VOL. XXXV. No. 1.

JANUARY, 1021

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ISSUED JUNE 8th, 1921
Entered at Gardemale Post Office as second class metier.

THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS' CLUB

President: R. M. Anderson
1st Vice President: G. A. Millar 2nd Vice President: Hoyes Lloyd

Treasurer:
Secretary: C. B. Hutchings

Clyde L. Patch (Entomological Branch

(Geological Survey) Dept. Agriculture.)

Additional Members of Council: W. T. Macoun; Miss M. E. Cowan; C. M.
Sternberg; H. I. Smith; F. W. Waugh; P. A. Taverner; E. Sapir;
E. M. Kindle; W. J. Wintemberg; R. E. Delury; Arthur Gibson;

Norman Criddle

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

Editor:
D. Jenness
Victoria Memorial Museum, Ottawa
Associate Editors:

E. Sapir - - - Anthropology A. G. Huntsman - Marine Biology
M. O. Malte - - - Botany P. A. Taverner - - Ornithology

F. R. Latchford - - Conchology E. M. Kindle - - Palaeontology
M. Y. Williams - - Geology R. M. Anderson - - Zoology

Arthur Gibson Entomology

CONTENTS.

Faunal Notes from the Atlantic Biological Station (1920). By A. Willey and A. G.

Huntsman ^

The Liard River Flood of July, 1919. By E. J. Whittaker 7

Vancouver Natural History Society— Naturalists Study Alpine Flora 9

Bird Notes by the way in the Maritime Provinces. By Hoyes Lloyd 11

Prosecutions, Migratory Birds Convention Act and North West Game Act 13

Brief Report of the Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club for the year 1920 ......... . 15

Notes and Observations:

Mr. Arthur Gibson — an Appreciation. W. T. M 16

The Spruce Drummer. J. L. DeVany 16

Some Observations on Blanding's Turtle. L. L. Snyder 17

Hornby's Petrel. P. A. Taverner • • • • • 18

Notes on the behaviour of the Chipmunk— No. 2. A. Brooker Klugh . . 18
Archaeological Evidence concerning the presence of the Gray Fox in

Ontario. W. J. Wintemberg 1^

20
Editorial Note

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST, lately The Ottawa Natura-
list established thirty-two years ago, "to publish the results of original research
or investigation in all departments of natural history," is issued monthly,
excepting for the months of June, July and August.

Papers, notes and photographs should be addressed to the Editor. Manu-
script should be typewritten. ^ j • , ^

Subscriptions cover the current year, except those taken out during last
quarter when they will be applied on the following year, the remaining numbers
of current year being sent free. Payments should be made to the Treasurer,
Mr. C. B. Hutchings, Entomological Branch, Dept. of Agricultme, Ottawa.
Price of this volume $1.50; single copies 20c each.

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

VOL. XXXV.

OTTAWA, ONT., JANUARY, 1921

No. 1.

FAUNAL NOTES FROM THE ATLANTIC BIOLOGICAL STATION (1920.)

By A. WiLLEV and A. G. Huntsman.

Owing to its geographical situation, Pas-
samaqiioddy bay occupies a critical posi-
tion between the Gulf of Maine and the
Bay of Fundy ; its herring and pollock
fisheries give it a definite standing as a
fishing ground ; and the Biological Station
makes it a centre of research. In view of
these circumstances and for other reasons
which could be but need not be mentioned
here, we thought it desirable to put on
record some of the more salient of tlie oc-
casional observations, having no relation
to the main business of the station, which
came to our notice during the summer of
1920. We found for example indications
that when a group of animals has been
treated monographically, members of that
group that have not been mentioned in tlie
monographs will nevertheless make tiieir
appearance in the bay. And their presence
in the bay is at least as interesting as is
their mention in a monograph.

Not all the records which follow are
those of fugitive species, but great im-
portance should be assigned to the latter
because of their relation to the prevailing
currents. . It is sometimes assumed that
permanent residents are more valuable
than transitory vagrants. This is true for
commercial exploitation but not for scien-
tific interpretation. And the Biological
Station may be said to exist for the pur-
pose of effecting the reconciliation between
science and commerce in fishery matters.
In such a sense we believe that these notes
are worth the trouble that has been in-
volved in making the identifications.

- Every bay has something out of the
ordinary to offer every year, but it is
rarely that the opportunity arises for the
exceptional events to be authenticated.

Gellius arcofenis Vosmaer (Figure 1).

An example of this siliceous sponge, two
feet in diameter, was obtained in the

shrimp trawl on June 23rd, 1920, at.
' ' Prince ' ' station No. 4, in Passamaquoddy
l)ay, at a depth of 25 metres on a muddy
bottom. From the standpoint of system-
atic zoology it was the most notable trophy
of the season. It is a circular mat-like
sponge and it is proposed to call it the
' ' mat-sponge ' ' ; only about half of the
circle was secured. It is one of Vosmaer 's
Arctic sponges, named by him in 1885
from material obtained by the AVillem
Barents Expedition (1880-1881) in the
Barents Sea between 72° and 77° north
latitude and between 24° and 50° east
longitude, from depths of 140 to 170
fathoms. All the specimens at his dis-
posal were fragments, flat pieces indicat-
ing, as he thought, tliat the original shape
was probably that of a fan. Two exam-
ples of the same species were dredged up
by the Swedish (Vega) Arctic expedi-
tions, one of Avhich was cake-like and cir-
cular, 90 mm. in diameter. These were
described bv Fristedt in 1887 ; one from
Lat. 76° 52 ''n.. Long. 116° E., 36 fathoms;
the other from Lat. 59° 33' N., Long. 43°
28' W., south of Greenland, 120 fathoms.

Lastly a few examples, dredged by Mr.
J. F. Whiteaves in 1872 in the Gulf of St.
Lawrence off Cape Gaspe and Cap des
Rosiers, 75 to 80 fathoms, were described
by Lawrence M. Lambe in 1896 in the
Transactions of the Royal Society of C*an-
ada for that year. These were all flat,
about 18 mm. thick, and as much as 120
mm. across. Thus the sponge obtained
last year at the Biological Station was
much larger than any previously recorded
in that species, and illustrates very well
the pronounced Arctic element in the
fauna of Passamaquoddy bay. Such an
expanse of canal-system as this species
presents must exert a profound influence
upon the circulating pabulum of its en-
vironment and so play an economic role
not less important because unperceived.

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

[Vol. XXXV.

Staurophora mertensii Brandt.

This is the only large Hydroniedusan of
the bay. It attains a diameter of as miu-h
as 20 centimetres, and is a eonspieuoiis
object with a very distinct cross, formed
by the extension of the lobes of the mouth
from the centre of the animal along the
four radial canals well toward the margin.
In the summer of 1910 it was observed
commonly in the channels leading into the
bay as well as elsewhere in the vicinity. In
1912 it was observed floating in the bay
and stranded on the sliore at 8t. Andrews.

bay, appearing regularly every spring and
being so abundant during the summer as
to clog the planktcm nets. Cijanea, on the
other hand, is rare and comes into the bay
only periodically. For several years it has
been very rare or absent altogether, but
during this past summer (1920) it has
been fairly common. It did not make its
appearance, however, before July, and it
had quite evidently been brought in by
currents from its home in outer waters.
The sea anemone, Pcachia porasifica \'err.,
that lives fastened to it. was found this

Fig. 1. — G^ellius arcoferus, the mat-sponge, from a photograph (A.G.H.).

Since then it has not been seen until July
and August of this year (1920), when it
was found very generally in the passages
leading to the bay, in the bay itself, and
also in the tributary Avaters of the Maga-
guadavic and St. Croix rivers and St.
Andrews harbour.

Cyanea capillata, var. arctica Per. et Les.

This arctic form is the large red jelly-
fish that occurs commonly in the Gulf of
St. Lawrence. Aurelia flavidnla Per. et
Les., our other Scyphozoan medusa, is a
constant inhabitant of Passamaquoddy

year attached to large specimens just as
w^hen Cjanea was abundant a number of
years ago. In that year (1913) young
haddock {Melanogrammns) about 5 cm.
long were found living commensally with
the Cyanea, one or two of the fishes being
taken from each large jellyfish.

Polydora ciliata (Johnston 1838).

This tubiculous annelid worm is no
rarity, but its zoogeographical value is
great, being almost cosmopolitan in dis-
tribution. It occurs all round the British
islands ; Spitsbergen ; Scandinavia ; coast

Januaiy, 1921]

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

of France; Mediterranean and Black Sea;
Atlantic coast of the United States, in-
eluding the Woods Hole region; Australia
and the Philijopine islands. Its important
synonyms are P. agassizii Claparede 1868,
and P. Uttorea Verrill 1873.

On the sliore between the Biological Sta-
tion and Joe's point at low tide it is very
abundant on the shells of the living whelk,
Buccinum undatum. The free-swimming
larvae are quite common in the bay, thus
swelling the nutritive value of the plank-
toiL Tlie mud-tubes of the worms project
from openings in the surface of the shell
and when they are cleaned away the latter
is found to be eroded with vermiform
grooves. Often the worms are not buried
in the shell but lie in its furrows, and they
occur also elsewliere in tlie mudd}^ crevi-
ces of rocks. Tliey are not found at or
near the mouth of the shell. The same spe-
cies causes the so-called "worm-disease of
oysters" in New South Wales (White-
legge) and in the Mediterranean (Carraz-
zi), but when it infests oyster beds it at-
taches itself at the margin of the valves
where it causes eventually a fatal accu-
mulation of mud. Another species has
l)een found in company with P. ciliata,
namely, P. hoplura, which actually excava-
tes galleries in the shell of oysters, but it
is not certain whether this is effected by
mechanical or chemical means. It is pos-
sible that P. hoplura may also occur at St.
Andrews but it has not been recorded yet.

In frequenting the shell of such an act-
tive gastropod as the whelk, the Pohjdora
derives advantage from its mobility, like
Hydractinia which commonly selects sliells
occupied by Hermit Crabs but has been
found upon the shell of a living Buccinum
nndatvm at Woods Hole, as well as upon
rocks and piles. Tlie frequency of the oc-
currence of Pohjdora upon Buccinum at
St. Andrews entitles it to the local appella-
tion of " whelk- worm. "

Lepas hillii Leach.

No Lepadidae are native to the bay, such
as do occur being found only on drifting
wood that has l)een brought in more or less
casually from the warm waters of the Gulf
Stream, where the genus Lepas occurs com-
monly in several species. There is no re-
gularity in their entrance into tlie bav. In

1912 a block of Avcod with a large number
of Lepas hillii attached and well perforat-
ed by the shipworm, Teredo,^ which is also
an alien here, was brought to the Station
by fishermen, who had found it floating
beside a weir near St. Andrews. On
August 17th of tlie present year there were
sent to the Station specimens of the same
species that had been taken by a fisher-
man from a floating lobster pot near the
mouth of Kitty Cove. In both cases the
fishermen considered these animals as
something quite new and unheard of,
which indicates their great rarity here.

Idothea metallica Bosc.

When the late Mr. N. A. Wallace was
making his study of the Isopods of the Bay
of Fundy (recently published) in the years
1912 and 1913, he did not find this species.
Last summer (1919) during the investi-
gation of St. Mary bay on the coast of Nova
Scotia by the Biological Vessel "Prince'',
Dr. Philip Cox found a single specimen of
this form in the bay. Subsequently we ob-
tained a number of individuals from float-
ing seaweed on our way across the Bay of
Fundy. A large individual was taken in
the St. Croix river from the wharf of the
Biological Station by Dr. F. S. Jackson in
July of the present year. This species is
an inhabitant of the Gulf Stream, where
it occurs on floating Sargasso weed. It
does not properly belong to our coast, its
presence indicating some drift in to the
coast from the waters of the Gulf Stream.

Cancer horecdis Stimpson.

The common crab of the bay is Cancer
irrorafus Hay, the rock crab, which is to be
found nearly everywhere on sandy and
gravelly or stony bottoms from low-water
mark out into deep Avater. At the mouth
of the bay on rocky shores exposed to the
waves of the Bay of Fundy the Jonah crab.
Cancer horealis, is to be found quite reg-
ularly in small rock pools and in crevices.
This latter species is about the same size
as the rock crab (up to 12 or 13 cm.) but
is rougher and more strongly built. In the
St. Croix river in the vicinity of the Sta-
tion dead individuals have been found on
two occasions, namely in 1913 and again
during the present summer. It was a
matter, therefore, of considerable interest

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

[Vol. XXXV.

to find among the crabs brought in during
August from the h)bster traps that were
being fished in about five fathoms of
water near the Station, two fine living spe-
cimens of the Jonah crab. These were
easily kept for some time in an aquarium
in the laboratory. Both were abnormal
in having dark markings on the carapace,
the black colour being like that of a metal-
lic sulphide. The mud of the beach exhi-
bits this colour where decomposition of

much organic matters is

going on.

When

one of the crabs was opened part of the
digestive gland on the right side W'as
found to be much altered, some of the tub-

more appropriate one, as it describes the
unusual shape of the jaws that makes the
mouth open dorsally. In 1910 when col-
lecting at low tide on certain muddy flats
near the mouth of the Magagaadavic river
on the east side of the bay, holes an incli
or more in diameter were noticed in the
mud. Digging yielded no quarr\' from
these retreats, but while we were tramping
about in the mud a wrymouth suddenly ap-
peared. Similar action at another set of
holes yielded the same result. On June 21,
1920,. while at the IMagaguadavic river to
study the success of the smelt spawning,
the flats were visited at low tide, and four

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Fig. 2. — The system of burrows of a wrymouth. From a sketch (A.G.H.).

ules being black and hardened, and of a
horny consistenc3^ It would seem that
such individuals of the Jonah crab as come
so far into the estuary as the St. Croix
river are affected unfavorably, become
diseased and die; also that they keep to
deep water rather than entering the inter-
tidal zone.

Cryptacamthodes maculatus, Storer.

Advantage was taken of an opportunity
for making observations on this curious
and little known fish, that has been given
in English the names of Wrymouth and
Ghostfish. The former name seems the

wrymouth secured, all more than 40 cm.
long, that is, nearly full grown.

The burrows in which tlie fishes were
living Avere found in very soft mud from
the lower part of the Fucus zone down-
ward, that is as far up as four feet above
low water mark. Those at the highest level
were in shallow tide-pools and the others
in such flat situations as prevented them
from ever being drained of water. Each
system of burrows, inhabited by only one
fish, consisted of branching tunnels about
5 cm. in diameter, and from 3 to 8 cm.
below the surface. These tunnels to a cer-
tain extent radiated from a somewhat cen-

January, 1921]

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

5

trally placed low mound about 60 cm. in
diameter and 5 cm. high. In the centre of
this mound was a broad funnel-shaped de-
pression leading into the main entrance of
the system of burrows. Scattered for some
distance around the mound, within a circle
with a radius of from three to five feet or
even more, and opening from the burrows,
were a number of holes of the same dia-
meter, their margins being flush witli the
surface of the mud. One system was
traced out by opening up all the burrows.
It is represented in figure 2. It will be
seen that this system is not very regular,
and shows a development of the burrows
almost wholly on one side of the mound.
Most of the branches open to the surface,
but some end blindly. The openings are
to be found not onlv at the ends of the

the laboratory, in a flat, Shallow tank pro-
vided with running salt water. They were
heard making a very considerable com-
motion in the late afternoon and evening,
and on the next morning one was found
dead on the floor. On the following morn-
ing another was found dead. Boards were
then fastened around the edge of the tank,
and the remaining fish was kept without
difficulty through the season.

This individual, which was about 45
cm. in length, was a male, judging from
the examination made of the others. On
June 24th, a piece of black, hard rubber
pipe, 17s inches outside diameter, 1%
inches inside diameter, and 8 inches long,
was placed in the tank. After a time the
fish entered the pipe and took up a rest-
ing position with botli- ends protruding,

Fig. 3. — Wrymouth reclining in a tube in the aquarium.

photograpia (A.G.H.).

Sketched from a

branches, but also at the junctions and
along the course of the branches.

The fish were found to emerge, not from
the main opening in tlie mound, but from
one of the other openings, which sliows that
they were pointing aAvay from the mound.
We suppose that the mound opening is the
point from which the Ijurrows were form-
ed, that the mode of formation was the
thrusting of the animal "s head through the
soft mud, and that the other openings are
necessary for the indraught of fresh water
in breathing. Its method of bringing
fresh water into its burrow, to be des-
cribed later, is such as to cause a current
to flow from the peripheral openings to-
ward the centrally placed entrance, and
from this current is doubtless deposited
the material that forms the mound.

Three of the wrymouths were placed in

but with more of the head than of the tail
exposed (Figure 3). Later the head was
drawn back until just concealed. The pipe
rolled somewhat when the fish moved, and
finally the fish left the pipe. The latter
Avas then steadied with stones, and, when
the fish again entered, it Avas not readily
abandoned.

Locomotion. — Forward movements were
accomplished by means of undulator}- lat-
eral motions of the tail and posterior part
of the trunk well forward to the head, the
dorsal fin of that part being kept erect.
Backward movements were accomplished
by pressing the tail or part of the trunk
forward against objects, and by placing;
the pectoral fins on the bottom and turn-
ing them forwards. In forward and back-
ward movements the median (dorsal and
anal) fins were kept flexed except as men-

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

[Vol. XXXV.

tioiied above. A stimulation of the skin
of tlie side by touch caused the animal to
move forward when applied near the tail,
and to move backward when applied
farther forward.

Respirat ion. —OccaaionaXly the fish re-
treated to a position with about one quar-
ter of the anterior end protruding', and
Avith the ventral parts of the pectoral fins
bent back and applied to the bottom. The
liead and pectoral fins remained stationary,
and tlie remainder of the body performed
nndulatory motions, two complete waves
bein^' observed on the fish at any one mo-
ment. The dorsal fin preceded the body
sli«j:litly in the lateral movement. That a
current was made to flow tlirouf^'h the pipe
was demonstrated b^^ dropping some car-
mine, suspended in water, near the head
of the fish. The carmine particles were
drawn into the pipe. Other i)articles were
carried alongside the pipe and past the
other end. No carmine particles were ob-
served to issue from that end, probably
because of dispersion of the particles into
a larger volume of water, and because the
movement soon ceased. The fish seemed
to be irritated to some extent by the part-
icles. The movement lasted for from one
to two minutes. On one occasion the move-
ment was observed being carried out by
the fisli wlien it was not in the tube, but
in a corner of the tank with its head
against the end wall.

The respii-ations luimbered from 12 to
20 per minute. When the animal was ap-
proached it ceased breathing for from one
to two minutes. At the conclusion of this
period of rest, it would either give two or
three deep inspiratory gasps, opening its
mouth widely, or would merely resume
breathing at a somewhat more rapid rate
than usual. Occasionally on resumption of
breathing the lateral undulatory move-
ments would be commenced, the anterior
part of the body remaining stationary.
There can be little doubt that these move-
ments are initiated by dyspnoeic condi-
tions, and that they are for the purpose
of renewing the water in the burrows in
which the fish lives.

Feeding.— The stomachs of specimens
that were opened shortly after being
caught contained beach fleas, or s.-uds,
(Gammariis locusfa), sand shrimp, {f ajo

septemspinosus) , and fragments of
flounder, (Pseudopleurovectes america-
vus). The specimen kept in the tank took
food freely. It usually left its tube in the
late afternoon, and could be heard at dusk
thrashing around in the water. Scuds
placed in the tank disappeai-ed, as did also
hermit crabs {Pagurus acadianus). It
also took, when offered, small herring or
sardines, limpets, periwinkles, whelks,
clams, and mussels. These it would take
from the hand, even reaching out of the
water to seize them, and approaching from
a distance of as much as a foot. Sight seem-
ed to be as important as smell in determin-
ing its feeding, as it Avould show excitement
by moving its tail and lifting its head, and
finally move forward and snap with its
jaws when the finger was held just above
the surface of the water in front of it. Not
only was the food seized, but also there
was a strong indraught of water into the
mouth that carried the food along. When
the feeding was done at the surface of the
water, air also Avas drawn in, producing
the sound so characteristic of the last
stages in pumping the bilge water out of a
boat, when the water is mixed with air.
The dorsal position of the mouth is favour-
able to the taking of food from above,
which is perhaps the normal method with
this fish. At times, however, it was seen
to turn on its side in order to seize food
lying on the bottom of the tank. Food
taken into the mouth was either rejected
or swalloAved by a series of vigorous perist-
altic movements of the mouth and throat.
To swallow a very large piece might re-
quire considerable time, and might even
result in the fish coming out of its tube
for more freedom, and turning all the way
over once or twice in its swallowing efforts.

Zoarces anguillaris (Peck).

A muttonfish 45 cm. in length was kept
in one of the flat tanks of the laboratorv
during the latter half of the sea.son and
proved to be quite hardy. It fed regularly
on the fish and shell-fish given it, ap-
proaching from a distance of more than a
foot to take food from the hand. The
enormous thick liixs were used more than
the teeth for taking hold of the morsels
and a strong inspiration of water carried
the food in. Swallowing did not immed-
iately follow the taking of food, but was

January, 1921]

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

preceded hy a rather prolonged series of
masticatory movements involving both
mouth and" tliroat, and in which the head
was nodded vigorously by movements in
the vertical plane, the downward ones being
the more vigorous.

The enormous pectoral fins were used
in slow backward and fcrward locomotion,
each fin being kept in a vertical position
and slightly folded with the convex side
in the direction of movement. At rest
each fin is held out from the body almost
in the lioi'izontal plane and against the
bottom, with the dorsal i)art posteriorly
placed and somewhat raised. Rapid swim-

ming is accomplished by undulatory move-
ments of the posterior part of the trunk
and tail; the pectoral fins being extended
to the fullest extent and held horizontally
with the dorsal edge in front, while the
dorsal and anal fins are kept close to the
body, at least anteriorly.

Touching the side of the trunk or tail
resulted in the erection of the dorsal fhi.
After repeated stimulation the response
became rather local, extending both for-
ward and backAvard from tlie level of the
point touched, but chiefly backward. At
the same time the fin was bent toward the
side stimulated.

THE LlARl) RIVER FLOOD OF .U'LY 191!).
By E. J. Whittaker.

In a recent issue of the (i(o<jr(iphic(il
Review- Dr. E. M. Kindle states that the
Liard is the main source of supply of drift-
wood for tlie Mackenzie River, and that
"the unusually high stage which the Liard
reached in 1919 set afloat a vast quantity
of stranded logs, many of which had start-
ed their northern journey in previous
years." In view of the fact that this flood
was unprecedented within the memories of
the present inhabitants of tlie i-egion, and
also that the writer was ascending the Liard
during the period of maximum flood con-
ditions, the following observations are pre-
sented which may be of interest to readers
of this publication.

After a quick trip from Edmonton the
Geological Survey party to which the
Avriter was attached reached Fort Simp-
son, N.W.T., on July 1st, 1919. This fort
is situated on an island at the junction of
the Liard and Mackenzie Rivers, and at no
other point is there a more striking view
of the width and volume of this northern
waterway. Upon enquiry we were told
that the flood stage of the river had reach-
ed its maximum about three days before,
and had now fallen four feet below the
high water mark. The following day,
Wednesday, July 2, we commenced track-

1 Published by permission of the Director of
the Geological Survey of Canada.

-Kindle, E. M., "Mackenzie River Drift-
wood", Geographical Review, Vol. XI, January,
192], No. 1. pp. 50-53.

ing up tlie Liard. Owing to the high
water, travel was not easy, yet we hoped
it would steadily improve as the river level
lowered. It did actually lower until Sat-
urday afternoon, July oth, during which
time we re^iched and i)assed the long series
of rapids about thirty miles above Fort
Simpson. We camped that evening on the
shore opposite the lowei" end of Gros Cap
Island, at the upper end of the canyon.
During the afternoon a slight increase in
the quantity of driftwood warned us that
the river was once more rising. All day
Sunday it rose slowly but steadily, ten
inches in the twenty-four hours.

About midnight of the 6th, the noise of
the water and the grinding and breaking
of trees increased perceptibly. The river
became quickly covered with driftwood
from bank to bank and encroached rapidly
upon our camp site, which had been se-
lected for convenience rather than with an
eye to floods. This site had to be abandon-
ed. As higli ground was a long distance
back through a dense forest and it was
now impossible to go upstream against the
driftwood laden waters, which were already
undermining and dropping trees into the
river, we went carefully downstream three
miles to Poi)lar river, where a bank 250 ft.
high made certain that we could retreat as
high as necessary, and the dead water at
the mouth of the smaller stream made a
secure harbour for the canoe.

We remained at this camp 4 days, dur-

8

The Canadian Field-Natubalist.

[Vol. XXXV.

ing whicli the rapids on the Poplar River
above its moutli were drowned out one by
one as the rising Liard backed its waters
higher up. By this time the larger river
was full of sediment and for drinking
water we had to go farther up the Poplar,
whose clear reddish waters were much more
palatable. A large boulder which had
been noted on the upward journey was se-
lected as a gauge and then corresponding
marks were cut on the bank. The waters
rose at this point over seventeen feet in
sixty hours. Unfortunately some pictures
which were taken of the changed appear-
ance of the banks were ruined by the damp
weather, as the moisture penetrated even
so-called waterproof tins. A conspicuous
flat island at the mouth of the Poplar with
a steep bank about ten feet high was com-
pletely submerged and at the height of the
flood only the tops of its small spruces
were to be seen. In traversing the neigh-
bourhood, the sound of rushing river water
was heard in some places a quarter of a
mile and more from the river bank, while
the forest was being denuded of its fallen
trees and its underbrush was being flat-
tened. On the opposite side of the river
where the shore was a cut bank of till,
great cracks appeared in the cliff resulting
in huge long masses weighing hundreds of
tons becoming undercut and detached ;
these fell into the river from time to time
with a noise that rose even above that of
the Avater and caused great waves whicli
came, in spite of the driftwood, across tlie
river to our camp.

The high water mark of the flood Avas
reached at 3 p.m., Thursday, July 10th,
and after remaining at this level for four
hours, began to recede. At this time the
waters were eighteen feet above ordinary
high Avater mark. This part of the river,
hoAvever, Avas narroAv, and the waters piled
up more than in the Avider sections.

As soon as Ave Avere able to travel we start-
ed upstream once more and found that the
banks had suffered considerably. Every-
Avhere they had been cut back for many
yards and Avere a mass of tAvisted and
gnarled trees. Out in the current hun-
dreds of trees AA'hich still Avere fastened to
the land by their roots, SA\'aying and twist-
ing, Avere given, Avhere possible, a Avide
berth by the canoe. Their numbers Avere

increased at intervals by other trees fall-
ing into the river. Camp spots Avere dif-
ficult to find as the shore could only be
gained at intervals OAving to the aboA'e con-
ditions, and even Avhen Ave Avere ashore
everything AA^as covered with about six
inches of soft black mud, ncAvly deposited
by the river. This latter condition Avas
most noticeable in the "Long Reach",
Avhere the river is over a mile Avide Avith
loAv banks of sand and clay. There Avas
one small point Avhere over eight feet of
sand had been deposited. Trees Avere
dragging b}^ their roots one hundred feet
out from the cut bank, Avhich had thus
been cut back for at least that distance.
At one spot at the junction of the Liard
and Nahanni Rivers Avhere there were se-
veral old Indian ca])ins, erosion had ex-
posed Avhat Avas apparently the ancient re-
mains of a rude coffin. It may be said
that although the river dropped sloAvly, it
remained very high all summer, and had
the Forts Liard and Nelson been obliged
to depend for provisions, as in previous
years, on scoavs brought up by trackers,
they Avould have been late in receiving
them. It Avas not till September, Avhen
the sandbars began to be exposed, that such
transportation could have been attempted.
Fortunately the ncAv steamer of the Hud-
son's Bay Company Avas able to reach
these forts in the latter half of July.

That the flood of the Liard in 1919 was
unusual the folloAving facts Avill shoAv. The
Hudsons' Bay Company had cut wood the
previous Avinter all along the river for
their ncAv steamer. According to Captain
Mills not a single Avood pile remained, and
the crew had to cut their own fuel at all
times. SeA-eral buildings at Fort Liard
Avhich Avere almost as old as tlie fort
itself Avere undercut and destroyed. An-
cient log jams which had Avithstood the ice
and floods of many previous years w^ere
entirely removed. At the junction of the
Liard and Nahanni, and also up the latter
stream, Avere two gardens and cabins of a
trapper called LaFleur. Both his pota-
toes and house Avere submerged. In many
cases the shore, Avliich had been of a mat-
ure type AAdth grass-covered gentle^ slopes
on which were very old Indian camp sites,
Avas converted into high steep cut banks!

Dr. Kindle in the article previouslv

January, 1921]

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

9

que ted states *'riie vanguard of the main
volume of the Liard driftwood reached Old
Fort Good Hope on the Lower Mackenzie
about July 13th ' '. This vanguard reached
our camp on the Liard at Gros Cap Island
about midnight of July 6th. The drift-
wood tlierefore required at most about
seven days to travel the distance between
these two i)oints, which is approximately
620 miles. This means that it was trans-
ported at an average rate of at least three
and three-quarters miles an hour, and
gives a good idea of the swift current of
the Mackenzie.

The flood was caused by unusually warm
and abundant rains throughout the basin

of the Liard. This river rises in and
drains a large area west of the main range

of the Rockies between latitudes 58 deg. and
61 deg. 30 min. N. and then cuts through
this range to the eastward. The warm
rains not only caused the rivers to rise by
their own precipitation, but also rapidly
melted the mountain snows. That the
flood extended to its headwaters was shown
by the large number of huge trees in the

. driftwood common in Northern British
Columbia, but entirely unknown in the
lower reaches of the river. We had only
six dry days out of six weeks on our trip,
wliicli accounts for the continued high
Avater all summer.

VANCOUVER NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.
Naturalists Study Alpine Flora.

The nintli of a series of excursions held
this summer by the Vancouver Natural
History Society took place last week end
when a party of 22 ladies and gentlemen
left on Saturday to study the flora of
Grouse, Dam and Goat Mountains.
Amongst those present Avere several mem-
bers of the University Summer School Bot-
any Class which finished work the previous
day, and this outing proved a fitting
climax to a strenuous term of indoor lect-
ures.

TTnder the leadership of the President,
John Davidson, F.L.S., the party proceed-
ed via Lonsdale, Mosquito Creek, where at-
tention was directed to the devastating ef-
fect of erosion, which the President several
years ago foretold would result if logging
operations were carried on in that vicinity.
It was pointed out that the people of N.
Vancouver in future years will have to pay
for the folly of the present generation in
allowing erosion to commence through per-
mitting a logging company to obtain a few
thousand dollars Avorth of timber. Al-
ready trees, houses and bridges had been
destroyed at this point and greater havoc
is likely to take place Avithin the next fcAV
years. Continuing, the party travelled via
tlie B. C. Mountaineering Club's trail to
the Club's Cabin, use of AA'hich had been
kindly granted for the occasion. During
this part of the journey attention was
draAA'n to the changes in A^egetation corres-
ponding with the cliange in altitude. The
trees and undergroAvtli at first were sim-

ilar to those found around Vancouver, the
Giant Cedar, Sitka Spruce, Hemlock, and
Douglas Fir, Avith undergroAvtli of Salal,
Huckleberries (Avhich are more abundant
than usual this year), and False Azalea,
while here and there Avere found patches
of PipsisseAva, a native plant used for medi-
cinal purposes. Higher up, near the 2,000 ft,
altitude. Western White Pine Avith its long
cones and leaves in clusters of five became
frequent, and occasional trees of YelloAv
Cedar and Western Ycav Avere observed,
the latter Avith its beautiful red berry-like
fruits in evidence.

Dinner past, the evening Avas spent in-
specting a collection of pressed plants pre-
pared by one of the members who had re-
cently returned from a trip through the
drybelt. By this time, in spite of the light
smoke screen Avhich hung over the inlet,
the lights of VancouA'er AA^ere in evidence
and the party spent half an hour picking
out the various sections and streets of the
city; motor cars and inter-urban trains
Avere discernible by their strong head
lights.

By half past six the folloAving morning
the cabin Avas astir, some getting break-
fast ready, others packing supplies for
lunch, Avhile novices looked on AAdth interest
at hoAv things Avere done by mountaineers.
Breakfast past the party Avas divided into
tw^o sections, one, under the leadership of
the Society's treasurer, Mr. Jas. Lyall,
taking the direct trail from the cabin to
the Plateau of Grouse ; the other, under the

10

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

[Vol. XXXV.

leadership of the President, taking the
longer and more arduous route up the
bluffs via Larsen's trail, both parties to
meet again at the summit of Grouse
Mountain.

Soon after starting on the trail, no less
than three different species of Club-mosses
were found on the southern slopes at 2,300
ft. elevation. Descending to a valley 1,900
feet above sea level, the party found a
great \^riety of ferns and flowering plants,
the Cliff-brake Fern — often erroneously
called Parsley Fern — the Oak Fern, Sword
Fern, Deer Fern, or Rock Fern ; the Goats-
Beard, Ocean-Spray, several Saxifrages,
two species of Pentstemon with beautiful
purple flowers, Dwarf Salal and numer-
ous other species which had flowered ear-
lier in the season and were now in fruit.
Tlie trail zig-zags onward and upward
over the ledges known as Eagle Bluffs,
and on these ledges sufficient soil has ac-
cumulated to support a great variety of
trees, shrubs and flowering plants. Wild
Roses, Black-Caps, Huckleberries, Blue-
berries, and Blackberries were much in
evidence, and here one noticed the gradual
change from lowland trees to alpine spe-
cies; the Western Hemlock and Giant
Cedar of lower altitudes gave place to the
Mountain Hemlock and Yellow Cedar,
while the Western White Pine became
common, the abundance of shed needles on
the trail causing some anxiety to one or
two members who had omitted to provide
themselves with proper foot-wear. On
reaching the plateau the party inspected
the area affected by fire, and, satisfied
that it was safe to proceed, continued the
journey which had Goat Mountain as the
objective. Here they were joined by three
members who missed the ferry the previous
day and who, not knowing the right trail,
arrived at the plateau with a limited sup-
ply of provisions and utensils and spent
the night in the open.

On the plateau and regions above the
forest is chiefly Mountain Hemlock, Yel-
low Cedar, and Lovely Fir, the latter being
often mistaken and cut for White Fir,
which in this part of Canada is really the
Grand Fir. The underbrush consists lar-
gely of White Rhodedendron which was
past its best, and the beautiful Copper-
bush, while the ground is carpetted by the

so-called Heather, a ver}- different plant
from any of the Scotch species.

No time was spent on Grouse summit,
tlie party continuing to the valley between
Grouse and Dam Mountains where both
parties joined and started the ascent of
Dam together. Here on the east slopes
were found many additional aljiine species,
some in flower, others in fruit, the Arnica,
Mountain Flea-Bane, Grass of Parnassus,
Mountain Dewberry, Rosy Twisted Stalk,
and mountain Mare's Tail were found in
floMer, while False Hellebore, Marsh Mari-
gold, tlie leathery Saxifrage, and other
alpine plants were found in fruit.

In the midst of these flowers the com-
pany halted by a streamlet for lunch, and
in a short time the "billies" were boiling
and tea served to the members, who by
this time were ready to forego their higher
education in order to satisfy wliat seemed
to be insatiable appetites. This done, all
were ready to proceed to the summit of
Dam mountain, 4,500 feet above sea level,
where a photograph was taken of the party
in order to have a record of the largest
Natural History excursion to this point.

Thereafter eleven of the members pro-
ceeded to Goat Mountain. In former years
the intervening ridge proved a profitable
region for the botanist, but this year on
account of the lightness of the winter's
snoM'fall everything had so dried up that
nothing was added to what had already
been found. Even on Goat Mountain,
where at this time of the year on former
occasions large patches of snow were found,
this year the snow had completely gone
and the summit was as dry as the summit
of Grouse. This year, however, the com-
paratively rare and interesting little Saxi-
frage known as Tolmie's Saxifrage w-as
found in flower, whereas in previous years
it was seen just emerging near the margin
of the snow patches.

At three fifteen the party retraced their
steps to the Plateau and returned by the
direct trail to the B.C.M.C. Cabin where
supper was served. All were unanimous
in the opinion that this excursion had
proved the most pleasant and profitable
outing held this season, though some hadj
forebodings of aching muscles for a dayl
or two after the trip. The party wasl

Jaimarv. 19211

The Canadian Field-Natikalist.

11

composed of Mrs. D(Higlas Mcintosh,
Misses Kirk, M. Bain, N. Bain, Hyndman,
I. Clemens, Aish, M. Armstrong, E. Suther-
land, G. Rogers (Victoria), R. Stewart,

(Victoria), Thyne, and Messrs. J. David-
son, J. Lyall, F. Perry, McNair, Kirk, .[.
D. Turnbnll, J. W. "Turnbnll. Wiekson
(Victoria), D. Nelson, R. R. Earle.

BIRD NOTES BY THE WAY IN THE MARITIME PROVINCES.

By Hoyes Lloyd.

From Mai-cli to October 1919 I spent
about three montlis in the Maritime Prov-
inces of Canada. There Avere three dif-
ferent trips as follows : March 16 — May 7 ;
' July 15 — August 10 ; and October ; the
last of which may lie neglected here.

Those Canadians who do not know the
Maritime Provinces have not seen one of
the loveliest parts of their country.
Although occupied with other things,
every opportunity was taken to study tlie
birds of this territory which was new to
me. Dependence upon field glasses instead
of specimens for identification of some
birds seen was unsatisfactory, and should
anyone care to question this species or
that, I must advise him to go where the
spruces fringe the roadside, where the
muddy tidal flats shine in the summer
sunshine, and see for himself.

Leaving Ottawa on March 14th. the only
common birds to be seen from the train
were Crows and a single straggling flock
of Horned Larks. The Crows were already
common in Quebec and New Brunswick
along the Intercolonial Railway on the
15th. At Dalhousie Junction, an early
Grackle was seen on the top of a pine. The
icy expanse of Chaleur Bay with its pat-
ches of open blue sea gave little promise
of Spring, but there was the Grackle in
defiance of Winter.

On March 16th I walked across the
frozen St. John River from Fredericton,
New Brunswick, reaching the point where
a small stream flows into the St. John. A
flock of 18 Snow Buntings were found and
many of them were singing in chorus. They
had chosen a large elm for this rather un-
usual performance and all perched in the
branches to enjoy or participate in it. This
tree was evidently used solely for this
vocal performance by the flock, for they
flew off but returned shortly and resumed
their singing.

The song was canary-li^e, interrupted

with twitters as in the Goldfincli and with
the regular whirring flight note of the
Snow Bunting. It was sweet and bub-
bling, being particularly attractive in a
season when songs are scarce.

The historic Boardman Collection of
birds is well eared for in the University
of New Brunswick. Unfortunately the
labels in this collection give onh^ the names
of the species and the number in Baird's
check list. I examined the stands of a few
of the mounted birds in a search for the
usual data, but without success. Many of
the mounted birds are crowded into large
cases so that all but the outside birds are
indistinguishable, and the cases do not
open readily. For this reason it was im-
possible to study the collection carefully,
as this could not be done Avithout taking
considerable time and putting the L"ni-
versitv authorities to a great deal of trou-
ble.

On the 19th of March, after two days'
rain which turned the snow-laden coun-
try-side into a veritable morass of snow,
slush, and water, a short walk along the
river road at Fredericton was taken in
search of early migrants. Half a dozen
Pine Siskins were found, and on the 29th
others were noticed at McGivney Junction.

On that day I left Fredericton for
Moncton. The ice had just left the Nash-
waak River, although it still held in the
swollen St. John. The American Goldeii-
eyes had not been slow to take advantage
of the open water and made pretty groups
as they swam along the icy .edges of the
Nashwaak. Several large flocks of Grack-
les were travelling north up the river val-
ley and I believe one Song Sparrow was
seen.

East of McGivney Junction a Red-tailed
Hawk (?) was coursing over the open
barrens. At Moncton there w^as a dual
attraction in the Petitcodiac River, the
numerous Gulls and the bore, which stop-

12

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

[Vol. XXXV.

peel the floating- ice in its downward cour-
se and hurried it back upstream again.
Most of the gulls were Herring Gulls, but
an Iceland Gull spent April 1st and 2nd
with them. This bird was smaller than
the Herring Gull with distinctive white
wing tips.

The first Robin
he must have been

Then I resumed
going to Halifax.

arrived on the 2nd, but

an optimist.

my journey, this time
There, at Dalhousie
('Ollege, I was much delighted to see ^yhat
I believe to be the only Canadian speci-
men of the Labrador Duck. It is well cared
for, being kept in the vault, and is a beau-
tiful specimen in an excellent state of pre-
servation. This specimen, if Dalhousie
would ever part with it, should be in the
National Museum — perliaps the only Can-
adian specimen still in Canada of an ex-
tinct Canadian bird. However, I have re-
corded 'the result of my examination of
this speciment elsewhere O and regret
that its alleged mate is an American
Scoter.

On the night of April 6th a flock of
Canada Geese passed over Halifax in a
fog.

The land of Evangeline is too well-
known to need any description of its
beauties on my part. Toward evening on
April 8th I saw the well, the monument
and the willows in the little village of
Grand Pre. Before the train passed two
Black Ducks were seen to rise from the
meadows and sweep out over the basin of
Minas. For me, the romance and tragedy
of the great [loem seemed very vivid when-
ever I visited this locality.

As I journeyed to the south-west. Song
Sparrows and Robins became common. The
latter were flying up the Annapolis River
in flocks. Many of the birds reaching
south-western Nova Scotia must cross some
30 miles of open sea at the mouth of the
Bay of Fundy. Study of the migration
with respect to this crossing would seem
to offer attractive possibilities.

At Digby, on the 9th, Jnncos, Chick-
adees and a pair of Goldfinches were

1 Fleming .saw one in Montreal some years
ago which was not the s^ecin^en r"'-"::'^ased by
Dutcher, but its present condition, if still
in existence-, fs unknown.

noted. A pretty flock of eight Long-tail-
ed Ducks was enjoying the spring sun-
shine on the waters of Annapolis Basin.

During a short stroll in the woods at
Barrington Passage a single Ruffed Grou-
se was found. I had not enough time in
the w^oods this trip to be able to say anj^-
thing concerning their abundance ; but the}'
were reported as abundant in New Bruns-
wick in October. Cape Sable Island, at
the south-western extremity of Nova Sco-
tia, was disappointing at this season.

Black-backed Gulls — half a dozen of
them at least — on the waters of the
Atlantic near Halifax, made an interest-
ing sight, for I fear I had grown rather
blase toward common and more inland
species.

At Halifax on the 14th of April Juncos
and Siskins were noted in number, but the
24th brought a real little wave of migra-
tion to the sliores of the north-west arm.
The first Warbler of the year, a Myrtle,
was encountered then, the Juncos were
still present, but the real event was a
flock of twelve Brown-capped Chickadees.
For fear I would mistake their very dif-
ferent notes and habiliments a Black-cap
was travelling with them to show how dif-
ferent he really was. If similar species
of birds would do this regularly'' it would
save much trouble for the student of birds.

On Ma}' 3rd at Amherst, Nova Scotia,
a bright afternoon found me on the dyked
meadows worrying — if one could really
worry on a bright warm day of Spring —
about Sparrows. Savannah and Song Spar-
rows greeted the sunshine with song, and
Vespers were noted ; Robins had become
numerous.

Northumberland Strait between Pointe du
Chene, N.B., and Summerside, P.E.I., was
clear of ice on May 5th, and abundant
bird-life made the crossing of interest.
Flocks of Scoters flushed ahead of the
steamer continuously — the identified
ones indicating the proportion of each spe-
cies present. My estimate of these was
30 American, 30 Surf and 20 White-wing-
ed Scoters. One Red-throated Loon was
noted in the dozen Loons seen, while 550
Herring Gulls and a single Great Black-
backed Gull completed the Gull list.

Tree Swallows, Barn Swallows, Grackles,
Robins and Juncos had already reached
Prince Edward Island when I left on the

January, 1921]

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

13

7th altliouf,'li snow-banks still persisted.
The return crossing of the straits brought
nothing new and I left the Maritime Prov-
inces, returning at mid-summer.

Many birds which occur in the interior
of New Brunswick shmi the vicinit}" of St.
John, or are rare. The Bluebird is prol)-
ably an example of this. On July 20th
birds seen on a trip to Seaside Park were:
Herring gull 25 ; Nighthawk G ; Kingbird
2; Grackle 4; Song Sparrow 6; Purple
Martin 2 ; Barn Swallow 6 ; Crow 12 ; Yel-
low Warl)ler 1; Marvland Yellowthroat 1;
Rolnn 1.

A young Nighthawk brought to me in
the flesh seemed very dark and was duly
prepared into a birdskin. The trials of
travelling were brought home to me when
skin, Avrapping, and all Avere dragged
away to make a cosy nest for the mouse
who lived behind the hotel wash-stand.

Bird life was abundant at Digby on the
22nd. Among the shore-birds were the
ever-present Spotted Sandpiper and flocks
of Leasts or Semipahnated, or both, moved
up and down the broad mud flats in com-
I)act batallions. Novelties to me among
tlie land birds Avere a flock of Purple
Finches at midsummer, and a Blue-head-
ed Vireo in full S(mg.

July 24tli was an eventful day. The

the kind of
that fits the song of the Black-
throated Green AVarbler. The breeding
gi-ound of the Willet was our destiny, and
once reaching it the birds fairly thrust
themselves upon us. The air was filled
with their t-ries and their beautiful poise

morning was misty and hot

mornmg

in alighting would charm any nature-
lover. Almost 4U were seen.

Semipalmated Plovers had now ap-
l)eared among the migrant shore-birds, and
a single Piping Plover was noted in the
crowd. A flock of Black Ducks rose from
the salt marshes and young Acadian Sharp-
tailed Sparrows were just able to fly.

A summer evening near Digby is made
lieautiful by the song of the Hermit
Thrush in the Spruces, the last calls for
the day of the Alder Flycatcher in the
thicket and of the Olive-sided standing
sentinal on a tree-top, w'hile overhead the
Nighthawk booms in the twdlight.

In CharlottetOAvn from August 2nd-6th,
the southern migration of land birds ap-
peared to be under way in spite of delight-
ful summer weather. Some common birds
noted Avere : Kingfishers, DoAvny Wood-
peckers, Flickers, NighthaAvks, Humming-
birds, Kingbirds, Olive-sided Flycatcher,
Blue Jay, CroAvs, Goldfinch, Siskins, Red-
eyed Vireos, Myrtle AVarblers, Chickadees
and Robins.

The Gulls and Terns frequenting the
harbour puzzled me, I must admit. The
KittiAvake I am' fairly certain of, and
Common Terns Avere doubtless present.

The Black-backed Gulls Avere now ac-
companied by young of the year, and a
graceful group they made on the stone
breakAvater near Borden.

But ever-pressing Avork drove me from
contemplation of the beautiful sea-scape
and land-scape of our Eastern Provinces,
Avhich haA^e distinctive charms all their
OAvn.

PROSECUTIONS.

Migratoky Birds Convention Act and North-West Game Act By Officers
OF the Dominion Parks Branch and Royal Canadian

Mounted Police.

Migratory Birds Convention Act. Nov. 1,
^1920 and Feb. 1, 1921.

Placide Normand, Bonaventure Is., Per-
ce, Gaspe Co., P.Q., possession of four
young live Gulls. Birds seized and released.
Suspended sentence.

Ulderic Drouin, Ste. Famille, Montmo-
rency Co., P.Q., offering Herring Gull for
sale; refusing information, forcibly resist-

ing arrest. Bird forfeited. Fine $15.00 and
costs.

Russel C. Clark, Mount StcAvart, Queens
Co., P.E.I., possession of two Canada
Geese. Forfeited Canada Geese and one
shot gun. Fine $10.00 and costs of Magis-
trate's Court and Supreme Court of Prin-
ce EdAvard Island.

W. Bojde, 41 Marlboro St., Toronto, pos-
session of one mounted Pileated Wood-

14

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

[Vol. XXXV.

pecker. Specimen forfeited. Fine $10.00
and costs.

Jno. Gray, 59 Marraaduke St., Toronto,
possession of one mounted Pileated Wood-
pecker. Specimen forfeited. Fine $10.00
and costs.

W. Raine, 50 Waverley Rd., Toronto,
possession of eggs of migratory birds. Ad-
journed till called.

Geo. McNair, River Charlo, Restigouche
Co., N.B., possession of one mounted
Pileated Woodpecker. Specimen forfeited.
Case dismissed.

Frank Woodworth, Campbellton, N.B.,
possession of one common Loon. Specimen
forfeited. Fine $10.00 and costs.

O'Neill Bros., St. John, N.B., selling
Black Ducks. Fine $100.00.

0. Trafford, St. Eugene, Ontario, pos-
session of one Great Blue Heron, one Pil-
eated Woodpecker, and one American
Golden-eye. Specimens forfeited. Fine
$10.00 and costs.

G. F. Cunningham & Co., St. John, N.
B., selling Black Ducks. Fine $100.00.

Nai)oleon Pineau, North Rustico, Queens
Co., P.E.I., attempting to kill a migratory
game bird between the hours of sunset and
sunrise. Fine $10.00 and costs.

James Grant, Oulton's Post Office,
Westmorland Co., N. B., killing a Great
Blue Heron. Fine $10.00 and costs.

In addition to above the following bird
specimens have been forfeited :

Lang & Gilchrist, Owen Sound, Ontario,
Great Blue Heron.

H. G. Morley, l(i2 Queen St., Toronto,
Yellow Bellied Sapsucker.

\V. Martin, Hanover, Ontario, Mourn-
ing Dove.

G. D. Brown, 26 Holgate St., Allandale,
Ontario, Mourning Dove.

E. A. Laughter, Pakesley, Ontario, Pil-
eated Woodpecker.

W. J. Mowers, Parry Sound, Ontario,
(2), Rose-breasted Grosbreaks. Catbird,
Scarlet Tanager.

G. F. Richman, Toronto, Ontario. Her-
ring Gull.

Mr. fjepage, St. Eugene, Ontarif*. Hairy
Woodpecker.

Dr. Munroe, St. Eugene, Ontario, Pil-
eated Woodpecker.

W. Lacombe, St.
eated Woodpecker.

0. Beecraft, Hamilton, Ontario,
ed Woodpecker.

G. A. Doan, Hamilton, Ontario, Leon.

A. L. & S. M. Clarke, Darling's Is.. N.B.,
American Merganser.

The Game Conservation Board of Bri-
tish Columbia has furnished the Dominion
Parks Branch with a summary of 1920
prosecutions under the British Columbia
Game Act, which amount to violations of
the Migratory Birds Convention Act. Tliis
summary is given below : —

Eugene, Ontario. Pil-

Pileat-

Description of Offence

Possession of Ducks during the close season
Possession of Ducks over bag limit . . . .
Killing Ducks during close season . . . .
Hunting Ducks from Power Boat . . . .
Possession of Geese during close season . .
Possession of Wild Pigeons during close

season

Killing Sea-Gull

Total

01

•c

u

0)

E

■3

"5

«5 0)

c

K

^ c

o

w

£

s

t>

— a
cfl n

CO B

K

to c

c

.,-* ^^

r- X

a 0.'

o

° 0-1

." 0.

5

W U2

C'

Ho

fc r

1

1

4

6

$500.00

2

2

85.00

8

S

125.00

6

6

285.00

1

2

3

75.00

-

3

3

110.00

1

1

10.00

2(3

.29 $1,190.00

January, 1921]

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

15

BRIEF REPORT OF THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALLSTS' CLUB

FOR THE YEAR 1920.

During the 42nd year of its existence
the Ottawa Field-Naturalists Liub act-
ivities, which include lectures, lield ex-
cursions and the i)ul)lication ot tue Lan-
adian Field-Naturalist, have been direct-
ed toward the popularizing' and diftiis.ny
of knowledge of tlie natural sciences.

The club membership now numbers ap-
proximately 600.

A list of thirty-six lectures to be given
by club members was sent to local socie-
ties, clubs, churches and schools from wuicli
they might select and request desirable
talks, and as a result over 60 lectures en
the following subjects were delivered : A
iSurvey of a Prehistoric Indian Village,
The Iroquois Indian, Folk Balladry of
Quebec, Ranch Life, Bird Sanctuaries, A
Trip Through tlie Peace and Mackenzie
Rivei- Region, The Birds oi Bonaventure
Island, Birds of Eastern Canada, Bird
Protection in Canada, Winter Birds and
Mammals, The Migratory Birds' Conven-
tion Act, The Copper Eskimo, The Indians
of Canada, Instances of the Influences of
Physical Environment on the Indians. Am-
phibians and Reptiles, Canadian Birds,
How and Where We get Dinosaurs, Can-
ada's Natural Resources, Some Phases of
Life and Scientific Work in tlie Canadian
Arctic, Meteorites, Nautral History of Lac
Seul. The feature lecture of the year was
delivered by Dr. Otto Klotz, Dominion
Astronomer, at tiie Peoples" Forum under
the auspices of the Ottawa Field-Natura-
lists" Club.

Five field excursions were held as fol-
lows : — May 1, Geology, Rockcliffe Park ;
May 15, General Natural History, Catfish
Bay ; May 29, Botany and Ornithology,
Fairy Lake; June 12, Entomology, Ayl-
mer; June 26, Horticulture, Central Ex-
perimental Farm. Scientific men attend
the excursions to direct interest and answer
questions.

The Canadian Field-Naturalist, the of-

ficial organ of the club, is now being used
as a medium of publication by five affiliat-
ed societies as shown on the back cover.

The officers and committees for the year
1921 are as follows:

President, R. M. Anderson; Vic«-Presi-
dents, Hoyes Lloyd, G. A. Millar; Secret-
ary, Clyde L. Patch; Treasurer, C. B. Hut-
chings; Editor, D. Jenness; Past-Presi-
dent, M. Y. Williams.

Additional members of Council : W. T.
Macoun, Miss M. E. Cowan, P. A. Taver-
ner, H. I. Smith, C. M. Sternberg, E. Sa-
pir, E. M. Kindle, F. AV. AVaugh, W. J.
Wintemberg, R. E. Delury, Arthur Gib-
son, Norman Criddle.

Standing Committees of Conncil.

Publications: Hoyes Lloyd, W. T. Ma-
coun. Harlan I. Smith.

Exeursi(ms : F. AV. AA^augh, C. M. Stern-
berg, G. A. Alillar, Aliss M. E. Cowan, C.
L. Patch, C. B. Hutchings, AV. T. Macoun,
H. Lloyd.

Lectures : Harlan I. Smith, P. A. Taver-
ner, AV. T. Alacoun, G. A. Millar.

Trust Funds: AV. T. Macoun.

Auditors: J. Ballantyne, E. C. AVight.
Leaders at Excursions.

Archaeology — Harlan I. Smith, F. W.
AVaugh, AV. J. AVintemberg, C. M. Bar-
beau, Dr. E. Sapir.

Botany— G. A. Millar, W. T. Macoun,
Mrs. A. F. Brown, Dr. M. O. Malte, E. C.
AVight, Aliss M. E. Cowan.

Entomology — C. B. Hutchings, Arthuf
Gibson, J. M. Swaine, F. AA^ L. Sladen.

Geology— Dr. E. M. Kindle, Dr. M. Y.
AVilliams, H. McGillivrav, E. Poitevin, Dr.
M. E. AVilson.

Ornitliology— P. A. Taverner, C. L.
Patch, Dr. M. Y. AVilliams, A. G. Kingston,
Hoyes Lloyd, R. E. Delury.

Zoolog}' — Dr. R. M. Anderson, A. Hal-
kett, C. L. Patch, E. A. LeSueur, C. H.
Young, C. E. Johnson, E. J. AVhittaker.

Photography— AV. S. Hutton.

16

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

[Vol. XXXV.

NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS.
Mr. Arthur Gibson — An Appreciation.

With the last number of the Canadian
Field-Naturalist, Mr. Arthur Gibson,
^vho has been the editor since 1910,
ceased to fill that position, his increasing
official duties ha\ing made it necessary
for him to send in his resignation.

Seldom has an editor of a periodical
which depends for its success on voluntary
contributions, and has but slender means
of support, served so long and faithfully
and satisfactorily as has Mr. Gibson. His
work must surely have been a labour of-
love or he could not have continued to edit
the Naturalist for all these years. Only
those in close touch with the work of the
Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club and its
organ know the tact and skill necessary to
obtain matter for the Naturalist, and the
popularity of Mr. Gibson among the con-
tributors and tlie members of the Ottawa
Field Naturalists' Club is a sufficient
tribute to the manner in which he conduct-
ed the editorial work. Mr. Gibson by his
many i)ersonal contributions also showed
himself to be deeply interested in the suc-
cess of the Naturalist, as often in a per-
iodical of this kind the extra matter which
the editor contributes from his own pen
assures the publication of a satisfactory
number.

Beginning with Volume XXXII, the
Ottawa Naturalist, which had been pub-
lished since 1887, was issued in the larger
and more attractive form in which it ap-
pears to-day and the title changed to the
Canadian Field-Natu: alist to give it a
wider field. This larger edition meant an
increase in the editor's work, which Mr.
Gibson cheerfully assumed.

We feel that all members of the Ottawa
Field Naturalists' Club and subscribers to
the Canadian Field-Natwalist must deeply
regret the resignation of Mr. Gibson as
editor, but at the same time appreciate his
many years of unselfish devotion, and, in
releasing him from his duties as editor,
wish him much success as Dominion Ento-
mologist.—AV. T. M.

The Spruce Drummer. — In spite of the
fact that the Canada Grouse, or Spruce
Partridge, has for many years enjoyed
continuous protection, its numbers appear

to be slowly diminishing. In view of the
cliaracteristic stupidity of the species, this
is not surprising. It is now seldom found
except in the m(n-e remote woods and
swamps. Here on a fine morning or even-
ing in the autumn the moose hunter listen-
ing for antlered game may often be dis-
tracted by repeated flutterings as if a
large flock of birds were feeding in some
nearby grove. If he takes the trouble to
investigate he is proba1)ly' sui-prised to find
that all the fuss is made by one bird, a
spruce drummer (Spruce Partridge) who i
is ardently engaged in his exercise, or pas-
time, cf drumming. He no doubt goes
through this performance for the same
reasons that tlie cock crows, or the cock
robin sings. It is an assurance to his
mate and a challenge to his rivals. The
methods of this performance, however,
seem further to ju.stif}- the namo of "fool
hen" by which his species is sometimes
known. His favorite location at such a
time is between two trees standing apart
some twenty or thirty feet, and with their
lower branches large and horizontal.
Perched on one of these branches he pit-
ches downward, pausing midway to beat
and flutter his wings, and ascends to a
branch of the opposite tree. After a sliort
interval this manoeuvre is repeated and so
continued by the hour, swinging back and
fortli from tree to tree, the time between
each swing being as exact as if measured
by a watch. If such an ideal situation is
not at hand the fact does not prevent the
''foci lien" from giving vent to his ex-
uberance. Selecting a small open space
among the bushes, he takes liis stand in
the centre and like a jack in the box pops
up a few feet in the air and giving his
triumphant flutter drops again to earth.
This method lacks the grace of the former,
and when thus engaged the bird seems to
justly merit the title of "Fool Hen". The
sound produced by the drunnning of the
Canada Grouse can in no-wise compare
with that of the ruffed grouse; it has
neither the roll nor the volume. It is in
fact little more than a flutter, such as
might be made by birds forcing their way
tiirough thick branches after buds or ber-
ries. I^nlike the Ruffed Grouse, however.

January, 1921 J

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

17

he seems to have no very strong objec-
tions to an audience. Tiie performance of
the birch drummer (Ruffed Grouse), can
only be witnessed by the exercise of
stealth and caution, Our little Spruce
Partridge on the other hand will peer and
look at the intruder and then, as if sud-
denly remembering, go through his evolu-
tions with a gusto that excites our startled
amusement. Though the drumming of the
grouse is peculiar to the male its practice
is not confined to the nesting season alone,
but may be heard in any month of the
vear and occasionallv at anv liour of the

day or night.

J. L. DEVANY.

Some Observations on Blanding's
Turtle. — During the summer of 1920 I
spent several weeks at Point Pelee, Ont-
ario, with a collecting party from the
Royal Ontario Museum of Zoology. The
first Blanding's Turtle (Emys Blandin-
gii) was taken on June loth, and from
then until I left — July 23rd — it was
much in evidence. The Point, having but
a sliglit elevation above Lake Erie, per-
mits many temporary rain pools apart
from tlie main marsh, and it was in these
pools, and along the sandN- east beach, that
most of the turtles were seen. At this
season their terrestrial wanderings may
mean a search for suitable sites to deposit
their eggs, although it is known that this
species is not strictly aquatic. However, I
believe the majority of those seen on land
were females — at least, those collected
show this to be true.

At 6.80 p.m. on the 22nd of June I
found two turtles preparing to deposit
their eggs. Being determined to watch the
process in spite of an empty stomach, and
the hour for the attack of Point Pelee 's
mosquitoes drawing near, I kept one spe-
cimen under observation until excavation
was fairly under wa^'. Then, crawling
within ten feet of the turtle, I watched
the i)rocedure without its showing any
signs of fear.

Bracing itself up with its front feet, it
dug with the hind feet, slowly carrying
the sand to the surface on the upturned sole.
In digging, the hind feet M^ere always used
alternately, the sand being placed first to
the right and then to the left of the hole.

While using one hind foot in scooping from
the bottom, the other was rested against
the side of the hole, helping the turtle to
raise itself in order to lift the sand to tlie
surface. After the hole was two or tliree
inches deep, the turtle settled back so that
the edge of the carapace rested on the rim
of the hole. In tliis position, and by ex-
tending the hind legs, quite a deptli was
attained. After three quarters of an hour
this operation was completed. My pre-
sence, however, may have retarded the
work.

I estimated the hole to be seven inches
deep with a surface opening of three and
one-half to four inches in diameter. This
broadened out below the surface, making
a flask-shaped chamber about seven inches
in diameter. After one egg had been
dropped, I returned to camp.

Later, I returned with another member
of the party and found the location. There
was not the slightest sign of de})ression or
mound, and upon digging for tlie eggs we
found the sand well packed. The eleven
eggs were transferred to a box of sand in
camp, where they were left <xposed to
the weather. We expected to hatch them
and learn the time required for incuba-
tion, but an unfortunate accident happened
to them on August 26th. Another mem-
ber of the party was able to examine the
broken eggs and preserve several fully
formed young turtles. Tht-y would
evidenth' have emerged in a short time,
but the exact period of incubation was im-
possible to determine. However, it would
have been something over sixty- five days.

Behavior of Captives.

The party carried back a liumber of
adult live specimens of Blanding's turtle
Avhich were easily kept alive in captivity.
They fed upon earth-worms, dead fish and
meat scraps, taking food readily, both
under and out of the water. After a feAv
days they showed no signs of fear, and
were frequently handled witliout their
closing the hinged plastron.

Without a suitable place to deposit their
eggs, Blanding's will retain tliem for a
considerable time. One specimen collect-
ed when digging the hole, retained the
eggs for at least thirty days. I believe this
to be injurious to the turtle if postponed
too long. One specimen tliat di^d in mid-

18

The Canadian Field-Xaturalist.

[Vol. XXXV

winter had a number of fully formed eggs
taken from it. Other individuals relieved
this condition bj' depositing their eggs in
the water in tlie tul) which confined them.
Unnatural surroundings are almost sure to
produce unnatural behavior.

L. L. Snyder,
Roval Ontario Museum of Zoology,

Toronto, Ont.

Hornby's Petrel. — Through the gen-
erosity of Dr. L. C. Sanford, of New Haven
(!onn., tile Victoria Memorial Museum has
lately come into the possession of a spe-
cimen of Hornby's Petrel, Oceanodroma
hornhyi.

For many years it has only been known
from tlie type specimen in the Britisli
Museum obtained by Admiral Hornby,
previous to 1853, and has for long appear-
ed on the Hypothetical List of the Amer-
ican Ornithologists Union on the basis of
its vague locality, "N. W. America", as
given in the Catalogue of Birds of the
British Museum.

In the Auk, XXXIV, 1917, p. 466, H. C.
Oberholser advocates its installation as a
fully accredited American bird on the
grounds that at the time of its capture
Admiral Hornby had his headquarters on
Vancouver Island and tliere is little doubt
that it was obtained in adjacent waters. It
is seen that the probability of its being a
Canadian species is suggested by the same
evidence. It should likely be placed on our
hypdthetical list until further substantiated
by specimens.

There are few North American birds of
which we know so little as we do of the
Petrels and their allies. Many nest in the
southern hemisphere on lonely rocky
islets lost in the vast oceanic wastes. With
such limited breeding areas tlie total num-
ber of some of them must be very small
and subject to accidental vicissitudes. The
introduction say of rats from a wrecked
sliip miglit and probably has before now
wiped out entire species or left them on
the verge of extinction. Pigs, goats and
cats have had such effects on man,v such
insular liabitats. Few of these stations are
ports of call, some are inaccessible except
in the calmest weather, and their dangerous
])ossibilities and lack of resources cause
mariners to give them a wide berth ; hence
their biota has seldom been investigated.

Petrels are purely pelagic and spend
their lives far at sea in vast irregular
wanderings, making no regular migration
except at such times as the duties of re-
protluction call them to these out-of-the-
way shores. They flit across the pathway
of shipping and are seen in passing by the
deep-water sailor; but by the coaster or
the long-shoreman they are seldom noted.
The former has no time to stop, investigate
or collect, and the latter no opportunity.
Of many species it is only the accidental
straggler that normally conies to the eye
of science, and probably a greater propor-
tion of species are known by individual
specimens in this group than in any other
class of birds.

So it remained with Hornby's Petrel
until R. H. Beck, collecting for Dr. San-
ford eighty miles off the Peruvian coast
in 1913, happened to come upon a number
and obtained a series of them, of which
this specimen is one.

The generosity of this donation to our
National collections indicates that Dr.
Sanford regards ornithology as more than
the amassing of specimens ; he refused to
take advantage of his opportunity to re-
tain the material and make his collection
unique in the possession of this rare spe-
cies. Whilst this spirit is not rare enough
amongst naturalists to excite remark it is
none the less worthy of approbation, es-
pecially as there are instances where less
breadth of view and generosity have been
evident.

P. A. Taverner.

Notes on the Behaviour of the Chip-
munk— No. 2. — While in camp at Lake Mis-
sanag, Frontenac County, Ontario, during
part of August and September 1920, I was
able to add a few notes to my record of the
behaviour of the Chipmunk {Tamias stria-
tus Ijjsteri). The Chipmunk with the ver}^
short tail, upon which I made the observa-
tions recorded last year (Can. F.-Nat., Vol.
XXXIII, p. 92), had disappeared from
her haunts of last year, nor was she to be
found anywhere in the vicinit}'. This was
a decided disappointment, as I had hoped
to find out something in regard to the
duration of memory in this species. The
burrow in which another individual had
lived the previous fall was also deserted.
However, seeing a Chipmunk about a large

January, 1921]

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

19

Hemlock stump at the edge of the woods
near my camp I placed kernels of corn
and raisins on top of the stump, and was
rewarded not only by one Chipmunk com-
ing to carry off the food but three , and this
gave me an opportuuit.y to make a few ob-
servations on the social -behaviour of this
species. Two of these Chipmunks were
very similar in size and coloration, the
only difference being that the stripes on
the side of the head of one Avere slightly
more distinct than those of the other, but
the third was easily distinguishable by its
duller coloration, slightly larger size and
the obscureness of the stripes on the side of
the head. I shall call them Nos. 1, 2 and
3, in the order named above.

No. 1 and No. 2 were very friendly and
on one occasion I saw them rub noses. No.
3 was not amiably disposed towards the
others and if either of them Avere on the
stump wlien it arrived it chased them away.
Sometimes pursued and pursuer would go
round and round the stump like a flash of
light, exhibiting marvellous agility in
racing about on its smooth sides. In their
general manner Nos. 1 and 2 were much
alike, and neither of them paid much at-
tention to me, even when quite close at
hand, once they had overcome their first
shyness; but No. 3 Avas always "jumpy"
and was not noticeably tamer at the end of
the period of observation than at the be-
ginning. No. 1 Avas the most confiding of
the three, and on the third day alloAved me
to approach Avithin a foot of it, Avhile on
the ninth day it took food from my hand.

Yellow-jackets (Vespula diaholica) Avere
extremely abundant, and manj' came to
feed on the raisins and boiled corn that I
placed on the stump for the Chipmunks.
One day No. 2 Avas stung on the front paAv
and shook it violently, then licked it.

I have seen it asserted that the Chip-
munk is a poor climber, and that it rarely
ascends trees. Though from past observa-
tions I kneAv this to be untrue, I determined
to put the climbing ability of this species
to a fairly severe test. Making a stake
from a very smooth pole of Paper Birch
five inches in diameter, I droA'e the stake
into the top of the stump, then fastened
kernels of corn at intervals up the stake
and placed some corn on the top of the
stake. No. 1 came along, climbed the stake.

taking the kernels on its side as it Avent
up, and sitting up on the top filled its
pouches Avith the corn it found there. Next
time it came it hunted over the top of the
stump, and finding no corn there, climbed
the stake and took the supply I had placed
there. Thus this little experiment not only
shoAved the climbing ability of this species,
and enabled me to take a photograph of it
in the act of climbing, but also gave another
example, in addition to that reported last
year, of the rapidity Avith Avhich the Chip-
munk forms associations.

Do Chipmunks habitually climb to se-
cure any of their items of food? In the
case of Hazel-nuts (Conjlus rostrata) they
certainly do, as the Chipmunks I had under "
observation climbed these shrubs, cut off
the nuts and carried them aAvay. More-
over they do not appear to Avaste any time
cutting off bad nuts, as all the nuts left on
these bushes after the Chipmunks had
visited them proved on examination to be
bad. HoAv they distinguish good from bad
nuts, and hoAV they deal with these nuts
in removing the hulls Avhich are beset so
thickly Avith irritating bristles Avhich stick
tenaciously in the human skin, are among
the feAV thousand things AAe do not knoAv
about our common Avild mammals.

A. Brooker Klugh.

Archaeological Evidence Concerning
THE Presence of the Gray Fox ( Urocyon
sp.) in Ontario. — Among the animal re-
mains found during my exploration last
summer of the Uren village site in South
Norwich toAvnship, Oxford county, Ont-
ario, are several loAver jaws and part of a
skull Avhich Dr. Gerritt S. Miller, curator
of the Division of Mammals, U. S. National
Museum, has identified as those of the Gray
Fox (Urocyon). While bones of this ani-
mal have been found by archaeologists in
Ohio, ' Pennsylvania, - and Connecticut, ''
this discovery in Oxford county is prob-
ably the only record of its presence in Ont-
ario, beyond the vague statement by Au-
dubon and Bachman that "in Canada we
have heard of its occasional, but rare ap-
pearance." *

The Gray Fox seems to have been as
common as the Red Fox, of which Ave also
found several bones, but it probably never

20

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

[Vol. XtXY.

was as abundant in this part of Ontario as
in southern Ohio, where the Baum village
site, explored by W. C. Mills, alone yielded
"over two hundred lower jaws and twenty
fragmentary skulls. ' '

W. J. WiNTEMBERG.

» See Mill.s, William C, Explorations of the
Gartner Mound and Village Site, Reprint from
the Ohio Archaeological and Hi.storical Quar-
terly (Columbus, 1904), Vol. XIII. p. 32; Ex-
plorations of the Baum village Site, Reprint,
idem, 1906), Vol. XV, p. 29; and Archaeolog-
ical Remains of Jackson County, Certain

Mounds and Village Sites in Ohio (Columbus,
1912), Vol. 2, Part 2, p, 80. See also Langdon.
Frank W., The Mammalia of the Vicinity of
Cincinnati Journal Cincinnati Natural Society
(1880), Vol, II, p. 297

2 See Mercer Henry C, An Exploration of
Durham Cave in 1893. Reprint from Publi-
cations of the University of Pennsylvania,
(Boston, 1897), pp. 156, 159, 161, 171 and
173 (footnote).

3 See MacCurdy, G. G., The Passing of a
Connecticut Rock.shelter, The Am. J.ourn. of
Science (1914), Vol. XXXVIII, p. 517.

4 Audubon, J. J., and Bachman, Rev. J.,
Quadrupeds of North America, (New York,
1849), Vol, I, p, 172.

EDITORIAL NOTE.

Owing to a variety of causes it has been
impossible to start the new volume of the
Canadian Field-Naturalist at the begin-
ning of the calendar year. The last num-
ber of Volume XXXIV was nearly five
months overdue on account of the difficulty
the publishers experienced with their paper
supply. Our new publishers promise us
steady production, so, if our numerous con-
tributors will co-operate by furnishing
clean type-written material, the editor
hopes to overtake his arrears and finish up
the present volume at the proper time.

Subscribers to the magazine Avill wel-
come a brief statement of the financial dif-
ficulties with which the club has to con-

tend. The total number of subscribers on
the books at the end of 1920 was 560. The
annual subscription, formerly $1, was
raised to $1.50 to meet the increased cost
of publication ; but there were 403 sub-
scriptions overdue, representing an amount
of $564. The actual cost of publication is
slightly greater than the amount obtained
from subscriptions if every member pays
his dues, the balance being made up from
advertisements and the sale of extra copies.
The finances of the club are therefore very
restricted, and every member is urgently
requested to assi.st the treasurer by send-
ing in his subscription as soon as it falls
due. — D. J.

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

VOL. XXXV.

OTTAWA, ONT., FEBRUARY, 1921

No. 2.

THE LARGER FRESHWATER — CRUSTACEA FROM CANADA AND

ALASKA.

By Frits Johansen.
iCo)iti)iued from Vol. XXXIV, p. 148.)

in. EUPHYLLOPODA (BrANCHIOPODA) ."

The Crustacea belonging to this order
comprise the three super-families of the
"fair}' shrimps"' (Anostraca or Branchi-
pididae) the "tadpole-shrimps" (Noto.stra-
ca or Apodidae), and the "clam-shrimps"
(Conchostraca or Limnadidae (Estherii-
dae). Most of the species are of a fair size
and easily observed at the right time of the
year by any one interested in freshwater
life.

They derive their name from the fact
that most of the appendages ("feet")
behind the mouth parts are peculiarly
formed so as to serve as respirator}- or lo-
comotory organs, being divided up into
many hairy leaves or flagella. When pre-
sent the tail has no appendages, with the
exception of its last joint, and the body is
composed of a great number of segments.

