Smithsonian Institution ibrartes Alexander Wetmore 1946 Sixth Secretary 1 O56 ee CHECK LIST OF THE BIRDS OF ONTARIO AND CATALOGUE OF BIRDS IN THE BIOLOGICAL SECTION OF THE MUSEUM. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TORONTO. y / TORONTO: WARWICK BRO’S & RUTTER, FRINTERS, Erc., 68 AND 70 Front St. WEst, 1900, BMITHSON)4y JAN 20 1968 LIBRARIES LO wt Bod arent ; de.) ally re ee ae a ‘ pus ye PREFACE. In the following Check List I have endeavored to include all the birds that have been positively known to occur in the Province of Ontario. In cases where I have no personal knowledge of the record, I have given the authority for it. The nomenclature adopted is that of the Check List of the American Ornithologists Union: C. W. NASH. Toronto, Ontario, April 12th, 1900. [3] or A Gin ues 2 el ie . . = ‘ mt es * tt sy hae ms Pema: elon emen ley ted ok ker (font aot Bins ne Age doe Oat (ae ee OF Nha Havin eee “rie leak Vistek Warman lvl arse Garey OUiea tne f Sebo i Ha ate ppt: Bf nea eae peat fox wah wake de Alba ai hadiaibyy steihiaine si . , : ir epi Fea . LANE 8) Eo Ceatanai a eng he DONT \diSt tng Aciate CHECK LIST OF THE BIRDS OF ONTARIO. The number in the margin opposite the species corresponds with the number on the label of each specimen of that species in the Biological Section of the Museum of the Department of Education. Species marked (*) are wanting to complete the collection. Order PYGOPODES. Diving Birds Suborder PODICIPEDES. (+trebes. Famity PODICIPID®. GRrREBEs. Genus COLYMBUS. SuBGENUS COLYMBUS. 1. Holboell’s Grebe. (Colymbus holbeelli ) A regular but never a common spring and autumn visitor to the waters of southern Ontario. Probably breeds in the northern part of the Province. SusGEeNnus DYTES. 2. Horned Grebe. (Colymbus auritus.) Abundant on the great lakes and all large bodies of water through- out the Province in spring and autumn, breeding in the large marshes. A few remain on Lake Ontario through the winter. GENUS PODILYMBUS. 3. Pied-billed Grebe. (Podilymbus podiceps.) A common summer resident of marshes all over the Province, breeding throughout its range. Arrives early in April, departs about the middle of October. [5] 6 CHECK LIST OF THE Suborder CEPPHI. Loons, Etc. Famity GAVIIDA. Genus GAVIA. 4. Loon. (Gavia imber.) Common on all large bodies of water in spring and autumn, breed- ing about the lakes and ponds of the interior, some few remain on the great lakes all through the winter, but the bulk go south during the coldest part of the season. , *5. Black-throated Loon. (Gavia arctica.) A very rare winter visitor. 6. Red-throated Loon. (Gavia lumme.) A common spring and autumn visitor to our waters, breeding in the far north and retiring southward as its haunts freeze up. Famity ALCIDA. Avuxs, MurrRgs, Etc. SuBFAMILY ALCINA. Avuks AND MURRES. GENus URIA. 7. Brunnich’s Murre. (Uria lomvia.) An occasional visitor to Lake Ontario, it is common on the Atlantic coast. During the winter of 1893 a large number of these birds appeared on Lake Ontario and each season since that time a few have been seen there. Genus ALCA. *8. Razor-billed Auk. (Alca torda ) An accidental visitor to Lake Ontario in winter. Order LONGIPENNES. Long-winged Swimmers. Famity STERCORARIIDA. SkvAS AND JAEGERS. GENUS STERCORARIUS. 9. Pomarine Jaeger. (Stercorarius pomarinus.) BIRDS OF ONTARIO. (i An occasional winter visitor to the great lakes. 10. Parasitic Jaeger. (Stercorarius parasiticus.) An oceasional spring and autumn visitor to the great lakes. Famity LARIDA. GULLS AND TERNS. Genus PAGOPHILA. 11. Ivory Gull. (Pagophila alba.) A regular but not common winter visitor to the great lakes. GeNuS RISSA. 12. Kittiwake. Rissa tridactyla.) A regular but not common winter visitor to the great lakes. GENUS LARUS. 13 Glaucous Gull (Larus glaucus.) A regular but not common winter visitor to the great lakes. 14. Great Black-backed Gull. (Larus marinus.) A regular but not abundant winter visitor to the great lakes; more frequently observed than either of the preceding species. 15. American Herring Gull. (Larus argentatus smithsonianus. ) A very common resident, frequenting the great lakes at all sea- sons, but most abundant in winter. 16. Ring-billed Gull. (Larus delawarensis, ) A common resident ; like the last, most abundant in winter. *17. Laughing Gull. (Larus atricilla.) An accidental visitor in summer. 18, Franklin’s Gull. (Larus franklinii.) 8 CHECK LIST OF THE A rare summer visitor, occasionally straggling here from the prairie sloughs, where they are abundant. 19. Bonaparte’s Gull. (Larus philadelphia.) A common spring and autumn visitor to the great lakes, arriving in April and departing at the end of November. It is probable that some breed in the northern part of the province. SUBFAMILY STERNINA. Terns. GENUS STERNA. Suscenus THALASSEUS. 