warrens Landing is practically all muskeg. It appears to be, for the greater part a deposit of mud on the top of granite and covered with from one to two feet of Sphagnum. Only in a few places is the rocky substratum exposed. It is thickly treed with the bog spruce. The shore on the south and west is littered with uprooted trees and shrubs. This is the result of rapid coast erosion and is due to the violence of lake storms, the strong and fast current carrying great masses of ice through the very shallow and comparatively narrow channel, and to heavy rain storms. During the eleven days I was there it rained every day and nearly every night and caused frequent landslides along the shore. Water slowly soaking through the Sphagnum washes out the loose muddy soil underneath and when a February, 1920] The Canadian Field-Naturalist 27 heavy fall of rain saturates this peaty moss the weight is too great for it to remain in position and it breaks away and slides down to the water's edge. The dominant feature of the island is the bog spruce, Picca mariana. It is by far the commonest and largest tree on the island. Near the shore in a few places the poplars are plentiful, but elsewhere they are scarce, the two species Populus iremuloides and P. balsamifera are evenly distributed. Larix lancina is not infrequent among the spruce. The interest of the small sandy portion of the island centres on the variety of willows of which there are seven species, some of them being typically northern ones, as Salix Candida and 5. arg^rocarpa. Mertensia paniculaia is frequent here. The follow- ing beach plants are also restricted to this area, Lath^rus maritimus, L. palustris, Artemisia caudala, and /uncus baliicus var. littoralis. Two plants usually found in limestone regions, Rhinanthus Kyrollae and Primula mistassinica, are found on a small mud flat which has been thrown L.XA/itsjN iPE. I Jt o Lj-LU- _^Miies Fig. 1. Map showing 'tlie source of tlie Nelson river and the island in the source of Warrens Landing. A dense shrubbery undergrowth prevails through- out the greater part of the island and the Labrador tea. Ledum groenlandicum, is the most prevalent. Other shrubs less numerous although fairly plentiful are Kalmia polifolia, Chamaedaphne calyculata ; and Viburnum pauciflorum. Under the shrubs many species, typical of north- ern regions, are found in large numbers. These in- clude Rubus arciicus, Rubus chamaemorus. Ranun- culus lapponicus, Petasiies trigonophyllus, and Siell- aria longipes var. laeta. up by lake storms and is rich in fragments of broken calcareous shells. Owing to the heavy and frequent rains many plants were found submerged. One patch of Drosera rotundifolia, was in from six to eight inches of water, nearly every plant was in flower and every flower was two inches or more above the water. In the following list of species the arrangement and nomenclature is as far as possible that used in the seventh edition of Gray's Manual of Botany. 28. The Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. LIST OF PLANTS FOUND AT WARRENS LANDING ISLAND, LAKE WINNIPEG, MANITOBA. EQUISETACEAE Equisetum arvense L. fluviatile L. s^lvaticum L. PINACEAE Juniperus communis L. var. depressa Pursh. horizontalis Moench. Larix laricina (Du Roi) Koch. Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P. TYPHACEAE T})pha lalifolia L. NAJADACEAE Poiamogeton interior Rydb. Richardsonii (Benn.) Rydb. Carex BehhiV^ Olney. brunnescens'^ Poir. retrorsa'^ Schewin. utriculata^ Boott. viridula'^ Michx. Eleocharis acicularis (L.) R. & S. palustris (L.) R. & S. Eriophorum callitrix Cham. Scirpus microcarpus Presl.* validus Vahl.* LEMMACEAE Lemna minor L. JUNCACEAE Juncus balticus Willd. var. liiioralis Engelni. bufonius'^ L. Richer dsonianus'^ Schutt. Fig. 2. Part of the shore of the Island at Warren.s Landing-, showing the ' effect of coast erosion. The trees are Picea mariana, Pojjulus balsamifera and P. tremuloides. In the foreground on tlie left is Eleocharis palustris. ALISMACEAE Alisma Plantago-aquatica L. Sagittaria latifolia Willd. GRAMINEAE Agropyron tenerum Vasey. Alopecuris pratensis L. Becf(mannia erucaeformis (L.) Host. Deschampsia caespitosa'^ (L.) Beauv. Elymus macounii'^ Vasey. Hordeum jubaium L. Panicularia grandis'^ (S. Wats.) Mash. Phalaris arundinacea'^ L. CYPERACEAE Carex aiherodes'^ Sprang. aquaiilis'^ Wahlenb. aurea Nutt. LILIACEAE Smilacina trifolia (L.) Desf. IRIDACEAE Sisyrinchium anguslij olium Miller. ORCHIDACEAE Habenaria h\)perborea (L.) R. Br. SALICAEAE Populus balsamifera L. tremuloides Michx. Salix arg^rocarpa Anders. Candida Fliigge. discolor Muhl. longifolia Muhl. lucida Muhl. Plants marked with * were sent to Dr. M. O. Malte, Ottawa, for identiflcation and confirmation. February, 1920] The Canadian Field-Naturalist 29 Salix pellita Anders. rostrata Richards. URTICACEAE Urtica gracilis Ait. POLYGONACEAE Pol})gonum aviculare L. Convolvulus L. Persicaria L. Rumex mexicanus Meism. CHENOPODIACEAE Chenopodium album L. CARYOPHYLLACEAE Arenaria lateriflora L. Stellaria longifolia Muhl. longipes Goldie var. lacia (Richards) Wats. ■* RANUNCULACEAE Aclaea alba (L) Mill. rubra (Ait.) Willd. Anemone canadensis L. Ranunculus abortivus L. Cymbalaria Pursh. var alpinus Hock. aqualilis L. var. capillaceous D.C. Flammula L. var. rcpians (L.) Mey. lapponicus L. penns^lvanicus L. f. sceleraius L. CRUCIFERAE Arabis Drummondi Gray. Brassica arvensis (L.) Kiitz. Capsella Bursa-pastoris (L.) Medic. Erysimum cheiranthoides L. Lepidium apetalum Willd. Radicula palustris (L.) Moench. Sisymbrium incisum Engelm. DROSERACEAE Droicra rotundifolia L. t SAXIFRAGACEAE Mitella nuda L. Parnassia palustris L. Ribes oxyacanthoides L. prostratum L'Her. ROSACEAE Fragaria virginiana Duchesne. Ceum strictum Ait. Potentilla Anserina L. monspeliensis L. palustris L. Rosa acicularis Lindl. Rubus arcticus L. Chamaemorus L. idaeus L. var. aculeatissimus (Mey) R. & T. iriflorus Richards. LEGUMINOSAE Astragalus canadensis L. Lathyrus maritimus (L.) Bigel. palustris L. Fz'cia americana Muhl. GERANIACEAE Geranium Bic^nellii Britton. VIOLACEAE Viola nephropbylla Greene. ELAEAGNACEAE Elaeagenus argentea Pursh. ONAGRACEAE Epilobium adenocaulon Haussk. angustif olium L. HALORAGIDACEAE Hippuris vulgaris L. ARALIACEAE Aralia hispida Ven'. UMBELLIFERAE Carum Carvi L. Heracleum lanatum Michx. Sanicula marilandica L. Slum cicutaej olium Schrank. CORNACEAE Cornus canadensis L. stolonifera Michx. ERICACEAE Arctoslaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng. Chamacdaphne calyculata (L.) Moench. Chiogenes hispidula (L.) T. & G. Kalmia polifolia Wang. Ledum groenlandicum Oeder. Pyrola asarifolia Michx. secunda L. Vaccinium Oxycoccus L. PRIMULACEAE Dodecatheon Meadia L. Primula mistassinica Michx. Trientalis americana (Pers.) Pursh. GENTIANACEAE Centiana Amarella L. var. acuta (Michx.) Horder. BORAGINACEAE Mertensia paniculata (Ait.) G. Don. LABIATAE Mentha an'ensis L. var. canadensis (L.) Briquet. Stachys palustris L. tenuifolia Willd. var. aspera (Michx.) Fernald. SCROP H U LARI ACAEA Rhinanthus Kyrollae Chabert. Veronica serpyllijolia L. PLANTAGINACEAE Plantago major L. RUBIACEAE Galium triflorum Michx. 30 The Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. caprifoliaceae Linnaea borealis L. var. americana (Forbes) Rehder. Viburnum pauciflorum Raf. campanulaceae Campanula rotundifolia L. lobeliaceae Lobelia spicaia Lam. var. hirtella Gray. COMPOSITAE Artemisia caudata Michx. Bidens cernua L. Erigeron philadelphicus L. Petasites sagiitatus (Pursh) Gray. irigonophyllus Greene. Solidago mulliradiaia Ait. Taraxacum officinale Weber. CANADIAN SPHAERIIDAE. By The Hon. Mr. Justice Latchford. (Continued from Vol. XXXIIl, page 86) 2. Sphaerium CRASSUM Sterki. This species was described in 1901 from shells procured in North- ern Michigan. In Ontario it has so far been found in but one locality — an artificial water-course, made about twenty-five years ago to intersect the flow of Cave creek across Holland Avenue, and divert it directly northward to a new outlet above the Little Chaudiere rapids. The members of the Club are now regrettably few who can recall the time when this stream disappeared into a rocky cave or fissure in Hintonburg, south of the Richmond road, and saw light again only when nea'r the foot of Lazy Snye — le Chenal Paresseux of the rivermen — a locality pro- lific in molluscs in those remote days, though now foul and virtually barren. A few immature shells, collected long ago in Cave creek, on the Stewart and Hinton farms, when it contamed a large volume of water, which were thought to be 5. sulcatum, were probably S. crassum. But the very metropolis of the species was not dis- covered until many years later. It was — not is, I regret to say — in the deepest part of the cutting through the Black river limestone, north of the Canadian Pacific Railway, in the line of Holland Avenue produced. There was at the time about a foot of clear water at the bottom of the trench, flowing freely over a few inches of small pieces of rock — in many cases fragments of cephalopods, corals and brachipods that had flourished and per- ished on the shores of a torrid sea in the inconceiv- ably remote era when this limestone was in process of formation. Among these relics of primaeval faunas the new species was unexpectedly found in great numbers and beautiful form. Dr. Walker has courteously afforded me an opportunity of examining specimens of the type lot from Michigan. Our shells are larger and more robust, but appear to be identical in many of their aspects. It is fortunate that an extensive series was secured during the season when S. crassum was first ob- served, as more recent visits to the locality proved absolutely fruitless. The new intercepting system of drainage along Wellington Street had cut off the flow of water from the south, and large blocks of stone fallen from the banks had clogged the cutting so that little water flowed through it. Of this rare and remarkable species not even a "bone" — as a mere value or empty shell is called — could be found, though many of Lymnaea palustris (a pond snail that ranges deeply over three continents) and of a large form of Planorbis trivolvis were noticed. However, on passing cut of the cutting, and reach- ing a muddy pool in the stretch extending directly southward to the railway, a few good specimens of 5. crassum were procured. This locality was still producing sparingly in August, 1919. For a few more years it will doubtless afford opportunities for collecting this fine shell, and then, like the ponds which once existed near Gladstone Avenue and St. Louis' Dam, be swallowed by the insatiable city. 5. crassum, when mature, is easily distinguished from S. sulcatum, especially when large number of the two species are placed side by side. To state the precise differences briefly and without the use of many technical words is difficult. Perhaps it will suffice to say that crassum as found near Ottawa, is less elongated than sulcatum, more inflated and heavier; the umbones are larger and rounder, and the beaks more closely approximate. The striae are deeper, and the rest bands are less distinct ; the general colour, a deep ashy grey, is much more uniform. This fine Sphaerium probably occurs in other places in Ontario. I have a few shells in poor condi- tion from Masham which may be crassum. It is said by Dr. Sterki to have been found in Quebec, and New York, but the localities are not given.'' 3. Sphaerium AUREUM Prime was described in 1851 from speciments probably found by Prof. oAnn. Carng. Mus. Vol. X (liilG) p. 432. February, 1920] The Canadian Field-Naturalist 31 Agassiz on the expedition to Lake Superior. It is supposed to be identical with a Sphaerium now found in the Upper Mississippi Valley, in Illinois, Iowa, South Dakota, and as far east as North- western Ohio. Such shells are generally light to dark corneous or greyish. As it occurs near Ottawa it conforms more closely to Prime's description, and is "bright golden" or "greenish-yellow." Like S. crassum it has been found here in but one station — Moore's Creek in Hull. It is not a common shell, but is least rare in a pool about a hundred yards north of the Aylmer Road, near the abrupt turn of the stream southward, after a short westerly course. It is smaller than S. sulcatum, and larger than the recently described 5. torsum, which are found asso- ciated with it in Moore's Creek. A single representative of each of the three genera of Unionidae found in Canada occurs in the same stream — Unio compressus Lea, Margaritana undu- lata Say, and Anodonta ferussaciana, var. subc^lin- dracea Lea — the latter bemg the only anodon occur- ing also in the creeks at Stittville and Britannia Highlands. Mr. C. W. Johnson of the Boston Society of Natural History, has compared specimens of S. aureuru from Hull with shells believed to be Prime's types, and is satisfied of the corectness of the identi- fication, which Dr. Sterki confirms. A single shell, shorter and much more inflated — almost sphaencal in fact — from Moore's creek, is doubtfully referable to this species. It might be re- garded as merely abnormal if another shell, iden- tical in size and shape, had not been found in the outlet of Meach Lake. If additional specimens should be found, the shell may be entitled to specific rank. 4. Sphaerium FLAVUM Prime is another of the shells described from specimens found on the Agassiz Expedition, and was described as from Sault Ste. Marie. Dr. Sterki states its habitat to be "the region of the Great Lakes." Whiteaves' records it as collected by Mr. Mclnnis in the Root and English rivers, near Lac Seul, in north-western Ontario. My first specimens were imperfect separate valves obtained in the early eighties in the mill pond of Pattee & Perley, at the Chaudiere, which happened at the time to be empty. They were sent for inden- tification to Tryon of the Philadelphia Academy, who marked them "S, striatinum}" It was not until long afterward, one day in late summer, when the river was very low, that the shell was found living about a mile higher up the Ottawa. I was picking my steps along the remains of the dam that once led a portion of the waters of the Little Chaudiere to the pioneer mills of Nicholas Sparks.^ As the crib work of the dam decayed the filling of stones and gravel was in places pressed outwards into the rapids. In the centre of a runnel in one of the breaches so formed I observed what seemed like a number of golden beads. Closer inspection proved the attractive little objects to b^ bright yellow sphaeriums unlike any form of siriatinum known to me. Large numbers were collected in this and other similar places along the dam, and good sets dis- tributed among my correspondents. The shell was so uniformly regarded as S. fiavum of Prime that I have little doubt of the correctness of the identi- fication. Although the dam has since been swept com- pletely away, the shell is, I am sure, still to be found in the depressions in the rapids where eddies form and fragments of reck accumulate. However the current is usually so strong that wading would be seldom unattended with danger. One locality for this species is accessible without risk when the river is low. It is in the old mill race itself. Along the shore line, and from fifty to a hundred feet above the dead water in the "Snye," lies a narrow talus, covered in late summer with not mare than a few inches of water. On moving the larger stones and raking among the smaller ones, many specimens of this shell may be easily found. 5. fiavum is smaller than any of the shells pre- viously mentioned. At Ottawa it rarely exceeds 10 mm. in length. Its color is brighter than that of any of our sphaeriums except the much larger S. aureum and certain of the less inflated 5. occidentale. As no other shell of the family has been observed in rReport Bureau of Mines, 1912, p. 138. sit may be of interest to note that Captain Le Breton'.s "mills at Britannia were of a still earlier date. They were begun in 1818 to serve the military settlement.s established in that year at Richmond and March, and were the first built on the Upper Canada shore of the Grand river (as the old name of the Ottawa was then commonly abbreviated) above the Long Sault, where Hawkesbury now is. Robert Randall's ambitious projects to develop water power and establish mills and iron works to smelt the Hull ores on his four hundred acre property, purchased in 1809, and extending (in present-day nomenclature) from Bronson avenue to Booth avenue and from Carting avenue to the Ottawa (but not including the islands), were frustrated by the persecution to which he was subjected by members of the Family Compact, his seven years' imprison- ment at Montreal, and the scheme devised and suc- cessfully carried out by Le Breton and Levi us Peters Sherwood, assisted by Sherwood's brothers- in-law, John Stuart and Henry John Boulton, by whicli Stuart, as sheriff of Brockville, at the in- stance of Boulton, and without notice to Randall, for whom Boulton had acted as counsel, sold to Le Breton on December 11. 1820, all Randall's lands in what is now the heart of Ottawa. On the next day the captain, as no doubt in duty bound, conveyed an undivided half-interest in the property to Sher- wood. The story of this nefarious transaction, which was held nevertheless by a judicial member of the Compact to be within the law, is told at length in Appendix (S.S.S.S.) to the Journals of the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada for 18.53. The destruction of Sparks' mills is among the faintest of early memories. Of these mills — as of Troy — it may be truly said thateven the ruins have perished. 32 The Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. the Little Chaudiere rapids, at least along the Ont- ario shore, any bright little bivalve found there may safely be designated S. flavum. 5. Sphaerium RHOMBOIDEUM Say is a shell of great beauty and very wide distribution, its range extending from the New England States to Alaska. The most northerly locality recorded for this prov- ince is Albany river, where it was collected by Mr. Mclnnes. The specific name, like many of the names ap- plied by the famous naturalist who described it, ex- presses the most striking characteristic of the species. Certain other sphaeria are rhomboidal in lateral outline ; but none appears so obviously to have that form. Other features renders this species readily distinguishable. The epidermis is highly polished, usually dark olive in color, with lighter bands and an outer yellow zone. In a few localities, however, it is of a uniform deep brown. This is especially a marked feature of the shells from the pond on Duck Island, and, to a less extent, of those from the pond on the Metropolitan Electric Company's property at Britannia. Iron in the water may have brought about this effect. No other cause can in my opinion be suggested for the brown color — not only external but incorporated in the substance of the shell of the lymnaeidae which swarm in the bay, opposite the Rideau falls, into which Leamy lake discharges — "the Rafting Ground" of other times, where the huge sticks of white pine, made in the charttiers of the Wrights, McGoeys, and Hamiltons, were after their perilous drive down the chutes and cataracts of the Gatineau, formed into cribs and rafts in the spacious days of the square timber trade. Either from rusted chains, iron implements long lost in the bay, or from leachings from the mines and furnaces once operated a few miles to the north, every shell there acquires a coat of brown mail, and many become dwarfed in growth. Planorbis antrorsus has not a tenth of the volume of shells of the same species found among the nearby hills; and PL campanulaius is even smaller than the depauperate form from the marl beds at Hemlock Lake. S. rhomboideum, as it occurs not in the bay, but in the canal leading into it from Leamy lake, is not seriously affected, though browner than any found elsewhere except at Britannia and on Duck island. This species was once very common in the ponds north of St. Louis' Dam, and is doubtless still to be found in Dow's lake, south of it. Farther to the south it ocurs in the outlet of Dow's swamp. To the east it is found in Hemlock lake, but not in large num- bers. The most easily accessible and productive locality for it is the creek in Britannia Highlands, at the Bridge on Tavistook Road. It may, however, be met with in almost any stream or pond on the On- tario side of the Ottawa. In the clearer waters of the Laurentian hills it seems to occur but rarely. One specimen has been found in Meach lake, and none elsewhere on the Quebec side. An adult shell of average size measures 13x10x9 mm. Young shells are proportionably less inflated. 6. Sphaerium occidentale Prime. This is one of our commonest species. It may be found in almost any marsh, or any depression in our deciduous woods where water lies at intervals. Many of the sphaeriidae are capable of enduring long periods of dessication — more apparent at times than real, as some moisture will on careful investigation be often seen to be present; but this species can seal up its activities and lie dormant for weeks or months in the driest situations. Of course all molluscs living in our marshes, and shallow creeks, and ponds, are frozen stiff as icicles every winter; but except in winter comparatively few can remain long alive without water or at least moisture. S. occidentale can better endure a long period of absolute drought, such as sometimes prevails in Ontario, especially in recent years, than any of the genus. None of our large bivalves seems capable of enduring dessica- tion for more than a few days or at most a week; though certain Florida kinds have been found alive by Charles T. Simpson in stations which had long been as dry as dust. In the woods in the Eastern part of the City, near Beechwood cemetery, every hollow contains this Sphaerium and no other. In midsummer it may be found in such places by raking the surface of the mould. It is usually bright yellow, oval in outline, but slightly inflated, and seldom exceeds 8 mm. in length. A much paler form ocurs on Lemieux island, south of the new pumping station. It is a clear Naples yellow in color, but does not vary from the normal in any other respect. At Britannia where S. occidentale exists in great numbers in the marsh in Loma Park, near the Magee farm, and, on that farm, north of the railway lines, in a hollow under large willows directly north of Britannia Highlands station — a locality singularly prolific in many desir- able shells — it is smoky grey in color. West of the village it may be found inside the railway culvert. In these and other stations it is accompanied by several members of the family, and the beginner would do well to procure first the shells of McKay's bush or Lemieux island before resorting to places where several sphaeriums and muscuhums are also found. Under an inch objective this shell will be noticed to be covered with numerous small papillae. This feature has not been observed in any of our other species, and may serve as a means of identifying occidentale. Once however the characteristics of the species are carefully observed, confusion with any other known to occur near Ottawa is unlikely. February, 1920] The Canadian Field-Naturalist 33 S. occideniale does not extend as far to the north as 5. rhomboideum. It ranges however in a beU of irregular width from Quebec and the Eastern States to California and British Columbia. 7. Sphaerium TORSUM Sterki was described from shells collected in Moore's Creek in the same station that affords S. aureum. I have not found it elsewhere. Dr. Sterki may, however, have speci- mens among shells sent to him from the Rideau. If so the fact escaped my notice. By his permission — one of many sets of kindness — I append his descrip- tion:— Sphaerium torsum sp. nov. Mussel inequipartite, oblique, well-inflated, poster- ior part higher, and much more voluminous than the anterior; dorso-ventral axis curved and oblique; beaks strongly inclined forward, large, prominent, rounded, not or slightly, mamillar, superior margin curved, not, or barely, bounded by angles; scutum and scutellum well marked; anterior and posterior ends rounded, inferior margin moderately curved; surface with fine, slight, irregular or subregular con- centric striae and a few lines of growth, shining; yellow, straw colored in younger specimens; shell • moderately strong, hinge long for the shape and size of the mussel, almost regularly curved, '■ather slight; cardinal teeth small, the left posterior tooth vestigial in some specimens; laminae rather slight, at almost right angles to each other; ligament covered, resilium moderately strong. Soft parts not examined. Long. 11 mm.; ah. 9 mm.; diam. 7 mm. (100: 83:64). 5. lorsum appears to range near emarginaium of the same region, but is more oblique, of more round-d outlines, more evenly inflated. The beaks are less elevated, less mamillar, and more inclined forward, and the hinge is much slighter. Habitat. — Quebec, Ontario, along the Ottawa River near Hull and Ottawa, collected by Justice Latchford. No. 6956 for full-grown, and 7286 for young and adolescent specimens. It occurs also in Wisconsin. Fossil. — Goat Island, Niagara, collected by Miss J. E. Lotson, 1900, (No. 2224a). 8. Sphaerium emarginatum Prime ranges from Maine to Lake Superior and Winnipeg, and northwest to the District of Patricia, where it was found by Mr. Mclnnes in the Attawapiscat river. Mr. James H. Ferris found it in great numbers in the Montreal river, north of Sault St. Marie, and has kindly sent me specimens from that locality. In the vicinity of Ottawa this species has been found only in the canal, above Hartwell's locks, and in the outlet of Phillip's lake, in the County of Pon- tiac. Its resemblance to torsum is indicated in the description of that species. The Ottawa shells are sHghtly more inflated, the average size from the canal being 10.2 x 8 x 7 mm. 9. Sphaerium stamineum Conrad does not seem to be a common shell in or near Ottawa, where I have not found it elsewhere than in the Rideau opposite Strathcona Park. In Toronto it abounds in the Don and Humber. The beautiful little Lynn between Simcoe and Port Ryerse, in the County of Norfolk, also affords it in great numbers. A shell doubtfully considered stamineum, but which may be an undescribed species, occurs in the outlet of Swan lake in Pontiac. Unfortunately only a few could be procured. 5. stamineum is approximately triangular in out- line and of a uniform yellow color. The name ap- plied to it by Conrad (meaning thready or fibrous) does not refer to any of its characteristics. Probably stramineum ( = stra'wy) was the term intended, as that is the prevailing color of the species; but as the specific name applied has some meaning it must stand for all time. Toronto shells average 13.5 x 10 x 9.7 m.m. 10. Sphaerium acuminatum Prime. A mus- sel believed to be this species is very common in Lake Des Chenes, especially above the pier at Britannia and in Graham Bay. Prime at one time at least regarded acuminatum as a synonym of stri- atinum ; but no form of the latter species that I have ever seen approaches in appearances the Des Chenes shell when mature, though young shells are not un- like young striatinum. In midsummer dead shells may be occassionally noticed washed up along the railway embankment at the southerly end of the bay. Later, when the river is in its lowest state, thousands of this species rise from their drying beds all over the exposed flats, and plough along the surface their slow way — devious at times but in the main direct — towards the receding water. This manifestation of the in- stinct of self preservation is common to all mussels, large and small, in similar condition; but I know of no place in which it is more plainly exhibited than in Graham bay. The furrows end in a deeper de- pression when the animal is exhausted or has reached a location sufficiently moist. The number of speci- mens that one can collect is limited only by the time at one's disposal. Children learn quickly where the shells are to be found, and delight in picking them up and rendering aid to the naturalist who desires a large series of specimens. Identification is ren- dered easy owing to the fact that no other Sphae- rium has been found in the bay. Many pisidia how- ever ocur there — of which more hereafter; and south of the railway, in the marsh, connected at high water with the bay through a culvert, several species of our three genera of sphaeridae are to be found in early summer. Eighty or ninety shells found on June 21, 1916, between little islets, near the shore, about five hun- 34 The Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. dred yards west of the pier at North Bay in Lake Nipissing, while similar to acuminatum not fully matured, appear to be a different species. If so, they have not been described. Additional material in quantity, collected later in the season, would pro- bably remove all doubt ; but an effort to obtam it on the occasion of a subsequent visit failed owing to the height of the water and the absence of pro- per facilities for dredging. The ten largest shells found average 8.78 x 7, 15 x 5.13 mm. or 100: 81.5: 58.5. The average size oi ten full grown shells found at Britannia is 12.1 x 10 x 7.5 mm. or 100:82.5: 61.5. Four miles up the lake, in Shirley's Bay, the shell is slightly smaller. The species occurs sparsely along New Orchard Beach. 11. Sphaerium striatinum Lamarck was de- scribed in 1818 from specimens believed to have been collected in Lake George, New York. The types are, I presume, preserved in the Jardin des Plantes. The type locality lies in a region where there are few collectors, even among those who, like the writer, occasionally visit its lovely shores. My few oppor- tunities have been restricted to the south or upper end of the lake, and were absolutely fruitless. The shell doubtless occurs in one or more of the bays along the east shore, or at the outlet, near historic Ticonderoga. The desirability of obtaining shells from the locality which furnished the type chiefly arises from the brevity of the original description and the difh- culty of determining what shell it was applied to. Lincoln had in his law office a drawer labelled "If you can't find it anywhere else, look here." Similarly striaiium is a species to which any medium sized shell of the genus may be assigned. Dr. Sterki states (Am. Carng. Mus. Vol. X, p. 437) that al- most every Sphaerium has been named "striatinum." Mussels believed to be of that species abound on the sandy shoals along the northerly shore of Duck Ilsand. They are so numerous that sometimes in August and September they form a distinct line where washed up by the waves from passing boats, and are preyed upon by plover and ether v. ading birds. Ten adult shells average 1 1 .2 x 8.3 x 5.6 mm., or 100: 74:50. No Sphaerium but this has been observed along the upper beaches of the island, unless a shorter and less inflated shell which is but occasionally met with shall prove distinct. Striatinum has been found in the canal at Corn- wall. Shells from that locality more nearly resemble specimens attributed to this species received from various points in the United States than do the Duck Island shells. It occurred among shells collected at Toronto, in the bay east of the mouth of the Humber, a locality now destroyed by harbor im- provements, which afforded me the only specimens of the European Valvata piscinalis L. discovered on this continent. In passing it may be mentioned that another importation, Bithynia tentaculata L., abounds in Toronto Bay, and in the canal at Corn- wall. (To he continued.) BELATED GUESTS. By Frank Morris, Peterborough, Ont. In the last week of December, While working on examination papers, I took an occasional tramp with a colleague through the countryside about the city of Peterborough, Ont. We were both armed with field-glasses and got more than the usual run of luck in observations. On one occasion, west of the city, we sighted a flock of small birds at work among the coarse stalks of pigweed and other plants in a wayside field. The quickness of the birds' movements and the cur- ious unanimity of the whole flock, as it forged hur- riedly ahead to a fresh clump of seed spikes, or rose in swirling flight through the air, now warping half across the field, to settle suddenly down, as by a single impulse, at some unexpected point — all this made endless entertainment to watch, even though the bleak wind drew the rheum from one's eyes. On closer view the flock proved to be made up of goldfinches in their sober garb of winter with a sprinkling of snowbirds. East of the city, again, on Dec. 28th, from the middle of a field beside us, there suddenly rose just such another flock of small birds, for all the world like a flutter of leaves caught up by a ran- dom gust and swept through the air; along they came, warping this way and that, now rising, now falling; and suddenly wheeling downwards in mid- air, dropped into a row of elm saplings right be- side us. The numerous faint twitterings heard in flight were replaced by one or two, single, clear, deliciously sweet canary notes of tyvee-ee, tivee-ec, from some leader of the band. "Goldfinches," I exclaimed ; but my companion, more alert with his glasses, soon detected the rich brown-crimson cap of the Redpoll, and before I had time to confound my ears with the more telling evidence of the February, 1920] The Canadian Field-Naturalist 35 eye, another puff of impulse had caught them into the welkin and away beyond our ken. Hoping next day to get another glimpse of livmg nature in the form of these winged spirits, we sallied forth after an early lunch past the field of their operations; — nothing to be seen, but the wide- spread carpet of snow with scattered stalks of weeds and dry brown clover heads protruding here and there. A mile or more east, we turned down a side- road, and had just risen from swamp level with poplar and cedar thickets on either side, when a large cinnamon-brown bird flew across the road in front of us, apparently from the outskirts of an old deserted orchard on our right. It settled forthwith, in some staghorn sumacs at the margin of the road within 4 or 5 yards of where we stood. Like many birds seen feeding in win- ter, it appeared remarkably tame; there it perched, while we scanned it leisurely through our glasses; t, large bright-brown bird with broken lines of dark throstle flecks on its white breast, a long light brown tail apparently more than doubling the length of the bird; on the forward half of the wing two distinct, if not conspicuous bars of whitish, the upper somewhat shorter than the lower; unmistak- ably, the Brown Thrasher. It presented a remarkable picture as it stood swaying slightly in the breeze among the stiff, naked and fantastically angled branches of the sumac; pre- sently, craning forward and up, it drove its long slender bill into one of the quaint, velvety-crimson, candelabra seed-spikes of the "Staghorn," and ate voraciously. A slight breeze was blowing and the delicate plumes of the bird's neck and back ruffled and stirred with the play of the air as soft as thistledown; perhaps this fluffing of its feathers was a protest at the chill of our northern winter. Oc- casionally the breeze freshened and the bird al- most lost its balance, reft of its beloved prop and windbreak of summer foliage; once I saw it partly unfurl the wings, but for the most part it used the long tail for a balancer, depressing and spreading the feathers fanwise in perfect adjustment to the streams of air. From first to last the bird remained perfectly silent and careless, though aware of its observers. It little skilled to note that here and there in the sumac where the bird had perched, the stout vel- vety spikes had already been picked to the bone and nothing left but bare skeletons of stem and pedicel; or that on the snow-white floorcloth be- neath lay a sprinkling of seed and husk — crumbs from the feast of previous days ; none but the most perverse of skeptics needed any such demonstra- tion; in the directness with which the bird flew to the sumac, mounted its perch and fell to, the in- ference was already plain — here was its daily lunch counter where it had a standing order for one set dish and no other. Many of our winter residents show this constant preference in their food; the Pine Grosbeak flocks to the rowan, the Evening Grosbeak to the Manitoba maple, with the same unerring flight as this Thrasher to the sumac. We took our fill of this delightful sight and then passed quietly on, leaving the bird still "throng at its simple one-course meal. The Brown Thrasher has given me many an hour of exquisite pleasure, listening to its rhapsodies of leafy June, but I would not for a wilderness of summer songbirds have missed this sight of him in our December bar- rens, and the image of '■ all will not quickly fade from the heart. Twenty minutes later, as we retraced our steps on the next line south, we were stopped at the crest of a hill by a flock of Redpolls playing in the cedar shrubberies. The birds seemed to court the inner recesses of their thicket, and rather than be spied on presently rose in a twittering cloud and -were wafted away to the south. We were just turning away with a sigh of pleased content at their joy of life, when we both on the instant be- came aware of some larger form moving about under the cedars, skulking in the shadows. Fol- lowing its direction a few paces, we soon came abreast of it, and quite unconcernedly it stopped and faced about in an open place by the fence ; by all the Powers! a Ground Robin or Towhee, and a male at that! black coat, jet hood and cape, white vest flanked at the wings with reddish brown, and when it turned away, a long black tail with conspicuous white margins and cross marks at the cuter end. What were these birds thinking about? Had D^n Whetung of Chernong deceived them to their undoing with his forecast of an open winter, or h'd birds and Indian chief alike misread the si^ns of the weather? December the 29th was a fine winter's dav, bright and almost calm, with only '0 or 12 degrees of f rest ; but it is worth notinr; that three weeks earlier we had passed throug'h a zero dip at least. Three times since, I have gone the same round, annroaching the hallowed snots with bated breath, bu": no further vision has b^en vouchsafed ; and I cannot even be sure whether these summer residents of ours ever managed to see the old year out, or sped south for their new year, as having outstayed their welcome in old Ontario. 