From olden time, these interesting Crus-
tacea have attracted both laymen and
scientists, not only because of their pecu-
liar biology (seasonal occurrence, etc.),
but also because they have been considered
as representing a very ancient type of
Crustacea, if not the origin of that numer-
ous and widely distributed class. At any
rate, fossil remains of these Crustacea or
similar forms have been found in deposits
of great age; viz. Conchostraca from the
Devonian, Notostraca from the Trias, and
the Anostraca from the Oligocene (Ter-
tiary) on.

The first important works on these Crus-
tacea were published bj' the Danish Zoo-
logist 0. F. Muller in the latter part of the
18th century ; since then a great number of
workers in different countries have studied
them very carefully, of whom G. 0. Sars

in Norway, W. Baird in England, C. C.
Claus in Germany, E. Daday de Dees in
France, and A. S. Packard in the United
States, have probably contributed most
(see bibliography).

A. Fairy-shrimps.

The first sub-order (super-family) Anos-
traca is easily distinguished from the two
others by the lack of a shell (carapace)
and by the elongated shape of the body, in
which the head is distinctly marked off.

The general form of these "fairy-
shrimps" has been often described and
may be assumed to be fairly well known, ^
so that only the essential points need be
referred to here. The head carries two
pairs of feelers (antennas) of which the
first pair is short and slender, but the se-
cond pair much longer and stouter and is
in the males extraordinarily developed as
clasping organs (for use during copula-
tion), and of greatly varied form often
with accessory appendages, etc. On the
front end of the head is situated a simple
unpaired, median eye, remnant of the large
nauplius-eye of the larval stage. More
conspicuous, however, are the two large,
composite eyes on short peduncles which
are very movable and have brilliant, metal-
lic colours. The mouth (on the under side)
is supplied with various masticatory parts
(maxillae, mandibles, etc.), and behind
them follows a greater (11 or 17-19) num-
ber of ambulatory trunk-limbs, the foli-
aceous, hairy legs, of which the first and
last pairs are the shortest. They are admir-

1 See Ottawa Naturalist, July. 1895 (A Hal-
kftt) and April, 1890 (E. E. Prince).

22

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

[Vol. XXV.

ably suited for propelling the animal, mov-
ing consecutively, as grain stalks before the
wind, but they have also respiratory im-
portance, being subdivided into inner and
outer parts, and even those far from the
mouth have "gnatho-bases" (chewing
parts), and pass along by their movements
any food that is secured. The last pair is
modified for reproductive purposes. The
conspicuous genital organs mark the bound-
ary between the prae- and the post-
genital regions, both mostly of about the
same length. With the ripe males the
copulatory organ presents a mostly bifid,
smaller bag; while with the females it is
an oblong or more rounded (elliptical)
sack containing, at the right time of the
year, the eggs. The tail is mostly long and
slender and consists of 8-9 joints; it ends
in two furcal rami (cercopods), only ex-
ceptionally united {Thamnocephalus).

Except when strongly colored the ani-
mals are so transparent that the internal
parts are to be seen plainly with a mag-
nifying glass; most conspicuous is the long
slender "heart" extending through nearly
all the trunk-segments (somites) dorsally
and with a pair of openings (ostia) on
each of these. The alimentary canal is
also conspicuous, owing to the food filling
it out ; it is seen stretching as an almost
uniform tube to the end of the last tail
segment, where it opens. The maxillary
gland (excretion organ) is also conspi-
cuous on the underside of the head (it is
especially large in the younger stages) ; and
in the males the white testes and their auxil-
iary organs (vasa deferentia) are plainly
seen in living individuals, though not so
conspicuous as the female's unripe (ovar-
ial) or ripe eggs. Less conspicuous are
the ladder-like nervous sj'stem (though the
brain is large and well defined) and the
little differentiated blood vessels.

The fairy-shrimps have this in common
with most of the Crustacea, that their
young stages are quite unlike the full-
grown animals. The egg hatches into a
larva, the so-called nauplius or metanau-
plius. It is often only the size of a pin-
head, but usually of a vivid, red color, and
of an oval or pear-shape. The first pair
of antenna is longer than in the full-
grown individuals and pointed directly
ahead ; they are probably used as balancing

more than as locomotory organs. Between
them is the large median e.ye. There fol-
lows the second pair of antenn* greatly
developed as the principal swimming or-
gans and divided up into several long,
spined branches. Of the mouth parts the
mandibular-palps are the most developed
and leg-like ; they also help in swimming,
having long hairs. The somites carrying
the foliaceous legs are little differentiated,
and the more posterior ones as yet only
represented by hairy serrations on the
under side of the "abdomen". No tail is
yet present, the hind-end of the larva being
rounded-tapering. These nauplii make up
for their inconspicuous size by their vio-
lent movements; they probably subsist
right after hatching for a time on the yolk
they contain.

The nauplius groAvs rapidly both in
length and in the development of the ap-
pendages and soon reaches the metanau-
plius stage, which is so-termed owing to the
presence of larval and adult characters.
Thus the second pair of antennie and the
mandibular palps are still large and the
principal swimming organs, and of the
foliaceous legs and abdominal segments
only the foremost are developed to any ex-
tent and well marked off from the suc-
ceeding ones The tail is short and clumsy
and little differentiated from the abdomen,
merely tapering from the latter. On the
other hand there are now besides the me-
dian nauplius eye two large composite
eyes, though their peduncles are less pro-
nounced than in the fullgrown individuals ;
and the maxillary gland seems to reach its
highest development (size) in the meta-
nauplius stage. The more oblong shape of
the whole body, the beginning differentia-
tion and development of somites and foli-
aceous legs and tail, and the proportions
of the various appendages compared with
the length of the whole animal, also make
this stage very distinct from that of the
nauplius.

Gradually the metanauplii grow in
length and take on the appearance of the
adults. The foliaceous legs all become
fully developed and assume their loco-
motory duties, and simultaneously the
second pair of antennae becomes more rudi-
mentary (females) or transformed into the
claspers (plus accessories) of the males.

Febniary, i;)21.

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

23

The mouth-parts lose their former loco-
motoiy functions and become limited to
masticatory processes. The genital organs
begin to appear and the tail grows rapidly
in length, so tliat soon the shape of the
adult is reached, and only the particular
development of the claspers and the gen-
ital organs remain. The eggs of the fairy
shrimps apparently do not all hatch at the
same time (day). I have observed how nau-
plii and metanauplii or young and full-
grown individuals are present together in
the same pond, though the great majorit}'
of the individuals are either in one stage
or the other.

The fairy-shrimps are of a transparent
reddish, j^ellowish, blueish or greenish
color, more pronounced on some parts
of the animal than on others. Besides, cer-
tain species, especially the females, have
additional strong purple, violet, brownish
or black colors in patterns characteristic
for each species, though there is great
variety in the intensity in the various indi-
viduals. In the males the most strongly
colored parts of the body are generally
the claspers (second pair of antennie) and
in the females the parts near the ovarium;
also the underside of the head, the foli-
aceous legs and the tip of the tail in both
sexes. The ripe eggs have a strongly yel-
low, orange or light brown color.

The fairy-shrimps swim in the water with
equal facility upon the belly or upon the
back, according to whether their food is
above or below them in the water. Loco-
motion is accomplished by means of the
foliaceous legs and by the long tail serving
as a rudder; when disturbed they will
make a sudden jerk with the tail and dart
in one or the other direction. Where there
is a strong current in the pond (lake) in
which they live they will go with it though
moving their foliaceous legs all the time;
in quieter pools, the younger individuals es-
]ieeially (metanauplii and slightly older
ones) will float in the water belly down-
wards with little apparent movement from
place to place, if left undisturbed. Their
food consists of smaller, aquatic inverte-
brates (Cladocera, etc.), and I have often
observed them "browsing" in the mud-
bottom of the pond or among the green
algae there. In return they form aji im-
portant item in the diet of certain aquatic

insect larvie (beetles, caddis-flies, etc.) or
young fishes, against which they have lit-
tle other protection than their trans-
parency. Just prior to and during the
time the eggs are becoming ripe the fe-
males generally carry the males around;
the latter seize their mates around the
genital somites dorsally with their claspers
and retain their hold until the time of co-
pulation is over. Then the males leave
their "victim" for another female and
repeat the process, which is perhaps a ne-
cessary procedure as there are generally
far more females than males of a certain
species in the 'same pond. When the eggs
have been laid they, so far as has been ob-
served, rise to the surface of the water and
float there until hatched, or if the pond
dries up or freezes to the bottom they re-
main (hibernate) in the mud until hatch-
ing is possible, when the pond is again
filled with water or its ice melts. As a
matter of fact this desiccation or freezing
(hibernation) of the eggs seems to be ne-
cessary for their development (isee Ottawa
Naturalist, April, 1896, Prince).

The sudden appearance of the fairy-
shrimps is truly wonderful and has long
puzzled students. Outside of the arctic
they are generally found only in temporary
pools or ponds, being hatched there in
thousands as soon as the ice in the latter
melts or when they are again filled with
water. In the arctic and probably in
mountain-lakes (ponds) at high elevation,
say about 10,000 feet, where the conditions
are similar, nauplii appear (hatch) im-
mediately after the ponds melt (June),
and the animals have thus a period of 3-4
months in which to grow to maturity and
deposit their eggs in case the pond they
are found in does not dry up before the
water freezes and all, except the hibernat-
ing eggs, are killed off by being frozen into
the ice, or die a natural death. At more
southern latitudes, however, and at lower
elevations, the ponds in which they occur
are far more likely to dry up ; thus near
Ottawa, Ontario, I have found the first
ones in the middle of April -, when they
(Euhranchipiis gelidus) were about 1 cm.
long, thus young individuals probablj"
hatched a couple of weeks before; the full-

2 See also HaLkett's observatioji, Ottawa

Naturalist, July, I'SSoJ p- 89..'

-■■:i :\bl;>:;.

24

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

[Vol. XXV.

grown ripe individuals collected by A. G.
Huntsman near Toronto, Ontario, in June
1908, probably represent their last ap-
pearance in the summer. Young ones (3-
10 mm.) were collected on April 10, 1920,
near Toronto, Ontario; they therefore
probably hatch earlier near Toronto than
at Ottawa. Near Ottawa I have not ob-
served them later than the month of May,
and in all cases they Avere found only in
temporary pools or canals caused by snow
melting and the overflow of the Ottawa,
Gatineau or Rideau Rivers in the spring.
As to their occurrence in the United States
I refer the reader to Packard's and Ver-
rill's articles about them; it is sufficient
here to state, that while certain species
occur only in the winter and early spring,
others are present both in the spring and
in the fall, but not in the summer; while
again others {Artemia) are found when
the water is very warm.

According to my own field observations
during a period of three years along the
arctic coast of north-western America I
may safely state that there is only one
"brood" (generation) per year in the arc-
tic; the same is probably true of the sub-
arctic zone of this continent; while in
southern Canada and the United States
two or more broods (generations) per year
may occur; though the long time during
which the ponds are dried up during the
summer here probably restricts the num-
ber of generations considerably.

Apart from the enemies in (insects,
fishes) and outside (birds) the water a
great number of fairy-shrimps (and Notos-
traca as well) are killed off prematurely
in the summer or autumn by the drying up
of (at least in the arctic) the particular
small pond in which they live or by being
thrown up along the margin of the part-
icular lake by weaves in windy Aveather, as
I have repeatedly observed in the arctic
parts of America and Greenland. I have
also observed how a great number of phyl-
lopods in the fall freeze into the ice as the
latter begins to form and grows in thick-
ness, though a number of individuals were
living in the water right under the ice,
even if there were only a few inches of free
w'ater. It will, therefore, be realized how
important it is for the propagation of these
animals, that they occur in such vast num-

bers and that the hatching of the eggs takes
place almost immediately after the melt-
ing of the pond or lake-ice in the spring,
or after the autumn rains (absent in the
arctic) have filled the dried up reservoirs
in which the eggs are lying.

The fairy shrimps on this continent are
divided into two groups (super-families-)
according to the number of their pre-
genital, foliaceous body-legs. The one
group {Poly art emiidcB) has 17 to 19 pairs
of these while the other group (comprising
the great majority of fairy-shrimps spe-
cies) has only 11 pairs.

To the first group belong two genera, of
which one {Poly arte mi a, 19 pairs of foli-
aceous legs) is not found in America, but
a species (P. forcipata Fisch.), occurs in
the arctic parts of Europe and Asia, both
in Scandinavia and Siberia and probably
also in the intervening arctic part of Rus-
sia ^ Its biology, structure and develop-
ment have been given in detail by G. O.
Sars, in Fauna Norivegiae, 1896, pp. 59-65.

The genus found in America is Pohjar-
temieUa, so-called OAving to its similarity to
Polyartcmia, from which it, however, is
distinguished by having tAvo pairs less of
foliaceous legs. Curiously enough the
genus Poly art emiella seems to be limited
to the arctic and subarctic parts of Alaska
and Yukon Territory, and thus resembles
someAvhat the fresh Avater Amphipod -S^?m-
rella. In the same Avay as S. ^ohanseni has
its nearest relatives in Europe and -Asia,
so have also the tAvo knoAvn species of
Polyartemiella their nearest relative in the
Eurasian form Polyartemia mentioned
above. Considering their respective dis-
tribution Ave may perhaps assume, that
both Symirella Ri\d Polyartemia have their
original home in Eurasia, and have spread
from there to the northAvest corner of
America, AA'here then the latter genus be-
came transformed in the course of time to
the only slightly different genus Polyarte-
miella. This invasion of America took
place perhaps via a former land-connection
betAveen Siberia and Alaska, a view Avhich
is supported by the fact, that one of the
Polyartemiella species (P. judayi) has been
found upon at least some of the islands in
the Bering Sea (De Dees).

3. Recorded from Novaja Semlja (Hansen).

Febniaiy, 1921.]

The Canadl\n Field-Naturalist.

25

The males of the two Poly art emklla
species are easily distinguished by their
elaspers. lu one {P. hazeui Murdoch) the
claspers are big, antler-like processes with
four branches : in the other (P. judayi, De
Dees), they are more like fish-hooks (or
sickles) and three branched, thus more like
those of Polyartemia.

The first named species, about 1 cm. long,
was originally discovered by Murdodi of
the International Polar Expedition in
tundra pools at Point Barrow, Alaska, in
the middle of Juh% 1882, and described and
figured by him in the reports of the said
expedition p. 150. A better description
and figure of it has later been given by De
Dees, p. 106-07, (1910) ; according to
Pearse * it also occurs at other places along
the arctic coasts of Alaska and Yukon Ter-
ritory. It has hitherto not been found east
of the Mackenzie River. During the Can-
adian Arctic Expedition I secured in tundra
l)onds at Teller (Port Clarence), Alaska,
a couple of males and half a dozen females
of apparently the same species in the be-
ginning of August, 1913. They differ in
various points from Murdoch's descrip-
tion, but a full account and figures of them
wall be given in the reports of the Can-
adian Arctic Expedition (Vol. VII, Part
G.) to which I refer.

Poly art emiella judayi (about 12 mm.)
was originally described by De Dees in Aii-
vales des Sciences Naturelles, Paris, 9th
series. Vol. XI, 1910, p. 108-11, from spe-
cimens collected by Dr. Juday on the Pri-
bilof Islands in Bering Sea. I did not
myself find this species in Alaska, and as
is the ease with the other species (P. ha-
zeni) little is known about the life history,
the young stages not having been secured
as yet, though both sexes are known. '"

The genus Poly art emiella thus seems to
be limited to the arctic and subarctic parts
of northwest America, west of Mackenzie
River.

To the second group of fairy-shrimps
(those with 11 pairs of foliaceous legs)

4 Polyartemiella hanseni (Murdoch) coll. by
J. M. Jessup at Muskeg Lake, lat. 69° 40' N.,
long. 141° W., July 25, 1912, and at Muskeg
pools on flood plain of Firth River, lat. 69° 20'
N., long. 141° W., June 23, 1912 (Pearse,
1913).

s The females are a few millimeters longer
than the males.

belong three or four families, of W'hich
only two have been recorded from Canada
and one of these latter also from Alaska.
The characters separating the families are
not very good, because tjjaey are mainly the
appendages (claspefs and accessories) on
the head of the ripe males, and even two
species belonging to the same genus are ex-
tremely different in this respect. I, there-
fore, do not find it necessary to give the
distinctions between tlie families here, be-
yond mentioning, tliat the genus Thamno-
cephalus, which occurs in the middle parts
of the United States (Kansas, Colorado,
etc.), is very distinct from all the other
fairy-shrimps belonging to this group, b}'
reason of the fusion of the post-genital
segments and the cereopods.

Probably the most widely distributed of
all fairy-shrimps is the circumpolar form
Branch inecta paludosa O, F. Miiller. It
reaches a length of 2 cm., and the male
claspers are fairly simple (though when
the animals are ripe, well developed), con-
sisting of a stout and long, cylindrical
basal part with a row of short spines on
their inner margin, and when fully deve-
loped, a little longer, more slender, triang-
ular and falciform, apical part (joint).
The protruding parts of the male genita-
lia are thick, arcuated and paired (bifid),
while the ovisac of the female is very long,
slender and thickest near its free rounded
end.

This species was first described by Otto
Fabricius from West Greenland as Cancer
stagnalis (Fauna Groenlandica, p. 247,^
1780), and much confusion was caused by
his thinking it was the same as Linnaeus'
species of the same name from Europe, and
by 0. F. Miiller in his Zoologia Danica II,
calling it Cancer paludosus, in the belief
that it Avas the same genus as the species
{Branchipus stagnalis), occurring upon the
continent of Europe and first recorded b}'
Linnaeus as Cancer stagnalis. It was
finally established as being the circumpo-
lar, arctic form Branchinecta paludosa by
Verrill. It is distributed from Alaska to
Greenland in the new world, and in Eura-
sia it has been recorded from northern
Scandinavia, Spitsbergen, Novaja Semlja
and Siberia. Curiously enough it has not
yet been found in East Greenland. Another
species (B. gainii) of the same genus was
found by Charcot in the Antarctic.

26

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

[Vol. XXV

As to the southern boundary of the dis-
tribution of B. paludosa on this continent
little is known ; but the records of it from
Commander Islands, Siberia (Lilljeborg,
and the Pribilofs (U.S.N.M.) indicate that
it is found at least upon some (western?)
of the Aleutian Islands. Also, some young
ones were collected by J. M. Jessup in a
puddle at Whitehorse, Yukon Territory,
June 7, 1912 (Pearse, , 1918). I did not
observe it at Nome or Teller, Alaska, but
it was found by Murdoch at Point Barrow^
in the same pools as PolyartemieUa hazeni.
I found it very common along the coast
from Camden Bay to Demarcation Point,
Alaska, and also on Herschel Island, Yukon
Territory, in the summer (June- August)
of 1914. It was also collected by J. M.
Jessup in Muskeg Lake (lat. 69°40'N. long.
141=AY) on July 25, 1912 (Pearse, 1913).
We may, therefore, perhaps assume that it
occurs over the Avhole of Alaska and the
Yukon Territory, except the southern part
of the former, at a certain time of the year,
and where suitable ponds or lakes are pre-
sent. Dr. J. Rae brought back from Cape
Krusenstern, Dolphin and Union Strait,
Northwest Territory, some fragments of
botli sexes collected in August, 1849; they
were referred by W. Baird to this species.
According to the great number of observa-
tions and collections of this species by me
in 1914-16 in this locality (Bernard Har-
bour) there can hardly be any doubt about
it, an opinion also expressed by Verrill and
Packard. It was further secured (Sars)
by the "Gjoea" Expedition (Amundsen)
on the south side of King William Land,
in 1904 and 1905; by the "Neptune" Ex-
pedition at FuUerton on the west side of
Hudson Bay in 1903-04 ; by Turner in pools
on rocks at Fort Chimo, Ungava; by Pac-
kard in August, 1864, and by Bryant in
1908, at Hamilton Inlet in Labrador; by
the Second Norwegian Arctic Expedition
on Johan Peninsula,, Ellesmere Land, in
1898-99; by Hart at Discovery Bay (lat.
81°41'N.) and by the Princeton Expedi-
tion, 1899, at Cape Sabine, on the west
side of Grinnell Land. In west Greenland
it has furthermore been recorded from a
number of places up to Polaris Bay (about
lat. 82 °N.), where it was taken by Bessels
in August 1872, (Packard), and on Nor-
thumberland Island, (Ortman). There
can therefore be little doubt that it occurs

upon all the islands composing the Can-
adian Arctic Archipelago.

The structure and biology of this species
has been so well treated and figured by G.
0. Sars in his monumental Avork (1896)
that I need only refer briefly to the life-
history. The additional observations I was
fortunate to make during my stay along
tlie arctic coast of northwest America with
the southern party of the Canadian Arctic
Expedition 1913-16, will be found in the
reports of the said expedition (Volume
VII, Part G). Suffice it to say that its
whole life-history is now known, because I
secured in the north still earlier stages than
Sars' metanauplii (see his Tab. VIII) and
actually succeeded in rearing in the spring
the nauplii from hibernating eggs kept all
through the winter. Its life-history is,
therefore, the following, at least in the
arctic part of northwest America. The
hibernating eggs frozen in the ice, hatch
out a little after the latter melts in the
spring or early summer (June), and the
nauplii and metanauplii continue to grow
until at the end of July or beginning of
August they are sexually ripe. The copu-
lation and laying of the eggs then takes
place during August and part of September,
until the water freezes and kills them all
except the eggs. Apparently, however, a
great number of the adults die a natural
death from the middle of August on, pre-
sumably when copulation and egg-laying
is over. That they are also killed off by
other causes (enemies, waves, drying up
of the ponds) has already been referred
to. The earliest records in the year I have
from this coast is Chantry Island, June
17, 1916, (a couple of nauplii and many
metanauplii), and the latest record is adults
of both sexes from Bernard Harbour, Aug-
ust 23, 1915 (specimens kept).

Mr. A. Halkett writes in his field-notes
from the "Neptune" Expedition, that
female phyllopods of this species (identi-
fied by Prof. G. 0. Sars of Christiania,
and by me) were collected in ponds at Ful-
lerton on the west side of Hudson Bay as
late as the end of October and the begin-
ning of November, 1903. The water-depth
of one of the ponds was about seven feet,
and they were then all covered by ice^
which in the last days of October was of a
thickness of about one foot. The temper-
ature of the air was about zero, and that

February, 1921.]

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

27

of the water around freezing-point. The
water on testing showed to be slightly sa-
line, thougli used for drinkiug-purposes.

Since my return from the expedition I
received from Professor A. Willey, of
McGill University, Montreal, P.Q., six adult
branchipods (4 females, 2 males) which so
far as I can see belong to this species. They
were collected in a pond cut off from the
river at Point St. Charles, near Montreal
in May-June about 20 years ago. Profes-
sor Willey informs me that they have not
been observed in that locality since. They
were about 2 cm. long, and the females had
ripe eggs in the brood-pouch. This is cer-
tainly a most extraordinary record, and
quite at variance with what one should ex-
pect— to find this circumpolar form at
Montreal. The species has been recorded
from the Carpathians (De Dees), so it
would be far more natural to expect to
find it in the Rocky Mountains than in the
lowlands of the St. Lawrence River. How-
ever, the shape of the male claspers, their
rows of spines, the oblong ovisac of the
females, etc., Inakes me feel confident the
specimens belong to B. paludosa. Tlie
eggs were perhaps brought with a ship
returning from Labrador or other part of
the eastern arctic and then developed wiien
the snow melted in the spring. My identi-
fication of these specimens from Montreal
has been verified by Professor A. S. Pear-
se, of Wisconsin University (letter to me
of March 29, 1920).

In Europe this species has been record-
ed from high altitudes in the Carpathians,
but the above record from Montreal, Que.,
is the only instance known of its occur-
rence on this continent outside the arctic
or sub-arctic regions.

A couple of other Branchinecta species
are found in the middle United States, but
have so far not been recorded from Can-
ada or Alaska, and are not likely to occur
here, though one of them {B. coloradensis)
is perhaps an arctic relict form, being
found only in ponds and pools on the
highest mountains (above 10,000 feet) in
Colorado. '^

Nor has the interesting fairy-shrimp Ar-
temia salina (A. fertilis, A. gracilis, A. mo-
nica), known from many parts of Europe,

West Greenland and some of the States,
(Connecticut, Utah, California), and iu
lower California, been found in Canada so
far. ^ Much has been written about this
species as to its sudden occurrence iu salt
lakes, and in railway tubs filled with brine,
where it can withstand more than 270
grains of salt per litre, and where its red
color increases in intensity with that of
the salinity of the water. This is also the
species to which the common European
iorm. Branchipus stagnalis {B. ferox) trans-
formed by degrees when the salinity of the
water in which it occurred was increased,
as also the reverse occurred when the water
was diluted, according to Schmankevitsch 's
investigations. On this continent, how-
ever, Branchipus stagnalis does not occur
(the species mentioned in Ottawa Natura-
list, July, 1895, and April, 1896, is almost
certainly Euhranchipus gelidus Hay),
and so far as I know the experiments re-
ferred to above have not been successful
over here, though there are apparently no
generally accepted characters separating
the genus Artemia from that of Branchi-
necta or Branchipus.

Of the genus E uhranchipus half a dozen
species are known on this continent, the
majority of them only from the United
States, though all from the northern and
middle States, and none from the west.
Only one species {E. gelidus Hay) has so
far been found in Canada and Alaska, but
at least some of the others may well be
found to occur in the Dominion, as they
are known from New England to Wiscon-
sin south of the boundarj^ line, and one
species {E. vernalis Verr.) has a very wide
distribution. Perhaps the most widely dis-
tributed species is E. gelidus, which has
so far been recorded from Massachusetts,
New York and Indiana in the States and
from Ontario and Yukon Territory in Can-
ada ; it also occurs in Alaska. For records
in Yukon Territory and Alaska see PeaVse,
1913. It is extremely common around Ot-
tawa in the spring, and occurs on the Que-
bec as well as on the Ontario side of the
Ottawa River. There can be little doubt
but that this is the species A. Halkett ob-
served in 1893 and 1894 at New Edin-
burgh, Ontario, {Ottawa Naturalist, July,

6 The eggs of this species are unusually " It may occur in Southern Ontario or Que-

large. bee, judging from its presence in Connecticut.

•28

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

[Vol. XX Y

1895). Apparently he did not preserve the
specimens, but it is the only fairy-shrimp
I have found occurring around here. The
female especially is easily distinguished
from the other species belonging to this
genus, having the ninth and tenth body
segments produced into lateral, triangular
processes dorsally, probably serving for
copulatory purposes. The ovisac is broad
and elliptical and contains about a dozen
ripe, yellow-brown eggs. When the animal
is swimming it is continually moving from
side to side, so the eggs roll around inside.
The clasping antenna of the male are some-
what claAv-shaped with a short swollen
basal part supplied with two medio-ven-
tral, short spines, and a more slender and
longer terminal part with bifid tip. Twice
as long, however, are a pair of accessory
organs at the base of these antenna; (clas-
pers) dorsally, in the shape of broad, lob-
ated appendages which we may suppose
are used for "tickling", or twisted around
the female's body during copulation. The
protruding male genitalia is a bifid sack
ending in two pointed appendages.

These fairy shrimps attain a size of 1%
em. in May-June, when they are ripe, and
vary greatly in color, the females espe-
cially having much rose-orange, blue and
black-brown pigmentation; but my obser-
vations regarding the colors of the many
individuals I have examined are too de-
tailed to be included here. The paired eyes
are dark purple and the tips of the cer-
eopods white; the latter color shows up
very conspicuously when the animals swim
in the water. Of this species I have exa-
mined specimens from the following Can-
adian localities.

Montreal West, P. Que., May 5, 1920, A.
Willey, coll., adult male and female, the
latter with eggs.

De Grassi Point, Lake Simeoe, Ont., Mav
10, 1915 and May 6, 1917, E. M. Walker,
coll., 27 adults ,12 males, 15 females, I-I34
cm. long.

Scarborough Junction (Toronto), Ont.,
June, 1908, A. G. Huntsman, coll., 11
adults (5 males, 6 females), li^, 1% em.
long (see Natural History of Toronto Re-
gion 1913, p. 275).

Ponds near Bond Lake, Toronto, Ont.,
(York County), April 10, 1920, A. G.

Huntsman, coll., (young stages, 3-10 mm.
long, immature).

Around Ottawa I have collected them in
temporary pools or canals at various pla-
ces, at Hull Park, near Fairj^ Lake, Des-
chenes and Tenaga (Gatineau River), on
the Quebec side, and at various points (Bil-
lings Bridge and Hartwell Locks) along
the Rideau River on the Ontario side.
Around Ottawa the nauplii hatch soon
after tlie melting of the snow and the
breaking up of the rivers, and the pools
thej' occur in are literally teeming with
them. They are found in pools on open
fields or pastures as well as in the woods ;
already at the end of April they are I/2
cm. long and the females carry their light
brown eggs in the sack. The smallest num-
ber I have seen in one pool is y^ dozen,
which were collected on April 20, 1919. I
tried to keep a dozen of them, (4 males, 9
females) alive in a jar. The next day,
however, two of the females and three of
the males died; before the first of May
the last male and a couple of the females
died, during the beginning of May the rest
of the females died except one which lived
until May 7th. It will thus be seen, that
these 'animals are more hardy than is gen-
erally supposed, especially the females; no
food was given them Avhile they were kept
in confinement. I observed, that one se-
cond elapsed between two succeeding turn-
ings-over of the egg-sack from right to
left, or the reverse, when the female is
swimming ; the movement is apparently for
the purpose of bathing the enclosed eggs
in the water passing in and out of the egg-
sack. May or June is probably the last
month in which they are present in
southern Ontario and Quebec ; from July
on all the pools in which I have observed
them earlier in the summer are dried up
and the deposited eggs remain in the bot-
tom, probably hatching the following
spring.

Prof. O'Donoghue, of the University of
Manitoba, tells me in a letter (June, 1920)
that "a species of Branchipus, or more
probably an Eiihranchipus ®) is fairly com-
mon all around Winnipeg, on both sides of
tlie Red and Assiniboine Rivers, as a rule

Probably E. Gelidus. (F. J.)

February, 1921.]

The Canadian Field-Naturalist,

29

in the pools formed where the snow
melts ..."

On June 1, 1920 Dr. A. G. Huntsman,
of Toronto, collected twelve specimens of
Eubranchipiis fjelidus in shallow sloughs
near Wetaskiwin, Alberta (near Edmon-
ton). One of these is an adult male, the
others are females, mostly adults, and with
ripe eggs.

Together with the Streptocephalus col-
omdensis (see below) these are the first
records of fairy-shrimps from western Can-
ada.

On tlie Canadian Arctic Expedition I
found in a large shallow pond on top of a
ridge at Bernard Harbour, N.W.T., a num-
ber of fairy shrimps (both sexes) of a pe-
culiar species, {Artemiopsis Stefanssonii)
not known before. Another species {A.
bungei Sars) is known from Siberia and
the New Siberian Islands. The new spe-
cies will be described and figured in detail
in the reports from the said expedition
(Vol. VII, Part G), so I need only give a
summary of my observations on it here. I
first observed it on October 6, 1915, in a
one foot deep pond which then had seven
inclies of ice covering it, but in spite of
this the fairy shrimps were very active. In
size they were from seven to eleven mm.
long, the females being generally a little
longer than the males, but all were appa-
rently adult and ripe. They belong to the
group of fairy shrimps with eleven pairs
of progenital limits, and the male had its
claspers in the form of powerful, sickle-
shaped, terminal parts (with two spines
projecting some distances from their tips),
projecting from a swollen basal part, be-
sides somewhat spiral shaped protruding
genital organs, while the female had a very
large elliptical egg-sack with olive-brown
eggs and a couple of curved processes pro-
jecting laterally from the dorsal side of the
genital segments. Especially do these fe-
male characters remind one decidedly of
Emhranchipus gelidus, but the shape of the
male claspers and genitalia, together with
the absence of accessory copulatory organs
(frontal processes, etc.), distinguish them
at a glance. In color the males were paler
than the females, the latter were orange-
red-brown and transparent posteriorly.
When found these fairy shrimps were
mostly hi coifu, the males holding the fe-

males by their claspers dorsally just above
the egg-sack and aiding them in locomo-
tion. " Males not in copula would soon at-
tack one of the females, which were pre-
sent in larger numbers than the males,
and remain with her as long as copulation
lasted. I kept these fairy shrimps alive
for some days in a jar, but finally they
all died, nor did I have any success in try-
ing to rear the eggs during the winter and
next spring. What is apparently the ma-
tanauplii (2-3inm.) of this species I found
next summer (July 3, 1916) in the same
pond; at that date the Branchinecta palu-
dosn metanauplii were considerably larger,
so apparently the new species is somewhat
later (a couple of weeks) in its develop-
ment (hatching). On the other hand it
lasts longer in the fall, no Branchinecta
being met with after the freshwater freezes
in September on this coast, while the other
fairy shrimp, as mentioned, was secured as
late as the end of the first week of October.
Owing to the shallowness of the pond, how-
ever, they probably would not live many
days longer, but be killed off when the
water froze to the bottom before the middle
of the month. I only found the new spe-
cies in the pond mentioned, and the locality
(Bei-nard Harbour) is the only one in
which it has been met with so far. In this
connection it is interesti'Ug to note that De
Dees (1910) says in his account of the
Siberian species {A. hungei) of the same
genus, that it apparently can withstand a
very cold water (about 1° Keamur), and
at least some of the specimens were secured
on October 10 (1886). This conforms re-
markably well with my observations on the
new Canadian arctic species {A. Stefans-
sonii.)

Dr. A. G. Huntsman of Toronto has re-
cently sent me four adult (about 21/2 cm,
long) fairy-shrimps, one female, the rest
males, which he collected on June 11, 1920,
in shallow sloughs, three miles northeast of
Medicine Hat, Alta. I have identified them
as Streptocephalus coloradensis Dodds, and
Prof. A. S. Pearse of the University _ of
Wisconsin has verified my determination
of this as of other uncommon Canadian
Phyllopods. These Streptocephalus oc-
curred together with Lepidurus couesid,

9 Though the principal swimming- was done
by the female.

:iO

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

[Vol. XXV.

and the two "clam-shrimps", Estheria
mexicana and Limnetis (jouldii. The fem-
ale had ripe eggs in its long, tapering ^°
ovisac, and the three males had the copula-
tory organs well developed. This is the
first record of this family in Canada ; it
is known in the United States only from
Colorado, from which state it was origin-
ally described and figured by Dodds in
1916. The family (and genus) is char-
acterized by the male having very long,
tortuous and three- jointed claspers (se-
cond antenna?), with particularly the ter-
minal joint subdivided into branches and

10 Thus distinguished from the female B.
paludosa.

appendages (see figure l)y Cockerell,
1912). The male has the protruding geni-
talia rather small and slender; while with
the female the second pair of antennae
hardl.y exceeds the first pair in length.

This new Canadian record makes it verj^
probable tliat the species also occurs in
AVyoming and Montana. In Colorado it
occurs, according to Dodds (Proc. U. S. N.
M. Vol. 49), on the eastern slope of the
Rocky Mountains (Eldorado and Fort Col-
lins), up to an elevation of almost 9,000
feet. The new record at Medicine Hat
(which lies at an elevation of about 2,135
feet) apparently gives the lowest known
altitude of the occurrence of the species._
(To he concluded.)

SOME NOTES ON THE BELTED KINGFISHER.
By Prof. William Rowan, University of Alberta, Edmonton.

The following notes were obtained at
the neAv Biological Station of the Man-
itoba University on the shores of Indian
Bay, Shoal Lake, Lake of the Woods, Man.,
between the 15th of June and the 4th of
August 1920. The Biological Station is
placed in the wildest scenery right on the
shores of the bay, 100 miles east of Win-
nipeg. Most of the intervening country
is muskeg and little of it is settled. The
University buildings consist of two bunga-
lows, and there are half a dozen other
buildings inhabited by employees of the
Greater Winnipeg Water District and
hands connected with the little private
railway which supplies them with food
and weekly mail bag. The birds w-ere
therefore studied in a comparatively un-
disturbed and natural environment.

The shores of the lake are entirely rocky
and thickly clothed with trees, mainly
poplars. The scores of islands in Shoal
Lake are similarly of solid rock, covered
with extremely dense vegetation. On our
arrival tlie nesting sites of the Kingfisher,
one of the most abundant birds, was a
problem, for even his colossal beak is use-
less when it comes to working in rock. No
amount of searching or watching from the
canoe along the banks revealed a single
nesting hole. The continual passage, how-
ever, of Kingfishers from the shores of
the lake to the banks of a large gravel pit
— a relic of the water works operations —

put us on the right track and on the third
day we had found the first nest. The holes
are so characteristic that, having found
one, others were easy, and a half hour's
search revealed nearly a dozen nests in
the two banks. The pit is about a quarter
of a mile in length and some hundred yards
across and the banks are mainly of soft
sand. The only other birds nesting in
holes here are Rough- Winged Swallows,
and of these there is but one small colony
with their little holes characteristically
close to one another. The Kingfisher's
holes are much larger, being six or seven
inches across, and all are at the tops of the
banks. Some are old, others in use. The
latter can immediately be detected by the
curious double track of tlie two feet of the
parents worn into the soft sand and run-
ning from the entrance inwards. There is
no offensive smell however, and no filth
oozing out, two characteristics of some other
species of Kingfisher. The burrow is as a
rule between two and three feet in length,
liorizontal sind straight. The terminal
chamber is very roomy, as indeed it must
be to hold the seven or eight large young.
It is invariably sunk beneath the level of
the run, and if dug out is found to have
the wall dripping and reeking with filth.
The young, when ready to fly, have an ex
tremely offensive smell, their breast and
belly feathers being plastered togethe
with caked sand.

l(

Febraarr, 1921.]

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

;31

One or two exceptions to the straight
run were found in eases where the birds
had struck a large root far in Avhile bur-
rowing. If this should happen early in the
proceedings the hole is apparently aband-
oned. Small r«ots are broken and cleared
out. No fish bones were found in any of
the chambers examined.

This sand pit, a quarter of a mile from
the lake, was the favourite nesting ground.
One or two burrows were found in the soft
humus and leaf mould covering the islands,
but these were all comparatively short. In
one case there were no less than three at-
tempted and abandoned holes round the
successful one, either big roots or rock
having formed an impassible barrier. Other
nests were found in small sand pits dug
in various parts of the forest. Some of
these were a mile from the lake and mea-
sured but a few yards across with the
banks only 18 inches high. Nearly all
held a single Kingfisher family and each
had one or two holes used in previous
years.

Most of the eggs had hatched by the
thne of our arrival. A full clutch appears
to consist of eight, the av£rage size being
3.43 X 2.64 centimetres. It is hard to
tell one end from the other.

The fledging period is very long, prob-
ably more than five Aveeks. The young are
blind when first hatched and remain so
for at least a week. At about a fortnight
they are bristling with quills, which, dur-
ing the third week, almost simultaneously
"burst into bloom". A family of seven
was photographed at the end of about the
fourth week. A week later they left the
nest one by one, two days elapsing be-
tween the departure of the first and the
last. They were escorted almost at once
to the lake. During the second week of
July the lake's edge was alive with single
young, scattered here and there, sitting
stupidly by themselves or chasing a parent
for food. A week later each family was
reuniting and the young beginning to fish
for tliemselves. I have seen four young
and an adult on a single perch, the young
presumably taking fishing lessons.

the nest the young "churr" when
luiigry. This resembles the adult rattle,
V^xcept that it is very much faster and on a
apiinute .scale. The young can produce the

\,^^ presu
^^lung

adult edition at an early age if taken from
the nest and sufficiently aroused. As with
the British Kingfisher, the hind toe is kept
tightly pressed against the back of the leg
during the fledging period. The legs are
flesh coloured.

The Belted Kingfisher is a decidedly
noisy bird. No matter whether disturbed
b}' human beings, other mammals or the
larger raptors it always rattles loud and
long. When the young have just left the nest
and are being taught their trade, the old
birds are at their noisiest. At the nest
there are always one or two favourite per-
ches on wliich the birds may settle before
going to the hole. These are usually at
the to]) of some tall tree. Nearly always the
bird lands there to the accompaniment of
a loud tattoo, Avhether there is danger in
sight or not. Their attitudes in perching
vary of course, but I sliould say the most
characteristic is with the tail, which is
often flicked up, held level, and the rag-
ged crest partially erect. This ornament
always looks patchy when raised. It is
thicker, or seemingly so in the young, the
feathers being shorter and stouter. The
adult plumages are too well known to need
description. The juvenile female has the
flanks more freely sprinkled with brown
then the young male. Both have the grey
chest band tipped with brown. Some of
the young males show decided indications
of the brown lower chest band of the
female, but this is a variable feature. The
percentage of males per brood appears to
l3e considerably higher than females.

The food consists mainly of fish, though
crayfish, abundant in the shallow edges,
are extensively eaten and are also fed to
the voung. They are taken whole to the
nest! Fish, if big, are held in the middle
and slapped on a branch till dead or stun-
ned. Fishing is mainly done after the
manner of Terns, the Kingfishers hovering
in the air and then diving; but they also
commonly dive from perches, though I
have only seen crayfish obtained in this
way. Owing to the rocky nature of the
lake's edge, suitable perches are few, and
these are in continual use. Both birds hunt
for the young (and I believe take turns at
incubation), and I have seen the cock bring
food for the hen when she was brooding
the newlv hatched young.

^^^

32

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

[Vol. XXV.

Photographing the birds entering and
leaving the nest was attempted but with
scant success owing to the disappointing
qualities of the only so-called fast plates
available when we left Winnipeg. Despite
the most brilliant sunshine a bird photo-
grapher could wish for, an exposure of
1/lOth second at an aperture of F6 was
the shortest possible to get a decently ex-
posed negative. The movements of the
l)ird were far too quick for such a time
exposure. The heat of the little sandpit in
the full glare of the July sun (shade tem-
perature 90deg. odd) was almost unbear-
able, perspiration dripping steadily off

every inch of one's body during the Avhole
of the time in the blind. Ants were count-
less, a hearty biting variety; "bulldogs"
and other flies took each their ounce of
flesh at frequent intervals; mosquitoes in
their batallions bit through shirt and trou-
sers alike, yet movement was impossible.
The birds proved good subjects, both male
and female bringing food to the half-
grown young at regular intervals of about
half an hour, but owing to the poor plates
the camera was given up in disgust and
most of the three or four days spent in the
hide were devoted to observation and
sketching.

THE KING versus

This case has attracted such wide at-
tention among naturalists, sportsmen, and
all who are interested in the conservation
of the Wild Life of the continent that a
summary of it is not out of place here. If
any reader desires the full text of the de-
cision it may be obtained from the Com-
missioner, Canadian National Parks
Branch, Ottawa.

On March 31, 1920, Russell C. Clark was
apprehended near Mount Stewart, P.E.I.,
by P. G. Rowe, a migrator}^ Bird Warden.
At the time Mr. Clark had in his posses-
sion a boat, a shot-gun, and fourteen Can-
ada Geese. He was tried before a local
magistrate and the case dismissed.

Then the case came before the Supreme
Court of Prince Edward Island on an ap-
j)eal from the dismissal.

It was suggested by the defence that the
Migratory Birds Convention Act was ultra
vires the Federal Legislature as regards
birds found in the province of Prince Ed-
ward Island, they being the property of
the Province, and the question being raised
was considered.

The judgment of the court states in part
that this Act was passed to give effect to
a Treaty for the Protection of Migratory
Birds which traverse Canada and the
United States, the title whereof is not con-
sidered vested in any particular part of
either country.

The Treaty determines certain close sea-
sons and it is by it agreed that appropriate
legislation for insuring its execution should
be enacted by the law-making bodies of the
High Contracting Powers. This has been

RUSSEL C. CLARK.

done b}^ the Federal Parliament in the Act
of 7, 8, George V, thus performing an obli-
gation of this Dominion arising under a
Treaty between the Empire and a foreign
power.

Under the British North America Act,
1867, the Parliament of Canada is given
exclusive power to make laws in this res-
pect.

It is pointed out in the judgment that
similar legislation has been enacted by an
Act of Congress of the United States of
America, and in the case the State of Mis-
souri, Appellant, and Ray P. Holland,
United States Game Warden, the Supre-
me Court of the United States held that
the Migratory Birds named in the Act
were only transitorily within any State,
having no permanent habitat therein, and
that they could be protected by national
action in concert with that of another
power.

The judgment goes on to state that the
Canada Goose is indisputably a migratory
bird traversing the Continent of America
from the frozen North to the Gulf of Mexi-
co and that it is only at certain seasons
to be found in any particular part thereof.

Uniform protection for such birds is not
possible for any Provincial Legislature
although the killing and sale of such birds
as between the Province and its people may
be regulated b}' the Provincial Legislature.
Uniform protection for these birds can
only be accomplished "by national action
in concert with another power" and here
the Supreme Court of Prince Edward

February, 1921.

The Canadl\n Field-Naturalist.

Island quotes from the decision of the
Supreme Court of the United States.

The decision is summed up with a state-
ment to the effect that the Migratory Birds
Convention Act is intra vires of the Dom-
inion Parliament under the general power
of the Federal Parliament to make laws for
the order and good government of Canada
as well as under its power to carry out
Treaty obligations by legislation and any
conflicting Provincial Legislation is abrog-
ated bv it.

The magistrate's order for dismissal was
set aside and the appeal alloMed with costs.
Under this decision Mr. Clark's gun was
forfeited, a fine of $10.00 imposed, and he
had to pay" the court costs.

It will be of interest to those concerned
in the protection of the birds of the Con-
tinent to learn from this decision that the
Federal Legislation for bird protection in
Canada is legally sound.

NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS.
Animal Behavior as a Factor in the Formation of Bone Beds.

The oecuiTcnce of fossil vertebrates
massed togetlier in considerable numbers
in restricted areas is a familiar fact to ex-
perienced collectors. These aggregations
are usually spoken of as bone beds or quar-
ries by collectors of fossils. Various theo-
ries have been proposed to account for the
surprising abundance of vertebrate remains
in certain quarries and their absence or
scarcity outside these limited areas. Dif-
ferent kinds of bone beds evidently re-
quire different explanations.

In the ease of bone beds in which only
a single species or closely associated spe-
cies are present, the accumulation of the
remains of numerous individuals may be
explained by the peculiar behavior of some
animals of the present time on the approach
of death from starvation or freezing. Such
bone beds appeal- to be common in the
Cretaceous. Mr. C. M. Sternberg is ac-
(luainted Avith ' ' no less than 7 bone beds in
which only horned dinosaurs are repre-
sented. " 1 '

Darwin has described the curious ins-
tinct of the guanaco of South America
which leads it to "have favorite spots for
lying down to die. On the banks of the
St. Cruz in certain circumscribed spaces
Avhich were generally bushy and all near
the river the ground was actually white
with bones. ' ' -

A western correspondent, Mr. R. A.
Brooks, has given me in a letter a descrip-

T- E. M. Kindle, Inequalities of Sedimenta-
tion, Jour, .of Geol., Vol. 27, p. 359, 1919.

- Chas. Darwin. The Voyag^e of the Beagle,
p 172.

tion of the behavior of cattle and buffalo
on the western plains under the stress of
cold, starvation and fright, which clearly
indicates how large masses of the bones of
these animals have been accumulated. Mr.
Brooks states that : "During the hard
winter of 1906-07 thousands of head of
cattle perished from starvation and cold.
I remember well how some of them died.
The first cow to die usually felt it com-
ing and left the bunch or herd and slow-
ly made its way to a lonely place, gen-
erally a clump of brush or a coulee, and
lying down simply waited to die. The
next one feeling her time approaching
followed in the tracks of the first one,
and died " close beside her and this was
kept up until there were no more, or re-
lief came. At the U Ranch in the Hands-
Hills, central Alberta, the owner show-
ed me a coulee where 450 head of his
cattle died. This pile of bones actually
made a dam across the ravine. Within
half a mile was another pile of bones,
all that was left of 675 head. Everyone
acted the same way. The owners told
me that hardly half a dozen died sep-
arately and these were on their way to
the dying place.

"There is also another place on the
Beaver Dam river where countless buf-
falo died of thirst during a dry year. An
old Indian told me that long ago there
had l)een nearly three years of rain-
less seasons. All the rivers were dry as
well as most of the springs. But one
kept flowing very freely on the banks
of the Beaver Dmn. When a herd of

34

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

[Vol. XXV.

buffalo would come near enough to scent
this, there was a stampede for it and
the ones behind would literally climb
over the front ones and trample each
other to death. Prairie fires also were
the cause of many buffalo bones at the
bottom of cliffs, and it is well known
here that in the early days the Indians
themselves used to stampede herds of
buffalo over the cliffs. "

This account of the behavior of Avestern
cattle under the conditions described, and
the mass destruction of the buffalo when
acting under stampede excitement, gives
an insiglit into phases of animal behavior
which may have been a factor in the forma-
tion of some fossil bone beds. It may be
that the Alberta dinosaurs of Cretaceous
times when famine came, like the Alberta
cattle of today, sought a common dying
ground.

E. M. Kindle.

Vespula Diabolica. — During the past
summer (1920) Vespula diahoUca was ex-
tremely abundant in northern Frontenac
County, Ontario. In August and Septem-
l)er there were hundreds of this species
about my camp at Lake Missanag, where
during the la^t four years only a few in-
dividuals had been present. Anything
sweet which was exposed even for a few
minutes became a rendez-vous for these
wasps and was soon a mass of buzzing black
and yellow. In the woods they were every-
where in evidence. From various sources
I have heard of the great abundance of
"hornets" in the northern districts of On-
tario during the past summer, and in all
probability these reports refer to the pre-
sent species.

The statements in the literature concern-
ing the nest of this species are conflicting.
According to Ashmead it nests in stumps.
Lutz, after describing the nests of Vespa
cral)}0 and Vespula maculata, says: " Tlie
remainder of our species, the Yellow- jack-
ets, usually make smaller nests and place
them either near or under the ground."
Plate 3 in "The Hymenoptera of Connec-
ticut" shows a small paper nest of this
species apparently attached to a beam. I
came across several nests of this species
and all were suspended from the limbs of
trees; they are large paper structures, and

seem to be almost identical with those of
Vespula maculata.

The larvae are 12 mm. long and 5 mm. in
diameter at the widest part, whitish in
colour, and hang head downwards, sus-
pended by the sticky disc at the posterior
end of the body. The pupae at first are
white, with black eyes; later the thorax v
becomes dark, and the black bands appear
on the abdominal segments before the wings
have developed beyond the wing-pad stage.

Vespula diahoUca exhibits a considerable
variation in size and marking. Different
individuals range from 13 to IG mm. in
length. In some individuals the black
bands on the anterior portion of the ab-
dominal segments are very wide, in others
tliey are comparatively narrow. In some
the black point on the first abdominal
segment projects much further back than
in others, sometimes almost cutting the
A'ellow posterior border of that segment in
two. I found such a difference in respect
to marking that I sent three specimens to
Dr. L. 0. Howard for confirmation of
identification. Dr. Howard reports that
Mr. Rohwer determines them all as V.
diahoUca. Two of these specimens were
taken from the same nest.

This species appears to feed very lar-
gely, if not entirely, upon vegetable sub-
stances. Sweetish sap of any kind is taken
with avidity. Fruits are bitten into and
the pulp devoured or carried off. Kernels
of corn in the late milk stage are cut into
and pieces about a millimetre square are
carried off. The material carried off is
probably food for the larvae, although I
was not able to prove this point conclu-
sively.

Vespula diahoUca does not merit its spe-
cific name by reason of its disposition,
since it is not at all pugnacious as far as
man is concerned. Unlike some of the
other Vespoidea no amount of striking at
it seems to arouse its ire, and one indivi-
dual crawled up my sleeve and came out
at the neck of my shirt Avithout stinging.
In fact only if seized or crushed does it
sting. Its sting is not particularly severe,
the burning sensation soon passing off and
leaving an itching Avhich persists for a
couple of days. It is capable of stinging
twice in rapid succession. They are rather
quarrelsome among themselves, and Avhen

February, 1921.]

The Canadian Field-Xatt;ralist.

35

many individuals are taking food from a
common source they have frequent com-
bats, two individuals grappling, rolling
over and over, and using their mandibles
but never their stings.

This species finds its food by the sense
of smell, as was shown by a few experi-
ments which I performed. Food hidden
from its sight was readily discovered, but
similarly-coloured objects without odour
were not visited.

A. Brooker Klugh.

A Gull in Niagara Rapids. — On the
afternoon of February 16, 1921, at Niaga-
ra Falls, Ontario, I was watching through
binoculars (x3) Herring Gulls, {Larus ar-
geniatus, Pont.) and Ring-billed Gulls
{Larus delaivarensis Ord.) which were
picking bits of food out of the rapids of
the Niagara River. So skilfully did they do
their work that they seemed to receive on
their plumage not even a drop of spray
as they dipped repeatedly to the surface
of the rough water. But one adult Gull, of
which species I cannot say, must have made
an error as he sought to obtain some object
in the rapids just above the brink of the
Canadian Falls, for, while I watched with
my glasses focussed on him, he was sud-
denly seized by the foaming river, and in
a flash he disappeared beneath the sur-
face. I concluded that his career was end-
ed and that in a few moments more he
Avould go over the falls. Hardly had I had
time for the thought, however, when, several
feet down-stream from the place where he
had been submerged, the Gull reappeared
and succeeded in taking flight. Appar-
ently the rough handling which lie must
have received while beneath the surface of
the rapids had forced water into his usually
water-proof plumage, for, as he flew slow-
ly away, he was seen to shake himself
vigorously, as a dog will do on coming
out of the water.

Harrison F. Lewis.

The Greater Snow Goose. — Most re-
cent writers on the water-fowl of north-
eastern North America speak of the Greater
Show Goose {Chen hyperhoreiis nivalis
(Forst.)) as a rare bird in that area and
appear to pay little or no attention to the
fact that Mr. C. E. Dionne, on pages 109-

110 of his book, "Les Oiseaux de la Pro-
vince de Quebec" (1906), states of tliis
subspecies that it "is very common and
often occurs in considerable flocks in spring
and fall in certain places on our shores,
notably at St. Joachim, where I have seen
flocks of three or four thousand individ-
uals,' on the Island of Orleans, and as far
as the Sea- Wolves' Batture". The three
points mentioned by Mr. Dionne are Avith-
in sight of one another. In their vicinity
probably all the Greater Snow Geese in
existence in a wild state gather each spring
and autumn. From the independent sta-
tements of various careful observers, I
should conclude that their number is now
alxHit five or six thousand. When I visit-
ed St. Joachim on March 31, 1921, I saw
about two thousand Greater Snow Goose
there and was told that the maximum num
l)er would be present about ten days later.
They are Avell protected by a resident
M-arden maintained by the Cap Tourmente
Fish and Game Club.

Harrison F. Lewis.

The Town of Yarmouth, N.S., Buys A
Bird Sanctuary.

The municipality of the Town of Yar-
mouth has purchased a Bird Sanctuary.
This was not an area suitable for a park
or other similar purposes,but was the Island
in Lake George where the colony of Great
Black-backed Gulls nest. It is of use for
Bird Sanctuary purposes only, and this
colony of Gulls, so ably described by Mr.
Harrison F. Lewis, will now be protected,
and will serve as an additional attractioii
for bird-lovers in the Yarmoutli vicinity.

The publication of Mr. Lewis'^ article
in the "Naturalist" assisted in crystalli/c-
ing local public opinion on this question
for it was extensively quoted in the Yar-
mouth press at the time that the matter
was under consideration.

The only step necessary to complete the
Sanctuary will be the formal setting aside
of the area by the provincial authorities.

Large cities have parks where land birds
find refuge and may be studied by the
student ; these are bird sanctuaries with-

1 Canadian Field-Naturalist Sept. 1920.

36

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

[Vol. XXV

out doubt ; but the town of Yarmouth has
pointed the wa.y to other Canadian muni-
cipalities by purchasing an area solely be-
cause the birds found it suitable. What a
splendid impetus would be given to bird
protection if every town that had such a
bird colony near it w^ere to extend its in-
fluence officially in the interest of its bird
neighbours. In the West the care of a
prairie slough suitable for wild fowl as
the town bird sanctuary would be a worthy
line of endeavour for any town or city.
The idea could be combined with the pre-
sent laudable desire of many municipali-
ties in the Western Provinces to reserve
park lands in their immediate vicinity.

HoYES Lloyd.

Freshwater Crustacea From Canada.
— ^ince writing my articles on this subject
(see tan. Field-I^aturalist, October and
November, 1920) I have had the opport-
unity of examining some samples of fresh-
water invertebrates collected by Dr. A. G.
Huntsman in southern New Brunswick
and Nova Scotia in the fall of 1920. They
contained tlie following new records of
Amphipods and Isopods: —

hyalella knickerbockeri, Bate (H. Azte-
ka 8auss) : Several young ones from Lock
Lomond, near St. John, N.B., October 7,
1920, and from Solomon Lake, near Yar-
mouth, N.S., October 4, 1920. Asellus com-
munis, Say : Several young ones from So-
lomon Lake, N.S., October 4, 1920.

Frits Johansen.

BOOK REVIEWS.
The Auk, No. 3, July, 1920.

Notes on Some American Ducks, by Al-
lan Brooks, 2 plates, pp. 353-367.

Ornithologists are not as a rule sports-
men, and undoubtedly their greatest weak-
ness is a lack of personal familiarity with
water-fowl. The difficulty of obtaining
material for the study of these birds at the
most interesting and illuminating time of
the year (the close season) is someAvhat to
blame for this, but the feeling that birds
so systematically hunted must already be
well known has tended to turn the atten-
tion of ornithologists towards fields that
seem to present greater promise. The fact
is, however, that the very few sportsmen
and shooters, who know any more about
ducks than is sufficient to make occasional
bags at certain seasons of the year, are sel-
dom fitted either by scientific training or
inclination to present their obsei'vations in
a proper manner. While many old hunt-
ers are mines of valuable information, and
our sporting magazines are filled with
more or less accurate accounts of the habits
and characters of -wild fowl, but little of
scientific worth has been made public from
these sources in America and it takes the
closest discrimination to separate that lit-
tle from the fiction in which it is buried.

This paper is therefore of great value as
it comes from a man who knows his sub-
ject from both the sportsman's and the
naturalist's standpoint. It consists of var-
ious notes on nine species of British Colum-

bian ducks. They are too varied to be more
than mentioned here, except a detailed
analysis of the difference between the Am-
erican and Barrow's Golden-eye which is
treated at length, with plates showing
courtship attitudes of the latter. It is a"
coincidence that the author calls atten-
tion to the differential features of bill and
wind-pipe that the present reviewer dis-
cussed in a late number of this journal.
Courtship in Birds, bv Chs. W. Townsend,
pp. 380-393.

This is a philosophic study of the stran-
ge courtship dances and actions that are in-
dulged in by many birds. The author has
made a special study of these. and no one
is better qualified to generalize upon them,

Ontario Bird Notes, by J. H. Fleming
and Hoyes Lloyd, pp. 429-439.

A resume of the ornithological develop-
ments in Ontario since the publication of
Fleming's Birds of Toronto, Auk, XXIII
and XXIV, (1906-1907). It includes notes
on some 71 species.

Seventeenth Supplement to the American
Ornithologist 's Union Check List of North
American Birds, b}^ the Committee on No-
menclature, consisting of Witmer Stone,
H. C. Oberholser, Jonathan Dwight, T. S.
Palmer and Chas. W. Richmond, pp. 439-
449.

When the last Check-list was published
in 1910 it was proposed to issue revised

February, 1921.]

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

')(

editions every decade, leaving the subject
of changes to rest from official action in
the interim. This would give us ten year.
intervals of approximate stability instead
of a constant and progressive series of
change. 1920 was the year for the ac-
cumulated proposals of change to be con-
sidered and decided upon and a new^ Check-
list published. However, one of the im-
portant matters under consideration at the
1919 annual meeting was the proposal
from the British Ornithologist's Union that
the two associations should unite in a check-
list of birds of the Avorld in which we were
to assume charge of the part covering
America.

It was recognized that, however desir-
able this might be, it brought to the fore
the fundamental differences between Eu-
ropean and American practice, but it was
hoped that grounds of agreement could be
arrived at. Harmonizing of opposed views
and the mutual concessions necessary to
agreement is a difficult matter, and though
the publication of a check-list has been
held up, that object of the negotiations has
not yet been arrived at. The committee
on Xomenclature has been busy, however,
and has decided that the results of their
findings should no longer be withheld.
Considering that this supplement is "a
considerable part" of ten ^-ears accumula-
tions it is not as bad as the annual install-
ments of possibilities led us to fear. The
additions and changes number 32, the re-
jections 35. Those affecting the names of
Canadian birds are as follows:

Generic Changes.

Megalestris Bonaparte, Skut, becomes
Catharncta Brunnich.

Hydrocheledon Boie, Black Tern, beco-
mes Chlidonias Rafinesque.

Thalassidroma Vigors, Storm Petrel, be-
comes Hydrobates Boie.

Aestrelata Bonaparte, Petrels, becomes
Pterodroma Bonaparte.

Clangula Oken, Goldeneye, becomes
Glaucionetta Bonaparte.

HercJda Stephens, Harlequin, becomes
Clangula Leach.

Macrorhamphus Forster, Dowitcher, be-
comes Limnodromus AVied.

Calidris Illiger, Sanderling, becomes
Crocethia Billberg.

Helodromas Kaup, Solitary Sandpiper,
becomes Tringa Linnaeus.

Heteractitis Stejneger, Wandering Tat-
ler, becomes Heteroscelus Baird.

Charadrius Linneaeus, Golden Plovers,
becomes Pluvialis Brisson.

Acgialitis Boie, Ring Plovers, becomes
Cha}ad)ius Linnaeus.

Cathaiista Vieillot, Black Vulture, be-
comes Coragyps Geoffroy.

AIuco Fleming, Barn Owls, becomes
Tyto Billberg.

Saxicola Bechstein, Wheatears, becomes
Oenanthe Vieillot.

The Gannet, Sula Bassana (Linnaeus),
is placed in another genus and becomes
Moris bassana (Linnaeus).

Specific and Subspecific Changes.

Calidris leucophaea Pallas, Sander-
ling, becomes Crocethia alba Pallas.

Vermivora rubricapilla Wilson, asli-
ville Warbler, becomes Vermivora rufica-
pilla Wilson.

Compsothlypi-s americana usnea Brews-
ter, Northern Parula AVarbler, becomes
Compsothlypis americana pusilla Wilson.

It is evident from this that many of our
oldest and most familiar names have gone
into synonomy but it is also to be noted that
the Committee have dropped diphthongs
in the .spelling which is an advance in the
direction of simplicity and a relief to the
printer who is Avithout an unlimited font.

A list of 35 rejections follows, which
many of us maj' wish twice as long.

Under ' ' General Notes. ' '

B. H. Swales, p. 463, records a Hooded
Warbler seen on Belle Isle in the Detroit
River, Mich., May 6, 1920. This is only a
fraction of a mile from the Canadian
boundary and the record is of interest in
connection with our few records of the
species in south-western Ontario.

Harrison F. Lewis, pp. 464-465, gives a
very circumstantial account of a Blue-
gray Gnatcatcher seen at Quebec City, May
18, 1920. There is another old but poorly
substantiated record for this species at
Montreal. Mr. Lewis' description of its
characteristic tail twitching and repeated
hoarse note is very convincing and places
the occurrence on as firm a basis as is
possible for a sight record of so unusual
an event.

.38

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

[Vol. XXV

Under ' ' Recent Literature ' ' is reviewed,
pp. 479-480, On the Nest and Eggs of the
Common. Tern {S. fluviatilis), A Compa-
rative Study, by Wm. Rowan, E, Wolf and
P. L. Sulman, assisted bj^ Messrs. Pearson,
Isaacs, Elderton and Tildsley. Biometrika,
Vol. XII, 1919, pp. 308-354, 5 plates.

This is a mathematical correlation of the
exceedingly variable characters of the eggs
and nests of this species with their envi-
ronment, to detect the relation if any be-
tween these apparently hap-hazard fact-
ors. In the Ci3urse of the w'ork many hun-
dred eggs were examined and measured and
compared with their immediate surround-
ings. While results are not conclusive on
any one point they are suggestive of lines
of future investigation. Thus, whilst there
was more uniformity, the eggs averaged
larger inthe good season of 1914 than in the
poor one of 1913. This may possibly have
been due to the stricter elimination of the
weaker birds or those that departed farthest
from the optimum type the previous year.
Another point brought out, but the meaning
of which does not seem clear, was tliat the
most spherical eggs were found in the
most carelessly built nests. Much other
food for thought is suggested that we have
not space to mention. This is work that
may well be carried on by those few who
are favorably situated to examine large
rookeries of variable species. The results,
even if negative, are worth while, for it is
as much a part of scientific pathfinding
to loeate the blind alleys as to mark the
highway. In reply to criticism that has
already been raised it may be remarked
that the senior author has informed us
that apart from the momentary and un-
avoidable fright caused by the intrusion
of the investigators the birds were not
disturbed and the great array of tabulated
data was gathered without the necessarj-
loss of an egg.

Under ' ' Correspondence ' '.

W. E. Saunders and J. H. Fleming ad-
dress a letter to the Editor, proposing that
in future, at the Annual Metings of the
A. 0. U., each member shall pay for his
or her own luncheons instead of being en-
tertained as guests by members of local
organizations. It was felt that, however
hospitable and willing these organizations
have been in the past, it is throwing an

annually increasing burden upon them thai
is greater than should be accepted. . It may
be remarked that this was followed by a
circular letter to the membership, and, as
a result, at the late Washingtoir meeting
the suggestion was acted upon.

Pp. 499-505 are taken up with a discus-
sion on Popular Nomenclature, originating
independently with Wm. Rowan and Har-
rison F. Lewis, and replied to by the Editor,
Witmer Stone.

Mr. Rowan objects to the use of names
like Robin and Sparrow Hawk to Ameri-
can species when the terms are preoccupied
by entirely different Old World forms. He
suggests that we return to the system in
foiVe before the 1910 Check List of prefix-
ing the adjective American to them.

Mr. Lewis presents five propositions for
the making of popular bird names :

1. — Provide for specific as well as sub-
specific names.

2. — Avoidance of clumsy names.

3.— Changing inappropriate or mislead-
ing names.

4. — Avoidance of the names of people
in name construction.

5. — The use of modifiers to group names
when used for individual members of such
group.

Mr. Stone, whilst dealing sympatheti-
cally with most of these view^s, proclaims the
impossibility of applying a "code" to the
construction of popular names, fearing the
introduction of "book names" and citing
cases where such have failed of general
adoption. In the spirit of Thompson Se-
ton's apt phrase "the genius of the lang-
uage" he objects to Rowan's proposal de-
claring in substance that to Americans
Planesticus migratorius is the Robin and
no other name Mall be generally adopted.
He does, however, approve of Lewis'
fifth proposition.

Whilst a liard and fast code such as is
applied to scientific names (and incident-
ally keeps shuffling our names about) may
not seem advisable and considerable lat-
itude must be given to established popular
usage, it does seem that some such prin-
ciples might well be kept in mind. The
Check-list is now a mass of "book names"
of the bookiest kind, and it does not seem
that it would put any great inconvenience
upon the general public were the most ob-

February, 1921.]

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

39

surd of them replaced by others of more
popular appeal. Names well established in
popular usage need not be disturbed, but
it does not seem likely that (1) calling the
first described subspecies of the Palm War-
bler, the Interior Palm Warbler; (2)
shortening Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker
to Arctic Woodpecker; (3) changing Arc-
tic To-whee to Northern Towhee; (4) Brun-
nich's Murre to Thick-billed Murre; (5)
and Chickadee to Black-capped Chickadee
would arouse any g^eneral protest from the
public.

It is difficult to understand Mr. Stone's
attitude in regard to the prefix American
to Robin, Sparrow Hawk, Redstart and
others. Of course to those wlio know and
love him Plauesficus migratorius Avill al-
ways be regarded as the robin in spite of
check lists and committees to the contrary,
but colloquial use need not debar the crea-
tion of a more formal title for mixed au-
diences. If we speak of a certain well-
known ornithologist in public or where
confusion of identity might arise we are
careful to use his full formal name, e.g.
Dr. Witmer Stone, and on proper occasion
may add a string of letters in due form.
In general private discussion, I fear that
the single name "Stone" is often used,
whilst among his intimates I think I have
heard the simple "Witmer'' repeated and
a nick-name may even be surmised. Yet
all these forms are without prejudice to
the full formal title in the check-list of
American men of scinee. There is no rea-
son why the same would not prove true of
the American Robin or any other similar
bird.

The fact is that Planesticus migratorius
is not, nor ever can be. The Robin any
more than it can be an elephant or any
thing else that it is not. Calling it so col-
loquially or as a figure of speech may be
convenient and expressive where the use is
plain, but it is not suitable for formal oc-
casions or where the purpose is obscure. It
may be said that it is the bird called Robin
in America or t^ie American Robin, but it is
not the Robin any more than the Canada
Goose is a Bustard because French Can-
adians call it Outard. These are questions
of fact that cannot be set aside by spe-
cialist committees. The suggestion that if
Planesticus migratorius is the American
Robin, Erithocus ruhecula is the European

Robin is hardly logical, as we can hardlv
call on Europe to quality itself when it
has the acknowledged priority; the onus
of distinction lies with us.

Finally I would take exception to Mr.
Stone's proposal that the names of sub-
specifically divided species be made plu-
ral, as Melospiza melodia,. the Song Spar-
rows. This is a retrograde step, A tree is
a tre,e no matter how many branches it has,
and Melospiza melodia is a species, no
matter how many subspecies may be found
within its limits. It is not a (complex of
individual disconnected units but an in-
dividual unit itself, more or less branched
and containing plans of possible future
cleavage; but until that cleavage occurs
an individual entity for all that. To de-
clare otherwise is to support a false and
obsolete doctrine without in any way
clarifying popular concepts.

Notes and News contains, p. 511, the ob-
ituary notice for Dr. C. Gordon Hewitt,
who died at Ottawa. Feb. 29, 1920.

No. 4, October, 1920.

Limicoline Voices, by J. T. Nichols, pp.
519-540.

This is an interesting paper dealing with
the voices and call notes of the waders, the
occasions of their use and probable mean-
ings. It is largely philosophical in tone but
n« one interested in these birds m life
should neglect studying it.

In The Haunts of Carn 's Warbler, by C.
W. Eifrig, pp. 551-558.

This paper, by one formerly closely as-
sociated with the Ottawa Naturalist, is a
general account of the birds in south-west-
ern Maryland in 3 918

Pattern Development in Teal, by Glo-
ver M. Allen, pp. 258-264.

This paper was suggested by Kennard's
description of the Soutlierri Blue Winged
Teal, (Auk, 1913). It is the presentation
of a new" theory of color placement based
upon the above species. The author post-
ulates certain superficial areas or centers
from which color may spread. White is
normallj' found only at the edges of these
areas and is to be regarded morphologi-
cally as caused by restriction of color de-
velopment, a passive rather than an act-
ive factor in pattern development.

40

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

[Vol. XXV.

Migration and Physical Proportions, a
Preliminary Study, by C. K. Averill, pp.
572-579.

This is an application of mathematics
to ornithological study, and is based upon
series of measurements of various birds
correlated with their migrational and flight
habits. Birds of longest migration seem
to liave long wings, short tails and small
bills and feet. Tlie forked tail is an ac-
companiment of good flight powers. A
possible explanation of this is suggested
by Dr. J. T. Nichols in a later number of
the National Geographic Magazine, where
he calls attention to the forked tails of the
speedier fish. His theory is that the
center of the tail is the meeting point of
the stream line currents proceeding along
the body and that the cutting out of the
tail here reduces drag. It also appears in
current literature that a remarkably speedy
motor boat has lately been built by cutting
away the underbody aft in an analogous
fashion. It would seem that the effect
produced in water currents would probably
be seen in air movement with a result pro-
portional to the reduced density of the
medium. The forked tail may have a
greater meaning than has heretofore been
imagined. Mr. Averill has suggested a
promising line of investigation.

Under "General Notes" are the follow-
ing:

The Willet in Nova Scotia, pp. 581-582.

Breeding of the Semipalmated Plover in
Yarmouth Co., N.S., pp. 583-584.

The Black-polled Warbler and Bick-
nell's Thrush 'in Yarmouth Co., N.S pp
591-592.

Notes on the Acadian Sharp-tailed Spar-
roAv, pp. 587-589.

The Singing of the Ruby-crowned King-
let, pp. 594-596.

Notes from Seal Island, N.S., pp. 596-
597.

All by Harrison F. Lewis.

The Willet in Nova Scotia, by Chas. W.
Townsend, pp. 582-583.

Most of these are summarised by their
titles. The Eastern Willet as a breeding
bird seems to be increasing in Nova Scotia
under the beneficial pr(5iecSanj<jf the Mi-

gratory Birds Convention Act. It was only
lately supposed to be nearly extinct but
may after all come back again. For some
time all Willets on the Atlantic coast were
referred to the western form, but now it is
on the cards for observers there to sharpen
their eyesight once more and differentiate
between them. All birds now can not be
automatically referred to the Western as
the only geographic possibility. Had not
observers been but too willing to rely on
geographical preconceptions in identifying
we miglit have known some time ago that
the Eastern Willet Avas still to be reckon-
ed with.

Under "Recent Literature" the follow-
ing papers are mentioned or reviewed.

The Eyes of the Burrowing Owl, with
Special Reference to the Fundus Oculi, by
Dr. Casey Wood, Reprinted from Coniii-
hutions to Medical and Biological Research,
dedicated to Sir William Osier in Honor
of his Seventieth Birthday by his pupils
and Co-Workers, pp. 819-823.

A new Jay from Alberta, by James Lee
Peters, Proc. New England Zool. Club,
VII, pp. 51-55.

This is a new subspecies of Canada Jay,
Perisorens canadensis albescens, described
from Red Deer, Alta. from specimens in
the Brewster collection now in the Museum
of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge, Mass.
It is declared to be paler than other known
races.

Report of the Canadian Arctic Expedi-
tion, 1913-1918, Vol. IX, Part E., Acan-
throcephala.

In this is described a new species of
acanthrocephala, Filicollis a.cticus, para-
sitic on the King Eider in the western
Canadian Actic. It is interesting to note
that the King Eider does not carry the
same infestation throughout its range. On
opposite sides of the Arctic Circle it seems
to be parasitized by acanthrocephala re-
presenting two distinct genera.