20. Caspian Tern. (Sterna caspia.) A regular but not common spring and autumn visitor to the great lakes. SuspGcENus ACTOCHELIDON. *21. Cabot’s Tern. (Sterna sandvicensis acuflavida.) The capture of a specimen of this tern in the spring of 1882, at Lucknow, is recorded by Mr. MclIlwraith. SuBGENUS STERNA. 22. Forster's Tern. (Sterna forsteri.) An uncommon summer visitor, breeds throughout its range. 23. Common Tern (Sterna hirundo.) A regular summer visitor, more frequently seen in spring and autumn. SuspGENUS STERNULA. 24. Least Tern. (Sterna antillarum.) An accidental visitor. GENUS HYDROCHELIDON. 25. Black Tern. (Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis.) ‘his Tern is common in some of the large marshes throughout the Province during the summer, but it is not generally distributed. Breeds where it occurs. BIRDS OF ONTARIO. 9 Order STEGANOPODES. Totipalmate Swimmers. Famity SULIDA. GaNNETS. GENUS SULA. SuBGENUS DYSPORUS. 26. Gannet. (Sula bassana.) An accidental visitor from the Atlantic coast. Famity PHALACROCORACID &. Genus PHALACROCORAX. SusGENuS PHALACROCORAX. 27 Cormorant. (Phalacrocorax carbo.) An uncommon spring and autumn visitor to the larger bodies of water. Probably breeds in the northern part of the Province. 28. Double-crested Cormorant. (Phalacrocorax dilophus.) A regular but not a common spring and autumn visitor to our lakes, probably breeds about the waters of the northern part of the Province, FamMiIty PELECANID-. GrENusS PELECANUS. SUBGENUS CYRTOPELICANUS. 29. American White Pelican. -(Pelicanus erythrorhynchos.) An accidental visitor to the great lakes. Order ANSERES. Lamellirostral Swimmers. Famity ANATIDA. Ducks, GEESE AND SWANS. SUBFAMILY MERGIN AL. MERGANSERS. Genus MERGANSER. 30. American Merganser. (Merganser americanus.) 10 CHECK LIST OF THE A common resident, breeding in the northern part of the Province and spending the winter on the open water of the lakes, and rapid rivers near our southern boundary, These birds are very destructive to our fisheries. 31. Red-breasted Merganser. (Merganser serrator.) A common resident, more abundant than the last and equally destructive to fish. Breeds in the interior of the Province and winters wherever there is open water. Genus LOPHODYTES. 32, Hooded Merganser. (Lophodytes cucullatus.) A tolerably common summer resident breeding throughout the interior of the Province and retiring southward as ice forms. SuBFAMILY ANATINA. River Ducks. Genus ANAS. 33. Mallard. (Anas boschas.) Common summer resident of the western part of the Province less abundant in the east, retires southward as the shallow waters it frequents become frozen over. Breeds throughout its range. 34. Black Duck. (Anas obscura.) A very common summer resident, breeding in all suitable places throughout the Province. Arrives as soon as the marshes are open and retires when they freeze up. Genus CHAULELASMUS. 35. Gadwaill. (Chaulelasmus streperus.) A very rare summer resident. Genus MARECA. 36. Baldpate. (Mareca americana. ) BIRDS OF ONTARIO. 11 A fairly common summer resident, breeding in the interior of the Province. Arrives in April and leaves with the first frost. Genus NETTION. 37. Green-winged Teal. (Nettion carolinensis.) Common summer resident, breeding in the north. Arrives as soon as the marshes are open and remains until the early part of November. GENUS QUERQUEDULA. 38. Blue-winged Teal. (Querquedula discors. ) A common summer resident, breeding in all suitable places throughout this Province. Arrives in April and leaves about the end of September. Genus SPATULA. 39. Shoveller. (Spatula clypeata.) A regular but uncommon summer resident, breeds throughout its range. Genus DAFILA. 40. Pintail. (Dafila acuta.) A common spring and autumn visitor to southern Ontario, occasionally breeding in the marshes about Lake Erie and probably regularly breeding in the interior of the Province. Arrives as soon as the marshes open and leaves when they freeze up. GENus AIX. 41, Wood Duck. (Aix sponsa.) Formerly an abundant summer resident, breeding everywhere throughout the Province, it is still common but its numbers are decreasing. Arrives as soon as the ice is out of the marshes, departs about the end of September. 12 CHECK LIST OF THE SUBFAMILY FULIGULINA. Sra Ducks. Genus AYTHYA. 42. Redhead. (Aythya americana.) A common summer resident, most abundant in southern Ontario in spring and autumn. They breed in the marshes of the north, and the bulk of them retire to the south when their haunts are frozen over, in some seasons a considerable number spend the winter on Lake Ontario. 43. Canvas-back (Aythya vallisneria.) A regular but uncommon visitor to this Province, it breeds in the northwest and may perhaps sometimes do so in our northern marshes. SusGENusS FULIGULA. 