36 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS. Migratory Birds Convention Act Prosecutions. The following is a condensed list of some of the cases brought into court by officers of the Dominion Parks Branch, of the Department of the Interior. The Dominion Parks Branch will be pleased to receive notice of cases brought by pnvate individ- uals or societies. Marr Millinery Company, Limited, St. John, New Brunswick, pleaded guilty to having posses- sion of gull plumage, and a fine of $10.00 was im- posed. Nettie McKinnon, Digby, Nova Scotia, fined $10.00 for having gull plumage in her possession. Miss G. P. MawleY, Summerside, Prince Ed- ward Island, fined $10.00 for having Brant out of season. George ArsenAULT, St. Elinor's, Prince Ed- ward Island, sold Brant in June and was fined $10.00. Mr. McAdam, manager, Island Cold Storage Company, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, fined $10.00 for having Brant in his possession and birds confiscated. Francis Ruggles, Caledonia, Nova Scotia, fined $10.00 for shooting White-rumped Sandpipers. Edgar Fromm, Frank Dixon and John Ting- ley, Westmorland County, New Brunswick, were convicted for having black duck cut of season, and penalties of $20.00 each imposed. The Absence of Song Birds in the Wilder- ness OF Nova Scotia. — ^Any "bird man" who for the first time makes a trip to the wilderness country in the interior of the Province of Nova Scotia will be struck by the absence of bird songs. There are birds, it is true, but no real singers that at times compel us to pause in the act of dipping our paddle in the glassy lake or arrest our hasty step as some of our best feathered performers of the orchards and the clearings do. Occasionally the croak of a raven is heard or the dee-dee of chickadees, both the common variety and the Hudsonian, and at night the hoot of the Great-Horned Owl. The Canadian Jay is quite common and well known with his extremely slow and noiseless flight, and his discordant ca-ca. Occasionally a flock of Crossibills will pass overhead with undulating flight, spreading out and closing together again in fan-like fashion, leaving one wondering why they do not collide and injure their frail wings. The flute-like whistle of these little acrobats is quite pleasant when nearby, and yet it would be impossible to describe it as a song. During the fall months, one meets more T. G. Butler, Ottawa, fined $10.00 for having a mounted loon. James Baker, of Clam Harbour, Nova Scotia, found guilty of illegal possession of eider duck and fined $10.00. Victor Grain, of Boston, Massachusetts, found guilty and gun confiscated for shooting shore birds in Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia. Wallace Hatfield, of Central Argyle, Nova Scotia, was convicted of shooting Willets. Charles Muse, of Central Argyle, Nova Scotia, also convicted for same offence. Freeman Deviller, of Lower Melbourne, Nova Scotia, ordered to release young flock of ducks held in captivity. The following mounted birds were confiscated at Ottawa: A Great Blue Heron, a Flicker, a Wood Duck, 3 Loons, a Herring Gull, and a Pileated Woodpecker. Eugene Van Anberg, of Lockport, Nova Scotia, found guilty and fined $10.00 for shooting an eider duck. Ernest ThobURN, Lower Jordan Bay, Nova Scotia, fined $10.00 for shooting eider duck. Winslow Buchanan, Lower Sandy Bay, Nova Scotia, shot an eider duck, and was fined $10.00. birds in the wilderness than in the spring or summer. These, also, however, are not real singers, with the exception of the robins which at this time are in- different to song, being too busy fattening upon the luscious berries that cover the barrens in great pro- fusion. When seen far from habitation and especi- ally in the autumn they will nearly always be ac- companied by Flickers, migrating together in perfect harmony, the latter "sticking" against the dead pine trunks while the robins seek the bare branches. I have watched them many times while moose calling in the early frosty mornings of September and October, and never have seen any discord among them. It is quite the reverse with the Canadian Jays, which seem to agree when not feeding, but quarrel fiercely, though ludicrously, when engaged in stealing from a moose carcase. These latter are very bold and it is a common sight to see them tearing at a moose carcase while the operation of gralloching is in process. Perhaps one will tear off a piece' of fat and fly through the swamp with two or three others pursuing him, the tit-bit chang- ing ownership many times before the fortunate one February, 1920] The Canadian Field-Naturalist 37 is left to enjoy his prize in peace. Occasionally one sees a solitary Swamp Sparrow as he patters over the mud and trash caused by the overflow of lake or river. His discordant metallic c/ii'n^ does not impress one as a feathered friend at all. The first time I visited the Nova Scotia wilderness in quest of big game, when a boy of sixteen, I re- marked upon the absence of crows to an old guide. "No sir," said he, "you will never see or hear one back here, but I should like to bring a hve one out here and let him go; he wouldn't live long." "Why?" I queried. "Oh," the guide replied, "he would fly up to one of these big granite rocks and caw himself to death trying to locate a friend." This fall I was surprised to hear a Song Sparrow burst forth into song. He was at least twenty- five miles from civilization. 'I waved my hat in his direction and wished him a safe journey south and an early return next spring. He was the exception to the rule. We may sum up the perchmg birds that may be seen in the wilderness here as follows: Great- Horned Owl ; Raven ; Jay ; Chickadee ; Crossbill ; Flicker; Robin; Hawk; Swamp Sparrow. The first five mentioned are residents. H. A. P. Smith, Digby, N.S. BOOK NOTICES AND REVIEWS. Lead Poisoning in Waterfowl, by Alexander Wetmore, Bulletin No. 793, U.S. Dept. Agr., Pro- fessional Paper, Washington, D.C.. July 31, 1919. This is a twelve-page pamphlet of considerable in- terest to sportsmen, conservationists and ornitholog- ists. Many of our ducking marshes have been shot over for a good many years. Each shot so fired scatters in the neighborhood of an ounce of shot over the bottom. Mr. Wetmore estimates that on one large marsh examined by him an average of 75,000 shells are fired annually. This amounts to over two tons a year. As lead shot resists corrosion and is prac- tically everlasting, the effect is cumulative and amounts to over eighty tons in the past twenty j'ears. The shot gradually sinks in the mud, of course, but as tipping ducks, such as Mallard, Pintail and others, dig down into it from 12 to 16 inches, it is evident that their opportunity for picking up shot is considerable. On examination the author found in the mud from the bottom in the neighbor- hood of favorite shooting stands from 20 to 22 No. 6 shot in each sample dredged up and examined. The ducks in sifting through the mud for food re- tain any small hard particle like gravel and the presence of real gravel does not seem to prevent them from taking the shot as well. Experiments on captive specimens of wild species proved that six pellets, often less, are fatal to ducks. In this manner large numbers of ducks have been poisoned in certain marshes every year though it is only lately (see Bowles, Auk, XXV, 1908, pp. 312-313) that the cause of the deaths was recog- nized. By a process of experiment and elimina- tion it was proved that it is the lead content and not the additions to the metal such as arsenic that causes the trouble, though chilled shot is less rapid in its effects than soft. The paper deals at length with the symptoms and pathology of the poisoned conditions. The first ef- fect is a weakening of the wing muscles until the power of flight is lost, difficulty is experienced in walking and partial or complete paralysis of the legs ensues. The wings drag and the tail droops. The bird's appetite remains good and even increases, but the food does not seem to pass the stomach and the proventriculus and lower esophagus become dis- tended with food. The fecal matter is green and watery. The heart is finally affected and death comes in from a few days to five weeks. Though magnesic sulphate in water, 60 grams to 10 quarts, seems to give relief and sometimes cure in individual treatments no suggestions as to treat- ment or prevention on a large scale is proposed. It is suggested that by its nature the trouble is more likely to increase than decrease but the author seems more anxious over the effect the lead poisoning will have, even in the cases of birds showing con- siderable resistance to or even recovery from it, on reproductive fertility, than over the number it actu- ally kills. So far only Mallards, Pintails, Canvas-backs, Whistling Swans and Marbled Godwits have been known to be affected, and as shot is common in stomachs of wild ducks examined by the Biological Survey, it seems that some individuals or species have more or less tolerance for, or resistance to, lead poisoning, or its effects would be more wide- spread and serious. It would be well for the sports- men to look out for sickly ducks and examine them for lead poisoning, in order that fuller details may be known. P. A. Taverner. Annotated Check List of the Macrolepid- OPTERA of Alberta. By . Kenneth Bowman. Published by the Alberta Natural History Society, Red Deer, Alta., 16 pp., February, 1919. For a number of years the late F. H. Wolley- 38 The Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. Dod, who was one of our leading lepidopterists, published in the Canadian Entomologist, a series of papers dealing with the lepidoptera of the pro- vince of Alberta. Since the appearance of Mr. Dod's last paper, however, other indefatigable col- lectors, particularly Messrs. Bowman and Mackie, of Edmonton, have added many records new to the province. The new list prepared by Mr. Bow- man is certainly a useful publication and I have had many occasions to refer to it. In the pre- paration of this list the author has "endeavored to provide an epitomy of what has been accom- published by students of this order within the province to date, as an aid, not only to present workers, but those who will follow after." Arthur Gibson. OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS' CLUB SATURDAY AFTERNOON EXCURSIONS FOR THE SEASON OF 1920. May \. Geology. — Rockcliffe Park.— Meet at the first stop in the Park. May 15. General natural history. — Catfish Bay, along the Ottawa River just west of Hull. — Meet in front of the Eddy Co's office. May 29. Botany and Ornithology. — Fairy Lake. Take the Chelsea road electric car line to the end of the loop. June 12. Entomology (Mr. C. B. Hutchings, Leader). — Queen's Park, Aylmer. June 26. Horticulture (Mr. W. T. Macoun, Leader) — Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa. Sept. 18. General natural history. — Britannia. The time of meeting at the points indicated will be 2.45 p.m. Leaders conversant with the subjects mentioned will be present to render assistance. All interested are cordially invited to attend. An unusually well-attended meeting of the Ex- cursions Committee of The Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club was held on the afternoon of April 8, for the purpose of formulating the above programme for the coming season. Reference was made incidentally to two very enjoyable reunions of the Club held during the past winter, and the intention was expressed of holding similar meetings and outings during the next winter season. OBITUARY. James Melville Macoun, C.M.G. Succumbing to a fatal illness, James Melville Macoun, C.M.G., passed peacefully away, in Ottawa, on January 8th, 1920. The late James Macoun was born in Belleville, Ont., in 1862, and was the son of Professor John Macoun, the illustrious Father of Canadian Botany, who, living at Sidney, on Vancouver Island, B.C., is still active in natural history research. James Macoun attended the Belleville High School and Albert College, where, at that time, his father was Professor of Botany. When, in 1882, Professor Macoun was called to Ottawa to take charge of the botanical and other natural history work in the Geological Survey, James Macoun became his Assistant, beginning regular work with the Domin- ion Government in 1883. As early as 1881, how- ever, he assisted his father in field work, exploring the territory between Portage la Prairie, Man., and the headwaters of the Assiniboine. James Macoun was a born naturalist and natural history explorer. Although, by natural inclination, he gradually specialized in botany, he made most valuable contributions in other branches of natural history. The wideness of the extensive scope of work in which Mr. Macoun was engaged during his long career as a Canadian naturalist may be more fully realized from the brief data which are pre- sented herewith. In 1884, at the age of twenty-two, Mr. Macoun made extensive collections of Cambro-Silurian fos- sils in the Red River valley, Man., en the west shore of Lake Winnipeg, and on the adjacent islands. In 1885, he collected natural history speci- mens in general in the Lake Mistassini district in the Province of Quebec and, the following year, worked along the line from Lake Winnipeg, Man., to Hudson bay. In 1887, Mr. Macoun explored islands of James Bay and contributed much inter- esting information, floristic and zoological, to the knowledge of the natural history of the southern part of the Hudson Bay region. In 1888, he collected plants and birds along the Athabaska and the Churchill rivers, and in the following year collected, with his father, birds, mammals, reptiles and insects in British Columbia. He also greatly assisted his father in making a very J February. 1920] The Canadian Field-Naturalist 39 complete collection of the flora from the Pacific Coast to the Eagle Pass in the Gold Range, a dis- tance of nearly 400 miles on the Canadian Pacific Railway. In 1890, he agam worked in British Columbia, assisting his father collecting on the Columbia river along the Kootenay lake, and in the Selkirk and Rocky mountains. Up to this time, Mr. Macoun had devoted his time and energy to natural history study in general. His intimate knowledge of methods and his ability to draw reliable conclusions from his findings were then fully recognized by the Geological Survey and, as a result, his wide knowledge and his skill as an ence at Washington, D.C. Because of his most valuable work on the international fur seal investi- gations he was made a C.M.G., at the recommen- dation of Lord Bryce, then British Ambassador to Washington. Mr. Macoun's intimate knowledge of Canada's forestry resources was taken particular advantage of by the Government in 1899. That year Mr. Macoun was placed in charge of the Canadian Forestry Exhibit, which was to be displayed at the Paris Exposition in 1900. Mr. Macoun brought together a magnificient collection of Canadian for- estry products which, when exhibited in Paris, most JAMES :m. macoun, C.M.G. investigator soon prompted the Government to en- gage him in special and important work. When, in 1891, the fur seal conditions in the Northern Pacific became of international import- ance, Mr. Macoun was made Secretary to the late Dr. G. M. Dawson, Director of the Geological Survey and Behring Sea Commissioner of Canada, and in this capacity he went to the North Pacific to investigate the fur seal conditions. His services in the study of the habits and life history of the fur seal proved so valuable that he was retained on this special work in 1892 and 1893, and sent to Europe as an expert in connection with the Fur Seal Arbitration. In 1896 he again went to Behr- ing Sea, and also in 1914. In 19! I, he was one of Canada's representatives at the Fur Seal Confer- strikingly demonstrated to all Europe the immense timber resources of the Dominion. When in Paris, in 1900, Mr. Macoun also at- tended the International Congress of Botanists, which was called together for the purpose of draft- ing rules and regulations to govern the use of botan- ical nomenclature. On behalf of Canada, Mr. Macoun signed the recommendations which later were adopted at the International Congress at Vienna, thus committing Canadian botanists in offi- cial positions to adhere to the so-called "Vienna rules of nomenclature" in botany. In 1903, Mr. Macoun undertook an investigation of the Peace river country in general, and of the upper portion in particular, to ascertain the true character of the soil and climate of that part of 40 The Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. Canada. His resultant report displays, in the amplest degree, a faculty of observation given to but a very limited number of investigators, and a fearlessness in presenting the results of findings which IS, and always will be, the highest and most valued characteristic of a genuine scientific investi- gator and a true public servant. When not engaged in the special work briefly re- ferred to, Mr. Macoun was, during his last 20 years, largely occupied with botanical work, except in 1909, when he spent considerable time assisting his father in the preparation of the "Catalogue of Canadian Birds." Remaining in Ottawa during the summer of 1897, for the first time since being con- nected with the Geological Survey, Mr. Macoun made a special study of the violets of the Ottawa region, discovering species new to science, and in 1913 he again collected in the Ottawa region, sup- plementing the botanical material which had been brought together by bis father and himself with a view of publishing a "Flora of the Ottawa District." In 1910, Mr. Macoun studied the fauna and flora on the west coast of Hudson bay, and, in 1912, he was engaged in botanical work on Vancouver island, particularly in Strathcona Park where sever- al species new to Canada as well as to science were discovered. From 1914, he worked in British Columbia and in Jasper Park, Alberta . The islands of the Gulf of Georgia, as well as the Comox district of Vancouver island, were thorough- ly investigated from a botanical standpoint. During the last two years, Mr. Macoun made a most com- plete botanical survey of Jasper Park, Alta., ex- tending his working field the last year westward along the Grand Trunk Pacific railway. Mr. Macoun was appointed Assistant Naturalist in the Geological Survey in 1898 and Botanist in 1917. In 1918, he was appointed Chief of the Biological Division. This brief outline of Mr. Macoun's field work and career as a naturalist may give some idea, al- though a rather incomplete and vague one, of the magnitude of the scope of work undertaken by him. His unique record will, by force of its excellence, guarantee him an ever-honoured place as a Canadian naturalist of the highest rank. As a botanist, par- ticularly, he contributed enormously to the knowl- edge and understanding of the Canadian flora. His extensive travels made him familiar with the flora from eastern Canada to the extreme islands off the Pacific coast, and from the hot and arid parts of southern British Columbia to the tundra of the Arctic. No one in Canada, with the exception of his illustrious father, ever possessed such a thorough knowledge of the Canadian flora as did James Macoun, and, as a result, he was justly recognized and esteemed as the greatest authority in matters bc'anical, next to his venerable father, that Canada ever produced. His name is indelibly written on the pages of the History of Canadian Botany. Mr. Macoun's fame as a botanist and as a naturalist in general may be contributed to three main characteristics, namely, a brilliancy of mind enabling him to grasp quickly and accurately the central idea of arguments and the relative value of evidence presented, an in-born love of investigations for the sake of the investigation itself, and a fund of energy which permitted no physical obstacles to be raised in the way of his investigational efforts. Extremely modest and unassuming, Mr. Macoun was the type of scientist who derives complete satis- faction from the conscientious persecution of his work without seeking public reward for the ser- vice done. Mr. Macoun was a true scientist whose untimely death is sincerely deplored by his many scientific and other friends. The Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club IS feeling his departure deeply and recently expressed its sentiments in the following resolution: "The members of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club desire to place on record their deep sorrow in the death of their fellow member and friend, Mr. James M. Macoun, C.M.G. Mr. Macoun's repu- tation as a careful, conscientious naturalist was by no means confined to Canada. In his death the Geological Survey has lost a valuable officer and members of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club a true friend, ever ready to assist, not only in the furtherance of the botany of Canada, but in other branches of natural history as well The council desires to express its sincerest sympathy to his widow and daughter." M. O. Malte. ^^CAl i THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST VOL. XXXIV. MARCH, 1920. No. 3 THE SCOTERS AND EIDERS. By p. a. Taverner. (Published by permission of the Geological Survey of Canada.) The scoters and eiders are often regarded by swellings, protuberances and extended processes, the amateur ornithologist and the general sportsman In the females these bill characters are reduced; as confusing groups. Whilst the males are well but, except in the American Scoter, they retain marked by color and bill characters some females enough peculiarity of shape for ready generic recog- bear close general resemblance to each other. The nition. Generally juvenile males are similar to the following diagnosis and plates may therefore be of females but soon show sufficient traces of the com- interest to those who have occasion to identify these ing adult plumage to indicate their sex. MALE A/VALE SCOTERS-GENUS Oidemia -^£AMACRLU5t:s-Genre Oidemia ■^■1 FEAAALE, FEMELLL, lu O.americana 2b O.de^laodi O.per^picUlata C.l.JQHNS>ON species. Two species of eider, Steller's and the Spectacled, are rather different from the others, but as they only are to be expected in the extreme north- west, Alaska and the Yukon, they need rarely be considered in connection with eastern material. Except these two species, the scoters and eiders are ducks of the largest and sturdiest build. As the accompanying plates show, the males are char- acterized by unusually heavy bills often with strange THE SCOTERS. The adult males of all the scoters are practically solidly black birds or with only restricted and sharp- ly defined patches of pure white on head or wing. The females are without variegation, dark brown gradually lightening below or on breast and face, and show no indication of bars or streaks. The bills of all plumages except that of the female American Scoter are characteristic. 42 The Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. American Scoter, Oidemia americana. Plate I, Figs. 1,1a. The adult male is solidly black without spot or touch of other colour except the butter-coloured swelling at base of bill. The female shows a com- paratively normal duck bill, the feathering neither encroached upon nor encroaching on the sides of the bill. There is a more or less well defined dark cap includmg the sides of the crown, contrasting with the cheeks that are evenly coloured instead of showing two diffused light patches as in the other two scoters. be traced in a depressed area of soft black velvet- like feathers. The sides of the bill encroaches on the cheek feathering in a square shape and is coloured bright yellow, red and white with a strange squarish spot of black as shown. The female has two lightish patches on the sides of the face like the female White-winged, but the bill surface in- trudes upon the feathering of the cheek in the same square shape as in the male and the feathering of the crown extends half way to the nostril and far beyond that on the sides of the bill. The square black spot at the base of the bill is indicated in the EIDER3 - GENUS] Somateria LE5 EIDERS - GeorcJ ^^^i^^^i-ena H MALE MALE ^..-^^^ ^^^ FEMALE FEMKLLF .^. 5.moUi5 5inia dre-sseri 2 a "' 5-'no[li55ima bore a I is 3a 3.5pectabili CEJOflNSON White-winged Scoter, Oidemia deglandi. Plate I, Figs. 2, 2a, 2b. The prominent white wing patches (Fig. 2a) in all plumages of this bird prevents its confusion with any other species. The adult male is all black with a white crescent under the eye, white secon- daries and a bill coloured in bright reds and black. The female has two vague light spots on the cheek like the Surf Scoter, and the feathering of the cheeks encroaches upon the sides of the bill nearly to the nostrils and about as far as that of the crown. Surf Scoter, Oidemia perspicillata. Plate I, Figs. 3, 3a. The adult male is an all black bird with small white patches on the fore and hind crown. In some changing or moulting plumages this latter is lost wholly or in part but its position and outline can still juvenile male at an early age and before other sex- ual characters are assumed. THE EIDERS. Adult male eiders are easily distinguished from similar scoters by being colored in large contrasted masses of black and white, the latter variously suf- fused on face, fore and under parts with delicate nile-green, pale slate-blue or vinaceous (pinkish). Comparable scoters are nearly solid black, relieved only by restricted, sharply defined patches of pure white about head and on wings. Female eiders are colored with mixtures of black, brown, ochre and rusty in various proportions, tend- ing towards fine streaks on face, coarser ones and V-shaped markings on back and broken bars across breast and flanks. The cross barring across the up- per breast of the females is sufficiently distinctive of the eiders to separate them from any other duck M arch, 1920] The Canadian Field-Natukalist 43 regularly occunng in Canada. Comparable scotcis are solidlj' coloured dark brown without variegation except for gradual hghtenings of fcice, fore parts, and belcw, — they are entirely without bars or streaks. King Eider, Somaieria spedabilis. Plate II, Figs. 3. 3a. The greatly enlarged bill process, coloured bright yellow, easily distinguishes the male of this species. The feathering of the fore crown and the cheeks are diagnostic in other plumages. In this species the crown feathers extend down the ridge of the bill as far as the rear of the nostrils, whilst the feathering of the cheeks does not extend as far as that of the crown. In other comparable eiders the the Northern Eider, Somaieria mollissima borealis can be shown to exist. The American Eider there- fore becomes Somaieria mollissima dresseri. These two American forms can only be separated by the bill processes on the sides of the crown. In the American Eider these processes in either sex are broad and end in a well rounded instead cf a pointed tip as in the Northern and the Pacific Eiders. Pacific Eider, Somaieria v. nigra. Plate III, Figs. 2, 2a. The Pacific Eider can usually be told from the Atlantic Elder by the black V-mark on the throat similar to that of the King Eider. In occasional MALE KROM'l' VIEW Of BILL FEMALli FliA^FA,LK. EIDERS LES EIDERS GENE-RA ] -Genres J Polyaticta Sornateria Arct on eit a u: --' sea 7941 Polyosticta stelleri xSomater^ia V-nigra Arct one! t a c-^-^^^'^^o/v [isScherl cheek feathering projects forward of that of the crown. Atlantic Eider, Somaieria mollissima. Plate II, Figs. I, la. 2, 2a. The long Y-shaped arms of the bill processes ex- tending up the sides of the crown are distinctive of the male Atlantic and the Pacific Eiders. In the females of these species the crown feathering not nearly reaching to the nostrils and the cheek feathers extending beyond those of the crown are diagnostic. In the 1910 A.O.U. Check List, the standard au- thority, the American Eider is given as a full species, Somaieria dresseri. Late investigation, how- ever, has shown that it is only a subspecies of the eider common to the New and Old Worlds (At- lantic Eider), as all intermediates between it and Atlantic specimens this throat mark is said to be present, in which case and in females, the relatively larger and heavier bill, the shorter and more acutely pointed bill processes on the fore crown, and the slightly blunter ending of the feathering on the sides of the bill of the Pacific seem to be the only diagnostic guides. None of these points are satis- factorily obvious or reliable but the ranges of the two species are so widely separated that it w:l! only be birds from a limited section of the Arctics or occasional stragglers that need ever be confused. Spectacled Eider, Ardonetia fischeri. Plate III, Figs. 3, 3a. The white spot about the eye and the black spec- tacle mark of the male Spectacled Eider is unmis- takable. In the female this white eye spot is indi- 44 The Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. cated by a similar patch of feathers scarcely dis- tinguishable from the surrounding area in color- ation but of peculiar velvety texture that makes its outlines obvious. In all plumages the feather line of the bill is distinctive, extending down the culmen of the bill well over the nostril, cutting in an almost straight line from thence to the gape at the sides. Steller's Eider, Pohstkla stelleri. Plate III, Figs. I la, lb. This is the smallest and the most divergent of the eiders. The male with his strangely pied head and silvery sheen on face is distinctive. The female can be recognized from other eiders by its steel blue speculum edged above and belcw with a white line like a mallard. Probably the bill gives the most satisfactory single character for the recognition of the species. Coues says of it, — "tomial edges dilated and leathery." In all dry specimens seen by the writer the edges of the upper mandible are incurved, (Fig. l.a) probably the results of drying, and the normal con- dition of preserved specimens. It is thus seen that by comparing the feathering characters about the base of the bill nearly all of these species can be readily identified. With the pla.es this task should be easy. FURTHER NOTES ON THE ORCHIDS OF HATLEY, STANSTEAD COUNTY, QUEBEC, 1919. By H. Mousley. In my last paper on the orchids of Hatley (Oltanm Naturalist, Vol. xxxii., 1918, No. 8, pp. \44-\47) after recording eighteen species, I con- cluded by suggesting, that even then, the possibili- ties of the place might only have been touched up- on, seeing that practically the whole of my time had been devoted to the birds, and very little attention paid to the orchids, it having taken eight years to locate the above eighteen species. Now in order to put the above suggestion to the test, and at the same time gratify a long felt wish of becoming better acquainted with the ferns of the district, I decided early in 1919, not without much deliberation how- ever, to entirely ignore the birds after the spring migration, and devote the rest of the summer months or uniil such time as the fall migration set in, to the collecting of ferns, and any further species of or- chids, should that indeed be possible. The weather entirely favoured my plans, it being very hot on and off, all through June and July, with a good deal of humidity in the air, which entirely suited the orchids, many appearing in greater pro- fusion and blooming earlier, than in previous years. Of the ferns, probably forty species have been col- lected, including the Adder's Tongue (O. vulgatum) and at least six species and forms of Botrychiums, two of which have never been found in the Province of Quebec before. These however, will be dealt with in a separate paper, when they have been further critically examined. Now I have noticed in some of the text books, that it is a moot point in many localities, as to which of the three following orchids is the earliest bloom- er, namely, C^pripedium acaule, Orchis spectabile or Cal})pso bulbosa. There need be no mystery con- cerning this at Hatley, for it is certainly the lovely little Calypso, which was much more plentiful in 1919 than in the year previous. As regards the showy Lady's Slipper (C. hirsutum), I am glad to say after the disaster that overtook the species in 1918 (as previously described), it was found this year growing in greater profusion than ever, one little patch alone containing forty-one blooms, whilst another close to, had seventeen. I only found a few planis, however, with more than one bloom, three blooms being the most in any case. Four snow- white blooms of the Mocassin or Pink Lady's Slip- per (C. acaule) were noted. Of the Habenarias, I came across one very large plant of the Tall Leafy Green Orchis (H. hyperhorea), the heie-ht of which including the raceme was 9.5 dm., the raceme being 3 dm. I have noticed the larger plants of this Habenaria, bloom much earlier as a rule than the smaller ones, and grow in certain lo- calities only. Can it be that they belong to a dis- tinct species?, a contingency not altogether unlikely in h^perborea, which is supposed by some authors to include several species. With the exception of ihe Wide-leavrd Lad "s Tresses (Spiranthes lucida), I have this year (1919) found all of the other seventeen species enumerated in my previous paper, besides adding another twelve. It will thus be seen, that my total now stands at thirty species and forms of these rare and interesting plants that I have located at Hatley, or considerably more than one-third of all those to be found in eastern North America, and all have been gathered within a space of four square miles. The record for the Grav's Manual area has been made in the State ' --mont I believe, where March, 1920] The Canadian Field-Naturalist 45 thirty-three species of orchids have been collected in a given space of five square miles. This being so, it looks as though I can now safely lay claim to second honours for the Province of Quebec. Appended is an annotated list of the twelve new species found this year (1919), as well as an ab- breviated one, for the benefit of those wishing to see at a glance, the total number of orchids, approxi- mate dates when, and number of stations at wh.ch, they have been found. Large Round-Leaned Orchis, Habenaria or- hiculala (Pursh) Torr. I first came across this or- chid on June 8, four plants in leaf only being found at this date. On subsequent visits, however, I in- creased this number to eleven, but none of these bloomed, with the exception of one, which when I went to gather it the first time, was not quite fully out. Returning a few days later, 1 was disappointed to find that the flower had been eaten off, probably by some cows, of which there were a good many grazing in the immediated neighbourhood. Most of the plants were growing under hemlock trees, in company with C. acaule and E. tesselala Habenaria macrophylla Goldie. In addition to the eleven plants mentioned above, were two with very much larger leaves than any of the others. Fortunately one of thes; bloomed, and I think I am justified in recording it as inacrophvlla, for III addition to the size of its leaves, the scape was 41 cm. high, and none of the spurs were less than 3 cm. long, both of these dimen- sions considerably exceeding those given in Gray's Manual for orbiculala. The raceme was 1 I cm. long and 5 cm. through, and held fourteen flowers. I first found this particular plant on June 13, the scape then being 18 cm. high, which had increased to 28 cm. by June 22. It was not, however, until the beginning of July, that its full height of 41 cm. was attained, and by the thirteenth, all the fourteen flowers were fully developed, making it, if not exact- ly a showy, still a fine, and uncommon looking plant, in my opinion. X Habenaria Andrervsii, White. I have no ver- nacular name for this supposed hybrid between H. psVicodcs and H. lacera. I first came across it on July 26, when I found one perfectly white bloom, and one almost so, the top of the raceme only being suffused with pink. They puzzled me at the time, but I entered the record in my Gray's Manual un- der the above, with a note of interrogation, however, scarcely believing that they could be Andretvsii, seeing that there were no H. lacera about. For- tunately about a week after, I had the pleasure of Mr. Ludlow Griscom's company for a few days botanizing, and on August 3, he came across an- other plant, which also puzzled him. However, on taking it home and critically examining it, he came to the conclusion that it was really Andrervsii, and on submitting it to Mr. Oakes Ames, his identifica- tion was confirmed, Mr. Ames at the same time questioning the correctness of regarding it as a hy- brid between H. ps\)codes x lacera. I understand the plant has been found commonly in Newfound- land, which has also aroused suspicion as to its be- ing a hybrid between H.ps\^codes x lacera. It may be of interest to here give Mr. Oakes Ames' exact label of determination of the above specimen, which !s as follows, viz.: "Habenaria Andrervsii White? The divisions of the labellum not as deeply fringed as in Andrew's specimens from Vermont. This specimen is more like material from Newfoundland (Fernald and Wiegand 5216). The raceme of this specimen is rather characteristic of the hybrid. It may be convenient to regard it as of hybrid origin, with ps])codes lacera parentage!" It seems obvious from this comment, that my failure to find la. era anywhere in the district, is an interesting piece of evidence. Large Purple Fringed Orchis, Habenaria fimbriala (Ait) R. Br. It was not until July 10, that I came upon a colony of these delicate belles of the swamp, as Thorcau calls them, alluding to the peculiar charm of the pale pink flowers. The larger, paler flowered, and usually more open raceme, distinguishes this species from its cousin H. ps:^codes, besides which it generally occurs in more shady situations than the latter. One very fine plant that I found, had a total height of 9.5 dm., the raceme being 18 cm. long by 5 cm. through, and the four large leaves were 16-18 cm. long by 6-10 cm. broad. My dates for fresh blooms, range from the tenth to about the middle of July, but judging from the condition of those on the tenth, it IS evidently to be found somewhat earlier. Grass Pink, Calopogon pulchellus (Sw.) R. Br. The peculiarity of this lovely magenta crimson orchid, consists in its not having the ovary twisted, so that consequently the lip is on the upper, instead of the lower side of the flower. Apparently it is rare at Hatley, for I have only found one station for It so far, in the large bog to the north-east of the village, and then only a very few plants could be located. It was in bloom from July 8-15. Slender Ladies' Tresses, Spiranthes gracilis (Bigel) Beck. This slender little orchid like the Grass Pink, is apparently rare here, only one sta- 46 The Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. tion with three plants having so far been discovered. Two of these were found on July 16, and the re- maining one on July 25, but they were not in bloom until August 3. The situation consisted of some very dry hilly knolls, on the outskirts of a large wood, and I am not likely to forget the day, seeing that at the same time I also discovered the Green Adder's Mouth (Microslylis unifolia), and those rare little ferns the Adder's Tongue (Ophioglossum vulgatum), and Little Grape Fern (Bolrychium sim- plex), the dry location for these three latter, being somewhat uncommon, as they generally occur in damper situations as a rule. HoDDiGES