Notes on the Harlequin Duck (on Bri-
tish Columbian Coast), by Chas. E. Alford,
British Birds, XIV, June, 1920.

The Trumpeter Swan in British Colum-
bia, by Allan Brooks, London Field, July
31, 1920.

^^/

f\

{<?/

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

VOL. XXXV.

GARDENVALE, QUE., MARCH, 1921

No. 3.

THE EVENING GK08BEAK IN CANADA.

By p. a. Taverner.

Published by permission of the Director of the Victoria Memorial Museum,

Ottawa, Canada.

Perhaps to no American bird is there
greater interest attached, aesthetic or scien-
tific, than to the Evening Grosbeak, Hes-
periphona vespertina. Appearing as it
dees in the dreariest season of the year,
wlien birds are few and color absent from
tlie landscape, its wonderful yellow color
and plaintive whistle always attract, atten-
tion and interest. Even those who rarely
])erceive unusual bird visitors note the ap-
pearance of the Evening Grosbeak, and the
winters of its occurrence always call forth
letters in the papers and floods of enquiry
of the local ornithologist. Over and above
its showy beauty in an empty landscape the
very mystery that surrounds the bird
})iques our curiosity. For it comes only
at irregular and unexpected intervals, and,
after tarrying awhile, disappears into the
unknown ; nor with all our present know-
ledge of the movements of birds can we yet
say authoritatively whence it comes or
whither it goes. It is some late evidence
on this point that has suggested the ap-
propriateness of a partial review of our
knowledge of the species at this time.

The species was first introduced to scien-
ce and popular attention by W. Cooper,
who, in 1825, in the Annals of the Lyceum
of Natural History of New York, described
a specimen obtained by H. R. Schoolcraft
at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, on April 7,
1823. Schoolcraft was told that it was
common at Fond du Lac and about the
head of Lake Superior. Further informa-
tion was obtained from Major Delafield,
who noted the bird in August of the same
year on the Savanna River, north-west from
Lake Superior, where it visited his camp,
singing only in the evenings. Impressed

by its mournful notes, Major Delafield in-
ferred that it dwelt "in dark retreats and
left them only at the approach of night."
It was from this circumstance that the bird
received its name vespertina.

For many years occurrences of the bird
M'ithin tlie view of students were few and
far between ; they but whetted the scien-
tific appetite for information without sa-
tisfying it. The earliest record of the spe-
cies in south and south-western Ontario
appears to liave been the winter of 1854-
55, ^ when birds were taken at Toronto,
Hamilton and Woodstock. In 1866 Tho-
mas Mcllwraith - records hearing of them
at Hamilton, though he himself did not
actually see them. In 1879, in the Bulle-
tin of the Nuttall Ornithological Club,
Coues compiled a history of the species,
but, as far as the east was concerned, he
recorded little more than that it was a rare
and erratic winter visitor south to the
northern states, though commoner and
more widely-diffused in the mountains of
the west. Its first general appearance in
large numbers in eastern Canada occurred
in the winter of 1889 and 1890; this was
made the subject of a full report in the
Transactions of the (-anadian Institute for
1891. The Auk and the Ottawa Field-
Naturalist contain numerous notices of the
species about this date that add to the
records of its occurrence, though they fur-
nish no new information. Meanwhile the
Western Evening Grosbeak, Hesperiphona
vespertina montana, had been described
from New Mexico in 1879. It was diseover-

1 Fleming. Auk. xxiv. 19<''7- P; ''^ 1S««.«7 pp

2 Pro. and Comm. Essex Inst., V, i806i.<, Pp.

79-96.

42

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

[Vol. XXV.

ed breeding in Arizona in 1884, in Califor-
nia in 1887, and eventually was found to
nest locally in the western mountains as
far north as British Columbia. •'•

Although considerable light has been
thrown on the breeding of these western
birds, our knowledge of those that visit
us in the east has not advanced to the same
degree. The Mackenzie and Athabasca
valleys have been well worked, but no
Evening Grrosbeaks have been found there
in summer. Preble failed to locate them
in the Churchill River system, and the
country south of Moose Factory on James
Bay has often been traversed without re-
sult. There is still room for the species
in unexplored Ungava, but its winter dis-
tribution seems to indicate a more western
origin. L. 0. Scott, both alone and in as-
sociation with M. Bedson, * reported the
finding of nests just outside of Winnipeg ;
he repeated, too, some Indian assertions
about the bird breeding in the Peace River
district. Later S. S. Stansell ' reported
nests near Edmonton, Alberta, and de-
fended his statements when questioned.
None of these records were taken seriously,
as they came from localities where other
men had worked without discovering cor-
roborative evidence ; but some of them at
least may have to be reconsidered in view
of the new data that was obtained last
year. Albert Lano, ^ for example, has re-
])orted that he saw the species in July and
August, IPOO and 1901, in Aitkin Co. Min-
nesota; and Chas. E. Johnson' has record-
ed them as present in Lake Co. of the same
state during the corresponding months of
1914 and 1915. Most important of all,
William Rowan * found the birds at Gimli,
Man., about forty miles north of Winni-
peg, in late May and early June, 1920.
They appeared to be mating at the time,
and remained there until July and early
August. On July 26 he took a bird of the
vear still being fed bv its mother at Indian

s The history of this species will alwavs be
associated with the name of the youne oi-nitholo-
grist Francis .T. Bittwell. who ■was killed In the
presence of his wife, during their honevmoon,
while attempting: to reach a nest of the "Western
Evening Grosbeak in New Mexico.

4 Ottawa Field-Naturalist, xiii. 1899-1900.

% Auk. xxvl, 1909, pp. 390-400, and Ottawa Field-
Naturalist, xxiii. 1909. pp. 125-127.

6 Auk, xxxvii, 1920, p. 455.

7 Ibid., pp. 541-551.

8 Ibid., pp. 585-586.

Bay, yhoal Lake, on the Manitoba-Ontario
boundary (not the lake of the same name
north of Winnipeg). This is the finst sub-
stantiated breeding record for tiie species
away from the western mountain region. It
may also be noted that the writer '^ found
the birds in late May, 1917, at the other
Shoal Lake north of Winnipeg, not far
west of Gimli; at the time, however, he re-
garded them merely as late migrants and
in consequence made no systematic searcli
for' nests.

There is some evidence therefore to show
that the nesting area of the Eastern Even-
ing Gro.sbeak includes not only the coun-
try from which it was reported by Major
Delafield in the original description of the
species, ])ut that it extends along the north-
ern forest belt from Lake Superior to some
point westward. It is true that Mr. D.
Blakely of the Victoria Memorial Museum
collected ornithological specimens through-
out the .season of 1919 on Lac Seul, Ont.,
about 125 miles east and a little north of
Indian Bay, without seeing it, and that
Capt. Angus Buchanan ^" traversed the
country between Prince Albert, Sask., and
Reindeer Lake with equally negative re-
sults. But these apparently blank spaces
in the range of the bird can be explained
by the supposition that it is nearly as er-
ratic in its summer as in its winter dis-
tribution, changing its breeding localities
from summer to summer in the same way
as some other northern species appear to
do, for example, the Crossbills, the Pine
Grosbeak and the Bohemian Waxwing.
The Evening Grosbeak, in fact, does seem
to be erratic in this respect in the w^est,
where its breeding in any locality at one
season is no surety that it will breed there
the next, or that it bred there the season
before. Such an irregularity would largely
ex]ilain why we have isolated records that
remain unverified by previous or later
work in suspected or adjacent regions.
Moreover the fact that the nests of the
EveniuG' Grosbeak are situated (in British
Columbia at least) high in the taller ever-
green trees and that the birds become re-
tiring and suspicious in the breeding sea-
son further reduces the probability of find-

9 Can. Field-Naturalist, xxxiii, 1919, p. 14.
m Fleming-, Can. Field-Naturalist, xxxiii. 1919.
pp. 109-113.

March, 1921.]

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

43

ing them at this time without a special
search.

In regard to the winter range of the
species, as contrasted with its summer
range, there has been a decided change of
late years, a change that is very apparent
at Ottawa, but observable probably else-
where as well. The old reports of the
species would indicate that originally it
was a very rare as well as a very erratic
visitor, although numerous enough when-
ever it did come. Latterly, however, it has
appeared so much more often that it can
be regarded as almost regular. It is true
that none have been seen this winter, but
then this has been an unusual winter in
every way, and if Evening Grosbeaks have
not appeared, neither have other species
upon whose presence we can more usually
count. According to the record, while the
Evening Grosbeak has gradually become
more regular in the locality of Ottawa,
other winter species such as tlie Pine Gros-
beaks, the Crossbills, the Bohemian Wax-
wings, the Eastern Horned Larks, the Red-
Polls and the Snow-Buntings have become
much less so. A possible, even a probable
explanation of this newly-acquired reg-
ularity of the Evening Grosbeaks may be
found in the recent spread of the Mani-
toba maple, Acer negundo. John Ma-
coun has recorded what was probably
nearly the original distribution of this tree
in Canada. ^^ Outside of a few trees grow-
ing in Toronto he did not meet with it
again to the west until beyond Lake Supe-
rior in the northern parts of the prairie
provinces. Now the samaras or winged
seeds of this maple hang to the tree all
winter, and whenever obtainable constitute
the principal food of the Evening Gros-
beak. Indeed, when the seeds finally drop
off, the birds descend to the ground and
rarely leave the locality until the supply
is exhausted. In the early days, with so
large an area of country barren of their
favorite food, it is not surprising that the
birds only strayed over it in exceptional
winters under pressure of food failure else-
where. Today, however, the distribution
of this maple is radically different. It is
a hardy, quick-growing shade tree, and in
consequence has been planted extensively.

not only about many farm houses, but in
all the villages, towns and cities that have
sprung up to the east and north of the
Great Lakes. Thus a baited pathway has
been laid from the usual summer home of
the Evening Grosbeak right to our doors,
and undoubtedly the bird has taken ad-
vantage of this fact to travel our way
more often than it did before. It may even
be prophesied that with the further in-
crease of the Manitoba maple northward,
the Evening Grosbeak will find suffi-
cient food nearer its summer home and
again become scarcer in our neighbour-
hood; for it was the extension of cultiva-
tion in similar localities that seems to have
brought about a like change in the move-
ments of the other birds that I have men-
tioned.

The Western Evening Grosbeak, Hespe-
riphona vespertina montana, was separated
from the eastern bird on account of some
slight colour differences and a relatively
greater length of bill. For a long time our
British Columbian Grosbeaks were, as a
matter of course, referred to the western
race. It has been evident for some time,
however, that while they may be different
from the eastern birds, they are certainly
not the montana as originally disposed, ^
with which they agree neither in colour
details nor in the shape of the bill. Jos.
Grinnell, the first to try to unravel the
subject, ^' subdivided the birds previously
grouped under the head of montana into
three races, montana, califor^iica and
brooksi, and referred the British Colum-
bian and the Washington birds to the last
named subspecies. He based his distinctions
on variations in colour and bill form. Now
one trouble in estimating the values of
these different characters is the difficulty
of obtaining comparable material. All our
specimens of true eastern vespertina are in
winter plumage, while the majority of
British Columbian specimens are in sum-
mer condition. Allowing for this, how-
ever, an examination of the few_ winter
western birds available seems to indicate
that while the width of yellow on the
forehead and the back coloration of the
male in the hrooksi can be readily matched
in specimens of the eastern bird, the dark-

n Macoim. Cat. Canadian Plants, Pt. I, Poly-
petalae, 1883.

12 GrinneU. Condor, xix, 191'- PP- 17-22.

44

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

[Vol. XXV

coloured head of the female brooksi does
really enable us to separate the two races
with some confidence. The bill averages a
little slenderer in brooksi than in eastern
specimens, but this is not a reliable guide,
for the difference is so slight that it is
hardly recognizable even in the figures that
accompany Grinnell's description, and at
times is quite swamped by individual
variation.

I have been fortunate in having sub-
mitted to me for examination the two birds
that were taken by Rowan at Indian Bay.
One is an adult female in rather worn and
faded breeding plumage, the other her
fully fledged young still suffused on back
aad breast with the ochraceous buff that
is lost in the post-juvenile moult before
the first winter. There can be no ques-
tion that the latter is a bird of the year,
and the fact that it was still being fed by
its parent indicates that it was raised with-
in a short distance of where it was taken.
The parent that was captured is fortun-
ately a female, and consequently of the sex
needed for subspecific determination, but
the disturbing fact is that it bears the
colour marks of the western bird, brooksi,
rather than those of the expected eastern
vespertina. Its head, in contrast with its
back, is decidedly dark, and the specimen
generally, in spite of its slightly worn and
faded condition, is identical with birds
from the Okanagan Valley, B.C. It is true
that the bill is large and stubby rather
than attenuated, and that a large stubby
bill is a postulated character of the east-
ern bird; but, as mentioned before, this,
ir the opinion of the writer at least, is
too variable a character to be of much
service in determining individual speci-
mens. Of course, it does not seem rea-
sonable that the British Columbian Even-
ing Grosbeak, brooksi, breeds eastward to
Lake Superior nor would I care to suggest
such a conclusion except to negative its
probability. We may prefer to regard
this specimen simply as a variant of the
eastern vespertina, or perhaps suspend
judgment until further evidence is secured.
This unfortunate occurrence of abnor-
mality in a unique specimen brings up the
important subject of the determination of
slightly characterized races when they are
found far from their natural habitats.

Birds with their great mobility certainly
can and do wander to the most astonishing
localities, and it is not impossible for oc-
casional specimens to appear far from the
land of their origin and direct blood re-
latives. In such cases are we to identify
entirely from the characters that the birds
exhibit? If we do, we are bound to make
a multitude of errors through mistaking
individual for racial variations. On the
other hand if we allow considerations of
geography to influence our identifications
we are just as certain often to twist the
evidence to suit our geographical precon-
ceptions.

There are good reasons for either course.
If a race means anything it must be based
on germinal characters and denote blood
relationship between the individuals com-
posing it. An albino Negro would not be
a Caucasian, however close the superficial
resemblance might be. The very fact that
an isolated community of a species has de-
veloped certain common characteristics in-
dicates the possibility, perhaps even sug-
gests an innate tendency, of the species as
a whole to vary in that special direction ; it
would surprise us less to find such a var-
iation sporadically in individuals of other
communities than one the possibility of
which has not been - demonstrated. In
other words, we can expect to find, even
in pure lines of descent, disturbing variants
(sports, if you will) resembling estab-
lished races more often than departures in
novel directions.

These considerations are against identi-
fying by character alone without consider-
ing geography as an indication of probable
descent. However, to lay too great stress
on geography is equally dangerous and mis-
leading. For if we plot distribution on the
determination of specimens we certainly
must not make postulated distribution, the
basis for such determination or we shall
be reasoning in a vicious circle. All we
can do in doubtful cases is to acknowledge
our ignorance, and content ourselves with
naming the species, leaving the determina-
tion of the subspecies open for further in-
vestigation or fuller data.

In this case of the Evening Grosbeak,
then, although we may be firmly convinced
that the Indian Bay breeding bird is of

March, 1921.] ' The Canadian Field-Naturalist. 45

eastern stock, it does not seem that we are Evening Grosbeak, leaving its eastern or

warranted in- calling it anything more de- western affinities, vespertma or brooksi,

finite than Hesperiphona vespertina, the open for future consideration.

THE LARGER FRESHWATER CRUSTACEA FROM CANADA. AND

ALASKA.

By Frits Johansen.

(Continued from Vol. XXXV, page 30)

III.— B. TADPOLE-SHRIMPS.

This suborder (Notostraca) is distinguish- ance to the animal when digging into the

ed from the Anostraca by having a broad mud or turning around. The interior

and flat dorsal shield covering the body, organs are similar to those of the fairy-

and from the Conchostraca by having a de- shrimps though the heart is shorter and

pressed body, and the shield single and at- there is a large, paired shell-gland,

tached at the front, not double (as a clam- Locomotion is accomplished principally

shell) and confluent with the body dor- by the foliaceous legs similar to those of

sally. the fairy-shrimps, and also by twistings of

The "tadpole-shrimps" do not have the the tail. The food consists of small fresh-
antennae developed to the extent of the water invertebrates (Entomostraca, etc.),
fairy-shrimps and clam-shrimps except in or dead animals (even of its own species)
their larval stages, but both pairs are which it catches in the water or by tun-
diminutive dwarfed stubs, especially the nelling in the surface of the mud bottom,
second pair. The paired eyes are not passing any captured prey along to the
stalked, but sessile and placed close to- mouth parts by the aid of the foliaceous
gether dorsally near the front edge of the legs. The larvjB hatch in the spring as
carapace. The mouth parts are well de- clumsy nauplii or metanauplii from the
veloped, and behind them follow a great ripe (red) eggs deposited in the fall
number of foliaceous body legs (similar to upon water-plants, etc. ; they differ much
these of the fairy-shrimps), of which the less from the adults than the larvae of
last (11th) pair in the females form a the two other suborders (fairy-shrimps
peculiar flat and rounded pouch (like a and clam-shrimps), having traces of the
watch-glass) containing the eggs. The carapace and abdominal segments, and
first leg-pair is the longest and ends, with later short cercopods. On the other hand
Apns, in three long filaments, used as sen- particularly the second pair of antennae
sitive organs by the adults and also as are far longer and more powerful tihan
swimming-organs by the younger stages, is the case with the adults, and function
Behind the carapace protrude a varying as the principal organs of locomotion,
number (1 to 3 dozen) of abdominal seg- During the summer the larvge grow on and
ments (the tail), which end in a plate gradually assume the shape and colour of
(telson) flanked by two long filaments the adult. In some of the species the fem-
(cercopods). The color of the adults is a ales attain a length of several centimeters,
brownish green, ^ the carapace and' eyes while the males are somewhat smaller. The
being the darkest. These animals thus re- latter are generally far less numerous than
mind one forcibly of the marine "horse- are the females and often first make their
shoe-crabs" (Limuhis) and as in the latter appearance in the latter part of the sum-
there is much movement possible between mer; it is therefore probable that when
the shield and the body, of great import- this is the case the eggs the females carry
in the beginning of the summer are pro-

1 That of the larva first orange, later yellow- ^^^^^ parthenogenetically, though it must

ish

46

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

[Vol. XXV.

be remembered that the eggs ^ are carried
a much longer time by the mother animals
and develop more slowly than wit,h
the fairy-shrimps. Judging from the arc-
tic form {Lepidurus arcticus) both sexes
apparently live more than one year and
probably hibernate in sufficiently deep
ponds or lakes, supposing, of course, that
they do not freeze into the ice, are not
killed by the drying-up of the pond, or
that their life-cycle is not completed. The
larvae apparently are too few and frail to
keep the numbers up alone from year to
year; this, coupled with the comparatively
(i.e. compared with the fairy-shrimps)
slow growth of the young individuals and
the large size they have to attain, makes a
normal age of several years a necessity,
at least for the females.

While, so far as we know, the arctic form
occurs year after year, the same is not the
case with the more southern species. In
some years the latter are entirely absent,
or only females occur, and in this respect
they are not unlike the "clam-shrimps".
To a still larger extent than is the case
with the "fairy-shrimps" the "tadpole-
shrimps" and "clam-shrimps" are very
erratic in their occurrence, especially out-
side the arctic; smaller ponds and pools
may be teeming with them, while they are
not found in others, nor in lakes close by;
again they may be plentiful only at a cer-
tain time of the year.

Of the tadpole-shrimps only two genera
are known, both occurring in the new as
well as in the old world. They are easily
separated by the spatulate or triangular
outgrowth from the telson present in the
one (Lepidurus), but absent in the other
genus (Apus).

To Lepidurus belong about half a dozen
species, to Apus about a dozen, of which
four of each genus have so far been re-
corded from this continent. It is interest-
ing that no Apodida have so far been found
east of a line from Kin^g William Land
south to Manitoba and the middle States,
though the Arctic species is apparently
circumpolar and has been recorded from
Labrador and Greenland.

Of the four species of Lepidurus two
have so far only been recorded from Colo-

2 At least the "winter-eggs."

rado and California and are likely to occur
neither in Canada nor Alaska. A third
species (L. couesii) was originally des-
cribed by Packard from Utah and Mon-
tana and has since been collected in three
of the western provinces of Canada (Man-
itoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta) ; it
probably occurs also in British Columbia.
Its carapace is large, so that only five
"tail" segments and the spatulate telson
are uncovered. Packard's specimens (botli
sexes) from Montana were taken in the
first week of July, 1874, and had an aver-
age length of about 2cm. (exclusive of the
cercopod-stylets). The Alberta specimen
(see below) is nearly of the same size (it
was dried up when I found it) as a spe-
cimen (female) about 3 cm. long from
Dufton, Sask., now in the Royal Ontario
Museum, Toronto; the latter was collect-
ed by a university student on June 20,
1913.

Prof. O'Donoghue, of the University of
Manitoba, writes me (June, 1920) that
he has recently collected this species (L.
couesii) near Winnipeg, where it "is ex-
tremely common in the ditches on the west
side of the south end of Lake Winnipeg".
He has promised to send me specimens of
it.

From Prof. A. G. Huntsman, of Tor-
onto, I have recently received a number
of specimens of the same species from one
to two cm. in length. He collected them
on June 11, 1920 in sloughs three miles
north-east of Medicine Hat, Alta., where
they occurred together with the fairy-
shrimp Strepfocephalus coloradensis (see
page 29), and clam-shrimps (see later).

We have in the museum here in Ottawa
a specimen of the same species apparently
collected by J. B. Tyrrell in southern Al-
berta or British Columbia in the eighties.
I found it among a number of other in-
vertebrates from land and freshwater col-
lected by Tyrrell at that time, but there
was no date with it, and Mr. Tyrrell was
not able to recollect the locality or date
when I sent him the specimen. Beyond
what is given here nothing is known as
to the northern limit for this species; ap-
parently, however, it is not found in the
Yukon and the Northwest Territories, nor
in Alaska, though it may occur in the most
sonthem part of the last-named territory.

March, 1921.]

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

47

As to its life-hLstory (development), t/ie
stages bet^\een the eggs and the adults
are unknown.

The fourth Lepidurus species is the well-
known, circumpolar form {L. arcticus Pal-
las) {L. ylacialis Kroyer), first well des-
cribed from West Greenland, it is im-
mediately recognized by the fact that the
telson ends in a triangular (not spatulate)
plate obtusely pointed and with spiny
edges. Its distribution is very similar to
that of Branchinecta paludosa, having been
recorded from Greenland ^, Iceland, Spits-
bergen, Northern Scandinavia, Novaja
Semlja, Siberia and on this continent from
Alaska to Baffin Bay. Its southern limit
is not definitely established, but indicated
by the following records in North America,
Pribilof Islands, Teller, Point Barrow and
Martin Point, Alaska; south side of Dol-
phin and Union Strait, King William Land
and Labrador. Several of these records are
based upon my own collections made on
the Canadian Arctic Expedition, and the
species will be treated in detail in the re-
ports (Vol. VII, Part G) of that expedi-
tion. I have also given a detailed account
of its biology and development as I studied
it in Northeast Greenland (Meddel. om
Groenland, Yol. 45, p. 333-37). Its struct-
ure, etc., has been well described and beau-
tifully illustrated bv Sars (1896) p. 68-
82, fab. 11-13. Its life-history is now
fairly well known. The hibernating eggs
hatch in June, and the nauplius, which is
not unlike that of Branchinecta, soon as-
sumes the metanauplius stage (.see above).
It is rather sluggish and seems to venture
forth over the mud-bottom only when it
has grown considerably and assumed the
adult's color; even then it often takes re-
fuge under the larger individuals. I se-
cured the metanauplii in Greenland in
June, but the youngest individuals I found
during the Canadian Arctic Expedition
(taken on July 3, 1916, at Bernard Har-
bour, N. W. T.), were 3 mm. long, and
practically like the adults. Both in Green-
land and in the Canadian Arctic I first

secured the few males in August, though
adult females together with younger ones
were secured from the end of July on ; the
latter first had ripe eggs in their brood-
pouch in August. The last Lepidurus in
the year were secured on October 6, 1915,
together with the new Branchipod men-
tioned p. 29 {Artemiopsis stefanssoni).
Even in the autumn and fall the ani-
mals range in size from about I/2 cm. to 2
cm., thus proving that they represent both
that and the preceding years' brood (gen-
eration).

All the Apus species occurring on this
continent have so far been recorded only
from the middle and western parts of
United States, and none from Canada or
Alaska. One of them {A. lo7igicaudatus)
has, however, been recorded from Yellow-
stone River, so it is possible it ranges
across the boundary into Alberta. Of the
species occurring in Europe, some are in-
teresting because they have been known for
a much longer time than the American re-
presentatives. The genus was first des-
cribed in the first half of the 18th century,
and was subsequently listed by Linnaeus
under the name of Monoculus. The genus
Lcpidu)us was not separated out until more
than half a century later, by Schaeffer.

A parasitic Trematode {Distomum apo-
dis Pack.) has been observed in the egg-
sacks of the genus Apus in North America
(see A. S. Packard, in Amer. Naturalist,
Vol. XVI, 1882, p. 142).

G. 0. Sars in ''Crustacea" (2d. Norwe-
gian Arctic Expedition 1898-1902
("Fram"), 1911, p. 15) records Lepidu-
rus apus (Lin.), from a freshwater-swamp
at Cape Rutherford, east side of Grinnell
Land (about lat. 79° N., long. 75° W.),
on August 29, 1898. * This is the first time
this species has been found in the arctic
regions, and in America. It is, I believe,
the same species as L. {Apus) productus
Bosc, known from a number of places in
Europe.

(To be continued).

s West coast up to Foulkefjord and Northum-
berland Island, east coast at least to 77° N.

4 Lepidurus arcticus was also secured by this
expedition at Cape Rutherford.

48

The Can^vdian Field-Naturalist.

[Vol. XXV.

ASSOCIATION, COMMENSALISM AND PARASITISM AMONG MARINE
ANIMALS IN THE STRAIT OF GEORGIA.

By C. McLean Fraser, Ph.D., F.R.S.C.
Professor of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C.

The conditions affecting marine life are
sufficiently diversified in the waters of
the strait of Georgia to supply material
for investigation in every branch of zoo-
logy but no branch is better served than
ecology.

In making ecological observations one
is necessarily struck with the numerous
instances of association, commensalism and
parasitism, states which differ only in
degree and between which complete inter-
grading is evident. The association may
be quite casual as in cases where two or
more species are found in proximity on
account of the fact that they live on the
same kind of food. The relationship is
much closer in other cases where the spe-
cies remain permanently in proximity, in
some instances as much for mutual pro-
tection as for common feeding. It is but
a short' step from this to commensalism
where two species (seldom more) bear
such an intimate relation to each other
that one is seldom found or never found
without the other. They may be mutually
helpful, and, if not evidently so, at least
one must not be harmful to the other.
The condition of one species feeding with
another differs comparatively little from
that of one species feeding on another, and
so parasitism appears, going from the one
extreme Avhere the parasite is free to at-
tack its host, to move about from one host
to another or even to live apart from the
host, to the other extreme where the par-
asite in the adult state has lost all power
of locomotion and is otherwise so degener-
ate that it lives only by absorbing highly
complex nourishment from the host.

The term "parasitism" is often loosely
used in connection with such sessile forms
as hydroids, bryozoa, etc., where there is
no evidence of such. The larvae of these
forms, when they reach the end of the
free-swimming period settle down, in most
cases, on anything available for support
throughout the rest of their life. In very

few instances is there any evidence that
they receive any nourishment from the
supporting object which consequently can-
not be a host. It evidently cannot be a
host when the support is a piece of rock
or dead shell, and it is usually no more so
if this is an animate object.

As an instance of more or less casual as-
sociation the young herring and the stick-
leback will serve. The herring hatches out
in March or April, and by July or August
has taken on the real herring appearance.
It gathers in schools to feed around whar-
ves and floats and near the shore at var-
ious places, where it remains until it is
about a year old. During this period the
individuals mingle freely with the stick-
lebacks that are in that vicinity for the
same reason, so that one seldom sees the
one species without the other. Later the
herring goes out to deeper water and the
association is at an end.

Without going into detail other instan-
ces may be noted. The little blenny, Ano-
plarchus, is found with the cling fish, Cau-
larchus, under stones that are left exposed
at low tide, and with these the singing fish,
Porichthys, often appears. Schools of
sand launces are often associated with
schools of herring. Viviparous perch, Pa-
nerodon, and sometimes Tceniotoca, occur
in the same locality as the rock cod, Sehas-
todes. This is true of the two species of
clams, Saxidomus and Paphia, and of the
heart-urchin, Schizaster, the brittle-star,
Amphiura, and the holothurian, Molpadia.

A somewhat closer association appears
between two Chaetopterid annelids, a large
one and a small one, and both of them with
a Phoronopsis. They are all tubiculous
species, living in the fine sand a short
distance above lowest low-water mark.
Where one is found the others are sure to
be present. In certain localities, only ex-
posed at the lowest tides, where coarse
sand or fine gravel is mixed with mud, a
Synapta is plentiful, and with it a brittle-

March, 1921.]

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

49

star, Amphiuraf with long, slender rays.
In appearance they have very little in com-
mon and yet they always seem to occur
together.

The best as well as the most common
and most extensive association is found
almost everywhere in rough, rocky bottom
at a depth of 25 or 30 fethoms in the open
strait. The most conspicuous part of the
association is made up of three sponges,
Bathydonis daivsoni, Rhadocalyptus dow-
lingii and Aphrocallistes ivhiteavesianus,
the first two in particular being supplied
with numerous siliceous spicules that make
them troublesome to handle. With these
are associated a spiny ascidian, Tethyum
igahoji (the only very spiny ascidian to be
found in the strait), a spiny brittle-star,
OphiophoJus sp., and two species of the
genu Enphrosyne, spiny annelids. These
are all spiny creatures and hence they
form a very well protected group. With
these there may be other species of rarer
occurrence; other species of annelids and
sponges, and a brittle-star. Many species
of bryozoa and hydroids are attached to
the sponges but none of them seem to be
essential to the association.

Examples of commensalism are numer-
ous. The two species feeding together
usually belong to different phyla and hen-
ce they are hard to group. It may suffice
to arrange them according to the phyla to
which the major members belong. The
vertebrates do not supply instances. Ap-
parently there is in this region no counter-
part of the relation between the pilot-fish
and the shark. Possibly the nearest ap-
proach to it is the case of the little sculpins
that wait around for the crumbs that are
dropped when the crab, Cancer producius,
is having its meal of fresh barnacles.

The ascidians serve better, as with Asci-
diopsis paratropa in particular, but also
with Phallusia ceratodes, Ciona intestinalis
and Tethyum auronfium, the hydroid, En-
docvypia huntsmani, finds a close relation-
ship, since it is found attached to the wall
of the branchial cavity. A Pinnotherid
has been found commensal with Tethyum
"igahoji.

Among the molluscs, the most familiar
examples are found in the clams, Mva and
Schizothcp.rus, where various Pinnotherids
nr pea-crabs are much at home in the

mantle cavity. The condition here is ex-
treme, for the body of the horse-clam in
particular may be 16 or 18 inches down in
the sand. The crab must therefore depend
on the circulation in the clam for its oxy-
gen as well as for its food supply. An-
other bivalve, the scallop or Pecten, may
have either one of two species of sponges
living commensal wdth it, the two species
being Esperella adhmrens and Myxilla pa-
rasitica. With a much smaller bivalve,
Axinopsis sericata, occurs the hydroid, Mo-
nohrachium parasitum. The offensive
zooids of Monohrachiuni extend over the
ventral border of the valve and probably
protect the mollusc as well as the hydroid
colony. The key-hole limpet, almost in-
variably, has an annelid lying in the man-
tle cavity parallel to the foot, of a color
that ijiatches that of the foot and gills.

Among the Crustacea there is vi^hat might
be called a forced commensalism in the
case of the decorating crab. Hydroids,
sponges, bryozoa, etc., grow from many
places on its exoskeleton, but the begin-
nings of the colonies are placed there by
the crab itself. The hydroid, Hydractinia
aggregata, is always found growing on &
shell that is inhabited bj^ a hermit crab, ,
Pagurus splendescens (possibly other spe-
cies as well). Here the arrangement is
evidently mutually beneficial. The hy-
droid colony disguises the home of the crab
and on the other hand it obtains food mat-
erial let slip by its messmate. This is de-
finitely indicated by the fact that the nu-
tritive zooids are much more numerous
near the margin of the shell, to the ex-
clusion of the generative zooids that are
always situated farther back. In some
cases the hermit-crab, Pagurus' ochotensis,
(and possibly other species), has a closer
association than that with the hydroid,
when it has an annelid, Nereis, living with
it within the shell.

No instance has appeared where an an-
nellid is the major commensal exccDt
where both commensals are annelids. The
Polynoid that lives in the tube of an Am-
phitrite is an example.

Among the Eehinoderms one starfish,
Evasterias troschelii, is seldom found with-
out a commensal Polvnoid. that matches
the color particnlarlv well bnt no better
than the Polvnoid found on the'Holothu-

50

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

[Vol. XXV.

rian, Stichopus. Another Polynoid is
commensal with the starfish, Solaster
stimpsoni.

The jellyfish supply the only examples
among the Coelenterates. The largest jelly-
fish found along the coast, Cyanea arctica,
has usually one or more species of amphi-
pods and sometimes other crustaceans
among its tresses. The actinian^ Bicidiiini
(Bqiiorece, is found attached to the umbrel-
lar surface of Aequorea forskalea and of
Thaumantias cellularia. This actinian is
spoken of as being parasitic but it is not
probable that it is so. Finally, in the Po-
rifera, the hermit crab, Pagurus hrandti,
appears surrounded by the living sponge,
Suherites latus.

In taking up parasitism only ectoparasi-
tism will be considered. The Crustacea pro-
vide much the greater number of parasitic
species. One vertebrate is probably para-
sitic. The lamprey, Entosphenus triden-
tatus, attaches itself to the salmon and uses
it for transportation purposes, but it is
scarcely possible that the skin of the sal-
mon is so thoroughly pierced for this pur-
pose alone.

One mollusc is apparently parasitic al-
though it may be merely commensal. This
is the species that has been called Lepton
rude by Whiteaves and Ericyna rngifera by
Carpenter, found attached to the surface
of the abdomen of the sand shrimp, Eupo-
gehia pugettevsis. The annelid, Myz'osto-
ma, is parasitic on the Crinoid, Florometra
serratissima. Trematodes are commonly

found in the gill cavity of several species
of fishes, attached to the surface, and some
blood-red nematodes have been found on
the clingfish, Caularchus meandimus.

The copepods make up a large portion
of the list of parasitic Crustacea. There is
one parasitic isopod, Phyllodorus abdomi-
nalis, common on the abdominal surface of
the sand shrimp, Eupogehia pugettensis,
and a Rhizocephalan, Sacculina, on diffe-
rent species of shrimps.

Parasitic copepods were discussed in a
paper read before the Royal Society of
Canada in 1920. Those parasitic on fish
are very numerous and of many species.
In these there is the greatest variation in
the manner in which parasitism has af-
fected the parasite. Galigus gurnardi, for
instance, shows no great degeneration and
is almost as freely moving as non-parasitic
forms. It moves readily about on the host
and has been found with the plankton
where it must have been swimming freely
in the sea. From such a condition tliere
is a gradually increasing degeneration
until such a shapeless, helpless mass as
that of Chondracanthus or Clavella is
reached.

The only parasitic copepod found else-
where than on fish, was a small, red spe-
cies (undetermined) whidh is common on
the red sand shrimp, Calianassa califor-
niensis. It is quite possible that a more
careful observation would bring others to
light.

GLEANINGS FROM THE CANADIAN WEST. — PART I. AVIAN FAUNA

OF ISLAY, ALBERTA.

By J. Devs^ey Soper.

While accumulating the notes embodied
in the following pages I felt congratula-
ted in my fortune to be again haunting
comparatively unknown fields in this de-
lightful science. By unknown fieldis, of
course, I refer to the geography in con-
nectaon wit.h the faunal forms that I
mention, not to any original intimacy
with the species themselves. Tihe most,
apparently, which a new region may do
for one at this time, barring the extreone

and improbable fortune of discovering
new members of our country's fauna, is
to strengthen, correct, or establish lines
of distribution. All the fadts proffered
may long since have been known to some
one, perhaps even published in papers
t^at I ihave as yet overlooked. Never-
theless I enjoyed a rare satisfaction in-
winnowing from the Islay prairiejs' what-
ever of interest or value may appear in /C
this article. Here, in this little, isolated /'-^

vs

March, 1921.]

The Canadl\.n Field-Naturalist.

51

westea-n village, there exi^;ed such free-
dom of movement, such ready accessibil-
ity to the open and its occupants, that
one seemed snrrounde-d always by pecu-
liar benefits.

Aside from the singular chann and
seductiveness of the northern prairies in
autumn, birds and mammals abound,
making a visit there of very practical
interest. I would not venture to describe
the Islay region as inordinately rich in
species, nor, on the other hand, markedly
poor, remembering t/ie latitude. In point
of individuals, however, I will refrain, as
I might be induced to expatiate too free-
ly. I would say briefly in this connection,
though, tlhat it is my impression that one
must visit a favorable place in our Canad-
ian "West fully to realize tlie great flights
of waterfowl from the north which obtain
during the autumnal migrations. Liter-
ally t^iousands upon thousands pass over
a given locality in a single day, followed
day in and day out at times, over areas
of wonderful extent, wit^ increasing or
decreasing numbers. To be on hand there-
fore during these flights is a privilege
to be dherished to tihe full.

I remained at or near Islay from
August 29, 1919, until November 30
following, about fourteen weeks in all.
My notes were collected under divers
- circumstances with no thought of pub-
lication at the time, and have since been
pilfered from a rather promiscuous jour-
nal. Any lack of co^iesion or consistenc}^
may posisdbly be traced to these circum-
stiances.

Of the fifty species of birds recorded
at Islay, a great many may be regarded
solely as migrants, especially among the
water-birds, although not all of these can
be considered such. Before the advent
of the settlertsi, most if not all of the
waterfowl mentioned would, I believe, be
found as breeding summer residents in
the immediatie vicinity. So many of the
sloughs throughout the country have of
late years dried up, that now numbers of
these waterfowl are forced to otiher parts
to rear their young. Tihie majority of the
smaller species will, in all probability,
be found as summer residentia. As con-
cerns the general status of a region's
Nbird life, an autumnal list certainly leaves

a great deal to be desired. Nevertheless
there may be something of interest and
value even in an incomplete list like the
present.

Autumn Birds op Islay and Vicinity.

1. Horned Grebe {Colymhus auriUis).
A few believed to be this species noted
on Laurier and W]iitney Lakes, Sept. 1.

2. Herring Gull {Larus argentatus).
The only indi^dduals seen were two rid-
ing the waves near shore on Laurier Lake,
September 1.

3. Mallard {Anas platyrhytichos) . No-
ted on various occasions througlhout the
season. What were suppositionally iden-
tified as mallards passed south near sun-
down on October 18, in a fast flying
flock one hundred and fifty strong,
strung out in a long single imposing line
at right angles to the line of flight.

4. Shoveller Duck (Spatula cyanop-
tera). Two individuals collected at W^iit-
ney Lake.

5. Ruddy Duck (Erismatura jamaicen-
sis). Obi5erved on several occasions dur-
ing September.

6. Canada Goose (Branta canaden-
sis). During migration very common.
On the night of September 16, a large
flock loudly "honking" passed over the
town. Large companies bore southward
all day September 18.

7. Black Brant {Branta nigricans).
I make this a Ih^TJOthetieal entry. On
September 18 and 19, flocks named by
an old gunner as brant passed southward
calling regularly as they bore along. Ac-
cording to hiisi statements their notes were
easily distinguishable from otihers of t^eir
kin. The brant of any species, however,
are supposedly rarely if ever to migrate
inland. In Macoun's catalogue I find
a note by Turner for the present species
reading: "Few are seen in the fall as
they then pass tlhirough the interior go-
ing south." I take it from this that
tjtieir occurrence inland is not improbable.

8. American Bittern {Botaurus lenti-
ginosns). One individual only observed
on September 5, as it rose with a hoarse
"squawk" from a mud-bar on the Ver-
milion river.

9. Whooping Crane {Grus americana).

^1
V

^- The Canadian Field-Naturalist. [Vol. XXV.

A solitary bird of large size, snowy vAute- 18. Turkey Buzzard {Cathartes aura).

ness, learmine coloring on the head and The only note t^at I find in my journal

black primarifts, wm noted at 10 a.m., Oc- referring to this species is under date

tober 15. It was flying south-eastward of October 3, and reads: "A solitary

at the rate of about twenty-five miles buzzard sailed maj0atically towards the

an Ihour. south this afternoon at a height of about

10. Sandhill Crane (Grus mexicana). 1000 feet. This is the only one of the
Flocks observed on September 18, 24, species observed since arriving a Islay
25 and 27. The flock of September 25 on Augast 27."

was composed of 168 individuals. 19. Marsh Hawk {Circus hudsonicus).

11. Wn.soN Snipe {Gallinago delicata). Frequently observed during September.
Several times observed during the month 20. American Goshawk {Astur atri-
of September. capillus) A large gray Ihawk flying over

12. Pectoral Sandpiper (Pisohia ma- an area of snow-covered grain stooks
culata). One specimen collected in a on November 12, was identified as of
grasisy slouch a few milas south of t^ie tbis species.

Saskatchewan. 21. Swainson's Hawk {Buteo swain-
Id. Baird's Sandpiper (Pisahia hair- soni). An adult specimen of this bird
dt).^ A specimen of this interesting little in dark plumage was collected on Sep-
arctic sandpiper was collected in a grassy tember 5. Previous to reading more care-
slough margin near "the Ridge" on Sep- fuHy Mr. Tavemer's Birds of the Red
tember 1. Deer River, Alta., I felt aissured that

14. Lesser Yellow-legs (Totanus fla- Swainson's Hawk was the only large
vipes). Large flocks observed on various ^^^^^ t^^* 1 ^""^^ ^^^^^ seeing. His fine
sloughs. One collected at Laurier Lake series of skins however proved that dif-
Septiember 1. Very common on muddy ferentiating "on the wing" between this
slough margins in the vicinity of "Tihe ^^^ ^^® Red-Tail is a doubtful proceed-
Ridge". ing. My journal reads througihiout to

15. Killdeer Plover {Oxyechus voci- *\^. ,Pl^^itude of Swainson's, some of
ferns). Common durincr September ^^^""^ "'^^ ^^^^ ^^®'' loreahs, despite the

AR -D.r^^ n /T^ , „ . specimen collected on September 5, as a

rln.?T ^^T^ {Bonasa nmlellus) g^^j^e to the detection of the former.

Common about Laurier, Wliitney, and oo t^ tt /r, , ,7

Raft Lakes. To my surprise several in- ^^- ^'*^^^^ ^^^""^ ^^^^^^ columhar-

dividuals were seen frequenting isolated l^^'f^', ^7^ individuals of tliis beautiful

"bluffs" of small aspens on t;ie open ^'^^^^ ^'^"^^ '''*''^^ '^^^^^ ^^"''" ^^^^^ ®^P"

range. These had wandered from the ^•^^^^^•

tliicker continuous woods on the Vermil- '^^- Sparrow Hawk (Falco sparverixis) .

ion river. Not uncommon during September.

17. Sharp-tailed Grouse {Pedioecetes ^4. Great Horned Owl (Bulo virgi-
phasianellus) . Very common. During nianus). Reported as a resident in the
latter August and ail of September, while heavier woods along streams. During
the young were reaching their mfiturity, late fall both sub-species pallescens and
they were commonly found on tlie open suharticns would likely be found,
prairie or grain fields. After the snow 25. Snowy Owl (Nyctea nyetea). An
fall of October 7 and 8, whic,h perma- individual of this comparatively rare
nently remained, with thermometer in arctic bird was collected on October 10,
early November at 25-30 degrees below following the snow-storm of the 7 and 8;
zero, the birds took up their winter when first seen it was sitting uprigjht on
quarters in good thick bluffs protected a snow-covered stook, and with difficulty
from cold windisi by contiguous hills, could it be determined whether it was
Theg<e elevations; near their 'hibernal really a bird or a turret of isnow 'fash-
abodes, I am told, serve as their dancing ioned by the wind. It was rather wary
grounds during tllie spring, summer and when approached, but flew only short
early fall. distances after taking to wing.

March, 1921.]

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

53

26. FiACKER {Colaptes auratus) Acam-
mon species during September.

27. Kingbird (Tyraymustyrannus). But
one individual noted, and tlhat on August
30.

28. Horned Lark {Otocoris leucolae-
ma)'i My journal of September 13,
reads: ''Several times lately flocks of
small birds have passed over-head, emit-
ting soft twittering call notes identical
witih t,hose of the eastern homed lark.

1 am convinced that these flocks are refer-
able to the western variety of t^his species.

29. Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristaia).
One example noted in the Vermilion
Valley about September 15.

30. American Crow (Corvus hrachy-
rhynchos). Quite common, large migrat-
ing companies pajssed south over ihe
Twin Hills on September 30, October 1,

2 and 3.

31. Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus caro-
linus). Noted occasionally in early Sep-
tember, but large flocks were common
from the 15th to tjtie 18th of the month.
Probably accompanied by a percentage
of Brewers.

32. Western Meadow Lark (Sturnel-
la neglecta). A very common bird of
the prairies ; still common on October 5,
two days before the big snow storm. They
then disappeared entirely.

33. WHITE-\^^NGED CROfesBiLL (Loxia
leucopiera.) "While tramping in a snow-
.storm on November 4 near a fringe of
aspens skirting an allu\aal lowland in
the Vermilion valley, a solitary' bird of
this species came flj^ing down tihe wind
with the storm and lit in some aspens
near by. I just managed to identify it in
the driving snow when it was up and
gone again.

34. Redpoll (Acanthis linaria). On
October 19 the first redpolls of the season
were seen in a small flock erratically
flying about the railway grade where
quantities of seed bearing weeds had
attracted their attention.

35. American Goldfinch {Astragali-
nns tristis). Observed occasionally until
the middle of September.

36. Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax ni-
valis). Commonly observed after Octo-
ber 15.

37. Smith Longspur {Calcarius pictus).
Wihile enjoying a ramble west of the town
on September 27, a solitary individual
of this species fluttered from the trail
like a vesper sparrow, and alighted fur-
tiher along for concealment in an over-
hanging bunch of prairie grass. It per-
mitted me again and again to approach
very closely ; each time it would flit along
close to the ground, seek secret cover,
aJid play the game again.

38. Vesper Sparrow {Poecetes grami-
neus). Very common during September.

39. Savanna Sparrow {Passerculus s.
alandinus). A single specimen collected
on September 19.

40. Savanna Tree Sparrow (Spizella
monticola). Noted frequently after Sep-
tember 14 and up to November 1.

41. Slate-colored Junco {Jimco hye-
mnlis). First noted about the middle of
September ; common tJiereafter all fall,
and still remaining in small flocks about
the town in siheltered nooks on Novem-
ber 15.

42. Song Sparrow (31 elosprzamelodia).
Observed in migrating flocks of mixed
species about; the wallow margins of dried-
up sloughs during early September.

43. Northern Shrike {Lanius horea-
lis). Two individuals observed in early
November.

44. Solitary Vireo {Lanivireo solita-
rius). A single individual was noted in
a small aspen bluff on the prairie on
the morning of October 1.

45. Myrtle Warbler (Dendroica coro-
nata). Migrating in considerable num-
bers at Laurier Lake on September 1.
The flocksi were scattered about the low
willow fringe, hedged in by the spruces
on the east coast.

46. American Redstart (Setophaga ru-
ti cilia). A great movement among the
warblers was one of tlhe most conspicuous
and interesting occurrences at Laurier
and Wliitney Lakes on September 1.
This beai:^tiful warbler in company with
the former species seemed fairly to teem
about the bushes.

47. American Pipit (Anthus ruhes-
cens). The first individuals of this spe-
cies were noted on September 18. Not

54

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

[Vol. XXV.

being positive about the identity I was
on the prairie the following morning at
5 a.m. to collect a cabinet specimen to
niake sure, and was surprised tihat no
birds were to be seen. Their absence how-
ever was only apparent, for by 6 a.m.
a few scattered individuals were in evi-
dence and in the course of the next
Ihalf hour, as the sun rose higher, flocks
of hundreds appeared from t^e stubble.
Individually they are not- shy, hut as
a company they are very restle-ss, rising
erraftieally to w'heel and dash in reckless
abandon without apparent cause. A
source of some surprise to me (with a
ground-loving species) was tiheir habit in
one instance of alighting on telegraph
wires whiclh intersected t/ie prairie.

48. Black-Capped Chickadee {Pen-
thestes atricapillus) . More common about
the mixed woods in the vicinity of the
lakes, but frequently seen in low willow-
grown depressions on the prairie, far
from large (trees. Very common at Lau-
rier Lake and Wiliitney Lake on Sep-
tember 1, in company with the warblers.

Others notied in the vicinity of Island
Lake.

49. Olive-backed Thrush {Hijlocichla
ustulata). A specimen was colleoted Sep-
tember 1 at Laurier Lake. It was ex-
ceedingly wary, and considerable man-
oemo-ing wajg necessary before tjSie bird
was obtained. It was vigilantly feeding
about tihe tangled growth on the margin
of the lake shore.

50. American Robin {Planesticus mi-
gratorius). Very common throughout the
fall. The last record was a solitary bird
feeding in the snow near Pleasant Valley
on October 10, two days after the big
storm. No record since.

51. Mountain Bluebird {Sialia curru-
coides). Rather uncommon; scattered in-
dividuals in widely separated localities
noted during September. My last entry
is on October 5, "Three mountain blue-
birds observed near evening along t^e
trail east of the Twin Hills."

(To be continued.)

CORRESPONDENCE.

Bird Migration. — Replying to Prof. A.
B. Klugh's note in the September, 1920,
number of the Canadian Field-Naturalist
I wish to point out that I made no dog-
matic statement regarding self-conscious-
ness in animals. What I did say was that
I thought there was no such thing, which
is very different from positively asserting
the fact.

What I meant and intended to convey
by pure nature was life carrying on its
functions untrammelled by man's in-
fluence or interference, when elaborate
schemes are seen to work out with the ut-
most precision, the lepidopteron in the one
case, and the bird in the other, making no
preliminary experiments, and hence no
mistakes, but carrying out through their
subconscious minds those changes and acts
which are necessary for the propagation
and continuance of their respective races,
which changes and acts are surely of the
Infinite. Very little onus I imagine rests
upon me to prove that millions of birds
as well as other animals are everv vear

making no mistakes in these matters. Of
course it goes without saying that many
lose their lives in carrying out these sub-
conscious promptings. In the case of the
bird, after having started on its journey
it may be overtaken by a violent storm
whilst crossing some large sheet of water
and lose its life, but surely this and similar
instances cannot be put down to the mis-
takes of the said creatures.

If, as Prof. Klugh says, tlhere is absol-
utely no proof that any mind can com-
municate with any other mind save
through the medium of the senses of hear-
ing, sight, touch or smell, so likewise there
is absolutely no proof that any mind can-
not communicate Avith any other mind save
through the above mediums. I personally
much prefer to keep an open mind on the
subject, believing that it may be possible
for any one mind to communicate with
any other mind irrespective of the afore-
mentioned mediums.

I also do not see that it is so very hard
to account for the fact th-at birds will

March, 1921.]

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

55

sometimes (not always by any means, for
I have seen homing pigeons come home in
one) become lost in a fog when migrating
on the telaesthesia principle. Fog has a
very depressing influence both physically
and mentally, and why should it not there-
fore have the same effect upon subcons-
cious perceptions, dulling and putting
them out of commission for the time
being, just as an electric storm affects the
working of telephone, telegraph and wire-
less systems. In like manner I imagine
the glare from a lighthouse on a dark
night attracts the physical eye of the bird,
drawing it out of its course and for the
moment disrupting the psychological con-
nection, which cannot be regained until
normal conditions are re-established and
the bewildered bird escapes from the light
without losing its life, which so many do,
thereby never reaching the land of which
they had such a clear vision just before the
physical faculty led to a disruption of
the psychological connection, the same as
the fog does or may do in the afore-men-
tioned case.

Speaking of bringing out latent facul-
ties in animals, I once trained a British
Goldfinch {Carduelis carduelis hritannica)
to perform some wonderful tricks, but no
one will ever convince me that I was bring-
ing out latent faculties already possessed
by that bird. Rather would I suggest that
dominant will power, as well as mesmeric
influence, compelled that bird to perform
acts which pure nature never intended it
should, just in the same way as the lion
tamer compels those noble animals to go
through humiliating acts, which again pure
nature never intended they should. Had
they but self-conscious reasoning minds
and knew their power I am afraid their
tamer would soon be no more. It seems
too sweeping a statement to say that no
entirely new type of mental process such
as reason can possibly be evolved by as-
sociation with man, and I am still of the
opinion that some of the higher animals
from long association with man have,
through his mental emanations, acquired
some slight reasoning powers. It has been
said that in such cases it is possible that
the discarnate spirit of the animal does not
return to the group-soul, but remains
individualized.

To those who still hold to the theory that
birds are possessed of reasoning powers I
would suggest their reading Mr. C. W.
Leister's experience with a Spotted Sand-
piper, Bird-Lore, Vol. xxi, 1919, no. 5, pp.
287-289, wherein it is recorded how a
Spotted Sandpiper {Actitis maculana),
after her nest and eggs had been covered
over, firstl}' with a cap, secondly wdth a
leaf, thirdly with small sticks, and lastly
with a stone, in every instance sat down
on the top of the obstacle, and commenced
incubating, surely a very foolish thing for
a self-conscious and reasoning bird to do.
In this instance I would suggest that sub-
conscious mind brought her back time
after time to the exact spot where the nest
and eggs were, but that lack of self-cons-
cious or reasoning mind allowed her to sit
on the obstacles without ever investigating
or removing them, which was perfectly
feasible in cases two and three, and even
in the first was not impossible. However,
chacun a son gout, which also applies to
the answers to the following questions,
which appear to me to require more than
the /learing, sight, toudh or smell theory
to explain them, viz : —

1. — How is it that a string of swallows
gathered on a telegraph wire are able to
leave it at one and the same instant?

2. — How do a flock of shorebirds man-
age to turn and twist at one and the same
moment, thereby avoiding collision with
one another?

3. — How do a pair of birds manage to
work in harmony whilst constructing a
nest?

4. — How does a bird when flushed from
its nest on the darkest night yet find its
way back?

5. — How does the larva, devoid of phy-
sical sight, yet manage to find its way
from the food plant to the necessary pup-
ating station, w^hich may be hundreds of
yards from the former?

I would suggest that telepathy (mind
blending) answers Nos. 1, 2 and 3 in a
nutshell, and likewise telaesthesia (the
power of vision passing the limits of time
and space) the two last. That I am not
alone in discarding the sight or landmarks
theory seems evident from an article in the
October, 1920, number of the lUs, which
article was briefly reviewed in the January,

56

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

[Vol. XXV.

1921, number of the Auk, p. 147, the re-
viewer there stating that he heartily agreed
with the views of the author, i.e. that birds
do not rely to any large extent on land-
marks to guide them on migration. How-
ever, we are all at liberty to hold our own
views on these very interesting, but in-
tricate, matters and having now clearly

stated mine, it is not my intention to pur-
sue the subject further, seeing that it is
given to none of us to prove absolutely
what we may personally believe to be the
answers to them all. The solution, like that
to the life hereafter, it is not permitted us
to see.

H. MousLEY, Hatley, Que..

PROSECUTIONS.

Migratory Birds Convention Act and North-West Game Act By Officers
OF THE Dominion Parks Branch and Royal Canadian .

Mounted Police.

Migratory Birds Convention Act. Feh-
1921 and May 19, 1921.

Percy McGray, Clarke's. Harbour, N.
S., killing a Murre. Specimen and gun
forfeited. Fine $10.00 and costs.

C. Harmston, Courtenay, B.C., shoot-
ing Sea Gull. Gun and Gull forfeited.
Fine $10.00 and costs.

Maurice Smith, Clarke 'is Harbour, N.
S., possession of Eider Ducks. Dis-
missed.

Wm. Chapman, Jr., Dartmouth, N.S.,
shooting at a Murre. Fine $10.00 and
costs.

Leonie Allen, Petit de Grat, N.S.,
shooting Merganser in close season. Fine
$10.00 and co^s.

Loohart Lolrnes, Garden Lotis, N.S.,
killing a Duck in close season. Fine
$25.00 and costs.

Harper Allen, West Bathurst, N. B.,
Selling Geese. Fine $3.00. Suspended.

Peter Pineau, Rustico, P.E.I., killing
a Goose between the jriours of sunset and
sunrise. Fine $10.00 and costs.

Stephen Heisler, Martin's River, N.S.,
killing a Duck in close season. Fine
$10.00 and costs.

Stanfords, Ltd., 128 Mansfield St.,
Montreal, P.Q. ; Henry Gatelhouse and
Son, Bonsecours Market, Montreal, P.Q. ;
P. Poulin and Co., Bonsecours Market,
Montreal, P . Q . ; Walter Deery and Co.,
Bonsecours Market, Montreal, P.Q. ; J.
P. O'Connor, St. Antoine Market, Mont-
real, P . Q . ; possession of Migratory Game
Birds. Withdrawn.

Percival Allmond, Hamilton, Ont.,

shooting a Robin. Fine $10.00 and costs.

Juvenile, Britannia, Ont., molesting
Canada Goose in close season. Suspended
sentience and costs.

Robert Readman, Fort Francis, Ont,
engaged in business of taxidermist with-
out securing a license. Fine $10.00 and
costs.

John Jackson, Murray Harbour, P.E,
I, sihooting Canada Goose in close season.
Fine $10.00 and costs.

Sylvere Gallant, St. John's Road, Mud-
dy Creek, P.E. I., Possession of a Duck
in close season. Fine $10.00 and costs.

Lloyd Heisler, Indian Point, Lunen-
burg Co., N. S., Shooting Ducks in close
season. Fine $10.00 and costs.

W. 0. Bowser, Amherst, N.S., Molest-
ing Ducks in close season. Fine $25.00
and costs.

Artemus Davidson, Tindal Road, Am-
herst, N.S., molesting Ducks in close
season. Fine $50.00 and costs.

Enzor Oulton, Tormentine, N.B., kil-
ling or molesting Wild Geese in close
season. "Goose-boat" seized and for-
feited. Dismissed.

The Game Conservation Board of Brit-
ish Columbia has furnished the Dominion
Parks Branch with a summary of prose-
cutions, from January 1, 1921, to May 9,
192], under the British Columbia Game
Act, which amount to violations of the
Migratory Birds Convention Act: —

J. Antipas, Hunting Ducks in close
season. Fine $10.00

H. Crawford, Hunting Ducks in close
season. Fine $10.00

**>

March, 1921.]

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

57

T. Leathern, Hunting Ducks in close
season. Fine $10.00.

Sihing Ohong, Mallard Ducks in shop
for sale. Fine $10.00.

Sam Lee, Mallard Ducks in shop for
sale. Fine $10.00.

G. A. Sharp, Mallard Ducks in shop for
sale. Fine $10.00.

Wong Wee, Did buy a Mallard Duck.
Fine $10.00.

Northwest Game Act Prosecutions.

A. Adams, Little Buffalo River, N.
W. T. Trapping: without a license. Two
mink skins seized. Fine $5.00.

NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS.
Notes and Observations on. the White- Winged Crossbill.

— In many ways the past winter was a
remarkable season. Snow covered the
ground on the 13th of November, and al-
though we had exceptionally mild weather
with intermittent rains and no prolonged
snow-falls, yet the temperature was con-
sistently even and sufficiently low to keep
the ground snow-covered until early
March. On the 13th of March the fields
about Montreal were practically bare and
I was a little doubtful about undertaking
a previously arranged snowshoe tramp
with mv friend, Mr. W. J. Brown. How-
ever, armed with very large snowshoes and
proportionately large 'boeufs', I ran the
gauntlet of interrogative glances and was
glad to reach the station and further com-
pany. Snowshoeing on bare ground is not
a conventional sport. Reaching He Jesus,
adjacent to Montreal Island, conditions
were reversed and bare spots the excep-
tion ; while throughout a large spruce
forest, twenty-five miles farther north,
the snow was between two and three feet
in depth.

Earlier in the morning, at St. Lambert,
I had seen a few Robins, Song Sparrows
and Bluebirds; but here were no cheery
greetings from spring arrivals, although I
saw a Marsh Hawk and a Red-shouldered
Hawk, and glimpsed a furtive sparrow in
the spruce undergrowth that I failed to
identify. On the other hand here was a
probable part explanation of the dearth of
birds about urban districts during the past
winter. Black-capped Chickadees were
fairly common — about twenty-five being
noted in two flocks. During former win-
ters I almost invariably saw this bird on
all of my walks in the vicinity of Mont-

real. I always counted on seeing at least
the Chickadee until the past Wint^er,
when I seldom saw it and then in greatly
reduced numbers. In these spruce woods
(mainly Black Spruce and Tamarack)
one Canada Jay was seen, an Arctic Three-
toed Woodpecker and four or five Red-
breasted Nutlhatches, but the most noti-
ceable bii'ds were Pine Siskins and White-
winged Crossbills.

The Siskins were well distributed in
small groups and pairs ( ?) and many
were heard singing. Probably twenty-
five were noted.

The Crossbills were also distributed
in small groups but their erratic move-
ments made it difficult to determine their
numbers. All those that were plainly
seen were males. Several were heard
singing from spruce tops and one gave
a remarkable flight-song — just skimming
the tops of the conifers on fluttering
wings, while giving a series of trilled
songs continued througlhout a fligM ot
about one hundred yards, w*hen the singer
pitched into a spruce tree. Following,
I found it feeding in the tip of a Black
Spruce with two other males.

One song, or flight-note, that was
heard several times, recalled the tremu-
lous twitter of the Snow Bunting so
strongly tjhiat I was at first inclined tlhus
to record it. On March 27th we revis-
ited this locality, minus our snowshoes,
but found still a good two feet of snow
in most placesi and progress was labor-
ious. Althoug'h two flocks of ten and
twenty White-winged Crossbills were seen
feeding on tamarack seeds, and other
birds were heard in flight, we were un-

58

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

[Vol. XXV.

able to determine whether they had com-
menced nesting or not.

On April 3rd practically tjhe same
ground was covered and altihough one
Crossbill wem heard in flig'ht, none were
seen.

It is noteworthy that this species ap-
pears to be the prevalent crossbill in tihe
Montreal district, at least during recent
years ; while in Compton County, during
tIhe years 1899-1902, and at other times,
I did not record it at all, but found the
Red Crosjsbill a common bird.

L. McI. Terrell.

Observations on the Birds of Prince
Edward Island.

During- th.e mont^h of June and the
first few days of July, I was engaged
in marine biological work at Malpeque,
P.E.I. I was able incidentally to make
a few observations on the birds of the
region and these are worth putting on
record only because very little has been
published concerning t)ie avifauna of
Prince Edward Island.

The country round Malpeque Bay,
which is also known as Ridhimond Bay, is
practically all cleared. Here and there
small patdhes of White Spruce and Paper
Birch remain, and on the north side of
nearly every house is a wind-break of
these same trees left as a protection
against the bitter nortihi winds which
sweep in from the Grulf of St. Lawrence.
Curtain Island, near t^he middle of Mal-
peque Bay, and some of the other is-
lands in the bay, are fairly well timbered.

The chief feature of the avifauna as
a whole which imprassesi one is that it
is not particularly rich in species, but
that there are a great number of indi-
viduals of such species as do occur.

On tjie bay and on the outier coast
the commonest birds are the Common
Tern and the Herring Gull. On Fish Is-
land, and on its great barrier dunes
■wfhich extend practically across the moutih
of the bay, the Piping Plover is very
common, and its melodious yet somewhat
plaintive note seemed to fit in most ap-
propriately with the vast gray expanse
of the dunes and t^e roar of the surf.

The Belt«d Kingfisher is not uncom-
mon and a pair had their home in a

burrow in a high eroding cliff on Cur-
tain Island.

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is
fairly common and a pair nested in the
orchard beside the North Sjiiore House
at which we stayed.

Of the Woodpeckers the Flicker and
the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker are the com-
monest species, the former being abun-
dant and nesting in • the old spruce stubs
which in many places are found along
the fences.

T^ie Kingbird, the Olive-sided and. tihe
Least were the only Fly-catchers ob-
served. About a quarter of a mile from
the North Shore House there is a littJe
patch of spruce, and from the top of
one of the tallest of tJiese trees an Olive-
sided Flycatcher uttered hisi "Whip-whee-
yoo-u-u" from morning till nig^t, and
this clear ringing note reached us with
its volume but little diminished. He also
had a softer ^^Quilp-quilp" which he
used occasionally. A Least Fly-catcher,
which nested in the grounds, was the
most persistent singer of all the birds of
t^e neighbourhood. His chief haunt was
in one of the tall willows, and here he
sat and uttered hi&'^Chehec-chehec-chehec-
chehec-ckehcc-chehec" so continuously that
one wondered when he found time to eat.
On two or three occasions I saw him dies-
cribe an arc in the air, and while doing
so he sang a song quite unlike, and far
more melodious t^an, his usual m.onoto-
nous vocal performance.

The Prairie Homed Lark is common
in the fields. The Crow is abundant both
in the fields and on the sihore. The
Bronzed Crackle is one of the most abun-
dant birds of the whole region about
the bay, and nearly every patch of spruce
held a large colony of tlhese birds. The
status of this species on t^ Island seems
to have changed since Macoun in 1888
wrote "One pair seen at Tracadie", and
Dwight in the nineties said "A pair of
these birds in Mr. Earle's possession
were tlhe only ones he had ever seen on
Prince Edward Island."

The Purple Finch is a common summer
resident, and a male which lived in the
vicinity of t^e North S:hore House was
the most brilliant songster of this species
I have ever heard, his rich warbling re-

^lai-i

1921. J

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

;")•)

fraiii beingr deep in tone and long:-con-
linued.

The Vesper Sparrow is extremely com-
mon, but is exceeded in numbers by the
Savanna Si)arrow whieli is the most
abundant bird of the region. The White-
t,aroated Span-ow is common in suCh
pieces of woodland as are left, tthis
being- particularly the case in a damp
piece of forest near Ken>sin*ton and in
the woods on Curtain Island. The Song
Sparrow is common, the Chipping: Spar-
row rather scarce, and the Slate-coloured
•lunco abundant.

Of the Swallows, the Tree Swallow is
the most abundant species, though t'he
Barn and t/.ie Cliff Swallows are common
ami many colonies of Bank Swallows nast
in the soil at tihe top of the cliffs on
Curtain Island and at other points along
the coast.

The commonest species of Warblere are
the Myrtle, Magnolia, Yellow and Amer-
ican Redstart. A pair of ^Myrtles lived
ill the wind-break in front of the North
Shore House and the male was a eon-
tiinious singer. A pair -of Yellow War-
hlei-s had. their nest, in a gooseberry bu«;i
in the garden. It was composed of dried
grrass, pieces of twine and yarn, and bits
of birch-bark, and lined with hair and a
few chicken feathers. When the female
was hnntingr material for her nest she
frecpVented tHie lawn and readily accepted
donations in tilie shape of yam or twine.
When she was seekingr hairs with whicli
to line the nest, .she seemed to find the
verandah the most promising hunting-
ground, and finding a ihair caught in a
crevice, or on a splinter, s^e pulled at it,
now from this direction, now from that,
swinging round and round as she tugged,
and usually succeeding in dislodging it.
The male took no part in the construction
of tihe nest, nor in incubation, but brought
insects to tlie female while she was sit-
ting. Three of the four egrgs ihatc;ied
and the shells and the unhatched e^g
were removed from the nesti. For the
first two days after the young appeared
the female spent most of her time brood-
ing, wjiile tihe male was busy forao^ng.
As he approached the netsit he invariably
sang, and when the female heard him
she usually slipped from the nest and

went off to secure a few insects, some-
times for herself, .sometimes to give to
t)he nestlingis on 'her return, wjiile the
male fed the nestlings. In the early
days of feeding whole insects* were not;
given to the young, but the insects were
pounded and swallowed by the male, then
regurgitated into t'lie tliroats of the nest-
lings.

The Maryland YelloM^throat and t/ie
Canadian Warbler were seen only in the
woods on Curtain Island.

The Chickadee and the Acadian Chick-
adee are about equally common in the
pieces of woodland.

The Hermit Thrush and the Olive-
backed Thrus/i were observed in the
woods on Curtain Island and were heard
singing from tihe woods on some of the
other islands.

The Robin is abundant, and three pairs
nested in the grounds on tihe North Shore
House. The songs of the three males
differed considerably in quality, and one
of them had a most characteristic refrain
in which the syllables ^^Rip-rip-ter-rrurr^'
occurred very conspicuoasly and - with
great frequency.

A. Brooker Klugh.

Prairie Warbler at Hamilton, Ont.

On going into the garden on the
morning of May 12, 1920, to look for
migrating birds, I noticed an unfamiliar
Wood Warbler feeding in a thicket of
wild plum trees. I observed it carefully
for several minutes at a distance of
about twenty-five feet, with bright sun-
light behind me, using 6 X field-glasses.
As the bird was moving away, I Avas
unable to get a good view of the head
or under-parts, but could see that the>'
were bright yellow marked with black.
Observation of the upper-parts was very
satisfactory, however, and I noted a
reddish, saddle-shaped area on the back,
which was olive-green. On consulting
P. A. Taverner's "Birds of Eastern
Canada", I identified the bird as a
Prairie Warbler (Dendroica discolor). 1
knew tliat the bird was not a common one ;
but not until recent conversation with
Messrs. W. E. Saunders and H. F. Lewis
did I realize that it is rare enough to

60

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

[Vol. XXV.

make this record of possible interest to
other observertsi.

The thicket in which this bird was
seen runs through two gardens and some
adjoining' vacant-building-land on ''The
Mountain" and about tvliree hundred
yards south of its edge. The neighbor-
hood is a very quiet one ; and the
thicket is a favorite haunt for migrating
birds. Only the Yellow Warbler, of this
family, was noticed there before the Prai-
rie Warbler in 1920; and no others were
recorded until several days later.

R. Owen Merriman.

quite unafraid. I was surprised to see
not a few of them witJh a white spot
the size of a five cent piece at t^he side
of the neck, just in front of the wing
at the shoulder. It was a beautiful sight
to 6ee a tree literally covered with hun-
dreds of these birds, the brandhes bend-
ing under their weight. I have not jieard
of their liaving been seen in such large
flocks before.

Neil Gilmour, Moose Jaw, Sask.

Bohemian Waxwings in Saskatchewan.
On April 1st (1921) I saw a very in-
teresting and to me a new sig^it. When
I say I saw a flock of one thousand
Bohemian waxwings, I feel confident that
I could multiply that number by three
and still be within tllie mark. This was
in River park (Regina). There were
acres of them, feeding on the bushes and
shrubs of the park. Thej' would take
wing, circle, and again alight, and a,s
they rose there was a roaring sound from
* their wings. They flew from busih to
busih and pa.ssed within ten feet of me

Appointments. — In November, 1920,
Mr. Harrison F. Lewis, of Bergerville,
Quebec, and Mr. J. A. Munro, of Okana-
gan Landing, B.C., were appointied Chief
Federal Migratoiy Bird Officers for On-
tario and Quebec, and for the Western
Provinces, respectively, Mr. R. W. Tufts,
of Wolfville, Nova Scotia, was appointed
to a similar position for the Maritime
Provinces in 1919. All three have brougiht
to their new positions that prime requi-
site, a tjiiorough knowledge of ornithology,
and great advances in the cause of bird
protection in Canada may confidently be
expected a® a result of their efforts.

H. L.

i

LIBRARY

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST^

#

VOL. XXXV.

GARDENVALE, QUE., APRIL, 1921

No. 4.

A POPULAR DESCRIPTION OF DINOSAURS.
By C. M. Sternberg.

Introduction. — Palaeontology deaLs
with the history of life, and its time is
measured in millions of years rather
than centuries as civilization is measured.
The time that ci"vilized man has ruled
tihe earth is to t,he time that life ha.s
been upon it, as a day is to f^e averag-e
life of a man.

In the remote past many orders of
reptiles and other animals flourfeJied dur-
ing their time, then passed away, in many
cases leavinor no descendants. Were it
not for the fact that many of these
ancient animals left their hones entombed
in the rock that was laid down at t/ie
time when they lived, we would know
nothinfj about tIhe animals that inhabited
the earth in past geological ages.

Among the most interesting and re-
markable of these animals were the dino-
saurs whie.h were so abundant during
the Mesozoic Era.

General Discussion. — The name Dino-
saur is taken from the Greek and means
Terrible Lizard. It was first proposed
by ProfesJsor Owen, the eminent English
palaeontologist and anatomist. The dino-
saurs were an order of reptiles coni-
l)rising the largest land animals of which
we have any knowledge, and in most
classifications of the animal kingdom hold
the same rank as the Chflonia (tortoises
and turtles) and Squamaia (lizards,
^luikes, etc.). They were the dominant
type of land animals during the Mesozoic
period or Age* of Reptiles, which lasted
some millions of years and closed at least
three million years ago. They were
widely distributed, their bones Ihaving
been found on each of the six continents,
although Nort,h America has yielded by
far the greatest numbei- of genera and
complete specimens.

The dinosaurs varied greatly in size,
structure and habiis, but all of them are
noted for their small and primitive brain.
Wliile some of the amplhibious forms,
of Jurassic age, attained a length of
one hundred feet, others were very small,
Compsoganthus, a carnivore of Jurassic
age, being only two feet in leJig^tjh. Th(^
small carnivora were very slender and
without doubt were fleet-footed and ac-
tive. The armored forms were heavy-
boned, clumsy, slow-moving creatures.
Some foruLs must have taken to the
water for defence, wthile others were
provided with horns, and yet others were
completely incased in dermal armor or
plates of bone in tihe skin. They all
possessed foui- limbs, though in some
the front pair were veiy small. None
of the dinosauiN had the power of flight
so far as known, though, a contemporars-
order of reptiles, the Pterodactyles, must
have been as graceful flyers as our pres-
ent-day baits. The amphibious forms
(Saiiropoda) must have spent much of
their time in the water. Soime studen
believe that they never left the water,
though of course like all reptiles they
^vere eompelled to keep the nose above
water to breathe. In this sub-order are
placed Gigantosmirus, Brontosatirus. Di-
pJodocus, etc.

Certain of the carnivorous forms' were
so bird-like that, w^iere only part of the
skeleton was known, they have been called
birds. Because of the great similarity-
between these forms and certain birds,
some students believe tlhat in the course
of evolution, the birds evolved throug^h
the dinosaurs, while other; believe that
both birds and dinosaurs were derived
from a common ancestor. The similarity
of certain dinosaurs to b:j is is most no-

62

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

Vol. XXXV

tieeable in the pelvis, or bony arch with
which tihe hind limbs articulate, and the
hollowness of tihe bones, especially those
of the limba

The largest of t.he carnivorous forms,
which attained a leiigfth of forty feet,
has been named Tyranosanrus or Tyrant
Lizard, and quite deserves Hhe name
Dinosaur.

People often say "Wlhat strange an-
imals lived in prehistoric timeisi", but they
do not think of the strangeness of some
of our present day animals because they
are familiar with t)iem. They remind
one of the small boy who, when visiting
the Zoo for the finst; time, gazed intently
at the giraffe for a few moments, tlhen
turned to his mother aiul said, "There
aint no siuch animal.''

The Canadian Field. — Our Canadian
field, on the Red Deer River, Alberta,
Is probably the ric/ie.st known for the
collection of dinosaurian remains, if we
consider the number of genera and spe-
cies it has produced and the completeness
of the specimens. Thouglh we have made
great advances in our knowledge of tlie
upper Cretaceous dinosaurfci, there are
several species which, as yet, are re-
presented by such fragmentary material
that only insufficient knowledge of tjiieir
structure can be gained.

There are two subdivisions of the up-
per Cretaceous, known as the Edmonton
and Belly River formationsi respectively
from which Geological Survey field part-
ies Ihave collected most of the dinosaurian
remains now preserved in lihe Victoria
Memorial Museum ait Ottawa. The Ed-
monton formation is best exposed along
the Red Deer river nortiheast of Calgary,
Alberta, while t^ie most productive depos-
its of Belly River age are exposed along
the isame river east of Calgary. These
and rising several times. What is now
two divisions are separated by about six
hujidrt'd feet of marine deposit (Ft.
Pierre), sihowing that at the close of tHie
Belly River age this region was sub-
merged beneath the sea and did not re-
appear until Edmonton tame.

There is much evidence to s,how that
tluring Cretaceous tinu's the continent
was not stable but sank in one area and
rose in another, and repeated the sinking

Alberta was submerged benealih the Cre-
taceous sea no less than uhree times. The
close of the Cretaceous period marked the
drainino- off of tlie Cretaceousi sea and
tjie couDitry continued to rise until it
reached an altitude of thirty-five hundred
feet above sea level. Subsequently most
of the deposits whicih were of more re-
cent age than Cretaceous were eroded
away, and finally the great ice cap aided
in the leveling by scouring here and
filling there. Only a remnant of the
more recent deposits is left on t,he high
points which did not succumb to the
levelling e. g. tihe Hand Hills and the
Cypress Hills.

Since the glacial period the Red Deer
river has cut a great trough in tlie
prairie and has tapped the ancient burial
ground. The erosion has been so rapid
t.iiat the banks are quite .steep, and the
rocks are denuded of soil or vegetarion
and in many places are weathered into a
badland topograplhy of many canyons,
ridgesi and steep slopes. In these bad-
lands Geological Survey parlies search
out the ancient giants and remove them
to Ottawa, there to be preserved for all
to see and study.

At the time when the Belly River and
Edmonton deposits were being laid down
this section of country was a great low-
lying land of many lakes, bayous and
swamps, which were very little above tji^^
level of the Cretaceouisi sea. This sea ex-
tended from the Gulf of Mexico over
what is now the prairie states and prov-
inces and at one stage connected with
the Arctic Ocean, thus separating tbe
western part of the continent from the
eastern part.

That the dinosaurs lived near sea level
is proved by the fact that we often find
mingled with their bones, the bones of
marine animals which had wandered too
far inland or whoi^c bones had been
driven in l)y the waves. Most of the
deposits in w'hic.a the remains are found
are of fine grained sand and clay which
indicates sluggish streams or quiet water.^
Evidence points to a dense e:rowtli of
both bind and water plants. Rushes are
very common, as are trunks, l)ranches,
and cones of the Red Wood. The pres-
ence of palm^, figs, aiid other forms of

April, 1921.

The Canadian Feeld-Natubalist.

63

similar habitat iiidicaties that the climate
was semi-tropical.

This must have been a mueji favoured
Ihaunt of dinosaurs and other reptiles,
for there are thousands of individuals
represented and of course we see only a
very small percentage of the bones that
were entombed in the rocks.

As the animals died on the banks of
a river or lake oi* on a delta, the flesh
was torn off by some hungry carnivore
and t^e bones scattered. In times of
flood these bones were picked up and
carried to some lake or was)hed upon a
mud-flat or isiand^bar. There are a great
many extensive "bone beds" or layers
in A^Hhich thousands of bones have been
deposited, as driftwood would be thrown
up on a beach by the waves, or carried
on to a mud-flat by back water. These
bone beds are usually at the junction of
the clay and sand rattier than wholly
within either type of deposit. The bones
in these deposits are usually disarticula-
ted and sihow signs of having been tossed
about by the waves.

Besides these bone beds many skulls
and skeletons were deposited more or less
complete. Some of these seem to have
been washed upon a beach or mud-flat
and after the lower ^alf was covered
with sediment the exposed portion was
torn away by some carnivore leaving
only half of the skeleton to be preserved.
In otlier cases the animals were mired
or the carcases were washed into quick-
sand or on to mud-flats where the car-
nivora could not reach them. One skel-
eton collected shows t]ie remains of rushes
which grew among the undisturbed bones
and even the skin impression is preserved.
It is very common to find skeletons
mingled with the remains of vegetation
such aisi ruslhes, moss, leaves and branches
of trees. The animals which spent most
of their time in t^e water are better
known than those which habitually lived
on land, because after death their bodies
often floated into some lake or bayou
beyond the reacih of the camivora and
were buried intact.

Kinds of Canadian Dinosaurs. — Of
the dinosaurs that have left t^eir bones
entombed in the Belly River_ and Edmon-

ton formations along Red Deer river,
Alberta, the best known are divided into
four families. The most common is that
of the duckbilled dinosaurs or Hadro-
sauridae. Of this family nine genera
have been coDected from Alberta, eight
of whiclh have not been found in ot^er
deposits. Next in number comes the fam-
ily of horned dinosaurs or Ceratopsia
of which two genera have been described
from the Edmonton and five from the
Belly River formations. None of these
are known from any other age. The
armored dinosaurs or Ankylomuridae are
not; as well known as the above-mentioned
families. Tji;ie carnivorous dinosaurs be-
long to a different sub-order. Tlhey do
not possess a predentary (a bone situated
in front of the dentary or lower jaw) as
do the above-mentioned families. None
of the very large or very (small dino-
saurs have been found in these deposits.
They have been found only in older
deposits than those represented on the
Red Deer river.

The duck-billed dinosaurs were heavy-
boned creatures w^idh ranged up to forty
feet in length. The legs were of unequal
size, the hind pair being the larger. The
fore-feet had four toes and the hind
ones three. The terminal phalanges; of
tihe toes of i]ne hind feet and part of
those of the front feet bore hoofs. All
four feet were webbed. The tail, which
comprised about half the length of the
animal, was high and narrow, making
a powerful swimming organ. The integ-
ument was made up of small scales, (non-
imbricating and polygonal) wlhich were
little thicker than the scales of a snake.
At certain intervals there were areas of
larger scales or raised bosses whiclh varied
in shape and arrangement in different
species. It is probable tliat wit/i this var-
ied &kin pattern there was a varied color
pattern whic^ may have been quite orna-
mental. The thin skin and absence of any
means of defence, coupled with the web-
bed feet and swimming tail, seem to
prove beyond a doubt that tjhese dino-
saurs spent most of their time in the
water or at least took to the water for
protection from their enemies. The pre-
maxillae and predentaries were expanded
and incased in a horny sheath similar

64

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

A'

XXXV

to the bill of a duck, ihenee the name
'' duck-billed".

These dijiosaurs were purely herbivor-
oxm as shown by their teeth. The teeth
were arranged in a magazine in vertical
as well as horizontal row^s. There were
more than twelve hundred teeth in the
four jaws but only about one in five of
these was in use at a time, as there w^ere
five or more teet,h in each vertical row.
As the teeth became worn they were
pushed out and replaced by new ones
which w^ere ever forming at the base of
the magazine. In this respect they differ
from the mammals which have only two
sets of teet^L The cutting surface of the
teeth was on the • inside in the calse of
the upper jaw and on the outside in
the lower jaw. The lower jaws passed
within the upper jaws and the teeth
worked like a pair of shears in cutting
the soft vegetation after it had been
nipped off witjh the expanded beak. The
duck-billed dinosaurs ranged over much
of North America during late Cretaceous
times.

The horned dinosaurs were quadru-
pedal land animals with short massive
limbs. There were five toes on each
front foot and four functional and one
vestigial toe on eadhi hind foot. In gen-
eral build of the lim.bs a ad feet they
somewhat resembled the rjvinoceros.

These animals had the largest heads of
any land animal kiiovah In the case
of one {Chasmosaums 'belli Lambe) the
slmll covered half the lengtlh from the
snout to the drop of t^ie tail, measuring
five and one half feet. Triceratops skulls,
(from a more recent formation) have
been recorded up to nine feet in length.
These huge skulls were solidly constructed
and were surmounted by three horns one
over each eye and one over the nose.

In some cases the nasal horn was greatly
developed at the expense of the supra-
orbital horns, while in other genera the
reverse was true. The back of the skull
was developed into a large crest or shield
which extended over tihe neck and shoul-
ders. T^his crest helped to give the skull
its huge proportions and with the horns
must have been a formidable meaas of
defence. The snout w^as developed into
a sharp cutting beak incaisied in a horny

sheath, similar to that of a parrot but.
many times as large. This beak was
probably u'sed for cutiting off the vege-
tation on whic^i the animal fed._ The
horned dinosaurs had the distinction of
being the only reptiles which had double
rooted teettlh. The teeth were arranged
in magazines somewhat similar to the
teeth of the duck-billed dinosaurs, bul
few'er in number. They show liliat the
animal was herbivorous in habit. The
tail was shorter and more nearly roun<l
than in the before-mentioned family and
.sihows no adaptations for life in the
water. The skin of t^ie horned dinosaurs
was made up of non-imbrieatdng- poly-
gonal scales wdiieh were larger and some-
what thicker than those of the duck-billed
family. Some of the largest scales were
two inches in diameter. The first homed
dinosaur skin impression brougM to light
was t^iat described by the late Mr. L. M.
Lambe in the Ottawa Naturalist for Jan-
uary, 1914.

It is probable that these aaiimals were
gregarious in habit, ajsi the writer has
obsei*ved a number of deposits of bones
in which only horned dinosaurs were re-
presented and seemingly only one genus
in each case. This would seem to indi-
cate that tlhey assembled in certain swam-
py or low-lying areasi from whic]i other
animals were excluded.

Skulls of this family are much more
common than skeletons. This may be ex-
plained by the fact that tliey lived and
died out of the water, and as the skull.
w^hiclh, was solidly constructed, was more
durable than the resti of t^e skeleton, it
may have lain on the banks for months
before it was picked up by some flood
which carried it for miles. Thus the
skull would remain intact while the rest
of the skeleton woul be widely scattered.
The reverse of this situation is true
in t^ie case of the water-inhabitating
duck-billed creatures whose skulls were
more fragile and seem to have been eaisily
cletiached from the body and destroyed.
In the Belly River formation it is com-
mon to find skeletons of the duck-billed
dinosaurs without the head. This seems
to prove that the neck was weak and
allowed the head to drop off as tjie car-

April, 1921.

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

65

case floated al)Out before reachino' its
final restino-place.

The third family of herbivorous dino-
saurs found in the deposits along (the
Red Deer river is the armored or plated
dinosaurs. They were low. heaw-boned.
quadrupedal, land animals with very
short massive limbs. The feet were short
and stubby and somewhat resembled the
feet of a ' rhinoceros. The ribs were so
constructed and articulated as to throw
them well out and give a broad back and
a large body cavity much the shape of a
huge barrel. The hips were as much as
five feet broad though tlie animal was not
more than six feet high.

These dinosaurs were completely incased
in dermal armor or bony scutes in the skin.
In some genera the scutes were high-keeled,
thick and as much as a foot and a half in
length, Avliile in other genera they w^ere
more plate-like with only slightly elevated
keels. The larger scutes were arranged in
rows along the back and sides while on the
under parts were ossicles of irregular shape
which protected the animal much as the
cliain armor protected the warrior of the
middle ages. Between the large scutes
were smaller ones and in the smaller in-
tervening spaces were tiny ossicles similar
to those on the under parts. It is quite
evident that these creatures were so ef-
fe(itivel.y armored that they need have no
fear of their'enemies. The tail terminated
ill a bom* club, about the size of a water
pail, which was made uj) of a number of
modified dermal scutes thoroughly fused
together. The eyes were protected by a
l)oiiy lid, and in at least one genus (Pano-
plosaurus) even tlie mouth Avas protected
l)y a plate of b(tne in the cheek, which Mr.
Ijambe has called the dental plate. The
mem])ers of this family also possessed a
liorny beak. These animals were so well
protected that tliey did not need speed as
a means of escape and so l)ecame a heavy
sluggish animal in which the main develop-
ment was strength to carry the heavy load.

The armored dinosaurs had an excep-
tionally small brain, the cavity being
smaller than a man's fist. The neural
canal was greatly expanded within the
sacrum, and Prof. Marsh thought that this
was the seat of that part of the brain whicli
controlled the action of the animal.

There are at leat four genera of car-
nivorous dinosaurs represented in these
rocks, the largest of which is Gorgosaurus.
While Gorgosaurus attained a length of
thirty feet there was a contemporaneous
carnivore which was probably not more
than eight or ten feet long. Only frag-
ments of the latter have been found and
it has not been described.

Gorgosaurus had a much lighter frame
than the herbivorous forms and the limb
bones were hollow. The bones show many
well-developed areas for the attachment of
muscles. No doubt Gorgosaurus was much
more active than the herbivorous forms,
but of course was too heavy to be agile.
The smaller forms were probably much
more active.

The carnivorous forms walked on their
liind feet only, and used their huge tails
as balancing organs. The front limbs were
very small, specially in Gorgosaurus, and
could have been of little use. This limb
was becoming vestigial as shown by the
.study of earlier carnivorous dinosaurs.
The fore-limb possessed only two func-
tional digits and one metacarpal which
was vestigial, while the hind foot had
three Avell developed and powerful toes
and a smaller one at the back similar to
tlie back toe of a turkey. The fifth toe
was represented by the proximal part of
the metatarsal. The terminal phalanges
each bore a i)owerful claw. Gorgosaurus
luid four powerful jaws in w'hich were more
than sixty sharp, double-edged, recurved
teeth, some of which were four inches long.
It must have been a fierce looking lizard
as the name implies.

Mr. L. M. Lambe suggested that Gorgo-
saurus may have been a scavenger, since
the teeth of the type specimen showed no
sign of wear.

Another fairly well-known genus is Or-
nifliominus which was much smaller and of
more slender construction than Gorgosau-
rus.

The carnivorous dinosaurs were not
fitted for life in the water.

E.rtinction. — It is impossible to saj' what
caused the etxermination of the dinosaurs,
('hanging conditions with the cutting off
cf their food suoDly and their inability to
migrate great distances may have been one
cause. The rise of the mammals with their

66

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

Vol. XXXV.

more highly developed brain may have put
the huge stupid dinosaurs to a disadvant-
age in the contest for subsistence. In the
most recent formation from which dino-
saurian remains have been collected, (the
Lance formation) there are only a few
genera represented, which seems to point
to the gradual rather than sudden exter-
mination of the order. Certain families of
turtles, crocodiles and fishes which existed
with the later dinosaurs have persisted to
the present day with very little change.
That the dinosaurs evolved very rapidly

is shoAvn by the fact that with few excep-
tions a geiius did not persist from one
geological subdivision to another. For
example in the Edmonton formation, which
is separated from the Belly River forma-
tion by about six hundred feet of marine
shales, we do not find the same genera that
are found in the Belly River formation,
though in several cases the line of descent
is quite apparent. Geologically speaking
these formations are quite close together
in time.

A CYPRINID NEW TO SCIENCE.

By Philip Cox, Ph.D., University of
New Brunswick.

This minnow (Leuciscus ruhrilateralis
Cox) was discovered by the writer in the
summer of 1897 while he was investigating
the fresh-water fishes of the peninsula of
Gaspe, P.Q. It was generally associated
with Conesius plumbeus Agassiz, but in
some of the rivers, i.e. Nouvelle and Grand
Pabos, it was the dominant form. At that
time the fish was diagnosed as the eastern
representative of C. dissimilis Girard, or a
variety of C. plumbeus ; and, as the latter,
was reported to the Royal Society of Can-
ada (Fresh Water Fishes and Batrachia
of the Peninsula of Gaspe and their Dis-
tribution in the Maritime Provinces of
Canada, by Philip Cox, Ph.D., Trans.
Royal 8oc. Can., Vol. V, Sect. IV, p. 148,
1899).

A subsequent and more critical study of
the few specimens preserved seemed to
confirm that view, and it was published as
C. p. rubrilateralis Cox (Cyprinidae of
Eastern Canada, Bull. No. II., Proc. Nat.
Hist. Ass., Miramichi, 1901, p. 42).

In August, 1918, numerous specimens of
this minnow were taken by the writer in
Black Brook, Loggieville, Miramichi, N. B.,
and carefully diagnosed, when the two
most important characters, namely, the
u5intal formula and the presence or ab-
sence of the barbel were more satisfactorily

determined from the examination of a
large quantity of fresh material. It was
then seen that its affinities were with the
genus Leuciscus rather than with Conesius,
and that it was entitled to full specific
rank.

The Gaspe fish are small, rarely exceed-
ing four inches in length, but, like all the
cyprinids of the peninsula, are brillantly
colored, the males well deserving the name
''redfish", by which this species is known
locally in Loggieville. The Miramichi
Redfish are much larger, often attaining
a length of six inches, but the coloration
is dull, except in the breeding season, when
the rosy hues are intense on the males but
only perceptible on the females.

The accompanying plate shows an exam-
ple of C. plumbeus above, and two Black
Brook specimens of L. rubrilateralis, a
female, and a male, below.

The type may be described as follows : —
Body robust, cylindrical, head and cau-
dal peduncle slightly compressed; dorsal
curvature less than ventral.

Head 41/2-4% ; depth 5 ; snout 4-1/3 in
head ; eye small, 5 in head, 1-1/3 in snout ;
D. 8, A. 8 ; scales 12-72-8 or 9.

Head short, rounded above ; snout, blunt-
ish; mouth small, oblique, lower jaw in-
cluded ; maxillary not reaching the orbit ;

April, 1921.

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

67

Conesius plumbeus (above) and two specimens, ,one male and the other
female, of Leuciscus rubrilateralis.

barbel not evident. Teeth 2.5-4.2 normally,
but number often reduced, frequently by
absorption, hooked and without grinding
surface.

Fins small, rounded; dorsal inserted
well behind the ventrals, the tip, when de-
pressed, over middle of base of anal ; anal
smaller than dorsal and of same shape;
ventrals small, reaching nearly to vent in
males, not so far in females; pectorals in-
serted low, and reaching half way to ven-
trals. Scales small, a little reduced and
crowded anteriorly; lateral line complete
at all stages.

Coloration, dull, bluish black above;
duller on the sides and passing into white

below; a dark lateral band from black
patch on operculum to base of caudal,
sometimes not well defined anteriorly; a
paler narrow band above, and scattered
dark scales below; lateral surface below
band, and extending from base of pectoral
to caudal, red in breeding males; paler or
wanting in females. Dorsal and caudal
fins same color as the back; pectorals and
anal dusted; ventrals whitish. Length 5-6
inches.

Ruhrilateralis is very close to, if not
identical with, L. carletoni Kendall, a spe-
cies reported from the state of Maine by>
Dr. Wm. Converse Kendall, (U. S. F.
Com., Vol. XXII, 1902, pp. 357-8).

68

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

Vol. XXXV.

CANADIAN- SPHAERIIDAE.
By the Hon. Mr. Justice Latchford.

[Continued f.om Vol. XXXIY.. p. 71.)

21. MUSCULIUM SECITRIS.Prime. This
species resembles i.nncaium in the abrcipt-
ness of the posterioi- maryiii, but is a
smaller shell. Its anterior margin is shorter
and more rounaed, and tiie lines of growth
are deeper and more distinct. T^ie valves
are thicker, less glossy, and paler within
and without. It occurs on a muddy bot-
tom in St. Louis Dam, inside the viaduct,
and probably outside it; and in the [)ond
north of the electric railway station at
Britannia Highlands.

22. MUSCULIUM WINKLEYI Sterki.
The ponds east and west of Britannia
formed by the Ottawa at high water and
several of the small streams in Nepean i>ro-
duce this pretty little shell in considerable
numbers. It was described in the Naiiti-
lus (XXIII, 66) from specimens found by
the Rev. H. W; Winkley near his home at
Danvers, Mass., and at Old Orchard, Me.
From this indefatigable collector and stu-
dent of the Sphaeriidae I received from
time to time during many years delightful
letters and fine sets of rare or newly des-
cribed species. Winkleyi resembles securis.
The first specimens from the vicinity of
Ottawa sent to Dr. Sterki were thought to
be a variety of that species and were mark-
ed M. secuns cardissum. It is, however,
as the description states, higher than secK-
ris with more rounded outlines, the hinge
margin is more curled, and the difference
of size and shax)e between the anterior and
posterior parts is less marked ; in securis
the posterior part is more truncate and less
obliquely so to the dorso-ventral line.

23. MUSCULIUM PARVUM Sterki. In
the same number of the Nautilus (p. 67).
Dr. Sterki distinguished and described an-
other shell usually confused with securis.
The types w^ere from Ohio, but the species
has a wide distribution. It is not uncom-
mon in the Britannia ponds, but has not
been found elsewhere near Ottawa. It is
smaller than securis, the superior margin is
less curved, the posterior more rounded
and more oblique; the surface shining, the
shell colourless, the siphons are said to be

much shorter, connected, and colourless,
while in securis they are yellow to orange,
or salmon, or reddish. The Britannia
shells correspond in size Avitli the average
measurements of the ty])es : long. 4.7, alt.
J-. diam. 2.8 mm.

24. MUSCULIUM PARTUMEITTM Say.
In Heron's list of Ottawa MoUusca (Trans.
0. F. N. C., 1. 40) this shell is included
with a (?). The indentification was prob-
ably correct as the species is not uncom-
mon in many small ponds south of the
city, near where - Heron lived. , When
mature it exceeds truncatum in size, is
brighter in color, more inflated and with
higher beaks. It is not as large as jayeii-
se, nor so pinched in before and behind the
hinge. From our rosaceum it differs in
the greater projection of the beaks, and in
being moi-e distinctly yellow in color.

This species has a very extensive range
east of the Rocky Mountains, and what is
now considered to be a variety of it — M.
variable Prime — occurs as far south as
Florida. In Canada the shell has been
found in Manitoba and at several places
ill Central Ontario. I have fine specimens
from Hamilton collected by Mr. A. W.
Hanham, and several from Humber Bay,
Toronto.

25. MUSCULIUM JAYENSE Prime.
This shell, while not as large as transver-
sum, is much more beautiful, and is more
characteristic of the genus. It is of a
brighter color, shorter, higher, more in-
flated and more pinched in before and be-
hind the hinge, giving the central area of
the sliell, as will be noticed in the figure.

Fig. 5. — M. jayense

1'/2

a boldly triangular contour. The species
has a wide distribution over the middle
West and extends into Michigan, but does

April 1921.

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

69

not, as far as I am aware, appear recorded
from the State of New York.

Lake Constance is the only locality near
Ottawa or in Ontario in which jayense has
been found. It occurs sparingly in two to
three feet of water on a muddy bottom at
the boat landing on the Vahey farm, near
Armitage station. No other musculium
was collected in' the lake, •though several
doubtless occur. A large rough form of
Anodonta cataracta abounds, and a beau-
tiful variety of Lymnaea emarginata.

26. MUSCULIUM ROSACEUM Prime.
Shells of unusual size and beauty found
many years ago in the bay at the east end
of the pond below the outlet of Meach Lake
were considered by Tyron to belong to
this species. Unfortunately but few speci-
mens were collected, and the best of these
were distributed to correspondents. Re-
fuse from a saw mill destroyed the locality
as a habitat for delicate molluscs, and I
have been unable to visit the north side of
Meach Lake, where a warm muddy bay
would probably furnish the shell.

In the pond on the former Cowley farm
in Nepean, about two hundred yards south
of the electric railway, and near the
boundary of the Ottawa Land Company's
property, I collected in 1913 a quantity
of a large musculium which Dr. Sterki re-
gards as rosaceum. I have visited the pond
nearly every year since but have not suc-
ceeded in again finding this shell. Other
species persist in surviving the total dry-
ing up of the pond in hot summers ; but this
seems to have become quite extinct.

None of the shells found either in the
^ Laurentides or Nepean has a tint that
would justify the specific name applied by
Prime. It may be that the soft parts are
sometime rosy in color as is the case fre-
quently in Planorhis antrorsus; but I have
not noticed that peculiarity in any shells
attributed to rosaceum.

Dr. Sterki states that this species has
been found from Maine to Virginia, and in
Ohio and Illinois as well as in Ontario.

27. MUSCULIUM ROSACEUM FULI-
GINOSUM Sterki. A smaller and dif-
ferently colored shell, but with similar out-
lines, occurs at the bridge on the Tavistock
Road, Britannia Highlands, and a mile or
so westward in Honeywell Creek, where it
crosses the John Road. It is the only mus-
culium I have found in either locality.

While inclined to regard it as entitled to
specific rank, I yield to the vastly superior
experience and discrimination of Dr. Ster-
ki, and append his description from his
Preliminary Catalogue of North American
Sphacriidae (Ann. Carng. Mus. X, 448.)

21. Musculium rosaceum fuliginosum.
var. nov.

Mussel small, rather short, subequipar-
tite, moderately inflated, somewhat
''pinched" along the margins; beaks near-
ly in the middle, narrow, somewhat pro-
minent, calyculate; superioi- margin an-
gular at the beaks, its anterior and pos-
terior parts straight or nearly so, equally
sloping; supero-anterior and posterior
slopes, or truncations, well mai-ked, nearly
straight, the posterior longer and steeper
nearly at right angle with the longitudinal
axis, anterior and posterior ends rounded ;
inferior margin moderately curved; sur-
face shining and with a silky gloss derived
from very narrow, membranous, scaly pro-
jections of the periostracum on the fine
concentric striae; shell very thin, glassy
transparent, with a marked grayish or
.«;mok.y hue.

The largest specimen measures ; long. 7 ; .
alt. 6; diam. 3.8 mm.

The mussel is striking in appearance and
at first sight seems to be distinct, espe-
cially since all specimens are remarkably
uniform, but young and adolescent indi-
viduals reveal features of other forms of
M. rosaceum.

Hahitat. Scott Graham Creek, Carleton
County, Ontario, collected by Mr. Justice
Latchford, 1911 and 1913. Specimens are
contained in his collection and in the Car-
negie Museum, Nos. 6,945 and 7,431.
Justice Latchford writes in November.
1913: "No. 2925 is quite common. I have
visited the creek at all seasons and never
found any larger shells than those which I
send; I therefore regard them — the largei'
ones — as full-grown."

28. MUSCULIUM DECLIVE Sterki.
In Lake Gorman and in its outlet Bren-
nan's Creek, near Brudenell, in Renfrew,
was found a pretty little musculium which
Dr. Sterki described as new (Nautilus.
XXV, 103). It is about the size of securis
and of a delicate yellow colour. Although
exceedingly frail, like the shell on the
Breton strand so beautifully described by
Tennyson, it is capable of withstanding
the waves and strong currents that so

70

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

Vol. XXXV.

often prevail over the sandy and gravelly
floors of the lake and its outlet.

Dr. Sterki's description has, I think,
been republished in the Ottawa Naturalist
and need not be repeated. The shell has
also been reported from Miehigan.

29. MUSCULIUM COLUMBIANUM
Sterki. In a mixed lot of shells sent me by
the Rev. Geo. W. Taylor marked "Quamil-
eham, V.I." was a musculium which Dr.
Sterki has described as new. I append his
description from the Nautilus, XXVI, 117.

"M. colnmhiauum, n. sp. — Mussel of
medium size, strongly inflated, outlines
(along the valve edges) oval to elliptic
Avithout any angles, beaks somewhat behind
the middle, large, prominent, rounded or
slightly flattened on top, or even ealycu-
late : surface more or less uneven from lines
of growth, somewhat shining, with fine ir-
regular striae, color light corneous to yel-
lowish often in alternating zones, shell thin
subtranslucent ; hinge rather slight, car-
dinal teeth small, the right curved with the
posterior and thicker, left anterior with
apex pointed, posterior quite short; liga-
ment and resilium rather short and slight.
. Long. 4.2, alt. 3.6, diam. 3 mm. (100:
86:71).

Long. 3.3, alt. 2.6, diam. 23 mm. (100:
79: 70).

HaT). British Columbia, apparently
widely distributed, and common, and
rather variable with respect to size and
shape (no doubt also in Washington, etc.) ;
vicinity of Esquimalt, collected by Mr.
Taylor over twenty years ago, sent by
Justice F. R. Latchford, No. 6362. Co-
types with the lot in Mr. Latchford 's col-
lection. Lots simply marked "B, C", at
least some of them from that vicinity, are
in various collections; Chilliwack Creek
and Lake, B. C, collected by a member of
the Canada Geol. Surv. Staff, sent by Mr.

Whiteaves; a marsh, Duncans, B. C, re-
ceived from A. W. Hanham. The first
specimens were received in 1895, and the
species has been regarded as distinct ever
since.

30. MUSCULIUM RAYMONDI, J. G.
Cooper. The late Dr. John Macoun sent me
specimens of this shell from British Colum-
Ina, not stating the locality. The shell has
probably a wicle distribution in that prov-
ince as it undoubtedly has southward in
Washington, Oregon, and California. It
resembles securis but with the posterior
part of the mussel markedly higher than
the anterior.

31. MUSCULIUM LENTICULA Gould.
This shell is mentioned by Dr. Dall as oc-
curring in British Columbia (Harr. Alas-
ka Exp., XII, 140), and on his authority I
give it a place in the Canadian list. The
only specimens I have seen are from Cali-
fornia.

32. MUSCULIUM LACUSTRE Muller.
Dr. Sterki (Ann. Carng. Mus., X, 442)
gives the habitat of this species as Palear-

. tic and Neartic Regions, Indiana, Ontario
(and probablj^ northward), California and
Washington." He thinks that some of the
shells considered by Dr. Dall to be lenti-
cula may belong to this species.

There are several lots of musculia in my
collection of doubtful identity. One from
the small pond southwest of the intersec-
tion of the Rideau Canal and the Chaudi-
ere brancli of the Canadian Pacific Rail-
way may be undescribed. Two others from
Vancouver Island, Nos. 2364 and 2365 (b),
are said by Dr. Sterki to appear not to be-
long to any described species.

In the continuation of this paper I shall

with

the remaining genus,

deal brieflv

Pisidium — very largely represented m

Canada in both individuals and species.

A BABY PORCUPINE.
By Charles MacnamarA;, Arnprior, Ontario.

It was early in May on the shores of
that expanse of the Ottawa known as Lac
des Chats. The Ornithologist j^iad disap-
peared into the thicket, following an un-
known and elusive bird voice — goodness
knows it must have been a rara avis when
the Ornithologist did not know it — and 1

was left searching a pine stump for certain
minute insects. After a while I began to
wonder when he was coming back, for he
was carrying the lunch in his rucksack,
and breakfast seemed to /lave happened a
long time ago. Suddenly he hurried a- ,^
round a turn in the log-road, and, a little,''^

(Z

\^)

April, 1921.

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

71

out of breath, he said: "I shouted for
you but couldn't make you hear. I saw a
fine big porcupine back there, and it climb-
ed only about four feet up a tree. You
can easily get a great photograph of it.'"
"Back there" proved to be a low rocky
ridge thickly grown with cedars and bal-
sams. It was only about three minutes
quick walk from the pine stump, but when
we arrived with t^ie camera ready set, the
big porcupine had utterly vanished, and
careful searching of the surroundings yield-
ed no result — at least in hig porcupines.
For just as we were giving up the quest,
the Ornithologist caught sight of a small
jet-black creature trying to hide under a
cedar root. It was a baby porcupine about
the size of a half grown cat. No doubt the
large porcupine was his mother, but ma-
ternal instinct had failed in t^is case and
she had deserted ;ier offspring. The long
grey-tipped hair of the adult had not grown
on him yet, and he looked very black in his
short under-coat. Porcupines are remark-
ably large when they come into the world,
and although this one seemed well started
ill life, l\e. was probably very young. Nev-
ertheless he bristled his spines and slapped
at us with his tail like the oldest and
surliest of his race.

As a rule I am opposed to keeping Avild
animals in captivity, but I thought if I
could feed this little fellow at home for a
sliort time, I might learn something inter-
esting about porcupine ways, and later I
could set him free again. So while the
Ornitholc^ist jiiurriedly emptied our prec-
ious lunch out of the rucksack, I tried to
Idop my handkerchief around the porcu-
pine so as to work him out from beneath
the root, for I knew what would happen
to me if I touched him with bare hands.
But it could not be managed that way ;
t^iere was nothing for it but bare hands
after all, and they looked like well furnish-
ed pincushions by the time he was hustled
into the bag. His spines were only about
one qiuirter the length of those of the full
grown animal, but they were twice as
sharp. I pulled them out, one by one,
with my teeth, and eac;i of them left a
drop of blood after it. Then I picked up
my liandkerchief and wiped my fevered
* hrow. and it good stout spine stuck firmly

in the end of my nose. I began to under-
stand how the story started that porcu-
pines can shoot their quills at an enemy.
Except for an occasional puppy-like
whine, he lay quiet in the bag all the way
home. T/iere I fitted up a roomy box
for him with a bed of fresh cedar branches,
and a partition behind which, if he wished,
he could retire from the garish day. And
I furnished a provision of lettuce leaves,
pieces of apple and a saucer of milk. But
it was plain next morning that ,he had
eaten nothing. Tlien when cabbage leaves
and succulent willow and poplar twigs
failed to attract him, I concluded that he
was too young to take solid nourishment,
and I tried to draw his attention to the
immense advantages of milk as a food.
But all my friendly advances were sullenly
rejected. He put down his head and
bristled his back, and looked at me with a
(lull l)ut rancorous ej^e.

^bout all you can do to tame a porcu-
pine is to speak kindly to him. You can-
not try to win ;iis confidence by scratching
his head or stroking him soothingly down
the back. Evidently firmer measures than
well-meaning words were needed here.
From former experience I knew that even
large porcupines can be handled safely,
if unsympathetically, with a pair of heavy
leather mitts; and it was with this equip-
ment tjiat I made the little fellow immerse
Jiis nose in the milk, hoping that he would
begin to lap it ; but he wouldn 't. Then
I dipped my fingers in the milk and rub-
bed them over his lips. He registered his
objection to this treatment by a squeal,
but he made no attempt to bite. Porcu-
pines never do bite in anger; their quills
are their sole defence. Next I tried to
feed jhim from a bottle, but neither the
mouthpiece improvised from the rubber
bulb of a pen-filler, nor what the drug
clerk assured me was the best make of
anti-colic feeder for human infants, met
with his approval, and he whined and
kicked and left dozens of quills stuck in
my mitts. He had gone on a determined
hunger-strike, and all my efforts ended in
getting no more than a teaspoonful of milk
down his throat, and t^tiat only with much
trouble and disturbance. However, Ihis
fasting seemed to have done him no harm,

72

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

Vol. XXXV.

and between attempted feedings he climbed
around his box briskly enough for a por-
cupine. But his occasional fits of crying
were distressing.

At last on the third day of his captiv-
ity I thought of a friendly correspondent,
Mr. Linwood Flint of Nortji Waterford,
Maine, who is probalily more intimate
with porcupines than anyone else in the
world, as he rears them for sale on a
''Porcupine Farm". A query addressed
to him by telegram as to what to do with
a baby porcupine that wouldn't eat any-
thing brought the promj^t but disappoint-
ing reply, that it was impossible to rear
a young porcupine away from its mot.her.
This dashed my hopes of porcupine study,
and my only care now was to get the little
creature back to his mother as soon as
possible. For the last time I got my mitts
full of quills while putting him into the
rucksack, and just at nightfall I reached
the rocky ridge where I i.iad found him.
The long walk was lightened by hearing
on the way the meditative notes of the
first hermit thrush of the season, and a red
deer was startled from the path and leap-

ed exquisitely over a log into tjie bushes.
As I emptied the little creature out of the
bag I had an absurd feeling of basely
abandoning an infant in the wilds. But
this was home to him, and as he moved off
deliberately into the darkling cedars, his
final leave taking was an angry flip of
his spiked tail. I did not blame him; he
had no reason to feel grateful to me. T/iat
niglit, when going to bed, as I was walking
around my room in bare feet a sudden
sharp pain took me in the toe. Jt was a
last physical reminder of the little porcu-
pine— a slender needle-sliarp s])ine driven
into my flesh.

Next day I visited again the place where
I had left him, and searched t/ioroughly
all around the spot, but discovered no
trace of liim. So I have no doubt that his
mother, who I am sure lives somewhere
in the neighboring rocks, heard his plaints
in tlie night and came to ;iim. And I like
to think that when I M^as looking for him
that afternoon he was safe in a nearby
rock crevice, with a full stomach, fast
asleep.

NOTES ON CANADIAN ENTOMOSTRACA.
By a. Brooker Klugh, M. A., Queen's University, Kingston.

The fresh-water Entomostraca have up
to the present received very little attention
in Canada. The only Ontario records, so
far as I know, are those of Dr. G. 0. Sars,
who reports on 16 species, collected at Go-
Home Bay, Muskoka, in 1907, by Dr. E.
M. Walker, in "Contributions to Canadian
Biology, 1911-14, Fasc. 2", and of Prof.
Acheson, who in "Proc. Can. Inst., Ser. 3,
Vol. 1" lists Daphnia PiUexf and Cyclops
qHadricornis as occurring in Toronto tap-
water. With regard to these last records,
it is possible that Daphnia pulexf was real-
\j that species, but it is more likely to
have been one of the D. Longispina group,
which are inhabitants of open water, while
Cyclops quadricornis is a name which was
at one time used for what are now regard-
ed as several distinct species.

These minute crustaceans are of great
economic importance, because a great many
of our fresh-water food and game fis.hes,

during their young stages, feed to a very
large extent on Cladocerans and Copepods,
while these same Entomostraca constitute
the chief food-supply of tlie smaller spe-
cies of fresh-water fishes, which in turn
are preyed upon by many of the larger
fishes. The Entomostraca are thus one of
the chief links in tjie chain of food-rela-
tions which leads from the fresh-water al-
gae to the commercial and game fishes of
our inland waters.

in regard to distribution the different
species of Entomostraca differ markedly,
some, as Chydorus sphaericus, being prac-
tically cosmopolitan, while others are ap-
parently extremely local.

The following records, obtained in 1920,
are presented as a preliminary list of Can-
adian Entomostraca, to which I hope to
add from time to time as my investigations
on t^iis ground continue.

April, 1921.

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

3

Order Cladocera.

DiaphcDiosoma leuchtenbergianum. Pis-
clier. Frequent in planeton at 1 metre in
Lake Missanag, Frontenac County, Out.,
Aug. 30.

Holopedium gihherum. Zaddaeh. Scarce
in surface planeton, Lake of Bays, Musko-
ka, Ont., Aug\ 24.

Daphnia pnlex de Geer. Well water,
Guelp'h, Ont. "Well water, Harrowsmith,
Ont. Pool in woods, Avlmer, Ont. ; col-
lected by H. C. White.

Daphnia longispina hyalina, Ley dig.
Common in surface planeton, Lake of
Bays, Muskoka, Ont., Aug. 24. Abundant in
surface planeton, mouth of the Cataraqui
River, Ont., Nov. 5.

Daphnia longispina hyalina mendotae,
Birge. Common in surface planeton,
mouth of the Cataraqui River, Ont. Nov. 5.

Simocephalns vefulus, 0. F. Miller,
Common among decaying vegetation at the
bottom of a shallow c/iannel in a marsh
on the Cataraqui River, Ont.

Ceriodaphniu megalops, Sars. Scarce in
the same habitat as the preceding.

Bosmina longirostris, 0. F. Miiller. Com-
mon in surface planeton, Lake of I>ays,
Aug. 24. Common in surface planeton,
mouth of the Cataraqui River, Ont.

Bosmina longispina, Leydig. Common
in planeton at 1 metre. Lake Missanag,
Ont., Aug. 30.

Alona guttata, Sars. Scarce in surface
planeton in s'hallow channel in a marsh on
the Cataraqui River, Ont., Nov. 5.

Chydoius sphae)icus, O. F. Muller,
( 'ommon in surface planeton, mouth of the
Cataraqui River, Ont., Nov. 5.

Polyphemus pediodus, Linn. Fre-
quent in planeton at 1 metre. Lake Missa-
nag, Ont.

moil among acpiatic vegetation at mout.ii
of the Cataraqui River, Ont. Common in
a marshy pond near Kingston, Ont.

Cyclocypris laevis, O. F. Miiller. Com-
mon among filamentous algae at the mouth
of the Cataraqui River, Ont.

Cypris dentata, Sharpe. Abundant in
a pool near Kingston, Ont.; collected by
H. C. White.

Cypris testudinaria, Sharpe. Common
in a pool in the woods, Avlmer, Ont., May;
collected by H. C. White.

Order Copepoda.

Diaptomus oregonensis, Lilljeborg. Ab-
undant in planeton at 1 metre, Lake Mis-
sanag, Ont. Common in surface planeton,
mouth of the Cataraqui River, Ont.

Cyclops hiscupidatus, Claus. Common
in surface planeton. Lake of Bays, Ont.,
Aug. 24. Common in surface planeton,
mouth of the Cataraqui River, Out., Nov.
5. Common in surface planeton, Lake On-
tario, Dec. 15.

Cyclops viridis brevispinosus, Herrick.
Common in planeton at 1 metre. Lake
Missanag. Aug. 30.

Cyclops fimbriatus, Fischer. Scarce in
channel in inars^i at mouth of Cataraqui
River, Ont.

Canthocaniptus minutus, Claus. Scarce
in surface planeton. Lake Ontario at King-
ston, Dee. 15.

N. B. — Since the above was written,
copies of Parts H and J of Vol. 7 Report
of the Canadian Arctic Expedition con-
taining records of Arctic Cladocera by
Dr. Juday and Copepoda by Dr. Marsh
have come to hand.^

Order Ostracoda.
Cypridopsis vidua, 0. F. Miiller.

Com-

1 Dr. Robert Chambers in Biological Bulle-
tin, Vol. 22, p. 293, mentions the" occurrence
of Cyclops parens and C. Americanus at To-
ronto. The Euphyllopoda and jiarasitic Cope-
poda have not been considered. — Ed.

74

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

Vol. XXXV.

A BOTANICAL TRIP THROUGH GERMAN SOUTH-WEST AFRICA.

By W. p. Thompson.

In 1912 the M^'iter visited the former
German colony in south-west Africa chief-
ly in order to secure material of Tumdoa
(Welwitschia) mirahilis, mirabilis both
from the morphological and physiological
standpoints. It was necessary to make a
trip across a very extreme desert whose
scanty flora exhibits remarkable xero-
phytic adaptations. The conquering of
this colony by the late General Botha and
General Smuts and the future probable re-
lationship of IJie territory to the British
Empire under a mandatory held by the
Union of Sout,h Africa may lend a special
interest to the following notes on that
trip.

Landing at Swakopmund on the west
coast, one is in a region in which, accord-
ing to the official German records, the
rainfall averages about one inch a year,
though many years may pass with no pre-
cipitation. At the time of my visit the
natives could not remember when t^ie last
rain had fallen but were sure that when-
ever it was it had been only a sprinkle.
As one proceeds eastward the rainfall in-
creases slightly but at no place amounts
to more than ten inches annually. Ap-
parently in all this portion of the conti-
nent the rainbearing winds cross Africa
from the Indian Ocean losing their mois-
ture on the way. The natives stated that
tjcie sprinkles always came from the east.
In the British territories across to the east
coast the rainfall is much heavier.

This distribution of moisture available
for the vegetation is modified in a remark-
able way by the fact that several old dry
river beds cross the colony from east to
west. Apparently the climate was for-
merly much moister than at present. Oc-
casionally heavy rains in the British ter-
ritories to tjbe east eause tihe water to flow
down these old river beds. Sometimes the
flood nearly reaches the sea before being
absorbed. For long afterwards these val-
leys support a vegetation different from
that of the surrounding desert. They are
then long band-like oases.

For many miles from Swakoj^mund, out-
side the dry bed of the Swakop, one can
find only three species of plants and very

few specimens of them (a Zigophyllum,
a 3Iesemhryanthemn'm and an Arthaerua) .
They look like ]iaycocks on an immense
field of sand. In addition to the lack of
moisture these plants have to contend with
the continually wind-driven sand. AH day
long the presence of the fine particles of
sand in the air makes the horizon as highly
colored as one of our sunsets. The sand
lodges against the plants and tends to sub-
merge them while t,he plants strive to sur-
mount the rising sand. In this way high
dunes are built up round a single plant.
Usually the plant is beaten in the strug-
gle with the sand which later blows away
and leaves the dead plant exposed. The
only other vegetation of this strip near the
sea consists of numerous orange-colored
lic/iens on the desert rocks. These appear
to derive their moisture from the heavy
dews, so (heavy that on many mornings
they drip off the roofs of the houses in
Swakopmund. In fact it is difficult to
see how even the flowering plants can sur-
vive iiidess they utilize these dews.

As we went inland by broad-wheeled
carts following the route from Swakop-
mund to Windhuk (the capital) later fol-
lowed by General Bot;ia, we found new
plants making their appearance as increas-
ing moisture enabled them to survive. Af-
ter a time we met outlying specimens of
the famous "good Karoo bush" (Augea)
on wihich the still more famous sheep of
the South African farmer largely subsist.
At fifty miles from the coast we found
Tumhoa, the chief object of the trip.

This remarkable plant is like a huge
turnip bearing throug^iout its life only
two leaves which soon become torn to nar-
row shreds by the wind. In adult speci-
mens the body is five or six feet in diam-
eter and the- leaves stretch for twenty feet
across the desert sand. As the plants may
be more than one hundred years old the
length of life of its two leaves far exceeds
that of any other knowTi leaves. The
centre of tjie turnip rots away leaving a
narrow atoll-like rim of stem above the
sand. Tumhoa is a member of the order
Gnetales, the highest of the Gymnosperms
which show in nearly every structure ap-

April, 1921. The Canadian Field-Naturalist. 75

parent transitions to Angiosperms. ' It During the w;iole trip only one species

bears cones like gymnosperms but in tlie of our great rose family was seen, only

axil of each scale is a flower of Angio- three crucifers and only three members

spemiic structure. Its distribution is no of the buttercup family (all Clematis).

less remarkable than its morphology. In On the other hand, families poorly repre-

this locality it is found in an^ area of only sented here but relatively abundant there

a few square miles. This and another are the Asclepiadaceae, Tiliaceae (chiefly

similar locality further nort^ are the only shrubby Grewias), Gerauiaceae, Aizoaceae,

places in the world where it is found. Zygophyllaeeae and Anacardiaceae, Fam-

Tumboa's neighbors have adopted var- ilies with many representatives in both
ied methods of contending with the places are Liliaceae, Leguminosae and Corn-
drought. The Naras, Acanthosicyos hoi'- positae.

rida (Cucurbitaceae), has completely dis- The old river beds constitute an inter-
carded its leaves and consists simply of a esting variation from the desert waste,
mass of green, hard, extremely sjiarp Their periodic flooding from the interior
pointed thorns sprawling over the sand, enables a richer though still sparse vegeta-
ns roots go down to subterranean water tion to survive. An occasional gardener
and may be fifteen meters long. The Ge- takes advantage of this moisture to raise
raniaceous Sarcocaulon has completely wa- a few vegetables which are sold at fabulous
terproof ed itself in a coat of hard wax prices to the town dwellers. A number of
which may be ten millimeters thick. The large wells as big as a house are dug in
coat remains as a hollow shell long after the dry river bottom. Into these a little
the plant has died and rotted away. The water soaks during the night and is pump-
wax burns readily and the pkmt is there- ed out next day on to the small garden,
fore called Hottentot candle. Several spe- After a time t^ie wells go completely, dry
eies jiave imitated the succulent cactus and the gardener moves a half-mile along
though belonging to veiy different fam- the river and digs a new set. Sometimes
ilies. Several members of the milkweed several moves are made between floodings.
family have become switch plants. Strang- In these river bottoms the vegetation
est of all perhaps in this climate is the consists chiefly of scattered shrubs and
ice-plant (Mesembryanthemum) with its trees. There are the date palm, a fig,
large soft leaves completely covered by several thorny acacias, the tamarisk and
droplets of cool liquM. To expose its wa- an ebony. One of the most successful
ter in this way when the supply is so plants in this habitat is a tobacco (Nico-
extremely scanty seems to be about the tiana glauca) whic^ reaches the size of a
worst thing the plant could do. small tree. It was introduced by the early

A fact whie^i soon strikes the botanist missionaries,
is that in spite of strong resemblances in Farther inland the increased moisture
external features to the plants of Amer- supports a somewhat richer vegetation. In
ican deserts these belong to very different places the vegetation is of a type which
families. For example, cue sees many cac- rapidly bursts into flower after a rain and
tus-like plants but no cacti. A large pro- then dries up until the next rain. In few
portion of the flora consists of members places is the ground completely covered,
of the milkweed family which are there the plants being in scattered clumps and
switch-plants. Families which the North consisting chiefly of grasses. The German
American botanist has never seen there Government had encouraged in every pos-
simulate our own xerophytes to a remark- sible way the agricultural development of
able degree. So strong is t/ie resemblance t^he colony, but even the best parts of the
in many cases that one can scarcely believe country are unsuited to anything but ran-
that the flowers, showing the true botani- ching. The few ranchers wiho had been
cal relationship, really belong to the plants induced to settle in the eastern portion
on which they are found. We have here were making a precarious livelihood at the
a good illustration of entirely unrelated beginning of the war. A few municipal-
plants acquiring the same characteristics ities in Canada are worth more agi'icultur-
nnder similar conditions. ally than the whole territory.

76

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

Vol. XXXV.

SWARTH ON THE FOX SPARROW.
By p. a. Taverner.

Tliis jnonograph on the Fox Sparrows is
an excellent example of the species-splitter
at his best, and worst. That sixteen sub-
species are recognized is testimony to the
fineness of the splitting, but the use made
of these fragments goes a long way to
justify the process. Too often systematists
have assumed, when they have divided their
species into as many fractional parts as
possible, that their responsibility was end-
ed, whereas they have only just laid out
their tools for serious scientific effort. Mr.
Swarth realizes that splitting is a means to
an end and not an end in itself, and has
developed his subject with a grasp and ap-
preciation of the problems involved that
is all too rare in revisions of this kind.

The first 29 pages are taken up by an
introduction and chapters on Materials
and Methods of Treatment, History, Varia-
tion in Passer ella iliaca and Distribution
and Migration that are models of their
kinds. The remainder is composed of
systematic treatment, description and dis-
cussion of the races considered, a list of all
the material examined and a beautifully
drawn and colored plate from the brush of
(mr countryman Major Allan Brooks illus-
trating the extremes of two subspecific
groups.

The species is remarkably homogeneous
over most of the continent but breaks \\\>
into many races within and west of the
Rocky Mountains. These races are dis-
cussed, their relationships pointed out.
they are traced from their summer to their
winter habitat, and many interesting prob-
lems regarding them are suggested.

An interesting conclusion is derived
fr(^m the movements and distribution of the
British (^olumbia and Alaska coastal forms.
Those that summer farthest north winter
the farthest south. The more southern
breeders winter more northerly, and so on
progressiveh' to the Vancouver Island
vicinit}' birds which are practically station-
ary throughout the year.

Another important point brought out is
that the birds breeding in the most humid
climates are not the darkest or the largest
of the species. Unalaschensis, summering
in the extremely moist Alaskan Peninsula,

does not reach the extreme development of
size or depth of color that is attained by
fuliginosa, resident on the comparativeh'
dry Vancouver Island region. This per-
plexing fact that would otherwise serious-
ly shake one of our most cherished ecolo-
gical principles is explained by the fact
that t;ie northern race spends its winter
in arid southern California, and probably
experiences a much lower annual average
moisture than does the darker and larger
race. It is thus brought forcibly to oui-
notice that, in studying the relationship
between the bird and its environment,
winter ranges and probably migrational
routes should also be taken into considera-
tion.

Some distributional anomalies are point-
ed out. Some forms range widely over
varied and more or less discontinuous con-
ditions unmodified, w^hilst very slight bar-
riers have induced specialization in others.
Kadiak Island, but slightly isolated from
adjoining territory, has its definable sub-
species, insularis, yet the Queen Charlot-
tes, situated far out to sea and noted for
their peculiar forms, have developed no
specialization in this species.

Mr. Swarth divides the Fox Sparrow,
Fasserella iliaca, into sixteen subspecies
falling into three groups which for con-
venience he calls after their most char-
acteristic com])onent members. Thus he

gives us :-

1.

9

1. F.

2. P.

3. P.

-The Iliaca grouj).

P. i. iliaca

P. i. altavagans

II. — The Unalaschensis group.

/. vnalaschensis 4. P. i. annectens
i. insularis 5. P. i. town send!

i. sinuosa 6. P. i. fnliginosa

III. — The Schistacea group.

1. P.

2. P.

3. P
3. P.

Of
as br
first

schistacea
fulva

megarhynchus
hrevicauda

5. P. i:

6. P. i.

7. P. i.

8. P. i.

canascens
monolensis
mariposae
stephensi

these we have nine in Canada either
eeders or migrants, including all the
two groups and the first of the third.

April. 1921.

The Canadlvn Field-Naturaust

1 1

Iliaca, cliaracterized by foxy color, ran-
ges* all over eastern Canada to the Rocky
Mountains and Central Alaska. In the
mountains, through altavagans it ap-
proaches schistacea, which is characterized
by the reduction of red and a great in-
crease of slaty color. Altavagans and
schistacea occupy most of the interior of
British Columbia. The unalaschensis group
are large maroon-brown birds occupying
the coast, from fuliginosa, resident in the
Vancouver Island vicinity, through town-
sendi, annectens, siiiuosa and insularis, to
unalaschensis of the Alaska Peninsula.

In the systematic body of the paper,
dealing with the description, salient char-
acters and ranges of the forms dealt with,
are many illustrative drawings, maps, etc.
The whole is admirable in plan and con-
struction and clearly presented. It is not
until we come to study carefully the draw-
ings of some of these distinctions that any
doubt is awakened as to tjie expediency of
pcL-petuating all these many names. Dis-
thictions that seem clear and satisfactory
ill print in some cases become very faint
in illustration. AVhilst we can be assured
that they are the best possible presentation
of the case many of them can be felt rather
than seen. A small amount of individual
variation would swamp some and even the
inescapable personality of the draughts-
man may be a determining factor. In the
excellent colored plate by Allan Brooks
hrevicauda and unalaschensis are seen to
be so much alike in color that the other-
wise excellent three-color process plates
have absolutely failed to differentiate
them. When it is realized that average
characters are regarded as sufficient basis
for subspecies making and that the author
calls special attention to the number of
intermediates in his material one can be
pardoned for harboring some mental re-
servations.

In this connection the reviewer is fort-
unate in having access to some of the mat-
erial upon which the work is based and
that bears the author's determinations. A
careful examination of it in comparison
with the text does not allay all doubt.
Specimens of altavagans, referred by the
author to the Iliaca group seem more clo-
sely related to schistacea, in plumage bare-
ly separable from it. The Unalaschensis

group, represented in tlie material by all
but insulaiis, shows a gradual gradation
from the comparatively small and lighter
colored northern unalaschensis to the big,
dark fidiginosa of southern British Colum-
bia. These gradations are postulated by
the writer to occur in marked steps with
alternate distributional areas of constancy-
and variability. It is neither safe nor just
to pass final judgment on the suddenness
of these variations without having seen all
the material upon which the conclusions
are based, but the slightness of the char-
acters and the limitations of collecting on
a long line of uninhabited coast naturally
make one wonder whether the gradation is
not a little more gradual than is assumed,
and but indicates extended intergradation
in Avhich perhaps all characters do not
change at an equal rate, and where there
are possibly occasional disturbing factors.

"Whilst we do not seriously doubt that
most if not all of these differences exist, or
that Mr. Swarth can see and differentiate
them, we admit our inability to do so in
some cases and doubt whether any one else
without his natural aptitude, amount of
material and the obvious concentration he
has put upon it can be trusted to identify
many of these laboratory varieties. Iden-
tification of Pox Sparrows to the Swarth
standard thus becomes a one man's work
and is practically impossible of verifica-
tion or intelligent correction by others.
However, fitted in this case that one man
may be in keenness of perception, honesty
of purpose and balance of judgment we
tremble at the results that may arise from
the use of these minute subdivisions in the
hands of the less experienced or responsible.
This is certainly no work for the dilettante,
and we question the expediencj^ of present-
ing undemonstrable races for the use of
the general public.

It is notable that when Mr. Swarth came
to make a serious study of this species he
Avas not content to accept the determina-
tions of anyone else, but very properly
went to the original material and care-
fully worked it all out again to his own
satisfaction. And thus it must ever be
when serious use is made of subspecific
variation in constructive science. Of what
use have been the numerous trinominals
applied to Fox Sparrows in the many local

78

The Canadian Field-Natuealist.

Vol. XXXV.

and other published lists? As far as Mr.
Swarth was concerned they were no more
than specific binomials. In this connec-
tion it is interesting to note that the author
consistently applies the binomial Passerella
iliaca, the Fox Sparrow, to all the sub-
species collectively, and differentiates the
tyiDe form as the Eastern Fox Sparrow
Passerella iliaca iliaca, definitely nam-
ing it as a subspecies on a par with the
others. All this is in perfect harmony with
the views for which the present reviewer
has lately b'een severely criticised. There
seems much in this paper to justify his
stand.

It is also to be noted, as showing a nat-
ural trend of the present subspecies maker,
that the author has found it expedient to
use group names for associations of his
subspecies ; so we have arrived at the stage
of tihe super-subspecies in spirit if not
in fact. With an extension of this prin-
ciple and more thoroughly developed per-
ceptions we are faced witjb the possibility
of super-subspecies and sub-subspecies un-
til we may be forced to adopt algebraic
formulae or chemical symbols for the
representation of the more involved re-
lationships, an eventuality not without some
promise.

These groiips as defined by Mr. Swarth
are plainly recognizable entities and as
such must be taken into consideration as
well to systematize a complicated idea as
to properly reflect zoological facts. The
component partis of these groups are, as
said before, less obvious and it is debat-
able whether or no it is not sufficient
for the general worker to lump tdiem un-
der their group associations, leaving the

finer determinations to the specializing
expert. In this particular case, one so-
lution naturally suggests itself.

It does not appear that Mr. Swartji with
all his material has demonstrated actual
intiergradation between these three groups.
In fact he remarks that they approach but
remain distinct. Might it not be well
then to acknowledge the apparent logic
of tihe evidence and raise tJiem to the
specific status to which they seem en-
titled? The evidence is as strong in t]ciis
case as for the Oregon Junco, the North-
west Crow and others that may be men-
tioned, and is strengthened by the fact
that the Eastern Fox Sparrow is a par-
ticularly constant form, while the western
races are highly variable, suggesting a
fundamental distinction between them at
last.

In spite of all tihe above criticism,
either stated or implied, Mr. Swarth is
to be congratulated on the presentation
/le has made of his thesis. The faults,
so judged by tlie reviewer, are those of
prevailing practice, the virtues are all his
own. The necessity of studying even the
finest variations is not questioned, the
necessity of dignifying all of them with
formal names and thus exalting their im-
portance to a par with those of demons-
trable status is doubted. The question is
one of expediency rather than of fact.
However this may be, the thorougJ:iness
which is evidenced throughout, the care
that has been taken to provide the widest
basis of material, the keenness with which
the author has analyzed his pjienomena
and the clarity with which he has stated
them and his, conclusions makes this one
of the noteworthy specific revisions.

NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS.

Bird Banding.

The work of bird banding", from which
so much may be learned concerning t^e
life history of birds, has been taken over
from the Societies wihich were carrying
on this work by the U. S. Biological
Survey. All success is wished the Sur-
vey in this line of endeavour.

The following article is printed at the
request of the Biological Survey, to ac-

quaint the public of Canada wth this
work.

Checking up the Migration of BifeDS.
"T/he desire to learn what became of
birds that flew South with the approach
of cold weather led Audubon — the great
American naturalist — to place silver
threads about the legs of a brood of
phoebes. The following spring he was
rewarded by having two of the birds re-

Apni, 1H21.

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

79

turn to nest near the haunts where they
h^arned to fly.

"This occurred early in t;ie nineteenth
century, and was tihe first known case
in America of bird banding. Since that
time this means of securing- information
on the movenuMits and life history of
migratory bird>s has been used by many
societies, and every fall thousands of birds
fly south bearing a narrow ring, stamped
witli a iuim])er, about one of its legs.

"So valuable is this work, especially
with game and insectivorous species of
birds, that in 1920 tlie United States De-
partment of Agriculture took over the
experiments being conducted l)y the Am-
erican Bird Banding A.ssociation, the so-
ciety's work having outgrown its avail-
able resources. Since it is the returns
from bird banding that furnisih the data
(lesiretl in tliis branch of research, it is
of prime importance that the methods
em})loyed be improved and that the per-
centage of birds under observation be
increased. To assist co-operators in this
work, the department lias published De-
pcU'tment Circular 170, Instructions for
r>ird Banding, which is just availal)le for
(li.-;trit)ution.

•'It i^, the plan of the Biological Sur-
vey of t;he department, which is super-
\ ising the bird-banding work, to advance
this method of research along two prin-
cipal lines: first, the banding of fledg-
lings as formerly practiced; and second,
the systematic trapping and banding of
adult' birds. As the banding of fledglings
ihas the advantage of affording valuable
niformation on t/ie ages of birds, the
survey wishes to encourage these activ-
ities, "but it desires to lay special emphasis
on the added value of the systematic
trapping of adults.

"With the establishment <>f a well-
connected chain of trapping stations
throughout the United States and Canada,
regular 'returns' are confidently expec-
ted by department specialists with reports
of retrapping birds that had been banded
at the original and other stations. Data
thus afforded are already indicating the
exact lines of migration of individual
birds, the speed of travel, and innumer-
able items of interest, many of which
have a direct bearing upon the study of

life histories and the administration of
the Migratory Bird Treaty Act with
which the Department is charged.

"The department issues bands of two
types to co-operators in the work. One
type is the split ring band for all small
birds, aiul the other is the flat strip
l)and that is adjustable for all large birds.
For general land-bird trapping t;he so-
called Government 'sparrow trap' has
been found the most satisfactory. The
bulletin contains details of construction
of this trap. It also discusses other
methods of trapping, the operation of
traps, handling and releasing birds, and
filling out reports. Federal trapping per-
mits for this work are reciuired under
the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Appli-
cations for permits and requests for the
bulletin should be addressed to the Bu-
reau of Biological Survey, Department of
Agriculture, Washington, D.C."

In Canada, applications for permits to
carry on this work sihould be made to
the ^ Commissioner, Canadian National
Parks, Department of the Interior. Ot-
tawa. Persons holding federal permits
to take birds for scientific purposes re-
(piire no other permit. It would be
needless duplication for records of band-
ing to be kept in the U. S. and Canada,
as^the birds do not respect our boundary
in their migration; consequently the rec-
ords for the continent are beinc kept
at Washington.

Problems that Can be Solved by
Bird Banding.

1. How fast do the individuals of any
species travel on their periodic migra-
tions; that is, how many miles per day
will anv one bird average during these
journey's and what is the total time con-
sumed in a trip?

2. Does any one flock continue in the
van or is the advance made by successive
flocks passing one over t)ie other in al-
ternate periods of rest and flight?

3. Do individuals of any species always
follow the same route, and is it identical
for both spring and fall flights?

4. Do migrating birds make the same
stop-overs every year to feed?

5. How long do birds remain ui one

80

The Canadian Flelu-Naturalist.

Vol. XXXV

locality during the migration, the breed-
ing, or the winter seasons?

6. What is t^ie relation between the
breeding and the wintering grounds of
individuals; that is, do those birds that
breed farthest north, winter farthest south,
t/ius jumping over those that occupy the
intermediate zone, or do they merely re-
place the latter individuals as winter res-
idents?

7. Do birds adopt the same nesting
area, nest site, and winter quarters during
successive seasons ?

8. For how many broods will one pair
remain mated, and which bird, if not both,
is attracted next year to the old nesting
site ?

9. To what extent do males of a
species assist in incubating and brooding?

10. How far from their nests do birds
forage for food, and after the young have
left the nest, will the parent birds bring
tihem to the feeding and trapping sta-
tion ?

11. To what regions do the birds go,
particularly the young, t^at do not re-
turn to the vicinity of their original
nests ?

12. How long do birds live?

For the solution of these and related
problems, it is important that the traps
always l>e set on the original site, for
birds already have returned to the same
traj)s through four or five consecutive
seasons. Many ''returns" will, in the
course of time, afford answers to the
important problems here presented.

NiGHTHAWK Nesting in a Peat Bog. —
Ou .June -Itii, 1921, we were in pursuit of
Lincolns Sparrows, Yellow Palm and Myr-
tle Warblers in a large open peat bog
located on the south shore of the Gulf of
!St. Lawrence. The vegetation was mostly.
Labrador tea and vk-h green mosses fully
a foot iu depth, with spruces moderately
spread out all over the territory. -This is
a wonderful country for bog-loving species,
- — Lincolns and Swamp Sparrows, Wilsons
and Yellow Palm Warblers being actively
occupied in domestic duties. The White-
tin-oat's whistle, always welcome, could also
be heard from all sections of this beautiful
bogland.

As is sometimes the case tjiie unexpected
ha])pens and one receives a pleasant sur-
prise. Here and there were scattered
patches of sun-baked peat and from one
of these a Nighthawk departed rather re-
luctantly, disclosing a single egg. The
nesting site chosen was slightly off elevated
ground and was sheltered from any high
winds that migjit occur. There was no
attempt at nest building, merel}^ a feather
of the female lying alongside the egg. Two
days later we found that the Nighthawk
had taken exception to a handkerchief tied
to the branches of a spruce as a landmark,
or perhaps she detected, in this sign of t,he
human, evidence of further intrusion. In
any event the egg had disappeared and the
bird, no doubt, exercised her privilege of
retiring to another secluded spot some dis-
tance away, as further efforts on our part
failed to locate her.

W. V. Brown, Westmount, Que.

^mi

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

VOL. XXXV.

GARDENVALE, QUE., MAY, 1921

No. 5

OVEKGROWTH OF STUMPS OF CONIFERS.
By C. C. Pemberton.

Perhaps the most remarkable feature in
connection with the subject of the over-
growth of stumps of certain conifers is the
fact that many botanists /lave never heard
of the existence of this phenomenon. This
is all the more remarkable as it is a phase
of vegetable life which has been observed
in different parts of the world for a long
time and various authorities have, from
time to time, i)ublished references to it.

The findings of those who have investi-
gated tjiis subject in one country often do
not seem to have been known to those in
another, later writers being apparently
unaware of previous investigations. Evi-
dently the references published in the past
have attracted little attention and the sub-
ject has been speedily forgotten.

I have found that many plant physiolo-
gists, on learning of the phenomenon, in-
cline to the idea that the overgrowth is
the result of a mysterious power in the
reserve material of the stump which en-
ables it to eontiiuie indefinitely to form
woody matter without aid of foliage or or-
gans of assimilation of any kind. They
comment on the fact that broadleaf trees,
and even larch, can have their felled stems
make a limited amount of callous growth
in the spring following t^ie felling. Other
physiologists from the first /lave deemed
the reserve material explanation utterly
inadequate and have considered the con-
tinuity of vitality, healings and bulky for-
mations of cappings of new wood to be
possible only by parasitism — of some sort
— with a chlorophyll-pos.sessing host plant.

Some years ago. when I took up the
study and investigation of the character-
istics of the native trees in the environ-
ment of Victoria, I found it impossible to
discover any authoritative writings on the
subject of these stumps, but by degrees I
learned that the matter had received at-

tention from several writers. Unfortun-
ately the full texts of these publications
have never been obtainable here, and I
have, therefore, been unable to ascertain to
what extent investigations have been car-
ried.

From Mr. A. D. Webster, whom I first
met when Jie was Superintendent of Reg-
ent "s Park, England, I have learned that
the English forester, Grigor, (who died
in 1848) had, in his book Arhoricultnre,
referred to the power of coniferous trees
to eontinue the formation of healings and
new wood after the loss of their stems and
foliage ; that while this statement had been
scoffed at by subseqvient; Frenc^i reviewers
of the book, Mr. Webster's father, Mr.
John Webster, who had noted the charac-
teristic in Larch, Silver Fir, Scotch Fir
and Spruce, had b}' production of actual
specimens been able to prove that Grigor
was correct in his assertions; and that the
findings of Mr. John Webster had then
been publis^ied in an essay "On the Growth
of Roots of Coniferous Trees After being
Felled," which appeared in the Transac-
iioHs of the Highland Agricultural So-
ciety", No. Ill, Fourth Series, 1870-1871.

In Elwes and Henry, Trees of Great
Britain and Ireland (privately printed,
MCMIX) vol. IV, p. 726, I find that men-
tion is made of these overgrowths as being
the result of root graft, and in a foot-note
(No. '■i) reference is given to Mathieu,
Flore Forestiere, 529 (1897).

W. Dallimore, in his article "Natural
Grafting of Branches and Roots", in Kew
Bulletin, Nos. 9 and 10 (1917), p. 305,
quotes the German authority, Sorauer,
{Handhuch der Pflanzenkrankheiten, Ber-
lin, 3rd Ed. 1909, Vol. 1, p. 774). From
perusal of a translation of a transcript
from Sorauer (kindly obtained for me by
Mr. G. B. Sudworth, dendrologist, U. S.

82

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

[Vol. XXXV.

A.), it appears that the German authority
refers to a general opinion that the mater-
ial contained in the stump prior to felling
might be the only source of the new forma-
tions, and that they might also be due to
root-graft between the stump and a tree
possessing its crown; but he instances ab-
solutely isolated stumps in which he avers
the reserve material would not be suf-
ficient'explanation of the bulky forma-
tions which take place. He refers, in this
connection, to the chlorophyll to be found
in the rims of the overgrowth and says
there is no reason why this chlorophyll
apparatus .should not assimilate as well as

the green bark of the trunk.

It appears then that European views of
the cause of the overgrowth have differed.
Wliile the overgrowth is conceded on one
hand to be a consequence of root-graft
there are authorities who think -it might
be initiated by reserve material, and in the
case of isolated stumps that the chlorophyll
in the rims of the overgrowth might fulfil
the functions of foliage. No particulars
are given, so far as I can learn, of the
steps which were taken to establish that
the remote stumps were absolutely isolated.

On this continent Prof. Willis Linn Jep-
son appears to be the first to publish any

Fig. 1: Douglas fir, Pscjdotsuga taxifoMa (Poir.) Britt. Completely capped-over Douglas
fir stumps — living posts — the vitality and capping-over being due to root union
with foster-tree to the right, ijocality, Admiral's Eoad, Esquimalt district,
Vancouver Island.

May, 1921.]

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

83

reference to the characteristic of the heal-
ing and overgrowth of stumps. In The
Trees of California (Cunningham, Curtis
and Welch, San Francisco, 1909) p. 33,
speaking of the second-growth circles of
the Redwood, Prof. Jepson refers to the
overgrowth of Douglas Fir stumps and
says "the cause of this phenomenon is due,
undoubtedly, to natural rootgraf ting. "

In the Scieniific American, Vol. CVIII,
No. 5, p. 112 (1913), continuity in vitality

and healings and overgrowth of stumps of
Cuban Pine {Pinus heterophylla) , Long
Leaf Pine {Pinus palustris), and of stumps
of Douglas Fir, {Pseudotsuga taxifolia)
and Redwood {Sequoia gigantea) are spok-
en of as being a puzzle to the forester, and
the statement is made that it would seem
reasonable to conclude that these stumps
are parasitic and that their roots are graf-
ted to those of neighbouring trees.

In the article "Natural Grafting of Con-

Fig. 2: Bigtree, Sequoia washingtoniana CWinsl.) Sudworth. Completely capped-over
stump of a California Bigtree, from the collection of the IT. S. Forestry, Wash-
ington, D. C. PuVjlished by the courtesy of Mr. G. B. Sudworth, Dendrologist,
U. S. Forestry, Washington, D. C.

84

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

[Vol. XXXV.

ifers", Proceedings of the Society of Am-
erican Foresters, Vol. XI, No. 4, (October
1916) p. 394, Prof. Harold S. Newins, As-
sociate Professor of Forestry, Oregon Agri-
cultural College, calls these stumps "Grow-
ing Stumps", and refers to the fact that
they may be found growing vigorously and
yet isolated as far as 20 feet from any
growing tree (I have found t)iem 50 feet).
He says: "When found so isolated, the
common belief has been that they subsist
by drawing on a reserve supply of food
materials which have been stored within
their bodies and roots." He finally says
that such "Growing Stumps" are the re-
sult of conjunctive symbiosis, which is
made possible by their root-graft wit/i a
living tree. The two investigators on the
Pacific Coast have therefore no hesitation
in ascribing the cause of the overgrowth
to natural graftage of roots with growing
trees of the same species.