Rattlesnake Plantain. Epipactis tesselata (Lodd) A. A. Eaton. I really found this orchid away back in 1915, but as it was not then m bloom, and I was unacquainted with the difference in the shape, size, and colouring of its leaves, to those of E. repens, I passed it over, and took it for the latter species. However in the fall of 1918, I came across a few dead scapes, which by their size and height, struck me at cnce as not being repenz, but something new. This idea was further strength- ened in the following spring, when the difference in the leaves was noticed, and later in July when the flowers appeared, all doubt was at an end, as they were then seen to be the present species, and not repens. Heart-leaned Twayblade, Lhlera cordata (Lin.) R. Br. This little orchid even if it were common, would nevertheless be hard to find, owing to its small size, and inconspicuous madder-purple flowers. I first came across it on June 8, of the present year (1919), growing amongst spagnum moss, in a damp wood to the north-west of the village, and again on July 8, in the large bog to the north-east of the village, and yet again on August 4 (one plant only), in the woods surrounding the great Brule bog near Waterville. some miles also to the north-east of Hatley. In the first mentioned locality, I found bunches of eight, ten, nineteen, and in one case as many as twenty-seven plants, all growing somewhat closely together. In two cases, there was a small bract leaf (the same as often oc- curs in H. obtusata), at the base of the raceme, and in a few the lip was devoid of madder-purple, this giving the whole raceme a green appearance. My dates for fresh blooms, range from June 8 to July 3. In "The Canadian Naturalist," 1840, pp. 297-303, Gosse gives a good account of the Brule, describing it as exactly resembling the bogs of New- foundland. It consists of some thousands of acres, and is said to owe its origin to the beavers, which were formerly numerous, damming up the streams, which overflowing and spreading over the flat lands, killed the growing timber. When Mr. Griscom and I visited it for the first time, on August 4, we both came to the conclusion, that there were great possi- bilities regarding the place. Seven different orchids were found, even at this somewhat late date, as well as many of the plants, shrubs and trees, mentioned by Gosse as growing in similar situations in New- foundland, including black spruce, which I had not noticed here before. It is hoped to again visit the locality early in June, when good results are ex- pected, especially in regard to the orchids, of which our trip in August gave promise. Large Coral Root, Corallorrhiza maculata Raf. It was not until August 9, that I came upon a little colony of this species, consisting of forty plants, the blooms of which were over of course, but the fruit still remained. They were found growing in a small cedar wood, on some dry sloping ground, about two miles to the south-east of the village. Later on, or on August 21, another plant was shown to me on the roadside, some few miles to the north of the present site, but also on the east of the village. White Adder's Mouth, Microst^Us monophyl- los (Linn) Lindl. This rare little orchid like many others, is easily passed over, unless you are specially looking for it, which no doubt accounts for my hav- ing found it during the present season (1919), when all my energies were devoted to the fern and orchid families, instead of the birds. The situation was a low damp one, at the edge of a little wood, where twenty-four plants were located. Later on I found one other plant in a similar situation, two miles to the north-west of the village, whereas the first locality was two miles to the south-east of it. The plants were just in their prime on June 30, the day on which I found them. Green Adder's Mouth, Mkrosiylis unifolia (Michx) B.S.P. This is another somewhat incon- spicuous little plant, but is much commoner than monophyllos, there being at least five stations at which I have found it, and generally in somewhat goodly numbers. Its habitat seems to vary a good deal, the situation sometimes being very dry, as al- ready mentioned in the account of the Slender Ladies' Tresses, and at others very damp, the same as those favoured by monophyllos. Loesel's Twayblade, Liparis LoeselU (Linn) Richard. This is another of those somewhat in- conspicuous little orchids, and one which I must have passed over many times, before finally noticing it in bloom, en July 12 of the present year (1919). It certainly favours very wet boggy places, especial- ly those where the water drains out of the land, at the foot of hill-sides. At present I have located about four stations, where its numbers vary con- siderably, from three plants in one, to some dozens in another. My data for fresh blooms range from June 27 to July 5. March, 1920] The Canadian Field-Naturalist 47 List of the orchids of Hatley, lions, and dates of flowering. Stations Species with approx. sta- Stations Species 1 3 Cyspripedium parviflorum 3 do do var pubescens 2 Cvpr-ped'ium hlrsutum 8 do acaulc 4 Orchis spectabilis 4 Habenaria bracteata Many do hyperborea 2 do dilaiata Many do obtusata 2 do orbiculata 1 do macrophylla Many do psycodes 2 do Andrexpm 2 do finzbfiaia 1 Calopogon pulchcUus Flowering May 29-June 10 May 28-June 18 June 14-July 17 May 24- June 18 June 1 May 20- June II May 31 -July 25 June 18-July 26 June 8-July 17 July 8 July 13 July 19- Aug. 15 July 26-/\ug. 3 July I0-'7 July 8-15 1 Arethiisa bulbosa Spiranthes luclda (three plants only) 1 Spiranthes lucida (one plant only) Many Spiranthes cernua Many do Romanzoffiana 4 Epipactis repens var ophioides Epipactis tesselaia Listera cordata do convallariodes Many Corallorrhiza trifida 2 do maculata 2 Microst\)lis n:onoph\)llos 5 do unifolia 4 Liparis Loeselii 1 Calypso bulbosa 3 6 Floweiing June 11 -July 17 Aug. 3 July 20 Aug. 17-Oct. 17 July 16- Aug. 22 July 22-Aug. 22 July 8-Aug 2 June 8-July 3 June 18-July 17 May 20-June 15 Aug. 9 (in seed) June 30-July 4 July 12-Aug. 3 June 27-Julv 5 May 15-28 AN ANNOTATED LIST OF THE BIRDS OF COLDSTREAM, ONTARIO, VICINITY. By a. a. Wood. 1. Ho.EOlL' l's Grebf, Co/j;77ifcus /io/f)oc//i. One shot, Oct. 6, 1902, on Duncrief pond — four miles north of Coldstream — by Roger T. Hedley. The specimen is in my collection. No. 1 ,402. 2. Horned Grebe, Colymbus auritus. A few stop on the mill-pond nearly every spring; only an ccasional one seen in fall. They seem much friend lier than the Pied-bill, while here, especially when a single bird comes. If ycu sit quietly at edge cf pond, it will swim within a few feet of you then fly to other end of pond, only to drift back again. It will repeat this several times, uttering its plaintive cry at intervals. 3. Pied-billed Grebe, Podilymbus podiceps. A pair bred here quite regularly previous to 1904: rather rare now in spring; common and regular in fall. 4. Loon, Cavia immer. A single bird seen every three or four years in spring; rare in fall. 5. Herring Gull, Larus argentatus. A few- small Hocks pass through each spring and fall, some resting on the pond a few hours. I think the birds that touch here are passing between Lakes Huron and Erie. Coldstream is about in a straight line be- tween Grand Bend and Pt. Stanley making it nearly a fifty mile flight direct. 6. Bonaparte's Cull, Larus Philadelphia. Two came in spring of 1900. One was shot. Have a specimen taken by R. T. Hedley, at Duncrief, Apr. 26, 1902. 7. Common Tern, Sterna hirundo. I have two specimens shot by R. T. Hedley at Duncrief; the first, I believe to be taken in Middlesex. 8. Black Tern, Hydrochelidon nigra surina- mensis. One specimen in my collection taken by R. T. Hedley at Duncrief — ^also a first record for this county. 9. Merganser, Mergus americanus. A few stay in the open rapids of the creek every other year, through January and February often they will walk away from the water in the snow considerable dis- tances. 10. Hooded Merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus. Not regular. Have taken them both spring and autumn. M. Mallard, Ana^ olatyrhynchcs. Very ir- regular; more seen at Duncrief. 12. Black Duck, Anas rubrlpes. Fairly com- mon migrant. A flock of nearly 200 stayed in a slough, two miles south, about two weeks in August, 1917. The flocks very seldom come to the ponds; they seem to like the little sloughs back in the fields, especially late in the season. 13. Green-winged Teal, Netiion caroUnense. I have never seen them near in spring; alway.^ a few come through in the fall. 14. Blue-winged Teal, Querquedula discors. Not as ommon as the Green-wing. 1 5. Shoveller, Spatula clypeaia. Only one specimen noted. 48 The Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. 16. Wood Duck, Aix sponsa. Very rare now. Ocasionally one or two stop at Komoka — eight miles south. 1 7. Redhead, Marila americana. Frequently one is met with in fall along with the Teals. 18. Scaup Duck, Marila marila. R. T. Hedley has a specimen he tcok at Duncrief, which, the late Robert Elliott of Plover Mills, Ont., identified as M. marila. 19. Lesser Scaup Duck, Marila affinis. Regu- lar spring and fall visitor. The latest spring record I have is May 10, 1916. 20. Golden-eye, Clangula dangula. Nearly always appears spring and fall. Ocassionally stavs on the creek with the Mergansers. A flock of 20 came to the pond one fall. 21. Barrow's Golden-eye, Clangula islandica, I have a young male I shot here October 17, 1917. The only Golden-eye seen with the cre?ent spot. 22. BuFFLEHEAD, Chariioneila albeola. Our commonest duck. They usually stay a day or two il unmolested. 23. Old Squaw, Harclda hxicmalis. A male in full plumage was taken at the Duncrief pond by R. T. Hedley. 24. King Eider, Somelaria spectahilis. One taken at Duncrief by R. T. Hedley, November 24, 1900; the first Middlesex record. The specimen is in the collection of W. E. Saunders, of Lond jh. 25. White-winged Scoter, Oidemia deglandi. I have a specimen taken by R. T. Hedley, at Dun- crief. 26. Ruddy Duck, Erismatura jamaicensis. Rare fall migrant. 27. Canada Goose, Branla canadensis. Abun- dant migrant. Sometimes feeding on the wheat fields in spring. 28. American Bittern, Botaurus Icnliginosus. Always present during the breeding season. They have their eggs laid by June 3. 29. Least Bittern, Ixobr\)chiis exilis. Took one September 13, 1917, the only individual I have seen near Coldstream. 30. Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias. There is a black ash swamp ZVz miles east, where about 22 pairs have nested for years. The majority of the nest-trees are very tall dead ashes standing in water; in most cases next to impossible to reach. A set of six was taken from there by Clifford Zavitz, May 10, 1901 ; incubation was very far advanced, as they are through laying the last week in April. There is always a pair of Great Horned Owls staying there, as well as in the heronry north of here. A heron has spent the winter along the creek several times. 31. Green Heron, Butorides virescens. A pair nest here regularly. Four nests observed were — two in cedar, one in aspen and one in hawthorn, all qui'e near the creek. Last year the crows destroyed one set of five. Four more were laid in the same nest. 32. Virginia Rail, Rallus virginianus. Rather scarce. Usually a pair breeds. I found the young birds one season; have sets of nine and ten eggs. 33. Sora, Porzana Carolina. At least one pair seen each year. In one nest containing fifteen eggs, they were piled up in two layers. 34. Coot, FuUca americana. Occasionally breeds, but much more frequently seen in the fall. 35. Woodcock, Philohela minor. Scarce now but a pair always breeds. Young birds seen quite regularly. I saw a nest with four infertile eggs, May 10, 1915. The bird allowed me to stroke her head before leaving. Evidently just the female was present that year, as during repeated waits in early April, no notes were heard from the male. Just the one bird was seen all season. 36. Wilson's Snipe, Callinago delicata. Com- mon spring and fall. 37. Knot, Tringa canuius. Two birds were found dead under telephone wires, about eight and one-half miles south. They are mounted and in the possession of Mr. Knolls, Delaware. 38. Pectoral Sandpiper, Pisobia macAata. One specimen in my collection taken by R. T. Hed- ley, at Duncrief, Ont., October 18, 1901. 39. Least Sandpiper, Pisobia minutella. Com- monest in late July and early August. 40. Red-backed Sandpiper, Pelidna alpina. Two came to the pond, October 15, 1917. Secured one specimen. These are the only ones noted. 41. Semi-palmated Sandpiper, Ereuneies pusil- lus. Frequently seen with Least Sandpiper. 42. Greater Yellow-legs, Toianus melano- leucus. A few each spring. Quite common in the fall. 43. Lesser Yellow-legs, Toianus flavipes. Not so regular as mclanoleucus. 44. Solitary Sandpiper, Melodramas solitarius. Irregular in spring, but always a few in August. 45. Upland Plo\er, Bariramia longicauda. Several pairs nest regularly in the large grass fieic. W. R. Campbell, of Lobo, has a set of four taken in May, 1914. I have a set of four found on June 3, 1915. Both birds flushed hard from the nest; the one in June, 1915, did not leave until grass-tufi around the nest was touched (and these were fresh eggs). While searching for the last mentioned nest, two birds continually circled over the field giving their odd rattling notes. We thought at the time they were the pair from the nest but on finding a bud setting, concluded, there must have been two t.ccu- March, 1920] The Canadian Field-Naturalist 49 pied nests and that these were the two males- or the two birds off duty from the nests. 46. Spotted Sandpiper, Aciilis macularia. Common summer resident. An mstance which migh; suggest that the number of eggs in a set is, perhaps, in a small measure voluntarily under control of the bird is the following: A pair of these birds were excavating the slight depression necessary for their nest ; when they came to a stone practically the same size as an egg, they left this and built the nest around it, then laid three eggs which, with the stone, formed the perfect circle usual with the four eggs. I think if the stone had been removed at first, they would have laid the usual set of four, as I have never found a nest with other than four eggs. 47. Black-bellied Plover, Squatarola squata- rola. Six were shot several years ago. 48. Golden Plover, Charadrius dominicus. Two specimens in my collection taken by R. T. Hedley, at Duncrief, September 19, 1904. 49. Killdeer, Oxyecbus vociferus. Common summer resident. 50. Semi-palmated Plover, Aegialilis semipal- maia. Took one at Duncrief, July 29, 1918. 51. BoBWHiTE, Colinus virginianus. Becoming exceeding scarce; rarely seen now. A number of years ago they bred quite commonly. 52. Ruffed Crouse, Bonasa umbdlus. Quite scarce in the township now. 53. Mourning Do\e, Zenaidura macroma. Very generally distributed. I have found fresh eggs from the last week in April until the third week in June. 54. Turkey Vulture, Caihartes aura. Three pair bred in the vicinity every year. Four nests noted were all in hollow logs. W. R. Campbell tock a set of one. May 18, 1919; it was in a hollow of the rotton wood, about twelve feet from opening, very difficult to see from end of log. Egg far ad- vanced. 55. Marsh Hawk, Circus hudsonius. Breeds here regularly. See more of the "blue" males than formerly. 56. Sharp-skinned Hawk, Accipiier velox. A few seen every spring and fall, but only ocasionally in summer. 57. Cooper's Hawk, Accipiier cooperi. Only one or two observed each season. 58. Goshawk, Aslur atricapillus. Occasionally comes in late fall. 59. Red-tailed Hawk, Buteo borealis. Is al- ways common in breeding season, a pair or two often staying over winter. Then, they usually nest earlier. On March 30, 1914, a nest was found with three eggs. This pair was usually resident and laid at least a week earlier than the average migrating bird. Twelve nests were noted near here in 1916. 60. Red-shouldered Hawk, Buteo Uneaius. The Red-shoulder seems to be locally distributed. It is very scarce in this part, while south and east a few miles it is commoner than the Red-tail. On May 10, 1901, C. G. Zavitz and I found a Great Blue Heron's nest containing three eggs and one Red-shouldered Hawk's egg, all equally incubated (far advanced). The Hawk doubtless had only laid one egg by the time the colony of Herons came and when it was driven out. I have found this Hawk to lay in a squirrel's nest of leaves, without adding any twigs or sticks, but never have heard of its hav- ing laid in other bird's nests. 61. Broad-winged Hawk, Buteo platypterus. Quite abundant during migration. Very ordinary fare seems to satisfy these birds. I have found a Mole shrew, Blarina brevicauda, in the stomach of one specimen in the spring of 1919. 62. Rough-legged Hawk, Archibuteo lagopus. Two or three are seen nearly every year. 63. B.ALD Eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus. One or two seen nearly every year. A pair bred about about eight miles south in the spring of 1919. 64. Sparrow Hawk, Falco sparverius. Regular summer resident. Although usually subsisting on small fare, I have seen them carry off an adult robin. 65. OsPREY, Pandion baliaelus. Usually one or two visit the pcnd each spring. 66. LoNC-EARED OwL, Asio ivilsonianus. A pair breeds always in one of the cedar swamps or woods each spring. I think their average date of finishing laying is about April 1, but the crows de- stroy the first set more often than not. The five sets noted, which escaped destruction by crows before completion, each contained five eggs; all were in old crow's nests, no repairs evidently being made. The eggs in the early sets are laid usually at inter- vals of several days, so the young birds are quite noticeably different in size, especially while in the natal down. One set taken, May I, 1916, all eggs were uniformly incubated; they may have b:en laid unevenly (as the bird would not have to set until through laying this time of year) but I think not as I have never found a nest with an egg in it and the bird not setting close. They apparently are much like the Great Horns, nesting at the usual time regardless of the weather. One pair had two eggs on March 31, 1903, when there was four inches of snow on the ground. In a nest found April 24, 1917, the young birds stayed in the nest three and a half weeks. The old birds were very bold. One would alight on a limb near the next tree, flapping its wings, then fall, sometimes fifteen feet, to the ground, floundering about among the leaves as if wounded. 50 The Canadian Field- Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. They seem to feed almost entirely on mspdcw voles and white-footed mice. In twenty disgorged pellets of fur and bones found under roost trees, 15 contained, each, skulls, etc. of two M. pcnnsylvan - cus, 3, each, one M. penns^lvanica and 2, each, one M. pennsylvanica and one P. leucopus. When one bird IS setting the other keeps a plentiful supply of mice ; usually a mouse is lying on the edge of the nest. 67. Short-eared Owl, Asio flarumeus. Sorre autumns a few are seen, also, on through the winter. 68. Saw-whet Owl, Crypioglaux acadia. Rare only one specimen taken, November 2, 1913. 69. Screech Owl, Otis asio. Common resident. 70. Great Horned Owl, Bubo virginiarms. Several pair breed near here, laying the last week in February. On April 28, 1914, in climbing to a Great Blue Heron's nest, was surprised to find a young Horned Owl, nearly ready to fly. In a heron's nest a few rods over was another young owl. I tried this bird but it couldn't fly, so I pre- sume the old bird must have moved the one to the second nest — perhaps when they became quarrel- some. Evidently the other nest was appropriated after the herons took possession, as a pair of herons were building a new nest; the other 21 were all occupied. The owls were nearly in the centre of the heronry. I took three specimens in the spring of 1918 which I think are a phase of subarcticus. 71. Snowy Owl, Nyctea nyclea. Very seldom seen, more commonly appearing a few miles north. 72. Yellow-billed Cuck.oo, Coccyzus ameri- canrs. Common ; breeds. 73. Black-billed Cuckoo, Cocc^zus eryihro- plhalmus. Common; breeds. 74. Belted Kingfisher, Ceryle alcyon. Has stayed over winter. 75. Hairy Woodpecker, Dryobales villosus. T. V. villosus seems to be the common winter form. 76. Downy Woodpecker, Dry^obaies pubescens. Is commoner than the Hairy woodpecker. Several present at all seasons. 77. Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker, Picoides arciicus. W. R. Campbell took a male in 1913 and I a female, Nov. 20, 1918, the only two 1 have seen. 78. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Sphx^raplcus varius. Regular migrant. 79. Pileated Woodpecker, Phoeotomus pile- atus. Two pair nest regularly a few miles south- west of here. One dead beech stub has three nest-hcles about three or four feet apart. The lowest forty-five feet from ground. 80. Red-headed Woodpecker, Melanerpes erythrocephalus. Not nearly so common as form- erly. Winters over in years the beech-nuts are plentiful. They seem to nest earlier those years. 81. Red-bellied Woodpecker, Ceniurus car- olinus. A few pair resident ; but used to be much more common. A nest May 7, 1913, contained two fresh eggs. 82. Flicker, Colaptes auraius. Very common. An occasional bird staying through the winter. 83. Whip-poor-will, Anthrostomos vociferus. Quite regular, never very many. 84. NiGHTHAWK, Chordeiles virginianus. Al- ways several pairs. Found a nest June 4, 1918, near edge of a small wood. The eggs were laid in the imprint of someone's heel in the earth, only one small leaf under eggs. 85. Chimney Swift, Chaetura pelagica. They seem to build in silos, granaries, or in barns on the siding as often as in chimneys. 86. Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Arcbilo- chus colubris. Breeds. Is quite abundant along the borders of swamps when the spotted jewel-weed (Impalicns biflora) is in bloom. 87. Kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus. Common ; breeds. 88. Crested Flycatcher, Myiarchus criniius. Fairly common; breeds. 89. Phoebe, Sayomis phoebe. Very common; breeds. 90. Olive-sided Flycatcher, Nuttallornis bar calis. Only three individuals seen. 91. Wood Pewee, Myiochanes virem. Com- mon ; breeds. 92. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Empidonax flaviveniris. Rare. One taken May 28, 1919. 93. Alder Flycatcher, Empidonax trailU. Two E. t. alnorum taken May 10, 1918. Not more than one or two seen in the sp -i uj. 94. Least Flycatcher, Empidonax mininias. Common in migration. Only a very few seem to breed here. 95. Prairie Horned Lark, Oiocoris alpesiris. O. a. praticola is a common resident, raising two broods a season. It seems more abundant in winter owing to its being in flocks. Took an albino female June 11, 1917. 96. Blue Jay, Cyanocitla cristata. Resident. They gather in the Cedar swamps in the late fall and eat large quantities of Skunk Cabbage (Symplo- carpus foeiidus) seeds. 97. Crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos. Abundant resident; sometimes rather scarce in winter. Their chief form of recreation seems to be making life miserable for the Horned Owls. Yet they prove an effectual body guard, when the owl is pursued with a gun, always getting him in motion in plenty of time. March, 1920] The Canadian Field-Naturalist 51 98. Bobolink, DoUchon^x or\)zivorus. Very common summer resident. 99. CoWBiRD, Molothrus ater. Much too abun- dant. Most of the small birds are burdened with the rearing of it's offspring. 100. Red-winged Blackbird, Agelaius phoenl- ceus. Breeds in most of the cat-tail runs, also building in the wild Red Osier, Cornus stolonifera, and sedge grasses. 101. Meadowlark, S/urrie/Za magna. Common; breeds. Sometimes few stay over winter. 102. Orchard Oriole, Icterus spurius. Onr noted in song May 31, 1917. 103. Baltimore Oriole, Icterus galbula. Com- mon, breeds. 104. Rusty Gracle, Euphagus caroUnus. Corn- men migrant. More abundant in fall. 105. Bronzed Gracle, Quiscalus quiscula. Abundant summer resident. Occasional birds stay- ing in winter. Is in rather poor grace with the farmers of this locality, through it's love for sprout- ing corn, yet I thmk they receive much more benefit than harm from the bird. 106. Pine Grosbeak, Pinicola enucleator. A number were here through the winter of 1918-19 They seemed to feed largely on apple seeds. 107. Purple Finch, Carpodacus purpureas. They seem to be great wanderers, as there are long stretches at a time through the winter when they are entirely absent. 108. Crossbill, Loxia curvirostra. Three seen Feb. 14, 1918. 109. White-winged Crossbill, Loxra leucop- iera. Saw six Nov. 18, 1917. 110. Redpoll, Acanthis Unarm. Some winters quite abundant, but usually only a very few seen, or entirely absent. 111. Goldfinch /is/raga/inus tristis. Abunda.nt resident. Found commonest in winter on the Black Birch, Betula lenla. Feeds on the catkins. 112. Pine Siskin, Splnus pinus. Occasional small fllocks met with in fall. 113. Show BuntIHG, Plectrophenax nivalis. Abundant winter visitor. 114. Vesper Sparrow, Fooecetcs gramineus. Very common; raising two and three broods a season. 1 1 5. Savannah Sparrow, Passerculus sandivi- chensis. Common summer resident. 116. Grasshopper Sparrow, Amn^odramus savannarum. Regular summer visitor. Have heard them in song up to the last week in July. 1 1 7. White-crowned Sparrow. Zonotrichia leucophrys. Always present in spring and fall mi- ^\ grations. 118. White-throated Sparrow, Zonotrichia albicollis. Abundant in spring and fall. Have never observed it during the breeding season. 119. Tree Sparrow, Spizella monticola. Com- mon winter resident; remaining until the second week in April 120. Chipping Sparrow, Spizella passerina. Very common ; breeds. 121. Field Sparrow, Spizella pusilla. Very few here. Common four miles south-west. 122. Slate-colored Junco. Junco h\)emalis. Abundant in spring and fall; a very few remain- ing to breed. Always quite a number present through the winter. 123. Song Sparrow, Melospiza melodia. Very abundant summer resident. A few spend the win- ter. 124. Lincoln's Sparrow, Melospiza lincolni. Saw three Oct. 3, 1917. Took one specimen. They did not skulk through the grass, as I had expected, but stayed in the low dog-wood bushes which margined the pond. 125. Swamp Sparrow, Melospiza georgiana. Breeds sparingly here each season. 126. Fox Sparrow, Passerella iliaca. Five to ten seen each migration. 127. ToWHEE, Pipilo erythrophthalmus. Com- mon. A few wintered here the season of 1917-18. 128. Cardinal, Cardinalis cardinalis. One taken May 3, 1918. The first to be observed. Another heard July 8, 1918. 129. Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Zamelodia lud- oviciana. Ccmmon; breeds. 130. Indigo Bunting, Passerina cyanea. A. pair breeds in nearly every large raspberry patch. 131. Scarlet Tanager, Piranga erythromelas. Common. Took a beautiful male June 3, 1'^I8, half way between summer and winter plumage, y-^f it was full — no pin-feathers. The underparts were color of the female with heavy, clear-cut blotches of scarlet. Crown, nape and back, variegated wjih scarlet and green, darker than crown of femai". 132. Purple Martln, Progne subis. Only one seen — June 1, 1918. 133. Cliff Swallow, Petrochclidon lunifrons. Occassionally a colony attempts to build under the eaves of a barn, but are usually driven cut by House Sparrows. 134. Barn Swallow, Hirundo crythrogaster. Common ; breeds. 135. Tree Swallow, Iridoprocne bicolor. Re- gular migrant ; few nesting. 136. Bank Swallow, R'.paria rlparia. A few breed in most cf the gravel-pits. Larger colonies in the sand-banks along the creek. ■sr^ 52 The Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. 137. Rough-winged Swallow, Sielgidopieryx serripennis. Becoming commoner. Several pair nest each season. Eggs are laid early in the second week in June. All nests I examined contai.ied ,~ix eggs- 138. Cedar Waxwing, Bombydlla cedrorum. Resident, but very uncertain in winter, sometimes net noted until spring 139. Northern Shrike, Lanius borealii. Usually one each fall or winter. 140. Migrant Shrike, Lanius ludovicianui A pair or two always nested, but none seen n^ar .'inc 1918. 141. Red-eyed Vireo, Vireosyha olivacea. Common summer resident. Last spring (June 8, 1918) I noticed a Red-eye excited over something, then saw a chipmonk climbing ^he saplin.3 the bird was in. When he was about eight feet up, the vireo darted down knocking him to 'he ground. The other bird was on the nest at the end of one cf the branches. The nest contained four cow- bird's eggs and one of their own, so little was gained in keeping the chipmonk away. 142. Philadelphia Vireo, Vireos})lva philadel- phica. Appears sparingly early in he last week of May. 143. Warbling Vireo, Vireos\)lva gilva. Three or four pair breed in the village every summer. 144. Yellow-throated Vireo, Lanivireo flavi- frons. A regular summer resident. 145. Blue-headed Vireo, Lanivireo solitarius. Usually from one to six seen each spring and fall. 146. Black and White Warbler, Mniotilia varia. Common migrant. Very seldom seen dur- ing nesting season. 147. Goldon-winged Warbler, Vermivora chrysoptera. A pair regularly breeds near here. May 18, 1919, saw five. 148. Nashville Warbler, yermivora ruhri- capilla. Never abundant. A few seen each spring. 149. Orange-crowned Warbler, Vermivora celata. Only one positively identified, a male. May 9, 1918. 150. Tennessee Warbler, Vermivora pere- grina. Fairly well represented from May 1 5 to 25. Always a few in fall. 151. Parula Warbler, Compsolhl\)pis ameri- cana. Have only observed it in spring. 1 52. Cape May Warbler, Dendroica iigrina. Arrives about May 6. Usually see from two to six each spring; one or two in the fall. 153. Yellow Warbler, Dendroica aesliva. Very common summer resident. 154. Black-throated Blue Warbler, Den- droica caerulcscens. Common migrant spring and fall. 155. Myrtle Warbler, Dendroica coronaia. Abundant migrant. 1 56. Magnolia Warbler, Dendroica magnolia. Common, spring and fall. 1 57. Cerulean Warbler, Dendroica cerulea. Arrives about May 13. Breeds in a number of nearby woods. 158. Chestnut-sided Warbler, Dendroica pens^lvanica. Very common during migration, but only a few remaining to breed. Found two pair building June 13, 1918. 159. Bay-brested Warbler, Dendroica cast- anea. Always quite a number in spring, the fe- males arriving nearly a week later than the males. Have never taken it in autumn. 160. Black-poll Warbler, Dendroica striata. Rppular, spring and fall, but in no great numbers. 161. Blackburnian Warbler, Dendroica fusca. \''ery abundant migrant. Spring stay is about May 12-29. 162. Black-throated Green Warbler, Den- droica vircns. Very regular in spring and fall. 163. Palm Warbler, Dendroica palmarum. Most common in fall. All specimens I have ex- amined were D. p. palmarum. 164. Prarie Warbler, Dendroica discolor. On the evening of May 20, 1919, C. H. Zavitz, of Coldstream told me of seeing a warbler in an orch- ard which he took to be the Prairie. I was on the ground at sunrise the next morning and secured a male, the only record for here. 165. 0\'ENBIRD, Seiurus aurocapillus. Common; breeds in most of the woods. 166. Water-thrush, Seiurus noveboracensis. Always a few each spring; have never heard them in June. May 8, 1917, I took a water-thrush which agrees perfectly in measurements and color with 5. n. notabilis. My ether skins fit novebora- censis fairly well. 167. Connecticut Warbler, Oporornis agilis. Usually see two or three each spring in the woods or mixed swamps. 168. Mourning Warbler, Oporornis Philadel- phia. Always several each spring, but usually only a pair stay to breed. 169. Maryland Yellow-throat, Ceolhl};pii trichas. Several pair breed. 170. Yellow-breasted Chat, Icteria vlrens. One taken here on May 14, 1918, by Hoyes Lloyd. The only record. 171. Wilson's Warbler, Wilsonia pusilla. Occurs sparingly as a migrant. 1 72. Canada Warbler, Wilsonia canadensis. Common migrant. 1 73. Redstart, Seiophaga ruticilla. Common during migration; quite a number breed. March, 1920] The Canadian Field-Naturalist 53 174. Pipit, Ani'lms rubescens. Occurs both spring and fall but very irregular; always in flocks. 1 75. Catbird, Dumetella caroUnemis. Very common summer resident. W. R. Campbell records one as wintering season of 1918-19. 176. Brown Thrasher, Toxosioma rufum. Common. Eggs laid about May 10. 1 77. Carolina Wren, Thryolhorus, ludovicia- nus. A male came m sprmg of 1916; was in full song until August. 178. House Wren, Troglodytes aedon. Very common; breeds nearly as often m old slumps in clearmgs as about farm-buildings. 179. Winter Wren, Nannus hiemalis. Have only found it as a migrant m spring and fall ; is fairly common. 180. Short-billed Marsh Wren, Cisiothorus stellaris. Have observed it but twice locally; took a specimen Sept. 2, 1916; saw another June 5, 1917. 181. Brown Creeper, Certhia famiUaris. Usually resident. Absent winter of 1918-19. There is usually one to be seen in a mixed flock of chicadees, nuthatches and downy-woodpeckers. 182. White-breasted Nuthatch, Silia car- olinensis. Common resident. 183. Red-breasted Nuthatch, Sitla cana- densis. Quite common in spring and fall of some years; during others nearly absent. 184. Chickadee, Penlhesies atricapillus. Com- mon resident; nesting early in May. 185. Golden-crowned Kinglet, Regains sat- rapa. Ordinarily fairly common all winter and spring, but the last two winters (1917-18, 1918-19) entirely absent. Only one individual seen each spring. 186. Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Regulus calen- dula. Regular migrant. 187. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Polwpc'.la caerulea. Rare; only two noted. 188. Wood Thrush, Hylocichla musteUna. Fairly common summer resident, breeding in most of the woods. 189. Veery, Hylocichla fuscescens. Not as common as the woodthrush in the breeding season, but common during migration. 190. Gray-cheeked Thrush, Hylocichla ali- c'lae. Rare migrant. Took a specimen May 13, 1918; saw one May 14, 1919. 191. Olive-backed Thrush, Hylocichla usiu- lata. Common spring and autumn migrant. 192. Hermit Thrush, Hylockhla guttata. Appears in numbers both spring and fall. 193. Robin, Planestlcus migratorius. Very abundant, occasional birds staying through the win- ter. The spring of 1915, two albinos hatched from a nest at Lobo (five miles east). One was prac- tically white, the other had a dark head. The white one became quite tame, as food was put out for it daily. It returned the next spring, but soon disappeared, probably taken by a cat. 194. Bluebird, Sialia sialis. Very commonly distributed. Oct. 12. 1914, I tcok an albino from a large flock. It is pure white with a little dusky shade on wings and tail, crown, nape and back showing very pale blue. THREE NEW PELECYPODS FROM THE COLORADOAN OF THE PEACE AND SMOKY VALLEYS, ALBERTA* By F. H. McLearn. The revised stratigraphy of the Cretaceous of northern Alberta is treated in recent reports of the Geological Survey of Canada.' To them the read.r is referred for detailed lithological and structural *Publi.shed with tlie permis.sion of the Directing Geologist, Geological Survey of Canada. 1. McLearn. F. H., Peace River Section, Alberta, Geol. Surv., Can.. Summ. Rep., 1917, C, pp. 14C- 21C. McLearn, F. H., The Cretaceous of Peace and Athabaska Valleys, in Dowling. Slipper & Mc- Learn, Investigations in the Gas and Oil fieelds Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Geol. Surv.. Can., Mem. No. 116, Part III, pp. 27-.33. McLearn. F. H.. Cretaceous Lower Smoky River, Alberta, Geol. Surv.. Can., Summ. Rep. 1918, C, pp. 1C-7C. McLearn, F. H., New Species of Pelecypods from the Cretaceous of Noorthern Alberta, Geol. Surv., Can., Mus. Bull., 29, pp. 9-12, i)ls. 3-5. descriptions, thicknesses, areal distribution, corre- lation, correlation table, faunal lists, and description of new species. A statement of the principal facts concerning the Coloradoan of the Peace and Smoky Valleys is given below and is followed by the des- cription of three new species of pelecypcds. Thanks are due to Dr. T. W. Stanton for aid in the study of the fossils. Formations. The Colorado group of the Peace and Smoky valleys includes, in ascending order, the St. John and Dunvegan formations and the lower shale and Bad Heart sandstone members of the Smoky River formation (the age of the lower 100 feet of the upper shale member may be either Coloradoan or Montanan). The St. John consists 54 The Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. ■" .« ■v^ '^- i r -. ■^~ -> March, 1 920 J The Canadian Field-Natukalist 55 of marine dark shale. The Dunvegan is composed cf sandstone and shale; the presence of some marme shells demonstrates temporary marine conditions, but the internal structure and nonmanne fossils indicate predominantly subaerial deposition. The Smoky River is made up chiefly of marine shale, with a marine sandstone band (Bad Heart sandstone) at or near the top of the Colorado part of the forma- tion. Dunvegan Delta. The subaerial character of the Dunvegan and its conformable relation to marine beds above and below identify it as a delta built out into the Colorado sea. The thinning of sand- stone and its replacement by shale in an easterly direction points to a western source of sediment and the existence of high land there; it also indicates that the delta was built out from the western shore. It extended at least as far east as the Athabaska in the Pelican-House River area. Southward it is not thought to have reached far, but until the Colorado group of the Brazeau-Bighorn area is studied in detail the southerly limit cannot be determined. Zonal Arrangement. Four fossil zones are recognized in the local development of the Colorado group. The St. John contains the first fauna with Acanfhoceras cornulum Whiteaves, large Inocer- amus, etc. ; it may be quite early Coloradoan. A part of the base of the St. John may represent a marine equivalent of the Dakota. The second or Dunvegan fauna contains, as guide fossils, Unio dorvUngi McLearn, Corbula piriformis Meek, Brachydonles multilinigcra Meek, Orlrca anoml- oides Meek, and Barhala niicroncma (Meek.) Th" third fauna is found in the lower part of the lower shale member of the Smoky River and includes Prionotropis hyaiti Slan'.on, Acanihoceras cf. colo- radoensis Henderson and Inoceramus lahiaius Schlotheim. The difference between the second and third faunas can be explained by dissimilar en- vironmental conditions; for the Dunvegan contains freshwater, brackish water and marine sand bot- tom forms, while the basal Smoky River represents a shale facies with also ammonites. For the pur- pose of correlation they may be treated as one fauna. The fourth and highest zone, at the top of the lower shale member and in the Bad Heart sandstone member of the Smoky River, contains Scaphiies ventricosus M. & H., Baculites cf. asper Morton, B. cf. anceps Lamarck, Inoceramus umhonalus M. & H., Oxytoma nehrascana E. & S. and Pteria linguiformis E. & S. New Species. Of the three species described below two are from the Dunvegan formation: Tellina dunveganensis, n.sp. Tellina (Moera) peaceriverensis, n.sp. One IS from the Bad Heart sandstone: — Gervillia stantoni, n.sp. Phylum MOLLUSCA. Class PELECYPODA Goldfuss. Older PRIONDESMACEA Dall. Family PERNIDAE Zittel. Genus GERVILLIA Defrance. Gervillia stanloni, n. sp. FlG. 1. This species is smaller and less oblique in out- line than Gervillia recta var. borealis Whiteaves and C. suhtortuosa Meek and Hayden. The size is about as in C. recta Meek and Hayden, but it is not nearly so oblique in outline and is wider pio- portionately on the hinge line. The species name is given in honour of Doctor T. W. Stanton of the U. S. Geological Survey. Height 40 m.m. ; length 42 m.m. ; length of hinge; line 35 m. m. Horizon and Locality. Rare in the Bad Heart sandstone member of the Smoky River formation, Smoky river. Alberta. Collection. Holotype Cat. No. 5669 in the Vic- toria Memorial Museum, Ottawa. Older TELEODESMACEA Dall. Family TELLINIDAE Deshayes. Genus Tellina Linne. Tellina dunveganensis, n. sp. FiCS. 2, 4. A trigonal, moderately depressed, shell with sub- central beaks and somewhat angular post-umbonal slope. External ligament very short; pallial sinus roundfd and shallow; lateral teeth well developed and the anterior one approximate; two stout cardin- al teeth in the left valve. Height 18 m. m. ; length 25 m. m. Horizon and Locality. Rather rare in the Dun- vegan formation, Peace and Smoky rivers. Alberta. Collection. Holotype Cat. No. 5671 in the Vic- toria Memorial Museum, Ottawa. Tellina (Moera) peaceriverensis, n. sp. FiGS. 5, 6. Only molds of the left value are preserved. The outline resembles that of Donax cuneata Stanton, but this species is not so abruptly deflected on the postumbonal slope, is not curved upward at the anterior end, and the beak is not so prominent or terminal. Donax? oblonga Stanton is a larger shell with more prominent beak and is more angular and abruptly deflected on the post-umbonal slope. The form of this species suggests the genus Donax; but the dentition is like Tellina and the outline IS closest to subgenus Moera. The left value has two cardinal teeth, the posterior much smaller than the anterior. The lateral teeth are too well developed for Donax; the anterior lateral is approximate as in Tellina. Ligament not known. 