When, some years ago, I learned that the
root-graft theory of the cause of the vital-
ity and overgrowtyh of the stumps was
doubted, I went to considerable expense in
having doubtful-looking cases tested by ex-
cavation of the roots and in every instance
the root-graft was established. It seemed
that a very slight graft was sufficient, and
that the host tree need not be very large
to accomplish the overgrowth of a stump
of a tree of greater size. I found it diffi-
cult to discover a stump very remote from
other trees. The scattered large Douglas
Fir of the original parklands of the vicin-
ity w^ere mostly still standing and the
young growtih was generally in dense for-
mation. There was one instance in which
a group of nine capped-over Douglas Fir
stumps were distant over fifty feet from
a large tree and there was absolutely no
indication of roots of the stumps and tree
being anywhere near each other; never-
theless, excavation proved that actual root-
graft existed. The roots of the big tree
stretched at a depth of two feet below the
surface past the group of smaller trees,
the tap roots of some of w/iich had become
grafted to the underlying roots of the big
tree. These stiunps, so grafted, were in
turn root-grafted to others more remote
and all were overgrown alike. This, I
think, shows that apparently remote stumps

may really be root-grafted to growing trees
by a series of concealed, unsuspected root-
grafts. The more especiallj- may this be
so as frequently the major parts of the
stumps are decayed and portions of roots
only remain vital. This phase of the ques-
tion, in my opinion, explains how remote
and apparently isolated stumps can show^
bulky overgrowt^i. There is probably a
chain of root-grafts connecting the stump
with living trees. I have never been able
to learn of an overgrown stump proved,
by actual and complete excavation of all
its roots and rootlets, to have no direct or
indirect root-graft with foliage-possessing
trees. The great spread of the lateral roots
of conifers may not always be realized,
and this, combined with indirect root-
grafts, may enable overgrown stumps to
have a source of elaborated food in a dis-
tant forest. In fact, it is hard to say
whether the translocation of elaborated sap
would ever stop as long as there were liv-
ing stumps and direct and indirect root-
graft wit/1 sufficient canopy of foliage.
The question could be easily settled exper-
imentally, as well as the point whether one
species is more potent in this respect than
another. The grafting together of the
roots of separate trees should be of easy
accomplishment artificially in a single
season, and then, if the stems of those trees
intended to be used for tests were cut the
following year, an immediate overgrowth
should commence in species prone to s^ow
the characteristic. The stumps in some
species of conifers are said to respond
more quickly than others. I have observed
the phenomenon in Douglas Fir (Pseudot-
suga taxifolia, (Poir.) Britt.) and in Grand
Fir {Ahies grandis, Lindley) only, the
Douglas Fir being far more potent in over-
igrowth than the Grand, Fir. In botji
species, when the overgrowth is cut off, a
renewed ^lealing takes place. I have never,
however, seen a healing and overgrowth
by means of secondary or indirect root-
graft in the Grand Fir. Stumps showing
healing and overgrowth abound in all dis-
tricts in the vicinity of Victoria. In the
Douglas Fir the heartwood of the stump
is usually charged with resin and a com-
plete capping takes place. In the Grand
Fir the heartwood nearly always decays
and a rim only of live wood ensues, T^e

May, 1921.]

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

85

Douglas and Grand Firs are the only two
trees which I have had the opportunity of
studying. The characteristic seems to ob-
tain in all conifers where root union has
taken place. Doubtless it would not occur
in conifers which possess the power of
stump sprouting, such as tjie California
Redwood {Sequoia senipervirens, (Lamb)
Endlicher). The Bigtree {Sequoia ivasJi-
ingioniama (Winsl.) Sudworth), on the

other hand, cannot sprout but shows the
overgrowth characteristic in a very marked
degree.

The question of the frequency of natural
graftage as well as the extent to which it
takes place among the trees in a forest is
necessarily pertinent to the consideration
of t,he question of overgrowth. Inarching
of roots of a single tree is a well-known
phenomenon. Whether wholesale inter-

"■*&&

Fig. 3: Douglas Fir. Partial overgrowth of stump (to the right) due to natural graft
of its roots with those of a foster Douglas fir (to the left) The graft ha&
developed into a bar of wood connecting the tree and stump. The ring of
annual increment of the living tree on the left is seen to be enveloping the
stump on the right. The centre of the stump, not being preserved by resin, is
decaying and would have become one of the hollow stump types in which there
is a rim of live wood only. Locality, Sylvan Lane, Gonzales Hill, Victoria, B. C-

86

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

[Vol. XXXV.

grafting among the roots of similar species
in the forests takes place always or does
not do so, seems to be unknown. As des-
truction of primaeval forests has, in land
clearing operations, been taking place all
over the country for a great length of lime,
one might expect that agricultural and for-
■estry works would cover this point. Such,
so far as 1 can learn, is not the case. The
extensive root grafting of some conifers
on the Pacific Coast ,has, however, forced
itself on the attention of foresters and
others. It has been noted in Douglas Fir
and in Western Hemlock {Tsuga hetero-

phijlla (Raf.) Sargent). Mr. W. R. Carter,
Assistant Biologist, British Columbia Pro-
vincal Museum, Victoria, B. C, has in-
formed me that on some of the coastal
areas of the West Coast of Vancouver Is-
land, wind, or other erosion, has disclosed
continuity in root systems of Western
Hemlock and other coniferous trees. This
continuity of roots is often exposed to view
for three or four Juindred yards at a time.
Others have spoken of the root-graftage of
the liemlock impeding land-clearing opera-
tions. Tliere does not appear to be any
record whether the Hemlock root or stump

Fig. 4: Douglas fir stumps completely capped over by root-uuion with a foster tree.
The roots from the foster tree are seen stretching through the centre of the
group of t^tunips, some of which were united by graftage of their tap roots
with the underlying roots from the big tree. The stumps on the outside of
the group had no direct root graft with the foliage^possessing tree, but only
indirect graft with those which had. Locality, Goldstream Eoad, Colwood, Es-
quimalt district, Vancouver Island, B. C.

May, 1921. j

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

87

sprouts or whether it has the overgrowth
tenden'cy. (It would be interesting to
learn what the effect of t^iis extensive
continuity of root systems had on the
stabilizing of the trees in the gale of last
winter (Jan. 1921) which did such exten-
sive damage uprooting valuable coniferous
timber on tlie coasts of British Columbia,
Washington and Oregon). At Rouvray, in
Fraiyge, while with the Canadian Forestry
Corps, I particularly noted that the graft-
age of t,he roots of the Pines (Sylvestris,
I think), was very noticeable. (Strangely
enough, in one case where the bases of the
stems of three pines w^ere united and one
tree had been felled some time previouslj^
the stump .showed no signs of vitality or
overgrowth.) On the other hand I have
seen the roots of coniferous trees inter-
mingle without apparent graftage ensu-
ing, and one often finds the stump of one
Douglas Fir tig.htly pressed against the
stem of a growing tree -but no sign of vi-
tality or overgrowth in the stump. From
this I judge that contact and pressure will
not always be followed by graftage. The
cause of natural graftage of roots was con-
sidered by Mr. Dallimore to be mainly
pressure, and Prof. Newins assigns the
cause to pressure and affinity of species
combined with other physical factors. In
Elwes and Henry the fact that the bark
remains alive to an advanced age is said
to account for the vitality and consequent
overgi-owth of stumps of Silver Fir.

The feasibility of utilization of the won-
drous creative biological power shown in
t^ie continuity of vitality and healing-over
of these stumps of coniferous trees does
not seem to have ever been contemplated
in horticulture or silviculture.

Living fence posts can be grown, for
they do naturally grow, and it should be
easy to ensure the graftage of roots art-
ificially. Metal or concrete caps fashioned
for ornament or use could be placed on
the stumps when cut and these would read-
ily become enveloped by t^e overgrowth.
These posts would last forever. Prof.
Xewins menti(ms an instance of an over-
growth having 200 rings, and at Stan-
ley Park, Vancouver City, — close to the
"Seven Sisters' — there is a capped-over
Douglas Fir stump which must be nine or
ten feet high. The foster-tree could be re-
newed from time to time if it became too
bulky.

It is certain that trees retaining foliage
canopy can, by direct root-graft and also
apparently by indirect root-graft, trans-
mit elaborated sap to remote stumps. The
converse might be equally true, and the
roots of stumps in moist rich soil might,
by root graft, be able to maintain trees in-
places of droug^ht and paucity of soil.

As ordinary grafting is said to be readily
a.('('<)m])lished in conifers the retentioTi of
vitality by the stumps and roots might be
practically turned to account in silvicul-
ture and in forestry, and rotation similar
to coppice culture attained by grafting
sturdy leaders of felled trees on the living
stnm])s or roots. This might be especially
useful in selecting cuttings in protection
forests or parklands.

I feel convinced that the phenomenon of
the root-graft and overgrowth of stumps
of conifers is well worthy of greater study
and experimental investigation than has.
been L'iven to it.

88

The Canadian Field-Naturalist,

[Vol. XXXV.

THE LARGER FRESHWATER-CRUSTACEA FROM CANADA

AND ALASKA.

By Frits Johansen.

(Continued from Vol. XXXV, p. 47.)

Ill— C. CLAM-SHRIMPS.

This suborder (Conchostraca) is easily
distinguished from the two preceding ones
hy the presence of a double shell enclosing
the animal completely (except when swim-
ming) and attached to it dorsall.v, so that
it can be opened and closed like a clam
(see p. 45). Conforming with this the
bodj^ is much compressed, but shows a dis-
tinct head-part, sometimes beak-shaped
(rostrum) and protruding from the "shell.
The eyes are sessile and more like those of
the "water-fleas" (Cladocera) than those
of the fairy-shrimps. In other features
also they resemble the Cladocera, and may
be considered to stand half way between
this group of animals and the Phyllopods.
Thus the first pair of antennae are minute,
but the second pair developed into long
and powerful swimming organs. Of mouth-
organs both mandibles and two pairs of
maxillae are present; and the short, clum-
sy body is supplied with from 1 to 2 dozen
pairs of foliaceous legs, subdivided both
for respiratory and swimming purposes;
they also support the female egg-mass
dorsally, while the first pair serve with the
male as clasping organs ("hand" and
"claw"). The posterior body segments
have each a pair of spines often present
also on the compressed, large, terminal end
(telson), which ends in a pair of filaments
(cercopods). In size these animals are
from a few millimeters to about 2 centi-
meters long, the Estheriidae being the lar-
gest forms.

Differeiit from the Cladocera (where
the young ones when emerging are very
much like the adults) the clam-shrimps
hatch as nauplii not unlike those of the
fairy-shrimps, though the first pair of
antennae are not yet out and the labrum
much larger. But the other characters
(enormous second pair of antennae and
mandibular palps, single, median eye, pear-
shaped body with little differentiation of
the segments, etc.), are the same as with
the other Phyllopods; also (as is the case

with the Notostraca-nauplii) the carapace
is not yet developed. Gradually it assu-
mes the shape of the adults by the out-
growth of the shell (carapace) on both
sides behind the mouthparts, the shortening
of the body, reduction of the mandibular-
palps, and development of the paired eyes,
foliaceous legs, etc., and sexual characters.
It should be remembered, however, that of
many clam-shrimps the larval stages are
very imperfectly known or not known at
all.

Their food consists of still smaller in-
vertebrates (Entomostraca, Protozoa, etc.),
which they secure by busily swimming
around in circles in the water ; as a matter
of fact when observing them they seem
never to be at rest. Their occurrence is
extremely puzzling ; ^ a water-hole a few
feet wide may be teeming with them, whe-
ther it is situated in the woods, in a grassy
swamp, or on open, dry plains'; on the
other hand they may be entirely absent
from other pools, ponds or lakes in the
same place. As is the case with the fairy-
shrimps they seem mainly to occur (around
Ottawa) in pools or canals left by the
overflow of rivers, ^ and are found from
April to the time the pools dry up (July).
In the summer the females carry their eggs
around with them ; they are deposited then
before the pool they are found in dries up
or freezes to the bottom. The females
have also (Packard, Sars) been noticed to
carry their eggs in the spring (see below). '

It is interesting that so far there are no
records of them from the high Arctic (ex-
cept Siberia), though, as mentioned, both
fairy-shrimps, tadpole-shrimps and water-
fleas have their typical representatives up
there. I did not find them on the Can-
adian Arctic Expedition, nor are thev
known from Greenland. My identifications
of the Conchostraca from the new Can-

1 Some years they do not show up at all.
-' The genus Limnetis seems to prefer pools
with much vegetation.

3 Or holes filled with water by heavy rains.

May, 1921.]

The Canadian Feeld-Naturalist.

89

adian localities given on the following
pages have been verified bj^ Professor A.
S. Pearse, of the University of Wisconsin.
Canadian " elara-shrimps " were first
described in 1862 by W. Baird from spe-
cimens (Limnetis gouldii) collected by Ch.
Gould in June 1857 at St. Anns, Montreal,
P.Q., and from specimens {Estheria cald-
welli) collected by W. Caldwell in Lake
Winnipeg, Man. They are represented
upon this continent by three families (sub-
families) ; the Limnetidae, Limnadiidae
and Estheriidae, the two last families being
often united by authors. The first family
is easily distinguished from the two others
by the milky colored shell being more or
less spherical and with lines of growth, and
the head cannot be retracted into it. In
these characters the family reminds one
strongly of the Cladocera, especially the
family Lynceidae, though the clam-shrimps
do not possess the huge claw-foot of these
Cladocera. Only one genus (Limnetis, es-
tablished by Loven in 1845) belonging to
this family of clam-shrimps occurs in
North America, but it is represented by
four species of which three are known only
from the United States {L. mucronatus
occurs in Montana), but one (L. gouldii
Baird) also in Canada. This latter spe-
cies is rather liai-dy and easy to keep in an
aquarium; tlie eggs are found under the
back of the shell of the female in the spring
and early summer (May- July), according
to Packard. It has been recorded from
New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Is-
land, New^ York and Illinois; from Can-
ada I have before me specimens from the
following localities, arranged from east
to west : —

About two dozen specimens from a w^ood
beyond Montreal West, P.Q., June 17,
1917, A. AVilley, coll. (sent to me from
McGill Museum).

Many specimens (the smaller ones red-
dish, the larger ones, some of which are
egg-bearing females, yellow-green * collect-
ed by myself in a ditch-canal left by the
overflow of the Ottawa River on the fields
a little east of Gatineau Point, P.Q., June
14, 1919. When I visited this place again
on October 19 of the same year the ditch
was completely dried up, being filled with

* Baird describes his specimens, which were
3x3 mm. long, as having a pale fleshy-yellow-
ish color, with black eyes.

Carex and much other vegetation ; no clam-
shrimps were of course observed on that
occasion.

On April 18 and May 30, 1920, I again
visited the same ditch ; but as the water-
level of the Ottawa River this year was
(even at its maximum) much lower than
in 1919, there was no connection between
the river and the ditch. The latter had
very little water left, mereh^ small holes
which contained only some aquatic mol-
luscs, insects, tadpoles, and the Isopod
Asellus communis. The farmer who owned
the field upon which the ditch was situated
had ploughed it up and partly filled in
the ditch, so the latter will probably never
again contain any "clam-shrimps.*'

On May 2nd, 1921, I collected a number
of immature (li^ to 2 cm. long) speci-
mens of this species, in a fairly large and
deep pond on a field on the hills at Tenaga,
west side of Gatineau River, P.Q. They
had a vivid orange or red-brown colour,
and were easy to catch as they were swim-
ming slowly ("suspended") in the water,
or attaching themselves to plants. They
occurred in great numbers, together with
Cladocera, Ostracoda, and the fairy-shrimp,
Eubrancliipus gelidus, etc. At the end of
May neither fairy-shrimps nor Conchos-
traca were to be found in this pond.

Mr. W. S. Odell, of Ottawa, tells me
that about a dozen years ago he secured
many of these clam-shrimps in a pool on
the fields at Wychwood (near Aylmer), P.
Q., and that he secured more in the same
place during the succeeding years (in
May). When I visited this pool on May
15, 1921, it was quite dried up, and fur-
thermore used as a dump for rubbish, so
that it probably contains no more Crus-
tacea. Mr. Odell also secured them in
pools alongside the railway-track near
Hurdman's Bridge (Ricleau River) about
a dozen years ago ; but for several years
their habitat there has been destroyed.
Furthermore, for several years Mr. Odell
has observed them in the pools left by the
overflow (in the spring) of the Rideau
River on a pasture at Billings Bridge, Ot-
tawa South, near the brick-yard; and he
showed me some he had collected there, to-
gether with the fairy-shrimps Euhranclii-
pus gelidus of both sexes, on the first week
of May, 1921. A week later he and I
visited the place, but did not succeed in
finding a single fairy-shrimp, though the

90

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

[Vol. XXXV.

clam-shrimps, eladocera, ostracods and
copepods occurred in great numbers. The
Limnetis were conspicuous by their orange
colour, and both sexes were seen, often in
copulation; some of the females had al-
ready (May 16) their olive-coloured eggs
shining through the shell. The pools in
which they occurred I found to be the
deeper holes left in the bed of the ditch-
canal, much overgrown with water-plants,
and with many dead leaves in the bottom
from the large oak-trees scattered over the
pasture.

The place was visited repeatedly, and all
during May the clam-shrimps were found
in the larger ponds not yet dried up com-
pletely. After a time the red colour of the
full-grown individuals changes from oran-
ge to brownish, and the egg-bearing fema-
les seem to be more numerous than the
males, the latter probably dying off rapidly
when their function is finished. The two
sexes were often seen in copulation, during
which process they seem unable to float
in the water, but are crawling over the bot-
tom-mud or lying there. By keeping them
in a glass of water I observed how during
the act the female eventually closes its
shell, and the male has all it can do to
keep them both free of the bottom. It is a
very funny sight : the male moving all its
feet vigorously, trying to rise in the water,
but the female having the effect of a sinker
attached to him, so that tlie net result is to
cause them bot/i to roll over, wrestler-
fashion, owing to the globular shape of the
body. Sometimes two males would attack
one female, but probabl}' this was because
so many were crowded together in the
bottle.

From June on their numbers decreased
markedly; and at the end of the month
none were found (the last ones were se-
cured on June 19, when the two sexes were
still observed in copulation. Several of
these, the last survivors, had a growth of
minute, green Algae, etc., upon their shells,
a sign of decay). Around Ottawa their life
thus seems to last two months. It will be
seen, however, from the record of these
clam-shrimps from Saskatchewan, given
below, that where suitable surroundings
are found they may occur also later in the
summer.

The weather during April, May and
June, 192], around Ottawa, was very

warm, and with practically no rain ; it was
interesting to observe, that wlien a period
of unusually hot weather arrived in the
first half of May, the fairy-shrimps {Eii-
hraiichipus (jdidiis) were not to be found
any more. I ascertained this by visiting
the various pools in which I had found them
so common only a few weeks before.

About one dozen specimens from a water-
hole on the margin of a wood at Scarbo-
rough Junction near Toronto, Ontario,
June, 1908, A. G. Huntsman coll. (see
Natural History of Toronto Region, 1913,
p. 275).

Three specimens from pond at Estevan,
Sask., August 3, 1916, W. R. Quinn, coll.
(sent me from Royal Ontario Museum).

Four specimens, the two largest of which
were egg-bearing females, from a slougli
three miles north-east of Medecine Hat,
Alta., June 11, 1920, A. 0. Huntsman coll.
They occurred together with Estheria cald-
welli, Streptocephalus coloradensis and
Lepidurus couesii.

One full-grown and three young speci-
mens from a shallow slough at Wetaskiwin
(near Edmonton), Alta., June 1, 1920, A.
Gr. Huntsman coll. The fairy-shrimp Eu-
hranchipus gel/idus was collected in the
same slough.

It thus seems as if this species is not
fouyd in the Rocky Mountains, nor west of
them. It has not been recorded from Alas-
ka, nor did I find it along the arctic coast
of this continent west of Bathurst Inlet
(Canadian Arctic Expedition).

In size this species does not exceed half
a centimeter in length, the females gen-.
erally being the largest.

Another species {L. braehijunis) is
known from Scandinavia, Central Europe,
Russia and Siberia, and is well described
and figured by Sars (1896) p. 117, plates
18-20. He mentions particularly how he
only succeeded in finding it in one ditch
with much vegetation in Finmark, in
August, though he examined carefully
many others; he also observed how it
swims with the shell-valves wide open, but
often sinks to the bottom; and how the
males firmly grab the valves of the females
below by their "hands" for the purpose of
copulation. Some of the larval stages are
described by Grube.

To the second family of clam-shrimps be- xi
long two genera, Limnadia and Etdimna-/^

May, 1921.]

The Canadian Field-Xaturalist.

93

dia. Tlie shell of the former genus (estab-
lished by Broig-nard in 1820) , is very broad-
ovate, flat and with a great number (18)
of lines of growth. So far only one species
has been found upon this continent, name-
ly L. americana, known from Massachu-
setts; it may therefore possibly occur also
in eastern Canada. Sars (1896) thinks it is
the same as L. lenticulons Linn, known
from Scandinavia and Central Europe; he
describes and figures this on p. 85, plates
14-16, and the larval stages on plate 17.
He says the females already carried the eggs
at the end of July and that the larvae
were found in the middle of the same
month ; he expresses the opinion, however,
that only one brood is developed each sum-
mer. The size of L. americana is about
1 cm. The other genus {EuUmnadia) is
represented upon this continent In' two
species of which one is known from Kan-
sas, Nebraska and Texas, and the otlier, E.
agassizii "' from Massachusetts and Ontario.
The genus has a narrow ovate, very trans-
parent shell with 4-5 lines of growth about
1-2 em. long. I have before me four speci-
mens of E. agassizii collected by A. G.
Huntsman in pools on rocks at Go Home
Bay (Georgian Bay) Ont., August 15th
(1905), sent me from the Royal Ontario
Museum (See Natural Hist or ij of Toronto
Region, 1913, Y). 215).

Dr. Huntsman writes me (June 1920),
that "this species occurred at two places
at Go Home Bay, namely at Station Island
and at Split Rock Island. In each case a
large number of specimens was found in a
small, temporary pool in the rock, the pool
probably not being more than a foot or two
feet in diameter, and quite shallow. It
seemed extraordinary that so many indi-
viduals of relatively large size should occur
in so little water ..."

The third family of clam-shrimps . (Es-
theriidae) is represented on this continent
by the genus Estheria of which more than
half a dozen species are known from the
United States, but only one, E. caldwelli
(Cyzicus mexica7ia) •> from Canada. It is
interesting that no species of this genus has
so far been found east of Saskatchewan

'' First described (and the genus established)
by Packard in 1874, from specimens collected
by W. Faxon in Massachusetts in 1873; the
females had then (August) yellowish eggs.
The following July-August the young ones were
I about 1 line in length.

Tlie genus is

and the Mississippi River,
easily recognized by the oval, more or less
globose shell oi an amber colour (thus
much like a clam-shell) showing about 20
lines of growth until about 1^ em. long.
I have before me five specimens of E. cald-
welli from a prairie-slough at Estevan,
Sask., collected by W. R. Quinn on August
6th, 1916, and sent me from the Royal
Ontario Museum. The species was first
described in 1862 by W. Baird from spe-
cimens collected by W. Caldwell in Lake
Winnipeg, and two years earlier by C.
Clans from Mexico ; it has fui-ther been
recorded from Kansas, Nebraska, Ken-
tucky, Ohio and New Mexico.

I have recently received one more spe-
cimen collected by Dr. A. G. Huntsman on
June 11, 1920, in a slough three miles
north-east of Medicine Hat, Alta., where it
occurred together with Limnetis goiddii
and other Entomostraca. The specimen is-
about 9 mm. long, while some of the five
specimens from Estevan, Sask., mentioned
above were almost double this size.^

Clam-shrimps were recorded from Fin-
land by Linnaeus ; but the order was well-
described for the first time by Herman in
the beginning of the nineteeaith century.
Postscript.
In June, 1920, I received a letter from
Dr. Chancey Juday, of Madison, Wiscon-
sin, giving me some new records of clam-
shrimps collected by J. M. Jessup in May-
July, 1911 and in July. 1912, in Alaska
and Yukon Territory.

As these are the first records of Con-
chostraca from the arctic and subarctic
parts of this continent, and the first time
the two species in question liave been found
in America,* it is of importance to have
them included in this article. The records
are:

Lynceus hrachyurus {Limnetis h.) :—
Lakes and bog-holes on OkLCrow River
flat about 40 miles north of New Rampart
House ; Lake 48 miles north of New Ram-
part House ; Morainal lakes, 30-35 miles
north of White Horse, Yukon Territory.
Limnadia lenticidaris : — Lakes on coastal

" The gen us -name Estheria was made by
Rueppell, in 1857, but later the genus was
found to be the same as Audouin's Cyzicus,
established in 1837. Similarly Baird's species
E. caldwelli, described in 1862, has been proved
to be the same as C. mexicanus, first des-
cribed by Claus two years previously..

92

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

[Vol. XXXV.

plain of Arctic Ocean (about 69" 40' N., Notostraca (Apodidae) means "pond-

141° W.) ; isolated pond off Old Crow ray"; but I think it better to use a popu-

I^iver. lar English name for them which indicates

Both of these species have been already the class of animals to which they belong,

mentioned in this article.

Note. — I have been unable to find any
popular, English names for Notostraca and
Conchostraca, and am therefore in these
articlea proposing the names of "tadpole-
shrimps" and "clam-shrimps" for them.
To distinguish the "clam-shrimps" from
the Ostracoda I propose for the latter the
name of "mussel-shrimps", a translation
of the popular, Danish name for the Os-
tracoda. The difference in the shape of
the shell between the Conchostraca and the
Ostracoda is thus indicated in these popu-
lar names. The popular Danish name for

A-E: Eubranchipus gelidus Hay; P: Lepidurus
couesii Pack; G-H: Limnetis gouldii Baiid.
Above letters explained: fo: frontal organ;
ai first pair of antennae; a^ (cl) : 2ncl pair
of antennae (or claspers); ne: nauplius-
eye; pe: paired eyes; fi: filaments of 1st
pair of feet; so: bodysegments (somites);
fl: foliaceous legs; ca: carapace (or shell);
bk: beak of head; in: intestine; pr: pro-
cesses from somites; eg: eggsack with eggs;
ge: male genitalia; ad: abdomen; te: tel-
son; cp: cercopods. (A and E, after Pearse;
F-H, after Packard; B-D, Originals.) A,
C, E, F2, G are lateral views; D and Fl:
dorsal views; B: clasper from inside; H:
front view of head.

BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR CANADIAN

AND ALASKAN EUPHYL-

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Baird, W. — Description of several new spe-
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Grube, A. E. — Bemerkung* ueber die Phyl-
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Reinhardt, J. — Fortegnelse over Groen-
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Claus, C. — Ueber die Estheriden, inbeson-
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Verrill, A. B. — Descript. of some new
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Verrill, A. E. — Observat. on Phyllopod
Crust, of the family Branchipidae,
etc. (Proc. Amer. Assoc. Adv. Science,
Salem, 1869; Cambridge, 1870).

Packard, A. S. — Observ. on glacial phe-
nom. of Labrador and Maine, etc.
(Mem.oirs of Boston Soc. Nat. Hist.,
I, 1867).

May, 1921.

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

93

Packard, A. S. — Synopsis of the Fresh-
water-Phyllopod Crust, of North Am-
erica (f/. S. Geol. and Geograph. Sur-
vey of Colorado, 1873).

Packard, A. S. — Deseript.- of a new Phyllo-
pod Crust, from the West {Bidl. U.S.
Oeolog. and Geograph. Survey of Ter-
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Packard, A. S. — Deseript. of new N. A,
P'hyllopoda {Ann. Rep. Peaiady Acad,
of 'sciences for 1873 (1874) ).

Packard, A. S. — Monograph of the Phyl-
lop. Crust, of North America (U. S.
Geol. and Geograph. Survey of Wyo-
ming and Idaho, Part I, Wash., 1883).

Packard, A. S. — New Phvllop. Crust. {Am-
er. Nat. Vol. IX, 1875).

Packard, A. S. — Explorat. Polaris Exp.
(Amer. Nat., Vol. XI, 1877).

Packard, A. S. — Notes on Phyllop. Crust.
(Amer. Nat., Vol. XIV, 1880).

Miers, E. I. — Arctic Crustaeeae (Annals
and Magaz. of Nat. Hist., Ser. 4, Vol.
20, 1877 ; Appendix to Narrative of a
Voyage to the Polar Sea, 1875-76, Vol.
II, 1878).

Murdoch, J. — Marine Invertebrates (ex-
clusive of mollusks) (Report of the
International Polar Expedit. to Point
Barrow, Alaska, Washington, 1885).

Murdoch, J. — Deseript. of seven new spe-
cies of Crustacea and one worm from
Arctic Alaska (Proc. U. 8. Nat. Mus.,
Vol. VII, 1884).

Simon, E. — Etudes sur les Crust, du sous-
ordre des Phyllopodes (Annal. Soc.
Entomol. de France, Serio 6, Vol. 6,
Paris, 1886).

Lilljeborg, W. — Contrib. to the Nat. Hist,
of Commander Islands, 9 (Proc. U. S.
Nat. 3Ius., Vol. X, 1887).

Hansen; H. J. — Crustacea ("Dijmphna"
Ekspeditiouens zoolog. og hotan. TJd-
hytte, Kbhvn.. 1887).

Hay, 0. P. and W. P.— A Contrib. to the
knowledge of the genus Branchipus
(Amer. Nat., Vol. XXIII, 1889).

Wesenberg-Lund. C. — Groenlauds Fersk-
vands-Entomostraca, I, Pjiyllopoda,
branchiopoda et cladocera (Videns-
kah. Medd. Naturh. Foren, Kbvn.,
1894).

Wesenberg-Lund, C. — Fersk-og Saltvands-

Entomostraca fra Ryder Eksped.

(Medd. om Groenl, Vol. 19, 1896).
Halkett, A. — Ottawa Phyllopods (Ottawa

Naturalist, July, 1895).
Halkett, A. — A Naturalist in the Frozen

North (Ottawa Naturalist, Aug. 1905).
Prince, E. E. — Remarkable points in the

life-history of Phyllopods (Ottawa

Naturalist, 1896).
Sahlberg, J. — Om Finlands hittils kanda

Pihyllopoder, etc. (Notitser ur Sallsk.

pro Fauna ed Flora Fennica, Forh.

XIV).

Sars, G. 0. — Oversigt af Norges Crust a-
ceer, Estheriidae (1887) and Bran-
chiopoda, etc. (1890), Kristiania,
(Vid. Selsk. Fork.).

Sars, G. 0. — Fauna Norvegiae. I, P^iyllo-
carida et Phyllopoda. Kristiania,
1896.

Sars, G. 0. — Phyllopoda of the Jana Ex-
pedition (Annuaire de Mus. Zool. de
VAcad. des Sciences, St. Petersbourg,
1897).

Sars, G. 0. — Crustacea. (Rep. 2nd Nor-
weg. Arctic Exp. 1898-1902, No. 18,
1909).

Vanhoeffen, E. — Die Fauna und Flora
Groenlauds (Groenl. Exp. der Gessel-
schaft. fiir Erdkunde, Berlin, 1897).

Daday de Dees, E. — Branchipus paludosus
0. F. Muell. in der ungarische fauna
(Termeszetraji Fuezetek, Vol. 13,
1890).

Daday de Dees, E. — Monogr. syst. des
Phyllopodes Anostraees, Vol. 11, 1-910
(Annates des Scien. Natur., Zoologie,
Serie 9).

Daday de Dees, E. — Monogr. syst. des
Phyllopodes Conchostraces. Vol. 20,
1915. (Annales des Sciences Natur.,
Zoologie, Serie 9).

Daday de Dees, E. — Poly art emiella judayi,
novum genus novaque species, etc.
(An. Mus. Nat. H^ing., 1909).

Zschokke, F. — Die tierwelt in den Hoch-
gebirgseen (Neue Denkschr. d. allge-
mein. schweiz. Gesselsch. f. d. gesammt.
Naturiviss., Bd. 37, Zurich, 1900).

Ortman, A, E. — Crustacea and Pycnogo-
nida coll. during the Princeton Exp.

to N. Greenland (Proc. Acad. Nat.
Scien., Philadelphia, 1901).

94

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

Ekman, S. — Beitrage z. Kenntn. d. Phyl-
lopodenfamilie Polyartemiidae {Bi-
hangt. Kgl. Svenska. V&t. Akad. Han-
dl., Bd. 28, Afd. IV, No. 11, Stock-
holm, 1902).

Ekman, S. — Die Phyllopoden, Cladoceren
uiid freileb. Copepoden der nordswed.
Hochgebirge {Zool. Jahrh. Abt. f.
System, Bd. 21, 1905).

Sliantz, H. L. — Notes on the N. A. species
of Branchinecta and tlieir ^labits {Bio-
loo. J^M. 9, 1905, Zool. Stud. Umv.
of Nebr.).

Howland, R. B. — Migration of retinal pig-
ment in the eyes of Branchipus geli-
dus (Journ. Experim. Zool., 2, 1911).

Johansen, F. — Freshwater-life in N. E.
Greenland {Medd. om Oroenland, Vol.
45, 1911).

Brehm, V. — Die Entomostraken der Dan-
mark Exped. (Medd. om Groenl. Vol.
34, 1911).

Cockerell, T. D.— The fauna of Boulder
Co., Colorado, II {Univ. of Colorado
Studies, Vol. IX, 2-3, 1912).

Huntsman, A. G. — Invertebrates {Nat.
Hist, of Toronto Region, Toronto,
1913).

Pearse, A. S. — Notes on Phyllopod Crus-

[Vol. XXXV.
Acad. Scicn.,

tacea {14th Bep. Mich.

1912).
Pearse, A. S. — Notes on Crustacea recently

acquired by the museum {Occas. Pa-
pers from Mus. of Zool., Univ. of

Mich., 1913).
Pearse, A. S. — Phyllopoda (Ward and

Whipple's Freshwater-Biology, New

York, 1918).
Dodds, G. S. — Deseript. of two new species

of Entomostraca from Colorado {Proc.

U. S. N. 31., Vol. 49, Washington,

1914).
Dodds, G. S-. — Key to t^ie Entomostraca

of Colorado {Univ. of Col. Studies,

Vol. XI, 1915).
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the Entomostraca in Colorado {Proc.

U. S. N. M., Vol. 54, 1917).

Haberbosch, P. — Ueber arktische Suesswas-
ser-Crustaceen {Zool. Aiiseig. Bd. 47,
1916).

K. — Conspectus Crust, et
Groenland. {Medd. om Gro-
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-Studien ueber d. Suesswas-
serfauna Spitzberg, etc. {Inaug. Dis-
sert., Zool. Bidrag fr. Uppsala, Bd.
VI, 1918).

( Concluded. )

Stephensen,
Pygnog.
enl. Vol.

01 of sen, 0.-

NOTES ON THE FAUNA OF LOWER PAGWACHUAN, LOWER KENOGAMI
AND LOWER ALBANY RIVERS OF ONTARIO.

By M. Y. Williams, University of British Columbia, Vancouver.

The following observations were made
between July 25th and September 16th,
1920, while on a geological trip along t^he
river route between Pagwa on the National
Transcontinental railway and Fort Albany
on James Bay. A side trip was also made
25 miles up Albany River from the Forks.
The route is along rivers of the Albany
system and falls into three main divisions,
— the Pagwachuan River, estimated dis-
tance 35 miles; the Kenogami River from
the mouth of the Pagwachuan River to the
Forks of the Albany River, estimated dis-
tance 85 miles; the lower Albany River

from the Forks to James Bay, estimated
distance 150 miles. English River post,
formerly known as Mammawemattawa, oc-
cupied by traders of the Hudson's Bay and
Revillon Freres fur companies, is about 25
miles below the mouth of the Pagwachuan
River and at the junction of the Kabina-
kagami and Kenogami Rivers. The Naga-
gami River enters the Kenogami about one
mile higher up. Both fur companies men-
tioned have posts at the mouth of Chipie
(Ghost) River about 50 miles below t^ie
Forks of the Albany, and the Hudson's
Bay, the Revillon Freres and the James

May. 1921.]

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

95

Bay Compaiiy have posts at Fort Albany,
the last recently established; a large Roman
Catholic mission is also situated there. The
estuary of the Albany River is about 16
miles long and is composed of many is-
lands, the largest, Albany Island, being
about seven or eight miles long and about
one-half as wide. Near the middle of the
sout/i side of this island the settlements
are established. Tide water extends to
the head of Albany Island.

The river flows across a plain which
slopes toward James Bay at less than two
feet per mile. For about ten miles below
the steel, the Pagwachuan flows through
boulder clay overlain by silts and sand,
the latter rising into hills and ridges. For
this distance the bedrock is pre-Cambrian
in age and is seen by outcrops of grey
granite in the river bed. To t^e north
the crystalline rocks are overlain by Palae-
ozoic limestones and s;iales, and across this
sedimentary basin, the country, as seen
from the rivers, is a monotonous muskeg
dotted with stunted black spruce. The
floor is of sphagnum moss, laurel and La-
brador tea. T^ie river valleys give variety
in vegetation and topography, their ter-
raced being commonly covered with fair
stands of w'hite spruce, white birch, white
and balsam poplar, and scattered cedar,
tamarack, ash and jackpine. Isolated stands
of ash and elm occur at the junction of
the Kabinakagami and Kenogami rivers,
and on the latter river near the mouth
of Little Current River. Red osier, dog-
wood and willow grow along the river
flats.

Birds.

Loon, Gavia imher. Two seen in the
estuary of the Albany River, August 18th.

Herring Gull, Larus argeniatus. One
seen at mouth of Pagwachuan River, Aug-
ust 5th. Two immatures seen at Forks
of Albany, August 12th. Several seen
each day between the Forks and the est-
uary of t/ie Albany, August 13th — Aug-
ust 18th. On lower Albany adult birds
seen August 24th, 27th and Sept. 1st.
Immature birds seen August ISth, 25th,
28th, 31st, Sept. 5th and one at the mouth
of the Pagwachuan, September 13th.

Common Tern, Sterna hirundo. Several
seen in the Albany estuary, August 18th

and 24th. Several were seen at Fishing
Creek Island \ August 26th.

American Merganser, Mergiis america-
nus. Birds probably of this species were
observed as follows : — two at mouth of
Pagwachuan River, August 5th ; a flock,
at Fort Albany, August 20th; eight at
Hat Island-, August 31st.

Mallard, Anas boschas. Five seen in the
hands of Indian hunters, at Albany, Aug-
ust 21st. They were killed along the coast
to the west of the river.

Black duck. Anas ohscura. One seen in
Albany estuary^ August 18th; several seen
in tjtie hands of Indian hunters at Fort
Albany, August 20th.

Golden-eye, Clangula clangula. Two
seen at mouth of Pagwachuan River, Aug-
ust 5th; five ducks probably of this spe-
cies near Snake Island', August 14th.

Canada Goose, Brant a canadensis. Seen
as follows:^ — At Fishing Creek Island,
Albany River, five seen on August 17th ;
in estuary of Albany, twelve seen on Aug-
ust 18th and again on 19th ; a flock seen
at Fort Albany, Aug-ust 21st; twelve in
the estuary, August 26th; twelve at the
mouth of Ghost (Chipie) River*, August
30th; twelve at Hat Island, August 31st;
a flock 20 miles np the Albany from
Forks, Sept. 3rd.

Wilson Snipe, Gallinago delicata. One
seen at t<^e Forks of the Albany, Sept. 2nd,
and one about 30 miles above the Forks,
September 5tli.

Semip alma ted Sandpiper, Ereimetes pti-
sillus. Birds probably of this species seen
as follows : — August 1st, two near mouth
of Pagwachuan River; flocks near the
mouth of Chipie River, August 14th, 15th
and 16th ; their notes heard at the Forks
of the Albany, Sept. 4th and 5th.

Greater Yellow-legs, Totanus melano-
leucus. Generally common from t,he mouth
of the Pagwachuan River to Fort Albany
between August 3rd and September 6th,
after which none were observed. Two old
birds flew back and forth past our camp
at the mouth of the Pagwachuan, August

1 About 50 miles up the Albany.

■- About 3.5 miles below the Forks of the
Albany River.

3 About 16 miles below the Forks of the
Albany River.

■* 50 miles below Forks.

96

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

[Vol. XXXV.

3rd to 5th, screaming and apparently try-
ing- to lure us away from their young,
which appeared to be running about on
the gravel bars at the far side of the river.
Two were taken at Snake Island on August
13t^.

Solitary Sandpiper, Helodromas solita-
rius. Two birds probably of tliis species
seen 10 miles below railway on Pagwa-
chuan River.

Spotted Sandpiper, Actites macularia.
Common throughout trip.

Semipalmated Plover, JEgialitis semi-
palmata. One seen near Chipie River,
August 16th; several seen at Forks of Al-
bany, September 2nd.

Ruffed Grouse, Bonasa unibellus. One
seen at the Forks, Sept. 2nd., and one at
Pagwa, Sept. 16th.

Marsh Hawk, Circus hudsonius. Nine
seen between Snake Island and the estuary
of the Albany River, August 14th-26th.
Two seen at the Forks, Sept. 2nd, and two
thirty miles up t^e Kenogami, Sept. 6th.

Cooper's Hawk, Accipiter cooperi. One
seen at Albany estuary, August 25th, and
one at Fishing Creek, August 27th.

American Goshawk, Accipiter atricapil-
lus. One female shot 30 miles above Forks
on Kenogami River, Sept. 5th. Three seen
between this point and English River post,
Sept. 5th.

Red-tailed Hawk, BtUeo borealis. Seen
as follows : — Five on Kenogami River be-
low English River post, August 11th; one
at estuar}^ of Albany, August 24th ; one at
Sand Cherry Island", August 27th ; four
at the Forks, Sept. 2nd; two twenty miles
above Forks on Albany River, August 3rd ;
two on Kenogami River, 30 miles above
English River post, Sept. 6th ; one on
Kenogami River, 17 miles above English
River post, Sept. 10th; one at the mouth
of Pagwachuan, Sept. 13th, and one near
Pagwa, Sept. 15th.

Broad-winged Hawk. Buteo platypterus.
One seen about six miles above mouth of
Pagwachuan River, July 31st.

Pigeon Hawk, Falco columbarius. Two
seen at Hat Island, Albany River, August
31st, and two, on Sept. 3rd, 20 miles above
Forks on Albany River.

Sparrow Hawk, Falco sparverius. One

5 75 miles above mouth of Albany.

seen at Pagwachuan River, July 29th ; two
seen at Snake Island, Albanv River, Aug-
ust 14th.

American Osprey, Pandion haliaetus
carolineHsis, One seen at estuary of Al-
bany, August 18th and again August 25th.
Five seen at Henley River six miles below
the Forks, Sept. 1st; two seen on the Al-
bany River a few miles above the Forks,
a female being collected; one seen at t)ie
Forks, Sept. 5th.

Short-eared Owl, Asio accipitrinus. Very
common every evening spent at Fort Al-
bany. . Six seen August 19th, ten on the
21st, two being collected.

Great Horned Owl, Bubo virginianus.
One heard July 30th on Pagwachuan Riv-
er. One seen on same river July 31st.
One heard at Hat Island, August 31st.

Belted Kingfisher, Ceryle alcyo7i. Seen
occasionally as far down as the head of
the estuary of the Albany, 20 birds being
counted in all.

Hairy Woodpecker, Dry abates villosus.
One seen on Pagwachuan River, July 30th ;
two seen on Hat Island, August 31st; one
heard at English River post, Sept. 7t^.

Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker, Picoides
arcticus. One seen 20 miles above the
Forks on Albany River, Sept. 3rd.

American Three-toed Woodpecker, Picoi-
des americanus. One seen at head of Albany
estuary, August 19th, and at Fort Albany,
August 21st,

Flicker, Colaptes auratus. One seen near
mouth of Pagwachuan River, August 1st;
one heard at English River post, August
9th, and one seen August 10th ; two seen at
Forks of Albany, August 13th; one seen
on Pagwachuan River on Sept. 14th and
one on 15th.

Night Hawk, Chordeiles virginianus.
Fairly common on Kenogami river between
t/ie mouth of the Pagwachuan River and
the Forks of the Albany from August 3rd
to 12th ; one seen at the head of the Albany
estuary, August 18th.

Olive-sided Flycatcher, Nuttalornis bo-
realis. Heard on August 8th and 10th at
English River post, and one seen there
August 9th.

Horned Lark, Otocoris alpestris. One
seen at Fort Albany, August 21st; thirty
seen on Albany River 20 miles above the

May, 1921.]

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

97

Forks, September 3rd; five seen at mouth
of Pagwachuan Kiver, Sept. 13tji.

Canada Jay, Perisoreus canadensis.
Heard on Pagwachuan River, July 26th
and 27th ; common throughout rest of trip.

Raven, Corvus corax. Noted as follows:
Two at English River post, August 10th;
a flock at Fishing Creek Island, August
16th; two at estuary of Albany, August
18th; on return trip five single birds
were seen between Hat Island and 17
miles above English River post on the
Kenogami River, August 31st to Septem-
ber 10th.

Red-winged Blackbird, Agelaius plioe-
niceus. One immature male taken 20 miles
above English river post, Sept. 9tji.

Rusty Blackbird, Euphagus caroUnus.
Two seen on Pagwachuan river, August
30th; a flock seen at the Forks of the
Albany, September 2nd; eight seen on the
Pagwachuan, Sept. 15th.

White-winged Crossbill, Loxia leucop-
tera. The commonest bird seen on the
trip July 25th to Sept. 16th, and their
twittering flight song was heard every
day between the steel and Fort Albany.
Three males were taken at Pagwa, July
28th.

American Goldfinch, Astragalinus tris-
tis. Birds probably of this species seen
at the. Forks and at Fishing Creek Island,
August 12th and 17th.

White-throated Sparrow, ZonotricJiia al-
'bicollis. Heard at Fort Albany, August
23rd; common between the Forks and the
mouth of the Pagwachuan River, Septem-
ber 2nd to 14th.

Juneo, J unco liy emails. Several seen
at the Forks, Aug. 13th; several seen al-
most every day between Fort Albany and
Pagwa, Aug. 22nd to Sept. 13th.

Song Sparrow, Melospka cinerea. Sev-
eral seen at mouth of Pagwachuan, August
5th; one at English River post, August
8th; two doubtfully of t^is species near
English River post, Sept. 9th; several at
the mouth of the Pagwachuan, Sept. 13th,
and several 10 miles farther up, Sept. 15th.

Fox Sparrow, Passerella iliaca. One seen
each day Aug. 20-23rd at Fort Albany.

Tree Swallow, Iridoprocne hicolor. Sev-
eral seen at mouth of Pagwachuan, Aug-
ust 5th. .

Cedar Waxwing, Ampelis cedroruni.
Common along Pagwachuan from Pagwa
to its mouth, July 25th to August 4t,h ;
one seen at Eiiglish River post, August
9th, and one at estuary of Albanv River,.
August 18th.

Black and White Warbler, Mniotilia va-
ria. One seen at mouth of Pagwachuan,
August 4th.

Oven Bird, Seiurus aurocapillus. One
heard at mouth of Pagwachuan River, Ju-
ly 25th.

American Redstart, Setophaga ruti-
cilla. Three seen at mouth of Pagwachuan
River, August 4th.

American Pipit, Anthus pennsylvanicus.
Common at the Forks of the Albany and
20 miles up both the Albany and the Keno-
gami, Sept. 1st to 5th. Several seen on
Kenogami 10 to 20 miles above English
River post, Sept. 10th.

Hudsonian chickadee, Penthestes hud-
sonicus hudsonicus. Heard at English Riv-
er post, Augtist 22n(^; several seen at
Noran Island*^, August 29th; fairly com-
mon 20 miles up Albany from Forks and
up Kenogami to mouth of Pagwachuan,
Sept. 2nd-13th.

White-breasted Nuthatch, Sitta caroli-
nensis. Note doubtfully identified at Fish-
ing Creek, August 27t^, and identified
Avith certainty at the Forks, Sept. 2nd.

American Robin, Planesticus migrato-
rins. One seen near mouth of Pagwachuan
River, August 1st; one seen at Forks of
Albany, August 21st.

Mammals.

Drummond's Vole, Microtus drimi'
mondii (Audubon and Bachman). Taken
at Fort Albany, August 23rd.

White-footed Mouse, Peromyscus mani-
cidatus mamcidahis (Wagner). Taken at
Fort Albany, August 23rd.

Hudson Bay Jumping Mouse, Zapus
hudsonius hudsonius (Zimmermann). At
tjie mouth of the Pagwachuan River, Aug-
ust 4th.

Black Bear, Ursus americanus america-
nus Pallas. Fresh signs seen in Albanjr
estuary, August 23rd.

Grey Wolf, Canis occidentalis (Richard-

6 Noran Island is situated about four miles
below Chipie River, 54 miles below the Forks
of the Albany.

98

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

[Vol. XXXV.

son). Two young wolves were held in cap
tivity at the Catholic Mission, at Fort
Albany'. A large grey animal accompany-
ing two jet black ones appeared on the
shore of Albany River about 12 miles above
the Forks, Sept. 4th. The grey one ap-
peared to be a wolf, the other two may have
been Indian dogs, but pure black dogs are
rare.

Northern C^iipmunk, Eutaniias quadri-
vittatus horealis (Allen). Common from
mouth of Pagwachuan River to English
River post, August 5th to 9th.

Hudson Bay Squirrel, Scmrus hudsoni-
cus hudsonicus (Erxleben). Common a-
long whole route.

Muskrat, Ondatra zihethica (Linnaeus).
Remains abandoned by Red-tailed Hawk
(sp.?), as we approached, about 10 miles
above Forks on Albany River, Sept. 3rd.
One seen on the Kenogami River, Sept. 6th.

Northern Hare, Lepus americanus ame-
ricanvs Erxleben. Conspicuous by their
absence. Some signs seen.

Moose, Alces americanus Jardine. Tracks
commons along Pagwachuan River.

A calf passed close to our camp in the ear-
ly morning on the Kenogami River a few
miles below the mouth of the Pagwachuan
River, August 5th. Saw a cow on Keno-
gami River about 15 miles below English
River post, August 11th.

Virginia Deer, Odocoileus americanus
horealis Miller. One reported shot on
Pagwachuan River late in July. Indians
had deer meat at Fishing Creek Island,
August 17th.

Batrachians.

American Toad, Bufo lentiginosus. Com-
mon along Kenogami and Albany Rivers
as far as Fort Albany, August 6th to 31st.

Fish.

Lake Sturgeon, Acipenser ruhicundus.
Five taken in one net at mouth of C/iipie
River, August 14th. Reported very com-
mon here.

Sucker, Moxostoma, sp. ? Two taken in
our net at mouth of Chipie River, August
14th. These are the commonest fish along
the rivers traversed.

NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS.

An Aquatic Habit of the Pigeons.

For a terrestrial bird to exhibit any
aquatic habit, even though rarely, would
seem to be of interest and perhaps may have
an obscure significance.

Some twelve years ago, I think it was,
on a very warm summer day, I was canoe-
ing on Lake Ontario near Toronto Bay.
About three domestic pigeons {Columba
livia, var. ?) circled once near me, lit grace-
fully on the calm surface of the lake,
remained there for a few seconds during
which time I believe t^iey drank, and then
rose easily and flew away toward the city.

Never having seen or heard of such a
performance by pigeons, I was surprised
to the point of incredulity. Mr. C. W.
Nash was told of the incident and recol-
lected seeing pigeons light on Ashbridge's
Bay on one occasion. He believed at first
that they had lit on floating weeds, but he
decided later that the water was deep at
tjlie point in question.

Mr. R. L. Strothers reported to Mr. Nash
that he had shot at an unknown bird as
it rose from his trout-pond where it had
alighted to drink, and was much surprised
to find that he had killed a Carrier Pigeon,
one of the races of the domestic pigeon.

Harting' mentions that Wood Pigeons
{Columha palumhus) and domestic pigeons
have t^iis habit, and as he is one of the few
observers who mention it the item is worth
quoting.

"In very hot weather Wood
(as well as house pigeons) may
alighting occasionally on the s'u
water to drink, and after a few

flying off again (Field, June
July 3, 1875)."

So far as I am aware most wr
the Passenger Pigeon (Ecfopisies
torius) make no reference to this

Pigeons
be seen
rface of
seconds
26 and

iters on
migra-
species

1 Harting. Handbook of British Birds, p. 124.

May, 1921.]

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

99

drinkiiis: from the surface of the water.
\V. A. Linkletter^ writing in Rod and Clun
records some interesting notes which show
tliat t/ie Passenger Pigeon also drank from
the surface of the water.

Tlie apposite portion of his article is
({uoted below :

"I wish to mention several peculiar-
ities which I deem no other variety of
birds have. Having lived with them for
thirty years I had an opportunity to
learn things about them which few people
ever enjoyed. And of the numerous art-
icles which I have seen in print in re-
gard to them, none of the writers men-
tioned any of the peculiar capers which
the pigeons cut. Alt/iough they were
not water-fowl, if there was no other
way to get to the water they would
' light on the water with their wings half
spread and after drinking they would
clear the water at one flap of the wings. ' '
This observer notes an important point
— the wings were "half spread", doubt-
less to keep them dr}'. His evidence is
that this species also alighted on the sur-
face and did not drink while hovering over
it, for he says: "After drinking they
would clear the water with one flap of the

wings.

To sum up, the domestic pigeon (which
is descended from the Rock Dove of Eu-
rope) and the Wood Pigeon of Europe,
exhibit, and the Passenger Pigeon of Nortji
America esliibited, even if rarely, the ;iabit
of alighting upon water to drink.

Perhai)s observation will show that many
( ther species of the great Order Columbae
have similar habits.

The occurrence of this habit in the gen-
era Ectopistes and Colum'ba shows that it
is wide-spread. Have these different spe-
eies all acquired suc]i a curious habit inde-
nendentlv or has it an ancient foundation?
Habits may be more or less transient and
the habit of the pigeons under discussion
is too rare to warrant specific conclusions,
but it sliould not be forgotten that many
groups of birds which are considered as
related to the Pigeons are aquatic.

Pycraft'- shows the following grou])s
allied with the Pigeons in the Charadrii-

formes (Plover-like birds). The groups
nuiy be separated as follows : —

Terrestrial.
Turnix (European and Australian Quail),
Columbi (Pigeons), Pterocles (Sand
Grouse).

Aquatic.
T.hinocorys (Seed-Plovers), Glareoli (Cour-
sers), Chionis (Sheath-bills), Dromas
-(Crab-Plovers), Alcidae (Auks), Lari
(Gulls), Oedicnemidae (Stone-Curlews),
Charadrii (Plovers).

HoYEs Lloyd.

1 Rod and Gun in Canada, December. 1920,
]). 754.

-A History of Birds, Chap. Ill, p. 41.

Freshwater Crustacea from Canada.

Additional specimens of Gammarus lini-
naeus from British Columbia (see Vol.
XXXIV, p. 130), have been received from
:\Ir. and Mrs. T. L. Thacker, of Little
Mountain, Hope, B. C. They comprise
very young and half-grown individuals
from the following localities:

Little Mountain, Hope, B. C, March-
April, 1918.
Sucker Creek, Hope, B. C, July 30.

1921.
Nicomecal River, and two small creeks
running into it, about one-half mile
south of Langley Prairie Station,
B. C, August 5, 1921.

In the article referred to above, p. 128,
I stated that anot.her amphipod, Ponfopo-
rcia dffiim, /lad so far only been found
in the sea. Dr. Chaneey Juday, of the
University of Wisconsin, Madison,, tells
me in a letter tlu)t the species (identified
by Prof. G. 0. Sars of Christiania) is
common in Green Lake, Wisconsin, and
has been found also in certain lakes in New
York State. Equally interesting is its oc-
currence in the deeper parts of certain
large lakes in the Scandinavian countries
(Denmark, Norway, Sweden), and in Rus-
sia, where it is generally considered (see
e.g. Wesenberg-Lund, in Kgl. Danske Vi-
deuskah. Selsk. Skrift., 1902 and 1917)
a typical, glacial relict-form, in the same
way as the schizopod, Mysis relicta Loven,
also occurring there and in certain lakes
upon this continent (see II. L. Schmitt, in
Rep. Can. Arctic E.rped. 1913-18, V<;1.
VII, Part B, p. 3). Some recent autjiors
think it more probable that neither Pon-
toporeia af finis nor Mysis relicta are "rel-

100

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

[Vol. XXXV.

icts, " but have immigrated to the lakes
they now inhabit, at the end of the glacial
jieviod.

The records of Pontoporeia affinis from
•salt water include the north coast of Al-
aska (Canadian Bay), the Gulf of St.
Lawrence, the North Atlantic south to
France, besides the Kattegat, Baltic and
Kijra Seas (see Bep. Can. Arctic Exped.,
Vol. VII, Part B, p. IT)).

Frits Johansen.

Additional Species For The List of
Coldstream Birds.

(Continued from Vol. XXXIV, p. 53.)

195. Empidonax virescens. — Acadian Fly-
catcher.

Took a male on May 26, 1921, being
the first record for this country.

196. Hesperiphona vespertina, — Evening
Grosbeak.

On Jan. 5, 1919, a flock of nine ap-
peared here, some of which remained
until the end of the month. Also lo-
cated a flock of twenty -five which had
roosted in spruce trees on a farmer's
lawn for nearly two weeks. Several
birds were noticed working around
basswood seeds, but all stomachs ex-
amined contained only maple seeds.

197. BomhijciUa garrula, — Bohemian
Waxwing.

Secured two males here, Jan. 30, 1920.
R. T. Hedley records a flock of six-
teen on Feb. 3, a few miles south of
here, and a large flock two miles east
of Duncrief, the week before.

198. Dendroica vigorsi, — Pine "Warbler.
Took a male June 9, 1920.

199. Seiurus motacilla, — Louisiana Water
Thrush.

A male taken by W. R. Campbell, four
miles west of Coldstream, June 2,
1913.
200. Poithe^tes hudsonicus, — Hudsoiiiaii
■ Chickadee.

A male taken Oct. 31, 1919, and a fe-
male, Nov. 28. The only individuals
noted here. Their notes and actions
much slower than atrica-

were very
pillus.

A, A. Wood.

Starling at London.

On the morning of May 15th, 1921, sev-
eral members of our Bird Club motored to
Port Stanley to spend a few hours with
the birds. We found them very numerous
and in the sheltered nooks the air was full
of song. The principal item of interest
was t]ie finding of three Starlings along
the lake front. Our attention was called
by their harsh guttural notes; although
they flew away several times, they always
returned to the tall dead tree where we
first noticed them. This is the first record
for the Starling -for our vicinity.

We have another interesting visitor to
report in Henslow's Sparrow. It was first
noticed on May 4th and remained in the
same field for ten days. In fact it may
still be there, but we were unable to catch
its insignificant "song" on our last visit
or two to the field on account of the num-
ber of Bobolinks, Kingbirds and Goldfinches
that were flying about and filling the air
with a babel of song. This is the second
record for London (one having been .heard
last spring), and the bird has only been re-
ported from some three other places in
Ontario.

E. M. S. Dale, London, Ont.

"»«

LIBRARY

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATUR^LTS'f'

#

VOL. XXXV.

GARDENVALE, QUE., September 1921

No. G

OxN A NEW HELIOZOON FROM VANCOUVER ISLAND
By Chas. H. O'Donoghue, D.Sc, F.Z.S.,

Professor of Zoology, University of Manitoba.
(Fi'om the Biological Station, Nanaimo, B.C.)

On the 25th of May Mrs. Eclitli Berkeley
brought in some water, mnd and debris
from a small pond near the top of a hill-
above Hammond Bay Lagoon, about 420
feet above sea level. In this she noticed
a very large Heliozoon, which she kindly
handed to me for. examination.

The pond is quite small and shallow,
surrounded by a close gl'0^^i:h of alders,
and is apparently permanent. It contains
a plentiful supply of several species of
Algae (Spirogyra, etc.), numerous fly
larvae, beetles and larvae, Copepods, Cla-
docera, and Hydra vindis and a number
of flagellate forms.

The available literature has not yielded
a description of a similar form nor is there
anything like it in Wailes' excellent mono-
grapli number of this order (1) or Leidy's
account of the Freshwater Rhizopoda of
North America. As the present organism
is remarkable in several respects, it seems
worthy of putting on record.

The animal is of very large size and ap-
pears to the naked eye as a briglit green
sphere with a hyaline cover 2mm. in
diameter; indeed, it was so large that it
was at first thought that it miglit be a
colony. Closer examination showed that
this was not the case and that it was a
solitary form, so that it is probably the
largest Heliozoon known, the only one ap-
proaching it being Acirnosphaerinm
eichhornii, which may attain a diameter' of
1mm. It belongs to the sub-order Chalaro-
thoraca in which the largest member is
probably Raphidiophrys viridis, which

(1) The British Freshwater Rhizopoda and
Heliozoa, by J. Cash, G. H. Wailes and J. Hop-
kinson. Vol. V, Heliozoa, by G. H. Wailes, Lon-
don, Ray Society, 1921.

may reach 90 micra or the colony 190 micra
The present species is then approximately
22 times the diameter of the individual
or 10 times that of the colony.

The body is spherical and measures
1.486mm. in diameter; it is enclosed in a
mucilaginous envelope .540mm. thick. Be-
yond this again the stiff pseudopodia ex-
tend 1.892mm. so that the total diameter
of the whole organism is 3.918mm. The
pseudopodia are quite numerous, reg-
ularly arranged and project to an equal
distance on all sides. They appear quite
stiff and were not seen in active move-
ment. The mucous envelope was only
slightly granular and contained a few
tiny spherical algae and still fewer some-
what spindle-shaped ones. On the outside
of it were sparsely scattered tiny curved
spicules apparently siliceous and some-
what pointed at each end. The envelope
ran up a short distance on each pseudo-
podium.

pjg. 1._ RAPHIDIOPHRYS MAGNA, general
view. The darker area situated slightly excen-
tricaily represents the nucleus and endoplasm.
A. — A small portion of the symbiotic Algae
to show their characteristic dendritic arrange-
ment.

102 The Canadian Field-Naturalist. [Vol. XXXV.

The ectoplasm of the animal was quite tion for more than six weeks in the hope

granular as far as was observed, had no that it would divide, but unfortunately

contractile vacuole, and contained a large during an absence on a collecting trip in

number of green cells. The zoochlorel- the hot weather it apparently died, for it

lae, however, were not scattered about in- disappeared and nothing like it has been

discriminately, but were arranged in a seen since in the small glass aquarium

very characteristic dendritic manner and in which it Avas kept,
so filled the ectoplasm that the internal Using tlie classification by Wailes it

details could not be made out. The basal belongs to the sub-order Chalarothoraca,

stalk of each group started right deep i.e., Heliozoa having an external envelope

down and branched frequently as it passed composed of solid elements with or with-

outwards, thus producing a tree-like ef- out a matrix of plasma. It also fits in

feet with the short branches on the peri- most closely with his definition of the

phery. All the threads were of equal di- Genus Eapkidiop.hr!js, i.e., body enclosed

ameter and appeared to be composed of a in a mucilaginous envelope containing spi-

series of units placed end to end, each one cules (spindle, awl or disc-shaped), which

containing a large green chloroplast in normally extend outwards along the pseu-

the middle and having almost transparent dopodia ; nucleus and endoplasm placed

ends. The result was that the thread had eccentrically.
a banded appearance. Provisionally, pending an opportunity

The nucleus and presumably the endo- for more detailed study, it is proposed to
plasm w'as eccentrically situated and could place it in this genus with the name ^op-
only be seen by transmitted light. hidiophrys magna to indicate its large

The animal was kept under observa- size.

GLEANINGS FROM THE CANADIAN WEST.
PART II. MAMMALIAN FAUNA OF ISLAY, ALBERTA.

By J. Dewey Soper.

What seems to me an interesting and densis) as well. The second is the park-
essential consideration in respect to an like country which lies for the most part
animal study (aside of course from tax- quite distinct and selpara'ted from the
onomical and anatomical aspects), is the water courses, alternating its various-
proper conception or imagery of its sur- sized aspen (P. tremuloides) woods witli
roundings. So often the animal and its prairie-land. This is very picturesque
environment are surprisingly linked, again ground and particularly beautiful in au-
clearly dual, or as in some instances like tumn. In contiguity to lakes, it becomes
Blarina and Peromyscus, of remarkable practically an epitome of the last. The
adaptability. In short, if we would really last, the prairie, seems self-explainable,
know the animal we need the knowledge but wide differences obtain even here from
of its habitat and abode. To assist in this, place to place. The Islay prairie, in tlic
I have considered it proper to delineate first place, is not entirely bald like that
in a few words the floral circumstances of some localities ; neither is it on a dead
of the region around Islay. level, both of which conditions add no-
It permits of three settings, the wooded; thing to its attractiveness in my opinion,
semi-wooded ; and the prairie. The first The surface describes an easy undulation,
is the usual poplar forest of the west, oc- composed of greater and lesser swells and
curring in unbroken continuity only in occasional engaging elevations such as the
the river valleys and their vicinity. This Twin Hills to the west and the Blackfoot
refers solely to the region of whieli I Range, so called, to the south. Every-
write, for in some places this is not the where in this panorama are liberally
case. In the Vermilion and Saskatche- dotted aspen bluffs of manifold shapes
wan valleys vigorous specimens of the and sizes; clumps of wolf-willow scatter-
balsam poplar (P. halsamifera) also occu", ed in between; and in every considerable
and in places the white spruce (P. cana- depression, rings of red-willow^ that sur-

September, 11>21.]

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

103

round grassy lagoons that were one-time
sloiiglis. The first and last growths keep
to liigli and low land respectively, while
the wolf-willow seems to favor slopes and
steep places, never in soaked depressions,
but Avithal ranging indifferently. As a
whole, the Islay prairies assume most in-
terest, both from botanical and biological
vie^i^oints, in proportion to their depart-
ure from monotonous nudity.

In addition to the country surrounding
Islay, wherein the major number of my
zoological excursions were confined, that
is, in a four mile limit bounded l)y the
Twin Hills to the west and Island Lake
to the south, I had several opportunities
of visiting remoter ground, the most in-
teresting of which was to Laurier Lake
on September 1, on w'hich I Avish to re-
mark. It seems best, by w^ay of present-
ing the facts in its connection, to couch it
in narrative rather than in disjointed and
purely technical form, in which latter much
that gives tone to, and conception of, a
visited region is necessarily lost. As this
locality has never previously been investi-
gated by any naturalist so far as I know,
it seems more imperative to do a measure
of justice to it at once.

Laurier Lake lies forty miles to the
north of Islay, our proposed destination
for the trip. The Vermilion and Saskat-
cheAvan Rivers must be crossed at a dis-
tance of five and thirty miles respecti\'ely.
The car, our means of conveyance, AA-as
duly equipped tlie previous niglit for the
outing, and all made ready for Avhat AVe all
anticipated as a great day's sport; nor
AA'-ere we disappointed in the smallest i)art.
I should perhaps mention that the first
Avas the opening day of the sliooting sea-
son. The morning daAA''ned in the mo^t
dispiriting manner, rain seemed imminent,
but to experience the proper thrill Avith
the day. and ucav country ahead, it seemed
imperatiA-e to start Avith the daAATi. Our
judgment proA'ed excellent, for by mid-
forenoon the Avhole country Avas radiant
Avitli the matchless splendor of an Alberta
morning. NcA^er could skies be bluer or
air so ra: e. As Ave spun along, occasional
s, iar|)-tHilt'(l grouse sprang wildly from
the grassy trail with a staccato cue, cue,
cue, cue, cue, punctuating as tliey went
Iheir soaring and flapping flight. No-
thing surely is more typically AA^estern and
buovant than these big handsome liirds.

Just before descending into the Vermilion
valley Ave had a glimpse of a Franklin's
ground squirrel as it scampered into an
aspen bluff beside the trail, the only one
of the species I saAv in the Avest. As the
forenoon adA^anced the birds got AA^armed
into action, and hourly before dinner Avere
more in evidence. The near-by shrubbery
trembled and flashed occasionally AA'ith
passing Avarblers, and sparroAA^s languidly
tAvittered half-hearted snatches of song,
fall-like and disconsolate. And that sea-
son, the fall of the leaf had seemed ac-
tually to have arriA'cd, for the first feAV
mourners were even now rocking sloAvly
to earth. Tlie very air had a hue or qual-
ity of autumnal vigor and adventure.
Flickers Avatchfully explored the patches
of prairie ; robins in social flocks drove
swiftly by with a cheep, cheep. Swainson's
stately haAvk cleaved the sky in level
circles; and the delectable mountain blue-
bird, so tender and so elegant, chanced
often to cross our path.

About ten a.m. Ave neared a series of
shalloAv and grassy sloughs dotted Avith a
fcAv shoveller an(l i-uddy di'cks, and of
more than passing interest in the AA^heel-
ing and settling flocks of sandpipers that
sought its plasliy margins. Three species
Avere plainly present, AA'hich after some
studied "collecting"' proved to be the
lesser yellow, pectoral, and Baird's sand-
pipers. The latter Avas one of those choice
finds, counted so to me, Avhich comes ncAV
and unexpected. Until sending it to Ot-
taAva I had mistaken it for the Least
sandpiper, Avhich it closely resembles.

We were noAv in the vicinity of the
Ridge, a moraine-like elevation stretching
for miles on either hand, and locally of
interest because of the Indian graves which
are said to dot its sides. Aceordina' to ru-
mor, the Avarrior dead Avere buried there
after a retreat from the bloody massacre,
during the rebellion, AA'hich occurred near
the mouth of the Saskatchewan. As this
location is some tAA'enty miles from the
Ridge, the AA^ounded evidently needed some
help, especially the ones who forcA'er Avill
remain on the Ridge. I had no time to
verify the existence of the graves, but I
believe without doubt, remembering the
source of my information, that they are
there. The AAdiole country should be in-
teresting. anthropologicallA', for it seems

104

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

[Vol. XXXV.

a, vast burying ground for that departing
race ; here and there about tlie country-
relics are frequently found, and in two in-
stances in fact, I have knowledge of their
discovery. Both specimens I have in my
possession. The one is a stone-hammer,
three pounds in weight and in perfect
condition (with the exception of a single
chip out of one side), which I found near
the Twin Hills. The other is a round stone
ball, three inches in diameter and one
pound in weight, picked up in a locality
a few miles south of Islay where many
others similar in weight and identical in
appearance have been formerly found.

The panorama from the crest of the
Ridge is a memorable one. The majestic
prairies, alternating with aspen woods
and terminating in the distant blue hills
of the Saskatchewan, seem so peaceful and
primeval that only a rugged column of
buffalo is required to complete the circum-
ference of one's reflection. Nearing the
Saskatchewan, the woods become denser
and more continuous, until, entering the
valley system itself, the balsam poplars
thrive in vigorous groves ; the aspens
crowd thicker and thicker and attain to
grea'^er height, and a few birch silhouet-
ted here and there foreshadow the genuine
borean forests. A peculiarity of these
woods, and doubtless remarked by anyone
passing them, is the exhalation of a mildly
pungent and sour aroma that character-
izes them, particularly during the fall,
with the decadence of the leaves, and es-
pecially towards sun-down. It is neither
fragrant nor wholly disagreeable, but re-
markable for an illusive quality that in-
spires a really unmistakable tingle of ad-
venture. It is but one of the many odors
of the autumn woods, that make of a trip
there a thing of rare enjoyment.

Ferrying across the muddy Saskatche-
wan with its surrounding wilderness of
forested hills was not the least of the
day's attractions; nor was the ascent by
the winding wooded trail beyond. A pro-
per panoramic view of this valley long
lingers in the recollection. On a jutting
sand-bar at the bend of the river, deer
trails were in evidence ; and the bar was
said by the government ferryman here to
be a regular resort to which they came
from the woods to drink. Although it
was merely fortuitous, we noted no

rjffed grouse until nor h cf the river,
but now they frequently rose at our ap-
proach and bulleted through the woods.
More often, however, as is their usual cus-
torn in the west, they merely walked slowly
and pertly from view, Avhimsieally cluck-
ing and spreading ruff and tail.

All along the route the prairie rose still
bloomed, and occasional sequestered hol-
lows were blue with violets even at this
advanced date. Four species of fungi were
noted all along the way, being, or most
resembling, Fsaihijrella disseminata ; Le-
piota naucinoides; Caluatia canifonnis;
and Caluatia (jigantiea. It is of further
interest to note that neither the common
raspberry nor hazel bush was observed
until north of the river, becoming then of
common occurrence.

The lakes are a particularly interesting
locality. The conditions are so diversi-
fied that doubtless an equally divergent
series of small mammals could be taken
there consistent with it. My stay, unhap-
pily, was of short duration, or much of
the wistful speculation which I secretly
bo'e to the woods would liave become an
instructive reality. In theoiy one has all
the small mammals possible to the region,
each in its own peculiar situation, from
Evotomys gapperi in the mossy spruce
swamps, to Peromyscus boreal is on the as-
pen ridges, besides all the intermediates.
The jumping deer are residents here, for
numerous trails belonging to them were
observed on the sandy beach at Laurier
Lake. The latter is a fine body of water
of considerable size, and yields several
species of fish, some of which attain to
very respectable dimensions. Whitney
Lake, its sister, about a mile distant, is
neither so large nor becoming, but its
tortuous shore-line, with numerous se-
cluded bays hemmed in darkly by the
woods, creates aJ resort among the water-
fowl that is quite unknown to the other.
The day we were fhere, a single duck, a
horned grebe, and two herring gulls, so
far as I remember, were the only fowl we
saw on Laurier, while on Whitney some
coves were fairly black with them. Both
lakes are surrounded by heavy coniferous
woods, consisting of white spruce (Picea
canadensis), tamarack, {Larix caricena),
paper birch {Betida edha), balsam poplar
(Popidus halsaniife a), and the trembling

Septeml)ei\ 1921.]

The Canadian Field-Natukalist.

105

aspen {Populus tremuloides). The eoni-
fers range back only a comparatively
short distance from the lakes, forming an
encircling collar about them, then being
replaced entirely by the usual growth of
aspen. The soil in places is very sandy,
notably a streak between and to one side
of the lakes, on which subsist small ex-
amples of jack pine {Pinus hanksiana),
developing further along into quite ex-
tensive groves. The general effect of the
landscape reminds one of the stunted for-
ests in the region of Lake Superior, par-
ticularly in the Hudsonian zone. The an-
alogy is further heightened by deep
spongy ground-moss that covers the low
areas in places near the lakes, the logs and
trunks covered with dull lichens, and the
"old man's beard" that waves from the
sepulchral spruces.

Richardson Ground Sqhirrel.

Citcllus richardsonii (SaMne).

The Richardson ground squirrel by far
exceeds in number any other mammal of
the region, with one exception, and !hat
doubtful — microtiis drummondii. Col-
onies are nowhere extensive, due no doubt
to the proximity of its northern limit
(none were observed north of the Saskat-
chewan river) ; but individuals are scat-
tered everywhere in hundreds. The most
flourishing colonies are invariably found
on high rolling lands usually on the
slopes, and preferably in gravelly clay,
but burrows are evident in all but the
wettest locations. In places the com-
parative smoothness of the prairie is
broken by innumerable dark earth heaps,
throaty burrow entrances, and sunken
runs. These last are used regularly as
highways from one community to another,
and as a rule are traceable by the eye from
a distance, especially if viewed from a
slight elevation. Like life, as a maze of
endless continuity with its thousand cur-
rents crossing and counter-crossing and
crossing again, these little prairie trails
lead hither and thither, a perfect laby-
rinth, to both puzzle and entertain. In
long grass or grain this system becomes,
of course, much less evident, if not entirely
hidden.

My first day at Islay, August 27, was
principall.y taken up with this animal,
both because of its abundance and the im-

mediate access to its study. If approached
slowly, ground squirrels or gophers re-
main head and shoulders exposed until
your nearness sends them earthward at a
vital moment with a flick of the tail and a
husky whistle. A few are content to
court human company at short range,
feeding meanwhile within easy access of
their burrows, but others again disappear
at the first alarm. When sitting erect or
crouched at burrow-mouth, somewhat tim-
orous or moved by mildly-excited curios-
ity, a striking characteristic is the upward
flick of the tail in time to a husky chirp.
From this it has doubtless derived the
local appellation of flicker-tail. An in-
teresting experience when a whole colony
has been frightened underground is to
lie motionless on the prairie, and watch
them reappear one by one and resume
their several inclinations, which they
readily do in a few minutes. Apparently
already forgetful of their recent alarm,
the}^ exchange in low drowsy calls their
expression of content in the mellow sun-
shine of the morning.

During September, in certain localities,
hundreds of small drillings in the soil
indicate the ground squirrels' activity in
garnering a species of grass root or bulb.
They also collect, so I was informed, the
red berry of the Avild rose and a low shrub
blueberry resembling the huckleberry
which grows sparsely on the prairie. In
addition to these, they take a heavy an-
nual toll from the grain-fields.

At Islay the gophers' nearest mammal
neighbors are th€ two species of vole, the
long-tailed weasel, and the badger. Habit-
-ually the two last prey upon the three
first. On numerous occasions I have seen
groups of badger borings in ground squir-
rel colonies with the evident purpose of
feasting on those animals, but it is usually
hard to tell with what success the badger
meets. Some holes are shallow, while
others are several feet in depth ; the for-
mer I presume are merely prospect shafts.
As the badger digs anywhere in the wild-
est abandon, without reserve, art or dis-
crimination, it is often difficult and even
impossible to decide which are dens and
which prospects. Even after the snowfall
of Oct. 8, these prospect shafts continued
for a time as numerous and fresh as ever,

lOG

I'm: Canadian Field-Naturalist.

[Vol. XXXV.

and were particularly eonspicuoiis against
the white of the landscape.

After the show I followed weasel trails
frequently and found that they freely
went in and out of all gopher dens that
lay conveniently to their course. As a
diet the gopher is evidently highly re-
garded by this animal, but I found it im-
possible to ascertain when they explored
with success. It was incredible that there
could have been a gopher in each of the
burrows visited, for in the course of a
night's run they seemed almost innumer-
able. I never had' the patience to follow
to the end in all its intricacies the night's
trail of an ermine, although my wander-
ings in this regard have been really exten-
sive as a whole, and not without a like
measure of enlightenment and pleasure.

An old plainsman told me that once from
his horse, he watched a prairie weasel enter
a Richardson's ground squirrel colony
when tlie majority of the members were
under ground. He bounded easily but
furtively about from mound to hollow and
througli"^ herbage, lithe as a reptile, and
nosing the ground occcasionally like a
hound. Presently there caught his eye an
isolated and unlucky gopher liberally
separated from his burrow. The latter
was feeding with his back towards the
weasel, but at this moment, apprehending
danger by some subtlety, he clumsily wheel-
ed and made a few frightened jumps to-
wards his home. -The weasel met him
with the thirst of conquest, sever-
ing all hope of escape. In a flash
the gopher, realizing this, sank back
threateningly, chattering and screeching
hoarsely with terror; the next breath and
the two were mixed in combat. But, stran-
ge to relate, attracted by the confusion of
wails and weird vocal pirouettings from
the expiring gopher, relatives and neigh-
bors shot out everjnvhere from their bur-
rows, and poured in one averting or aveng-
ing mob about the ears of the aggressor.
Left alone with one gopher the weasel is un-
doubtedly happy, but this chippering,
champing, insane rabble was too much. He
. breasted the tide gallantly for a while, lost
heart, and remembered a pressing engage-
ment in another quarter; or were the
grapes sour anyway? A few gophers fol-
lowed him for a short distance by way of
impressing further the ignominy of defea",
then returned with declining ardor to dis-

perse gradually to their separate dens. My
informant remarked that the wliole was so
quickly enacted that he sat in the saddle
half bewildered, scarcely able to compre-
liend the fleeting bit of wild drama that
had passed before his eyes. Even the out-
raged gopher, he said, had so far recover-
ed, that when he rode down into the colony
it too limped its way along and dissappear-
ed, leaving the prairie still and deserted.

In regard to the hibernation of this go-
pher I was agreeably surprised. I had re-
ceived the impression in some manner that,
like the woodchucks of the east, they dis-
appeared in mid-September; instead," how-
ever, they braved the rigors of October and
even that of November. After the snow-
fall of October 7 they dug upwards through
the snow as numerous as ever, but the suc-
ceeding cold and snow put the majority
under by the middle of the month. On
October 29, near a wolf-willow clump on
the prairie, I noticed where an ambitious
individual had tunnelled along under a
few inches of snow for over twenty feet.
Tliis subterranean work was carried at in-
tervals so near the surface that detached
portions caved in, exposing the run below.
In other instances, by the dirt mixed with
the snow, the passage seemed driven di-
rectly in contact with the earth. For several
days in early November, though the mer-
cury was much below zero, an unusually
hardy animal, reluctant to assume the long
sleep, daily scampered to and fro be-
tween den holes in the snow separated by
several yards.

Franklin Ground Squirrel.

Citellus franklinii (Sabine).

The northern range-limit of this brush-
land cousin of Richardson's gopher, must
almost coincide with that of the latter
animal, from all information I could get;
but in point of abundance there is no com-
parison between the tAvo. Richardson's
squirrel is almost everywhere south of the
Saskatchewan, while Franklin's seems
highly restricted in its range, and at Islay
is nearly absent. I sighted one as it ran
into a bluff near tlie Vermilion river on
September 1, but never saw another, al-
though five days later on a beautiful after-
noon I hunted tliis and other promising
localities along the valley until nearly
night. Search for them in other localities
was likewise fruitless^ Information from

September, 1921.]

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

107

several sources indicated that it was more
likely to occur on the brushy west slopes
of Pleasaiit Valley tlian anywhere else, a
locality I was unable to visit. I had also
reports of its occurience in the region of
Raft Lake, where it visits the portable
graineries drawn up near the woods.

Striped Gopher.

Citellus tridecemlineatus tridecemlineatus
(Mitchell).

Rare at Islay. It seems strange that the
single individual responsible for this entry
should have made its home under the very
foot-path of the village. But there it was,
well satisfied apparently with the resound-
ing tread of feet above its head. Old in-
habitants recognized it as an animal oc-
curring at various points throughout the
region.

Little Chipmunk.

Eutamias quadrivittatus horealis (Allen).

Mr. Sydney Blair of Dewberr}-, a keen
and interested observer, states that the
little chipmunk ranges in the dry aspen
woods surrounding Raft Lake, often making
excursions to the fringes of the grain
fields which here meet the Avoods. I ex-
pected to find it in the Vermilion valley,
but, as in the case of the Franklin 's ground
squirrel, my most ardent exploration failed
to discover it. After an acijuaintance with
it at Edmonton I felt particularly desirous
of seeing it again, but that pleasure was
denied.

Hudson Bay Flying Squirrel.

Sciuropterus sahrinus sahiinus (Shaw).

Reported as occurring in the mixed and
denser portions of the spruce and poplar
woods at Raft Lake. Doubtless, may be
found also along the Saskatchewan and
perhaps Vermilion rivers, as frequently I
secured them under like conditions at Ed-
monton.

Hudson Bay Red Squirrel.

Collected on September 1st a single spec-
imen (male) in the spruce woods off the
■ east shore of Whitney Lake. The summer
pelage i^hows no sign of shedding. The un-
derparts are distinctly more creamy-buff
than any of my earliest October specimens
taken at Ridout, northern Ontario, 1918.
This specimen measures : Length, 310; Tail,
115; Foot, 48.5. Bulky nests of shredded

bark etc., belonging to this animal, were
fairly common in the conifers at Whitney.
The only sign I saw of it at Laurier Lake
was a fragment of mushroom wedged in
the branches of a large spruce.

Prairie Hare.
Lepus campesfris campestris (Bachman).
Formerly unknown, but gradually mi-
grating northwards. During my stay one
was flushed on a grain field a bare mile
south-west of the village, Avhich was af-
firmed by all with whom I talked voncern-
ing it as the first known event of the prai-
rie hare in the vicinity. It had never pre-
viously been seen nearer than sixteen miles
to the south, and that only a single indi-
vidual three years before. The northward
fringe of its range seemed indefinitely fix-
ed away to the south, of late years pushed
polewards by a few adventures on a line
Avith Wainright, until this fall a crusader
appeared far beyond the natural range,
perhaps the advance-guard of a general
future movement. The clearance of the
land is undoubtedly the incentive, much
like the invasion of southeir Ontario by
the prairie mouse (P. m. hairdii) of late
years.

Snowshoe Rabbit.

Lepus americanus americanus (Erxleben.)
Scarce this fall, but in the recurring cy-
cle of its septennial abundance scouring
the countr}- in thousands. Sometimes, ac-
cording to an informant, entire aspen
bluffs are 'barked' until they die. After
the snow fall of October 7, their widely
scattered trails were occasionally seen.

Canada Woodchuck.
Marmota monax canadensis (Erxleben).

Occurs olily very sparingly at Islay,
and perhaps so over the entire west. Any
individuals which I have seen were no-
ticeably smaller than the familiar wood-
chuck of the east. A specimen taken at
Edmonton in September 1912 was only
about two-thirds the size, reddish and griz-
zled however similar to the latter. This
may have been an adolescent.
Badger.
Taxidea taxus taxus (Schreber).
Very common : badger holes were in
evidence at intervals nearl}^ everywhere.
Most of these were doubtless prospect shafts
in search of gophers. Sometimes in colo-
nies of the latter a half dozen may be sunk

108

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

[Vol. XXXV.

in a single night in addition to much tra-
velling and digging in other places. They
are powerful and effective excavators and
what may be assumed as the work of se-
veral may be the work of one. [ shot one
near the Vermilion in early September.
Dusk Avas just creeping over the prairie,
when passing near a cut bank we caught
a glnnpse of something moving about, and
approaching saw one of these animals
slouch into a hole it had freshly dug there.
It soon reappeared, sniffing curiously,
with its nose high in the air, then_ suddenly
disappeared again. After a wait of five
minutes it boldly repeated its tactics in nu
attempt to solve the mystery of its visitors.

Canada Lynx.

Li/)i.r canadensis canadensis (Kerr).

Formerly common in the wooded Ver-
milion basin, and apparently a few still
breeding there, but now nearly trapped to
extinction. Last year an adult and two
young were killed three miles north of
islay.

Porcupine.

Errfhlzon dorsatuin dorsatum (Linnaeus).
At Islay the porcupine is encountered
only at very rare intervals. The nearest
woods of any particular density lie along
the Vermilion river four miles to the north.
While driving in this basin on July first
two years ago, my brother-in-law Mr. Wil-
liam East of Islay came upon one loitering
near the trail. This is the only one he
had seen there after many years residence.

Muskrat.

Ondatra zihethica spatulata (Osgood).

Perhaps a great factor in the general
depletion of this animal of late years has
been the gradual subsidence of scores of
sloughs and small lakes throughout the re-
gion, until now great numbers are either
totally dry or nearing that condition. An
area of hundreds of acres west of town,
once a lake ten feet in depth and the home
of hundreds of rats, is now as dry as the
rest of the open range, fed over by stock
and yielding alike good crops of natural
hay and Drummond's vole. A tract op-
posite the station which a few years ago
provided excellent duck shooting, is now
entirely dry. Scores of like incidents
could be cited. The lakes remaining are
of course gradually .sinking, and, as at Is-

land Lake, one time islands are slowly
rising to the dignity of peninsulas when
lying off shore. Richardson's ground
squirrel has already established himself on
these with alacrity. It is estimated that
between one and two thousand muskrats
inhabited the dried-up lake west of Islay
in pre-settlement days. This has an area
of approximately one and a half square
miles. Two trappers, operating between
Edmonton and Vermilion via the Vermi-
lion lakes in 1908, took for fall and spring
3,900 muskrat skins. From Manville to
Vermilion, 'on the Vermilion river, a dis-
tance of about fifty miles, one party in the
old days took 2,500 skins, and I under-
stand this was for the fall only.' Today
the majority of these places are nearly
destitute.

Prairie Skunk.

Mephitis hudsonica (Richardson).

This species is not at all common but is
generally known throughout the country.

Mink.

Mustela vison vison (Sehreber).
Very rare. Only one mink trail ol)-
served in thirteen years by an old resident
pioneer. This was on a mud bar of the
Vermilion.

Canadian Beaver.

Castor canadensis canadensis (Kuhl).

Almost exterminated. One family of
bank beaver known to exist still near the
confluence of the Vermilion and Saskat-
chewan rivers.

Prairie Wolf or Coyote.

Canis latrans (Say).
Much more plentiful formerly, but still
common. On November 23 five locally
caught skins were sold in the village.
Numerous animals were sighted during the
fall. Some time in October, after the
snow, one intrepid individual raced ahead
of our car down the trail, leaving it only ,
as we approached to within about twenty- I
five yards, then side-stepping just suffi-
cient to get screen behind some low wil-
lows that lined the ditch. As we dashed
by he stood there partly visible, wearing a
languid quizzical grin that was comical in
the extreme. After the snow fall of Oc-
tober 7, 8, to sight their trails was a daily
occurrence.

^Hptember, 1921.]

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

109

Long-Tailed Weasel.

Must el a longicauda longicauda

(Bonapar'e).

A very common species uii the prairie,
but their presence, unless by one pur-
posely seeking them, would pass unsuspect-
ed. A specimen taken on October 18 was
still brown dorsally, but shedding rapidly,
witli a thick fine coat of white replacing
it l)eneath. About November 3 half of the
specmiens collected had a scattered but
diminishing quantity of brown, while all
those after the sixth were pure white. A
wide-spread individual variation prevails
in completing the moult, although each and
all, it will be noted, exist under the same
local conditions. Occasional weasels had
completed the moult before November 1,
wliile others in a like environment a week
later still presented a thin brown shade
tlicii' entire dorsal length.

Following are the measurements of lon-
gicauda taken in the vicinity of Islay.
Sex Length Tail Vert. H. Foot

Male 430 140 50

Male 450 155 50

Male 445 155 50

Male 475 175 50

Female 390 140 45

Female 365 125 40

Female 370 130 42

Female 400 145 45

Female 375 .125 47

Female 380 130 46

Throughout periods of intense cold and
even winter storms the long-tailed weasel
.seems to pursue activities without abate-
ment. Many animals, thougli remaining
active tliroughout tlie winter, are clearly
more so during the lulls of fine weather.
Often have I observed the suspended act-
ivity of such as red squirrel and mink
during and* succeeding violent winter
storms. But the long-tail pays little heed
to these. On November 5, although snow
fell for the entire day before and part
of the succeeding night, the ermine was
found to have been around and about his
business as usual. They doubtless travel
on the coldest and stormiest nights of
winter, and, in the case of the long-tailed
species, over the bleakest aiid most ex-
]K scd 1-anges.

Their chosen field is the open p-airie
wliere they wander erratically from place
to place, visiting wolf-willow clumps, go-
pher holes, odd stones, aspen bluffs, and
anv other irregularities which appear in

their line of travel. Their life seems an
endless roving in .search of food, conducted
wi'hout design, lacking home and appa-
rent destination. This may be regarded
as a superficial impression. Having spent
many hours upon their trails in the snow
and cold, unravelling as it seemed a clue
to their very lives and destiny, I have dis-
covered tlie opposite to be the truth. Al-
though their wanderings seem the most er-
ratic and inconsistent imaginable, there is
yet beneath it a species of method. I have
never been able to connect po.sitively their
widely scattered trails with a fixed abode,
but I have learned that they habitually re-
turn again and again over the same route.
The male in particular is perhaps always
detached, leading an irregular and nomadic
existence. While this may be true, it is
seen that a relatively fixed locality is ad-
hered to for their liunting, and is withal,
considering theii- size, of very considerable
extent.

Drummond Vole.

Mic ofus drummoudii (Audubon and

Bachman).

Despite the drouth of last summer, which
doubtless had a negative effect on the pro-
creation of such moisture-loving animals
as this .species, it still remains, with one
exception, the most abundant mammal of
the region. It is found only in damp sit-
uations or the nearest to this condition.
Ranchers making hay in September on the
dry lake bottom west of the village re-
ported considerable numbers of this vole,
and I found their runways in the arching
grass of nearly all low moist places over
the prairie. Their mo.st fruitful habita-
tions are those cup-like depressions among
the hills which were once brimming
sloughs but now no moi.ster than the aver-
age lowland pasture. They look odd now,
with the precise elliptical willow borders
surrounding those hollow and grassy la-
goons. The vegetation in these places is
quite luxuriant, opulent with the fra-
grance of pennyroyal, and mysticall.y en-
tangled enough for any rodent recluse.
The ground, covered with herbage, is
b:cken into myriads of little hummocks,
among which the eccentric trails wind
and criss-cross about, some expunged in
the near distance and others winding in
baffling intricacy to finally disappear in
miniature caverns in the turf. Tlie ^ rails

110

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

[Vol. XXXV.

are neither so numerous nor well defined,
however, as those I have seen in the east
and north, where oftentimes the natural
meadows were perfect labyrinths of in-
terlacing trails, and vegetation and muck
were irreparably united in highways of
unusual foulness.

Measurements of drummondii collected
at I slay, Alberta.

Sex Length Tail H. Foot

Adult, Female .... 150 35 18

Adult, Male .... 140 35 17

Adol., Male 127 30 16

Juv., Male - 112 27 17

Juv., Male 95 20 16

Least Upland Vole.
Microtus minor (Merriam).

To me the discovery of this mouse was
of more than ordinary pleasure ; not me-
reh' because of its comparative rarity or
its ne-waiess to me, but also because of the
conditions it represented. It is not con-
fined to dank bottomlands like drummon-
dii but climbs to the racy pastures far
above. It loves the prairie crests and its
spicj^ winds, the flowing undulations of
fragrant herbage, and the rustle of the
wolf-willow. In the very expression 'up-
land ' one feels a subtle suggestiveness that
floats the mind instinctively to the lonely
north, the north with its glamour of
brooding plateaus, its silent and immut-
able tundras.

At Islay the upland vole casually occu-
pies the lusher k»wlands, not much in ele-
vation above drummondii, but always, so
far as I could learn, on ground never sub-
ject to inundation, which is distinct from
that of the latter. The local habitat of the
two, if not actually overlapping, certainly
is subject to a very fine delimitation. In
the matted grass of willow-grown but
elevated flats it is as likely to be found
as anywhere, although its presence is by
no means as certain as the other species.
When finally located its sparse trails will
be found leading languidly among the
willows, rose bushes, and herbage; tun-
neled through the latter rather than over;
fashioned round without a break for con-
siderable distances. On the slopes or in
creases of the prairie it lurks in grassy
tangles beneath wolf-willow and aspen, and
at times, as previously mentioned, turns to
the very crest of ridges that are gilded with
the first and last lights of dawn and sun-
set.

Unlike the vexing separation of many
members of this genus, the present voles
are palpably distinct ; with the two side by
side, colour difference alone suffices to
separate them. Drummondii, heavy set,
and of a reddish-grey colour, contrasts
clearly with the slighter build and
silvery-grey of minor. For a time, while
trapping, the occurrence of these two
colorations, which I distinguished from
the first, proved rather puzzling. Hav-
ing no literature along led me er-
roneously to imagine it a seasonal pliase
on the same species. In trapping, however,
I noticed that each 'phase' singularly
api^eared separate, which led me very
early to suspect the truth, as is
shown in this journal entry : Sep-
tember 26 — "A second specimen to-
night of the grey microtus, both from the
same trap. It would appear that this ani-
mal is perhaps a distinct variety from. the
reddish-grey vole. At any rate a cursory
examination of the few microtus taken
here suggests this ; ' ' and again for Septem-
ber 27, I find in part this note: ''Succeed-
ed in capturing another silvery-grey vole.
Reference was made to this animal on both
the 24th and 26th. This one of to-day as
well as the others were all taken in the
same trap and locality and only at a slight
elevation and distance from the lower
ground where I succeed in collecting only
the'brownish voles. ' '

Islay is close to the northern limit of its
range.

Measurements of Islay specimens of
microtus minor :
Sex Length Tail Foot

Male 110 IS 14

Male 115 IT 15

Female 115 .23 14

Female 108 IT 15

Female 116 22 15

Baird's Masked Shrew.

Sorex {iersonatus haydeni (Baird).

Only two of this diminutive and rather
obscure animal were collected at Islaj^.
Both were taken, in the same trap and in
tlie same damp lowland where most of my
drummond voles were captured. Tliey
appear to be rather uncommon. A plains-
man told me that in passing low places at
night he had frequently seen these shrews
darting across the trail under the glare of /iQ
the head-light on his car. The two speci^jSi
mens secured are noticeably smaller than /

M

September, 1921.]

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

Ill

any of this species I have previously taken
elsewliere. It was first thougrht that ihey
would prove to be Microsorex hoyi, but a
dental and cranial examination rendered
them referable to the above personatus
subspecies. Dr. R. M. Anderson of Otta-
wa kindly identified these for me, as he
tlid also all the other small mammals se-
cured on the trip. The Islay specimens
of haijde)ii measure: Length, 85-82; Tail,
24-22- Foot, 10.5-11 mm.

In addition, I have the following state-
ment from Mr. Henderson, Acting Chief
of Bureau, U. S. Biological Survey : —
"Your specimens have recently been crit-
ically examined by Dr. Jackson, and he con-
siders that they are referable to Sorex
personatus haydeni as you suspected, al-
tliough, as above intimated, your speci-
mens are from a point considerably west
of the previoush^ known range of this
form. He reports that they approach S.
personatus in relative narroAvness of the
rostra and in color."

Northern White-Footed Mouse.
Peromyscus manicxdaim horeaUs
(Mearns).
At Islay the deer mouse is either very
uncommon or exceedingly seclusive; I
favor the former view-point. In all my
rambles and exploring only a single spe-
cimen was either seen or taken, and that
only by merest accident. Usually a col-
lector secures his specimens by clear de-
sign and is rewarded in direct proportion
as he may assiduously practise it, but my
specimen came without that. I was walk-
ing near the Twin Hills on Septeml)er 11
and close to some old homestead buildings
Avhen, chancing to cross a portion of old
board on the ground which I kicked in
passing, an adult white-foot leaped away
and danced about looking for escape, but
that was rather reluctantly denied him.
Without this contingency I should have
been entirely unaware of the presence of
this species. It shows a very pronounced
darkish-brown dorsal band; buffy cheeks;
white pencilling on the ear rim, and pallid
plumbeous-grev underparts. Measure-
ments: Length, 140; Tail, 40; Foot, 18,
(Male).

Jumping Mouse.

S. Zapus hudsonicus.

WV Not common. A single individual ob-
^\served on tlie north-western outskirts of

the village. As so often occurs, it made
its escape ; at times it requires about three
men and a dog under the most favorable
circumstances to successully compete with
a jumper for its life.

The Big Game.

To a genuin-e nature-lover, one of the

most ominous tendencies of the day at

Islay is the gradual depletion of the big

Tlie game must go of course as a

game

natural conse(|uence of settlement, and
where it is going, Init not gone, it is still
but a prophecy of the future. The gra-
phic tales of eaiily days to which one
eagerly listens now, portraying their wild
and romantic abundance, perhaps on the
very spot you occupy, serves but to ac-
centuate their present absence, their ir-
revocalile and irreconcilable loss. The
comparative speed with which they some-
times disappear is also a significant item.
Previous to 1910 at Islay the moose and
mule deei' were tolerably common in all
the wooded river basins, but now both are
gone entirely from the vicinity and a bare
ten years has passed. While the moose
may still be fouiul in pretty fair numbers
a couvsiderable distance to the nortli, the
other is considered nearly extinct. The
blacktail deer, was formerly common, but
is now very rare. Elk in the old days, ac-
cording to information, came and went in
sizable bands, but they are a stranger
there now, and the nearest is a restricted
company to the west of Primrose Lake a
hundred miles to the north. The jumping
deer has fared much better. As mentioned
elsewhere, it is still found in the Saskat-
chewan valley, and all through the woods
northward to the lakes already referred
to. Occasional ones may yet survive in
the remoter nooks along the Vermilion
river, especially towards its confluence
with the Saskatchewan. AVhere other big
game either perish or retreat, the jumper
frequently loiters with impunity. It loves
to dabble about the skirts of civilization,
and even increases with a little encourage-
ment. At Edmonton, in 1912, I often saw
them or their fresh beds within three
miles of the city, and that with a popula-
tion of seventy thousand people. Instead
of retreating like the wary moose, they
linger on, secretively gazing on the strides
of industry, relishing the settlers' first
succulent crops, and then at last, succumb-
ing on the soil of their birth.

&^>

112

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

[Vol. XXXV.

A CONTRIBUTION TO THE ALGAE FLORA OF THE OKANAGAN

(BRITISH COLUMBIA).

By E. D. SiSMEY.

CLASS MYXOPHYCEAE.
Order I. Coccogoneae.

1. Dactylococcopsis montana W. & G. S.

West, in lake plankton.

2. Merisfuopodia elegans Braun, in ditch-

es, April.

3. Aphanocapsa spec, not determined.

Order II. Hormogoneae.
Family. Scytonemaceae.

4. Scytonema myochros (Dillwyn) Ag-

ardli, growing on rocks moistened
by water at Peachland, May.
Family. Nostoeaceae.

5. Nostoc depressum. Wood, Penticton

Creek flnme, May.

6. N. microscopicum, Carmicheal, from

squeezings of a water moss resem-
bling Sp^iagnum, June.

7. Nodulnria spiimigena var. genuina,

Bornet & Flaihault, in ponds Indian
Re.serve, May.

8. N. Harveyana (Thwaites) Thiiret, in

sloughs. Pen, May.

9. Avahaeiia inequalis (Kutz), Bornet &

Flahault, small pond Indian Re-
serve, June.
.10. A. flosaquae, Breh, free floating in
sloughs.
Family. Oscillatoriaceae.

11. Phormidium autuninale (Ag) Gora, on

wet rocks at Peachland, B. C, May.

12. Oscillatoria limosa, Ag. in small pond

Dog Lake.

13. 0. formosa, Bory, Penticton sloughs.

14. 0. geminata, Menegh, outlet of a sep-

tic tank.

15. O. (tyjuv dii, Gom, in pond Dog Lake

Avith 0. princeps.

16. 0. pri))ccps, Vaueh, free floating balls

in small pond Dog Lake. This huge
Alga is uncommon.

17. (). horyana, Bory, at the outlet of a

septic tank.

18. Spiridina major, Kutz, Penticton Creek

in ponds.

19. N. Hieueg1ii)iia)ia. Zeiiard, moss squeez-

ings.

Family Rivulariaceae.

20. Rividaria pisum, Ag, in water moss,

Dog Lake ; also on weeds. Ok Lake.

21. Calothrix parasitica (Chauvin), Thur-
et, growing on a floating log. Dog
Lake.

Peridinieae. — I have omitted this
group from this list not only because
I have no literature on the subject,
but because some authorities group
them among the Flagellates. What-
ever view is taken tjie Peridinieae
may be left out without spoiling the
general balance of the list. They are
naturally a subject for a special study.
The Peridinieae are of considerable
economic importance as they are large
storers of reserve food material, thus
forming a basic food supply for count-
less small organisms.

. Bacillarieae. — The Diatoms are
universally acknowledged to be a sub-
ject for a special study. As some
12,000 species (including fossils) have
now been described it is difficult to
attempt to enumerate species in a list
of this kind. At the same time, as
Diatoms usually form a considerable
proportion of the plankton gatherings
I include several genera wit;h some
specific identifications in my plank-
ton notes of Okanagan Lake. In this
respect the diatoms are of special in-
terest in establishing periodicity
curves, and also, en passont, a great
many points of biological interest may
be ol)served.

CLASS CHLOROPHYCEAE.

Division I. Isokontae.

Order I. Protococcai.es.

Family. Volvocaceae.

Sub-family. Chlamydompnadeae

22. Chlamynomonas spec, in slough plank-
ton. Identification of species a mat-
ter of great difficulty, there being
a difference of opinion among the best
authorities. The Genus Chlamydo-
monas occupies a position of great in-
terest among the green algae. It is
looked upon as the starting point in

September, 1921.]

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

113

the evolution of green Algae and per-
haps of all plant life.

Sub-family P^iacoteae.

23. Phacotas spec, not determined. The

same difficulties surround this genus
as above.

Sub-family Volvoveae.

24. Goniiim pectorale, Mull, in green scum
in vast numbers at bottom of slough,
:\[ay.

25. Pnndorina mormn. Mull, common m

sloughs.

26. Eudorina elegans, Ehrenb., common in

slough plankton.

27. Volvox aureas (L) Ehrenb. This alga
was to be found in vast numbers in
the slough plankton during the latter
part of IVIay.

Sub-order Tetrasporineae.

Family Palmellaceae.

Sub-family Tetrasporeae

28. Tetraspora luhrico (Roth) Ag, on
.stones at the outlet of a small spring,
Summerland, May.

Family Protococcaceae.

29. Trochiscia aspera (Reinsch) Hansg.,
common in plankton.

Family Autosporaeeae.
Sub-family Oocysteae

30. Ooctjstis soUfaruK Wittr., slough and
lake plankton.

31. 0. crassa, Wittr., as above.

32. Nephrocytium aghardlanum. Nag.,

from s(iueezings of a moss resembling
spliagninn.

33. Tetracoccus hotryoides. West, lake
plankton, April.

Sub-family, Selenastreae.

34. 'Scenedesmus hijugatus, (Turp) Kutz.,

lake and slough plankton.

35. S. qiiadricauda, (Turp.) Breb, as ab-
ove.

36. Ankisfrodesmus setigurus (Schrod)

West, slough plankton.

Order 2. Siphon ales.
Family. Vaucheriaceae.

38. V. geminata (Vauch) DC. Dog Lake
in ditches. Vaucheria grows in felty
masses like moss and may be recog-
nized from other algae with the naked
eye.

Order 3. Siphonocladiales.

Family Cladophoraceae.

Sub-family Cladophoreae.

89.
40.

41.
42.

43.
44.

45.

46.
46.
48.
49.

50.
51

52

.)o

54

55
56

( Indopho a c ispafa. Roth. Penticton
Creek, Sept.

Sub-family Rhizoclonieae.
Bhizoclonium hieroglypMcum, (Roth)
Kutz. sloughs, also Marron Lake.
Order 6. Ulotrichales.
Family Ulotric)iaeeae.
Ulothrix zonata, (Web & Mohr) Kutz.,
common, found in many stations at all
seasons.

U. suhtilis, Kutz., Okanagan Falls,
Apr., growing on stones under water,
where current was swiftest about 12-
15 miles per hour.

Family Microsporaceae.
Microspora tumidula, Hazen, Dog
Lake, entirely an American species.
M. stagnorum, (Kutz) Lagerh., com-
mon in pools more or less stagnant.
Family Chaetophoraeeae.
Sub-family Chaetophoreae.
Chaetophora pisiformis. (Roth) Ag.
growing on a floating board. Sloughs.
C. clegaiis (R;)tli) Ag. growing on a
dead stick, sloughs.
C. elegans (Roth) Ag. growing on a
zen. Dog Lake on a submerged log.
Draparmddia plumosa (Vaueh) Ag.,
free floating Ok Lake.
Draparnuldia glomerata, (Vauch) Ag,,
on dead tule (Scirpus spec.) Pen
slougiis.
Myxovema tenne (Ag) Kutz., Ok Lake.

Sub-family Microthamnieae.
Mi croih amnion Kutzingiannm, Nag.,
on dead tule (Scirpus spec.) sloughs.
Division II. Akontae.
Order 1. Conjugatae.
Family Zygnemaceae.
Sub-family Mesocarpeae.
Mougeotia spec. This genus is quite
common, sterile filaments only.

Sub-family Zygnemeae.
Zygiienid cricetorum (Kutz) Hansg.,
in drying pond by Okanagan River.
Sub-family Spirogyreae.
. Spirogyra tenuissima, (Hass) Kutz.,

ponds Penticton Creek, May.
. S. inflaia (Vaueh) Rabenh., as above.
. S. nitada (Dill) Link., ditches Pentic-
ton, April.

The family Zygnemaceae is perhaps
the most widely scattered and by far
the most noticeable of all the algae.

114

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

[Vol. XXXV.

Tliat bright green hair-like growth so
common in ditdhes and ponds is usual-
ly made up of one or more members
of t^is family. Time will enlarge this
group greatly in Okanagan. Specific
identification is possible only when
filaments are in a fruiting condition
and zygospores present, an occurrence
not of great frequency. As yet I have
had no success with artificial cultures.

Family Desmidiaceae. This family
is not represented in this list as the
writer has no literature on the subject.
The extreme difficulty in the study
of Desmids and the comparative scar-
city of good literature renders it a
subject for separate study. The Des-
mids are none the less of extreme beau-
ty and great interest, especially in
the apparent connection between the
richness of t}\e Desmid flora and the
older Geological formations. In fu-
ture, however, I shall be in a position
to assign the Desmids to their respec-
tive genera.

Division 3. Stephanokontae.
Order 1. Oedogoniales.

57. Oedogonium spec, sterile filaments

only have been collected. Specific
identification is impossible except
when in a fruiting condition, and even
then it is a matter of difficulty.

Division 4. Heterokontae.

Order 1. Heterococcales.

Family Chlorosaccaceae.

58. Stipifococcus urceolatus, West, epi-

phytic on Rhizoclomum hieroglyphs -
cum.

Family Botryococcaceae.

59. Boiryococcus Braunii, Kutz., very

common in plankton at all seasons.
Order 2. Heterotrichales.
Family Tribonemaceae.

60. Trihonema homhycinum (Agj Derb &

Sol, common in ditches,

61. T. bomhycinum forma minor (Wille)
West, as above.

Order 3. Heterosiphonales.
Family Botrydiaceae.

62. Botrydinm granulatum, Ehrenb. (L)

Grev., uncommon and very interest-
ing; found on the drying up mud of
a small lake. May. Growing on flumes
(at the junction of the boards, where
■slow leakage occurs) to a size much
larger than usually recorded.

CLASS PHAEOPHYOEAE.

Order Syngeneticae.
Family Chrysomonadlinaceae.

63. Synura uvella, Ehrenb., slough plank-
ton.

64. Uroglena volvox, Ehrenb., as above.

Family Dinobryaceae.

65. Di}\ol)ryo)\ cylindricum Imliof.. slough

plankton.

The system of classification used in
this list is that of Prof. G. S. West
in his work on Algae, Vol. 1, Cam-
bridge Botanical Handbooks, 1916. It
is, I think, t/ie most modern classifi-
cation and in harmony with the latest
biological experience.

The species enumerated in this list
are all positive identifications and are
for the most part the result of the
independent observations of Mr. F. L,
McKeever, F.R.M.S., and myself. A
great many of the collections were
made by us jointly, but the micro-
scopical investigations were carried
on separately in our own homes.
Doubtful species and errors are there-
fore absolutely eliminated.

The list is as yet woefully incom-
plete, but I hope in the course of a few
years to lengthen it to a great extent.

Septeiulit-r, 1921.]

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

115

AN EXAMPLE OF GRAVITY DEFORMATION IN A LIMESTONE SLAB.

By E. M. Kindle.

It is probably uot generally known that
cemeteries sometimes afford important
data concerning the modification of certain
physical characters of gravestones which
may take place with the lapse of time.
In the erection of monuments the condi-
tions for highly instructive experiments
have been sometimes unconsciously pre-
pared. It is the purpose of these notes
to record the results of one of these for-
tuitous experiments in which gravity has
produced deformation.

Numerous examples occur in nature of
the deformation of consolidated rocks pro-
duced by latei-al pressure and gravity
combined; but no recorded cases of de-
formation produced by gravity alone un-
der natural conditions have come under
the writer's notice. In the experiments
of Daubree \ Townsend -, Adams ^, and
others, the great changes in shape which
can be produced in hard rocks and metals
by pressure have been shown, but experi-
ments in which gravity alone is the active
factor -in defonnation have apparently
been neglected because of the lengtli of
time required. Experiments aiming to
produce rock deformation by the action of
gravity alone appear to have been under-
taken only in the case of ice. *.

Examples may occasionally be found in
cemeteries which give some definite in-
formation regarding the amount of flexing
which may result through the action of
gravity alone. Such cases are worthy of
record' because they afford data on a phase
of rock deformation which can hardly be
approached experimentally, because of the
time required.

(1) Etudes Synthetiques de Geologie Experi-
mentale, 1S79.

(2) Jour. Franklin Inst., Mar. 1878.

(3) Geo!. Soc. of Am. Bull., Vol. 12, pp. 455-
461.

(4) Von Engeln, O.D., Experimental Studies
and Observations on Ice Structure, Am. Jour,
of Sci., 4th. sen., Vol. 40, pp. 459-460, fig. 7.
R. S. Tarr and O. D. von Engeln, Experimen-
tal Studies of Ice with reference to Glacier
Structure and Motion, pp. 82-139, fig. 9, Zeit-
scfirift fur Gletscherkunde. Bd. Ix, 1915.

King ■', Ashley **, and the writer ^ have
described examples of permanent flexing
in marble slabs which have been supported
by tlie ends. Becker *, has noted in old
buildings such as the Alhambra "slabs
of rock very much bent by end pressures
acting for hundreds of years."

Previously recorded observations on de-
formation in cemetery monuments all re-
fer, with one exception, so far as the writ-
er is aware, to marble slabs. The excep-
tion, if it may be so termed, is described
by Winslow " as a white crystalline lime-
stone or marble.

It is purposed to call attention here to
the case of a limestone slab covering a
grave in a cemetery in Hull, P.Q. In
the example under consideration the stone
is an unaltered limestone of Trenton age
as indicated by the fossils which it con-
tains.

During the early history of the Ottawa
Valley slabs of Trenton limestone were
sometimes used for monuments in the local
cemeteries. In the Hull cemeteiy there
is a slab of Trentoji limestone over one
of the first graves made in this cemetery
which is supported on two upright stones
placed under the two ends, the middle
portion of the slab being subject to gravi-
tational pull without any support. This
has developed in the middle portion of the
slab a sag amounting to 11/4 inches. The
general appearance of this slab is shown
in the accompanying photograph (Fig. 1).
This slab has a length of 6 ft. 6 in., a widtjti
of 2 ft. 101/2 in. and a thickness of 33^ in.
The inscription* on the face of the stone
indicates, that it was placed in' position in
1844 or a little later. The deformation
which this slab of Trenton limestone has
suffered has been developed therefore dur-
ing a time interval of not more than 77
years.

(5) U. S. Geol. Exp., 40th. Par., Vol. I, p. 752.

(6) Proc. Cal. Acad. Sci., Vol. 3, 2nd. ser.,
1S90-92 (1893) pp. 319-324.

(7) Proc. Ind. Acad. Sci., 1894, pp. 49-50.

(8) Geol. Soc. of Am. Bull-, Vol. IV, 1893,
p. 53.

(9) Am. Jour. Sci., Vol. 43, 1892, pp. 133-
134.

116

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

[Vol. XXXV.

This slab, with its curved surface, may and 266 feet in length could in a period

be considered _ to represent an arc of a „f 75 ^.^^^,^ ^.. j^^^^ ^^ ^^^^^ -j^^^ ^ ^.-^.^l^

circle which, if completed, would have a .„,.', , , ^ j.-,

diameter of 85 feet. In other words, a '^ ^i^bjected to a stress no greater than its

slab of Trenton limestone Wi inches thick own weight.

w:

rn^ms^*^

►v^^f*^-^

!^>-'^'S&JTr^

^?ii5^.^;*;'.'^^^^-^S^SI^Si

THE TREATMENT OF SKIN IRRITATIONS DUE TO POISON IVY.

The excessive heat of last summer, caus-
ing profuse activities of the pores of the
skin, was to a measure responsible for the
large number of cutaneous inflammations
produced by poisou ivy. Persons who had
never before experienced the effects of
poison ivy succumbed to attacks this year,
and the usual feeling of security by per-
sons considering themselves "immune"
was largely lost. Observations for a period
cf years lead me to believe tha' no person
is permanently immune, unless he succeeds
ill' avoiding contact altogether. On the
contrary, people who heretofore were never
bothered by the effects of this plant,
and who claimed to be quite immune, be-
came violently affected when in a state of
profuse transpiration.

The name poison ivy is well known —
and scores of harmless plants are carefully
avoided by the camper or picnicker. It is
remarkable how few people do actually
know and recognize the plant. All ^ave
some idea, mainly the wrong one, until
they experience the effect on their own

skin of having come into actual contact.
Where there is rocky ground or pure sand
beaches bordering woods, where pines and
ash grow, there is it necessary to survey
the ground for this bane of outdoor life.
Remember the three leaves of poison ivy,
whicli distinguis^i it readily from the five-
leaved Virginia creeper which it resembles.
In fall the leaves turn golden brown to
bright red and are not infrequently gath-
ered for their glory by the unsuspecting.
Beware ! Beyond the beauty lurks the beast,
and skin inflammations are sure to follow
indiscretion. One would expect that people
would be familiar with the appearance of
sudh irritation, but only those actually
affected remember the symptoms; indeed,
often enough poison ivy ras^ is not recc^-
nized by the learned professions. Invar-
iably children are the victims. Picking
berries, roaming among the brambles, their
naked feet covered with harmless minute
scratches ; their energy excites their spores
to increased activity — and from a few
hours to a few days after, there appear the

September, 11)21.]

The

Canaeian Field Nat, kalist.

117

first symptoms of poison ivy injury, at
first merely a redness, irritable and itch-
ing, slightly raised above the normal skin,
bordering pricks and scratches — followed
by a few watery bli-sters, containing a
cloudy serous liquid ; finally intense irri-
tation, numerous blisters, and oozing in-
flamed patc;ies are the result. The ooze is
conveyed to other parts of the body ; eye-
lids, lips, neck, etc., become involved, and
the discomfort is great. Children will
scratch the blisters open, and in severe
cases there is loss of sleep and appetite.

The plant comes in for considerable blame
anyway, but superstition and incorrect or
inadequate observations liave given rise
to tales of: "once infected, the infection
lasts seven years ; it recurs every year I in
fact it is almost hopeless!" This assump-
tion is really nonsense. Yet one comes
across such comments often enough in text-
books which should really know better.
Poison ivy irritations are acute in t/ie first
place ; none of the many children and
grown-ups whom I have made it my busi-
ness to watch have ever shown recurrence
without re-infection. If skin troubles re-
cur, they we: e not originally due to poison
ivy. Yet there may be some truth appar-
ently in the assumption that actual contact
is not necessary. I doubt this, liowever,
from mere lack of positive evidence. No-
body, of course, ever comes knowingly in-
to contact with poison ivy. One such case
is known to me, where afterwards I found
a vase full of glorious fall-tinged poison
ivy in t^ie house — with two of the inmates
suffering from a persistent "heat rash",
with the usual poison ivy symptoms.

Not until one of my own children af-
forded me material for study and experi-
ment did I become interested in the treat-
ment of poison ivy. At first — as usual —
every possible thing was tried, even med-
ical opinions were sought. Pet remedies
which everybody seems to possess were
equally uselessly employed. Baking pow-
der, sour milk, sulphur soap, lead water,
lead acetate, boracic powder and lotion,
calamine lotion, potass, permanganate, fat-
ty and alcoholic substances, extracts of
Grindelia, the fresh juice of Impatiens,
were tried one after the other and results
noted. None of these substances is a cur-

ative; some eased the irritati( n for a mo-
ment, ot.aer.s caused profuse oozing. The
child was productive of wonderful patches
until iier shins were covered with one ooz-
ing, beady sore, 2 inches wdde and 8 inches
long. The usual precautions were taken.
The child was not allowed to swim in the
river, was cautioned and occasionally ef-
fectively prevented from scratching, but
the dose of ivy poisoning persisted until
the following treatment was resorted to.
The oozing sores were washed perfectly
clean with soap and Avater, followed by
dubbing wit/i 95 per cent alcohol — which
latter did no good — • but the sores were
then dried with a clean absorbent towel
and were painted over from one to three
times with a cotton wool plug dipped into
Tincture of Iodine — the usual B. P. tinc-
ture — although later on in cases of adults
tJhe Churchill tincture was often used.
This application caused profuse oozing, and
the ooze w^as absorbed by dusting with bor-
acic acid powder. The application of the
iodine tincture did not cause any pain
other than t/iat resulting from the actual
mechanical touch. The smaller sores were
treated just the same. After 24 hours most
of the iodine stains had disappeared. The
skin was again washed as before with soap
and water, dried, and a second application
was made, followed 6 hours later by a third.
Careful attention was paid to any possible
signs of iodine poisoning, such as redness
or burns, or any effects from absorption
of the drug, which is known to occur in
certain individuals, but no untoward com-
plication became noticeable, and the pat-
ches healed up, most of the minor ones
after one good application, i. e. allowing
the first to dry and painting again until
a good deep-yellow, yet still lio^ht brown
stain resulted. The sores on the shins had
healed up after a week — three applica-
tions of tincture of iodine sufficed. Dur-
ing all this time t}\e child was permitted
to go in bathing with the rest of the chil-
dren, without any ill effect to her or the
others. The preliminary treatments, as de-
scribed before the iodine was resorted to,
are not necessary, as further experiments
and observations proved. In not a single
case of poisoning with poison ivy did I
observe failure or ill effects, and a good

lis

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

[Vol. XXXV.

many liave been kept under observation
during the last three years.

In case t^ere should result any skin ir-
ritation from the application of Iodine, an
application of a starch poultice might be
resorted to. Should any person fear the
application of Iodine, it is suggested that
it be not resorted to until the treatment is
authorized by one's medical adviser.

In conclusion a word may be said about
the eradication of this undesirable plant.
Poison ivy will not be killed by a single
cutting, a.s new shoots or suckers are per-
sistently sent up from the root stocks. The
root stocks must be exhausted by destroy-
ing the foliage as fast as it appears, either
by' repeated mowing or by spraying with
a strong salt brine made at t]ie rate of 3

pounds of common salt per gallon of water.
If the weed is cut or sprayed in June and
the treatment repeated about three times
at intervals of 10 days or two weeks, the
root stocks will become exhausted and die.
Arsenate of soda (a violent poison), 1/4
pound per gallon of water, or crude oil
may be substituted for the salt spray.
Spraying does not affect the roots directly,
but is simply equivalent to cutting. How-
ever there is the advantage that one need
not come into actual contact with the plant.
Spraying with one pound of caustic soda
dissolved in two gallons of water has been
found very effective.

H. T. Gussow,
Experimental Farm, Ottawa.

NOTES ON THE NORTHWEST COAST HERON IN STANLEY PARK,

VANCOUVER, B.C.

Having on numerous occasions seen
herons flying over the City of Vancouver
I had unsuccessfully endeavored to dis-
cover their nesting site, and was much
pleased to hear, on June 9th last, that a
number of herons were nesting in Stanley
Park. Without delay and in company
with two friends I visited the Park, and
not far from Brockton Point found the
heronry. It was situated in a very heav-
ily timbered corner and the main nesting
site was in a large spruce tree, tlhis tree
being about 250 ft. in height. We count-
ed thirty-seven nests in this single tree,
and about fifteen young birds were in
view, either sitting up in the nests or
perched on the branches of the tree. The
young, Avhich appeared to be half or three-
quarters grown, kept up an incessant
squawking, which increased fourfold
whenever a parent bird appeared with
food. The branches of this spruce tree,
except for their tips, were devoid of
foliage, and tree trunk, branches and nests
were of a greyish-white colour from the
birds' droppings. Much of the vegeta-
tion close to the ground under the tree
was dead and everywhere the ground was
littered with pieces of egg shells, filth,
etc. I secured a number of egg shells,
some of which were in excellent condition.
Tavo nests and five voung dead birds were

found on the ground beneath tilie tree ;
two of these were about half grown, two
about three weeks old, and the fifth about
one week or ten days old. All five birds
were more or less decomposed. These
nests with the young had, no doubt, been
blown down by a recent heavy wind and
rain storm. One nest was complete and
unbroken, and proved to be a bulky affair
and of solid construction, the outer part
being constructed of coarse branches about
half an inch in diameter, while the inside
was well made with fine twigs securely
plastered togetflier with refuse and excreta
from the young birds. From the size,
the nest must have been in use several
years, each year having had a little added
to it. It was between three and four feet
in diameter outside, while the bowl meas-
ured eleven inches wide by five inches
deep ; the whole nest was of a greyish-
white colour as if it had been whitewashed.
Under the tree three lampreys were found,
having, no doubt, been dropped by the
birds when feeding; two of these fisji
r^asured 7I/2 inches and one 9^/2 inches,
two were minus heads and the other lack-
ed its tail. Several photographs were
taken by one of my companions, Mr. Ab-
bott, and in these the young birds can
easily be distinguished.

About two hours were spent watching

September, 1921.]

-The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

119

these herons and during ttiat period about
twelve adult birds visited the tree wi' h food

for the young". After feeding tlieiii they
would sometimes rest for five or ten
minutes before leaving again for their fisli-
ing grounds. Many of the young, which
I estimated to number from sixty to eighty,
constantly stood upriglit and exercised
their wings back and forth. Two other
nesting trees were close by and on these
also young birds Avere noticed.

On June 13th the heronry was again
visited and another nest was found on
the ground. It contained three half-
groA\ai birds, all so badly fly-blown that
I w^as unable to preserve them. One bird
was weighed and scaled three pounds. Its
iris was pale lemon-yellow; lower mand-
ible yellow with upper edge dark horn
colour; upper mandible, dark; upper part
of tarsus sulphurous yellow with green isli
cast, the balance of tarsus and toes dull
bluish-grey; claws very dark. The l)ill
measured at culmen 3.00 in., at gap 4.56
in., tarsus 4.50 in.
I Several more photographs were taken.
'rHhirty-six nests could be seen distinctly,
/and these, with the three found on tlie
ground, made a total of thirty-nine nests
in this particular tree. On June 9th five

dead birds were found, and on the 13th
another small one was located behind a
log; it had lieen dead for a long time and
was, no doubt, out of one of the two first
nests found. About thirty-five young
birds were in view on the 13th and careful
scrutiny failed to reveal more than three
birds in any one nest, the majority being
two to each nest, while a few held but a
single young lurd. A fair estimate would
place the number of adult breeding birds
at from fifty to sixty. The parent birds
who liunt for food along the shores (^f
Burrard Inlet, Kitsilano, Point Grey and
Sea and Lulu Islands only feed the young
at long intervals.

A bald eagle was seen to approach the
nests, when suddenly many of the old
birds appeared from every direction and
(piickly drove away the unwelcome visitor.

At the time of writing, July 23rd, many
of the young birds are flying, but return
every night to the nesting tree. Tliese
herons fly at all hours of the night, and I
very frequently hear them croaking to
one another between the hours of ten and
twelve at night, as they fly far overhead
towards the Park.

Tlu^ Stanley Park Heronry has during
the past few weeks become one of the
points of interest in t>he Park, and hun-
dreds of residents of this city as well as
visitors now stop to have a look at the
curious bird colony, none of the members
of which appear to be in the least disturb-
ed, however many people gather about to
watch them.

K. Racey, 3262 First Ave. W.,

Vancouver.

BlPtl) CENSUS FROM LONDON, ONT.

By E. M. S. Dale,
President, Mcllwraith Ornithological Club.
For some years our Club has sent in
reports to ihe "Bird /Lore" Christmas
census. The number of species observed
has increased from seven in 1910 untd now
a limit seems to have been reached of some
nineteen or twenty. This probably does
not indicate more birds here during recent
years, but rather growing efficiency on the
"part of a larger company of observers,
combined with inc: eased knowledge of the
localities most favored by the birds in
winter. It may be interesting to readers
of the Canadian Field Naturalist to com-
pare these lists which are annexed hereto
in tabulated form.

i2d

The Canadian Field-Naturalist.

[Vol. XXXV.

1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916

Horned Grebe

Herring Gull

American Merganser .. . 15

Lesser Scaup

American Goldeneye . .

Ruffed Grouse

Marsh Hawk

Cooper's Hawk

Red-Shouldered Hawk .

Sparrow Hawk

Long-eared Owl

Screech Owl

Great Horned Owl

Kingfisher

Hairy Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker . . .

Bluejay

Crow 57

Redwinged Blackbird . .

Pine Grosbeak 3

Purple Finch

American Crossbill

Redpoll

Goldfinch

Pine Siskin

Snowbird

Tree Sparrow

Junco 3

Song Sparrow

Cardinal

Northern Shrike

Brown Creeper 1

Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted "
Blk. -capped Chickadee . 6

Brown-capped "
Golden-crowned Kinglet 10
Robin

22

1917

1

3

20

10
2

1918 1919 1920

2

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

2 1

2

1
3

2

1

3

10 6

7

8

8

2

1 .

1

3

3 10

3

10

8

3

1

1

19

10

2500

312 1500

30

22

11

1 15 15 50

3

45

55

1

100

1

1
65

20

5

2

30

2

22

18

3

15

27

3

10

20

15

2

28

15

20

72

3

2

1

1

3

5

7

1

1

3

4

1

1

1

1

5

1

2

7

4

5

7

2

1

1

1

1

3

5

6

4

10

4

10

7

3

9

6

28

5

25

78

42

39

87
1

26

1

2
2

4

7

2

10

12

2
1

15

27

7sp. 8sp. 12sp. 13sp. 14sp. 13sp. 19sp. 21 sp. 18sp. 18sp. 18sp.
TOTAL INDIVIDUALS 95 22 31 90 105 2561 656 1703 134 323 207

NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS.

Unusual Migration Records In The
Vicinity of Montreal — March 1921.

No doubt the mild weather during the
past winter, and the abundance of frnit
and seeds (especiall.y coniferous seeds)
limited the movements of a great many
Northern birds. Throughout South-East-
ern Canada and the North-Eastern States, at
least in urban districts, the dearth of birds
appears to have been general. Of the

customary winter birds the following were
seen in the vicinity of Montreal in very
small numbers: Snowy Owl (2) ; Saw- whet
Owl (2) ; Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers;
Snow Bunting; White-winged Crossbill;
Pine Siskin; Goldfinch; Redpoll; Cedar
Waxwing ; White-breasted Nuthatcli ; Red-
breasted Nuthatch; Blaek-capped Chicka-
dee.

The unusual occurrences were : Herring

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST • >

VOL. XXXV.

GARDENVALE, QUE., October-December, 1921.

No. 7.

A PRELIMINARY SURVEY OF THE BIOTA OF A SAND SPIT IN
LAKE WINNIPEG.

By Chas. H. O'Donoghue, D.Sc, F.Z.S.

Professor of Zoologj^, University of Manitoba.

Early in July, 1918, I was enabled to
make a short stay of eight days on Berens
Island, Lake Winnipeor, through the court-
esy of the Riverton Fish Company of Ri-
verton, Man. I was aeeompanied by J.
Nelson Gowanloek, B.A., Fellow in Zoo-
logy in the University of Manitoba, and
we both desire to express our thanks to the
company for a round trip of some 500 miles
from Hnausa, taking in Berens Island, and
also to the men at the fishing camp at
Swampy Harbour for many favours.

The main object of the trip was to be-
come acquainted with the general life con-
ditions in the great tree belt of the "Can-
adian zone" which occupies such a large
part of the Province of Manitoba. To
this end a camping site was chosen on
Berens Island which is situated well with-
in that region and, save for a small corner,
has not been interfered with by settle-
ment. Further, the journey there and
back allowed of short visits to a number
of typical and practically undisturbed
spots.

Adams (1) points out that for satisfact-
ory ecological study only "repeated and
prolonged visits, careful observations, and
descriptions of the place and animals will
enable one to acquire the desired famili-
arity." This was obviously impossible in
a short stay, but the whole area was so
full of interest that it seemed highly desir-
able to call attention to its possibilities,
and, further, it was hoped that opportu-
nities would occur later to revisit the spot
or perhaps induce other people to do so
and continue the work in a more satis-
factory manner. This hope has not been
realised, and the present paper makes no
pretence at completeness but is intended to
serve as an introductory survey.

The following notes relate particularly
to a sketch of the life conditions on a sand

spit of Berens Island. Similar spits oc-
cur at other places on the lake, but, so
far as I know, none combine so fully two
important considerations, namely accessi-
bility and, at the same time, almost com-
plete freedom from human interference.
In Shelford's terms it is a "primeval or
primary community" (7). Press of work
has prevented their publication at an ear-
lier date. It is hoped, however, that they
will be of some interest and serve to call
attention, inter alia, to the fact that prac-
tically no ecological studies have been
carried out on the islands and shores of
freshwater lakes in Northern Canada
where the conditions differ greatly from
those farther south.

Berens Island is one of the two large
islands in the northern part of Lake Win-
nipeg and lies approximately in latitude
52 deg. 15 min. N. and longitude 97 deg. 15
min. W. Its greatest length is eight miles
and its greatest Avidth four. The north-west
sandy shore stretches in a very shallow cur-
ve for about seven and a half miles and faces
the north-west corner of the lake which is
over 120 miles away. The remaining part
of the coast is more indented and rocky
and has a large rounded projection on the
south corner. As is well known the east-
ern and western shores of Lake Winnipeg
differ markedly in character owing to the
nature of the formation on which they lie.
The former is composed of the Laurentian
rocks, and the latter of Cambro-Silurian
and a certain amount of alluvial drift. Al-
though the island lies nearer the eastern
than the western shore, it is nevertheless
inside the limits of the Cambro-Silurian
but must lie very near the junction be-
tween the two. The island is well within
the limits of the Canadian zone and its
characteristic trees are the Spruce, Picea
mariana, and the Tamarack, Larix larioina,

122

The Canadian Field-Naturalist

[Vol. XXXV

with one or two clumps of Silver Bireli,
Betula alba var. papyrifera, and groups of
Populus halsamifera. It includes, at any
rate, one large grass swamp and much
muskeg, and is similar to most other is-
lands in the lake. The climate is typical
of that of the surrounding region, dry,
much of the precipitation taking the form
of snow in the fairly long winter. The
lake all around is frozen for 5 months or
so and the temperature may drop to
— 40 deg. F. or sometimes lower.

The southern portion of the north-west
coast for 2 — 2i/^ miles is formed by a
large spit of hind continuing the general
line of the coast and only separated from

a well-wooded island known as Burton or
Little Black Island by a narrow channel
30-40 yards wide. This main spit, there-
fore, includes between it and the south end
of the island a large wide open bay. The
spit is composed mainly of sand which on
its western side takes the form of dunes
rising fairly rapidly from the water but
sloping more gradually on the eastern side.
Near the main island the dunes are 15 to
20 feet high but the last part of the spit is
almost flat. From the east side of the
main spit two smaller spits are given off.
The one nearer to the island runs first
almost east then north-east and finally al-
most north back towards the island and

Pig. i._ Rough sketch map of Berens Island. D, Dune area; G. S., large grass
and reed swamp; M. muskeg; S. the spit on which the camp was pitched
and fhe collections made; S. H. Swampy Harbour.

Oct.-Dec. 1921.]

The Canadian Field-Naturaijst

123

so encloses a sheet of water 150 — 200
yards wide and 200-300 long. The on«
farther from the island runs almost due
east for nearly 500 yards and gives off at
its extremity another smaller spit about
170 yards long pointing to the north. This
second spit, therefore, encloses a still lar
ger bay which includes the former spit.
and this bay and its eastern end come over
to within about i/4 mile of the southern ex-
tremity of the island. In this way there is
formed a very good harbour known to the
fishermen as Swampy Harbour and for
this reason the whole island is sometime.'^
erroneously referred to as Swampy Island

The main ridge and its side spits form
an environmental complex that is in many
ways similar to that on the shores of Lake
Michigan in the vicinity of Waukegan, and
its biota (total life content both animal
and plant) must be on the whole fairly
similar save for the effects of its more
northern position and the somewhat dif-
ferent forest associations with which it is'
sur: ounded.

The observations were made on this se-
cond spit which has the form of an L and
may be treated as a small ecological unit.
Its long stem coming off from the main
spit runs east by a trifle south, and is about
500 vards long bv 100 vards wide. On
each side it slopes off very gradually
under the water, on the north to the inner
bay and on the south to the outer bay. It
has three crests running along it, the high-
est of which is about 7i/2 feet high and lies
near the .southern side. The short stem of
the L is about 170 vards long bv 23 vards
wide and runs north by a trifle east. On
the west side of this the water (of the inner
bay) is very shallow, but on the east side
it is deeper, particularly at the heel of the
L, so that the fisheries steamer "Lady of
the Lake" i^ able to run alongside a veiy
short pier. At this point are the cleaning
shed, the store house, bunk house and cook
house used in both summer and winter
fisheries by about a dozen men. The short
stem of the L is used for work on the nets
and boats, etc., and is sandy without any
vporptation. Our own camp was pitched
dDout half way along the spit. It is quite
obvious that the spit is much younger than
the main ridge from which it springs, for
while the latter has several groups of fair-
sized poplars, Popidus halsamifera, the
former has only much smaller ones, and

the largest of these occur at the place where
it comes off the main stem. It therefore
represents a comparatively recently form-
ed spit of sand and fine shingle that is
being established and overgrown by ve-
getation.

The m(\st st iking feature is the manner
in whicli the plants are arranged in rows
parallel with *he axis of the spit, each row
characterised l)y the presence of a part-
icular species or grouj) of species. On
standing at either end and looking along
the .spit this cannot fail to be remarked,
for it almo.st looks as if it we:e arranged
and was commented on by two of the fish-
ermen quite independently. About eleven
of these zones can fairly readil.y be dis-
tinguished and may be named according
to the prominent vegetation characterising
them. Thus, starting on the south, we
have : —

A 23 feet shore sand zone
B 21 " zone of soft sand
C 25 " artemisia zone
D 29 " vetch zone
E 28 " golden-rod zone
P 25 " rose zone
(j 31 " astralagus zone
H 21 " second vetch zone
•J 45 " willow and poplar zone
K 13 " grass zone
L 40 " shore .sand zone

To which may be added
M the water zone on the inner side.

The grasses extend through nearly all
the zones, but in K they are very close and
are the only noticeable plants; they form
the main part of the vegetation of zone J.
The two shore zones are partly covered
when the water is liigh, and were probably
submerged in 1916 and 1917 when the
whole lake level was sliirhtly higher than
:n 1918.

""he following table gives an idea of the
zonation. It provides a list of the plants
found and the zones in which they were
distributed. To convey some idea of the
amount of vegetation present, letters have
been employed. They are by no means ac-
curate, but time was too short to allow of
taking unit counts. Thus "extremely
common" means that the area was well
covered with the species and n. c. means
that examples only occurred here and there,
often as stragglers from the next zone.
■'Rare" is meant to indicate that only a
few specimens occurred on the whole length

124

The Canadian Field-Naturalist

[Vol. XXXV

PLANTS

ZONES

FAMILY

SPECIES

C D

E F G H J

K L M

Equisetaceae

Equisetum arvense L

r

nc r r ec r

Najadaceae

Potomogeton interior Rydb. . .
" richer dsonii "

vc
nc

Gramineae Alopecurus pratensis L

Calamagrostis canadensis

[Michx. Beauv. nc nc nc

Deschampsia caespitosa " c c c

Hordeum jubatum L nc r

Poa triflora Gilib nc r

Cyperaceae Car ex aquatilis Wahlenb

" behbii Olney nc c nc

" viridula Michx

Eleocharis acicularis L

" palustris L

Lemnacese Lemna trisulca L

Juncaceae Juncus baliicus Willd. var.

[littoralis

Salicacese Populus balsamifera L nc nc

Salix Candida Flugge

" discolor Muhl nc nc

" longifolia Muhl nc nc

" lucida Muhl nc nc

" peltita Anders nc

Urticacese Ulmus americana L

Polygonacese Polygonum aviculare L

" Persicaria L

Chenopodiacese Cheno podium album L ,,,,

Caryophyllacese Stellaria longipes Goldie r .

Ranunculacese Anemone canadensis

Ranunculus flammula L. var

[reptans Mey..

' macounii Brit

Rosacese Fragaria vesca li nc nc

Potentilla Anserina L nc

" rivalis Nutt. var.
[pentandra Wats.
Rosa blanda Ait r nc ec

ec

nc ec

r ec

c

nc

r ec vc

c ec nc

ec r

nc nc nc

nc nc nc

nc nc nc
nc

r(l)

nc vc
nc

nc

nc

nc

nc
nc

vc nc

c r
nc

nc

Oct.-Dec. 1921.]

The Canadian Field-Naturalist

125

PLANTS

ZONES

FAMILY

SPECIES C

D

E F G

H J

K L M

Rubus idaeus L. var. strigosus

Max.

r nc

Leguminosae,

Ausiralagus aboriginorum Rich, r

Lathyrus maritimus L r

Vicia aniericana Muhl.

r

nc

vc

nc nc ec
c c nc

nc r

nc

vc

\nacardiace8e

Rhus glabra L

r(4)

Onagracese

Oenothera biennis L. .

" sp

nc r
r

nc
nc

r

Haloragidaceae

Myriophyllmn spicatum L

nc

Umbelliferse

Sium cicutxfolium Schr

c nc

c

r

Cornacese

Cornus stolonifera Michx

r(l)

r(l) r(l)

r(l)

Labiate

Mentha arvensis L. var. cana-
densis Bri. . . .

nc

Compositse

Achillea millefolium L nc

Artemisia caudata Michx nc nc nc c c

Solidago canadensis L nc ec c

" sp nc c nc

nc

nc nc

ec extremely common,
mon. r raie.

vc verv common.

common.

nc not coro-

of the zone. It will be obvious, of course,
that the term "ver}^ common" has quite a
different vahie in numbers of plants to a
unit area when applied to say roses and
grass.

The plants were kindly identified for me
by Mr. C. W. Lowe of Winnipeg.

The foregoing list is typical of the flora
of sandy areas in the region of Lake Win-
nipeg with perhaps the possible exception
of Astralagus aboriginorum. This does not
appear to be common in the province and
is listed by Rydberg (6) as a mountainous
or sub-mountainous species and is not
stated to occur in the province by Gray
(2).

While it is true that on the whole the
zonation is striking in its regularity, there
are two noteworthy exceptions. Firstly,
at the east end in the neighborhood of the
camp which has been used both in sum-
mer and winter for some years, the zones
are mixed. There are one or two old camp

sites and frequently dog teams are tether-
ed at this point. Apart from this, how-
ever, there is a large clump of willows ex-
tending across several zones and these give
shelter to plants — Anemone canadensis,
Achillea millefolium, Rubus idaeus var.
strigosus and Fragaria vesca — not at all
common elsewhere.

Secondly, at the end where the spit joins
the main ridge there is a transverse ridge
of limestone pebbles which are overgrown
with lichens, including Cladonia pyxidata,
and are obviously older than the remain-
ing part of the ridge. Among the peb-
bles, remains of a few Ammonites (*) were
found but they were too worn and broken
to be identified. This partly juts into the
daughter spit, noticeably at zone H, and
partly also at G and K, and the west end
of these zones include part of the zonation
of the main ridge. The plants here, Popu-

* These appear to be Maclurea and perhaps
M. Manitobaensis.

126

The Canadian Field-Naturalist

Vol. XXXV

men are camping there they have one or
more dog teams about.

Family Sciuridae.
No actual specimen was taken or seen
but near the camp were tracks which I
think belonged to :—

Sciurus hudsonicus Erxleben.
Citellus franlilini Sabine.

Famil.y Muridae.
Peromyscus moniciilatus arcticus,
Mearns, the arctic deer mouse. Two spe-
cimens were taken at the camp.

One of the fishermen reported having
seen a ground squirrel — presumably Ci-
tellus franklini — and the mouse was not
uncommon.

On the main island tracks of the lynx,
.Lijnx canadensis, and the fox, Vulpes ful-
va, were encountered, but not on the spit,
and one evening a timber wolf, Canis Occi-
dent alis, was seen on the island opposite
the spit.

Class Aves.

Somewhat fuller notes are provided in
the case of the birds since Mr. J. N. Gowan-
lock was particularly interested in them.
I liere wish to express my thanks to him
for his assistance in this matter. The
numbers are those of the Catalofjue of
Canadian Birds. (5)

Order Longipennes.
Family Jjaridae.

(51.) Larus argentatus Pontoppidan,
Herring Gull. A common visitant fishing
along the shores of the spit. Groups some-
times alighted to sun themselves along the
southern side.

(54.) Larus delairarensis Ord. Ring-
billed Gull. Associated with but in lesser
numbers than the preceding.

(64.) Sterna caspia Pallas, Caspian
Tern. The nearest breeding-place of these
birds was on Pelican Island and on only
two or three occasions were individuals
(in one instance a dozen or more) observed
passing over the spit in company with the
two following species.

(69.) Sterna forsteri Nuttall. Forster's
Tern. Constantly in search of fish, these
birds occurred along the waters bordering
the sandspit.

(70.) Sterna hirundo Linnaeus. Com-
mon Tern. Like the last, this bird fished
regularly along the shores of the sandspit,

Iks halsamife. o, Eqmsetum arvense and
some g! asses, seem to be invading the
daughter spit.

The whole spit is exposed and the plants
not so advanced as in more sheltered parts.
Thus while roses. Rosa hlanda, were in
flower on Big Island on July 5th, the first
one to come out on the spit was on July
10th. Again, ripe strawberries were com-
mon on Big Island on the same day but
did not ripen plentifully on the spit until
July 12th. It is, of course, not protected
by trees and so exposed to the winds; this
was a decided advantage, foi- the camp
was practically free from the mosquitoes
which are such a pest on the main part of
the island.

One of the most striking features in the
distribution of the plants is that on each
side we have zones that are well covered
witji plants, i.e. D, E and F on the south
and J and K on the north, while G and H
between them are very sparse indeed. If
we rule out the invasion at the west end
and the poplar dumps at the east they are
almost bare. B in particular is sandy and
has all along it a line of drift showing that
within the last few years it was the shore
of the inner bay. Drift is also found on
the inner side of H.

ANIMAL LIFE.

As might be expected the animal life on
such an area is not extensive, but a num-
ber of different forms were taken.

While an attempt was made to identify
the specimens and a number were actually
identified, I soon realised that in the ab-
sence of ready access to a large library
and well stocked museum, the task could
not be satisfactorily accomplished. I there-
fore threw myself on the generosit.y of my
fellow-scientists who, without exception,
gave me their assistance. In each case I
have cited the authorities responsible for
the determination of the species. The
United States National Museum, Washing-
ton, through the kind offices of Dr. Al-
drich were good enough to identify many
of the insects, and the name of the part-
icular expert, followed by LT. S. Nat. Mus.,
is associated with the forms they deter-
mined.

Class Mammalia.

Mammals were rare on the point, per-
haps owing to the fact that whenever the

Oct.-Dec. 1921.]

The Canadian Field-Naturai.lst

127

especially over the shallower waters of
the inner bay.

Order Steganopodes.
Family Phalacrocoracidae.

(119.) Phalacrocorax a u; it us auritus
Ijesson. Double-crested Cormorant. Xoted
once, flying over the sandspit, three indi
viduals in company with ducks.

Family Pelecanidae.

(125.) Pelecanus enjthrorhynchos Gme
lin. White Pelican. From one to eighl
or more of these birds fished partically
every morning and evening in the inner
ba}^ and on one occasion one was en-
countered on the spit itself three-quarter?
of the way to the fish-station.

Order Anseres.

Family Anatidae.

(132). Anas platyrhynchos Linnaeus
Mallard.

(139.) Nettion carolinense Gmelin
Green-winged Teal.

(140.) Querquedula discors Linnaeus
Blue-winged Teal.

Tliese three species we^ e frequently
noted passing in flight over the spit, es-
pecially at evening.

(149.) Marila af finis, Eyton, Lesser
Scaup Duck. A few seen in the evenings a
short distance from shore.

Order Paludicolae.

Family Rallidae.

(214.) Porzana Carolina Linnaeus. Sora
Rail. The characteristic notes of this rail
were heard at the ma: shy portion of the
spit toward Plover Point".

Order Limicolae.
Family Scolopacidae.

(239.) Pisohia maculaia Vieillot. Pect-
oral Sandpiper. Noted several times feed-
ing along the beaches of the spit.

(254.) Totanus melanoleucus Gmelin
Greater Yellow-legs. Noted on the spit.

(256.) H el od ramus solitarius soliiarius
Wilson. Noted quite regularly along the
inner shore of the sandspit, especially in
the evening.

(263.) Actitis macularia Linnaeus. Spot-
ted Sandpiper. Noted several times on the
beaches of the spit.

Family Charadriidae.

(273.) Oxyechus vocife us Linnaeus.
Killdeer. Noted feeding along the beaches
of the spit.

(277.) Aegialiiis meloda Ord. Piping
Plover. Noted one morning along the
outer beach. Nested at Plover Point,
where parents and young were collected.

Order Raptores.

Family Buteonidae.

(331.) Circus hudsonius Linn^aeus.
Marsh Hawk. Observed passing over point
several times and on one occasion it was
noted quaitering near the camp in search
of prey.

Order Coccyges.
Family Alcedinidae.

(390.) Ceryle alcyon Linnaeus. Belted
Kingfisher. This conspicuous bird was a
rather infrecptent fisher along the inner
shoreline of the sandspit.

Order Macrochires.

Family Caprimulgidae.

(420.) CJwrdeiles virginianus subsp.
Gmelin. Nighthawk. This species was a
regular visitor on the spit near camp at
evening, a half a dozen o:- more being noted
or heard at one time.