56 The Canadian Field-Natukalist [Vol. XXXIV. The pallial sinus is shallow. Height 15 m. m. ; length 30 m. m. Horizon and Locality. Rare in the Dunvegan formation, Peace river, Alberta. Collection. Hclotype Cat. No. 5670, cast of hole- type No. 5670a, in the Victoria Memorial Museum, Ottawa. Explanation of Plate. Figure 1. — Ccrvdlia stanloni McLearn n. sp. Mold of interior of left valve. Geol. Surv., Can., Mus. No. 5669, holotype. Figure 2. — Tcllina dunveganensis McLer.rn n. sp. Largely e.xfohated left valve, revealmg mold of interior and showing muscle scars, pallial line and pallial sinus. Geol. Surv., Can., Mus. No. 5671, holotype. Figure 3. — The same specimen. Shows dorsal view of both valves, with external ligament. Figure 4. — The same specimen. Right valve. Figue 5. — Tellina (Moera) peaceriverensis Mc- Learn n. sp. Left valve, shell exfoliated, reveal- ing mold of interior and showing muscle scars, pallial line and pallial sinus. Geol. Surv., Can., Mus. No. 5670, holotype. Figure 6. — The same. Cast of part of left valve, showing hinge. Geol. Surv., Can., Mus. No. 5670a, cast of holotype. Figure 7. — Smoky river at mouth of Bad Heart river. Cliff of Smoky River shale with band of Bad Heart sandstone. OBITUARY. Lawrence M. Lambe. By the death of Lawrence Lambe, which oc- curred on March 12th, 1919, the Canadian Geo- logical Survey lost one of its best known scientists. Mr. Lambe was the Vertebrate Palaeontologist of the Geological Survey of Canada. Lawrence M. Lambe was born in Montreal, on August 27th. 1863. His father, Wm. B. Lambe, was an Englishman who came to Canada when a young man. His mother was of Schotch descent, the daughter of Hon. Wm. Morris, of Montreal. Lambe's college training was taken with a view to entering the profession of civil engineer. He se- cured shortly after his graduation from college a position with the engineers of the mountain division of the C. P. R. It is most probable that he would have remained a civil engineer but for the fact that an attack of typhoid fever compelled his return home. Although offered, after his recovery, an- other position on the engineering staff of the C.P.R. he preferred an appointment to the Canadian Geo- logical Survey. Much of Mr. Lambe's training in zoology and palaeontology was acquired chiefly through his association with that keen naturalist and palaeon- tologist, Dr. J. F. Whiteaves. This association be- gan when Lambe, at the age of twenty-two, re- ceived his first appointment to the Canadian Geo- logical Survey as artist and assistant to Dr. Whiteaves. At a considerably later period he studied with Dr. H. F. Osborne at Columbia Uni- versity. Concerning this period of Mr. Lambe's career, Dr. Osborne writes as follows: — "When I was appointed in April, 1900, on the Geological Survey of Canada, as palaeontologist, to succeed Professor Edward D. Cope, I chose Mr. Lawrence M. Lambe as my chief associate and I immediately engaged with him in the study of the fauna of the Belly River, which was pub- lished in 1902 (see Osborn Bibliography 1902. 217). He afterward came to Columbia University and took my full course in vertebrate palaeontology. Analysis of Lambe's publications shows three distinct stages in his development as a scientific work- er. His first three papers dealt with living marine sponges. His contributions to zoology all relate to sponges and extend over a period of thirteen years, beginning in 1892. His first contribution to inver- tebrate palaeontology appeared in 1896, four years after he had begun publishing on sponges. Two years later his first paper on vertebrate fossils was published. His papers published since 1900 relate with few exceptions to vetebrate palaeontology, the subject with which his name in recent years has been chiefly associated. Lambe's most important work on invertebrate fossils relates to the corals. For a short period after the death of Dr. J. F. Whiteaves, the determination of all of the palaeon- tological collections of the Canadian Geological Survey fell to Mr. Lambe, — a task which few palae- ontologists could have ventured to undertake. After 1910, Lambe was able to devote his energies ex- clusively to vertebrate palaeontology. He had, too, during the later part of his career the good for- tune to have the assistance of the Sternbergs who collected for him a wealth of dinosaurs and other material from the Alberta Cretaceous. Lambe's interest centered in the office elaboration and description rather than in the collection of fos- March, 1920] The Canadian Field-Natukalist 57 sils. Being an accomplished artist, he took the greatest care in supervising the execution of the drawings which illustrated the remarkable series of fossils which he has described during the last eight years. Among these were the first specimens of horned dinosaurs which had ever been found show- ing the character of the skin. The vertebrate fauna described by Lambe included many enormous heavy boned reptilian creatures of most fantastic appearance. One of these which bears the name of Styracosaiirus albertensis possessed a skull six feet in length. The top of the skull extended backward from the great hooked mandibles, expanded like a shield over the neck where it was bordered by six powerful horns projecting from its posterior margin. Among the important papers which he prepared in recent years were those describing the Triassic fishes of the Rocky Mountains. We are also in- debted to him for important contributions to our knowledge of the Devonian fishes of New Bruns- wick. But it is with the wonderfully rich and varied vertebrate fauna of the Red Deer River valley of Alberta collected by the Sternbergs that Lambe was chiefly occupied in recent years. His various papers dealing with the Cretaceous faunas of the west show admirable illustrations of many of these bizarre creatures cf the Canadian Cretaceous. Several new genera were described from the Al- berta material. A complete list of the papers of Lawrence Lambe will be published in an early number of the Bulle- tin of the Geological Society of America. Mr. Lambe was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 1901, and was a member of various other scientific societies. Lawrence Lambe belonged to that small group of men who find in their work their greatest plea- sure. Palaeontological work was to him indeed a labour of love. The little worries of life seemed never to penetrate his optimistic temperament. His friends will long remember the cheery smile and kindly word with which he always greeted them. Lambe accomplished much toward revealing Can- ada's early vertebrate life, and wherever such knowledge is cherished his passing will be deeply regretted. E. M. KiNDLE. Walter R. Billings. Through the death cf Walter R. Billinps. Can- ada has lost a citizen of unusual attainments. His death occurred on March 1st, in his 71st year at his home in Ottawa. Mr. Billings was an architect by profession and a palaeontologist by natural taste and inclination. Although palaeontology was an avocation with Mr. Billings which he actively followed during only a portion of his mature life, the work which he has left forms a substantial and valuable contribution to the science. The ancestry of Walter R. Billings on the pa- ternal side was rather complex including Welsh, English, Scotch and Irish elements. The family seemed to have, as tersely stated by Chas. Billings, "nearly the whole British Empire" at their backs. The grandfather cf Walter R. Billings was born in Massachusetts; the grandmother in New York. Braddish Billings, grandfather of Walter, was the first white settler in Ottawa. The grandparents of Walter came to Ottawa when there was nothing to suggest the future city of Ottawa which developed later over a part of the 1000 acre tract of land which they acquired. The mother of Walter Bill- ings was a daughter of Capt. Walter Ross. Walter R. Billings was a nephew of Elkanah Billings the distinguished first palaeontologist of the Canadian Geological Survey. To palaeontologists the death of the nephew will recall the birthday of paloeon- tological science in Canada, which may be said to coincide with the publication of Elkanah Billings' first paper on the Cystidea. To this able and remarkable man Canadian naturalists owe a debt of gratitude for starting at his own expense the first magazine devoted to natural history published in Canada. The eloquent declaration of E. Billings in a letter to Sir Wm. Logan at the time of sending him the first copy of the Canadian Naturalist and Geologist, is worth recording here as evidence of the fine courage and enthusiasm which dominated the father of Canadian palaeontology. To Sir William he wrote, "I have abandoned my profes- sion, (journalism) and intend to devote the rest of my life to the study of natural history." One pur- pose of the new magazine he stated in this letter was to arouse "if possible the youth of this coun- try to pursuits for which they have everywhere most unrivalled facilities." With such a sponsor in E. Billings it is small wonder that palaeontology made a strong appeal to the subject of this sketch. Inspired no doubt by the work of his uncle, Walter R. Billings be- came an ardent collector of fossils. That his col- lections came to include many rare and beautifully preserved specimens is sufficiently attested by the published rsferences of foreign palaeontologists to them. Dr. Bather of the British Museum has re- ferred in various papers to specimens collected by W. R. Billings. The generous spirit of Billings led him to loan his collections freely to those pre- pared to make use of them and some of his rarest specimens were presented to the British Museum. 58 The Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. His own published studies were confined chiefly to the Crinoidea. He is known to students of the Crinoidea for his valuable work on the Trenton crinoidal fauna of Ontario. Walter R. Billings during the period from 1881 to 1887 described in the Transactions of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club, several new species and one new genus from Ottawa and Belleville. During this period Billings took an active part in the excursions of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club sharing the leadership of field parties with such naturalists as James Fletcher, J. F. Whiteaves, W. R. Ells and H. M. Ami. Many important additions to the knowledge of the Crinoidea have been mdae by Dr. Bather from siudies of material collected by W. R. Billings. The very valuable collection of fossils left by Mr. Billings has been presented to the Canadian Gcc- logical Survey by his sister. Miss Myra, in accord- ance with his wishes. Besides the crinoids des- cribed by Billings, it includes much valuable material from other groups of fossils and many specimens from other countries. Billings was always ready to place at the dis- posal of visiting geologists his intimate knowledge of collecting localities in the Ottawa district. Many geologists have been indebted to him for guidance to the interesting localities for collecting near Otta- wa. Palaeontology was as already stated an avoca- tion with Walter R. Billings. He represented a type of man far too rare in Canada but more com- mon in England, who finds the time and shows the ability to make worthy contributions to pure science while following a profession in no way allied to the science in which he delves. Walter Billings was a man of broad interests and for many years took a keen interest in athletics. In his younger days he took an active part in the water sports for which Ottawa is noted. Many of his vacations were spent on his luxuriously furnished house boat. The palaenotological studies of Walter R. Bill- ings had enabled him to "peer far back into the night of time" but he claimed no such insight into the future as the great majority of men believe they have. His keen analytical mind had given him little if any knowledge of the uncharted seas of the Great Beyond. He was too frank and honest a man to lay claim to knowledge or beliefs which he had never acquired. It was therefore in deference to his modest views regarding the limitations of the human mind that the ceremonies usually observed, were omitted at the passing of Walter R. Billings. In his request that his remains be cremated we glimpse the fact that his concern was more for the welfare of these he left behind than for himself. E. M. Kindle. BOOK NOTICES AND REVIEWS. The library of McGill University has been en- riched by a collection of text books, monographs, and sets of periodicals (in English, French, Italian and German) devoted to birds; constituting the Emma Shearer Wood Library of Ornithology. This library, the gift of Colonel Casey A. Wood of Chicago, to his Alma Mater, will he endowed by the donor, and is intended to serve not only as a reference collection for the use of college students and research workers but it will be available, so far as its more popular books are concerned, to readers, interested in birds, outside the University precinc'.?. It may be added that Dr. Casey Wood is an eld Ottawa boy, having graduated as prizeman from the Collegiate Institute about 1875. He visited the Capital in 1918 as representative of the Surveyor General of the U. S. Army on a tour of inspection of cur hospitals and other institutions engaged in the rehabilitation of our disabled soldiers. Col. Wood has retired from practice and is now engaged, in California, on the Medical and Surgical (Ameri- can) History of the War and other literary tasks. He was the Secretary of the Committee that pub- lished the Anniversary Volumes dedicated to the late Sir William Osier. In 1917, just before Dr. Wood took up his mili- tary duties he published his Fundus Oculi of Birds. This IS an important study of a neglected subject. It is profusely illustrated with a wealth of coloured plates and line drawings and is a most valuable ad- dition to avian anatomy in general and bird optics in particular. It also offers suggestions that may be of great value in the classification of birds. Notes on some of the more common Animals AND Birds of the Canadian Rockies. By William Spreadborough. Canadian Alpine Jour- nal, Vol. X., 1919, pp. 51-68. Mr. Spreadborough, the veteran naturalist and field collector, who has spent nearly every summer for the past thirty years with field parties of the Geological Survey of Can- ada, accompanying Mr. James McEvoy, Professor John Macoun, and the late Mr. James M. Macoun, March, 1920] The Canadian Field-Naturalist 59 relates some of his interesting field experiences. Of mammals, he gives notes on grizzly bear, hoary marmot, Columbian ground squirrel, little chief hare, bushy-tailed wocdrat or pack-rat, mountain flying squirrel, and Hudson Bay red squirrel. Of birds, he gives many interesting notes on the habits of Richardson's grouse, grey ruffed grouse, Franklin's grouse or fool-hen, white-tailed ptarmi- gan, and golden eagle. Though he has written little, Mr. Spreadborough has a keen eye and ear for natural history work, and his wide journeyings into some of the most inaccessible parts of Canada have given him a wide knowledge of the habits of beasts and birds. It is to be hoped that he will put more of his observations on record. R. M. Anderson. Migrations of the Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis). By Ernest Thompson Setcn. Tcur- nal of Mammalogy, Vol. I., No. 2, February, 1920, pp. 53-58. Mr. Seton quotes from early accounts of "incredible" migrations before the eastern wooded area was thickly settled. Robert Kennicott records a migration from Canada across the Niagara River into western New York. As corroboration of the high figures given by the old naturalists, from which may be deduced a gray squirrel population of sev- eral billions at one time in the area inhabited bv the species in 1800, Mr. Seton states that recently it was necessary to thin out the gray squirrels in the protected area of Central Park, New York, and 300 were shot without making much perceptible difference. That is, there were over 1000 to th: 300 acres of timber. "Im my recollection of a squirrel woods in Ontario, 1887, the numbers in Central Park are not to be compared to those in the northern weeds. They were at least three times as numerous in the latter and yet we knew that there were about three to the acre in the park." Mr. Seton asks young naturalists to render ser- vice now by interviewing all available old-timers who hunted squirrels in the 60's, and make a record of the time, place, extent, direction, etc., of every emigration that can be traced, together with facts that bear upon the causes and results or that in any way offer interesting light. R. M. Anderson. The Condor, Vol. XXL, ending Dec, 1919. During the past year there has appeared in this publication the following papers and articles of in- terest to Canadian readers: P. 42, Sapsuckers and Hummingbirds, a short note by H. H. Mitchell, Provincial Museum, Re- gina, Sask. In this is described the visits of at least seven Ruby-throated Hummingbirds that successive- ly came to drink sap flowing from the drilling made by a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in a birch tree. Pp. 57-60. Notes on the Breeding Habits of the Red Crossbill in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, by J. A. Munro, Okanagan Landing, B.C. This is an in'eresting paper on a little kn:wn subject. The author states that he secured specimens "which plainly show reversion from the yellow plumage to the red," thus giving evidence supporting the much disputed vi-ew that the red plumage is not the livery of the most mature birds. Pp. 80-86. The Summer Birds of Hazelton, British Columbia, by P. A. Taverner, Geclogical Survey, Ottawa. This is an annotated list of 69 species noted or collected, in the summer of 1917, at Hazelton, on the Grand Trunk Pacific at its most northern point in British Columbia, by Wm. Spreadborough and the author. Pp. 91-92. Letter by Mr. A. B. Howell, con- tinuing the discussion started by Mr. Taverner's use of binomials. P. 124. Mr. J. H. Fleming, of Toronto, has a note giving measurements and descriptions of Trump- eter Swans from California, the St. Clair Flats, Mich., and the State of Washington. Mainly de- tails of a specimen in the British Museum, supple- mentary to its citation in The Game Birds of California. Pp. 175. Editorial notice of the departure — May 14th, of a zoological collecting expedition from the Muzeum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, into Alaska and British Columbia, en- tering in the vicinity of Wrangell to proceed up the Stikine River to the neighborhood of Telegraph Creek. The party was composed of Mr. Harry S. Swar'h, Curatcr of Birds in the museum and Mr. Joseph Dixon, Economic Mammalogist, and local assistants. It m.ay here be noted that they returned in October with a large collection of important ma- terial. The expedition and the report that is planned to be published on its results was made possible through the financial interest of Miss Annie Alexander who has done so much to further zoo- logical investigation on the Alaskan and British Columbian coast. It is well recognized in Cali- fornia, more perhaps, than anywhere else in this country that it is impossible to truly understand local zoological problems without studying adjacent extralimital territory. Pp. 222-225. Bird Notes from Saskatchewan, by Mr. H. H. Mitchell, with three photographic illustrations. This consists of annotations on sev- eral species of birds. Brewer's Sparrow was found in some numbers in the valley of the Frenchman river, taken June 16, 1919, and fairly common be- tween Eastend and Ravenscrag. Specimens identi- 60 The Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. fled by J. H. Fleming. The White-crowned Spar- row, the eastern form, breeding June 18, 1919, near Eastend. It has been previously been reported from the Cypress Hills by A. C. Bent and Wm. Spreadborough apparently breeding but without definite substantiation. The Chipping Sparrow is reported as breeding in the Cypress Hills but is de- clared to be "not common in any part of the prov- ince." The breeding form of the Horned Lark in the Cypress Hills is declared to be the Desert Horned Lark, Otocoris alpesiris leucolaema. It is not evident from the context whether Mr. Mitchell regards Mr. Oberholser's Enthemia as a separable race which would be the expected form if it is. The Whip-poor-will was heard near the juncture of the North and South Saskatchewan rivers, about thirty miles east of Prince Albert, on July 15, 1919. This forms the first record for the province and the farthest west for Canada. Whether there is any likelihood that one familiar with the call of the Whip-poor-will of the East could mistake that of the Poor-will, can best be judged by those who are acquainted with both. Either species would be important. P. 239. An amusing reason for the elimination of the subspecies is reported by J. H. Fleming from the suggestion of the editors of the London Catalogue of British Plants, third edition, who oppose plant splitting on the grounds that it would make the cata- logue unduly bulky and raise the postage on it be- yond the limits of a blue (two penny) stamp. P. 240. In a short note we are informed that Mr. Geo. Willet has established himself on Prince of Wales Island, Alaska, for the winter and ex- pects to devote practically his entire time to orni- thology. Prince of Wales Island is on the Pacific Coast just across Dixon Channel from the Queen Charlotte Islands and hence so close to British Columbian waters as to be of great interest to Can- adian ornithologists. Information of this coast is not very complete and there is probably no place on the continent where a winter's work could be put in to better scientific advantage. P. A. Taverner. NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS. A Canadian National Museum.— The follow- ing is a copy of a resolution passed by the Council of The Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club, on March 12, 1920. "Whereas all important civilized nations have found it desirable and necessary to establish national museums as storehouses and repositories for historic artistic and scientific treasures, safe from the ravages of time or accident, or the exploitation or caprice of private ownership, and where they will be avail- able for the study or contemplation of the whole nation rather than of the favored few, and "Whereas Canada has at this time no such na- tional museum definitely established as such, — "Be it resolved that the Council of The Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club recommends that for the pur- pose of the safe-keeping of specimens of national importance, as an aid to and encouragement of Canadian scientists, to act as a general clearing house of scientific endeavors, for the general education of the public and as a monument to Canada's intellec- tual life, the present museum organizations under the Federal Government of Canada be re-established as a Canadian National Museum. And, further, that the Council urge upon Parliament that steps be im- mediately taken to establish such a museum as will worthily and creditably represent the Dominion amongst like institutions of the world. And further. that a copy of this resolution be given to the press, and also published in The Canadian Field-Natur- alist." "Prairie" Fringed Orchid. Mr. F. Morris. 643 Aylmer St., Peterboro, would be glad to hear from any reader of the Naturalist who knows of a station in Ontario for the so-called "Prairie" Fringed Orchid (Habenaria leucoplmea). It was found by him on the margin of a mud lake near Smith's Falls some 20 years ago, and in the moist heart of a tamarac swamp near Port Hope, 10 years ago, growing in Sphagnum moss with pogonias and cranberry vines close to standing water and cat- tails. It is a tall handsome plant with large creamy white flowers having a three-parted lip of fanlike and fringed divisions and a very long curving spur; the plants stand from 2 to 3J/2 feet high." The Province of Quebec Society for the Protection of Birds, Montreal, recently held meetings as follows: — Jan. 12. Annual Meeting — Report — Election of Officers. Address: Mr. Napier Smith. Feb. 9. The Traditions and Superstitions of Birds and Insects. Speakers, Miss M. Hadrill and Mr. A. F. Winn. G. M. Dyer, Hon. Corres. Secy. THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST VOL. XXXIV. APRIL, 1920. No. 4. NOTES ON THE MAMMALS OF RIDOUT. DISTRICT OF SUDBURY, ONTARIO. By J. Dewey Soper. The comparative isolation of much of Northern Ontario from centres of habitation, seems a reason- able cause for the relative dearth of literature on the mammals from this region. The smaller species have, naturally, received little attention, and much is yet to be known about them, notably in regard to their range and life histories. Big game hunting and the fur-trade have doubtless conduced to a greater familiarity with the larger mammals than would otherwise have been the case. So far as is known the Ridout country has had no detailed in- vestigation of its animal life; because of this fact the present paper based upon a collection of 55 mammals and observations thereon made in the immediate vicinity of Ridout is presented. The first visit to the locality was from October 20 to November 2, 1917, efforts being mainly directed to the accumulation of notes on the larger mammals and birds of that period. With the present paper in view a return was made the following year, from October I to November 1 , with every provision for the collection of specimens in order to round out the data as fully as possible. The Jumping Mice (Zapus hudsonicus and Insignis) were not secured, due partly to their early habit of hibernation. No bats were observed, nor Flying Squirrels (Sciuropferus sabrinus). No signs were seen of the Star-nosed Mole (Condy- lura crisiata). Various circumstances prevent the list from being complete. Ridout is situated on the Canadian Pacific Rail- way, 132 miles north-west of Sudbury, 166 miles south-east of White River, 96 miles north of Lake Huron and 280 miles south-west of James Bay. It is located upon the northern height of land at an elevation of 1 ,364 feet above the sea and 778 feeet above Lake Superior. The surrounding hills range in altitude from 1 ,400 feet to probably 2,000 feet. Magnetic variation is about six degrees west of astronomical north. The whole region is intersected by hundreds of streams and dotted with countless lakes of all sizes. Many feeders of that noble stream, the Moose River, find their source along the height of land, converg- ing fan-like to the majestic tide that sweeps nortlv ward to James Bay. Others, notably the Spanish River, flow southward to the Great Lakes. The general character of the country about Ridout is that of vast rolling forested hills with frequent outcrops of gneiss or perhaps schist and greenstone. Some distance to the east, however, the region is broken into gigantic rock masses, moun- tains, and escarpments of desolate and infinite grandeur. The whole lies to-day as through all the ages. Ridout lies well within the Canadian zone and in floral aspect resembles broadly that of all tim- bered sections west of Sudbury. Occasional boreal "islands" suggest the stunted evergreen forests of the Hudsonian zone. Conifers are everywhere pre- dominant, the greater portion of the woods con- sisting of White and Black Spruce (Picea canadensis and mariana). Balsam Fir, (Abies balsamea) and Banksian or Jack Pine, (Pinus ban}(siana). Yellow and Canoe or White Birch (Betula lutea and papyrijeTa) occur, the latter especially being common and growing frequently in pure stands upcn the side-hills. White and Red Pine (Pinus sirobus and resinosa) flourish in vary- ing numbers. The remaining common trees of the forest are Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis). Tamarack (Larix laricina). White Cedar (Tsuga occidental- is). Aspen Poplar (Populus tremuloides). Balsam Poplar (Populus balsamifera) occurring on low ground along lakes and streams. Alder (Alnus in- cana) and the Mountain Maple (Acer spicatum). Salix rosirata is the only tree-like willow. Blue- berries are usually an abundant crop, and numerous flowers, particularly the wild rose, I understand, grow in great profusion during the northern sum- mer. Mosses and lichens occur almost everywhere on rocks, logs, ground and upon the branches of standing trees. The avifauna of the region for October while inextensive will convey certain impressions in a brief list, impossible to other things. Birds noted 62 The Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. during the first week of the month were Robin (Planesticus m. migratorius), Crow (Corvus hrach'^- rhynchus) ; Raven (Corvus corax principalis); Canada Jay (Perisoreus canadensis) ; Blue Jay (Cyanocitta crisiata) ; White-throated Sparrow (Zonoirichia albicollis) ; Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) ; Black-capped Chicadee (Penthestes atri- capillus) ; Slate-colored Junco (Junco hyemalis) ; Horned Lark (Olocoris alpestris) and Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus). On October 10, a Kingfisher (Ceryle alc^on) and Pileated Wood- pecker (Ceophloeus pileaius abieticola) were ob- served, the latter again on the 21st. One Tree Spar- row (Spizella monticoia) was noted on the morning of October 13. During the afternoon of the 18th, Pine Grosbeaks (Pinicola enucleator leucura) were common. The first small flock of Snow Buntings (Passerina nivalis) made their appearance the fol- lowing day. A single Arctic Three-toed Wood- pecker (Picoides arcticus) was observed on Oct. 21. Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) was noted but not commonly. In the preparation of this article I have received many courtesies from Mr. W. E. Saunders, of London, Ont., and Dr. R. M. Anderson of the Geological Survey, Ottawa. The late Mr. James M. Macoun also of the Geological Survey, kindly furnished the proper common and scientific names of the trees known to occur in the region. To Mr. George Visser, of Ridout, I am indebted for many favors extended during the trip. Common Eastern Shrew, Cooper Shrew, or Masked Shrew, Sorex personatus personatus I. Geoffroy. The masked shrew is very common at Ridout, persisting in nearly all situations from low woods and meadows to the wooded ridges. Nine specimens were taken. Color. — Dorsal sur- face of the body brownish-gray, the latter barely per- ceptible; brown deeper on the rump. Sides slightly lighter. Belly, throat and chin ashy-gray, no sharp line of demarkation between color of belly and sides but change taking place rather abruptly. Tail ob- scurely bicolor, brownish above, paler below. Feet very light brown. Richardson's Shrew, Sorex richardsonii Bachman. Only three specimens of this beautiful shrew were collected at Ridout. A fourth was found dead on a trail through the woods but was beyond the stage for proper preservation. One of the three preserved was found lying dead on a trail intersecting a low meadow. No marks of violence were found on either of these animals but probably the pounce of a cat or bird would be sufficient to extinguish life, the aggressor leaving it unmutilated when discover- ing by the unsavory odor of its prey (which char- acterizes the shrews) the reality of its mistake. Few animals, I believe, devour the shrews on this account, and I have seen dogs that were very re- luctant to even kill them for the same reason. One man whom I talked with in the north firmly believed that every Richardson's shrew that crossed a human trail fell dead instantly; the idea doubt- less originating from the appearance of numerous shrews in these places. The two which I found in the traps were in low damp meadows frequented by the Forest Vole (M. fontigenus) and the Mole Shrew (B. brevicauda). So far as I am aware these specimens represent the second record for Ontario, the other being Miller's two specimens collected at Peninsula Harbor, in 1896. Smoky Shrew, Sorex fumeus Miller. Only one specimen of this comparatively rare shrew was collected at Ridout. Its identity among many of the common shrews was for a time un- certain but it has now been referred to this species by both Mr. W. E. Saunders and Dr. R. M. Anderson. It was collected on Oct. 12, 1918 and measured: Length, 108 mm.; tail vertebratae, 44 mm.; hind foot, 15 mm. Colour: — Bicolor; back, dark brownish; un- derparts slightly paler rust brownish. Pelage slightly glossy. Marsh Shrew, Water Shrew, Nesorex albi- barbis (Cope). At Ridout I found that the water shrew was un- common. Three specimens collected may be des- cribed as follows: Color — Above very dark, in some lights almost black, in others, faint brownish- black or greyish-black, overlaid almost impercep- tibly with silvery tip to some hairs giving it a slight frosted appearance. Belly silvery-grey washed with dusky, heaviest between forelegs. Whitish around lips and chin. Tail bicolored, blackish above and around the tip, white below. Feet, light brown and fringed with silvery, bristle-like hairs, adapted for swimming. All are apparently adult and in win- ter pelage. It is perhaps strange that I found the water shrew in only one very limited locality at Ridout. This was along a small brook which flowed down from the timbered hills and entered the Ridout river a short distance east of the station. At in- tervals its margin was grassy and moss-grown and underneath this by lifting away the growth, the tiny tunnels of the shrew could be seen. In a space about twenty-five yards in length along the western bank of this streamlet I trapped the three specimens mentioned, all in four days, from Oct. 4 to 7, after which no more were taken. Beyond doubt extended diligence would locate other small April, 1920] The Canadian Field-Naturalist 63 families or colonies along other brooks, beside the river or about beaver meadows. The other small mammals taken in the traps set for A^. albibarbis were Blarina brevicauda, Sorex personatus, and if I remember rightly the only specimen of Sorex fumeus which I collected on the trip. Short-tailed Shrew, Bob-tailed or Mole Shrew, Blarina brevicauda Say. The eastern shrew is very common at Ridout. The seven specimens collected average larger than those given by Mcrriam from type locality* (near Blair, Neb.) and considerably larger than his eastern specimens from Martha's Vineyard, Mass. The Ridout specimens are also larger than the average of nine specimens taken from my collection at Preston, Ontario. As is usual within its range, this shrew was found at Ridout in nearly all situations, from low, mossy swamps to wooded ridges. Scarcely a trap in any of these places but sooner or later yielded a Blarina. It was uncommonly abundant in low grassy mea- dows adjacent to dank spruce woods. By pressing the vegetation aside in these places I discovered small feeding pockets beneath, arched over thickly with grass, the bottoms, being covered with varying depths of excrement. Examining these places, the first day at Ridout, I credited the sole ownership to the Forest Vole (M. fontigenus) but soon dis- covered my mistake, for from six traps set in a grassy depression not over fifty feet in diameter, the following morning I took three blarinas and only one Microius. Favoring Blarina, the ratio as a whole was even greater than this; in fact it is the mos abundant species of mammal in the region and perhaps anywhere in Eastern North America. Occasionally I found specimens in traps set for Evotom])s and S})napiom\)s under logs in the deep moss of spruce woods; other times in hill-side sets among the pines intended for Perom^scus and just as often in the subterranean tunnels of albibarbis along the streams. The grassy sink-holes or mea- dows dotted with low bushes and shrubs, appear, however, to constitute the over-flowing nucleus from which, radiating, they invade every conceivable surface situation. Black Bear, Ursus americanus Pallas. The black bear is reported as being tolerably common throughout the region. Although numerous signs both recent and old were observed, no indi- viduals were encountered. The black bear usually eludes the hunter very cleverly, offering compara- tively few shots, but large numbers are taken in heavy steel traps every spring. The following brief "experience" was told to us by a trapper on Oct. 30. * N. A. Fauna. No. 10, p. 11, 1895. in search of good trapping grounds, he came sud- denly upon a big black bear feeding, partly con- cealed behind a low windfall. The trapper carried no fire-arms, only a light axe and a hunting-knife, but was determined not only to discover what the bear was feasting upon but also if chances offered to kill it with the axe. But contrary to the usual custom, bruin preserved a stern front and refused to quit the scene. Several experimental advances on the trapper's part ended with negligible results and the conviction that discretion was here the better part of valor. Several times old bruin wad- dled a few paces away, but would immediately re- turn with wicked eye, watchful and sullen. After some manoeuvering however the trapper detected the protruding blade of a moose's antler but further critical scrutiny was suspended as impracticable. The interesting point lies in the fact that a few days previously a bull moose was wounded near the Ridout river five miles to the east, and when last seen was running in a westerly direction. We sup- pose that the dead moose and the wounded one are identical and before succumbing to injuries had traversed the considerable intervening distance. Gray Wolf, Canis occidentalis (Richardson). Wolves are reported as occuring throughout the timbered portions of Algoma and Sudbury, but never numerous. None of recent occurence at Ridout. Inferring from many wild wolf stories afloat, the tribe seems numerous enough north of Superior and surrounding Lake-of-the-Woods. Common Red Fox, Vulpes fulva Desmarest. The red fox occurs in fair numbers at Ridout judging by reports and the numerous tracks ob- served in the snow about the wooded hills and over the open ridges. All the freak color phases, black, silver and cross are represented in the pelt collec- tions taken from the country. Marten or American Sable, Martes ameri- cana (Turton). No sign of the marten was seen at Ridout, al- though I traversed several tracts of very likely look- ing country. My friend Mr. Visser informed me that three skins were procured by him from Indians coming in from the south, apparently from the re- gion of Wakami, Pike, Trout and Kebskashishi Lakes. It is quite likely that all the old forests in Algoma not visited by fire are inhabited by marten in varying numbers. While on a canoe trip north of the confluence of the Ridout and Walkam rivers in Oct., 1917, I saw what looked like good marten country but had no time to investigate. This was high, heavily-timbered country about a fair sized lake. On the Standard Top. Map (Car- tier Sheet) this body of water bears no name. While exploring some heavily timbered country 64 The Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. Miller* remarks: "At Nipigon a trapper told me that martens, wherever they occur in sufficient numbers, so terrorize the red squirrels by constan' persecution that the noisy rodents, learning that silence is their best protection, stop chattering. Hence an abundance of silent squirrels is — accord- ing to my informant at least — a certain indication that marten fur is plenty. According to this, there are no martens at all near Ridout. Fisher, Maries permanti Erxleben. Consensus of opinion admits this animal as com- monly occuring in all the wooded country. An ex- forest-ranger with whom I talked said that while existing in fair numbers, they never became abun- dant, according to his observations. On Oct. 18, I took one in a bear trap set at the offal of a moose, near the Ridout river. This was several miles north of the railway and in a comparatively heavy belt of spruce timber. The specimen was a well ma- tured male and according to numerous published measurements exceeded the usual size. Total length, 36'/2 inches; tail, 14'/2 inches; foot, 5 inches. The ground color over all was a brown of medium depth very liberally besprinkled dor- sally with hoary greyish-golden guard hair; the posterior portion more suggestive of gray. The fisher is regarded as one of the few success- ful enemies of the porcupine from the frequency of "porky" javelins somewhere in its anatomy, which as a rule produce no bad effects. Although my specimen was apparently an old adult, no evidence of this was to be seen. Probably the genera) scar- city of Erelhizon would account for it. Short-tailed Weasel, Musiela cigognanii Bonaparte. Numerous tracks of weasels were noted especial- ly during the autumn of 1917. No specimens were secured, but the trails and a single medium sized weasel hastily observed near the station were re- ferred to this species. Mink, Musiela vison Schreber. The mink is fairly common at Ridout. The lavish distribution of streamlets, rivers and lakes throughout the region should prove a very con- genial home for it. After a light fall of snow in November, 1917, I saw signs of one along the border of a small brook. A trainman saw one running along the Ridout river on October 25, 1918. Canada Skunk, Mephitis mepbiiis Schreber. Skunks are found in varying numbers throughout the region, but their distribution is governed locally by favorable situations. Much of the country is clothed heavily with conifers, and where this exists *Miller Jr., G. S., Mammals of Ontario. Vol. 28, No. ], p. 42, 1896. with low, damp, mossy ground the skunk could scarcely be looked for. The poplar covered ridges with warm southern slopes form a congenial habi- tat for the species and many occur in the region. In a sandy slope covered with low deciduous trees north of Ridout I found two dens which I think belonged to this species; both had every indication of recent occupation. Mr. Visser has observed the animal on but two or three occasions at Ridout but informs me that its occurrence is more frequent about the higher ground at Lake Pishkniogama a short distance west of Ridout. The first week in November, 1917, we saw one cross the rails near the station and disappear in the woods. Canada Otter, Lutra canadensis (Schreber). Mr. Visser informs me that although the region yields a number of skins each year, the species is not very common. Where, as at Ridout, the nature of the rivers are such that no alluviul material is deposited along their courses, evidence is scant in determining the occurence of terraqueous species such as the other. Personally I observed no signs. After ice forms, and there is a surface of light snow, the long excursions of the otter marked by its conspicuous trails are commonly seen. They de- light at this time in the fair open expanses of river and lake and enter into long nocturnal journeys. Once, on ascending the Hay river in Alberta, a fresh otter trail of the night before preceded me all day and was still in evidence when I camped for the night, headed strong into the mountains. The distance traversed by this animal before and after my own day's journey of about fifteen miles, and added to it would, if known afford a very inter- esting and perhaps surprising figure. The usual mode of travel at such times is the alternate jump, and slide, peculiar to the species, with the latter five or six feet in length and main- tained in untiring regularity by the momentum re- ceived from each quasi-double bound. Each river riffle on these journeys are unfailingly explored, with varying success. If compensated the evi- dence is plain enough — a few flecks of blood, probably a fin, or a number of scales, and a yellow- ish stain in the water-soaked snow at the lip of the ice-hole. A corpulent male shot in November while feeding on a wild duck at one of these holes, was rankly "fishy" and loaded with fat. Canada Lynx, Ly^nx canadensis Kerr. According to all accounts the lynx is at present the commonest furbearer in Algoma, and the Indi- an's specialty. The recent annual "catch" I un- derstand has been large but the diminution of hares may soon cause a change of local fortune in lynx skins. Lynx snares of former date were fre- quently noted along the Ridout and Wakami rivers, April. 1920] The Canadian Field-Naturalist 65 indicating the animal's habit of travelling in such places. Winter or summer they seem to have a regular route, usually at the forest's fringe; about rivers, lakes, or natural meaaows rather than in the extreme depths. In w^estern Alberta I learned that the Indians know these routes so well that snares at peculiarly favorable places are mamtained in sea- son, from year to year and are handed down as a heritage from father to son. The general topo- graphy of a region usually suggests to the experi- enced man, the favorable disposition of snares. Lynxes do not confine themselves to the lowlands for they possess an inherent love of expanse that betakes them regularly to breezy heights or the lip of yawning space. One day, in November, I happened upon a young Indian preparing a snare for lynx on a semi-forested elevation hundreds of feet above the Hay river. Ex- pressing surprise at the choice of such a place for a snare the young Cree answered in broken English "Him good; much go." I took his word for it. Passing by a few days later while moose hunting, sure enough a big cat was there, choked to death and apparently by his own effort, for both front feet were stiffly braced against the toggle to which the snare-thong was tied. It is perhaps interesting to note that the inevitable "beaver castor" so alluring to many animals, is equally so to the big cat. He simply cannot resist it. To purr and rub his neck against the concoction is apparently the one unsatisfied ambition, — unsatis- fied because the snare acts first. An Indian that I entertained in my cabin one night loosened up enough to tell me that the Crees' common brown "lynx dope " was simply a mixture cf boiled rabbit liver and beaver castor. As beaver were protected in Alberta at that time, we are permitted to guess where they got the "castor." DusK'^' White-footed Mouse, Perom^scus maniculalus maniculatus (Wagner). The white-footed mouse is fairly common at Ridout, having collected it in nearly all high situa- tions both semi-barren and timbered. By measurements (actual and relative) nine specimens taken come well within the limits of P. m. maniculatus (Wagner) =Peromi;sciis cana- densis umhrinus Miller, recorded from Peninsula Harbo' , Ont. (Notes on the Mammals of On- tario). "These specimens do not seem to show any in- termediate characters in measurements or coloration "With P. maniculatus gracilis (Le Conte) =P. cana- densis canadensis Miller." R. M. Anderson. All but one have tails slightly less than half the total length. All have under-sides of hind-feet haired except on the pads and spaces between — length 20 mm. or greater. This northern variety of the white-foot, was found in nearly all of the greatly diversified sur- face situations. Include Blarina and the two cover the territory very well. On the very edge of low mossy woods I have taken them in traps set for Evotomys (Red-backed Vole) and likewise in "sets" made on high ground intended for other mam- mals. One afternoon while crossing a small barren plateau I noticed a neat little hole driven deep into the soil beside a log. Miller's incident with Phenacomys was immediately recalled, wherefore through a little inductive reasoning I expected next morning to catalogue one of those voles, but alas, the trap held only a lonely PeromVscus. That was the closest I got to Phenacomys — in all probability rather remote. The places of commonest occurence for Per- (imyscus, were about the fringe of woods bordering natural meadows or rocky tree-interspersed land. While trapping for Hoy's shrew (Microsorex hoyi) on dry wooded hill-sides, though failing to get that animal, I never wanted for deer mice. North of the station a small glaciated and striated ridge of granite ran east and west, covered with conifers wherever enough till or mould had accumulated in its hol- lows to support them. On the south side several small wooded terraces sloped down, alternating with rock which often formed low precipitous back- grounds for the former. At the foot of these among the trees I set a number of traps because in ihe individual character of the situations they seemed to offer good opportunities for intercepting any small mammal that ran the ledge. But, again, though taking a number of the Masked Shrew (S. personatus), Peromyscus inevitably paid the greater price. And incidentally, this was one place that I failed to get Blarina — a genuine relief. Twice I trapped the dusky mouse in low grassy creek borders but the dainty white-foot usually haunted higher ground. Northern Lemming Mouse, Synaptomys fatuus (Bangs). This lemming is uncommon at Ridout. Only two specimens were collected. These are identical in appearance, except for the smaller size of No. 353 which is evidently juvenile or adolescent. They are similar to adult Microtus p. fontigenus but the pep- per and salt effect on the back is noticeably coarser. These examples were taken in the same strip of swamp. Though persistent trapping in most fav- orable places was conducted for several weeks, no further specimens were observed. Only a few yards separated the two traps which captured them, both beside decayed, moss-covered logs in the sphag- num of a spruce woods north-east of the station. 66 The Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. The situation is only a couple of feet above the Ridout river's highest water mark. Their prefer- ence for cool, mossy, damp woods is clearly evident. No trails made by these animals or any other small mammal could be found; evidently all ranging in- discriminately over the forest floor. The other animals found associated with Synaptom^s were Evotomys gapperi, Sorex personaius, and Microtus p. fontigenus. Red Backed Mouse, Euotomys gapperi gapperi (Vigors). Though experiencing no particular difficulty in collecting red-backed voles at Ridout, their numbers were evidently much less than were found by Miller north of Lake Superior. The six specimens taken are all of the red phase. Tvs^ individuals are somewhat larger than the others. An examination of the teeth seems to indi- cate that all are young, with the exception of two which are noticeably inclined to the double-rooted molar of the adult. These were not, however, deep and distinct, better described perhaps as half-rooted. This was found in two distinct surface situations, the deep mossy woods and the comparitively high ground adjoining them. The first specimen I trapped was on a low pine ridge with an elevation of about forty feet above the contiguous spruce woods. Another was captured in a similar situation but lower in elevation, sparsely wooded, and strewn with rocks. The remainder were taken in deep forests. Nowhere was the species common. Forest Meadow Mouse; Forest Vole; HuDSONiAN Meadow Mouse, Microtus pennsyl- vanicus fontigenus (Bangs). The forest vole appears to be rather uncommon at Ridout ; though traps well baited and in favorable places remained set throughout the full time of the trip, only four examples were secured. This seems to suggest a scarcity of the species at least locally. All were taken in natural grassy meadows in the vicinity of the Ridout river. Particulars of the habitat will be found under Blarina brevicauda. I had hopes, after making dental and cranial ex- aminations of these four specimens of finding a Phenacomys among them but in this I was disap- pointed. It is reasonable to suppose that a colony exists in the vicinity of Ridout since Miller took them at Peninsula Harbor and as their range ex- tends east to Labrador. The blackish-brown, and smaller size of two of the individuals indicate their immaturity. The two other examples, both adults are dull chestnut-brown above, darkened along the back with coarse blacx hairs. Underparts in one silvery-plumbeous, in the other plumbeous gray tinged with pale buff. All have feet brownish and tails indistinctly bicolored. MusKRAT, Ondatra zibethica Linn. Mr. Visser informs me that formerly the musk- rat was common in the region but exceptionally high water, I think a couple of years ago, nearly exter- minated them. The extensive and elaborate water- system of the country should be very favorable for this animal. Only a couple were seen while canoe- ing on the Ridout river; while of the usual "sign" on partly submerged logs, little was in evidence. No houses were observed. Canada Porcupine, Erethizon dorsatum Linn. The porcupine occurs sparingly throughout the region. Although spending several weeks during two autumns in the forests about Ridout only one individual was seen. This one was curled up and asleep under a big spruce in the midst of an exten- sive coniferous forest. Little trails running out in several directions from the cozy hibernal retreat, showed plainly in the deep moss as they lead up to numerous trees upon which the porcupine fed. The scarcity of the species in the locality may be a re- flection of similar conditions throughout the county. Preble' found them nowhere abundant on his Hudson Bay trip and remarks: "In a country where the life of the native is a constant struggle for food, the ease with which this animal may be taken, is sufficient reason for its scarcity." Canada Woodchuck, Marmota monax cana- densis Erxleben. I could get no information concerning this animal at Ridout. The season was already too far ad- vanced when I arrived for any collecting, as the animals hibernate in mid-September. Some small burrows observed on sandy southern slopes and credited to Mephitis mephitis may have belonged to monax. Miller- reported the woodchuck common at Peninsula Harbor so they may be expected to occur at Ridout. Preble' also alludes to specimens re- corded by Allen from James Bay and Nelson River. Lake Superior Chipmunk, Eutamias quadri- vittatus neglectus (Allen). This small form is only of moderate abundance at Ridout. Miller found it "excessively abundant" on the north shore of Lake Superior but these super- latives would not apply in this instance. Regarding these specimens collected, Dr. R. M. Anderson remarks: "These specimens differ prin- cipally from Eutamias quadrivittatus borealis (Allen), Northern Chipmunk, in having the sides much redder; typical borealis having the sides pale fl) Preble, E. A., Mammals of Keewatin; N.A. Fauna, No. 22, p. 59, 1902. (2) Miller, Jr., G. S., Mam. of Ont., Vol. 28, No. 1, p. 26. 1896. (3) Preble, E. A., Mam. of Keewatin, N.A. Fauna, No. 22. April, 1920] The Canadian Field-Naturalist 67 yellowish-brown. Occasional specimens of borealis from Saskatchewan and Alberta approach these specimens in reddish tint of sides, but have the backs averaging much paler." In a state of nature, the smaller size of this chip- munk combined with the relatively longer tail ear- ned stiffly erect when travelling, serves readily as a means of differentiation from the larger species striaius which shares this same region. At a glance too, it appears much darker, perhaps becau'jc of the comparatively closer grouping of the dorsal stripes and the absence of chestnut or deep reddish- brown on the rump which characterizes the big chipmunk. Neglectus lives not only on the hillsides among the open boulders but also frequents remote places in the tangled wilderness. Twice I found them on shght declivities far in the forest surrounded by a maze of fallen trees, boulders and brush and other things which vex the tired traveller. Thoughts of fatigue, however, disperse when a trim little chipmunk shrills at your elbow, and disappears like a buffy streak with twinkling feet curiously attached to a long tail. In a moment if all is quiet, he may re- appear, but most likely scolds and protests from a deep retreat until you leave. One observed in mid-afternoon comfortably hunched in the October sun was discovered later to have been doing some "fall threshing," the grain, so called, having been removed from low shrubs among the boulders. In favorable places along the railway I found this chipmunk much commoner. Many birds and a few mammals are attracted there by slight grain leakages from passing trains. One "little chipmunk" I could count on seeing nearly every fine day near a pile of boulders bordering the highway; scraps from a near-by boardmg car furnishing his meals de luxe without further anxiety, and extending his available time for frolic. Sometimes when I wan- dered by and interrupted this sumptuous pastime he would scramble with great concern over the sloping ballast and leap into a truck beneath the car. Once there I never could discover him, although mean- while I must have been under constant surveillance as manifested by his prompt return to terra firma the moment I was gone. Neglectus enters traps readily and is successfully retained by almost the smallest sizes. Once I found one dead in a small Victor mouse-trap, (the smallest size) set for a shrew at the base of a mossy stump in a pine woods. This species is said to be hardier than the larger chipmunk, remaining above ground much later in the season. In this respect I found only a few days' difference but the forepart of the month (October) which was so fav- orable to striatus terminated in weather unsuited to either, so that the equalizing effect in favor of striatus terminated in weather unsuited to either, so that the equalizing effect in favor of striatus in this instance, diminished the difference between them. Miller, (Mammals of Ontario) found that on the north shore of Lake Superior the big chipmunk hiber- nated about the end of September. At Ridout, I last saw it on October 12; the two following days were cold and on the 1 5th it snowed, probably hastening its hibernation. So far as I am aware neglectus disappeared for good on October 14. Eastern Chipmunk, Tamias striatus lysteri (Richardson). The Eastern Chipmunk occurs in about equal numbers with the smaller species neglectus. Ap- parently not nearly so numerous as was found by Miller at Peninsula Harbor and Nipigon. (sub- species griseus). Dr. R. M. Anderson after examining three speci- mens collected at Ridout reported: "Our museum specimens of eastern chipmunk (Tamias s. lysteri) are not strictly comparable with these as to season, being early summer specimens, and averaging light- er in color. The Ridout specimens being in au- tumn or early winter pelage, show a markedly grayer cast; they also have a much deeper shade of brownish red on the rump than is found in our twenty-five specimens (from Gulf of St. Lawrence, Point Pelee, Lome Park, Ottawa, and Algonquin Park, Ontario). The Ridout specimens, however, are similar in size to the eastern specimens and are very much smaller than our only specimen from farther west, Tamias striatus griseus Mearns, Gray Chipmunk, from Shoal Lake, Manitoba, and unlike the typical griseus do not have the dorsal stripes running back on the rump." While in the Ridout specimens there are no marked separable characters from true l\)steri, a shght approximation to griseus doubtless exists, since Miller's specimens (though typical lysteri from North Bay) approached griseus more closely than lysteri at Peninsula Harbor and Nipigon. Ridout is roughly mid-way between North Bay and the f imer point. These large chipmunks inhabit the same general localities as neglectus but I believe are more favor- ably disposed to the deeper woods. Around Ridout, their chcise was semi-wooded, boulder- strewn situations near the skirts of the forest and al- ways on high ground. A place of this description, east of the station I visited on October 7. The forenoon was bright and warm and the chipmunk population everywhere in evidence, the calm forest resounding with their hollow tuclf-tuclf-tucl^; until careful restraint was necessary to prevent an undue impression of their numbers. They were there in conspicuous numbers, however, each "calling" his 68 The Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. best, evidently to emphasize the beauty of the morn- ing. Northern Red Squirrel, Sciurus hudsonicus hudsonicus (Erxleben). The red squirrel occurs in abundance throughout the region. "The specimens submitted (three) seen to be typical 5. b. hudsonicus, showing little difference from specimens from Algonquin Park, Kabatogama Lake (St. Louis Co., Minn., near the Inter. Boundary), and Edmonton. The Minnesota speci- mens approach to the range of Sciurus hudsonicus minnesota Allen, but are probably hudsonicus. Hollister (Bull. Wis. Nat. Hist. Soc.) places speci- mens from Two Harbors, north of Duluth, Minn., as 5. h. hudsonicus." (R. M. Anderson). The specimens reported upon by Dr. Anderson show a gradual advance from summer to winter pelage — discarding the dark brown of the back, ochraceous-white of the underparts and the black lateral stripe of summer, for the greyish ground color of the back, reddish dorsal band and neutral plumbeous-white of winter. Examination of the specimens seems to indicate a complete moult in about three weeks: Sept. 25-Oct. 14. It will be interesting to note here in regard to the shedding of Sciurus that in one individual the sum- mer coat was being shed uniformly from rear to front, the line of demarkation between the two conditions being plainly evident. In a specimen of loquax taken at Preston, Ont., May 13, the same uniformity of shedding prevailed only exactly reversed ; the moult beginning at the head and advancing backward. The demarkation in this specimen is very pronounced. The process affecting the new coat seems to be confined chiefly to the active edge of the renewing area, where apparent- ly the old hair drops out and the new replaces it in a gradual advance, each portion maintaining simultaneously the pure color of the respective sea- sonal pelages, with but little scattered shedding. This unusual manner of assuming a new pelage may be likened (permitting the simile) to an ice sheet, slowly enveloping a continent with the principal physical changes devolving from the active forces of its advancing border. Canadian Beaver, Castor canadensis Kuhl. I found the beaver common on all the rivers and many of the lakes in the locality. Abundance of signs on the Wakami above its junction with the Ridout river and the absence of lodges indicates the "bank nest" as the permanent abode. Along the latter stream, where dams and lodges are common, the shores for the most part are low, sometimes marshy, and fringed with willows. The Wakami river on the other hand is bordered with compar- atively high banks and heavily timbered. At present, the trapping of beaver in Algoma is restricted to ten animals each year, per trapper. Each skin must be accompanied by a government "beaver coupon" (each 50 cents) before sale or shipment. This should have a beneficent result toward their con- servation. Hudson Bay Varying Hare, Lepus americanus Erxleben. The hare, as is commonly known has its sep- tenary ebb and flow of abundance. At Ridout, conditions pointed to a low ebb; only a few signs, mostly old, were observed, and but one or two animals. A female taken on October 4, 1918, was beginning to change very slightly into the winter , pelage over the buttocks and ears. Its two measure- \ ments were: Length, 17 inches, (434 mm.); foot, 5% inches, (145 mm.) During October, 1917, the hare was scarce every- where, although numerous old signs indicated a former abundance. A specimen collected on the 29th had affected a substantial change from the summer coat. Color: Ventral region extending to the throat and including the legs, buttocks, ears, and line anteriorly from eye to ear, nearly pure white. Ring around the neck and on the lower cheek, dirty-brownish white, darkest on the latter. Dorsally, conspicuous brown from shoulders to rump, much suffused with whitish. Fur over nasal and entire frontal, brown, mixed sparingly with white. Upper fringe of the ear, black. Length of hair on the back, 25 mm. Northern Virginia Deer, Odocoileus ameri- canus horealis Miller. Deer occur, but are not common at Ridout. Whether the moose which are numerous there, ex- i ert a positive detrimental influence against the in- i crease of the former is problematical. Probably J the general arboreal conditions are not highly fav- orable to the deer. East of Ridout in all the coun- try surrounding Metagama, Forks, Fluorite and Pogma, I understand the deer are extremely com- mon, supplanting the moose almost entirely. After a fresh snowfall in November, 1917, I saw two deer trails north of Ridout but in October, 1918, none were seen. A trainman reported seeing a fine big buck in the C.P.R. ballast pit a short distance west of the station. Moose, Alces americanus Jardine. Moose are very common in the general vicinity of Ridout and reported in numbers at all points from Cartier to the north shore of Lake Superior. The past fall (1918) was exceptionally favorable for observing these animals. If the weather is mild they frequent the waterways comparatively late in the season. During the past season individuals could April, 1920] The Canadian Field-Naturalist 69 be seen almost any day until the beginning of the last week of October. Previous to that time I saw nine individuals and secured a young bull. As cold weather approaches they retire to the higher woods. On traversing this same general region on about a forty-mile canoe trip commencing Oct. 22, 1917, we failed to see a single animal and attributed it to the very early formation of thin shore ice, which caused the moose to leave for higher situations. Although individuals of americanus from north- ern Ontario are not recognized as the largest variety, some attain a very respectable size. Some heads taken out of that country I was told, had an antler spread of from fifty to sixty-two inches. Two bulls observed at fairly close range from the canoe could I believe closely approximate those figures. Mr. Visser and I were afforded a splendid oppor- tunity for hearing a cow "call" during the after- noon of Oct. 8. The canoe had just silently round- ed a bend in the river when we noticed indistinctly, a cow, standing among low growth upon the bank; first revealed by the whitish lining of the ears. Meanwhile the canoe with scarcely a ripple drifted nearer and nearer but she made no move, apparently overcome by curiosity. With ears cocked forward and long pendant muzzle slightly projected, she surveyed perhaps the first human being in her life. When within a distance of about thirty yards she lifted her muzzle slightly and called softly ; the effect was peculiarly pleasing — low, tender, pleading, a single syllabled bleat of strange, but soft quality, quaveringly inflected, that seemed vaguely in keeping with the vast hush of the solitude. The next moment a young bull was seen slipping silently away among the spruces, where until this time he had re- mained discreetly hidden. Even then the cow seemed in no hurry to depart. Woodland Caribou, Ran^ifer caribou (Aud. & Bach). The woodland caribou is only a straggler at Ridout according to all I could learn. Mr. Visser told me of one killed in the vicinity a few years ago but says they are rare. The great number of moose in the country has a tendency, I believe, to drive the caribou from this range. Preble^ alludes to similar circumstances on information received during his Hudson Bay expedition. The range of the moose and caribou seems to be gradually shifting of late years. Miller- says of the caribou "very abundant on the north shore of Lake Superior" and regarding the moose "occasion- ally found, but as a straggler only." In respect to this and information received from different parties in the north, the condition now seems to be exactly reversed. (1) Preble, E. A., N.A. Fauna, No. 22, p. 40, 1909. (2) Miller, G. S., .Jr., Mam. of Ont., Vol. 28, No. 1. 11. 40, 1896. CANADIAN SPHAERIIDAE. By The Hon. Mr. Justice Latchford. (Continued from Volume XXXIV , p. 34.) 12. Sphaerium MODESTUM Prime has been con- sidered by Prime himself to be a synonym of S. striatimum. Monograph Am. Corbiculidae, 1865. p. 37. The rapids in the Rideau above Billings' Bridge, along the right bank, contain in no small numbers a shell which Dr. Sterki regards as 5. modestum or distinct. He says: "It is certainly not identical with 5. striatimum Lamarck. Annals Carng. Mis. Vol. X. p. 436. If the sphaerium which occurs so abundantly at Duck Island is Lamarck's striatinum, the Rideau shell is not that species. The latter is shorter, more robust, more inflated, and higher at the umbones. The average of ten full grown shells is 10.4 x 8.33 x 6.38—100: 81.62. The only member of the family found associated with S. modestum in the Rideau is the much longer Musculium transversum. 13. Sphaerium TUMIDUM Baird was described from specimens found by John K. Lord in the Eraser at Sumas Prairie, British Columbia. It is stated to be dark olive in color externally and strongly ribbed. "Within the shell is bluish: long, half an inch; lat. rather more than half an inch." 14. Sphaerium Spokani Baird is another of the shells found by Lord. It is said to be smaller than tumidum ; more rounded, and with less distinct striae or riblets; color pale horn, shining; white within. Habitat, "Rivers Spokane and Kootanie." Referring to Osoyoos Lake, Lord says: ^"The shore is sandy like a sea beach, and strewn thickly with fresh water shells along the ripple line, has- quite a tidewater aspect." (9) The Naturali.st in Vancouver Island and British Columbia, by John Keast Lord, Vol. II., p. 75. 70 The Canadian Fielx>-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. I have not seen any true sphaerium from British Columbia, though a number of musculia and pisidia —several of which proved to be undescribed — were collected there for me by the Revd. Mr. Taylor. From Baird's description of S. spoJ^ani it appears not improbable that the shell is a musculium. It should not be difficult for some member of the Club resident in British Columbia to procure speci- mens of the shells found by Mr. Lord. His p/i\?sa would be of especial interest. I have eamined the types of Physa lord'i in the British Museum, and they appeared to me to differ not a little from the shell commonly designated by that name found near Ottawa, in Meach and Harrington lakes. 15. Sphaerium patella Gould is listed by Dr. Sterki as occurring from Northern California to British Columbia. In Vol. XIII of the report of the Harriman Alaska Expedition, p. 138, Dr. Dall mentions that 5. patella was found in the crop of a duck taken at Pender Island, which is in the southern part of the Strait of Georgia. 16. Sphaerium tenue Prime. This little shell resembles occidentale. Some systematists have sep- arated the two species from the other members of the family under the sub-generic name Corneola. I have not met with it anywhere ; but it has been re- corded from Ontario and Yukon Territory by Dr. Sterki. Dr. Dall (loc. cit. p. 139) states that it has been found in the Souris river (doubtless in Sas- katchewan) and in the Upper Mackenzie, at old Fort Simpson. What IS supposed to be a variety of S. tenue has been described by Dr. Sterki as Wall^eri. The types were obtained in Lake Michigan in water twenty four meters deep. The same shell was found by Mr. Mclnnes in the Attawapiscat river. 17. Sphaerium vermontanum Prime has probably a wide distribution in the more southerly parts of the Province of Quebec. Prime states that it occurs in Lake Champlain and Lake Meph- ramagog. A shell very like vermontanum is found in the County of Ottawa, near the Village of Ste. Cecile de Masham. Dr. Sterki says (loc. cit. p. 434) "Specimens which may belong to 5. vermonta- num have been seen from Maine, Quebec and Ontario." 18 Sphaerium solidulum Prime must occur in many localities in Ontario. It is widely distrib- uted in the State of New York, and is listed by Dr. Dall (loc. cit. p. 136) from Brandon, Manioba, and Egg Lake, Alberta. Iowa specimens received in 1883 from Professor Sliimeck are pale horn color, shining, and deeply striated. Each adult bears a single dark red band, near the margin in most cases, but varying much in position. Prime gives the dimensions in hun- dreths of an inch as 56 x 43 x 31. My largest specimen is shorter — 12 x 9^ x 6.7 mm. — but the proportions are identical, 100:77:56. Other described sphaeria which have not, so far as I am aware, been found in Canada, though they doubtless occur here, are in the east, 5. fabale Prime ; and in British Columbia, S. nohile Gould, and S. primeanum Clessin, both of which are re- corded from the State of Washington. In Dr. Richardson's Fauna Bor. Americana, Vol. Ill, p. 316, written after his return from Sir John Franklin's Second Expedition, a list of the shells collected includes two sphaeria from "Methy Lake, Athabaska" under the names Cydas medium and C^clas stagnicolum. No description is given of either species. All that is stated is that the shells were submitted to James De Carle Sowerby, who was the second in line of a family whose members for nearly a century and a half have been dis- tinguished as artists and conchologists. The Methy Lake mentioned by Richardson is no doubt the lake on the portage between the Sas- katchewan and the Athabasca, east of Fort Mc- Murray, about lat. 56-40 N. and Ion. 109-40 W. Dr. B. B. Woodward of the Natural History De- partment of the British Museum informs me that they do not appear ever to have had Dr. Richard- son's shells. S. tumidum and 5. spol^ani have how- ever been traced by his colleague, Mr. G. C. Rob- son, who is in charge of the molluscan collection; and figures may be ordered from Miss G. M. Woodward for publication in The Naturalist. MUSCULIUM. Musculium is the name now commonly applied to a number of small bivalves formerly classed with cyclas or sphaeria, but distinguishable by reason of little cups or calyces — the nepionic shells — which project markedly beyond the later grown portions of the valves. The shells, except in one of our spe- cies, are thin, pellucid and fragile. All are pale in colour. The striae are fine, and the cardinal teeth small or obsolete. Everywhere in the vicinity of Ottawa they abound in ponds and quiet bays, and occasionally, though rarely, in rapid water. The smaller species are much more alert in their move- ments than their relatives' of the genus sphaerium; and the facility with which they single-foot up the sides of an acquarium or the stems of waterplants is little short of marvellous. Every observer of mol- luscan life should maintain a fresh-water vivarium, even if it consists of no more than the ordinary gold-fish glebe. But if small shells are to be studied, gold-fish must be excluded; otherwise the molluscan inhabitants will soon be exterminated. 19. Musculium transversum Say. This is our largest, and, in certain localities, our commonesti'^^ April, 1920] The Canadian Field-Naturalist 71 species. It appears to be intermediate between the two genera, but bears in most cases the little cupped beaks distinctive of Musculium. Fig. 3. IMusculium transversum. M. transversum abounds in the Rideau Canal, along the right bank, immediately above the by- wash at Hartwell's Locks, and in the by-wash it- self. This is the only Sphaerium or Musculium I have noticed until the discharge is reached, when a few S. simile may be found. Lower down the river, it is not uncommon in the rapids near Billing's Bridge. In the Ottawa I have found it along both shores of the lower third of Duck Island. It seems to prefer mud to sand in that locality, and com- paratively quiet waters; but it withstands strong currents over clay in the by-wash, and over coarse gravel in the Rideau River. The number of shells of this species disclosed al Hartwell's Locks when the canal is unwatered is really phenomenal. Nearly all must perish annu- ally, but in many successive summers no lessening of the multitude had been observed. 