Order Passeres.
Family Coracidae.

(488). Corvus hrachyrhipiclws b achy-
rhynchos Brehm. Crow. Flocks composed
of as many as a hundred individuals reg-
ularly visited the beaches of the sandspit
in search of dead fish. Single individuals
could be observed in the vicinity at almost
any hour of the day but the large flocks
usually came at evening and morning.

Family Icteridae.

(495). Molothrus ater Boddaert. Cow-
bird. Noted as a visitant about the camp.

(497). Xanthocephalus xanfhocephalus
Bonaparte. Yellow-headed Blackbird. This
species was noted several times around
camp, usually together with one or both of
tlie following blackbirds.

(498.) Agelaius phoeniceus subsp. Lin^
naeus. Noted as a visitant on the sandspit.

(511b). Quiscalus quiscula aeneus Ridg-
svay. Bronzed Grackle. A common species

128

The Canadian Field-Naturalist

[Vol. xxxy

on the spit, it probably bred somewhat
south of the camp earlier in the season.

Family Fringillidae.

(542). Passei cuius sandwichensis subsp.,
Gmelin. Savannah Sparrow. This species
was the commonest sparrow on the spit
where it appeared to be nesting in the scat-
tered shrubs some distance from camp on
the inner shore. At any rate four pairs
were actually found nesting on the spit.

(560). SpizeUa passerina Bechstein.
Chipping Sparrow. A resident, but not
numerous, along the inner face of the
sandspit.

(567). Jimco hyenialis Linnaeus. Slate-
coloured Junco. Juncoes were several
times noted as visitants to the spit, prob-
ably coming from their breeding places
across the inner bay.

(581). Melospiza melodia subsp. Wilson.
Song Sparrow. The Song Sparrow was a
resident in fair numbers along the sand-
spit.

(584). Melospiza georgiana Latham.
Swamp Sparrow. Noted several times on
the spit.

Family Bombycillidae.

(619). BomhyciUa cedrorum Vieillot.
Cedar Waxwing. Flocks of from five to
twenty Waxwings \ery frequently' visited
the spit. The species did not appear to
have begun nesting at this time.

Family Vireonidae.

(624). Vireosylva olicacea Linnaeus.
Red-eyed Vireo. Widely distributed
throughout the whole Lake Winnipeg re-
gion, the Red-eyed Vireo frequently visit-
ed the spit. It nested commonly across the
bay.

Family Mniotiltidae.

(652). Dendroica aestiva aestiva Gme-
lin. Yellow Warbler. Resident on the spit ;
the Yellow Warbler was, however, much
less numerous here than on the inner por-
tion of Plover Point.

(657). Dendroica magnolia Wilson. Ma-
gnolia AVarbler. Noted as an infrequent
visitant on the spit.

(660.) Dendroica castanea Wilson. Bay-
breasted Warbler. Noted once in shrubs
on the spit.

(662). Dendroica fusca Miiller. Black-
burnian Warbler. This species which bred

commonly on other parts of the island was
several times observed on the sandpoint.

(675a). Seiunis novehoracensis notahi-
lis Ridgway. Grinnell's Water Thrush. Ob-
served frequently feeding singly along the
inner shore line.

(687.) Setophaga ruticilla Linnaeus.
Redstart. A common nesting species across
the island, the Redstart was noted several
times as a visitant on the sandspit.
Family Sittidae.

(727.) Sitta carolinensis subsp. Latham.
White-breasted Nuthatch. Observed once
or twice on the spit.

Family Paridae.

(735). Penthestes atricapiUus septen-
trionalis Harris. Long-tailed Chickadee.
A common breeding species in woods across
the bay, the Chickadee not infrequently
visited the sandspit in its characteristic
wanderings.

Other interesting birds were encounter-
ed during the trip, some of which have
been reported previously (4).

CLASS REPTILIA.

No reptile was actually found on the spit
but a larger specimen (about 32 in. long)
of the Garter Snake was taken on the main
island opposite the end of the spit. So
far as I know this is the most northerly
point in the province from which this spe-
cies has been recorded. I should judge
that it is by no means common, for, on
the news of its capture reaching an Indian
camp at the end of the island, the In-
dians came over and solemnly requested
to be shown the snake which some appa-
rently then saw for the first time.
Family Colubridae.
Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis Say.

CLASS AMPHIBIA.

The amphibia were not found as a rule
on the spit which was dry, but lived in
the damp grass marsh of the main ridge.
Often in the evening they would come out
on the shore of the spit and the following
were taken there.

Famil}' Bufonidae.

Bufo hemiophrys Cope. Quite common.
Family Hylidae

Pseudacris septentrionalis Boulenger.
Rare, 1 specimen.

Oct.-Dec. 1921.]

The Canadian Field-Naturalist

129

Family Ranidae.
Baxa pipiens Sehreiber. Not common.

CLASS INSECTA

Insects, while abundant on the island,
were not very common on the spit. Un-
fortunately, time did not allow the taking
of satisfactory notes, and also in several
instances the preservation was so bad as
to prohibit the accurate determination of
the species. Some interesting forms were
encountered.

Order Odonata
Dragon flies were plentiful on the is-
land but the only species taken on the
spit was Nehalennki irene Hagen (B.P.
Currie, U.S. Nat. Mus.)

Order Neuroptera

The following were taken on the spit
but their faulty preservation did not allow
of an accurate identification.

Limnephilidae. 2 species; Phryganea, 1
species; Ephemeiidae. 1 .species (immat-
ure) (A. N. Candel, U. S. Nat. Mus.)

Order Orthoptera

A number of grasshoppers were taken
but all of them were in an immature con-
dition and all belonged to the genus Mela-
noplus. They were kindly identified for
me by Mr. Norman Criddle of Treesbank,
Manitoba, as follows : —

Melanoplus atlantis, M. dawsoni and M.
femur rubrum or angustipennis.

Order Hemiptera

The following were taken :

Capsus ater, adult and young ; Nabis sp.
nymph ; several specimens of family Corix-
idae not identified. (W. L. McAtee, Bio-
logical Survey, U. S. Nat. Mus.)

Order Lepidoptera.

Family Nymphalidae, Brenthis aphirape
va.r. dawsoni; Phyciodes tharos Drury; Ba-
silarchia dissipus Godart ; Basilarchia ar-
themis Drury var. lamina Fab,

Family Papilionidae, Papal'O machaon
(L) var. aliaska Scudder.

Familv Sphingidae, Smerinthus cerisyi
Kby.

Family Noctuidae, Aerontjta {Apatela)
dactyliva Grote ; Hadena allecto.

Familv Notodontidae, Phaeosia rimosa
Pask.

Familv Geometridae, Rheumaptera has-
tata L.

In additicn the larvae of Malasosoma
fragilis Stretch and a number of uniden-
tified Noctuids were collected. The stems
of a number of the Goldenrods were pa-
rasitised b}' Onorioschema gallaesolidogi-
nis Riley.

Order Diptera.

The Diptera were kindly identified for
me by Dr. J. M. Aldrich' of the United
States National Museum as follows : —

Tabanus af finis, Kirby ; Tabanus sep-
tentn'ionalis, Loew ; l\aematopota unieri-
cana, 0. S. ; Chrysops carbonaria, Walker;
(lirysops lupus, Whitney; Sphaerophoria
soipta, L. ; Phormia regina, Mg. ; Phor-
mia ierrae-novae, R. D.; Cynomyia cadave-
lina, R. D. ; Hylemyia tricho-daetyla,
Rond; Anihomyia radicum, L.; Lispa sp. ;
Spathiophora fascipss. Beck; Sciomyza
simplex, Fall; Camptoprosopella vulgaris,
Fitch; Dicraeus incongruns, Aid.; Anaros-
toma marginatd, Loew; Fu-cellia maritima,
Ilalliday; and a new genus and species of
the family Sapromyzidae. The Tipulidae
and Chironomidae were not well enough
preserved for identification.

Dr. Aldrich has called attention to
several interesting forms in the foregoing
list.

The fly Ilydrophorus agalma Wheeler is
of considerable interest ; it has only been
recorded so far from Battle Creek, Mich.,
the type locality, and from Ridgeway, Ont.
It belongs to a very abundant family the
Dolichopodidae, whose larval stages have
up to the present almost wholly escaped
observation. In North America so far the
larval stage of only one species, Thryp-
tiens muhlenbergiae Johannsen, is known
and this is a stem-miner in plants very dif-
ferent from the present species.

The specimens were taken in water only
a few inches deep on the north sid'e of the
spit where it joined the main ridge. The
bottom here is a mixture mainly composed
of sand with a little mud, and owing to its
sheltered position is practically undisturb-
ed. Unfortunately, owing to lack of time,
no satisfactory observations were made on
the life history of this form. The larvae
build for themselves cocoons of the sand
about 8 mm. long and in these also they
pupate so that the cocoons collected con-
tained both larvae and pupae. How or

130

The Canadian Field-Naturalist

[Vol. XXXV

when the flies escape from the cocoons
was not ascertained, but from the posi-
tion they were in it is clear that a slight
fall in the level of the lake such as fol-
lows a change in tlie wind or comes nat-
urall}' in the hot summer weather would
leave the cocoons on the dry sand and
probably the flies would escape at such a
time. This -habit of forming sand cocoons
is apparently unique, for there is no re-
cord in Europe of the early stages of this
genus (nor indeed of any other genus
forming sand cocoons), and the species
would doubtless repay further study.

Spathiophora fascipes Beck, is a Euro-
pean species that has been recorded in
North America only from one locality on
the shores of Lake Erie and two on Lake
Michigan.

Amorostoma nuvginata Loew, is a form
that is very difficult to see. It lives on
the bare sand of the dunes of the main
ridge and the sandy shore line of the spit.
An allied species A. maculata lives in a
similar habitat at Pacific Grove, Califor-
nia.

Fucellia ma itima Halliday is also of
considerable interest since it is normally a
sea shore form breeding in decaying sea-
weeds. It is abundant on the eastern
coast of the United States as far south as
Cape Hatteras and on the West coast of
Europe. While it has been found occa-
sionally inland in Europe, it has only been
reported by Malloch from Waukegan, 111.,
on Lake Michigan, and the Ignited States
National Museum until now had no speci-
mens from any inland water. It is to be
noted that the sand beaches of this area are
very similar to the spit on which the spe-
cies was taken.

Four specimens of a Sapromyzid fly
were taken, which Dr. Aldrich informs me
belong to a new genus and new species that
he hopes he will be able to describe shortly.

Order Coleoptera.

The Coleoptera were kindly identified
for me by Mr. J. B. Wallis, of Winnipeg,
as follows : —

Family Cicindelidae, Cicindela duode-
cimguttata Dej. var. hucolica, Casey; Ci-
cindela hirticolis Say; Family Cambidae,
Bemhidion ca inula Cho. ; Family Omo-
phronidae, Omophion icrsalatum Say;
Family Dytiscidae, Ilyhius angusiior Gyll ;
Family Gyrinidae, Gyrinus maculiventris

Lee; Family Silphidae, Silpha tritubercu-
lata Kby ; Family Staphylinidae. Creophi-
lus maxillosHS var. villosus Grav ; Family
Histeridae, 8op inns fratenius Say; Fa-
mily Phalaeridae, Olih. us semiatriatus (?)
Lee; Family Coccinellidae, Voccinella pei-
plexa Muls (?) trifasciata L; Coccinella
transversoguttata Fald ; Family Scaraba-
eidae, Phyllophaga anxia Lee (dubia
Smith); Family Chrysomelidae, Callig.a-
pJia multipunctata Saj' ; Galerucella nym-
phaeae L; Tre hahda netidicollis Lee
(larva of this or closelv related species —
A. 0. Boviry, U. S. Nat. Mus.) ; Family
Cureulionidae, Hylobius confiisus Kby.

The tiger beetles C. hisUcollis were seen
occasionally on the beach in the bright sun
but proved difficult to catch. On July
12th, 18th and 14th they were more plenti-
ful and many pairs were copulating. When
disturbed they do not separate but fly to-
gether, the male, as far as could be seen,
carrying the female. This made the flight
slower and the insects more easy to cap-
ture. They were not seen so plentifully
although July IGth was apparently an ideal
day. The species is not at all common in
tlie province and local in its distribution.

The beetles C. rmUtipunctata were ex-
tremely common on tlie willow bushes and
all stages from eggs to perfect forms were
obtained on July 10th. Certain small
bushes they entirely stripped of leaves and
their choice of species was marked. They
attacked mainly Salix lucida and S. dis-
color, less frequently 8. lovgifolia, and
never S. peltita or S. Candida. In one case,
even when piactically all the leaves of a
small S. lucida were eaten, they did not at-
tempt to ea"^ those of an S. Candida the
twigs of which were actually mixed with
and touching their food plant.

The species Creophilus villosus was
found entirely in the shed where the fish
were cleaned and packed and was (juite
common there.

Phyllophaga anxia was not taken at
first, but during the evening of July 8'h
large numbers of them were flying about
and probably a hundred or two dropped
into the camp fi: e. The next day they
were found on the spit, but uot at all
plentifully. On the evening of the 10th
they were again flying in large nuinl^ers
and fell into the fire. It would appeal- as
if they were in course of migration, for
only a very few were found after that date.

Oct.-De^\ 1921.]

The Canadian Field-NaT('kaijst

131

~ It will be noticed that in quite a num-
ber of cas.es the foregoing list of beetles,
small though it is, extends the recorded
range of most of the species as given l)y
Leng (/J).

Order Hymexoptera.

The f<dloAving were taken but mostly not
well enougli preserved for accurate identi-
fication.

Larva of a saw-fly Tenthredinidae (E.
A. Schwarz, V. S. Nat. Mus.)

Camponoius herculeanus L (W. M.
Maun, U. 8. Nat. Mus.)

Nemaius erichsoni Htgj Bomb us sp.;
Megachile sp. ; Adrena sp. ; Sphex fragilis
Sm. J Sphex uruaria Dahle; Chelonus sp.;
Pteronidea sp. (S. A. Rohwer, U. S. Nat.
Mus.); Zaleptopijgus incompletus Prov. ;
Adiastola sp. (11. A. Cushman, U. S. Nat.
Mus.).

CLASS ARACHNIDA.

Diciyna volupis Keys; Clubiona riparia
Koch; Tetragnaiha lahoriosa Hentz; Meta
menardi Latr. ; Epeira trivittata Keys.
■'C. R. Shoemaker, U. S. Nat. Mus.)

MOLLUSCA.

Zone L slopes up gradually from the
water and the slope is continued in K, but
it reaches its apex there and drops slightly
before passing over into zone J. In this
small inner slope of zone K, particularly
at the west end, are groups of the shells of
molluscs probabh' deposited there a year
or so before when the lake level was higher.
From these the following have been kindly
identified by Dr. F. C. Baker of Illinois.
Order Pulmonata.

Family Lymnaeidae, Lymnaea stagna-
lis appressa Say ; Galha ohrussa decampi
Say; Gdlha catascopium Say; Family Pla-
norbidae, Planorhis hinneyi Tyron; Pla-
norbis parvus Say ; Family Physidae, Phy-
sa sp. ; Family Valvatidae, Valvata since-
ra Say; Valvata lewisii helicordea, Dall;
Valvata tricarinata Say.

Order Eulamellibranchiata.

Family Sphaeridae, Sphaerium fahale
Prime.

Some of these were also taken alive but
all obviously occur in the water round the
spit.

SUMMARY.

Little remains to be added in the way of
a summary since the work itself constitutes

a record of the plants and animals obtain-
ed. These include at any rate 48 plants
belonging to 21 families and 127 animals
widely scattered in different classes, be-
sides a number of others not identified ;
this number, taking into account the small
area and the limited time, gives an idea of
the possibilities of the district. It repre-
sents one stage in the seasonal changes of
the spit, since all the actual collecting was
done within a dav or so and naturallv, as
the facies of the habitat changes in the
passage of the year, the animals will also
change not only in their I'elations to one
another and to the plants and to the stage
of their life history but also in the actual
s})ecies present. Some species will remain
throughout, others will disappear and yet
others will be represented that were not
found at the time.^ Most of the species are
probably to be regarded as stable compo-
nents of the life complex of the spit, but
certain forms, such for example as the
beetle Polyphylla anxia, appear as if they
were simply migrants. No doubt more
prolonged study would have revealed fur-
ther species at the time and would cer-
tainly have added considerably to the life
history of the forms obtained. This in-
teresting spit would well repay more de-
tailed study.

LITERATURE CITED.

1. Adams, C. C. — Guide to the Study of

Animal Ecology, New York, 1913.

2. Gi'aj', A. — New Manual of Botany, 7th

Edition, New York, 1908.

3. Leng, C. W. — Catalogue of the Coleop-

tera of America North of Mexico,
New York, 1920.

4. O'Donoghue, Chas, H. and Gowanlock,

J. N.

Notes on the Caspian Tern (Sterna
caspia) and the Parasitic Jaeger
(Stercorarius parasiticus) in Man-
itoba. Canadian Field-Naturalist,
Vol. XXXIII, April 1919.

5. Macoun, J, and Macoun, J, M. Catalo-

gue of Canadian Birds, Ottawa,
1909.

6. Rydberg, P. A. — Flora of the Rocky

Mountains and Adjacent Plains,
New York, 1917.

7. Shelford, V.E. — Animal Communities

in Temperate North America. Chi-
cago, 1913.

132

The Canadian Field-Naturalist

[Vol. XXXV

A FAIRY-SHRIMP NEW TO CANADA AND WESTERN NORTH AMERICA

Bv Frits Johansen.

Since my article on Canadian and Alas-
kan fairy-shrimps was published in the
Canadian Field Naturalist^ February,
1921, I have had the great pleasure of
receiving from Mr. and Mrs. T. L. Thacker,
of Little Mountain, Hope, B.C., records
that tihey have kept of fairy-shrimps ob-
served and collected in Southern British
Columbia, together with samples of the
specimens. They prove to be the well-
known form Eubranchipus vernalis Ver-
rill, hitherto not recorded from Canada
and the United States west of Indiana.
In my article cited above I have mention-
ed this species, pp. 24, 27, as one that pos-
sesses a wide distribution in the United
States, occurring only •during the winter
and early spring.

While the genus Streptocephalus (see p.
29) was established already by Baird, in
1854, the genus Eubranchipus does not
occur outside of North America, and was
founded by Verrill, in 1869, in describing
E. vernalis for the first time.

Mr. Thacker 's records of E. vernalis
from British Columbia follow:
Hope, B.C. : Sloughs in orchard at Little
Mountain, through hole in ice, March-
April, 1918 (plentiful March 10 and
April 1 ; only one specimen March
13, 24, and April 21, 28). None se-
cured bv fishing there on May 26 and
June 26, 1918.

Same place, in 1920 : none secured on
Jan. 18 and Feb. 17 ; one young on
Feb. 22.

Slough at Haig, Feb. 11, 1920; plenti-
ful.
Craigdorroch Gardens, Victoria, Van-
couver Island: few females with egg-
bags in pond, Feb. 14, 1920.
According to Verrill and Packard this
species reaches a length of 23 mm. in both
sexes; and in life the body is of a pale
flesh colour, with a deep, reddish-brown
colour as a narrow streak widening from
the genital organs to the posterior half of
the abdomen. The hairs upon the cerco-
pods are white, as are also the tips (en-
dites) of the basal part of the foliaceous
legs. These red-brown and white colours
are the most conspicuous ones when the
animal is seen in the water.

The female is easily distinguished from
that of E. gelidus (see p. 28), by not hav-
ing the ninth and tenth body-segments
I)roduced into lateral processes, though
the egg-sac is similar, not so long as broad.
The male is also easily distinguished from
tliat of E. gelidus by Ihaving the frontal
(accessory) organs much shorter, broader,
and flatter, triangular in shape and acute-
ly pointed, with the edge finely serrated.
Except when in use they are hidden by the
much longer claspers (2nd pair of an-
tennae), which have a stout basal joint
and a chitinous terminal joint resembling
a Turkish sword, with a long obtuse spur
on the inner side, basally, beyond whiolh
the joint is triangular, with the extremity
bent outward somewhat like the foot of
a sock before it is worn. These specific
characteristics are illustrated in Pack-
ard's monograph (1883), Plates XI, XXII.

The nauplii (no figures given) were
successfully hatched by the two brothers
Hay (Amer. Natural.', Vol. 23, 1889, p.
91), (1), from egg-bearing females secur-
ed in April, that soon died. The eggs were
kept in the dry mud all summer; and
when at the end of September they were
covered with water, they immediately rose
to the surface, remained there for a couple
of days, and then again sank to the bot-
tom. In the beginning of October a nunq^-
ber of nauplii came forth ; they were
paler and more transparent than is gen-
erally the case with nauplii of fairy-
shrimps. Also they seemed to leave the
egg in a more advanced stage as a '*meta-
nauplius" than other fairy-shrimps (there
Avere traces of the first 3-4 pairs of folia-
ceous legs, and of the paired eyes), thus
recalling the just hatched Lepidurus (see
p. 45). _

This species was first recorded by Gould
(Rep. on Invert ehr. of Mass., Cambridge,
1841), who states (p. 339) that they are
found in stagnant pools in Massachusetts,
but wrongly referred them to the Euro-
pean species BrancMpus stagnalis L. Ver-
rill (Proc. Am. Ass. Adv. Sc, 1869) was
the first to call attention to this, describ-
ing it as E. vernalis and recording it in ad-
dition from Connecticut. It has later
been found also in Rhode Island, Long

Oct. -Dec. 1921.]

The Canadian Field-Naturalist

133

Island, Peiiii.sylvania. Oliio and Indiana
(Hay, Notes on Some Fre.'^lnvater Crus-
tacea, etc., Amer. Natural., Vol. XII. (16) ;
Packard ( 1883 ) , etc. ) The dates upon whicli
it has been observed range there from the
middle of November to the middle of
May; and from the date available it seems
that the eggs hatch when the *dried-up
pools in which they have been deposited
become filled with rain-water in the late
fall, or Avith melting-water in the early
spring. The larvae then grow to maturity
in a month or so, attaining that state in
December (January), or April (May), as
the case may be. From the new records
from British Columbia given here it would
appear that their "season" in Western
Canada (at least in the mountainous parts)
is shortei- fsay from January to April),
beginning later and ending sooner than
in eastern United States.

Packard's theory ("Occurrence of the
Phvllopod Euhranchipus in winter" Amer.
Natural, Vol. XII, 1878, p. 186), that it
attains maturity in the autumn is not borne
out by any observations.

In spite of its frequency during the
■\Aanter in eastern United States, where it
is the most typical fairj'-shrimp, no new

.lata about its biology have been publish-
ed, .so far as I know, for the last thirty
years: and we do not yet definitely know
the number of broods during the time it
occurs there. It is probable that there
are two generations, one hatching after
the fall-rains, the other after the melting
of the snow in the sprinj

ig-

(1) Tn the same paper E. gelidus is described
for the first time.

A hermaphroditic i^pecimen of this
species was found by Dr. C. F. Oissler, in
January, 1880, in a pool near Maspeth,
Long Island, together with many normal
individuals of the same species. It is de-
scribed and figured bv him in the Amer.
Naturalist, Vol. XV., 'l881, p. 136-39. In
the same volume is another article by Dr.
Gissler about the influence of the cheraico-
physical nature of the particular pond
upon the colour and development of the
E. vernaUs it contains; it establishes a
red and a white colour-variety which do
not cross.

I take this opportunity of correcting
a statement I made in these articles (Vol.
3.^, p. 41). The genus-name Apus was
established by Schaeffer in 1752, and that
of Lepidurus by Leach in 1816. The
Euphyllopoda were first placed among the
in.sects, before it was recognized that they
belonged to true crustaceans.

BIRDS THAT ARE LITTLE KNOWN IN MANITOBA.

By Norman Criddle,
Treesbank, Manitoba.

The following notes are presented in
order to record observations relating to
some of the rarer birds found within the
boundaries of Manitoba. Most of the
species have been recorded before, but as
they were considered rare at the time of
record additional information concerning
them seems desirable.

Ferruginous Rough-legged Hawk,

Mr. Atkinson in his "Rare Bird Re-
cords" (Trans. No. 65 Historical and
\8cientific Soc. of Man.) gives a single re-
►«^ord of this species as being the only one
k Ctnown from the province. As a matter
\ Qf fact the bird is by no means uncommon,
and, judging from old nests, it has evi-

dently resided in Manitoba for many
years past. Its haunts are very similar
to those of the Red-tailed and Swainson's
liawks, excepting that it has not been ob-
served to spread over the open prairies as
the last named species does. The nests
are nearly always distinguishable from
other buzzards by their bulkiness, due to
the fact that they are added to year after
year until eventually they become so ab-
normally large that they break through
their supports or are blown down by the
wind. All my nesting records of this
hawk were made within, or near, the
Spruce Woods Timber Reserve, which is
largely made up of low sand hills forming
ridges with semi-wooded valleys between.

^C

r

134

The Canadian Field-Naturalist

[Vol. XXXV

The Ferruginous Rough-leg is probably
the most useful of all our buzzards, its
food being made up almost entirely of
rodents, of which by far the greater pro-
portion consist of gophers. I have re-
peatedly seen it carr3dng off thosr animals
and have found nests inhabited by young
containing ,several untouclied examples.
It is almost certain that these hawks de-
stroy far more than they can consume
when food is abundant, and for this rea-
son a fanlily of these birds might well be
estimated to account for a thousand
gophers in the course of a season, which,
supposing these latter to have been taken
from a grain field, would be equal to a
saving of five hundred bushels of grain.

This hawk should be better known
among the farming community and as a
step in that direction I would propose
that we discard the cumbersome name that
is at present attached to it and call it Rusty
HaAvk instead.

Burrowing Owl.

This owl has previously been recorded
by Mr. Atkinson in the above mentioned
publication, and by me in tihe Ottawa Nat-
uralist. It has always been considered
a rarity, however, and for that reason ad-
ditional records of the bird's occurrence
are desirable.

During the last three years I have had
occasion to travel rather extensively over
the western portion of the province, and
as a result have run across several breed-
ing pairs of this species. No less than
three families were observed near Souris,
another was noted near Melita, while odd
individuals were seen at Pierson, Napinka
and Virden. I have usually found this
owl in the vicinity of badger holes with
burrows of the prairie gopher (C. richa/rd-
soni) close around. It probably nests in
the former excavations and doubtless uses
the gophers as food. ••

Arkansas Kingbird.

Whether this bird was overlooked in
former days or has extended its range
northward within recent times is a ques-
tion I am not prepared to answer, but it
is now found quite commonly in the south-
west portion of the province, where it
shows a marked preference for human
habitations. Nearly every village now

nas its pair of breeding birds, and the
larger places often contain three or four.
Trees around the farm yards are also fre-
(juently utilized, and the somewhat quar-
relsome notes of the bird are among the
fir.st to attract one in the early morning.
I liave observed this species breeding near
Winnipeg, and from there westward, along
the C.P.R. main line at Carberry, Oaklake
and Virden. It is most commonly met
with, however, in ^he south-west portion
of tlie province within a line drawn from
Mawbray to Kirkella.

Black-headed Grosbeak.

On the 30th of May, 1919, I was busy
in the laboratory with insect work but with
ears on the alert for the notes of any newly
arriving bird. The work was interesting,
and for that reason I had been but half
conscious of an unusual song uttered rather
continuously from some nearby trees. I
had passed it as being an attempt of a Cat-
bird to mimic the combined efforts of a
Rose-breasted Grosbeak and House Spar-
row, but eventually awakening to the im-
probability of this I decided upon a closer
investigation and easily obtained a close
view of the songster which was perched
upon an oak. There could be no mis-
take under such close scrutiny. A heavy
beak, the bright brown of a Towhee, white
on the ^vings and tail and a black head.
All were plainly visible. Knowing, how-
ever, that a dead bird is demanded by exact
science I hesitated whether to go for a
gun, but what is a dead bird in compari-
son with a living one which gives promise
of breeding where its kind have not pre-
viously been known? To me the evi-
dence was complete, but for the sake of
corroboration, I called my brothers Stuart
and Talbot to view and note the more
striking features, which they did, while the
bird sang on unconcernedly.

I had hoped that this visitor would have
a mate and that they would make their
home amid the woods close by, but he van-
ished the same evening and I saw and
heard him no more.

The cause of this bird's having moved
beyond its usual range may have been due
to abnormally warm weather combined
with a succession of south winds. Qn the
other hand, it is possible that the species
really does breed in the extreme southern
portion of the province as the song, though

Oet.-Dee. 1921.]

The Canadian Field-Naturalist

1.35

quite distinct, might easily pass as an ab-
normal one of a Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

DiCKCISSEL.

This bird was first recorded for the pro-
vince by Mr. G. E. Atkinson, who took a
specimen near Portage la Prairie on June
14, 1897. He concluded that the example
was a straggler from the south, though the
date at which it was taken would indicate
that it was breeding in the neighborhood.

On June 24, 1921, I was out on grass-
hopper work in company with Mr. F N.
Vroom. "We stopped at Melita and had
gone out in the evening to do a little col-
lecting south-west of the village. About
half a mile away there is a ravine wi^h
stagnant pools of water, and just beyond,
to the right, a ratlier wide dry meadow
dotted over with low-lying shrubs consist-
ing of Silverberry {Elaeagnus argentea),
"Western Snowberry {S}i)nphorocarpu<> oc-
cidentalism and a few others in lesser num-
bers. There is some high herbage, too,
which provides abundance of cover for
small birds. It was on the edge of "his
meadow, near the road, that I heard a
song with which I was unfamiliar and
which I traced' to a small bird sitting upon
a fence post. We soon obtained a close
view of the singer, which I recognized by
the characteristic black patch beneath the
throat to be a Dickcissel. This was a
male in full song and, interestinglv enough,
his song was answered by a second indi-

vidual about 80 yards away in the same
valley. No nests were found or even
sought for, but from the fact that there
were two or more males singing there. I
think we may safely conclude that the
species breeds in the vicinity.

Lark Bunting.

This species ranges east to Aweme,
where it has been known to nest. It is,
however, but a casual visitor in most parts
of the province, though it breeds quite
commonly in the extreme south-west cor-
ner.

Black-throated Blue Warbler.

Two examples, both males, have been
seen since my original record of this species.
While these birds were not collected the
markings a:e so distinctive that it would
he an extraordinary lack of observation to
mistake the species for any other.

Mountain Bluebird.

It is interesting to relate that this hand-
some species has taken readily to nesting
boxes and that it is steadily increasing.
Both this and the common Bluebird have
made their nests in the vicinity of my
' ome for some years past, and while the
House Sparrow is there, too, and has a
reputation for fighting, he is invariably
' anquished when he comes in contact with
t'le Bluebirds.

LESSONS LEARNED FROM A TAME SPARROW HAWK.

By P. A. Taverner.
{Published by permissio)t of the Director of the Victoria Memorial Museum.)

Some years ago we kept what I 'was
about to call a captive Sparrow Hawk;
but the word "captive" conveys an er-
roneous impression of relationship.
"Tame" is weak and ec|ually misleading.
Perhaps it is better to make a new start
and state that, — once upon a time, I was
on intimately friendly terms with a Spar-
row HaM'k. She had been taken from her
deep, dark nest cavity a half downy

tlirougli contact witli human kind, than
of normal Sparrow Hawk education.
Wlien I first met her, an adolescent bird,
as friend and master, there is reason
to suspect that experience with humans
liad not predisposed her in their favor;
but, as events proved, nothing serious
enough had happened to prevent the es-
tablishment of thorough confidence be-
tween us. During the two or three years

youngster, inexperienced in the Avays of this charming intimacy endured I had un-

Sparrow Hawks in the wide, wild world: usual opportunities for studying Sparrow

and whatever she afterwards did or Hawk nature in general and this bird in

thought or attained was more the result particular,

of instinct and natural ability developed Ornithological observers are familiar

136

The Canadian Field-Naturatjst

[Vol. XXXV

FAIiCO, a tame sparrow-hawk (falco sparverius).

Oct. -Dec. 192]. J

The Canadian P'ield-Naturalist

137

with the fact that all wild creatures have
certain fixed specific habits and mental
reactions to various stimuli. Some spe-
cies are particularly wary and cautious,
others are constitutionally confiding in-
bold. What we also know but usually
realize all too vaguely is that besides th'^se
characteristics common to a species, are
other mental attitudes that are as strict-
ly individual as many human traits. In
watching Falco, as we called her, it was
borne in upon us with all the force of a
strictly new discovery that the Sparrow
Hawks we thought we knew so well are
not automata all cast in the same mould,
that they each have mentalities of their
own, personal habits that change in de-
tail from time to time under whim or
passing states of mind, individual likes
and dislikes; in fact they have lives of
their own to live and minds of their own
to live them. Even a field naturalist, is
apt to acquire the habit of considering
the birds he studies in the broad and
general, as species and subspecies rather
than as individuals. Not the least learn-
ed from association Avith this little hawk
was this appreciation of her individual
personality.

Next to these evidences of personality
the most striking qualities Falco presented
were affection, and, if the manner of
dealing with unusual conditions is a crit-
erion, her quite considerable intelligence.
Though suspicious of strangers, she showed
a decided liking for her immediate family,
and enjoyed to sit upon our shoulders,
fluffed up like a ball cuddling close to
the neck and passing her bill delicately
around the convolutions of the ear to the
accompaniment of a contented little ehur-
ring note of satisfaction. She knew even
the sound of our foot-steps. A stranger's
footfall along the concrete sidewalk lead-
ing to the outer door drove her precipi-
tately to her safe citadel on top of her
seldom occupied cage in the far upper
corner of the room. The sounds of our
steps on the same walk merely caused a
look of expectation and a preparation to
alight upon our shoulders as soon as we
appeared. She recognized paper parcels
as common containers of meat and showed
interest in them accordingly. She knew
that water could be obtained at the sink
through our mediation, and came to it

when thirsty or wanting a bath. She re-
cognized doors as the means of communi-
cation between rooms and when lonely
and wanting to join us, came to them and
scratched and churred for admission. A
mirror perplexed her once but, finding
nothing beliind, she had no interest in it
afterwards.

At times she was playful and enjoyed
a certain game in Avhich a long yellow
pencil (no other color served quite as
Avell) was pointed at her. On finally
gaining possession of it she would brand-
ish it most cleverly with feet and bill
until it slipped to the floor, when she
Avould look doAvn, as if in surprise, and
descend to obtain it again. She had
many mimic fights with her distorted re-
flection in the curved base of a brass
lam]), Avould hide from it behind books
or obstructions, then pounce from am-
bush, striking vigorously with her feet
and uttering Ioav churs of pleasure.

Though nervous with strangers, espe-
cially men, she shoM^ed a surprising lack
of appreciation of danger from hereditary
or natural enemies, showing that fear of
definite objects is not as instinctive as is
commonly believed. A strange face at the
windoAv caused her to flee in terror, but
1 have seen her sit Avith only interested
curiosity on the AvindoAv sill Avithin, Avhilst
Avithout a cat struggled to make through
the glass at her. A dog was only an in-
teresting phenomenon to her, nothing
more.

Once a cigar box, with a hole in the
side like a bird box, was prepared and
hung near her usual perch. She was in-
terested at once, and hardly Avas it fixed
than she Avas peering in. She entered,
and for the next little Avhile nothing Avas
seen of her except occasional glimpses of
her bright little face looking out, but
from Avithin could be heard the sounds
of scratching, thumping and excited eja-
culation. Thereafter she spent many
minutes, aggregating hours perhaps per
da.y, in the box, ahvays in an excited con-
dition. It Avas e\'ident that latent sexual
instincts Avere aroused, and feeling half
guilty at haAnng raised unsatisfiable de-
sires AA'e remoA'ed the box.

In spite of the unnaturalness of the cir-
cumstances surrounding her she appear-
ed content and happy, except for short

138

The Canadian Field-Naturalist

[Vol. XXXV

periods twice a year — early spring and
late fall. In the spring, before the sap
had stirred on the sunniest slopes, and
whilst snow seemed the eternal order of
things, and the season's advance was only
to be noted by the calendar, she became
restless and discontented. It was the
"Sea.son of New Song"; more, it was also,
it seemed, the season of migration, and
whether she knew the meaning of it or
not something stirred within her in con-
sequence and she was deeply moved. Nor-
mally serene and contented in her window,
watcliing with bright, interested eyes all
that passed within her ken, then she wa?
restless and excited, pattering back and
forth along the narrow runway of her
window meeting-rail, pausing at interval?
to half-raise her wings and chatter loudly
the M'ell-known Sparrow Hawk cry of
agitation. Once at such a time I saw a
Avild Sparrow Hawk pass over without
She saw it too, for little escaped her pier-
cing eyes. She followed it with her gaze
from the time it first hove in sight, lean
ing against the glass to see around the
window jamb until it passed from sighl
behind some trees. This condition lasted
but a little while each season, a couple of
weeks perhaps, but while it lasted it waf
nearly as hard on us, her friends, as upon
herself. Shortly she was her old self
again, content to watch the world go by
from her observatory window, her only
agitation the butcher's or grocer's 'boy
that brought her food and sent her seek
ing safety to the high top of her empty
cage. Similar disturbances to the even
tenor of her wa.y occurred m the fall. As;
the first frosts loosed the leaves and the
grasshoppers were dropping numbed from
the yellowing grass whence wild Sparrow
Hawks had but lately gleaned them,
nature stirred again within her. Its mean
ing I do not think she ever definitely re
cognized, but she became again uneasy,
restless and difficult to please.

Now, neither before nor during these
periods were there any perceptible change?
in the conditions under which she lived,
She was not reactive to differences or
shortage of food, temperature or an.y other
factor that could be humanly recognized,
The change came from within, rather than
from wii/iout. I think that as fruit and
foliage grow through the season, in cer-

tain times ripen to maturity and then
decline in metabolic activity, so the mi-
grating and sexual instincts develop, cul-
minate and decline in measured growth
but slightly accelerated or retarded by
variations in seasonal condition. And
thus birds feel the urge to migrate, and
depart in the fall before the lack of food,
the ultimate necessity for such a move-
ment, has sapped their energies and vigor.
In the spring it works the other way ;
the onward urge tofvard a harder rather
than a softer climate comes early, and
they tread upon the very footsteps of
winter, ariving north at the earliest mo-
ment that existence for their kind is
measureably secure, to the end that they
have the greatest length of season in
which to raise their families to migrational
maturity before the return of winter.

One of Falco's interesting physical
characteristics w^as her comparative in-
dependence of water. She was fed prin-
cipally on butcher's meat. When liver,
English Sparrows or other moist meat
formed a fair proportion of her food,
water was only desired for bathing, and
sometimes weeks went by without her.
drinking. After a spell of rather dry
meat she desired Avater and asked for it
in a way that Ave who knew her little
idiosyncracies recognized perfectly. She
enjoyed bathing, and splashed the water
from her liowl far and wide, retiring after-
wards to her sunny windoM'^ to dry and
fluff. As said before, her food was lar-
gely, and of necessity, from the butcher's
shop, and when English Sparrows grew
too wary to be readilv obtained, it was
found necessary occasionally to mix a
little chopped toAV or shredded rope end
Avith it to supply the roughage for na-
tural digestion and tlie pellet for regur-
gitation. She invariably avoided fat,
tearing it from the lean in little shreds
and impatiently discarding it. She also
appreciated a variety in diet, and changes
from l)eef to pork or mutton or back again
alAA^ays met Avith her approval. At times
she even tired of English SparroAvs and
became satiated Avith her favorite tit-bits,
June-bugs or Grasshoppers. It is evident
then that birds enjoy a variety of foods,
and no matter hoAv plentiful some one
supply may become, at times they Avill
turn their attention elseAvhere to balance

Oct.-Deo. 1921.]

The Canadian Field-Naturalist

139

out the ration. This trait imdouhtedly
extends tlie usefulness of each species of
birds and at the same time explains why.
in time of great insect plagues, birds are
not engaged in eating them to the ex-
clusion of less abundant food. Some va-
riety' is desirable if not an absolute ne-
cessity to them.

The quickness of some of Falco's reac-
tions were remarkable. An extreme ex-
ample can be presented. She slept on
the top of her cage, canary-like, with
her head under her wing as it is generally
de.'*cril)ed, although really the head is
hidden under the interscapular feathers
between the shoulders.

Wishing to obtain a photograph of her
in this attitude a camera was set con-
veniently, and late at night, when she
was sound asleep, an explosive magnesium
flash was fired. Of course she awoke im-
mediately, but the speed of her movement
was only appreciated when the resultant
negative was developed. It presented two
clear superimposed images without blur
between. One showed iier asleep with
only a slight depression in the feather
masses where the head was hidden ; in
the other she was wide awake regard-
ing the light. What the duration of the
flash was I had no means of telling ; it
was surel}' but a small fraction of a sec-
ond, yet during^ this short period she
had held her pose long enough to make
a sensible impression on the plate. She
had awakened, changed her position so
quickly that the movement made no blur,
and again held her position long enough
to register another picture.

Falco had the habit of "caching" super-
fluous food. She did this from the first,
and in so business-like and natural a
manner that I am convinced that it was
instinctive and is a regular specific habit.
I have seen no suggestion to this in the
literature relating to the wild bird. This
case may not prove bej'ond question that
wild Sparrow Hawks do hide stores, but it
is strongly suggestive of its probability
When hunger M'as temporarily satisfied,
tlie unconsumed remainder of the supplies
was invariably carried in the bill to one
of several usual hiding places. The most
favored one was on top of the electric
meter on the wall nearby. She would
place the valued bit in the depression be-

tween the top of the meter and the wall,
and stamp it down with her feet in a
business-like manner, churring with a note
of exultation and then withdrawing to
view results. If not satisfied she would
return and rearrange and hammer il
again and when satisfied seek her perch
Any time thereafter a motion on our pari
towards her store would arouse anxious
interest, and if the threatened theft were
pressed she was immediately on hand to
protect her property. Even if the attempi

a.

a. — Normal falcon bill.

b. — Overgrown falcon bill, showing' tendency of
grrowth and loosening scale.

c. — Normal Buteo bill.

did not seem serious, after a minute she
often made an investigation and 'even
changed the hiding place. When hungry
again she remembered her hidden store
and, if it had been removed unbeknown
to her, siiowed disappointment and per
plexity most plainly.

Perhaps from a strictl.y scientific stand
point tlie most interesting discovery made
from this little bird was the method ol
growth of her bill. The Sparrow Hawk,
though small, is a true Falcon, a "Noble
Falcon" in the old vocabulaiy of venery
The bill of this group of raptores is dis
tinguished from the less esteemed hawkf
by having a distinct notch and tooth on
the cutting edge of the upper mandible
just back of the hook. This tooth there
fore is an important point in the classi
fication of the order. Falco lived largely
on soft meat, and her bill Avithout the
natural friction and wear and tear againsi
the hard bony parts of normal prey over
grew. When this occured the notch form
ing the tooth became almost obliterated,
and the bill tended to resemble the form
and character of the non-falconine hawks
with a smoothl}'^ outlined lobe on the cut
ting edge. When this abnormal condi
tion became well developed, and it seem
ed as if a falcon Avas about to assume a
Buteo or Accipiter character, a crach

140

The Canadian Field-Naturalist

[V^ol. XXXV

developed in the bill substance and gre'v\
until a flake of horn flew off. leaving
the falconian notch fully developed again

The significance of this is rather im
portant as it indicates that the tooth
billed hawks are more highly developed
than the others and appeared later in the
evolutionary scheme; that the "Noble''
is a specialized "Ignoble Hawk'' instead
of the contrary. It is, in fact, additional
justification for contemporary classifi-
cations placing the Falcons at the head
of their order.

Faleo had a considerable measure of
freedom, and seldom except for good
reason was confined to her cage. When
the robins without would leave her in
peace and some one was about to ward

off cats she even had the run of the yard.
Had she allowed her primaries to mature
she might have had absolute freedom at
any time. She always managed to break
them off before full grown and was in a
half flightless condition unequipped to
fend for herself. Season after season
passed in various attempts on our part
to keep her wings in order, to prepare
her for a fair fight with the world.
Whether we succeeded in the end we do
not know, l)ut that is another story.

All told, little Falco was a most pleasing
experience in the life of an ornithologist
and we still remember her with affection,
regretting that such happy associations
cannot continue indefinitely.

NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS.

Unusual Migration Records In The
Vicinity op Montreal. — March 1921.

No doubt t/.ie mild weather during the
past winter, and the abundance of fruit
and seeds (especially coniferous seeds) lim-
ited the movements of a great many
Northern birds. Throughout Sou th-E ast-
ern Canada and the North-Eastern States,
at least in urban districts, the dearth of
birds appears to have been general. Of the
customary winter birds the following were
seen in the vicinity of Montreal in very
small numbers: Snow Owl (2) ; Saw-whet
Owl (2) ; Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers;
Snow Bunting; White-winged Crossbill;
Pine Siskin ; Coldf ine^i ; Redpoll ; Cedar
Waxwing ; White-breasted Nuthatch ; Red-
breasted Nuthatch ; Black-capped Chicka-
dee.

The unusual occurrences were: Herring
Gull (last seen Jan. 15) ; Canada Goose
(Magog, Jan. 16 — N. Smith) ; and Robin
(4) seen by Mr. Brown on Jan. 30. There
were several other reports of Robins that
I was unable to verify — one from St.
Lambert, another from Westmount and a
third from St. Andrews East. It is not-
able that the only unusual birds were north
of their usual winter range. I have no re-
cords of Evening Grosbeaks, Bohemian
AVaxwings or Pine Grosbeaks. With re-
gard to the latter I am told that thej^ have
wintered commonly in Newfoundland.

During January and February I saw

no ducks whatever,
many areas of open
the vicinity of St.
ducks are congested
of open M^ater, and

possibly due to the

water. As a rule, in

Lambert, wintering

within a small area

are easilv seen. Fol-

lowing is a list of spring arrivals during
the month of March. The earlier birds —
Crow and Prairie Horned Lark, were late,
while the others, almost without exception,
M-ere very early. I have taken the liberty
of including several records secured by
Mr. W. J. Brown, and one by Miss E. Luke.
March 2— Crow.
March 4 — Prairie Horned Lark.
March 5— Flock (15) of Robins on a
sheltered southern slope, two
Meadowlarks and a Red-should-
ered Hawk, all seen by Mr.
Brown.

-Song Sparrow (39 'song').
-Red-winged Blackbird (35
males, 'song') ; House Wren —
one seen in a sheltered garden
by Mr. Brown.
March 12 — Bronzed Crackle — 6 seen (Mr.
Brown) ; Blueoird — three
'song'.

March 13 — Marsh Hawk — one; Robins
and Song Sparrows fairly com-
mon.

March 1 — Slate-coloured Junco — one
(Miss Luke).

March 19 — Canada Goose — one flock;
Purple Finch— 7 (Mr. Brown).

March
March

9-
11-

Oct.-Dec. 1921.]

The Canadian Feeld-Naturalist

141

March 20 — Northern Shrike — one; Her-
ring Gull — one.

March 22 — Golden-eye Duck — two flocks.

March 25— Black Duck — three pairs;
Bittern — one ; Sparrow Hawk
— one ; Flicker — one ; Gold-
fincli — 5 or 6 ; Tree Sparrow
— a number; Killdeer Plover —
7 seen and two nest excavations
found ; Bluebirds fairly well
distributed — 8 seen; a Crow's
nest was found almost complet-
ed, and Robins were found ex-
ceptionally abundant.

March 26 — Rose-breasted Grosbeak — one
male (Mr. Brown) ; Cowl)ird —
one.
March 27 — Goshawk — one; Migrant Shri-
ke — two; Vesper Sparrow —
one (Mr. Brown),
Besides the unusual records enumerated
above there are two matters worthy of
particular mention — the unusual abun-
dance of Robins and Black Ducks. I as-
sume that Black Ducks are unusually
abundant this season because I saw th'-ee
pairs about some marshy, partly wooded
land, where formerly it was customary foi
but one pair to nest. It is an easy matter
to distinguish ducks that have arrived on
their nesting grounds. They are always
in pairs and the drake appears never to
let his spouse out of sight, or perhaps it is
the other way about. The individuals of a
pair fly in perfect 'step' and appear as a
unit.

Possibly the consistently favourable
weather during the nesting season last
spring is partly responsible for this appa-
rent increase, and very probably the vigil-
ance of officers in enforcing observance of
the Migratory Birds Convention Act has
much to do with it.

L. McI. Terrill.

A Pine Siskin Invasion. — In Cen-
tral Alberta, the Pine Siskin (Spiuus
fxinns) has generally been considered an
irregular migrant, except in a few favor-
able localities where they remain to breed
in small numbers. As they are fre-
quenters of the coniferous woods, especial-
ly during the nesting season, these birds
are not commonly seen in the settled parts
of the country, \\\e spruce, tamarack and

jack pine not growing on the better soils
of the prairie.

Abourt the middle of June, this year, I
noti^ea numbers of siskins flying over
Camrose, and eventually found them feed-
ing on clandalion seeds on the lawns and
boulevards. Their numbers increased
daily, and about a week after their first
appearance I estimated that at least five
hundred of the birds were making their
home in town. At almost any hour dur-
ing the day, large flocks could be seen ,
flying high in the air, whirling here and
tlier^ in Red) Poll fas'hion, ,sometimes
alighting on a vacant lot, feeding for a
while, and off again as suddenly as they
came. I have counted as many as one
hundred on the telephone wires between
two poles, which appeared to be favorite
resting places for the birds.

The siskins' appearance this summer
was not local by any means. During the
months of June, July and August, I mot-
ored several hundred miles, and found
them quite common in some, and exceeding-
ly common in many of the places through
which I passed. They were plentiful in
Edmonton, noticed all the way to Cal-
gary, and not nearly as many at Banff
and Lake Louise, where one would expect
to find them in greatest abundance. This
makes one ask if it is not possible that
they had left their natural haunts for
some reason. I also found tlhem very
common at Vermilion, Tofield, Stettler
and Castor. At this date, September
15th, there are about one thousand birds
in Camrose, and they are now feeding
on the pig-weed seed.

As all the points mentioned above (ex-
cept those in the mountains) are in the
park country of the prairie, where there
are no evergreens, save small patches along
the river bottoms, it seems strange that
these birds should have made this unusual
migration. As the siskin is an early
breeder, nesting in May, it is safe to as-
sume that the birds that have been on the
prairies since the middle of June were old
ones and the increase of the year. It
would be interesting to know if this un-
usual appearance of the siskin has oc-
curred over the whole prairie country and
the reason for this decided change in
habitat.

F. L. Farley, Camrose, Alberta.

142

The Canadian Field-Natlkalist

[Vol. XXXV

Some Mosses from Boskung.
As botanical field work iu Canada at
the present day is largely confined to
flowering plants, a few amateur notes on
Ontario mosses may perhaps be forgiven
by the small omniscient experts to whom
my findings must seem elementary and
superficial.

Ill the month of August, 1921, I spent a
two weeks vacation on the shores of Bos-
kung Lake, Stanhope township, Haliburton
county, Ontario. By way of diversion, I
attempted to take a census of the mosses
of the immediate neighbor^iood. The com-
pleted census-roll, though limited, may not
be without interest.

Boskung Lake is a small, pear-shaped
body of water, lying wholly within the
rough, granitic Laurentian Pene-plain. Its
surface is some 1100 feet above sea-level
and its shores rise steeply to an additional
•height of from 100 to 150 feet. Its narrow
watershed contains no bogs, swamps, or
small streams. The soil is morainic sand.

The possibilities of the field were t/ius
distinctly limited, and the various mosses
which favor limestones, which grow at low
levels and in warm climates, and which
flourish in bogs, in water, or on clay soil,
conspicuously lacking. With these reser-
vations, however, my brief survey found
many species and much encouragement.

The chief soil-loving mosses were the
Common Hair-cap, t^e glaucous-green
Juniper Hair-cap, the muddy-green Com-
mon Barbula, the Common Bryum, the
Crested Fissidens, and the Maidenhair-
like Fissidens.

Frequent finds in moist woods were the
Common Fern Moss, the Smaller Fern
Moss, and the Woodsy Mnium. The Clav-
ellate Drummondia was common on the
bark of trees; while the Slender Plagio-
thecium and the Adnate Amblystegium
were found about their bases. Rotten wood
was upholstered with dense mats of the
brig;(it green Common Hypnum, the Pin-
nate Hypnum, the slender Creeping Am-
blystegium, the Creeping H.^pmim, the
Nodding Bryum, and the Ribbed Hypnum.
Around old stumps I found the European
Tree Moss, not unlike a small Lycopod,
and the dark, thin mats of the Purple
Ceratodon.

At the head of Boskung Lake, Hall's
Rapids, a short but violent stream foams
down frcm a higher lake to the north,
drenching its rocky ravine with spray.
Here were soft, wet masses of the Beaked
Anomodon, t/ie Slender Anomodon, the
Bristly Rhacomitrium, the Long-Leaved
Mnium, the Fountain Philonotis, and the
Verdant Weissia.

A final hunting-ground was a steep
granite cliff, caused by a colossal fault in
the rocks around the entire northeast shore
of the lake and kept moist at its base by a
thick mantle of forest. Small, dark tufts
of Common Grimmia were the first dis-
covery; then came the dark, brittle masses
of the Rock-loving Andreaea, the flattened
branches of t).\e Filmy-fern Homalia, and
the delicate little Wiry Fern Moss; and
then the Yew-leaved Fissidens, the Small-
capsuled Rhacomitrium, the Long-capsuled
Brachythecium, and the Crispate Ptycho-
mitrium.

Some 34 different species of moss were
thus identified, with more or less dubious
accuracy. Several other specimens were
collected, but for them identification was
impossible with the two hand-lenses, of 9
and 24 diameters respectively, witjti which
I was equipped.

The record is a small one, but surely
large enough, when we consider the limi-
tations of time, season, and physiography
in this individual case, to suggest real pos-
sibilities for amateur bryological work in
Ontario.

Watson Kirkconnell, M. A.

Birds as Foster Parents. — It is not
generally known, probably, that wild
birds will assume the role of foster
parents, but after a number of tests
t.he writer has discovered that there are
a few birds at least that will take
up these duties under certain conditions.
Firstly the orphan birds must be quite
young, and, secondly, the foster parents
must have young of their own about the
same age. I have exchanged the young
of crows, pigeons, swallows and sparrows,
and in every instance they were raised to
maturity. This was done when tjie young
were in the downy stage and all w^re /\
about the same age, but if a more mature/^
bird be introduced into a nest of downy

Oct.-Dec. 1921.]

The Canadian Field-Naturalist

143

young he would be promptly ejected or
left to starve. It seems that the mater-
nal and paternal love of birds is the
strongest at this period, which might
account for their taking more readily to
the young of others. While tihe fostering
of the above-mentioned species was in
the main brougjrit about through human
agency and not on their own volition,
yet it has been my good fortune to ob-
serve a few eases of strictly voluntary
adoption.

One of the most interesting cases of
this kind was that of a pair of Killdeer
Plover. In the spring of 1919 a young
man brought to my shop a pair of these
birds to ihave mounted with their young
ones which he had caught after shooting
tjieir parents. As these birds had been
shot at close range while protecting their
young, they were too much cut up for
mounting, so I prevailed on the young
man to give me the young orphans to
release, which he did. It seemed to me
that perhaps I could get them adopted
by a pair of Killdeers which I knew A^d
young, and occupied a field about half
a mile distant. With this end in view, I
forthwith picked up the box of little
orphans and made a bee-line for that
field, but after criss-crossing the field
several times, I failed to locate them and
was becoming discouraged. I then walked
to the centre of the field, sat on a stone
and took the perforated cover off the
box. They stretched up t^eir little necks
and gave utterance in unison to a very
low plaintive cry or pipe. Almost imme-
diately, like a bolt from the clear sky,
the female Killdeer flew towards me and
settled about 25 yards distant. She had
heard their piping cry and came to res-
cue. She appeared to be in great distress
and anxiety. When the little ones heard
her voice they also became agitated and
raised their little voices, which brought
the motjrier bird almost to my feet utter-
ing most bewailing lamentations. Then
I took one of the little orphans from the
box and set it on my hand. The scene
which followed was very pathetic. She
seemed to go into paroxysms of grief, and
with most lamentable cries and Avings
^ and tail outspread, quite fearless of me,
i\she ran around me at a distance of not

more than 15 or 20 feet. She would drag
herself on her breast as though botja her
legs were broken, then roll over on her
back struggling as though she was tied
down ; hop along on one leg with wings
drooping; turn summersaults and put her-
self into all manner of shapes. Obviously
these manoeuvres were to entice me to
chase her and get me away from the
young ones.

Not caring to keep her in further sus-
pense I set t^e little fellow down, and
he ran over to her as fast as his little
legs could carry him. She advanced a
little to meet him throwing one wing
over him, and uttering a most affection-
ate purring or crooning sound of joy and
satisfaction, something akin to that of a
mother cat when you take her kitten
from her to fondle. I now released the
other three and they likewise made direct
for this foster mother, and she slowly
led them away until I lost sight of them
in the grass. Had they been her own,
and she must have known they were not,
she could not have shown more maternal
love and affection. The male bird the
while kept up his plaintive pee-we-we-we-
we-we-we-we, but did not come so close,
and I feel certain kept his eye on their
own litle flock. I am satisfied that
these foster parents raised these little
orphans, as, passing through the field
again in August T counted nine on tihe
wing, and I am absolutely certain that
these were the only pair of Killdeer that
nest^ed in that field or vicinity that year.

Oliver TRiVFFORD,

St. Eugene, Ont.

^

AYhite-Rt-mped Sandpiper at Ottawa.
— Two white-rumped sandpipers (Pifto-
l)ia fuscicollis) were noted at Shirley's
Bay. near Ottawa, on October 8.
1921. They were in company with
some black-bellied plovers and solitan'
and other sandpipers, and the difference
between the white-rumped species and the
others was quite plain as a result of the
conspicuous white upper tail coverts. A
specimen was collected 'to make identifi-
cation certain. The only available au-
thority stated that this bird has only been
noted on three occasions in this locality.

Philip F. Foran.

CANADIAN FIELD - NATURALIST

INDEX TO VOLUME XXXV

ISSUED JULY, 1922

INDEX T(^ VOLUME XXXV

Page

Abies grandis 84

Acanthis linaria 53

Acanfhosicyos horrida . . . 75

Acanthocephala W

Accipiter atricapillus. . . . 96

Accipiter cooperi 96

Accipenser rubicundvs. . 98
A ctinospkaerium eichhornii

101

Actitig macularia . . . . 96, 127

Aegialit'iK meloda 127

Aegialitis semipalmata. . 96

Aequoreu for seal ea .... 50
Africa, German South-

Wcst 74

Agelaius phoeniceus . . 97, 127

A Ices americanus 98

Algae of Okanagan 112

Alona guttata 73

Ampelis cedrorum 97

Amorostoma marginata. . 130

Anabaena flosaquae 112

Anabaena inaequalis . ... 112

Anacardiaceae 124

Anas boschas 95

Anas obscura 95

Anas platyrhynchus . . . 51, 127

Ankistrodesmus setigurus 113

Anthus pennsylvanicus . . 97

Anthus rubescens 53

Aphrocallistes whiteave-

sianus 49

Appointments 60

A pus longicaudatus 47

Arachnida 131

Artemia salina 27

Artemiopsis bungei 29

A rtem iopsis st efanssonii

29

Ascidians 49

Ascidiopsis paratropa . . . 49

Asellus communis 89

Asio acoipitrinus 96

Association among Ma-
rine Animals 48

Astragalinus trisfis. . . . 53, 97

Astur atricapillus 52

Avian Fauna of Islay. ... 50

Bacillarieae 112

Badgers 105, 107

Bathydorus dawsoni 49

Bears 97

Beavers 108

Betula alba 104

Bicidium aequoreae 50

Biota of a Sand Spit... 121

Bird Banding 78

Bird Census from London 119

Bird Migration 54

Bird Notes in Maritime

Provinces 11

Bird Sanctuaries 35

Birds of Prince Edward

Island 58

Birds, Check List of 36

Birds as Foster Parents 142

Birds of Manitoba 133

Page

Bittern, American 51

Blackbirds 53, 97, 120, 127

Blenny 4<8

Bluebirds 54, 135

Bombycilla cedrorum ... . 127

Bombycilla garrula 100

Bonasa umbellus 52, 96

Bone Beds, Formationof 33

Bosmina longirostris 73

Bosmina longispina 73

Botaurus lentiginusus . . . . 51

Botrydiutn granulatum. . 114

Botryococcus braunii. . . . 114

Branchinecta coloradensis 27

Branchinecta gainii 25

Branchinecta paludosa. ... 25
Branchipus stagnalis. . 25, 27

Brant, Black 51

Brant a canadensis.... 51, 95

Branta nigrescans 51

Brittle-Stars 48

Brown, W. V., article by 80

Bubo virginianus 52, 96

Buccinuni undatum 3

Bufo hemiophrys 128

Bufo lentiginosus 98

Buntings, Snow 11, 53

Buteo borealis 96

Buteo platypterus 96

Buteo swainsoni 52

Buzzard, Turkey 52

Calcarius pictus 53

Calianessa calif orniensis . . 50

Caluatia craniformis.... 104

Caluatia gigantica 104

Cancer borealis 3

Cancer irroratus 3

Cancer productus 49

Canis latrans 108

Canis Occident alis ... . 97, 126

Cardinal 120

Caryophyllaceae 124

Castor canadensis 108

Cathartes aura 52

Caularchus meandrinus . . 50

Ceriodaphnia megalops . . 73

Ceryle alcyon 96, 127

Chaetophora elegans . . . . 113

Chuetophora pisiformis . . 113

Chasmosaurus belli 64

Chen hyperboreus 35

Chenopodiaceae 124

Chickadees

12, 54, 59, 97, 100, 120, 128

Chipmunks 18, 98, 107

Ciilamydomonadeae 112

Chordeiles virginianus 96, 127
Chydorus sphaericus . . 72, 73

Ciona intestinalis 49

Circus hudsonicus . . 52, 96, 126

Citellus franklinii. . . . 106, 125

Citellus richardsonii 105

Citellus tridecemlineatus. 107

Cladophora crispata 113

Clams 48

Clam Shrimps 88

Page

Clangula clangula 95

Cling-Fish 48

Cod, Rock 48

Colaptes auratus 53, 96

Coleoptera 130

Columba livia 98

Colymbus auritus 51

Commensalism in Marine

Animals 49

Compositae 124

Conesius plumbeus 66

Conifers, Overgrowth of

Stumps of 81

Cormorant 127

Cornaceae 124

Corvus brachyrhynchos 53, 127

Corvus corax 97

Corylus rostrata 19

Cox, P., article by 66

Coyote 108

Cranes 61, 52

Creeper, Brown 120

Criddle, N., article by.. 123

Crossbills.. 53, 57, 97, 120, 140

Crows 11, 53, 58, 120, 127

Crustacea, Freshwater

21, 45, 88, 99
Cryptacanthodes macula-

tus 4

Cyanea artica 50

Cyanea capillata 2

Cyanocilta cristata 53

Cyclocypris laevis 73

Cyclops americanus 73

Cyclops biscupidatus .... 73

Cyclops fimbriatus 73

Cyclops parens 73

Cyclops quadricornis . . . . 72

Cyclops viridis 73

Cyperaceae 124

Cypridopsis vidua 73

Cyprinid, new 66

Cypris dentata 73

Cypris testudinaria 73

Cyzicus mexicanus 91

Dactylococcopsis montana 112
Dale, E. M. S., articles by

100, 119

Daphnia longispina. . . . 72, 73

Daphnia pulex 72, 73

Deer 98, 111

Dendroica aestiva 128

Dendroica £astanea 128

Dendroica coronata 63

Dendroica discolor 69

Dendroica fusca 128

Dendroica magnolia 128

Dendroica vigorsi 100

Desmidiaceae 114

DeVany, J. L., article by 16

Diaptomus oregonensis . . 73

Dickcissel 135

Dinobryon cylindricum . . 114

Dinosaurs 61

Diptera 129

Distomum apodis 47

55496

Page

Dragon-Flies 129

Draparnaldia glomerata. 113
Draparnaldia plumosa. . . 113
Dryobates villosus .... 96
Ducks

12, 86, 51, 95, 120, 126, 141

Ectopistes migratorius . . . 98

Elk Ill

Empidonax virescens . . 100
Emys blandingii .... 17
Endocrypta huntsmani. . 49
Entomostraca, Canadian 72
Entosphenus tridentatus. 50

Equisetaceae 124

Erethizon domatntn . . 108
Ereunetes pusillus ... 95
Esperella adhaerens . . 49
Estheria caldwelli ... 89, 91
Eubranchipus gelidus

23, 27, 89, 132
Eubranchipus vernalis

27, 132
Eudorina elegans .... 113
Euphagtis carolinus ... 53, 97
Eupogebia pugettensis. . . 50
Eutamias quadrivittatus

98, 107
Evasterias troschelii . . 49
Evotomys gapperi . . ■ 104

Fairy-Shrimps ... 21, 132
Falco columbarius . . 52, 96
Falco sparverius ... 52, 96

Farley, F. L., article by. 141
Fauna of Lower Pag-

wachuan River .... 94
Faunal Notes from the
Atlantic Biological Sta-
tion 1

Finches 58, 120, 140

Fir, Douglas 83

Fir, Grand 84

Flickers .... 13, 53, 58, 96
Florometra serratissima . 50
Flycatchers . . 13, 58, 96, 100
Foran, P., article by . . 143
Fox, Gray, in Ontario.. 19
Eraser, C. McLean, arti-
cle by 4'8

Fucellia maritima .... 130

Onligus gurnardi ... 50
Oallinago deUcata. . . . 52, 95
Oammarus Hmnaeua . . 99
Gammarus locusta ... 6

Qavia imber 95

Geese ... 12, 35, 51, 95, 140
Oellius arcoferus ... 1
Gibson, A., an Apprecia-
tion 16

Gilmour, A., article by . . 60

Gnatcatcher 37

Golden-eyes 11, 95, 120

Goldfinches . . 12, 53, 97, 120
Oonium pectorale . . ■ 113

Grackles 11, 58, 127

Gramineae 124

Graves, Indian .... 103
Gravity, Deformation due
to 115

Page

Grebe, Horned ... 51, 120
Grosbeaks

41, 100, 120, 134, 141

Grouse .... 12, 52, 96, 120

Grti3 americana . . . 51, 52

Gulls

12, 35, 51, 58, 95, 120, 126, 140

Gussow, H. T., article by 116

Haloragidaceae 124

Hares 98, 107

Hawks

11, 13, 52, 80, 96, 120, 133, 135

Heart-Urchin 48

Heliozoon, new 101

Helodromas solitarius 96, 127

Hemiptera 129

Hemlock, Western ... 86

Herons 118

Herring 48

Hesperiphona vespertina

41, 100
Holopedium gibberum . . 73
Hummingbirds .... 13, 58

Hydra viridis 101

Hydractinia 3, 49

Hydrophorus agalma . . 129
Hylocichia usfulata . . 54
Hymenoptera 131

I dot he a me tallica .... 3

Iridoprocne bicolor ... 97

Jellyfish 50

Jays 13, 40, 53, 97

Johansen, F., articles by

21, 36, 45, 88, 99, 132

Juncaceae 124

J uncos

12, 53, 59, 97, 120, 140

Kindle, E. M., articles by

33, 115
Kingbirds ... 13, 53, 58, 134
Kingfishers 13, 30, 58, 96, 120

Hymenoptera 131

Kirkconnell, W., article

by 142

Klugh, A. B., articles by

18, 34, 58, 72

Labiatae 124

Lanius borealis 53

Lanivireo solitarius. . . 53

Larix caricena 104

Larks ... 11, 53, 58, 96, 135
Larus argentatus . . 35, 51, 95

Larus delawarensis ... 35
Latchford, Hon. Justice,

article by 68

Launce 48

Leguminosae 124

Lemnaceae 124

Lepa^ hiUii 3

Lepidoptera 129

Lepidurus apus .... 47

Lepidurus arcticus ... 47
Lepidurus couesii . . 46, 90

Lepiota naucinoides . . 104

Lepton rude 50

Lepus americanus . . 98, 107

Lepus campestris . . . 107

Page

Leuciscus carletoni ... 67

Leuciscus rubrilateralis . 66

Lewis, H. F., article by. 35

Liard River Flood ... 7

Limnadia lenticularis . . 91

Limnadia americana . . 91

Limnetis brachyurus . . 90

Limnetis gouldii .... 89

Limnetis mucronatus . . 89
Lloyd H., articles by

11, 36, 98

Longspurs 53

Loons 12, 95

Loxia leucoptera . . . 53, 97

Lynceus brachyurus . . 91

Lynxes 108, 126

Maclurea manitobaensis . 125

Macnamara, C, article by 70

Mallard 95

Mammalian Fauna of

Islay 102

Marila af finis 127

Marmota monax cana-
densis 107

Martin, Purple 13

Melanogrammus .... 2

Melospiza cinerea ... 97

Melospiza georgiana . . 128

Melospiza melodia 39, 53, 128

Mephitis hudsonica . . . 108

Merganser, American 95, 120

Merismopodia elegans... 112
Merriman, R. O. article

by 59

Mesocarpeae 113

Mice 97, 111

Microspora stagnorum... 113

Microspora tumidula . . 113
Microthamnion kutzingia-

num 113

Microtus drummondii

97, 105, 109

Microtus minor .... HO
Migratory Birds Act,

prosecutions 13, 32, 56

Mink 108

MniotiUa varia 97

Molluscs 131

Molothrus ater 127

Moose 98, 101

Mousley, H., article by.. 54

Mosses from Boskung. . . 142

Muskrats 98, 108

Mustela longicauda . . . 109

Mustela vison 108

MuscuUum columbianum. 70

Musctilium declive ... 69

MuscuUum jayense ... 68

MuscuUum lacustre ... 70

MuscuUum lenticula ... 70

MuscuUum partumeium . . 68

MuscuUum parvum ... 68

MuscuUum raymondi . . 70

MuscuUum rosaceum . . 69

MuscuUum securis . , . 68

MuscuUum winkleyi. . . 68

Mysis relicta 99

Myxilla parasitica ... 49

Myxonema tenue .... 113

Page

Page

Pagfe

Najadaceae 124

Nephrocytiu m aghardia-

num 113

Nettion caroUnense . . . 127

Neuroptera 129

Nicotiana glauca .... 75

Nodiilaria harveyana . . 112

Nodularia spuinigena . . 112

Nomenclature, Popular.. 38

Nostoc depressum . . . 112

Nostoc microscopicum . . . 112

Nuthatches ... 97, 120, 128

Nuttalornis borealis. . . 96

Nyctea nyctea 52

Odocoileus americanus bo-
realis 98

O'Donoghue, C. H. articles

by 101, 121

Oedogoniales 114

Onagraceae 124

Ondatra zibethica . . 98, 108

Oocystis crassa 113

Oocystis soUtaria .... 113

OsciUatoria aghardii ... 112

Oscillatoria formosa . . 112

OsciUatoria geminata . . 112

Oscillatoria limosa ... 112

Oscillatoria princeps . . 112

Osprey, American .... 96
Ottawa Field-Naturalists'

Club 15

Otocoris alpestris .... 96

Otocoris leucolaema ... 53

Oven bird 97

Owls .... 52, 96, 120, 134

Oxyechus vociferus . . 52, 127

Pagurus acadianus ... 6

Pagurus brandti .... 50

Pagurus ochotensis ... 49

Pagurus splendescens . . 49

Pandion haliaetus ... 96

Pandorina morum. ... 113

Parasitism among Ma-
rine Animals .... 50

Pa^serculus sandwichen-

sis 128

Passerculus sandwichen-

sis alaudemis .... 63
Passerella iliaca . . . 76, 97

Peachia parasitica ... 2

Pedioecetes phasianellus . 52

Pelicans 127

Pelecanus erythrorhyn-

chos 127

Pemberton, C. C, article

by 81

Penthestes atricapillus

54, 128
Penthestes hudsonicus

97, 100

Perch 48

Peridinieae 112

Perisoreus canadensis . . 97

Peromyscus borealis . . 104
Peromyscus maniculatus

articus 125

Peromyscus maniculatus

borealis Ill

Peromyscus maniculatus

maniculatus 97

Petrel, Hornby's .... 18

Phacoteae 113

Phalacrocorax auritus . . 127
Phallusia ceratodes ... 49
Phormidium autumnale . . 112
Phyllodorus abdominalis. 50
Picea canadensis.... 102, 104
Picoides americanus. . . 96
Picoides arcticus .... 96

Pigeons 98

Pines 83

Pinus banksiana .... 105
Pinus heterophylla ... 83

Pinus palustris 83

Pipit, American . . . 53, 97
Pisohia maculata . . . 52, 127

Pisobia bairdi 52

Planesticus migratorius

39, 54, 97
Plectrophenax nivalis . . 53
Plovers . . 13, 52, 58, 96, 148
Poecetes gramineus ... 53

116

25

24, 25

3

3

3

3

124

73

99

104

Poison Ivy

Polyartemiella hazeni
Polyartemiella judayi
Potydora agassizii
Poly dor a cilia t a . .
Polydora hoplura . .
Polydora littorea . .
Polygonaceae . . .
Polyphemus pediculus
Pontoporeia affinis .
Populus balsamifera 102,

Populus tremuloides . . 102, 105

Porcupines 70, 108

Porzana Carolina .... 126
Prosecutions ... 13, 32, 56
Psathyrella disseminata. . 104
Pseudacris septentrionalis 127
Pseudopleuronectes ame-
ricanus 6

Pseudotsuga taxifolia . . 83

Querquedula discors . . 127

Quiscalus quiscalus aeneus 127

Rabbits 107

Racey, K., article by . . 118

Rana pipiens 129

Ranunculaceae 124

Raphidiophrys magna . . 101

Raphidiophrys viridis . . 101

Ravens 97

Redpolls .... 53, 120, 140
Redstarts, American.. 53, 97

Redwood 83

Relics, Indian 104

Rhadocalyptus dowlingii. 49
Rhizoclonium hierogly-

phicum 113

Rivularia pisum .... 112
Robins

12, 39, 54, 59, 97, 120, 140

Rosaceae 124

Rowan, W., article by . . 30

Salicaceae 124

Sandpipers . . 13, 52, 95, 96

Sapsuckers 58

Scenedesmus bijugatus. . 113

Scenedesmus quadricauda 113

Sciuropterus sabrinus . . . 107

Sciurus hudsonicus .. . 98, 126

Seinrus noveboracensis . . 128

Scoters 12

Scytonema myochros . . 112

Seiurus aurocapillus . . 97

Seiurus molacilla .... 100

Sequoia gigantea .... 83

Sequoia sempervirens. . . . 85

Setophaga ruticiUa 53, 97, 128

Shrews 110

Shrikes 53, 120, 141

Sialia currucoides ... 54

Simocephalus vetulus . . 73

Singing-Fish 48

Siskins 11, 120, 141

Sismey, E. D., articles by 112

Sitta carolinensis . . 97, 128

Skunks 108

Snakes 128

Snipe, Wilson 52, 95

Snowbirds 120

Snyder, L. L., article by. 17

Solaster stimpsoni ... 50
Soper, J. D., articles by 50, 102

Sorex personatus haydeni 110
Sparrows

12, 39, 53, 59, 76, 97, 120

Spathiophora fascipes... 130

Spatula cyanoptera ... 51

Sphaeriidae, Canadian . . 68

Spirogyra inflata .... 113

Spirogyra nitada .... 113

Spirogyra tenuissima . . 113

Spirulina major .... 112

Spirulina meneghiniana. . 112

Spizella munticola ... 53

Spizella passerina .... 128

Sponges 49

Squirrels 98, 105

Starlings 100

Sfaurophora mertensii. . . 2

Sterna hirundo 95

Sternberg, C. M., article

by 61

Stipitococcus tirceolatus. 114
Streptocephalus colora-

densis 29, 90

Sturgeon 98

Sturnella neglecta ... 53

Suberites latus 50

Sucker 98

Swallows 12, 59, 97

Synura uvella 114

Taverner, P. A., articles

by 18, 41, 76

Taxidea taxus 107

Teal 39

Teredo 3

Terns . . 13, 38, 58, 95, 126
Terrill, L. McI., articles

by 57, 140

Tethyum aurantium
Tethyum igaboji . . .
Tetracoccus botryoides .
Tetraspora lubrica . .
Thaumantias cellular ia.
Thompson, W. P., article

49

49

113

113

50

Pagre

by 74

Thrushes 54, 59, 100

Toads 98

Totanus flavipes .... 52

Totanns melanoleucvs 95, 127

Trafford, O., article by.. 142

Trtbonema bombycinum. 114

Trochiscia aspera .... 113

Tsuga heterophylla. . . 86

Tumboa mirabilis .... 74

Turtle, Blanding's ... 17

Tyrannus tyranntis ... 53

Ulothrix subtilis .... 113

Vlothrtx zonata 113

Umbelliferae 124

Urocyon 19

Uroglena volvox .... 114

Ursus americanus .... 97

Page
Urtiaceae 124

Vancouver Natural His-
tory Society 9

Vattcheria geminata . . 113
Vespula diabolica . . 19, 34

Vireos 13, 53

Vireosylva olicacea. . . 128

Voles " 97, 105, 109

Volvox aureaa 113

Waders 39

Warblers

12, 37, 53, 59, 97, 100, 135

Waxwings . . 60, 97, 100, 128

Weasels 105, 109

Whittaker, E. J., article

by 7

Williams, M. Y., article
by 94

Page

Willets 40

Willey, A. and Hunts-
man, A. G., article by 1
Wintemberg, W. J., arti-
cle by 19

Wolf, Grey 97

Wood, A. A., article by 100

Woodchucks 107

Woodpeckers 13, 96, 120, 140

Wrens 140

Xanfhocephalus xanthoce-

phalus 126

Yellow-Legs, Greater . . 95

Yellow-Legs, Lesser . . 52

Yellowthroats 13, 59

Zapus hudsonicus . . 97, 111

Zoarceg anguiUaris ... 6

Zonotrichia albicoUin . . 97

Zygnemaceae 113

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be addressed to the Secretary of the Club, Mr. C. L. Patch, Geological Survey. Ottawa.