20. MUSCULUM TRUNCATUM Linsley. This shell was first noticed in Nepean Bay, near the Broad Street Railway Station. It has since been found in many other localities. In fact it is a very common shell on the Ontario side of the Ottawa, and in the Ottawa itself, at Duck Island, below he sand bars. The Duck Island shells (No. 2371 of my collection) are thought by Dr. Sterki to be "possibly distinct." In Nepean it occurs in great profusion in a wayside pool four or five miles south of Britannia, and west of the road between the third and fourth concessions fronting on the Rideau. East and West of Britannia village it is to be found in early summer in ponds formed by the overflow of the river, and to the south of the Grand Trunk Railway, in the "hole in the hill" on the the Honey- well farm. Later in ordinary seasons, all these ponds become dry; but year after year no diminu- ition in the numbers of these and other species has been observed. Many shells must surpive because either deeply buried, cr like 5. occidentale immune to dessication. I have not found the shell in the Province of Que- .^bec, though it doubtless occurs there in suitable iC^ocalities. Dr. Dall (Harr. Expd. Vol. 13, p. 140) ucords it as occuring in Methy Lake, Athabasca. Oi>e of the Richardson sphaeria from the same lo- cality is probably M. iruncatum. M. truncatum is very thin, pellucid, and but slightly inflated, the posterior margin is longer in a straight line than that of any other shell of the genus. Exteriorly the shell is sraw coloured; in- teriorly a very pale blue. The average size is 13.2 X n.l5 X 4.5 mm., or 100:87:56. The anatomy of M. truncatum has been most carefully worked out by Mr. Ralph J. Gilmore of Cornell University: Nautilus, Vol. 31 p. \6 ei seq. His figure, which may be regarded as applicable lo the entire genus, I am enabled to reproduce through the courtesy of Dr. Walker. The margins, anterior and posterior, of the shells ordinarily found near Ottawa are much less rounded than those of the shell figured. Fig-. 4. Musculium truncatum Linsley. M. — Mouth. Lp. — Labial palps. Es. — Oesophagus. Lv. — Liver. Sto. — Stomach. Int. — Intestine. R. — Rectum. A. — Anus. Cb. G. — Cerebral ganglion. Ps. G. — Parieto Splanchnic gaglion. P.G. — Pedal ganglion. Sta.— Statocyst. V. — Ventricle. All. — Auricle. K.O. — Kidney opening. T. — Sperm follicles. O. — Kgg follicles. G.D. — Genital opening. AA. — Ant. adductor muscle. Pd. — Post, adductor muscle. Ft.— Foot. CI Ch. — Cloaeal chamber. Ex. S. — Excurrent siphon. Int. S. — Incurrent siphon. G.— Gill. Man. — Mantle. Shi.— Shell. Kd.— Kidney. P. — Pericardium. (To be continued). ^1 72 Thz Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. NESTING OF THE RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET AT GUELPH, ONTARIO. By J. Dewey Soper. A very pleasing situation, both unique and rare in the history of Ontario birds has befallen the lot of the O.A.C. campus at Guelph, Ontario. That this happens to be the favored locality for the nesting of the Ruby-crowned Kinglet, (the absorb- ing topic in question) will be received by local bird students, I am assured, with a certain satis- faction. So far as a careful search of literature on the subject is concerned, it seems that this is the first authentic record for the species in the southern portion of the province. The Ruby-crown, a bird typical of northern forests, pursues i^s role of nidi- fication usually far beyond the pale of civilization, where even there to find a nest would be a marked event to any ornithological enthusiast. Consider now, the singular opportunity of studying the home life of these sprightly northerners on the college campus of the O.A.C, at Guelph. Granted, this seems to tax credulity, but we have the indubitable evidence to cheer a bird lover on his way. Before proceedmg further it gives me pleasure, in relation to the discovery of this nest, to announce Prof. Crow of that institution as the recipient for full honors. Some time after the rearguard of the Rmglet migration had passed on north, his attention was attracted to the singing of a Ruby-crown for several days in a clump of spruces opposite the museum. Shortly the singing ceased here but was later detected again in the spruces a few hundred yards to the north. At this time the nest was dis- covered with both birds in attendance and is be- lieved to be the same as earlier noted near the museum. Evidently they had been loitering about the college grounds all spring. In attempting to frame an analogical reason for this exceptional occurence in relation to the spring migration I was about to describe the latter in point of numbers as one above the average. In fact it appealed to me as an unusual one. It is possible, however, that this impression is merely relative, be- cause of my removal from a point twelve miles west, where during the spring and summer of five years I was accustomed to take notes, and where as fruit- ful a line of migration does not obtain perhaps as up the valley of the Speed, via Guelph. However true this conjecture may be, there assuredly was no dearth of Ringlets during the past spring; and in the strength and duration of the vernal flight the pair under discussion have evidently been lured from their ordinary design by the close approximation to their ancestral home in the vigorous spruces of the campus. Reference to my migration records shows the species very common from April 25 until May 3, after which their numbers gradually diminished, with two noted on May 9 and the last one on the sixteenth. To this one I instinctively bade silent farewell as the last of the season. A month later came the surprise when word reached me that Prof. I Crow had made the discovery. Together on June 25, we visited the scene. Both birds were readily detected in the immediate vicinity. With the aid of the binoculars we watched their actions as they passed to and fro from feeding the young, ex- amined as best we rould the high suspended nest by the same means, and were treated frequently to the consummate song of the male. On the following morning I visited them again for an hour and also during the afternoon of July 1st. Upon this latter occasion with abundance of rope and an extension ladder I scaled to their pretty domicile and gleaned most of the particulars here- in concerning their domestic life. Balanced twentj' precarious feet in the air opposite the nest and at- tempting the successful manipulation of a camera was also a part of the engrossing programme. In view of the paucity of information concerning the life-history of the Ruby-crown, I conceive it as pardonable to digress somewhat from that brevity which is the soul of wit, in favor of that greater detail which it was my privilege to obtain. The nest, composed entirely of moss and lined with feathers, was discreetly and beautifully hidden among the drooping branches of a large white spruce. Semi-pensile of construction, and swung twenty feet from the ground, it enjoyed all the advantages of unrestricted space. It was placed at that point where the foliage massed itself the heaviest on the bough, in this instance about four feet from the drooping tip and ten from the trunk. The shaggy pendant foliage so effectually concealed it that visi- bility was certain only from below. Contrary to most structures of this kind no use was made of the main horizontal limb but was welted directly be- neath it to numerous thin, dead, flexible twigs which had been denuded of their needles. These passed vertically down the outside walls of the nest at in- tervals about its full circumference, undergoing a flexion beneath it where the tips touched and were well secured. Thus it will be seen that the nest actually reposed within a wicker basket entirely free of the main branch. The latter was about two inches above the rim of the nest — just enough to admit the ready passage of the birds. The nest was April, 1920] The Canadian Field-Naturalist 73 perfectly globular in form and incurved sharply at the top. This produced an effect seldom met with in bird architecture. Instead of the usual interior per- pendicularity or even an cutflare to the walls, the rim rapidly converged, causing its equatorial cir- cumference to bulge bowl-fashion with the throat but half the diameter of the latter. It would be improbable or quite impossible for the wildest tem- pest to dislodge the young from this cunning cham- ber. In point of real beauty of materials it yields to many warblers that I know, but like its voice is of remarkable strength and volume for a bird so small. As near as I could ascertain on July 1st, the nest contained hve young. These in certain sim- ilitude to that of chicadees were so closely packed in the nest that it seemed folly to entirely disturb them; for having done so for the purpose of making certain on this point left me doubtful as the possi- bility of having the nest contain them all again. They were a general olive color similar to that of the parents and about two-thirds grown. Both tail and wing quills were well advanced. Having secured myself in the tree, on June 26, at a point level wilh the nest, it became a matter of ease to watch the actions of the birds. The nest became less visible from this position, though only a few impassible feet distant, but in comparison to observation from the ground was much superior. During the half hour which I clung to the tree the male visited the nest with food three times and the female twice. The former upon deposition of th^ food vacated the nest promptly but the female on the contrary, often remained with the young until the return of her mate, when she then slipped quiet- ly away. In this manner the young were left alone for certain periods but sheltered again for longer ones when the female returned. During observation from the top of the ladder on July 1st, when it was balanced only three feet dis- tant from the nest, many points of interest became known. The detention of the female at the nest I observed, was due to her habit of regularly clean- sing the nest of all the sac-like excrement; due to the rapid digestion of the hungry infants, her obli- gations in this respect seemed never to cease. The matter was probed for with scrupulous care, some consumed by her, and the remainder dropped over- board at some distance from the nest. In this the male never assisted. Candor bids me remark how- ever, that his tireless assiduity in harvesting for the young more than offset this disparity. In respect to their disposition I discovered the greatest satisfaction. Imagine these two creations, inexpressable in modest beauty, incomparable in graceful deportment, ineffable in euphony of song, passing to and fro in the execution of their poetic labor destitute entirely of fear or suspicion. With my face only a couple of feet distant from the nest the pair continued their work scarcely conscious of my presence. True, at first they hovered above me with sweet queries in their throats and entered the nest from the opposite side of the bough but soon this discretion was forsaken for perfect freedom. Twice, the male warbling an undertone alighted within two feet of my hand on the supporting guy rope of the ladder. A pretty performance and em- ployed only by the male was to flit from the nest and become suspended on whirring wings before me, like a hummingbird before a flower. It seemed like a feathered phantom surrounded by a halo of changing light, supported by some strange and magic force of gravitation. Having satisfactorily examined me in this aerial fashion he would flit easily away perhaps singing as he went.. Thus, without sign of timidity each came near with ad- vances of delightful piquancy, the male engaged in melody and the other quaintly moving about in silence. The first time she uttered any note in my presence was when tapping the limb gently during one of her protracted visits to the young, she flitted with great celerity from the nest calling petulentlj' in a single sweet querulous note identical in pitch and quality to the prelude of the male. She later, on one or two occasions, voiced the same call. Theirs was no suspicious and labored advances; no unconsolable, strident and satirical calls, but con- versely, uttering no protest, slipped demurely from limb to limb with sweet-tempered curiosity suggest- ing certain concessions of welcome. Only two distinct species of insects were observed to attract the attention of the Kinglets at this time. One, a delicate, winged gnat composed only occa- sional offerings to the young. The other, a dull whitish insect apparently without wings, was freely and regularly given. The offerings of the female were identical. The male persisted in song near and far during the gleaning of food and ranged for this purpose from ten to fifty yards at least from the nest. The song of this species has attracted no little comment during its spring migrations, when it is available to so many whom fortune otherwise would never favor. It is of unqualified distinction. For strength and beauty of tone in comparison to its size I regard it as peerless. No poor words of mine can express the supernal sweetness of this produc- tion. It wavers and trills in such exquisite tone color, such transparent delicacy, such distilled freshness — what superlatives can do it justice? 74 The Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. DEADLY POISONOUS MUSHROOMS. By R E. Stone, M.Sc, Ph.D. Department of Botany, Ontario Agricultural College. Nearly every year, especially in the late summer and early autumn our woods and fields bear a crop of mushrooms. Many people would enjoy collecting and eating them, but since some of these fungi are deadly poisonous, many are deterred from gathering them because they are unable to tell with absolute certainty the edible from the poison- ous forms. In Ontario there are at least two hundred (200) kinds of fleshy fungi of which sixty (60) occur in abundance, and are large enough to collect for eating. Unfortunately a few of these are deadly poisonous and sometimes occur in quantity. Some of these are also very attractive and always clean. is edible. Unfortunately some of the deadly poison- ous kinds will peel beautifully. Others say, collect only those that are pink underneath; this although good advice, unfortunately limits one's choice to but a few of the edible kinds. Still others say, never collect mushrooms in the woods but only in the fields, yards and gardens. This is again, excel- lent advice but also limits our choice and eliminates many of the very best. There is no simple rule that can be applied; one must learn to know the poisonous forms the same as he knows other plants. In order to enable mushroom lovers to avoid the dangerous forms, the most dangerous forms are de- scribed and figured below. Fis'. 1. — Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria, Linn). Deadly Poisonous. From Bulletin 263, Ontario Department of Agriculture. Ontario Agricultural College. i The question is often asked — "How do you tell a mushroom from a toad stool" meaning by toad stool a form that is either inedible or poisonous. There is no simple rule. Occasionally one sees published the old silver test. This is an old idea and still prevalent in some places, especially Italy. In olden days silver was accredited with many magic properties, especially that of turning black in the presence of malign influences, hence, silver would turn black in the presence cf poison. This test can not, of course, be relied upon. Another test often spoken of is the peeling test. Some of our mush- room gatherers say that if the outer skin of a mush- room can be peeled off readily, that the mushroom Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria, Linn). Dead- ly poisonous. This fungus appears in July and August in groves and open woods or along roadsides near trees, usually preferring rather poor soil. (Fig. L) It is called "Fly Agaric" because an infusion of the plant was at one time used as a fly poison. The plant is typically large and handsome. The cap is 3 to 5 inches broad, rounded when young, nearly flat when old, yellow or orange or even bright red in color, and covered with numerous angular scales, which are white or light yellow in color and can be easily brushed off. As the cap becomes old it fades cut, so that it may become April, 1920] The Canadian Field-Naturalist 75 nearly white and the scales may be washed off by rains. The stalk is 4 to 6 inches long, about half an inch thick, usually white but often yellowish in color, hollow in age. The bottom of the stalk is enlarged into a prominent bulb which is more or less rough and shaggy or scaly. The lower part of the stalk above the bulb is also shaggy. The gills are white or slightly tinged with yellow and do not become pink or brown as do those of many edible mushrooms. weakening of the heart action. Of course, when symptoms such as these appear after eating mush- rooms a physician should be sent for immediately. The system should be freed of fhe undigested fungus as soon as possible. Strong emetics such as zinc sulphate, apomorphine or warm mustard and water should be used. If these are lack ng or pro- duce no effect tickle the throat with a fnather or the finger to cause immediate and violent vomiting. This should be followed by a strong dose of castor oil. Fig. 2. — Deadly Agaric (Amaniiu phalloides, Fr. i Ueadly Poisonous. From Bulletin 263, Ontario Department of Agriculture, Ontario Agricultural College. The ring is quite large, white, and firmly at- tached to the stalk. The main points to remember about this fungus are: — The yellow or orange cap with loose white scales. Gills white, never becoming pink or brown. Ring large, white, firmly attached to the stalk. The stalk enlarged at the base into a prominent shaggy or scaly bulb and the stalk shaggy between the bulb and the ring. The poison in this mushroom is known as mus- carin. This substance fortunately has an unplea- sant bitter taste, so that the plant is seldom eaten even if collected by mistake. The poison does not act immediately, but the symptoms appear in from. Yl to 2 hours, and are: vomiting and diarrhoea, with a pronounced flow of saliva, suppression of urine, giddiness, uncertainty of movement, derangement of vision. This is followed by stupor, cold sweats and The Deadly Agaric (Amanita phalloides, Fr.) Deadly poisonous. This fungus is called the Deadly Agaric because it is extremely poisonous and there is no known antidote for the poison. (Fig. 2). The plant usually grows in the woods or along the borders of woods, but has also been known to appear in lawns. It generally appears in July and August. It is quite variable in color, varying from pure white through yellowish to olive. The cap is 1.5 to 5 inches broad, at first bell- shaped, finally nearly flat, fleshy, viscid or slimy when fresh, smooth, often with a few loose white scales. The color varies from white, through yel- low to olive green, the dark forms being more com- mon in Ontario. The stalk is 2 to 8 inches long, ^4 to J/2 inch thick, hollow, white or colored like the cap, but 76 The Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. lighter in shade, becoming discolored on handling. It ends in an abrupt bulb which generally has a sharp rim standing up around it, forming a sort of cup, called poison cup or volva. This poison cud is usually deeply buried in the soil, so that in order to find it it is necessary to dig the plant up. Gills white and remain white, never becoming pink or brown. The ring is white, prominent and is high up on the stalk close to the cap. The ring is attached to the stalk, not loose as in the smooth white mushroom or parasol mushroom. The poison in the Deadly Agaric is phallin. This poison, unfortunately, has no pronounced taste or odor and gives no warning of its presence. Un- fortunately, also, the symptoms of poisoning do not manifest themselves until 9 to 14 hours after the fungus IS eaten. There is then considerable ab- dominal pain, and there may be cramps in the legs accompanied by convulsions and even lock-jaw and other tetanic spasms. The pulse is weak and abdominal pain is rapidly followed by vomiting and extreme diarrhoea, the intestmal discharges assum- ing the rice-water condition characteristic of chol- era. These later symptoms persist, generally with- out loss of consciousness until death ensues, which happens in from two to four days. There is no known antidote for phallin. The un- digested portions of the fungus should be removed from the stomach and intestines by methods similar to those suggested under Fly Agaric. If the poison already absorbed is not tco great, it may wear it- self out and the patient recover. Of course, when symptoms of poisoning appear a physician should be sent for immediately. The Destroying Angel (Amanita verna. Bull). Deadly poisonous. This fungus is probably the cause of more cases of mushroom poisoning than any other. (Fig. 3). The plant is pretty, clean, pure white and attrac- tive. It usually occurs in the woods or near them, but may grow in lawns newly made from forest soil. It is generally found in June and July. The cap is 1.5 to 4 inches in diameter, at first bell-shaped, later becoming nearly flat; pure white, shining, viscid or slimy when fresh. The stalk is 2 to 6 inches long, '/4 to '/i an inch thick, pure white, hollow in age. The stalk ends in an abrupt bulb, with a free border closely surround- ing the base of the stalk and forming the poison cup or volva. This may be seen in even young speci- mens. This poison cup is buried in the soil, so that in order to see it it is usually necessary to dig up the plant. For this reason wild mushrooms growing in the soil should always be dug, not pulled up or broken off. The gills are pure white and remain white, never becoming pink or brown. The ring is broad and high up on the stalk, just under the cap. It is firmly attached to the stalk and is not Icose, as in the smooth white mushroom. Since this is our most poisonous mushroom its main characters should be thoroughly learned and remembered. The cap is pure white, shining and slimy when fresh. The stalk is pure white, ending in a dis- tinct poison cup or volva. Gills pure white and re- main white. Ring white, broad, high upon the stalk to which it is firmly attached. Fig. 3.— Destroying Angel (Amanita verna Bull. J Deadly Poisonous. From Bulletin 263, Ontario Department of Agricul- ture, Ontario Agricultural College. The poison in this fungus is the same as that in the Deadly Agaric and the symptoms of poisoning and treatment are the same. Scarlet Cap (Russula emeiica, Fr.) Reputed to be mildly poisonous. This fungus occurs very commonly in the woods from summer till autumn. It gets its name from the bright scarlet cap. (Fig. 4). It is hot and peppery to the taste and some report it to be mildly poison- ous, while others say that it is edible. The cap is 1.5 to 3 inches wide, thin, brittle, deep pink to rich red; furrowed near the edge, April, 1920] The Canadian Fieuj-Naturalist 77 lounded when young, depressed in the centre when old. The stalk is 2 to 3 inches long, white or tinged with yellow. Very brittle. There is no ring and no volva or poison cup. Besides the scarlet cap, some of the forms with milky juice are mildly poisonous. They are very hot and the milk is not reddish, as with the Orange Flow (Lactarius deliciosus). There are some mushrooms which have tubes in place of gills. Some of these are edible and others poisonous. The poisonous ones have a flesh that changes color when cut or broken or have tubes with red mouths. There are a few mushrooms that have clay-colored gills and a cobwebby veil that should also be avoided. Gathering Wild Mushrooms. When one is gathering wild mushrooms a basket is the best receptacle for carrying them, as different compartments may be made for holding the various kinds, and thus keep from crushing and spoiling the more tender ones. When collecting mushrooms for the table they should never be pulled up or broken off. In the deadly poisonous mushrooms the most marked char- acteristic, the poison cup or volva, is deeply buried in the soil. If the plant is pulled up or broken off the poison cup is lost and it is impossible to dis- tinguish the poisonous kinds from certain edible ones. After a mushroom has been carefully dug up and examined and the collector is certain that it is edible, the lower part of the stalk may be cut Fig. 4. — Scarlet Cap ( Ku.ssula From Bulletin 26.'',, Ontario Department of Many mushrooms are wholesome when fresh but become dangerous when they begin to decay, or show evidence of the work of insects or worms. Jack-O-Lantern, False chantarelle. (Cliioc\)be illudens Schw.) Mildly poisonous. This is a large mushroom growing in clusters on decaying wood. At first the plants are a clear yel- low but later become brownish. When seen in typical clusters it is very attractive but is mildly poisonous. Fresh specimens when placed in the dark give off a pale yellowish light, i.e. they are phosphorescent. The cap is from 4 to 6 inches broad and more or less funnel-shaped, yellow; stem 6 to 8 inches long, solid, yellow, tapering towards the base. Gills yel- low and running down on the stem. There is no ring and no poison cup or volva. Some people can eat this mushroom but to most it is distinctly poisonous, producing nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. When these symptoms occur, following the eat- ing of mushrooms, the digestive system should be cleared by purgatives and a physician sent for. emetica Fr. ) Mililly Poisonous. Agriculture, Ontario Agricultural College. off to get rid of the dirt. It is often very difficuU to determine mushrooms from the young or button stage, so that unless buttons are accompanied by mature plants, they should generally be avoided. In case of doubt the fungus should be discarded or the complete specimen shown to one who knows mush- rooms very thoroughly. Rules to be Observed in Gathering Wild Mushrooms. It is impossible to give a simple rule or test for detecting poisonous mushrooms. Care must be taken to observe the characteristics of each mushroom gathered. The following rules, if carefully fallowed, will enable one to avoid the poisonous forms: — (1) Avoid fungi when in the button or unex- panded stage ; also those in which the flesh has begun to decay, even if only slightly. (2) Avoid all fungi which have stalks with a swollen base surrounded by a sac-like or scaly envelope, especially if the gills are white. 78 The Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. (3) Avoid fungi having a milky juice, unless the milk is reddish., (4) Avoid fungi in which the cap is thin and very brittle, and in which the gills are nearly all of equal length, especially if the cap is bright-colored. (5) Avoid all tube-bearing fungi in which the flesh changes color when cut or broken, or where the mouths of the tubes are reddish and in the case of other tube-bearing fungi experiment with caution. 6) Avoid fungi having clay-colored gills and a spider web or woolly ring on the stalk. (7) In case of doubt discard the plant. Mushrooms Which May Be Gathered. The foregoing rules are given as a warning against comparatively few plants; the edible mushrooms are more numerous and those that may be gathered are as follows: — All the puff balls and coral fungi; any of the hedge hog or spiny fungi and the morels; also any mushroom whose gills become brown ; mushrooms having reddish or orange milk; all mushrooms that melt down into an inky liquid when mature ; many mushrooms with white gills, but care must be taken to be absolutely certain that they have no poison cup or volva. Learn to Know the Mushrooms. Before attempting to eat a large number of mush- rooms one should learn to know them by their in- dividual characters, the same as he would learn to know berries or other wild fruit. The best way to do this is to secure a book describing the various kinds and then gather the different ones and com- pare them with the descriptions and illustrations. Another way is to go out into the woods and fields with someone who knows the mushrooms and have the different kinds, both poisonous and edible, point- ed out and the characters explained. Still another way to learn the mushrooms is as follows. Carefully dig up the mushrooms so that all the fruit body including the very base of the stem is present. Wrap in dry paper, taking care not to crush the specimen, attach a note describing where the plant grew, i.e. fields, woods or road side; whether it grows in the ground, or wood and the color of the fresh specimen. The specimen should then be enclosed in a strong cardboard carton or wooden box and sent in to the Department of Botany, Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph, Ont. If the specimen is carefully packed, it will arrive in fair condition and the name and properties of the mushroom will be sent to you by the next mail. Books that Describe Mushrooms. Mcllvaine, Chas. — One Thousand American Fungi. Hard, M. E. — Mushrooms, Edible and Other- wise. Atkinson, Geo. G. — Mushrooms, Edible, Poison- ous, etc. Marshall, Nina L. — The Mushroom Book. Gibson, Hamilton — Our Edible Fungi. Murrill, W. A. — Edible and Poisonous Mush- rooms. Stone, R. E. — Mushrooms of Ontario: Ontario Department of Agriculture, Bulletin No. 263. NOTES ON THE SUMMER BIRDS OF THE GASPE PENINSULA. PROVINCE OF QUEBEC. By Charles W. Townsend, M.D., Boston. In planning a trip to any spot in North America, one naturally turns to the indices of the Auk and the Bulletin of the Nuttall Ornithological Club in order to learn what ornithological work has been done in that region and what birds one may expect to find. As far as I can discover there has been no list pub- lished and no mention made of the birds of the Gaspe Peninsula in these journals. The only notes of this region published by ornithologists elsewhere that I can find are by Mr. Wm. Brewster, ^ ; Mr. Frank M. Chapman- and Mr. P. A. Taverner". In none of these notes is there any attempt to list the birds of the region, and it therefore seems worth while to present the following preliminary list. The gen- erosity of Mr. Taverner in putting his notes, made chiefly at Perce in the summers of 1914 and 1915, at my disposal has made this list of much greater value than if my own notes alone were to be drawn upon. I feel sure that Mr. Taverner's work in these regions has had the greatest influence in determining (1) Notes on the birds observed during a summer cruise in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Proceedings, Boston Society of Natural History, Vol. 22, pp. 364, 412; 1883. (2) Bird studies witli a camera, New York. 1900, pp. 128-145. Gannets of Bonaventure, Bird Lore, Vol. 1, 1899, p. 71. (3) The Gannets of Bonaventure Island, The Ottawa Naturalist, Vol. 32, 1918, pp. 21-26. April, 1920] The Canadian Field-Naturaust 79 the Provincial Government to make Perce Rock, Bonaventure Island and Bird Rock near the Mag- dalens, bird reservations. This splendid piece of work was accomplished in 1918 and the wonderful colonies in these three localities are now protected for all time. These reservations are of great value and interest not only to ornithologists but to the gen- eral public and they will become more and more known and visited. Both Perce Rock and Bona- venture Cliffs have a beauty and grandeur of size and form and coloring that is unequalled along our Atlantic Coast, but their wonderful charm is in- creased manyfold by the variety and abundance of the bird life that adorns them. The Provincial Government, which has made them reservations, to- gether with Bird Rock off the Magdalens, is to be greatly congratulated, and it is to be hoped that this is but the beginning of their work and that other reservations may be added elsewhere, especi- ally along the Labrador Coast where they are so much needed. The splendid work of the Audubon Society in the United States may well be taken as a model. The Gaspe Peninsula projects like a lower lip at the mouth of the St. Lawrence River into the Gulf of St. Lawrence. It lies north of New Brunswick from which it is separated by the Bay of Chaleur and the Restigouche River. A single track railway runs along the southern shore nearly to the end of the peninsula at Gaspe, and for a few miles along the northern shore as far as Matan. A carriage road follows the shore of the whole peninsula and there are a few short side roads extending but a mile or two into the interior which is an uninhabited region of forest and mountains. Villages inhabited for the most part by fishermen of French and Chan- nel Island descent, are scattered along the coast. The geology of the Gaspe Peninsula is most in- teresting and complicated. At Perce, for example, are outcrops of Cambrian, Silurian and Devonian limestones with strata almost vertical, overlaid in places with a great mantle of horizontal red sand- stones and conglomerates. The mountains near the north coast are of gray Silurian limestones and serpentines. At the places visited there was no evi- dence of general glaciation, but only of slight and local glaciation. There are few lakes and the streams are deeply cut. The vegetation is of the Hudsonian type, — the forest is largely of spruce, — black and white, and balsam fir. Arbor vitae, canoe birches" and aspens are common. A few white pines, larches, yellow birches, mountain ashes and sugar maples are to be seen. The avifauna is largely Canadian with a num- ber of Hudsonian and also of Transition forms. The itinerary of my trip was as follows: — Crossing on July 5th, 1919 from Campbellton, New Brunswick, where the Restigouche River meets the Bay of Chaleur, I spent two days at Cross Point in the Township of Mann, and had an op- portunity to observe the birds in the woods and fields there. July 7th was occupied in travelling the 1 50 miles to Cape Cove, from which I was taken by automobile nine miles to Perce. The railroad journey was such a leisurely one, with so many breakdowns of the engine that I was able to see something of the birds and flowers of the region. At Perce, a quaint little French fishing village with beautiful setting of rock, cliff and mountain, I stayed until August 6th and explored the neighbor- hood including Bonaventure Island, Corner of the Beach and Barachois. On the latter date I went by motor boat some twenty-eight miles to Grande Greve near the eastermost tip of the Forillon, the narrow peninsula that stretches between Gaspe Bay and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Here I stayed until August 25th and explored the neighborhood in- cluding a walking trip through Cape Rosier and Griffin Cove to Fox River, and back through the "portage" to Peninsula, and along the southern coast of the Forillon to Grand Greve. A day was spent in the neighborhood of Douglastown on the southern side of Gaspe Bay and another at Gaspe and on the lower waters of the York River. Before presenting the annotated list I would say a few words about the two new bird reservations at Perce. Perce Rock is an isolated mass of nearly vertical strata of Devonian limestone some 1 500 feet long, and 288 feet high at its highest point and 300 feet wide at its greatest breadth. It is connected with the shore only at low tides by a bar two or three hundred yards long. At the outer end stands a smaller isolated mass or pinacle. The main rock is pierced by an arch with a span of about eighty feet and from this the rock receives its name. Perce Rock is an object of exceeding beauty not only on account of its striking shape and great size, but also on account of the brilliancy and variety of its col- ouring. Its beauty and interest are greatly en- hanced by its bird inhabitants which throng its in- accessible summit and form a circling cloud. Breed- ing Kittiwakes to the number of about 400, occupy the shelves and niches of the northern face over the arch. Double-crested Cormorants, a thousand or more and Herring Gulls to the number of 2,000 breed on the flat surface of the summit. A few Black Guillemots nest in some of the holes and corners on the sides of the rock. I was enabled to make a fairly intimate study of the home life of these birds of the summit through the kindness of Mrs. Frederick James, whose late husband was the beloved artist of the little village of Perce. At her invitation I spent many interest- 80 The Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. ing hours looking through her powerful telescope from the piazza of her house on Cape Cannon. Bonaventure Island, is three miles distant from Perce and is of still greater value and importance. It is about three miles long and a mile and a half broad. The outer side faces the sea in sheer cliffs of horizontal strata of red conglomerate and sand- stone four and five hundred feet high. On the cliffs and niches and along the shelves, tier above tier nest a very large and notable collection of water birds. The most important of these in size and num- bers are the Gannets which are most numerous to- wards the southern end. Mr. Taverner has esti- mated their numbers to be 8,000. Herring Gulls breed on the cliffs to the number of several hun- dreds if not thousands. A smaller number of Kitti- wakes nest near the northern end of this outer side of the island on vertical cliffs that possess but few and small niches. Murres and Razor-billed Auks, perhaps 500 pairs of the former and 100 of the latter also lay their eggs on the cliffs. A small number of Puffins and a few Black Guillemots are also breeders there, while in the holes and crevices on top of the cliffs Leache's Petrels nest. No Cormorants breed here but visitors from Perce Rock may often be seen. I visited Bonaventure Island three times, passing in a motor boat close under the cliffs and camping and spending two days on each of the first two occasions; the last time I spent only the day. It is possible to take up a position on the edge of the cliffs where one can sweep with a glass, tier on tier of nesting Gannets and be within thirty feet of the nearest. As they fly by they are almost within arm's reach. With an eight power prismatic bin- ocular and a thirty power telescope I spent many hours watching these birds. With the expert aid of Willie Duval, descendant of of Captain Peter John Duval the original owner of the island, I was able to climb a hundred feet or more up the cliffs from belov/ and crawl along a ledge close to Puffins and Murres. Mr. Taverner^ has vividly described such an adventure. Annotated List. 1 . Cavia immer. Loon. One flying by Bonaventure Island. Mr. Tav- erner reported a few. 2. Fratercula arctica arctica. Puffin. Thirty or forty pairs of these birds breed m the deep clefts or holes in the cliffs of Bona- venture Island, mostly at the northern end of the eastern cliffs. 3. Cepphus grille. Black Guillemot. Common and very tame all along the rock shores, breeding in holes and in the clefts be- (4) Ottawa Naturalist, XXXII, 21-26. tween the strata of the rocks. Young were first seen in the water August 1 st. 4. Uria troille iroille. Murre. About five hundred pairs breed at Bonaventure Island. I met with them at other places on the coast, but do not know whether they breed away from the island or not. Several times I saw Gannets that had alighted in the same niche in the cliffs drive the Murres out. Mr. Taverner reports seeing a number of ringvia. 5. Alca tarda. Razor-billed Auk. Perhaps a hundred pairs breed at Bonaven- ture Island. They were to be seen singly, sometimes among the Gannets and in compan- ies of two or three often with Murres in clefts or ledges smaller than those frequented by the Gannets. Flocks of ten or fifteen Murres on the water generally included one or two Razor- billed Auks. 6. Rissa tridaci})la Iridactyla. Kittiwake. About 400 breed on the northern face of Perce Rock near the arch and about as many on the cliffs of Bonaventure Island. 7. Larus marinus. Great Black-backed Gull. A few seen in July. More common in August. No evidence of breeding. 8. Larus argentatus. Herring Gull. Abundant. Breeds on the top of Perce Rock to the number of about 2,000, on the cliffs of Bonaventure Island and the Murailles at Perce, on the sea cliffs below Mt. St. Albans and on the Bon Ami cliffs near Grand Greve and doubtless on many other cliffs of the Peninsula. Cod fishing is the chief industry of the coast and the fish are cleaned and split at tables on the beach- es or on fishing stages. The heads and entrails are left where they fall and are eagerly sought by Her- rmg Gulls, who gather when the fish are brought in, and do important work as scavengers. They are very tame and may often be seen searching for scraps on empty boats riding at anchor. I have counted as many as 30 on one boat. Until the young are on the wing none but full plumaged adults are to be seen ; no birds with black tips to their tails were found in these flocks. The young appeared in the air the last week in July. A cloud of Herring Gulls, was constantly flying about Perce Rock and their cries were always to be heard by day and frequently by night. The bugle-like courtship song frequently resounded aiid fighting among the adults on the Rpck^W^sJjIijy (To be continued quent. THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST VOL. XXXI V. OTTAWA, ONT.. MAY, 1920. No. 5. BIRDS AND HOW TO ATTRACT THEM ABOUT OUR HOMES. By J. C. MiDDLETON, London, Ont. Most of us take a good deal of pride in the sur- roundings of our dwelling places, and have suc- ceeded in making them real beauty spots. However in most cases with city dwellings we have not the opportunity of carrying out a good many of our cherished wishes, still our surroundings are largely what we make them, individually or collectively. What could be more charming than being surround- ed by an abundance of bird life the year round? Now without trees or shrubs we would have very few birds as they provide protection and shelter from extreme heat and cold, and from the searching eyes of natural enemies such as the cat, dog and birds of prey. They also provide resting and sleep- ing places as well as meeting places for many of our most favorite birds. Important as all these reasons are, trees, shrubs and plants are indispensible to most bird life for another great reason, that is they provide food either by producing or sustaining it. It is quite true we may have plenty of house sparrows and perhaps birds that feed while on the wing, such as the swallow or martm, without trees, but these are only exceptions which go to prove the general rule. It goes without saying that dense foliage is essential for good protection. This can be best obtained by the use of evergreens, which if planted in clumps or hedges will give ample pro- tection both for summer and winter, their growth is much thicker and hsavier than our deciduous trees. A good hedge of spruce trees is a great attraction for birds in the cool nights of early spring, or in the fall, and a thick cover of some sort of evergreen is essential if we are to have the birds stay with us during the winter. Most close growing shrubs and trees are valu- able for nesting places. Of course many birds nest on the ground in clumps of grass or thickets, but these are not likely to build in our gardens unless we have some quiet and unmolested spot. The different fruits and seeds being produced and ripened at the different times of the summer are either eaten, perhaps when only partly ma- tured, (such as the cherry) or on the other hand hang on long after the leaves have fallen to serve as food in fall and winter. The myriads of leaf insects, to say nothing of the moths and fruit pests, form a large portion of the birds' bill of fare. Then again what about the borers, and other insects which live either in or under the bark? The sap of trees is also enjoyed by some birds. For instance, the sapsucker will almost always be found at work where the Balm of Gilead poplar •'ees are plentiful. What is our deduction from these facts? Is it not a fact the more nearly we can create these conditions in our gardens, the more birdlife we are likely to have, for after all the two great essentials to success in attracting [jirds are an abundance of food and ample protection. Now I don't suppose it would be either practical or wise to have all our garden space taken up with plantings suitable only for bird life; most of us are far too fond of flowers to allow this, but on the other hand how often are gardens planned en- tirely without a thought for the welfare of our birds. With our system of laying out our cities in blocks what would be easier than to have our back garden separated by hedges. I am quite sure you will agree with me that the garden would look very much more artistic and natural than they are with our present system of board fences. There are many different kinds of trees, plants and vines which are quite adaptable for hedges. If this system could be established, just think what it would mean for the birds, and not only for the birds for I am in- clined to think that living between board fences has a very detrimental effect on all our natures, and that if we could but trace where that hard or un- sympathetic spot in our natures originated we would find, perhaps back a generation or two. that the rude obstruction of a high board fence around our gardens has had a great deal to do with it. It would be difficult to name all the best trees and shrubs. Mr. Baynes in "Wild Bird Guests" gives a very complete and quite an extensive list of these with their relative fruiting seasons. I quite agree with Mr. W. E. Saunders that our own native trees are likely to prove more attractive than im- ported ones. We naturally take to our favorite 82 The Canadian Fielx)-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. 1. Upside down feeding box; 2. Upside down feeding slab; ?.. Bird Curate placed on window sill; 4. Seed hopper: 5. Mrs Berry's wired dish; 6. Feeding log. May, 1920] The Canadian Field-Naturalist 83 dishes, so with the birds, they are far more hkeiy to be attracted by a clump of our red native cedars than by trees which they have never seen before. Of course this does not mean to say that we should not plant trees such as the Mulberry, whose fruit is specially attractive, but as a rule our native berry bushes, vines and trees are the best to plant. Perhaps the most interesting of our bird guest; during the nesting season are those which occupy our bird houses. These are so well known that I need not enumerate them. It might be well to dwell for a little on the most suitable styles and locations of some of the preference for what he, or perhaps I had better say she, considers a properly made house. How do we know whether a bird likes a certain style of house or not? This is only found out by observation and experiment. Perhaps Baron Von Berlepsch has achieved more along this line than any other student, having devoted a tremendous amount of lime and practically the whole of his large estate to these studies, and bird houses con- structed after his ideas have proved most successful. I mention this only to show that through experi- menting it is quite possible to find out what kind of houses are preferred by the different birds. A standard Flicker house would be made from a log say, twenty-four inches long and about eight or nine inches in diameter. The entrance hole, two and a half inches in diameter, should be placed quite near the top. To hollow out the log it is best to cut it in half lengthwise and then with a gouge or chisel shape out the cavity into a pear shaped hollow extending sixteen inches below the entrance hole making half the cavity in each piece of the log and the big end towards the bot- tom. Place the pieces together again and fasten tightly with a piece of soft wire at either ends of the log; then cut the top of the leg sloping, with the back about one inch higher than the front; then nail a piece of board to this having it extend fully three inches beyond the log on both sides and front thus forming a shelter to the entrance hole which is quite important. Those who are interested in finding out about any special house will find complete directions for all houses in N. M. Ladd's "How to Make Friends with the Birds." It is a good idea to place a mixture of sand and sawdust in all Woodpeckers' houses as they do not carry in nesting material. Fill the house about one third full, they will soon remove any surplus. Don't make the mistake of making two compart- ments in the one house, as houses of this sort will seldom be occupied, and if occupied only one com- partment will be used. Purple Martin houses are an exception to this rule. With these houses the more rooms or apartments, each with a separate en- trance, the better your house. The placing of bird houses is very important. Care should be taken in selecting suitable locations which should be in open places as far as possible. When hanging the house see that the entrance faces the sheltered aspect, and that it is shaded from wet and storm as much as possible. All houses should be cleaned and repaired as early as possible each season. Don't make the mistake of placing a Flicker and Wren house on the same tree as if these should both be lucky in attracting occupants the Wren will take the first opportunity of visiting the Flick- er s nest in the absence of the owner and punctur- ing the eggs. This happened in my garden last season, not only in the Flicker's nest but also with a Robin's nest which was built in the same tree. Hang out wadding, wool, bits of string, and any other nesting material. Do this early as it is often the means of attracting a pair of birds to nest in your garden. A bird bath is a splendid attraction. This should be placed in the open thus affording the birds a clear view of any approaching enemies, such as the skulking cat. A bath with a graded bottom is preferable. This should start at half inch and slope gently to not deeper than two inches. A fine misty spray is a splendid addition, also have perch- ing accommodation nearby. A dust bath located in a sunny situation is much enjoyed by birds. This can be easily made by filling a flat tray or box say two or three inches deep with any sort of fine dust, preferably fine sand, with a small portion of slacked lime thoroughly mixed. A bath which will be much frequented especially by Robins and Sparrows can easily be made by securing a large plant saucer and placing it in a sunny location on a box or stool lo raise it one or two feet from the ground, the only difficulty with this is that you will probably find that you will have to fill it several times during the day, as an enthusiastic Robin will splash consider- able of the water over the edge and when this is repeated several times the bath soon becomes empty. Besides serving as baths these basins of water are a great blessing in hot weather, as drinking pools, and if kept regularly filled will be visited by hun- dreds of birds during one day. There is one golden rule to be observed if we are to make the birds feel perfectly at home in our gardens, that is that no cat or dog be allowed to roam about the premises. The proprietor must see that this is obeyed. Our movements have consid- erable effect on wild life. If we are gentle and even in our ways of going about the garden, and are not always appearing to be prying after the birds we will find that they will soon learn to treat us as friends. There is no better illustration of this than 84 The Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. with the Humming Bird. We all know how alert and absolutely instantaneous these birds are in their movements and yet, if approached in a gentle even way it is quite possible to gain their complete con- fidence. I have used an artificial flower made of bright paper, with a small bottle as a centre, filling the bottle with a mixture of honey and water, and by first lettmg them get acquamted with the special quality of the nectar of this rare flower have after- wards been able to have them come to my hand and sip from the bottle without any decoration. My experiments have been mostly carried on in the fall, and I am inclined to think that it would be a far more difficult proposition to tame these birds during the nesting season. This would apply to al- most all birds as nature has made them specially timid and watchful during the time they are rear- ing their young. Early in September it is well to hang out some feeding devices so as to attract any birds that might be persuaded to stay for the winter, and as with nesting materials it is a good plan to have them out early, however, just here I would like to say that it is far better not to start feeding the birds if we are not determined to do it regularly throughout the winter. The feeding of birds ir. the winter is perhaps one of the most interesting sides of bird study. As al- ready stated we must have some thick clumps or hedges of evergreen trees for protection if we are to be successful in keeping the birds about our gardens during the winter, but with this and careful regular feeding it is wonderful what can be done along this line. A feeding station arranged at a suitable win- dow is certainly a source of great enjoyment during the long winter months. I would like to explain some of the feeding devices which I have found successful, also some methods of taming the birds and preparing their food. Having selected our favorite window our aim will now be to entice as many birds as possible to this spot. If we are fortunate enough to have one or more trees within ten or twenty feet of the win- dow we will find this a great aid. A brush pile say about ten feet from the window is necessary, as birds do not feel comfortable without a certain amount of cover. The larger this is the better. An- other very good thing is to place artificially a good thick evergreen tree which will serve as a wind break and also make the birds feel more at home. There should be pieces of fat hung or fastened to trees for some distance around. Always have the best supply at your feeding station. It will not be long before you are rewarded with the arrival of a Downy Woodpecker, a Nuthatch, or a Chickadee. Once the birds have found your station all out- lying feeding places should be abandoned. If you are ambitious, you will frame up your window with rough branches and make an artificial window sill of a rough board, say about twelve inches wide, your reason for doing this is to have a place for the birds to feed should you be successful in getting them tame enough to come to the window. At first the birds will be quite shy, but if you are careful not to frighten them at any time they will soon become comparatively tame. A splendid device for taming some of the more timid birds is a wire strung from the top of your win- dow frame to the nearest tree, the outer end should be a foot or two higher than the end at the window so as to give the wire a slight slope down to the window. This will give anything that is hung on the wire a tendency to shift towards the window instead of further away as would otherwise be the case. The wire must be strung quite tightly so as not to sag when it is carrying its load. Now the idea is to hang feeding devices on this wire, first at the farther end and when the birds have become used to going to them, gradually shift closer to the window. In this way it is possible to get many quite shy birds to feed from your window sill. We have succeeded in getting the Cardinals to feed from our window sill in this way. At first it may be found a good idea to sprinkle coarse grains such as oats, corn and perhaps some finer seeds, say millett, hemp, etc., in a specially prepared spot in your brush pile, but this will prob- ably attract more house sparrows than anything else, and if you do not resort to some means of out- witting them they will soon monopolize your sta- tion, eating everything you exhibit excepting the whole corn. Generally speaking you can divide the birds that will feed at your station into two classes, the seed eaters and the suet or fat eaters. This division is not absolute, but the Sparrows, Juncoes, Finches, and Cardinals, are preferably seed eaters. The Chickadees, Nuthatches, and Woodpeckers prefer suet or fat, while the Bluejay will do ample justice to either if it gets the chance. The Chicadees are probably the most interesting and most easily tamed of our guests and our station would indeed be quiet without them. The nature of a bird is to fly away as soon as it secures a morsel that is good to eat ; now recog- nizing this fact and remembering that our object is to tame and see as much of the birds as possible, we should guard against this. How? Well, when putting out 5ue/ don't put out suet, but buy beef fat. Of course I do not need to explain this to the ladies but to the men I would say that suet crumbles and breaks up into pieces just suitable for the birds to fly away with, while beef fat holds together and requires that each mouthful be pecked off. Result — May. 1920] The Canadian Field-Naturalist 85 bird has to stay on the job in order to get a meal. Also in putting out nuts for the Chickadees and Nuthatches see that these are reduced to a fine powder. You will have special spots for your fat. The best way to fix this is to take a nail, say a thret^ inch nail, cut the head off thus making a point at both ends, drive one end into the tree or the place where the fat is to be put, leaving the longer por- tion sticking out and sloping upward. The fat can easily be shoved on to this spike which will remain permanently in position. To tame birds it is necessary to proceed by slow degrees. The birds must first become familiar with the general surroundings, and then they can be gradually brought to the window by getting them acquainted with a special feeding dish, and placing this a little nearer the window each day. After they have become accustomed to the window sill they can be tamed to feed from the hand by proceeding in the same slow, progressive way. If we are to keep the birds continually about we must have some feeding devices which will keep a supply of food always accessible. A seed or grain hopper surrounded by a covered tray is a device which should be at every feeding station. Mr. W. Saunders' upside-down feeding slab is contrived to protect the food from snow and rain. I have made one by fastening cork bark to a piece of board, this bark being very rough is es- pecially adapable for the purpose. The fat is slightly warm and is then pressed Into all the holes and crevices of the bark. This slab is much used by Chickadees, Nuthatches and Wood- peckers, and is indispensible in rough weather. An exceedingly useful addition to our outfit is a variant of Mr. Saunders' upside-down feeding slab; this is made by adding sides about one inch deep to the plain board. This when filled with melted fat, and nuts, if desired, provides a large bulk of food. The wired dish is a new idea which has been tested only this winter. It is the invenion of Mrs. J. S. Berry, and her experience, which tallies with my own, is that the Chicadees enter it with perfect fearlessness. The chief point in this dish is that the meshes formed by the crossing wires will admit a Chicadee but are too small to admit a Sparrow. The bird curate is the most satisfactory of all our feeding appliances, for the reason that it affords such ample accommodation. It is no uncommon thing to have twelve to fifteen birds feeding at once on the different sections. To secure this it is of course necessary to use finely powdered food, which requires that the bird stay on the spot in order to get a meal. This accustoms them to our person and our movements and has a great influence in taming them. The feeding log is another of Mr. Saunders' in- ventions, the essential principle of which is that it shall hang by string or wire so that it oscillates with the breeze or the motion of the birds. Sparrows have a decided objection to feeding from a moving object, and until they cure themselves of this idiosyn- ocrasy we can take advantage of it to avoid having them steal the expensive food that we provide for our native friends. There remains the additional advantage that we can use these sparrow-proof de- vices further down in the garden, until such time as the Sparrows decide to assist in the destruction of the food thus provided. Have a feeding station. The birds will repay your kindness with their friendly confidence. Making friends with the birds brings us closer to the great world of nature about us, which is so full of won- derful blessings. 86 The Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. May, 1920] The Canadian Field-Naturalist 87 NOTES ON THE SUMMER BIRDS OF THE GASPE PENINSULA. By Charles W. Townsend, M.D., Boston. (Continued from Vol. XXXIV, page 80.) The adults on alighting near their half grown young empty their stomach contents on the ground and the young eagerly swallow it. The young may often be seen practicing short flights on the top of the Rock, but when they once launch out from their nesting place they roost on the broken rock and beaches at the foot of the cliffs. 9. Larus Philadelphia. Bonaparte's Gull. On August 14th I saw two -adults and four immature birds of this species in the Gaspe Basin, evidently migrants. 10. Slerna hirundo. Common Tern. The only birds of this species I saw anywhere along the coast of the Peninsula were about a dozen at Cross Point on July 5th. Mr. Taverner does not note them. 1 1 . H^drochelidon nigra surinamensis. Black Tern. One seen August 27th in the lower part of the York River near Gaspe. 12. Oceanodroma leucorhoa. Leach's Petrel. Breeding commonly in the clefts and holes in the top of the Gannet cliffs at Bonaventure Island. 13. Sula bassana. Gannet. As already stated about 8,000 Gannets breed in the cliffs on the eastern side of Bonaventure Island. The great majority of the birds seen were in full adult plumage; about one in three or four hundred had black in the base of the wing, in the tail and scattered over the back. These, I suppose, are birds two years old. Early in July nearly all the eggs had hatched. 3Ut I watched an adult on July 18th which was irooding an egg in the nest. When the bird raised tself I saw that one webbed foot nearly covered he egg. This singular habit has been noted in iterature. From time to time adults could be seen bringing ockweed in their bills and patching up their nests. rhe nests like the ledges were painted white with he droppings of the birds. The white downy ^oung with black faces grew rapidly between the ime of my first visit on July 1 0th and my last on \ugust 3rd when they were nearly half as large as heir parents. The curious courtship ritual I have described at ength in my paper on Courtship in Birds'. This ilways takes place when a bird arrives at the nest o relieve its mate. It is evident that the sexes al- 5) Auk. ternate in feeding and brooding the young. The new arrival at the nest, after its mate has left, waddles around so that the young is in front of her breast. The young at once raises its black head and shews by its vibrating throat that it is calling for food. The parent often appears indifferent, preens her own feathers and the down of her off- sprmg, gapes sleepily and darts her head angrily at a neighbor. The young become more insistent and tries to wedge open the bill of its mother. She at last gives a gulp, curves her head down, opens wide her bill and appears to swallow the head and neck of her hopeful. The process is soon repeated; the young always seem ready to disappear into the cavern of its parent's mouth. Whether the great volume of noise that goes out from this ledge is the courtship song or not I can not say, but it is doubtless augmented by the call- ing of the young for food. It suggests thousands of rattling looms in a great factory, a rough vibrating pulsing sound, and may be written down car-ra, car-ra, car-ra. Taking advantage of the strong sea breezes and of the currents deflected upwards by the cliffs, the Gannet is able to soar on rigidly outstretched wings for a long time without flapping. One.which I watched passing within a few yards of me, circled ten times to within a few feet of a ledge crowded with its kind, and each time he dropped his feet as if about to alight, but each time drew them up again and sailed by. Except for a momentary flut- ter just before each attempt to alight, his wings were held rigidly outstretched. The circle was one of three or four hundred yards in diameter. On each of the last three times he executed a smaller circle in addition, thus completing a figure of eight. On the eleventh attempt he dropped suddenly on the ledge close to his mate on her nest. The bill-shaking and bowing and caressing that went on was in the most spontaneous and eager fashion. They appeared over-jcyed to meet again. Before flying from the ledge the Gannet generally poises motionless for several moments with its eyes and bill pointed upwards, perhaps in order to watch for an opportunity to fly without colliding with an- other bird in the air. It then leaps clear of its com- panions and of the ledge, and with tail turned down as a brake, it swiftly descends until it gathers impetus enough to rise. At Grand Greve in the early part of August I frequently saw Gannets singly or in groups of two 88 The Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. and threes fly back and forth in Gaspe Bay. Dur- ing the latter part of the month they were flying south. I did not see any fly over the land. 14. Phalacrocorax aurilus auritus. Double-crested Cormorant. A very abundant bird all along the coast. It breeds to the number of about 2,000 on top of Perce Rock and in large numbers on the great abundant species and grows luxuriantly. The feeding of the partly-grown and especially of the fully-grown young Cormorant was always an amusing spectacle. An adult alighting on the rock is at once besieged by one or more young who wave their wings frantically and raise their heads, beseech- ing the parent for food. Often times the parent is reluctant to acceed to the request and runs away, **» GENERAL, VIEW OF GANNET LEDGES, BONAVENTURE ISLAND, 1914. Photo by Geological Survey of Canada — Courtesy of Commission of Conservation, Canada. sea cliffs at Bon Ami and at the foot of Mt. St. Albans. At Perce Rock there appeared to be seventeen distinct clusters of nests where everything in- cluding the nests was painted white with drop- pings and the ground was devoid of vegeta- tion. Where the Herring Gulls nest the sur- face is largely covered with vegetation. Yar- row, Achillea borealis, appears to be the most closely pursued by its offspring, dodging in and out among the other Cormorants and Gulls. Finally the parent gives in, opens its capacious maw into which the young disappears as far as its head and I neck are concerned. The parent gradually lowers its head as the young pushes in, and finally bring it nearly to the ground. The young, meanwhile, flaps its wings violently, and the picture is of a large bird trying hard to swallow another bird of the same May, 1920] The Canadian Field-Naturalist 89 size who struggles violently in protest. It frequently happens that, after repeated requests for food, the parent, unable to rid itself of the tormenting young, takes refuge in flight. The young when fully grown may often be seen practicing flight by ascendmg a few feet into the air and coming back to the rock. The earliest de- scent by the young to the water took place the last of July. that they stand out as light patches on the gray rock, while the birds themselves look like black bottles. During my stay at Grand Greve during the month of August an almost continuous stream of these birds was passing and repassing over the little settlement, the birds were going to their feeding grounds in the Gaspe Basin and York and Dart- mouth Rivers and returning to their nests. They passed singly and in companies of two or three up CLOSE-UP VIEW OF GANNETS ON LEDGES OF BONAVENTURE ISLAND, 1914. Photo by Geological Survey — Courtesy of Commi.s.sion of Conservation, Canada. The great cliffs, which rise from the water to a height of si,\ or seven hundred feet and extend along the shore for four or five miles near Mt. St. Albans and Cape Bon Ami on the north side of the Forillon back of Grande Greve are nearly per- pendicular and possess but few shelves for foothold. On these are built the nests of this species and they are so plastered with the white guano of the bird to thirty or forty. In warm weather most of the birds had their mouths open, but in cool weather they were shut. I looked carefully for carbo but all were auritus. During August groups of a hundred or more fully grown young birds were to be seen on the little pocket beaches at the foot of the Bon Ami cliffs. The fishermen dislike this bird as they say it 90 The Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. GREAT GANNET LEDGE, BONAVENTURE ISLAND, GASPE CO., QUE. Photo by Geological Survey — Courtesy of Commission of Conservation, Canada. ■SiT May, 1920] The Canadian Field-Naturalist 91 takes herrings on which they depend for bait, from their nets. I saw no shooting, but on the York River there were steel traps on posts and a few birds had suffered a lingering death. Mr. Taverner found two nesting colonies of this species in Gaspe Bay, one on Gull cliffs on the south side, the other on the north side al Three Runs. Here the nests, about thirty in number, were built in birch trees growing in crevices in the cliffs. 15. Mergus senator. Red-breasted Merganser. A flock of 20, seen at the mouth of the York River on August 27th. 16. Anas rubripes trislis. Black Duck. A number seen in the Gaspe Basin and the mouth of the York River the latter part of August. Mr. Taverner found them there with young. 17. Spatula clypeata. Shoveller. A bird probably of this species from the des- cription given to Mr. Taverner, was shot at Cape Cove in June, 191 5. 18. Aix sponsa. Wood Duck. Mr. Taverner found a mounted specimen at Gaspe taken in the vicinity. 19. Clangula clausula amertcana. Golden-eye Duck. Thirteen young with their mother were found on the upper Gaspe Basin by Mr. Taverner on July 29, 1914. 20. Harelda b\)emalis. Old Squaw. Small flocks were seen near Bonaventure Island in 1915 by Mr. Taverner. One was taken July 22nd. 21. Histrionicus histrionicus. Harlequin Duck. In June and July, 1915, en three occasions bunches of three to seven were seen near Bona- venture Island by Mr. Taverner. Three were taken, all with undeveloped genitalia. 22. Oidemia americana. Scoter. 23. Oidemia deglandi. White-winged Scoter. 24. Oidemia perspicillata. Surf Scoter. A few of each of these species, evidently mi- grants, were seen during the latter part of August. 25. Botarus lentiginosus. Bittern. I saw two on the York River on August 27th. 26. Ardea herodias herodias. Great-blue Heron. From the train on July 7th I saw numerous birds of this species in the tidal flats near Point au Garde. At Douglastown on August 21st I counted twenty-four behind the barachois. On the York River on August 27th there were eight. 27. Nycticorax nycticorax naevius. Black-crowned Night Heron. Mr. Taverner and I each saw a single bird at Perce. He found it common at Gaspe. 28. Callinula galeata. Florida Gallinule. Mr. Taverner saw a mounted bird at Gaspe taken in the vicinity. 29. Lobipes lobatus. Northern Phalarope. Mr. Brewster saw this species near Perce in July, 1881. 30. Philohela minor. Woodcock. Mr. Brewster reported one near Gaspe in 1881, and Mr. Taverner heard of another shot there. 31. Pisobia minulilla. Least Sandpiper. Common migrant. 32. Ereunetes pusillus. Semipalmated Sandpiper. Only a very few seen. 33. Calidris leucophaea. One was seen on August 21st at Douglastown. There are very few suitable grounds for shore birds on the Gaspe Coast. 34. Toianus melanoleucus. Greater-yellow legs. A number seen back of the barachois at Douglastown and on the flats about the York River. 35. Actitis macularius . Spotted Sandpiper. Common all along the shore. At Bonaventure Island a pair, evidently having eggs or young near our camp, flew about nervously and alighted from time to time in the tops of low spruce trees. 36. Numenius hudsonicus. Hudsonian Curlew. A few migrants seen. 37. Squatarola squatarola. Black-bellied Plover. On August 21st I saw two flocks of a dozen each feeding back of the barachois at Douglas- town in the brackish marshes. 38. Aegialitis semipalmata. Semipalmated Plover. A few migrants seen. 39. Arenaria interpres morinella. Ruddy Turn- stone. A few migrants recorded by Mr. Taverner. 40. Bonasa umbellus togata. Canada Ruffed Grouse. A few with young seen near Perce. 41. Circus hudsonius. Marsh Hawk. One seen at Bonaventure Island and several on the Forillon. 42. Accipter velox. Sharp-shinned Hawk. A few seen near Grande Greve. 43. Buteo borealis borealis. Red-tailed Hawk. During the latter part of August there was a small southward migration of these hawks. 92 The Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. 44. Buteo platypierus. Broad-winged Hawk. I clearly identified one of these at Grande Greve on August 24th, and saw the same one or another there the following day. 45. Archihuteo lagopus sancii-johannis. Rough- legged Hawk. One seen at Grande Greve on August 19. 46. Haliaeelus leucocephalus alascanus. Northern Bald Eagle. Four of these birds in immature plumage were flying about a rocky crag in the woods of Cross Point on July 7th. 47. Falco peregrinus anatum. Duck Hawk. A pair of these birds evidently nested near the Pic d'Aurore at Perce. 48. Falco columbarius columharius. Pigeon Hawk. One seen at Cannes des Roches, — one near Perce and two or three near Grande Greve. 49. Falco sparverius. Sparrow Hawk. One seen from the train near Nouvelle on August 28. 50. Pandion haliaetus carolinensis. Osprey. A few all along the coast. Between Grande Greve and Gaspe I counted six, and six in a day's trip on the York River. 51. Cer^le alc\)on. Belted Kingfisher. A few seen along the coast. 52. Dryohales pubescem sub. sp. Downy Wood- pecker. A few seen. Mr. Taverner secured a single specimen at Gaspe. Its measurements are, — wing 96; tail 62; culmen 16; tarsus 15. 53. Sph])rapicus varius varius. Yellow-bellied Sap- sucker. One seen at Cross Point and their markings on trees seen elsewhere. 54. Colaptes auratus luieus. Northern Flicker. Not uncommon at all stations. 55. Chordeiles virginianus virginianus. Nighthawk. One seen at Cross Point by me and a few at Gaspe by Mr. Taverner. 56. Chaetura pelagica. Chimney Swift. One seen at Cascapedia and Mr. Taverner re- ported a pair at Perce in 1915. 57. Archilochus colubris. Ruby-throated Hum- mingbird. Mr. Taverner saw one at Perce in 1915. I saw one at Corner of the Beach and another at Grande Greve. 58. Tyrannus iyrannus. Kingbird. One was noted by Mr. Taverner at Perce on June 10, 1915. 59. Empidonax flavivenlris. Yellow-bellied Fly- catcher. Not uncommon. 60. Empidonax trailli alnorum. Alder Flycatcher. A few seen and heard in song at Perce. 61. C^anocitta cristaia cristata. Blue Jay. One was noted at Perce by Mr. Taverner on July 4th, 1914 and July 28, 1915, and one was seen by Judge C. F. Jenny in 1911 at Perce. 62. Persisoreus canadensis canadensis. Canada Jay. One seen at Bonaventure Island on July 9th, 1914 by Mr. Taverner. 63. Corvus corax principalis. Northern Raven. At least one pair at Perce and another at Grande Greve. A family were always to be seen about the cliffs at the Grande Coupe at Perce and the birds flew back and forth to the cliffs of the Murailles and Pic d'Aurore. Here they were continually set upon by Herring Gulls. The cause of the animosity on the part of the latter bird was evident, for Mr. Taverner records that a Raven was seen on the cliffs of Grande Coupe in 1915 feeding its offspring with a young Herrmg Gull. The flight of the Ravens about Pic d'Aurore was extremely graceful. In the strong sea breeze they often rose from near the sea to the summit of the peak, 700 ft. without ap- parent movement of the wmgs. 64. Corvus hrachyrhynchos hrachyrhynchos. Crow. Common everywhere and as tame and easily approached as I have found them at Cape Breton. At Perce I saw two Crows feeding in a field of young barley within thirty yards of a realistic scare-crow. They were often seen on fence posts and out-buildings and they often fed on the fish heads, and entrails spread on the land as fertilizer. At Barachois on July 26th I saw about a hundred crows on the beach near the fish-splitting tables and alight- ing on the fishing boats. Here they took the part of the Herring Gulls at Perce and else- where. 65. Molothrus ater ater. Cowbird. One in immature plumage was seen at King George Cove near Grande Greve on August 25th. 66. Sturnella magna magna. Meadowlark. One was reported by Mr. Taverner as seen at Perce about June 10, 1915. 67. Quiscalus quiscula aeneus. Bronzed Grackle. I am inclined to think this is a recent arrival in the Gaspe Peninsula. I was told both at Perce and Grande Greve that these birds had been seen in the last few years only. In 1914, Mr. Taverner saw a few at Gaspe but none at Perce. In 1915 he saw a few evidently nest- May, 1920] The Canadian Field-Naturalist 93 ing just to the south of Perce. In 1919 I found a dozen or more spending the summer in Perce also at Grande Greve, and I saw a flock of 50 or 60 near the marshes of the York River. I was told that they had become a great pest at Grande Greve as a flock would descend on a newly planted grain field and root up the grain. 68. Pinicola enucleator leucura. Pine Grosbeak. On July 16, 1915, Mr. Taverner gives a doubt- ful record of this bird. I saw single birds sev- eral times at Perce and Grande Greve. 69. Carpodacus purpureus purpureus. Purple Finch. Common, breeding. 70. Loxia curviroslra minor. Crossbill. A flock of a dozen seen near Perce on July 30. 