Any member having copies of the March, 1896, January, February, March and August,
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same, is requested to communicate with the Secretary.

-->

AFFILIATED SOCIETIES

ALBERTA NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY:

Hon. President: Hon. Duncan Marshall.

Hon. Vice-Presidents: J. J. Gaetz, M.P.P., H. A. Craig.

President: F. C. Whitehouse.

Vice-Presidents: Mrs. W. A. Cassels, Dr. Henry George.

Secretary-Treasurer: Miss R. E. Fyson, Red Deer.

Directors: Mrs. George, Red Deer; Mrs. Pamely, Red Deer; Mrs. Root.
Wetaskiwin; Miss Goudie, Red Deer; Miss Cole, Calgary; E. Wilton.
Red Deer; K. Bowman, Edmonton; F. S. Carr, Edmonton; D. Mackie,
Edmonton.
Members qualified to answer enquiries:

Birds: Mrs. W. A. Cassels, Red Deer; Dr. H. George, Red Deer.

Mammals: Dr. H. George, Red Deer.

Fishes: F. C. Whitehouse, Red Deer.

Insects: Coleoptera, Mr. F. S. Carr, 11050 123rd St., Edmonton; Lepi-
doptera, K. Bowman, 9914 115th St., Edmonton; Odonata, F. C. White-
house, Red Deer.
The meetings of this Society are held in Red Deer on the last Friday of
each month, except during July and August, and perhaps September. The
annual meeting is held on the last Friday in November, also in Red Deer.

McILWRAITH ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB. LONDON, ONT.:

President: John C. Middleton. Secretary: Chas Watson.

Members qualified to answer enquiries: J. F. Calvert, Tecumseth Ave., London;
E. M. S. Dale, Hyman St., London; C. Watson, % Elliot, Marr & Co.,
London; W. E. Saunders, 352 Clarence St., London.

PROVINCE OF QUEBEC SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS:

Hon. President: I. Gammell.

President: L. M. Terrill.

Vice-Presidents: F. Abraham, Miss Edith Morrow.

Hon. Corresponding Secretary: Mrs. W. E. E. Dyer, 12 Willow Ave., West-
mount.

Hon. Recording Secretary: Miss Jean McConnell.

Hon. Treasurer: Miss M. Hadrill.
Directors: Miss Mary Armitage, Miss Louise Murphy, Miss Emily
Luke, Mrs. F. Abraham, Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Dale, Mr. Alex. McSween,
Mrs. J. T. Ayers, Mr. W. A. Oswald, Miss Harriett Stone, Mr. Napier
Smith.

Members qualified to answer questions: L. M. Terrill, 44 Stanley Ave.,
St. Lambert, Que.; W. A. Oswald, 301 Wilson Ave., Notre Dame de Grace.
Montreal; Napier Smith, Apt. 21, 46 Cot^ des Neiges Road, Montreal; C. N.
Robertson, 4010 Montrose Ave., Montreal; Dr. Arthur Willey, McGiU
University, Montreal; Dr. D. W. Hamilton, Macdonald College, Que.; W. J.
Brown, 250 Oliver Ave., Westmount, Que. ; Miss Edith Morrow, % Secretary;
Miss Emily Luke, c/o Secretary.

VANCOUVER NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY:

Hon. President: L. S. Klinck, LL.D., Pres. University of B. C.

President: John Davidson, F. L. S., University of B. C.

Vice-President: H. J. McLatchy, B. A.

Hon. Secretary: C. F. Connor, M. A., 3529 — 2nd Ave., W. Vancouver, B. C.

Hon. Treasurer: Jas. Lyall, Bank of Hamilton, Vancouver, B. C.

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

Subscriptions are Now Payable

It will be difficult for the Council of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists'
Club to keep the Magazine up to standard of size through the coming
year unless every subscriber makes a special effort to assist.

This is the first nimiber of Vol. 35 for 1921, so kindly help us
NOW by paying your subscription at once.

There has been an unavoidable delay in publishing the last few
numbers, but this is now being corrected and we hope to be up to
date soon.

In future, to save postage which is a considerable item, no receipts
will be sent where subscriptions are paid by cheque or money order,
unless requested.

All payments should be made to the Treasurer, Mr. C. B. Hutch-
ings. Entomological Branch, Dept. Agriculture, Ottawa, Ontario.

VOL. XXXV. No. 2.

FEBRUARY, 1921.

ISSUED JUNE 22nd, 1921

Entered at Gardenvak Post Office as second class matter.

THE OHAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS' CLUB

President: R. M. Anderson
1st Vice President: G. A. Millar 2nd Vice President: Hoyes Lloyd

Treasurer:
Secretary: C. B. Hutchings

Clyde L. Patch (Entomological Branch

(Geological Survey) Dept. Agriculture.)

Additional Members of Council: W. T. Macoun; Miss M. E. Cowan; C. M.
Sternberg; H. I. Smith; F. W. Waugh; P. A. Taverner; E. Sapir;
E.iM. Kindle; W. J. Wintemberg; R. E. Delury; Arthur Gibson;

Norman Criddle

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

E. Sapir - -
M. O. Malte -
F.|R. Latchford
M. ' Y. Williams

Editor:
D. Jenness
Victoria Memorial Museum, Ottawa

Associate Editors:
- Anthropology A. G. Huntsman
- - Botany P. A. Taverner
- Conchology E. M. Kindle -
- Geology R. M. Anderson
Arthur Gibson Entomology

Marine Biology

- Ornithology

Palaeontology

- Zoology

CONTENTS.

Page.

The Larger Freshwater — Crustacea From Canada and Alaska. By Frits Johansen • • 21

Some Notes on the Belted Kingfisher. By Prof. William Rowan 30

The King versus Russel C. Clark 32

Notes and Observations:

Animal Behaviour as a Factor in the Formation of Bone Beds. E. M. Kindle 33

Vespula Diabolica. A. Brooker Klugh 35

A Gull in Niagara Rapids. Harrison F. Lewis 35

The Greater Snow Goose. Harrison P. Lewis 35

The Town of Yarmouth, N.S., Buys a Bird Sanctuary. Hoyes Lloyd.. .. 35

Freshwater Crustacea From Canada. Frits .Tohansen 36

Book Reviews ^^

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST, lately The Ottawa Natura-
list, established thirty-two years ago, "to publish the results of original research
or investigation in all depaitments of natural history," is issued monthly,
excepting for the months of June, July and August.

Papers, notes and photographs should be addressed to the Editor. Manu-
script should be typewritten. _, • i 4.

Subscriptions cover the current year, except those taken out durmg last
quarter when they will be applied on the following year, the retnammg numbers
of current year being sent free. Payments should be made to the Treasurer,
Mr. C. B. Hutchings, Entomological Branch, Dept. of Agriculture, Ottawa.
Price of this volume SL50; single copies 20c each.

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SUPPLIES AND SPECIMENS. J.vwvxiiJ^o i i^iv, in . i ., vj.j.n..

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Field-Naturalist, Every member of the Club is urged to assist in this
campaign by showing this number to a possible subscriber and endeavoring
to have the attached blank filled in and forwarded to the Treasurer.

MR. C. B. HUTCHINGS, Treasurer, O.F.-N.C,

Entomological Branch, Dept. of Agriculture, Ottawa, Ont.
I enclose herewith One Dollar and Fifty Cents subscription to The Canadian
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•

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The Ottawa Gas Co.
The Ottawa Electric Co.

FOR SALE Back Numbers of The Ottawa Naturalist

The Club has for sale complete sets of its publications. Enquiries regarding price should
be addressed to the Secretary of the Club, Mr. C. L. Patch, Geological Survey. Ottawa.

Any member having copies of the March, 1896, January, February, March and August,
1898, and December, 1900, issue of the Ottawa Naturalist, and who desires to dispose of the
same, is requested to communicate with the Secretary.

AFFILIATED SOCIETIES

ALBERTA NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY:

Hon. President: Hon. Duncan Marshall.

Hon. Vice-Presidents: J. J. Gaetz, M.P.P., H. A. Craig.

President: F. C. Whitehouse.

Vice-Presidents: Mrs. W. A. Cassels, Dr. Henry George.

Secretary-Treasurer: Miss R. E. Fyson, Red Deer.

Directors: Mrs. George, Red Deer; Mrs. Pamely, Red Deer; Mrs. Root,
Wetaskiwin; Miss Goudie, Red Deer; Miss Cole. Calgary; E. Wilton.
Red Deer; K. Bowman, Edmonton; F. S. Carr, Edmonton; D. Mackie,
Edmonton.
Meynbers qualified to answer enquiries:

Birds: Mrs. W. A. Cassels, Red Deer; Dr. H. George, Red Deer.

Mammals: Dr. H. George, Red Deer,

Fishes: F. C. Whitehouse, Red Deer.

Insects: Coleoptera, Mr. F. S. Carr, 11050 123rd St., Edmonton; Lepi-
doptera, K. Bowman, 9914 115th St., Edmonton; Odonata, F. C. White-
house, Red Deer.
The meetings of this Society are held in Red Deer on the last Friday of
each month, except during July and August, and perhaps September. The
annual meeting is held on the last Friday in November, also in Red Deer. .

McILWRAITH ornithological club, LONDON. ONT.:

President: John C. Middleton. Secretary: Chas Watson.

Meynbers qualified to ayiswer enquiries: J. F. Calve^^t, Tecumseth Ave., London;
E. M. S. Dale, Hyman St., London; C. Watson, % Elliot, Marr & Co.,
London; W. E. Saunders, 352 Clarence St., London.

PROVINCE OF QUEBEC SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS:

Hoyi. President: I. Gammell.

President: L. M. Terrill.

Vice-Presidents: F. Abr.'\ham, Miss Edith Morrow.

Hon. Corresponding Secretary: Mrs. W. E. E. Dyer, 12 Willow Ave., West-
mount.

Hon. Recording Secretary: Miss Jean McConnell.

Hon. Treasurer: Miss M. Hadrill.
Directors: Miss Mary Armitage, Miss Louise Murphy, Miss Emily
Luke, Mrs. F. Abraham, Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Dale, Mr. Alex. McSween,
Mrs. J. T. Ayers, Mr. W. A. Oswald, Miss Harriett Stone, Mr. Napier
Smith.

Meynbers qualified to answer questions: L. M. Terrill, 44 Stanley Ave.,
St. Lambert, Que.; W. A. Oswald, 301 Wilson Ave., Notre Dame de Grace,
Montreal; Napier Smith, Apt. 21, 46 Cot6 des Neiges Road, Montreal; C. N.
Robertson, 4010 Montrose Ave., Montreal; Dr. Arthur Willey, McGill
University, Montreal; Dr. D. W. Hamilton, Macdonald College, Que.; W. J.
Brown, 250 Oliver Ave., Westmount, Que. ; Miss Edith Morrow, % Secretary ;
Miss Emily Luke, c/o Secretary.

VANCOUVER NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY:

Hon. President: L. S. Klinck, LL.D., Pres. University of B. C.

President: John Davidson, F. L. S., University of B. C.

Vice-President: H. J. McLatchy, B. A.

Hon. Secretary: C. F. Connor, M. A., 352&— 2nd Ave., W. Vancouver, B. C.

Hon. Treasurer: JAS. Lyall, Bank of Hamilton, Vancouver, B. C.

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

HAMILTON BIRD PROTECTION SOCIETY

Hon. President: ADAM BROWN.

Hon. Life Member: .JACK MINER.

President: K. OWEN MERRIMAN.

1st Vice-President: N. M. ANDERSON.

2nd Vice-President: Dr. H. G. ARNOTT.

Secretary and Treasurer: RUBY R. MILLS.

Directors: N. M. ANDERSON. DR. H. G. ARNOTT,
CECIL D. COOK. MISS M. E. GRAHAM, A. .1. PAINTER,
MISS E. KAPPELE, Dr. McGILLIVRAY, R. OWEN MERRI-
MAN. MlSrf R. R. MILLS.

The meetings of this Society are held on the .second Mon-
day of the following months: October, November, January,
March, Apii] and May.

VOL. XXXV. No. 3.

GARDENVALE, QUE.

MARCH 1921.

ISSUED AUGUST 3RD, 1921

Entered at Gardenvak Post Office as second class matter.

THE OHAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS' CLUB

President: R, M. Anderson
1st Vice President: G. A. Millar 2nd Vice President: Hoyes Lloyd

Treasurer:
Secretary: C. B. HuTCHiNGS

Clyde L. Patch (Entomological Brancli

(Geological Survey) Dept. Agriculture.)

Additional Members of Council: W. T. Macoun; Miss M. E. Cowan; C. M.
Sternberg; H. I. Smith; F. W. Waugh; P. A. Taverner; E. Sapir;
E. _M. Kindle; W. J. Wintemberg; R. E. Delury; Arthur Gibson;

Norman Criddle

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

E. Sapir - -
M. O. Malte -

F. R. Latchford
M. Y. Williams

Editor:
D. Jenness
Victoria Memorial Museum, Ottawa

Associate Editors:
- Anthropology A. G. Huntsman •
- - Botany P. A. Taverner
-- Conchology E. M. Kindle -
- Geology R. M. Anderson
Arthur Gibson Entomology

Marine Biology

- Ornithology

Palaeontology

' Zoology

CONTENTS.

Page

The Evening Grosbeak in Canada. By P. A. Taverner 41

The Larger Freshwater — Crustacea from Canada and Alaska. By Frits Johansen .... 45
Association, Commensalism and Parisitism among Marine Animals in the Strait of

Georgia. By C. McLean Fraser 48

Gleanings from the Canadian West — Part I., Avian Fauna of Islay, Alberta. By J.

Dewey Soper 50

Prosecutions, Migratory Birds Convention Act and North West Game Act 56

Correspondence:

Bird Migration. H. Mousley 54

Notes and Observations:

Notes and Observations on the White-winged Crossbill. L. McI. Terrell .... 57

Observations on Birds of Prince Edward Island. A Brooker Klugh 58

Prairie Warbler at Hamilton, Ont. R. Owen Merriman 59

Bohemian Waxwings in Saskatchewan. Neil Gilmour ■ 59

Appointments. H. L 60

THEfCANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST, lately The Ottawa Natura-
list, established thirty-two years ago, "to publish the results of original research
or investigation in all departments of natural history," is issued monthly,
excepting for the months of June, July and August.

Papers, notes and photographs should be addressed to the Editor. Manu-
script should be typewritten.

Subscriptions cover the current year, except those taken out during last
quarter when they will be applied on the following year, the remaining numbers
of current year being sent free. Payments should be made to the Treasurer,
Mr. C. B. Hutchings, Entomological Branch, Dept. of Agriculture, Ottawa.
Price of this volume $L50; single copies 20c each.

^ THETOPLEY-COMPANY ^"^

^

PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIAL
SCIENTIFIC APPARATUS

132 Sparks Street .... OTTAWA

GRANT - HOLDEN-GRAH AM-LIMITED

Manufacturers of

HIGH GRADE TENTS, TARPAULINS AND SLEEPING BAGS.
BUY OUTFITTERS TO SURVEYORS AND ENGINEERS BUY

Write for Catalogues.

147 Albert Street - - - OTTAWA, Canada

C. A. OLMSTED & SON

JEWELLERS. OPTICIANS. WATCHMAKERS AND ENGRAVERS

Dealers in Fine Diamonds, Sterling Silver,
Electro-Plated Ware and Rich Cut Glass.

"The Stoie of MODERATE PRICES."

208 Sparks St., OTTAWA. Phone Queen 1430

LYMANS, Limited ..Manufacturing Chemists

Importers and Dealers in
(Established 1800)

CHEMICAL AND ASSAY
344 St. Paul St. West, MONTREAL APPARATUS

Grow Good Crops — Seeds — Plants — Bulbs

Our rigorous system of testing eliminates loss
and disappointment from vour garden.

KENNETH McDONALD & SONS, Limited

Seed and Bulb Merchants. Market Square, OTTAWA

, L. C. SMITH & BROS. TYPEWRITER

BUILT LIKE A WATCH. MOST POPULAR TYPEWRITER TO-DAY.

OTTAWA TYPEWRITER CO., Limited

THE ONTARIO HUGHES OWENS CO., Limited

SCIENTIFIC APPARATUS AND DRAWING MATERIALS
We have a Modern Repair Department.

529 Sussex Street, Ottawa. Phone Q. 8028

THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA

CAPITAL ..---. $ 9,700,000.

RESERVE FUND AND DIVIDEND PROFITS OVER 18,000,000.
TOTAL ASSETS OVER - . - . 230,000,000.

SEVENTEEN BRANCHES IN OTTAWA AND HULL.

WARD'S NAT. SCIENCE ESTABLISHMENT

HEADQUARTERS FOR ENTOMOLOGICAL ROCHFSTFR NY TT^A

SUPPLIES AND SPECIMENS. J.vw\^ill^O X x:.X\, i\ . 1 ., U.:3./\.

Manufacturers of the genuine Schmiit boxes, exhibition cases and cabinets, also of the American
Entomol»gical Company's insect pins.

Riker Mounts and botanical mounts always on hand, also Riker botanical presses.
Send for our supply catalogue and other lists of interest to collectors.

The Toronto General Trusts Corporation

CAPITAL, $1,500,000. RESERVE, $2,000,000

Successful administration of ESTATES ranging in value from $500 to $5,000.00 each, is

the best guarantee that you may confidently name as your Executor and Trustee this

Corporation.

JAMES DAVEY, Manager. Ottawa Branch: Cor. SPARKS and ELGINS STS.

THE MORTIMER CO., LIMITED

PRODUCERS OF THOUGHTFUL PRINTING

Lithographers, Engravers, Bookbinders, Creators of Advertising Literature
OTTAWA. MONTREAL, TORONTO

HENRY BIRKS & SONS LIMITED

GOLD AND SILVERSMITHS

101-105 Sparks Street
OTTAWA

SUBSCRIPTION BLANK

The Membership Committee of the Ottawa Field-NaturaUsts' Club is
making a special effort to increase the subscription list of The Canadian
Field-Naturalist. Every member of the Club is urged to assist in this
campaign by showing this number to a possible subscriber and endeavoring
to have the attached blank filled in and forwarded to the Treasurer.

MR. C. B. HUTCHINGS, Treasurer, O.F.-N.C,

Entomological Branch, Dept. of Agriculture, Ottawa, Ont,
I enclose herewith One Dollar and Fifty Cents subscription to The Canadian
Field-Naturalist for one year.

W. A. RANKIN p-j^g Builders' Hardware

410-412 Bank St. - Ottawa Refrigerators and Hammocks.

PHONES— Queen 1023-1024

Inspected Milk.
Ice Cream

Fresh Butter.
Buttermilk.

JAMES HOPE & SONS

Booksellers, Stationers,
Bookbinders, Printers,

63 SPARKS STREET, OTTAWA.

THE C. C. RAY Co. Limited

Best Quality. COAL Lowest Prices.
46 Sparks St., Ottawa. Phone^Q. 461

ALWAYS at your SERVICE

The Ottawa Gas Co.

The Ottawa Electric Co.

GEO. E. PRESTON & SONS

MERCHANT TAILORS

We make everything we sell and guarantee

everything we make.

217-219 RIDEAU ST., - OTTAWA

Dr. Mark G. McELHINNEY

' Dentist to certain of
the cognoscenti.
BOOTH BUILDING, OTTAWA.
Phone Queen 2438.

FOR SALE— Back Numbers of The Ottawa Naturalist

The Club has for sale complete sets of its publications. Enquiries regarding price should
be addressed to the Secretary of the Club, Mr. C. L. Patch, Geological Survey. Ottawa.

Any member having copies of the March, 1896, January, February, March and August,
1898, and December, 1900. issue of the Ottawa Naturalist, and who desires to dispose of the
same, is requested to communicate with the Secretary.

AFFILIATED SOCIETIES

ALBERTA NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY:

Hon. President: Hon. Duncan Marshall.

Hon. Vice-Presidents: J. J. Gaetz, M.P.P., H. A. Craig.

President: F. C. Whitehouse.

Vice-Presidents: Mrs. W. A. Cassels, Dr. Henry George.

Secretary-Treasurer: Miss R. E. Fyson, Red Deer.

Directors: Mrs. George, Red Deer; Mrs. Pamely, Red Deer; Mrs. Root,
Wetaskiwin; Miss Goudie, Red Deer; Miss Cole, Calgary; E. Wilton.
Red Deer; K. Bowman, Edmonton; F. S. Carr, Edmonton; D. Mackie,
Edmonton.
Members qualified to answer enquiries:

Birds: Mrs. W. A. Cassels, Red Deer; Dr. H. George, Red Deer.

Mammals: Dr. H. George, Red Deer.

Fishes: F. C. Whitehouse, Red Deer.

Insects: Coleoptera, Mr. F. S. Carr, 11050 123rd St., Edmonton; Lepi-
doptera, K. Bowman, 9914 115th St., Edmonton; Odonata, F. C. White-
house, Red Deer.
The meetings of this Society are held in Red Deer on the last Friday of
each month, except during July and August, and perhaps September. The
annual meeting is held on the last Friday in November, also in Red Deer.

McILWRAITH ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB, LONDON, ONT.:

President: John C. Middleton. Secretary: Chas Watson.

Members qualified to answer enquiries: J. F. Calvert, Tecumseth Ave., London;
E. M. S. Dale, Hyman St., London; C. Watson, % Elliot, Marr & Co.,
London; W. E. Saunders, 352 Clarence St., London.

PROVINCE OF QUEBEC SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS:

Hon. President: I. Gammell.

President: L. M. Terrill.

Vice-Presidents: F. Abraham, Miss Edith Morrow.

Hon. Corresponding Secretary: Mrs. W. E. E. Dyer, 12 Willow Ave., West-
mount.

Hon. Recording Secretary: Miss Jean McConnell.

Hon. Treasurer: Miss M. Hadrill.
Directors: Miss Mary Armitage, Miss Louise Murphy, Miss Emily
Luke, Mrs. F. Abraham, Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Dale, Mr. Alex. McSween,
Mrs. J. T. Ayers, Mr. W. A. Oswald, Miss Harriett Stone, Mr. Napier
Smith.

Members qualified to answer questions: L. M. Terrill, 44 Stanley Ave.,
St. Lambert, Que.; W. A. Oswald, 301 Wilson Ave., Notre Dame de Grace,
Montreal; Napier Smith, Apt. 21, 46 Cot6 des Neiges Road, Montreal; C. N.
Robertson, 4010 Montrose Ave., Montreal; Dr. Arthur Willey, McGill
University, Montreal; Dr. D. W. Hamilton, Macdonald College, Que.; W. J.
Brown, 250 Oliver Ave., Westmount, Que. ; Miss Edith Morrow, % Secretary;
Miss Emily Luke, c/o Secretary.

VANCOUVER NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY:

Hon. President: L. S. Klinck, LL.D., Pres. University of B. C.

President: John Davidson, F. L. S., University of B. C.

Vice-President: H. J. McLatchy, B. A.

Hon. Secretary: C. F. Connor, M. A., 3529 — 2nd Ave., W. Vancouver, B. C.

Hon. Treasurer: Jas. Lyall, Bank of Hamilton, Vancouver, B. C.

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

HAMILTON BIRD PROTECTION SOCIETY

Hon. President: ADAM BROWN.

Honw Life Member: JACK MINER.

President: R. OWEN MERRIMAN.

1st Vice-President: N. M. ANDERSON.

2nd Vice-President: Dr. H. G. ARNOTT.

Secretary and Treasurer: RUBY R. MILLS.

Directors: N. M. ANDERSON, DR. H. G. ARNOTT,
CECIL D. COOK, MISS M. E. GRAHAM, A. J. PAINTER,
MISS E. KAPPELE, Dr. McGILLIVRAY, R. OWEN MERRI-
MAN, MISS R. R. MILLS.

The meetings of this Society are held on the second Mon-
day of the following months: October, November, January,
March, April and May.

VOL. XXXV. No. 4.

GARDENVALE, QUE.

APRIL 1921.

OTTAWA W^^S^^Wm^nS^S>* OLUB

ISSUED OCTOBER 25TH, 1921

Entered at Gardemak Post Office as second class maUer,

THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS' CLUB

President: R. M. Anderson
1st Vice President: Hoyes Lloyd 2nd Vice President: G. A. Millar

Treasurer:
Secretary: C. B. Hutchings

Clyde L. Patch (Entomological Branch

(Geological Survey) Dept. Agriculture.)

Additional Members of Council: W. T. Macoun; Miss M. E. Cowan; C. M.
Sternberg; H. I. Smith; F. W. Waugh; P. A. Taverner; E. Sapir;
E. M. Kindle; W. J. Wintemberg; R. E. Delury; Arthur Gibson;

Norman Criddle

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

E. Sapir 1 - -
M. O. Malte -

F. R. Latchford
M. Y. Williams

Editor:
D. Jenness
Victoria Memorial Museum, Ottawa

Associate Editors:

- Anthropology A. G. Huntsman

- - Botany P. A. Taverner
- Conchology E, M. Kindle -

- Geology R. M. Anderson
Arthur Gibson Entomology

Marine Biology

- Ornithology

Palaeontology

- Zoology

CONTENTS.

Page

A Popular Description of Dinosaurs. By C. M. Sternberg 61

A Cyprinid New to Science. By Philip Cox 66

Canadian Sphaeriidae. By Hon. Mr. Justice Latchford . 68

A Baby Porcupine. By Charles Macnamara 70

Notes on Canadian Entomostraca. By A. Brooker Klugh 72

A Botanical Trip through German South -West Africa. By W. P. Thompson ...... 74

Swarth on the Fox Sparrow. By P. A. Taverner 7«

Notes and Observations:

Bird Banding 78

Nighthawk Nesting in a Peat Bog. By W. V. Brown 80

THEJCANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST, lately The Ottawa Natura-
list, established thirty-two years ago, "to publish the results of original research
or investigation in all departments of natural history," is issued monthly,
excepting for the months of June, July and August.

Papers, notes and photographs should be addressed to the Editor. Manu-
script should be typewritten.

Subscriptions cover the current year, except those taken out during last
quarter when they will be applied on the following year, the remaining numbers
of current year being sent free. Payments should be made to the Treasurer,
Mr. C.'B. Hutchings, Entomological Branch, Dept. of Agriculture, Ottawa.
Price of this volume $1.50; single copies 20c each.

■SL THE TOPLEY COMPANY "^"

PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIAL
SCIENTIFIC APPARATUS

132 Sparks Street . . - . OTTAWA

GRANT - HOLDEN-GRAH AM-LIMITED

Manufacturers of

HIGH GRADE TENTS, TARPAULINS AND SLEEPING BAGS.
BUY OUTFITTERS TO SURVEYORS AND ENGINEERS BUY

Write for Catalogues.

147 Albert Street - - - OTTAWA, Canada

C. A. OLMSTED & SON

JEWELLERS, OPTICIANS, WATCHMAKERS AND ENGRAVERS

Dealers in Fine Diamonds, Sterling Silver,
Electro-Plated Ware and Rich Cut Glass.

" The Store of MODERATE PRICES. ''

208 Sparks St., OTTAWA. Phone Queen 1430

LYMANS, Limited Manufacturintr chemists

Importers and Dealers in
(Established 1800)

,^..^^^ . T CHEMICAL AND ASSAY

344 St. Paul St. West, MONTREAL apparatus

Grow Good Crops — Seeds — Plants — Bulbs

^ ^ >^^ ^^" rigorous system of testing eliminates loss

c-j^Ji^ynn£fuC\ and disappointment from vour garden.

"""•^ KENNETH McDONALD & SONS, Limited

Seed and Bulb Merchants. Market Square, OTTAWA

L. C. SMITH & BROS. TYPEWRITER

BUILT LIKE A WATCH. MOST POPULAR TYPEWRITER TO-DAY.

OTTAWA TYPEWRITER CO., Limited

THE ONTARIO HUGHES OWENS CO., Limited

SCIENTIFIC APPARATUS AND DRAWING MATERIALS
We have a Modern Repair Department.

529 Sussex Street, Ottawa. Phone Q. 8028

THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA

CAPITAL ...-.- I 9,700,000.

RESERVE FUND AND DIVIDEND PROFITS OVER 18,000,000
TOTAL ASSETS OVER - . . . 230,000,000.

SEVENTEEN BRANCHES IN OTTAWA AND HULL.

WARD'S NAT. SCIENCE ESTABLISHMENT

"^^^s%%l'^ifi&?>^sFI'cTMTN^s^^^^^" ROCHESTER, N.Y., U.S.A.

Manufacturers of the genuine Schmiit boxes, exhibition cases and cabinets, also of the American
Entomological Company's insect pins.

Riker Mounts and botanical mounts always on hand, also Riker botanical presses.
Send for our supply catalogue and other lists of interest to collectors.

The Toronto General Trusts Corporation

CAPITAL, $1,500,000. RESERVE, $2,000,000

Successful administration of ESTATES ranging in value from $500 to $5,000.00 each, is

the best guarantee that you may confidently name as your Executor and Trustee this

Corporation.

JAMES DAVEY, Manager. Ottawa Branch: Cor. SPARKS and ELGINS STS.

THE MORTIMER CO., LIMITED

PRODUCERS OF THOUGHTFUL PRINTING

Lithographers, Engravers, Bookbinders, Creators of Advertising Literature
OTTAWA, MONTREAL, ' TORONTO

HENRY BIRKS & SONS LIMITED

GOLD AND SILVERSMITHS

101-105 Sparks Street
OTTAWA

SUBSCRIPTION BLANK

The Membership Committee of the Ottawa Field-NaturaUsts' Club is
making a special effort to increase the subscription list of The Canadian^
Field-Naturalist. Every member of the Club is urged to assist in this
campaign by showing this number to a possible subscriber and endeavoring
to have the attached blank filled in and forwarded to the Treasurer.

MR. C. B. HUTCHINGS, Treasurer, O.F.-N.C,

Entomological Branch, Dept. of Agriculture, Ottawa, Ont.
T enclose herewith One -Dollar and Fifty Cents subscription to The Canadian
Field-Naturalist for one year.

'-

W. A. RANKIN pi„^ B^„„^^, Hardware
410-412 Bank St. - Ottawa Refrigerators and Hammocks.

PHONES— Queen 1023-1024

Inspected Milk. "(^Tf/li^ ^^^^'^ Butter.
Ice Cream "^00^^^ Buttermilk.

JAMES HOPE & SONS

Booksellers, Stationers,
Bookbinders, Printers,

63 SPARKS STREET, OTTAWA.

GEO. E. PRESTON & SONS

MERCHANT TAILORS

We make everything we sell and guarantee

everything we make.

217-219 RIDEAU ST., - OTTAWA

THE C. C. RAY Co. Limited

Best Quality. COAT/ Lowest Prices.
46 Sparks St., Ottawa. Phone ^Q. 461

Dr. Mark G. McELHINNEY

Dentist to certain of

the cognoscenti.

BOOTH BUILDING, OTTAWA.

Phone Queen 2438.

ALWAYS at your SERVICE

The Ottawa Gas Co.
The Ottawa Electric Co.

■

<

FOR SALE Elack Numbers of 'l^he Ottawa Naturalist

The Club has for sale complete sets of its publications. Enquiries regarding price should
be addressed to the Secretary of the Club, Mr. C. L. Patch, Geological Survey. Ottawa.

Any member having copies of the March, 1896, January, February, March and August,
1898, and December, 1900, issue of the Ottawa Naturalist, and who desires to dispose of the
same, is requested to communicate with the Secretary.

AFFILIATED SOCIETIES

ALBERTA NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY:

Hon. President: Hon. Duncan Marshall.

Hon. Vice-Presidents: J. J. Gaetz, M.P.P., H. A. Craig.

President: F. C. Whitehouse.

Vice-Presidents: Mrs. W. A. Cassels, Dr. Henry George.

Secretary-Treasurer: Miss R. E. Fyson, Red Deer.

Directors: Mrs. George, Red Deer; Mrs. Pamely, Red Deer; Mrs. Root,
Wetaskiwin; Miss Goudie, Red Deer; Miss Cole, Calgary; E. Wilton.
Red. Deer; K. Bowman, Edmonton; F. S. Carr, Edmonton; D. Mackie,
Edmonton.
Members qualified to answer enquiries:

Birds: Mrs. W. A. Cassels, Red Deer; Dr. H. George, Red Deer.

Mammals: Dr. H. George, Red Deer.

Fishes: F. C. Whitehouse, Red Deer.

Insects: Coleoptera, Mr. F. S. Carr, 11050 123rd St., Edmonton; Lepi-
doptera, K. Bowman, 9914 115th St., Edmonton; Odonata, F. C. White-
house, Red Deer.
The meetings of this Society are held in Red Deer on the last Friday of
each month, except during July and August, and perhaps September. The
annual meeting is held on the last Friday in November, also in Red Deer.

McILWRAITH ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB, LONDON, ONT.:

President: John C. Middleton. Secretary: Chas Watson.

Members qualified to answer enquiries: J. F. Calvert, Tecumseth Ave., London;
E. M. S. Dale, Hyman St., London; C. Watson, % Elliot, Marr & Co.,
London; W. E. Saunders, 352 Clarence St., London.

PROVINCE OF QUEBEC SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS:

Hon. President: I. Gammell.

President: L. M. Terrill.

Vice-Presidents: F. Abraham, Miss Edith Morrow.

Hon. Corresponding Secretary: Mrs. W. E. E. Dyer, 12 Willow Ave., West-
mount.

Hon. Recording Secretary: Miss Jean McConnell.

Hon. Treasurer: Miss M. Hadrill.
Directors: Miss Mary Armitage, Miss Louise Murphy, Miss Emily
Luke, Mrs. F. Abraham, Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Dale, Mr. Alex. McSween,
Mrs. J. T. Ayers, Mr. W. A. Oswald, Miss Harriett Stone, Mr. Napier
Smith.

Members qualified to answer questions: L. M. Terrill, 44 Stanley Ave.,
St. Lambert, Que.; W. A. Oswald, 301 Wilson Ave., Notre Dame de Grace,
Montreal; Napier Smith, Apt. 21, 46 CoU des Neiges Road, Montreal; C. N.
Robertson, 4010 Montrose Ave., Montreal; Dr. Arthur Willey, McGill
University, Montreal; Dr. D. W. Hamilton, Macdonald College, Que.; W. J.
Brown, 250 Oliver Ave., Westmount, Que. ; Miss Edith Morrow, % Secretary;
Miss Emily Luke, c/o Secretary.

VANCOUVER NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY:

Hon. President: L. S. Klinck, LL.D., Pres. University of B. C.

President: John Davidson, F. L. S., University of B. C.

Vice-President: H. J. McLatchy, B. A.

Hon. Secretary: C. F. Connor, M. A., 3529— 2nd Ave., W. Vancouver, B. C.

Hon. Treasurer: Jas. Lyall, Bank of Hamilton, Vancouver, B. C.

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

HAMILTON BIRD PROTECTION SOCIETY

Hon. President: ADAM BROWN.

Hon. Life Member: JACK MINER.

President: R. OWEN MERRIMAN.

1st Vice-President: N. M. ANDERSON.

2nd Vice-President: Dr. H. G. ARNOTT,

Secretary and Treasurer: RUBY R. MILLS.

Directors: N. M. ANDERSON, DR. H. G. ARNOTT,
CECIL D. COOK, MISS M. E. GRAHAM, A. J. PAINTER.
MISS E. KAPPELE, Dr. McGILLIVRAY, R. OWEN MERRI-
MAN, MISS R. R. MILLS.

The meetings of this Society are held on the second Mon-
day of the following months: October, No%'«mber, January,
March, April and May.

VOL. XXXV. No. 5.

GARDENVALE, QUE.

MAY 1921.

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ISSUED NOVEMBER 22ND, 1921

THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS' CLUB

President: R. M. Anderson
1st Vice President: Hoyes Lloyd 2nd Vice President: G. A. Millar

Treasurer:
Secretary: C. B. HuTCHiNGS

Clyde L. Patch (Entomological Branch

(Geological Survey) Dept. Agriculture.)

Additional Members of Council: W. T. Macoun; Miss M. E. Cowan; C. M.
Sternberg; H. I. Smith; F. W. Waugh; P. A. Taverner; E. Sapir;
E. M. Kindle; W. J. Wintemberg; R. E. Delury; Arthur Gibson;

Norman Criddle

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

E. Sapir - -
M. O. Malte -

F. R. Latchford
M. Y. Williams

Editor:

D. JENNESS

Victoria Memorial Museum, Ottawa

Associate Editors:

- Anthropology A. G. Huntsman

- - Botany P. A. Taverner
- Conchology E. M. Kindle -

- Geology R. M. Anderson
Arthur Gibson Entomology

Marine Biology

- Ornithology

Palaeontology

- Zoology

CONTENTS.

Page

Overgrowth of Stumps of Conifers. By C. C. Pemberton 81

The larger Freshwater-Crustacea from Canada and Alaska (Continued). By-
Frits Johansen 83

Notes on the Fauna of Lower Pagwachuan, Lower Kenogami and Lower Albany

River of Ontario. By M. Y. Williams . . • • 94

Notes and Observations:

An aquatic habit of the Pigeons. By Hoyes Lloyd 98

Freshwater-Crustacea from Canada. By Frits Johansen 99

Additional Species for the List of Coldstream Birds. By A. A. Wood 100

Starling at London. By E. M, S. Dale 100

THE^CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST, lately The Ottawa Natura-
list, established thirty- two years ago, " to publish the results of original research
or investigation in all departments of natural history," is issued monthly,
excepting for the months of June, July and August.

Papers, notes and photographs should be addressed to the Editor. Manu-
script should be typewritten.

Subscriptions cover the current year, except those taken out during last
quarter when they will be applied on the following year, the remaining numbers
of current year being sent free. Payments should be made to the Treasurer,
Mr. C. B. Hutchings, Entomological Branch, Dept. of Agriculture, Ottawa.
Price of this volume $1.50; single copies 20c each.

BUY

THE TOPLEY COMPANY ^

1^7/ %wl

PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIAL

SCIENTIFIC APPARATUS

132 Sparks Street . . . . OTTAWA

GRANT - HOLD EN-GRAHAM-LIMITED

Manufaclureis of

HIGH GRADE TENTS, TARPAULINS AND SLEEPING BAGS.
BUY OUTFITTERS TO SURVEYORS AND ENGINEERS BUY

Write for Calalogms. IT,. \/ .x'r

147 Albert Street - - - OTTAWA, Canada

C. A. OLMSTED & SON

JEWELLERS, OPTICIANS, WATCHMAKERS AND ENGRAVERS

Dealers in Fine Diamonds, Sterling Silver,
Electro-Plated Ware and Rich Cut Glass.

" The Store of MODERATE PRICES. "

208 Sparks St., OTTAWA. Phone Queen 1430

LYMANS, Limited Manufacturing Chemists

Importers and Dealers in
(Established 1800)

CHEMICAL AND ASSAY
344 St. Paul St. West, MONTREAL APPARATUS

Grow Good Crops — Seeds — Plants — Bulbs

/ ^y1 O^ ^'^'^ rigorous system of testing eliminates loss

[^ iJ^injA I.^judj and disappointment from your garden.

KENNETH McDON ALD & SONS, Limited

Seed and Bulb Merchants. Market Square, OTTAWA

L. C. SMITH & BROS. TYPEWRITER

BUILT LIKE A WATCH. MOST POPULAR TYPEWRITER TO-DAY.

OTTAWA TYPEWRITER CO., Limited
THE ONTARIO HUGHES OWENS CO., Limited

SCIENTIFIC APPARATUS AND DRAWING MATERIALS
We have a Modern Repair Department.

529 Sussex Street, Ottawa. Phone Q. 8028

THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA

CAPITAL ...... $ 9,700,000.

RESERVE FUND AND DIVIDEND PROFITS OVER 18,000,000.
TOTAL ASSETS OVER .... 230,000,000.

SEVENTEEN BRANCHES IN OTTAWA AND HULL.

WARD'S NAT. SCIENCE ESTABLISHMENT

HEADQUARTERS FOR ENTOMOLOGICAL ROCHFSTFR NY ITS A

SUPPLIES AND SPECIMENS. rs.w<^ini:.a i. J^XV, i\ . I ., U.O./l.

Manufacturers of the genuine Schmiit boxes, exhibition cases and cabinets, also of the American
Entomological Company's insect pins.

Riker Mounts and botanical mounts always on hand, also Riker botanical presses.
Send for our supply catalogue and other lists of interest to collectors.

The Toronto General Trusts Corporation

CAPITAL, $1,500,000. RESERVE, $2,000,000

Successful administration of ESTATES ranging in value from $500 to $5,000.00 each, is

the best guarantee that you may confidently name as your Executor and Trustee this

Corporation.

JAMES DAVEY, Manager. Ottawa Branch: Cor. SPARKS and ELGINS STS.

THE MORTIMER CO., LIMITED

PRODUCERS OF THOUGHTFUL PRINTING

Lithographers, Engravers, Bookbinders, Creators of Advertising Literature

OTTAWA, MONTREAL, TORONTO

,\ .'".'l

HENRY BIRKS & SONS LIMITED

GOLD AND SILVERSMITHS

101-105 Sparks Street
OTTAWA

SUBSCRIPTION BLANK

The Membership Committee of the Ottawa Field-NaturaUsts' Club is
making a special effort to increase the subscription list of The Canadian
Field-Naturalist. Every member of the Club is urged to assist in this
campaign by showing this number to a possible subscriber and endeavoring
to have the attached blank filled in and forwardfd to the Treasurer.

MR. C. B. HUTCHINGS, Treasurer, O.F.-N.C,

Entomological Branch, Dept. of Agriculture, Ottawa, Ont.
T enclose herewith One Dollar and Fifty Cents subscription to The Canadian
Field-Naturalist for one year.

W. A. RANKIN p R u . H ^

rine Builders Hardware
410-412 Bank St. - Ottawa Refrigerators and Hammocks.

PHONES— Queen 1023-1024

Irispected Milk. tlfl/tDW Fresh Butter.
Ice Cream **(f00^^^ Buttermilk.

JAMES HOPE & SONS

Booksellers, Stationers,
Bookbinders, Printers,

63 SPARKS STREET, OTTAWA.

GEO. E. PRESTON & SONS

MERCHANT TAILORS

We make everything we sell and guarantee
everything we make.

217-219 RIDEAU ST., - OTTAWA

THE C. C. RAY Co. Limited

Best Quality. COAT/ Lowest Prices.

46 Sparks St., Ottawa. Phone Q. 461

Dr. Mark G. McELHINNEY

Dentist to certain of
the cognoscenti.

BOOTH BUILDING, OTTAWA.

Phone Queen 2438.

ALWAYS ^/jowr SERVICE

The Ottawa Gas Co.
Lhe Ottawa Electric Co.

FOR SALE Back Numbers of The Ottawa Naturalist

The Club has for sale complete sets of its publications. Enquiries regarding price should
be addressed to the Secretary of the Club, Mr. C. L. Patch, Geological Survey. Ottawa.

Any member having copies of the March, 1896. January, February, March and August,
1898, and December, 1900, issue of the Ottawa Naturalist, and who desires to dispose of the
same, is requested to communicate with the Secretary.

AFFILIATED SOCIETIES

ALBERTA NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY:

Hon. President: Hon. Duncan Marshall.

Hon, Vice-Presidents: J. J. Gaetz, M.P.P., H. A. Craig.

President: F. C. Whitehouse.

Vice-Presidents: Mrs. W. A. Cassels, Dr. Henry George.

Secretary-Treasurer: Miss R. E. Fyson, Red Deer.

Directors: Mrs. George, Red Deer; Mrs. Pamely, Red Deer; Mrs. Root,
Wetaskiwin; Miss Goudie, Red Deer; Miss Cole. Calgary; E. Wilton.
Red^Deer; K. Bowman, Edmonton; F. S. Carr, Edmonton; D. Mackie,
Edmonton.
Members qualified to answer enquiries:

Birds: Mrs. W. A. Cassels, Red Deer; Dr. H. George, Red Deer.

Mammals: Dr. H. George, Red Deer.

Fishes: F. C. Whitehouse, Red Deer.

Insects: Coleoptera, Mr. F. S. Carr, 11050 123rd St., Edmonton; Lepi-
doptera, K. Bowman, 9914 115th St., Edmonton; Odonata, F. C. White-
house, Red Deer.
The meetings of this Society are held in Red Deer on the last Friday of
each month, except during July and August, and perhaps September. The
annual meeting is held on the last Friday in November, also in Red Deer.

McILWRAITH ornithological club, LONDON, ONT.:

President: John C. Middleton. Secretary: Chas Watson.

Members qualified to answer enquiries: J. F. Calvert, Tecumseth Ave., London;
E. M. S. Dale, Hyman St., London; C. Watson, % Elliot, Marr & Co.,
London; W. E. Saunders, 352 Clarence St., London.

PROVINCE OF QUEBEC SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS:

Hon. President: I. Gammell.

President: L. M. Terrill.

Vice-Presidents: F. Abraham, Miss Edith Morrow.

Hon. Corresponding Secretary: Mrs. W. E. E. Dyer, 12 Willow Ave., West-
mount.

Hon. Recording Secretary: Miss Jean McConnell.

Hon. Treasurer: Miss M. Hadrill.
Directors: Miss Mary Armitage, Miss Louise Murphy, Miss Emily
Luke, Mrs. F. Abraham, Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Dale, Mr. Alex. McSween,
Mrs. J. T. Ayers, Mr. W. A. Oswald, Miss Harriett Stone, Mr. Napier
Smith.

Members qualified to answer questions: L. M. Terrill, 44 Stanley Ave.,
St. Lambert, Que.; W. A. Oswald, 301 Wilson Ave., Notre Dame de Grace,
Montreal; Napier Smith, Apt. 21, 46 Cote des Neiges Road, Montreal; C. N.
Robertson, 4010 Montrose Ave., Montreal; Dr. Arthur Willey, McGill
University, Montreal; Dr. D. W. Hamilton, Macdonald College, Que.; W. J.
Brown, 250 Oliver Ave., Westmount, Que. ; Miss Edith Morrow, % Secretary ;
Miss Emily Luke, c/o Secretary.

VANCOUVER NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY:

Hon. President: L. S. Klinck, LL.D., Pres. University of B. C.

President: John Davidson, F. L. S., University of B. C.

Vice-President: H. J. McLatchy, B. A.

Hon. Secretary: C. F. CoNNOR, M. A., 3529 — 2nd Ave., W. Vancouver, B. C.

Hon. Treasurer: JAS. Lyall, Bank of Hamilton, Vancouver, B. C.

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

HAMILTON BIRD PROTECTION SOCIETY

Hon. President: ADAM BROWN.

Hon. Life Member: JACK MINER.

President: R. OWEN MERRIMAN.

1st Vice-President: N. M. ANDERSON.

2nd Vice-President: Dr. H. G. ARNOTT,

Secretary and Treasurer: RUBY R. MILLS.

Directors: N. M. ANDERSON, DR. H. G. ARNOTT,
CECIL D. COOK, MISS M. E. GRAHAM, A. J. PAINTER.
MISS E. KAPPELE, Dr. McGILLIVRAY, R. OWEN MERRI-
MAN, MISS R. R. MILLS.

The meetings of this Society are held on the second Mon-
day of the following months: October, November, January,
March, April and May.

VOL. XXXV. No. 0.

GARDENVALE, QUE.

SEPTEMBER 1921.

' r^'i^'-^'^^

• 1

ft

.t;t;'/'';«l»»

ffl

g^Lisae.ej..

ISSUED FEBRUARY 3RD, 1922

Entered at Gardenvale Post Office as second class matier

THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS' CLUB

President: R. M. Anderson
1st Vice President: Hoyes Lloyd 2nd Vice President: G. A. Millar

Treasurer:
Secretary: C. B. Hutchings

Clyde L. Patch (Entomological Branch

(Geological Survey) Dept. Agriculture.)

Additional Members of Council: W. T. Macoun; Miss M. E. Cowan; C. M.
Sternberg; H. I. Smith; F. W. Waugh; P. A. Taverner; E. Sapir;
E. M. Kindle; W. J. Wintemberg; R. E. Delury; Arthur Gibson;

Norman Criddle

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

E. Sapir - -
M. O. Malte -

F. R. Latchford
M. Y. Williams

Editor:
D. Jenness
Victoria Memorial Museum, Ottawa '

Associate Editors:
- Anthropology A. G. Huntsman
- - Botany P. A. Taverner
- Conchology E. M. Kindle -
- Geology R. M. Anderson
Arthur Gibson Entomology

Marine Biology

- Ornithology

Palaeontology

- Zoology

cx)NTE»rrs.

On a New Heliozoon from Vancouver Island. By Chas. H. O 'Donoghue, D. Sc, F.Z.S. 101

Gleanings from the Canadian West. By J. Dewey Sopher 102

A Contribution to the Algae Flora of the Okanagan (British Columbia). By E. D.

Sismey 112

An Example of Gravity Deformation in a Limestone Slab. By E. M. Kindle . . . . 115

The Treatment of Skin Irritations Due to Poison Ivy 116

Notes on the Northwest Coast Heron in Stanley Park, Vancouver, B. C 118

Bird Census from London, Ont. By E. M. S. Dale 119

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST, lately The Ottawa Natura-
list, established thirty-two years ago, "to publish the results of original researdi
or investigation in all departments of natural history," is issu^ monthly,
excepting for the months of June, July and August.

Papers, notes and photographs should be addressed to the Editor. Manu-
script should be typewritten.

Subscriptions cover the current year, except those taken out during last
quarter when they will be applied on the following year, the remaining numb«^
of current year being sent free. Payments should be made to the Treasurer,
Mr. C. B. Hutchings, Entwnological Branch, Dept. of Agriculture, Ottawa.
Price of this volume $1.50; single copies 20c each.

THE TOPLEY COMPANY

^

^

PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIAL
SCIENTIFIC APPARATUS

132 Sparks Street - - - - • OTTAWA

GRANT - HOLDEN-GRAH AM-LIMITED

Manufacturers o

HIGH GRADE TENTS. TARPAULINS AND SLEEPING BAGS.
BUY OUTFITTERS TO SURVEYORS AND ENGINEERS BUY

Write for Calalogius.

147 Albert Street - - - OTTAWA, Canada

C. A. OLMSTED & SON

JEWELLERS, OPTICIANS, WATCHMAKERS AND ENGRAVERS

Dealers in Fine Diamonds, Sterling Silver,
Electro-Plated Ware and Rich Cut Glass.

" The Store of MODERATE PRICES. "

208 Sparks St., OTTAWA. Phone Queen 1430

LYMANS, Limited

(Established 1800)
344 St. Paul St. West, MONTREAL

Manufacturing Chemists

Importers and Dealers in

CHEMICAL AND ASSAY
APPARATUS

Grow Good Crops — Seeds — Plants — Bulbs

Our rigorous systerri of testing eliminates loss
and disappointment from your garden.

KENNETH McDONALD & SONS, Limited

Seed and Bulb Merchants.

Market Square, OTTAWA

L. C. SMITH & BROS. TYPEWRITER

BUILT LIKE A WATCH.

MOST POPULAR TYPEWRITER TO-DAY.

OTTAWA TYPEWRITER CO., Limited
THE ONTARIO HUGHES OWENS CO., Limited

SCIENTIFIC APPARATUS AND DRAWING MATERIALS
We have a Modern Repair Department.

529 Sussex Street, Ottawa. Phone Q. 8028

THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA

CAPITAL ......

RESERVE FUND AND DIVIDEND PROFITS OVER
TOTAL ASSETS OVER ....

$ 9,700,000.

18,000,000.

230,000,000.

SEVENTEEN BRANCHES IN OTTAWA AND HULL.

WARD'S NAT. SCIENCE ESTABLISHMENT

HEADQUARTERS FOR ENTOMOLOGICAL ROrHF^TFR NT V T T C; A

SUPPLIES AND SPECIMENS. ivw^^niz^O 1 IZ^IV, i\ . I ., U.O./l.

Manufacturers of the genuine Schmitt boxes, exhibition cases and cabinets, also of the American
Entomological Company's insect pins.

Riker Mounts and botanical mounts always on hand, also Riker botanical presses.
Send for our supply catalogue and other lists of interest to collectors.

The Toronto General Trusts Corporation

CAPITAL, $1,500,000. RESERVE, $2,000,000

Successful administration of ESTATES ranging in value from $500 to $5,000.00 each, is

the best guarantee that you may confidently name as your Executor and Trustee this

Corporation.

JAMES DAVEY, Manager. Ottawa Branch: Cor. SPARKS and ELGINS STS.

THE MORTIMER CO., LIMITED

PRODUCERS OF THOUGHTFUL PRINTING

Lithographers. Engravers, Bookbinders, Creators of Advertising Literature
OTTAWA, MONTREAL, TORONTO

HENRY BIRKS & SONS LIMITED

GOLD AND SILVERSMITHS

101-105 Sparks Street
OTTAWA

SUBSCRIPTION BLANK

The Membership Committee of the Ottawa Field-NaturaHsts' Club is
making a special effort to increase the subscription list of The Canadian
Field-Naturalist. Every member of the Club is urged to assist in this
campaign by showing this number to a possible subscriber and endeavoring
to have the attached blank filled in and forwarded to the Treasurer.

MR. C. B. HUTCHINGS, Treasurer, O.F.-N.C,

Entomological Branch, Dept. of Agriculture, Ottawa, Ont.
T enclose herewith One Dollar and Fifty Cents subscription to the Canadian
Field-Naturalist for one year.

\

W. A. RANKIN p. R ., , , „ ,

rine Builders Hardware
410-412 Bank St. - Ottawa Refrigerators and Hammocks.

PHONES— Queen 1023-1024

Inspected Milk. ^/lHW Fresh Butter.
Ice Cream ''^00^^^ Buttermilk.

JAMES HOPE & SONS

Booksellers, Stationers,
Bookbinders, Printers,

63 SPARKS STREET, OTTAWA.

GEO. E. PRESTON & SONS

MERCHANT TAILORS

We make everything we sell and guarantee

everything we make.

217-219 RIDEAU ST., - OTTAWA

THE C. C. RAY Co. Limited

Best Quality. CjC)A.T/ Lowest Prices.

46 Sparks St., Ottawa. Phone Q. 461

Dr. Mark G. McELHINNEY

Dentist to certain of

the cognoscenti.

BOOTH BUILDING, OTTAWA.

Phone Queen 2438.

ALWAYS at yom SERVICE

The Ottawa Gas Co.

The Ottawa Electric Co.

FOR SALE Back Numbers of The Ottawa Naturalist

The Club has for sale complete sets of its publications. Enquiries regarding price should
be addressed to the Secretary of the Club, Mr. C. L. Patch, Geological Survey. Ottawa.

Any member having copies of the March, 1896, January, February, March and August,
1898, and December, 1900, issue of the Ottawa Naturalist, and who desires to dispose of the
same, is requested to communicate with the Secretary.

AFFILIATED SOCIETIES

ALBERTA NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY:

Hon. President: Hon. Duncan Marshall.

Hon. Vice-Presidents: J. J. Gaetz, M.P.P., H. A. Craig.

President: F. C. Whitehouse.

Vice-Presidents: Mrs. W. A. Cassels, Dr. Henry George.

Secretary-Treasurer: Miss R. E. Fyson, Red Deer.

Directors: Mrs. George, Red Deer; Mrs. Pamely» Red Deer; Mrs. Root,
Wetaskiwin; Miss Goudie, Red Deer; Miss Cole, Calgary; E. Wilton.
Red Deer; K. Bowman, Edmonton; F. S. Carr, Edmonton; D. Mackie,
Edmonton.
Members qualified to answer enquiries:

Birds: Mrs. W. A. Cassels, Red Deer; Dr. H. George, Red Deer.

Mammals: Dr. H. George, Red Deer.

Fishes: F. C. Whitehouse, Red Deer.

Insects: Coleopiera, Mr. F. S. Carr, 11050 123rd St., Edmonton; Lepi-
doptera, K. Bowman, 9914 115th St., Edmonton; Odonata, F. C. White-
house, Red Deer.
The meetings of this Society are held in Red Deer on the last Friday of
each month, except during July and August, and perhaps September. The
annual meeting is held on the last Friday in November, also in Red Deer.

McILWRAITH ornithological club, LONDON, ONT.:

President: John C. Middleton. Secretary: Chas Watson.

Members qualified to answer enquiries: J. F. Calvert, Tecumseth Ave., London;
E. M. S. Dale, Hyman St., London; C. Watson, % Elliot, Marr & Co.,
London; W. E. Saunders, 352 Clarence St., London.

PROVINCE OF QUEBEC SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS:

Hon. President: I. Gammell.

President: L. M. Terrill.

Vice-Presidents: F. Abraham, Miss Edith Morrow.

Hon. Corresponding Secretary: Mrs. W. E. E. Dyer, 12 Willow Ave., West-
mount.

Hon. Recording Secretary: Miss Jean McConnell.

Hon. Treasurer: Miss M. Hadrill.
Directors: Miss Mary Armitage, Miss Louise Murphy, Miss Emily
Luke, Mrs. F. Abraham, Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Dale, Mr. Alex. McSween,
Mrs. J. T. Ayers, Mr. W. A. Oswald, Miss Harriett Stone, Mr. Napier
Smith.

Members qualified to answer questions: L. M. Terrill, 44 Stanley Ave.,
St. Lambert, Que.; W. A. Oswald, 301 Wilson Ave., Notre Dame de Grace,
Montreal; Napier Smith, Apt. 21, 46 Cot^ des Neiges Road, Montreal; C. N.
Robertson, 4010 Montrose Ave., Montreal; Dr. Arthur Willey, McGill
University, Montreal; Dr. D. W. Hamilton, Macdonald College, Que.; W. J.
Brown, 250 Oliver Ave., Westmount, Que. ; Miss Edith Morrow, % Secretary;
Miss Emily Luke, c/o Secretary.

VANCOUVER NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY:

Hon. President: L. S. Klinck, LL.D., Pres. University of B. C.

President: John Davidson, F. L. S., University of B. C.

Vice-President: H. J. McLatchy, B. A.

Hon. Secretary: C. F. Connor, M. A., 3529 — 2nd Ave., W. Vancouver, B. C.

Hon. Treasurer: J AS. Lyall, Bank of Hamilton, Vancouver, B. C.

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

THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS' CLUB

President: R. M. Anderson
/$/ Vice President: Hoyes Lloyd 2nd Vice President: G. A. Millar

Treasurer:
Secretary: C. B. Hutchings

Clyde L. Patch (Entomological Branch

(Geological Survey) Dept. Agriculture.)

Additional Members of Council: W. T. Macoun; Miss M. E. Cowan; C. M.
Sternberg; H. I. Smith; F. W. Waugh; P. A. Taverner; E. Sapir;
E. M. Kindle; W. J. Wintemberg; R. E. Delury; Arthur Gibson;

Norman Criddle

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST

E. Sapir - -
M. O. Malte -

F. R. Latchford
M. Y. .^Williams

Editor:
D. Jenness
Victoria Memorial Museum, Ottawa

Associate Editors:

- Anthropology A. G. Huntsman ■

- - Botany P. A. Taverner

- - Conchology E. M. Kindle -
- Geology R. M. Anderson
Arthur Gibson Entomology

Marine Biology

■ - Ornithology

- Palaeontology

- Zoology

OONTENTS,

* Pagre

Biota of a Sand Spit in Lake Winnipeg. Bj^ C. H. O'Donoghue, D. Sc, F. Z. S 121

A Faii-y- Shrimp New to Canada and Western North America. By F. Johansen . . laz

Birds that are Little Known in Manitoba. By N. Criddle 133

Lessons Learned from a Tame Sparrow Hawk. By P. A. Taverner 135

Notes and Observations:

Unusual Migration Records in the Vicinity of Montreal. By L. Mc I. Terrill 140

A Pine Siskin Invasion. By F,. L. Farley .' 141

Some Mosses from Boskung. By W. Kirkconnell 142

Birds as Foster Parents. By Oliver Traff ord 142

White-Rumped Sandpiper at Ottawa. By P. F. Foran 143

THE CANADIAN FIELD-NATURALIST, lately The Ottawa Natura-
UST, established thirty-two years ago, "to publish the results of origmal researdi
or investigation in all departments of natural history," is issued monthly,
excepting for the months of June, July and August.

Papers, notes and photographs should be addressed to the Editor. Manu-
script should be typewritten. .

Subscriptions cover the current year, except those taken out dunng last
quarter when they will be applied on the following year, the remaining numbers
of current year being sent free. Payments should be made to the Treasurer,
Mr. C. B. Hutchings, Entomological Branch, Dept. of Agriculture, Ottawa.
Price of this volume $1.50; single copies 20c each.

BUY

THE TOPLEY COMPANY

'NGS

PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIAL
SCIENTIFIC APPARATUS

132 Sparks Street . - - . OTTAWA

GRANT- HOLDEN-GRAHAM-LIMITED

ManufactureTs o

HIGH GRADE TENTS, TARPAULINS AND SLEEPING BAGS.
BUY OUTFITTERS TO SURVEYORS AND ENGINEERS BUY

Write for Calalogms. ' ij^ v ^'^

^

147 Albert Street - - - OTTAWA, Canada

C. A. OLMSTED & SON

JEWELLERS, OPTICIANS. WATCHMAKERS AND ENGRAVERS

Dealers in Fine Diamonds, Sterling Silver,
Electro-Plated Ware and Rich Cut Glass.

" The Store of MODERATE PRICES. "

208 Sparks St., OTTAWA. Phone Queen 1430

LYMANS, Limited Manufacturing Chemists

Importers and Dealers in
(Established 1800)

. -r^^T^^r^ » T CHEMICAL AND ASSAY

344 St. Paul St. West, MONTREAL apparatus

Grow Good Crops — Seeds — Plants — Bulbs

Our rigorous system of testing eliminates loss
and disappointment from your garden.

KENNETH McDONALD & SONS, Limited

Seed and Bulb Merchants. Market Square, OTTAWA

L. C. SMITH & BROS. TYPEWRITER

BUILT LIKE A WATCH. MOST POPULAR TYPEWRITER TO-DAY.

OTTAWA TYPEWRITER CO., Limited
THE ONTARIO HUGHES OWENS CO., Limited

SCIENTIFIC APPARATUS AND DRAWING MATERIALS
We have a Modern Repair Department.

529 Sussex Street, Ottawa. Phone Q. 8028

THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA

CAPITAL - $ 9,700,000.

RESERVE FUND AND DIVIDEND PROFITS OVER 18,000,000.
TOTAL ASSETS OVER . . - . 230,000,000.

SEVENTEEN BRANCHES IN OTTAWA AND HULL.

WARD^S NAT. SCIENCE ESTABLISHMENT

HEADQUARTERS FOR ENTOMOLOGICAL ROrfTFSTFR NT Y IT 9 A

SUPPLIES AND SPECIMENS. ivv^V^JTill/O 1 i:^X\, IN . 1 ., U.O.jM.

Manufacturers of the genuine Schmitt boxes, exhibition cases and cabinets, also of the American
Entomological Company's insect pins.

Riker Mounts and botanical mounts always on hand, also Riker botanical presses.
Send for our supply catalogue and other lists of interest to collectors.

The Toronto General Trusts Corporation

CAPITAL, $1,500,000. RESERVE, $2,000,000

Successful administration of ESTATES ranging in value from $500 to $5,000.00 each, is

the best guarantee that you may confidently name as your Executor and Trustee this

Corporation.

JAMES DAVEY, Manager. Ottawa Branch: Cor. SPARKS and ELGINS STS.

THE MORTIMER CO., LIMITED

PRODUCERS OF THOUGHTFUL PRINTING

Lithographers, Engravers, Bookbinders, Creators of Advertising Literature
OTTAWA, MONTREAL, TORONTO

I

X

HENRY BIRKS & SONS LIMITED

GOLD AND SILVERSMITHS

101-105 Sparks Street
OTTAWA

SUBSCRIPTION BLANK

The Membership Committee of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club is
making a special effort to increase the subscription list of The Canadian
Field-Naturalist. Every member of the Club is urged to assist in this
campaign by showing this number to a possible subscriber and endeavoring
to have the attached blank filled in and forwarded to the Treasurer.

MR. C. B. HUTCHINGS, Treasurer, O.F.-N.C,

Entomological Branch, Dept. of Agriculture, Ottawa, Ont.
I enclose herewith One Dollar and Fifty Cents subscription to The Canadian
Field-Naturalist for one year.

W. A. RANKIN p. R ., . , „ ,

rine Builders Hardware
410-412 Bank St. - Ottawa Refrigerators and Hammocks.

PHONES— Queen 1023-1024

Inspected Milk. ^CliUjIJltf Fresh Butter.
Ice Cream |M2^'='^^ Buttermilk.

JAMES HOPE & SONS

Booksellers, Stationers,
Bookbinders, Printers,

63 SPARKS STREET, OTTAWA.

GEO. E. PRESTON & SONS

MERCHANT TAILORS

We [make everything we sell and guarantee
everything we make.

217-219 RIDEAU ST., - OTTAWA

THE C. C. RAY Co. Limited

Best Quality. COAL Lowest Prices.
46 Sparks St., Ottawa. Phone Q. 461

Dr. Mark G. McELHINNEY

Dentist to certain of
the cognoscenti.

BOOTH BUILDING, OTTAWA.

Phone Queen 2438.

ALWAYS «/ y(?wr SERVICE

The Ottawa Gas Co.

The Ottawa Electric Co.

FOR SALE Back Numbers of The Ottawa Naturahst

The Club has for sjile complete sets of its publications. Enquiries regarding price should
be addressed to the Secretary of the Club, Mr. C. L. Patch, Geological Survey. Ottawa.

Any member having copies of the March, 1896, January, February, March and August,
1898, and December, 1900, issue of the Ottawa Naturalist, and who desires to dispose of the
same, is requested to communicate with the Secretary.

AFFILIATED SOCIETIES

ALBERTA NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY:

Hon. President: Hon. Duncan Marshall.

Hon. Vice-Presidents: J. J. Gaetz, M.P.P., H, A. Craig.

President: F. C. Whitehouse.

Vice-Presidents: Mrs. W. A. Cassels, Dr. Henry George.

Secretary-Treasurer: Miss R. E. Fyson, Red Deer.

Directors: Mrs. George, Red Deer; Mrs. Pamely, Red Deer; Mrs. Root,
Wetaskiwin; Miss Goudie, Red Deer; Miss Cole, Calgary; E. Wilton.
Red. Deer; K. Bowman, Edmonton; F. S. Carr, Edmonton; D. Mackie,
Edmonton.
Members qualified to answer enquiries:

Birds: Mrs. W. A. Cassels, Red Deer; Dr. H. George, Red Deer.

Mammals: Dr. H. George, Red Deer.

Fishes: F. C. Whitehouse, Red Deer.

Insects: Coleoptera, Mr. F. S. Carr, 11050 123rd St., Edmonton; Lept-
doptera, K. Bowman, 9914 115th St., Edmonton; Odonata, F. C. White-
house, Red Deer.
The meetings of this Society are held in Red Deer on the last Friday of
each ijionth, except during July and August, and perhaps September. The
annual meeting is held on the last Friday in November, also in Red Deer.

McILWRAITH ornithological club, LONDON, ONT.:

. President: John C. Middleton. Secretary: Chas Watson.

Members qualified to answer enquiries: J. F. Calvert, Tecumseth Ave., London;
E. M. S. Dale, Hyman St., London; C. Watson, % Elliot, Marr & Co.,
London; W. E. Saunders, 352 Clarence St., London.

PROVINCE OF QUEBEC SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS:

Hon. President: I. Gammell.

President: L. M. Terrill.

Vice-Presidents: F. Abraham, Miss Edith Morrow.

Hon. Corresponding Secretary: Mrs. W. E. E. Dyer, 12 Willow Ave., West-
mount.

Hon. Recording Secretary: Miss Jean McConnell.

Hon. Treasurer: Miss M. Hadrill.
Directors: Miss Mary Armitage, Miss Louise Murphy, Miss Emily
Luke, Mrs. F. Abraham, Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Dale, Mr. Alex. McSween.
Mrs. J. T. Ayers, Mr. W. A. Oswald, Miss Harriett Stone, Mr. Napier
Smith.

Members qualified to answer questions: L. M. Terrill, 44 Stanley Ave.,
St Lambert, Que.; W. A. Oswald, 301 Wilson Ave., Notre Dame de Grace,
Montreal; Napier Smith, Apt. 21, 46 Cot6 des Neiges Road, Montreal; C. N.
Robertson, 4010 Montrose Ave., Montreal; Dr. Arthur Willey, McGill
University, Montreal; Dr. D. W. Hamilton, Macdonald College, Que.; W. J.
Brown, 250 Oliver Ave., Westmount, Que. ; Miss Edith Morrow, % Secretary ;
Miss Emily Luke, c/o Secretary.

VANCOUVER NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY:

Hon. President: L. S. Klinck, LL.D., Pres. University of B. C.
President: John Davidson, F. L. S., University of B. C.
Vice-President: H. J. McLatchy, B. A.

Hon, Secretary: C. F. Connor, M. A., 3529— 2nd Ave., W. Vancouver, B. C.
Hon. Treasurer: Jas. Lyall, Bank of Hamilton, Vancouver, B. C.

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

i

NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF MANITOBA.

Hon. President: W. G. SOOTT,
President: H. M. SPEECHL.Y, M.D.

Vice-Presidents: NORMAN CRIDDLE, J. J. GOLDEN,
MRS. C, P. ANDERSON, PROF. C. H. O'DONOGHUE, PROF.

F. W. BRODRICK, PROF. V. W. JACKSON.
Treasurer: MISS HELEN R. CANNOM.
General Secretary: A. M. DAVIDSON, M.D.

ORNITHOLOGICAL SECTION.

Chairman: A. C. LAWRENCE.
Secretary: B, W. CARTWRIGHT.

Leaders: H. M. SPEECHLY, M.D., J. J. GOLDEN, C. E.
KEIGHLEY, GRANT McDOUGALL.

ENTOMOLOGICAL SECTION.

Chairman: J. B. WALLIS.
Secretary: C. V. WHITEHEAD.

Leaders: L. H. ROBERTS, SHIRLEY BROOKS, A. V.
MITCHBNER, B.S.A., J. D. SUFFIELD, J. D. DUTHIE.

BOTANICAL SECTION.

Chairman: PROF. V. W. JACKSON.
Secretary: MRS. K. G. McDOUGALL.

Leaders: JAMES COCKS, PROF, F. W. BRODRICK, DR.

G. R. BISBY, C. W. LOWE, M.Sc., H. F. ROBERTS, M.Sc

SUB-SECTION MYCOLOGY.

Leader: DR. G. R. BISBY.

GEOLOGICAL SECTION.

Chairman: PROF. R. C. WALLACE.
Secretary: A. A. McCOUBREY.

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