71. Loxia leucoptera. White-winged Crossbill. On June 26th, 1914, Mr. Taverner saw a large flock of these birds near Perce and secured one. Later a flock of 100 to 150 were con- tinually moving about. I saw only one, an adult, at Perce on July 9th. 72. Astragalinus tristis tristis. Goldfinch. Abundant everywhere. If the species depends here on thistle-down for nest construction it must needs wait until the end of August. 73. Spinus pinus. Pine Siskin. The most abundant passerine bird. Seen every- where in flocks during July and August. Mr. Taverner found a nest and eggs on July 21st, 1915. 74. Passerculus sandrvichensis savanna. Savannah Sparrow. Very common breeder in open fields every- where. 75. Zonotrichia leucophr^s leucophr})s. White- crowned Sparrow. One was seen by Mr. Taverner at Perce on June 21st, 1914, evidently a late migrant to- wards the north. This is the only record. 76. Zonotrichia albicolUs. White-throated Sparrow. Abundant breeder everywhere. 77. Spizella passerina passerina. Chipping Sparrow. Common at both Perce and Grande Greve. Feeding young at latter place on August 7th. 78. Junco hyemalis hyemalis. Slate-coloured Junco. Very common breeder. 79. Melospiza melodia melodia. Song Sparrow. Common breeder both at Perce and Grande Greve. 80. Melospiza lincolni lincolni. Lincoln's Sparrow. Mr. Taverner shot a bird of this species at Gaspe on July 28th, 1914, but has no other record of it. I had found the bird in crossing New Brunswick on my way to the Gaspe Peninsula but although I looked for it every- where there I did not find it. 81. Passerella iliaca iliaca. Fox Sparrow. Mr. Taverner has only one doubtful record of this bird at Perce. Messrs. R. B. Mackintosh and A. A. Osborne saw one there on July 14, 1915. I saw the bird not uncommonly at Perce and heard it singing through July and as late as August 1st. There were at least three pairs at Bonaventure Island. I did not find it at Grande Greve, but the song season was then over. 82. Petrochelidon lunifrons lunifrons. Cliff Swal- low. This was the common Swallow, nesting every- where under the eaves of buildings. 83. Hirundo er^throgastra. Barn Swallow. A few seen both by Mr. Taverner and me. I did not see any until August 3rd, evidently migrants. 84. Iridoprocne bicolor. Tree Swallow. I saw two or three at Cross Point and at Gaspe. Mr. Taverner saw a few. 85. Riparia riparia. Bank Swallow. A very few of this species were seen and those not till late in the season. 86. Bomb^cilla cedrorum. Cedar Waxwing. A few were seen by Mr. Taverner in Perce in 1914. 87. Lanius borealis. Northern Shrike. On August 18 I saw one of this species at Grande Greve. 88. Vireos^lva olivacea. Red-eyed Vireo. I found a few of these birds at Cross Point and at Perce. Mr. Taverner took a specimen at Perce. 89. Vireosylva philadelphica. Philadelphia Vireo. At Perce on July 14th I had a momentary view of a bird that I believed to be of this species and I determined to follow up any vireo I heard singing. On July 21 st in the gorge of the Grande Chute near Perce I heard a song resembling that of the Red-eyed, but not so continuous, the phrases were more dis- tinct. I succeeded in seeing the bird within about fifteen yards and discovered that it was a Philadelphia Vireo. 90. Lanivereo solitarius solitarius. Blue-headed Vireo. One heard singing at Cross Point on July 5th, and one seen at Grande Greve on August 20th. 94 The Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. \ ^ ^'n PERCE ROCK, QUE. Courtesy of the American Museum of Natural History. PERCE VILLAGE, QUE., WITH PERCE ROCK AND BONAVENTCRE ISLAND IN THE DISTANCE. Courtesy of the American Museum of Natural History. May, 1920] The Canadian Field-Naturalist 95 91. Mniotilta varia. Black and White Warbler. Two were seen at Cross Point. 92. Vermivora peregrine. Tennessee Warbler. A very common bird at both Cross Point and Perce and in full song. Mr. Taverner took several nests. 93. Compsothl\;pis americana usneae. Northern Parula Warbler. One observed at Cross Point. 94. Dendroica iigrina. Cape May Warbler. A few were seen by Mr. Taverner in 1914 and 1915. I saw one at Perce on August 2nd. 95. Dendroica aesliva aestiva. Yellow Warbler. One was seen at Perce on July 14, 1915 by Mr. Mackintosh. I saw several at Cross Point and two or three at Perce. Mr. Taverner ob- served two at Gaspe. 96. Dendroica caerulescens caerulescens. Black- throated Blue Warbler. The only record is of one bird seen by m.e at Grande Greve on August 16th. 97. Dendroica coronata. Myrtle Warbler. A rather common breeder. 98. Dendroica magnolia. Magnolia Warbler. A very common bird everywhere. 99. Dendroica castanea. Bay-breasted ^X c^^ici. Not uncommon. 100. Dendroica striata. Black-poll Warbler. Abundant. Mr. Taverner found nests. 101. Dendroica fusca. Blackburnian Warbler. A few were seen. 102. Dendroica virens. Black-throated Green Warbler. Common. 103. Dendroica palmarum h^pochrysea. Yellow Palm Warbler. One was seen at Perce on June 10, 1915 by Mr. Taverner. 104. Seiurus aurocapillus. Oven-bird. I found this bird not uncommon at Cross Point but did not see it elsewhere. Mr. Taverner did not observe it. 105. Seiurus noveboracensis noveoboracensis. Water Thrush. I found one of these in full song at Cross Point on July 5th and on August 17th and 19th saw one at Grande Greve. 106. Oporornis Philadelphia. Mourning Warbler. I saw one at Cross Point on July 5th. 107. Ceothlypis trichas trichas. Maryland Yellow- throat. I found a few of this species at Cross Point, but none elsewhere. Mr. Taverner does not record it. 108. PVilsonia pusilla pusilla. Wilson's Warbler. Mr. Taverner does not record it in 1914 but in 1915 says "Not uncommon and seen in occa- sional individuals throughout our stay. Un- doubtedly breeds." I saw none. Setophaga rulicilla. Redstart. Not uncommon. 109 110 111. Certhia familiarus americana. B Nannas hiemalis hiemalis. Winter Wren. Not uncommon. rown creep- er. 12. 113. 14. 15. 116. 117. 18. 119. 120. 121. One seen at Grande Greve on August 8th. Sitta canadensis. Red-breasted Nuthatch. Not uncommon after August 6th at Grande Greve. The earliest seen by Mr. Taverner was July 29th. Penthesies alricapillus atricapillus. Chicadee. I saw two or three at Cross Point and also at Grande Greve. Penthesies hudsonicus littoralis. Acadian Chicadee. Not uncommon at Perce and at Grande Greve. Mr. Taverner secured four specimens. They belong to this subspecies. He also saw nest- lings fed by parents. Regulus satrapa satrapa. Golden-crowned Kinglet. A few seen at Gaspe during August. Mr. Taverner found nestlings fed by parents. Regulus calendula calendula. Ruby-crowned Kinglet. One was seen at Grande Greve on August 16th. Mr. Taverner reports a flock of about ten of this species on July 24th, 1914, a! Gaspe. Hylocichla fuscescens fuscescens. Veery. I heard three singing at Cross Point on July 5th. H];locichla aliciae aliciae. Gray-cheeked Thrush. Mr. Taverner took one of this species on July 1 6th, 1914, at Perce. I saw one at Perce on July 13th, and heard its calls answered by another. H\)locichla ustulata sivainsoni. Olive-backed Thrush. Common everywhere and singing until the middle of July. Hylocichla guttata pallasi. Hermit Thrush. A few at Cross Point and Perce. Planeslicus migratorius migraiorius. Robin. Common everywhere. 96 The Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. THE DIVING HABIT AND COMMUNITY SPIRIT OF THE SPOTTED SANDPIPER. By H. Mousley, Hatley, Que. In the "Ottawa Naturalist," for September, 1918, Nuttall in his "Manual of the Ornithology of the page 56, Mr. John D. Tothill gives an instance United States and Canada," 1834, Vol. 2, p. 164, whilst out canoeing on the Restigouche River, of speaks of their nesting at Egg Rock off Nahant, in the diving of this small Sandpiper to avoid pursuit the immediate vicinity of the noisy nurseries of the by a hungry Pigeon Hawk (Falco columbarius) quailing Terns. Mr. Julian K. Potter, writing in and speaks of the behaviour as being unusual. I "Bird Lore," Vol. xx, 1918, No. 4, pp. 282-284, remember being equally surprised on first witnessing says, "That the Spotted Sandpiper sometimes as- this habit some few years ago at Hatley. On that sociates with others of its kind, and may be found occasion I had shot an immature bird which fell at breeding in a restricted area, is an established fact, the edge of the water, but on proceeding to the spot but I believe, however, that this habit is the excep- to pick it up as I thought, was surprised to see it tion rather than the rule with these birds." He then wade out into the water, where after getting out of goes on to relate how at the end of May, 1913, he its depth it sank to the bottom, and by means of its found Spotted Sandpipers nesting in colonies within wings and feet proceeded to travel at a great rate the city limits of Camden, N.J., as well as in the under the water to a small mud bank, where it came wilds of Pike County, Pa. In the former place six to the surface and hid in the surrounding rushes. nests were found within an area of one forth acre, (See "The Auk," Vol. xxxiii, 1916, p. 66.) whilst in the latter about twelve pairs (three nests That this wading, swimming and diving habit is were actually found) were thought to be breeding by no means so unusual as most people imagine, in quite a limited area. seems to be borne out by the experience of others, for Dr. Warren notes that a young bird when wounded took to the water in a shallow stream, went to the bottom like a stone, ran across on the botton, and coming up on the other side endeavoured to conceal itself by submerging its body and pushmg its head among long grass growing at the water's As regards my own experience at Hatley, I have already recorded in "The Auk," that usually not less than six pairs used to nest on the margins of 'the marsh' some fifteen acres in extent, but of late years the numbers seem to have decreased. The most extraordmary case, however, of this commun- ity spirit and partiality for nesting on small islands edge. In September, 1876, Mr. E. H. Forbush is related by Mr. L. M. Terrill in his paper on saw a wounded bird of this species when pursued, "The changes in the status of certain birds in the dive into deep water from the shore of the Charles vicinity of Montreal," "Ottawa Naturalist," Vol. River and fly off under water, using its wings xxx, 1911, p. 57, wherein he says, "Having seen no somewhat as a bird would use them in the air. All mention of gregarious habits attributed to this Sand- its plumage was covered with bubbles of air, which piper, it might be of interest to note that a few years caught the light until the bird appeared as if studded ago a large colony were nesting on Isle Ronde (a with sparkling gems as it sped away into the depths small island of a few acres, opposite the city), of the dark river. (See "Game Birds, Wild Fowl Visiting this island on May 26, 1896, I located and Shore Birds," Forbush, 1912, p. 323, where without difficulty thirteen occupied nests. Again on Dr. Warren's experience is also recorded). Dr. May 31, 1898, I examined upwards of twenty-five. Charles W. Townsend remarks in his "Birds of On each occasion only a small portion of the island Essex County," 1905, p. 188, that the young birds, was examined and I estimated that there were well while still covered with natal down, run very fast over one hundred pairs breeding." and when hard pressed, take to the water and swim In striking contrast to this might be mentioned rapidly and easily. my experience with the Common Sandpiper of Regarding the community spirit of this restless Europe (Tringa hypolenca) first cousin to our little Sandpiper, the same author speaks of its being Spotted species, and a bird very like it not only in particularly fond of nesting on islands, and that in appearance but in general habits also. In the British the late seventies he used to find the eggs at Kettle Isles on the rivers Wharfe in Yorkshire, the Wye, Island off Magnolia, whilst Mr. W. A. Jeffries Hamps, Manifold and Dove (the latter immortal- found eleven nests with eggs, and one with young at ized by Isaac Walton and Charles Cotton, the lat- Tinker's Island, off Marblehead, on June 8, 1878. ter of whom calls her the "Princess of Rivers") all Four nests were in the short grass on high land, in Derbyshire, I have had ample opportunities of ob- while the others were all found more or less far un- serving that instead of a community spirit existing der the roqks scattered over the grass or along the the opposite seems to be the case, for there each shore. pair of birds selects and monopolizes a certain May, 19201 The Canadian Fieljj-Naturalist 97 stretch of river, upon which no other pair appears to intrude. In conclusion it can truly be said that of the very intimate home life and traits of even our must common birds we know very little, and I have yet to see the text book that gives any definite in- formation on the exact incubation period of the Spotted Sandpiper, which in the case of its cousin (Tringa h})polenca) has only lately been ascertained to be twenty one days. See "British Birds," 1913, Vol. vii, p. 146. WINTER BIRD LIST FROM LONDON, ONTARIO. (Submitted by the McIlwraith Ornithological Club, through Mr. E. M. S. Dale.) Have other localities been as favored with birds as was London last winter? From January 1 to February 8, forty-one species were reported which is about twice the normal number. As is the usual practice of our club members we took the 7.40 train to Hyde Park on New Year's morning and walked back to the city, a distance of probably six or seven miles, following roughly the course of the River Thames. We made a list of twenty-two species, and on the following Saturday, January 3, visiting practically the same district, made another list of eighteen, which included six not seen on New Year's Day. Since then "one at a time" has been the usual rule until we now have a total of forty-one as above mentioned. December was quite cold and snowy, and January decidedly so, the thermometer registering zero and below on many occasions, and a snowfall of upwards of two and one-half feet being registered for the month. The list in order of date is as follows: — January 1. Brown Creeper, White-breasted Nu- thatch, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Bluejay, American Crossbill, White-winged Crossbill, Black-capped Chicadee, American Goldeneye, American Mer- ganser, Snowbird, Rusty Blackbird, Red-winged Blackbird, Song Sparrow, Downy Woodpecker, Pine Siskin, Junco, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Car- dinal, Crow, Purple Finch, Tree Sparrow, White- throated Sparrow. January 3. Hairy Woodpecker, Black Duck, Redpoll, Goldfinch, Northern Shrike, Kingfisher. January 4. Hudsonian Chicadee. January 5. Robin, Evening Grosbeak, Long- eared Owl. January 11. Bronzed Grackle. January 12. Sharp-shinned Hawk. January 16. Coopers Hawk. January 21. Screech Owl. January 22. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. February 1. Ruffed Grouse. February 6. Pine Grosbeak. February 7. Herring Gull. February 8. Red-shouldered Hawk. The following notes on some of the species may be of interest. American Crossbill. — Two rosy ones feeding quite low in a hemlock tree. Others have been seen seen since in Norway spruces. White-winged Crossbill. — The flock of twelve or fifteen seen on New Year's Day were in a hemlock which seems to be the favorite food of these birds here. There were several rosy ones in the lot. White wings have not been reported since that date. Cardinal. — Previous to 1910, Cardinals were of accidental or very casual occurrence here. Since that date they have been gradually increasing in numbers and are now fairly common. One winter one of our members had six or seven feeding at his place. They are a very welcome addition to our bird population. Siskin. — Pine Siskins were unusually abundant this fall, and since winter set in an occasional flock of two have been seen. Rusty Blackbird. — This and the Redwing have been keeping each other company at a point where a little stream (which looks and smells like sewage) enters the river. It is our first winter Rusty although Redwings have been recorded twice before. White-throated Sparrow. — White-throats have stayed with us occasionally in winter, but this bird is living right in the heart of the city, being fed by friends and using a Norway spruce hedge for shel- ter. During December and early January it sang with spring time vigor, and would answer readily to a whistled imitation of its song. Redpoll. — Redpolls are quite common this win- ter, hardly a trip being taken to the country when they were not recorded. They have been feeding al- most exclusively on birch trees. Hudsonian Chicadee. — Two specimens were tak- en by a collector near London, and at least two more have visited the food shelves of members of our Bird Club in different parts of the city. Evening Grosbeak. — First reported by Mr. A. Wood near Coldstream, on January 5th. Since then a flock of some twenty-five have been seen by dif- ferent parties in and near the city, as well as smaller flocks which may be part of the twenty-five. Black Duck. — An unusual winter duck for us. Has been seen several times in the same locality. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. — First winter recorded. 98 The Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS. A 1919 CHRISTMAS CENSUS FOR TORONTO AND OTTAWA. — 1 he Bird-Lore Christmas Census is well known. With a view to adding two more Canadian localities to the 1919 census, an excursion was made at Toronto on December 24th, and one at Ottawa, on December 26th. Unfortunately the lists were submitted too late to be included in Bird-Lore, but as they give an idea of the bird population of the two places at al- most the same time, they may be of interest. Toronto, Ontario, route from High Park to Grenadier Pond, along shore of Lake Ontario to Humber Valley, up river and return by Bloor Street; December 24th; 1 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.; 5 inches snow; snowfall 1.5 inches; wind north-west 25 to 21 miles per hour; temperature 18.5 to 14.7 degrees F. ; about 8 miles on foot ; observers to- gether. Herring Gull 7, Loon 2, Chicadee 11, Hairy Woodpecker 1, (perhaps 2) Horned Grebe (?) 1, American Meganser 1, Black-backed Gull 1, Duck (?) 1, Scaup Duck I, Song Sparrow 2, Tree Spar- row 1, Crossbill (?) 1, Redpoll I. Total species about 13; individuals about 31. Observers: Stuart L. Thompson and Hoyes Lloyd. Ottawa, Ontario, to Hull, Quebec, Fairy Lake and return; December 26th; 12.45 p.m. to 4.45 p.m.; wind south-east; average velocity 10 miles per hour; temperature 15 degrees F. ; about 5 miles on foot ; observers together. Chicadees 3, Pine Siskin 58, Ruffed Grouse 2, Redpoll 7, Pine Grosbeak 1 5 ; Total species 5, in- dividuals 85. Observers: H. I. Smith, L. D. Burling, and Hoyes Lloyd. Such lists become of value in proportion to the number of them from all parts of the country and conclusions upon isolated lists must of course be made with caution. The greatest number of species recorded from Toronto is due to the presence of various water- fowl, some of which may almost always be found on Lake Ontario. The Grebe and the Merganser were seen close under the shore ice, where they seemed to be endeavouring to escape the strong off shore wind and driving snow. The Loons were found just outside the mouth of the Humber River, which was frozen over. Perhaps the Black-backed Gull should be ques- tioned. However, it appeared large in comparison with the Herring Gulls and the mantle was very dark. There is no doubt about the Song Sparrow. They were in their favorite winter haunt, a Cat- tail marsh. On the two other occasions when I have noted these birds at Toronto in winter they were found in the shelter of marsh vegetation. The Ottawa list has fewer species; consisting strictly of winter birds; although weather condi- tions made the day much more favourable for ob- servation. The routes traversed at Toronto and Ottawa are comparable; but there was no body of open water at Ottawa. The flocks of Siskins were the most striking fea- ture. They were feeding upon the abundant crop of cedar seeds. The Pine Grosbeaks and Redpolls were the first noted by me at Ottawa last winter. Hoyes Lloyd. Teaching bird protection by motion pic- tures.— The Dominion Parks Branch of the De- partment of the Interior in co-operation with the Exhibits and Publicity Bureau of the Department of Trade and Commerce and the Biological Di- vision of the Geological Survey, is endeavouring to promote the interests of bird protection in Canada through the medium of the motion pictures. In films depicting bird life, as in other films, the Canadian element has not been duly represented. Of course films showing Canadian birds on their wintering grounds are of great value, but it is also desirable to balance these, by showing on the screen, pictures which tell Canadians of the wealth and value of the bird life existing to-day in Canada. To tell a person, not particularly interested, that so many million dollars worth of crops are des- troyed by insects, and that birds serve to protect these crops from damage does not impress him as much as to actually show the birds devouring the insects. Similarly, a dry dissertation on the need for distant bird sanctuaries, does not create the in- terest that a motion picture makes, which clearly shows the wealth of game and other birds protected by that sanctuary. A beginning was made by showing the Geological Survey film of the "Birds of Bonaventure Island" and "Jack Miner's Geese," at two of the important fall exhibitions. These films are not suitable for general distribution because they lack sufficient ex- planatory titles, and in consequence, can only be used with lectures. "A Bird City" which shows the birds on the Dominion sanctuary at Johnson Lake, Saskatchewan, was taken by the Trade and Commerce Department in co-operation with the Dominion Parks Branch and has already been given wide publicity in Canada. i May, 1920] The Canadian Field-Naturalist 99 Another film which shows the wonderful rc^sults obtained by Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Middleton in the winter feeding of birds at London, Ontario, is com- pleted and others are in contemplation. There are a multitude of subjects to choose from in planning such pictures, but it is quite possible that the reader of this article knows of good material for Canadian bird pictures which has not been called to the attention of the Branch. If this should be the case valuable bird protection work can be done by acquainting the Dominion Parks Branch of any discoveries made of nesting grounds, feeding stations and the like, so that motion pictures may be taken where possible. HoYES Lloyd. HuDSONIAN CHICADEE. — Several Hudsonian Chickadees spent last winter with us here in Red Deer, feeding with the common Black-capped ones and making themselves very much at home. I have fed the birds every winter for many years and while numbers of our common Chicadees, Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers and latterly Blue-jays, fed daily on the feed provided for them. This is the first time the little Brownies have put in an ap- pearance at our feeding place. A friend reported having seen one near here several years ago. Win- ter caught us early in October, and my attention was drawn to a new bird note, which on investiga- tion, proved to be the Hudsonian Chicadee, and in a very short time they were feeding with the other birds within a few feet of a window where I ob- served them at close range. All the birds were tame, the Chicadees absurdly so — and would settle on my hands when putting out food for them. It was rather amusing to watch the Hudsonians "bossing" the Black-caps, the latter having to give way to the strangers at all times. During the very cold weather their only note was a drawling plain- tive de-de-de, very unlike our common Black-cap's clear notes; but with warmer weather and bright sun- shine they sing two different songs — one a lovely bubbling note with a canary-like quality to it and the other beyond my powers to describe. Several people came to see these birds, and Mr. F. C. White- hcuse. Dr. Henry George and Mr. C. H. Snell have identified them. We hope they will stay and nest with us. We have a lot of spruce trees here where they could spend most cf their time. Description: Head dark brown, darker on fore- head and over eyes; small white spot on cheek; back grey, washed with brown ; wings dark grey ; tail very dark grey; throat black; breast greyish white; sides cinnamon. One bird, which I pre- sume was an adult male, had the breast pure white and the other colours correspondingly richer. (Mrs.) Elsie Cassels, Red Deer, Alta. The Starling in Canada. — We all realize what a mistake it was to introduce the English or House Sparrow into America. However, even the lamentable results of naturalizing this alien was not a sufficiently awful example and the experiment had to be tried with other species. Most such introduc- tions have been failures. The European Gold Finch survived in limited numbers for a while, but quickly died out. The success with other species, such as the Skylark was equally futile, except in the case of the Starling. It has suceeded and mul- tiplied near New York and adjoining coastal lo- calities and like most of such successful introduc- tions we wish it had been otherwise. Whilst not promising to be such an arrant pest as the English Sparrow, its effect has not been good and, flocking to city parks, orchards and such semi-wild places, has still further displaced native species with whom we are in closer sympathy. It has shown all its bad habits and few redeeming good ones. So far, in Canada, we have congratulated our- selves that our climate would prevent the intrusion of the Starling into our country and while we felt com- miseration for our neighbors across the border we took little more than an academic interest in the matter. But it now looks as if our complacency was to be rudely shattered. The Starling has been reported from Canada. Mrs. R. W. Leonard, of St. Catherines, Ont., writes that she saw a small flock about her place last winter. Further inquiries bring forth the following information from her in substantia- tion. The birds were observed at a distance of about twenty-five feet through field glasses and were identified by means of comparison with descriptions and plates in Chapman's Birds of Eastern North America, Reed's Bird Guide and the National Geographic Magazine. They are described as fol- lows: "Their heads were dark and something like a blackbird's, the wings were a very dark shade of brown, speckled all over with light spots." This last detail seems to be conclusive and to quiet any doubts that might otherwise arise as to the identi- fication. There have not been any published reports of the birds occurrence anything like so far from the place of original introduction and it is surprising that they should have made this great jump in distri- bution without being reported from intermediate lo- calities. Any other appearance of this species should be immediately reported that we may keep track of its spread and perhaps initiate methods of prevention. P. A. Taverner. 100 The Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. How a Young Puppy Avoided Starvation. — The Clearwater river, which enters the Athabasca at Fort McMurray, Alta., is from its mouth as far as Portage la Loche, a comparatively well-travelled canoe route. Several canoes at least will pass up and down its waters each month of navigation. This portion of the river was formerly an important link in the line of travel between the Churchill and Mackenzie river districts and is still largely travelled. Above Portage la Loche, however, the river is rarely used, the Swan lake Indians being practically the only travellers. These people inhabit the region about Swan lake at the headwaters of the river up in the granite area, and come down once a year to trade at Methye lake. While on this upper portion of the Clearwater last summer, the writer came across an interestmg example of how necessity can change the food habits of the domestic dog. On one of the port- ages at some little distance from the trail, a whmmg sound was heard, and on closer investigation a young puppy was discovered apparently not over three months old. In all probability he could not be found when the Indians moved their camp, as dogs in that country are too valuable to be volun- tarily abandoned. Pathos was lent to the scene when he was discovered lying on a new Indiar grave, which had been excavated laboriously by a wooden pick and shovel. These, as well as a motley array of ancient pails and cans, had beer, left on the grave, while nearby was a small bottle filled with water hung from a branch to ward off evil spirits. We afterwards learned that the Indians had left for their homes at Swan lake nearly two months before, and in all probability had been absent from the portage at least six weeks. The degree of slumping of the earth on the grave lent corrobora- tion to this estimate. Apparently the puppy had lived on his own resources for that time. Con- siderable coaxing was required to gain his confidence so that he could be approached, but having done so, we were surprised to find that he was in much better condition than might have been expected. To one accustomed to seeing the gaunt, starving spectres of that country, which hang about the camps, stealing every possible scrap of food, the ap- pearance of this little fellow, in an unhabited coun- try, only a few weeks old, and whom one would not expect to know how to forage for himself, was quite remarkable. Upon closer investigation, it was found that he had changed his normal diet en- tirely, and, copying his cousin bruin, had become a berry eater. The country over which the portage passes is a burnt jackpine plain where blueberries These fruits the young dog was eating constantly, and he continued to do so, even after we had given him, as we thought ,a square meal of rice and meat scraps. Apparently he had become much addicted to his new diet. As he had made such a game ?truggle for existence, and as the autumn frosts would soon render his food supply precarious, we took him along until we reached the first Indian encampment on our return journey. Although well fed, when- ever we landed, he would jump ashore and com- mence hunting for berries. One wonders why more dogs in that country do not take advantage of this kind of food, but such occurrences seem uncommon. It may be added that kindness is as effective with the Indian's dog as with the most pampered poodle. The average dog of the north country, kicked, clubbed, and whipped from puppyhood, can scarcely be blamed for occasionally biting even the hand that attempts to pat or feed it. Although with us a very short time, this little dog was very affection- ate and, as we paddled away, eluded the hands of the Indians to whom he had been given, jumped into the river and swam after us, and had to be re- turned forcibly to their keeping. E. J. Whittaker. Since mentioning the admirable work of Hamil- ton Laing m the Nature column of the Toronto Globe, (Can. Field Nat., xxxiii., p. 99). I have had my attention called to another similar writer in the Dail^ Province, Vancouver, B.C., J. W. Win- son who under the nom-de-plume of "Wild-wood" contributes a series of articles entitled Open-air Jottings. These are a little more purely literary than those mentioned before but breath a wholesome out-of-doors spirit that is refreshing. They may not contain much information that is new to science but they present commonplace every day activities of wild and semi-wild things in an interesting light and must have a decided influence in educating the eyes of the indifferent to the wonders about them. If is to be regretted that the author does not boldly sign his own name. There is so much nature fakery that it is only due the public to let them know who they are listening to so they may judge author- itatively. P. A. Taverner. and low bush cranberries grow in great profusion. A Spider New to Canada. — ^At Lake Missa- nog, Frontenac Co., Ontario, on September 13th, 1919, I collected specimens of Drapetisca socialis, a little spider which runs about on the trunks of trees. Mr. J. H. Emerton, who kindly determined the specimens of this species, informs me that these ^nadian specimens Jie has seen. A. Brooker Klugh. LIBRARY THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALISkL • ^' VOL. XXXIV. OTTAWA, ONT., SEPTEMBER, 1^20. No. 6. AMONG THE COFFIN-CARRIERS. Bv Harrison F. Lewis, Bergerville, P.Q. Near at hand lay the nest-dotted green slopes of the island, stretches of rank grass alternating with thickets of raspberry and waving alder; farther back were the sparkling blue lake waters, with here and there flocks of great Gulls bedded upon them; and in the distance rose other islands, dark-green lumps, marked with numerous white spots proclaiming their winged inhabitants at home. The picture was most charming, but upon it the eye did not linger, for the centre of attraction was directly overhead, imperiously demanding atten- tion. There, in the bright rays of the June sun, with the soft blue sky as a background, wheeled and circled, a hundred feet above me, a black and white cloud of six hundred Great Black-backed Gulls, the largest, the most magnificent, the most inspiring of cur Sea-gulls. There was a scene which could not be duplicated ! Not in Labrador, not in Greenland were these Gulls gathered thus. The lake in which they make their home is bordered in part by farm lands, is within a mile or two of a railway, and within twelve miles of a town of seven thousand people. Although considered one of the wildest of Gulls, the Great Black-backed Gull ( Larus marinus) or "Coffin-carrier" has established this colony, de- clared by Dr. C. W. Townsend to be "the largest breeding colony of this bird known, and the most southern one," in the midst of an accessible, agri- cultural country at Lake George, Yarmouth Coun- ty, Nova Scotia. Lake George is situated in the northwestern part of Yarmouth Country, in latitude 44° N., long- itude 66° 2' W., four miles from the Atlantic shore. It is four miles long and two miles wide, has a very irregular shore-line, and contains about a dozen islands, on seven of which, in the northern part of the lake, the Gulls nest. The greater part of its shore is wooded, but at no place are farm lands far distant, while for two or three miles they border directly upon the beach. The water-supply for the town of Yarmouth, twelve miles distant, is obtained from this lake. I know of no generally recognized names for the islands occupied by the Gulls, but in order to make my records intelligible I have adopted for my own use names which are here given, together with sufficient information to render the islands identifiable. Big Gull Island is the largest island in the northern part of the lake, and has a larger number of nesting Gulls than has any other island. It is about a quarter of a mile long and half as wide, and rises some forty or fifty feet above the surrounding waters. The greater part of it is covered with alders and wild raspberry bushes, but there are some areas of open grassland, and a few spruce trees. Northern Gull Island lies north of Big Gull Island, to which it is similar, although smaller and with a larger wooded area. Bar Island is a low bar of rocks and gravel, of small extent, without trees or bushes. It lies south of Big Gull Island, and is elevated but one or two feet above the surface of the lake. Garnet Island lies south- east of Big Gull Island, near the eastern shore of the lake. It is small and narrow, and supports two or three living spruces and about a dozen dead ones. On its western side is a rather large area of coarse red sand, made up of small garnets. Cat- brier Island, lying south of Garnet Island, is thick- ly wooded. A small thicket of Catbrier (Smilax rotundifolia), which is uncommon in Nova Scotia, grows among its trees. Southern Gull Island is another small wooded island, lying south of Cat- brier Island. Round Island is fairly well wooded, and IS more nearly circular than are the other islands named. It is near the western side of the lake, at some distance from the remainder of the Gull colony. My latest visit to this thriving colony was made on June 16, 1920, when I spent about six hours there and landed on each of the islands on which the Gulls nest, and made in each case a short, rough survey, walking over as much of each island as was practicable and noting numbers of nests, eggs, and young birds. As the greater part of the nesting area is covered with a dense growth of 102 The Canadian Field-Naturalist [Vol. XXXIV. trees, bushes, or ferns, no doubt many nesis, prob- ably about one-third of the total number present, escaped my eye. A much larger proportion of the young birds, perhaps four-fifths, must have been passed unseen by me. Not long after hatching, these young Gulls are able to leave the nest, and at the approach of danger, to hide in the abundant cover. The skill with which they do this, and the very large proportion which in consequence are passed unnoticed are well shown by my experience in July, 1914, when banding young Gulls on Big of which was already banded. In other words, less than 7'/, of the first lot of young birds could be found in the second search, while more than 95';^ of the second lot escaped observation at the time of the first search. In addition to counting exactly the young birds, nests, and eggs seen, I made careful estimates of the number of grown-up Gulls belonging to each island. This was very difficult because, when I visited an island. Gulls from other islands would fly over, in greater or less numbers, to join the A QUIET nozt:— TWO lakp: george coffin-carriers resting on their NESTING-ISLAND. Photo by Howard H. Cleaves: reiiroducecl by permission — Cut by courtesy of Dominion Parlis Branch. Gull Island. A careful search of the island at that time revealed but 19 young Gulls, of which I banded 16, all that were large enough for the pur- pose. I then went to another island, and was there long enough to allow resumption of normal life and a general moving about on the part of the young Gulls on Big Gull Island. Then I returned to Big Gull Island and searched it a second time, finding 21 young Gulls large enough for banding, but one actual residents of the island in protest. Neverthe- less, I made repeated, careful estimates, with all the known conditions in view, and with the exer- cise of the strongest conservatism. A few Herring Gulls (Larus argentatus) are included in the colony, but they are almost lost in the clouds of Black-backs, in comparison with whose grandeur they, splendid birds though they are, seem small and very ordinary. September, 1920] The Canadian Field-Naturalist 103 The results of my survey are shown in the figures in the table are the results of actual counts, accompanying table. The figures in the three The term "adult" in this table refers to all birds columns at the right are estimates; all the other hatched prior to 1920. m bB'^ J2 r-" K bj) m ." C . C