44, American Scaup Duck. (Aythya marila.) The great majority of these birds are spring and autumn visitor to southern Ontario but they do not go very far north to breed and a great many spend the winter along the shores of Lake Ontario. 45. Lesser Scaup Duck. (Aythya affinis.) Common summer resident, breeding in the large marshes through- out the Province. It arrives as soon as the ice moves in the spring and remains until the marshes and bays freeze up. I have not observed it during the winter, 46. Ring-necked Duck. (Aythya collaris.) Regular summer resident, less abundant than either of the pre- ceding species. Genus CLANGULA. 47. Golden-eye Duck. (Clangula clangula americana.) Common winter visitor may perhaps breed in the Northern part of the Province, as it regularly does so in Southern Manitoba. BIRDS OF ONTARIO. 13 The bulk arrive in Southern Ontario about the end of October and remain until the ice breaks up in the spring. 48. Barrows Golden-eye. (Clangula islandica.) An occasional visitor in winter. Genus CHARITONETTA. 49. Buffle-headed Duck. (Charitonetta albeola.) Common spring and autumn visitor throughout the Province, breeding at some points in Southern Ontario and probably doing so regularly in the more northern portions. They arrive as soon as the ice goes out in spring and remain in the autumn until their haunts are frozen over. Genus HARELDA. 50. Long-tailed Duck. (Harelda hyemalis.) A very abundant winter resident, arriving about the beginning of November and departing at the end of April. Genus HISTRIONICUS. 51. Harlequin Duck. (Histrionicus histrionicus.) A very rare visitor. GENUS SOMATERIA. SuBGENUS SOMATERIA. 52. American Hider. (Somateria dresseri.) An occasional winter visitor, all the specimens of this duck that have been taken here are in immature plumage so far as I have been able to learn. SupGenus ERIONETTA. 53. King Hider. (Somateria spectabilis.) Occurring more frequently than the last, but still only an occas- ional winter visitor. 14 CHECK LIST OF THE Adult specimens of this duck in full plumage have several times been taken on our lakes in the late autumn and early spring. GENusS OIDEMIA. Susgenus OIDEMIA. 54, Black Scoter—(American Scoter.) (Oidemia americana.) A regular winter resident on the great lakes, sometimes moving southward for a short time if the weather is very severe. SuspcEeNus MELANITTA. 55. White-winged Scoter. (Oidemia deglandi.) A common winter resident, frequenting the great lakes. Suscenus PELIONETTA. 56. Surf Scoter. (Oidemia perspicillata.) A regular visitor to our lakes in spring and autumn, probably remaining through the winter, though I have never observed it here in the coldest part of the season. Genus ERISMATURA. 57. Ruddy Duck. (Erismatura jamaicensis.) Common in spring and autumn. Breeds from our southern bound- ary northward. SuBFAMILY ANSERIN 4. Genus CHEN. 58. Greater Snow Goose. (Chen hyperborea nivalis,) A rare visitor to the Western part of this Province. Genus ANSER. 59. White fronted Goose. (Anser albifrons gambeli.) Oi very rare occurrence. BIRDS OF ONTARIO. 15 Mr. MclIlwraith records the capture of one specimen at St. Clair flats, the only one I have heard of. Genus BRANTA. 60. Canada Goose. (Branta canadensis.) A regular spring and autumn visitor to our marshes but not nearly so abundant now as formerly. Some probably breed in the unfrequented marshes of the northern part of the Province, as they bred in Southern Manitoba before the settlement of the country. 61. Hutchin’s Goose. (Branta canadensis hutchinsii.) An occasional spring and autumn visitor. 62. Brant. (Branta bernicla.) A rare visitor. SUBFAMILY CYGNIN A. GreNus OLOR. 63. Whistling Swan. (Olor columbianus.) Of somewhat irregular occurrence, generally a few are seen in the spring. 64. Trumpeter Swan, (Olor buccinator.) Like the last, rarely seen now. Some few of this species may however breed in the northern part of the Province, as they do so in Iowa, Minnesota and Dakota. Order HERODIONES. Herons, Ibises, etc. Suborder IBIDES. Ibises, etc. Famity IBIDID. _IBISEs. Genus PLEGADIS. *65. Glossy Ibis. (Plegadis autumnalis.) An accidental visitor. 16 CHECK LIST OF THE Mr. Mellwraith records the capture of two near Hamilton in 1857. I have not heard of any others. Sub-order HERODII. Herons, Bitterns, etc. Famity ARDEIDA. Herons, BITTERNS, ETC. SUBFAMILY BOTAURINA. BITTERNS. GENUS BOTAURUS. 66. American Bittern. (Botaurus lentiginosus.) A common summer resident, breeding throughout its range in this Province. Arrives about the middle of April, departs about the middle of October. Genus ARDETTA. 67. Least Bittern. (Ardetta exilis.) An adundant summer resident of the larger marshes in southern Ontario, breeding throughout its range. 68. Cory’s Least Bittern. (Ardetta neoxena.) This species seems now to be a regular summer visitor to the marsh near Toronto. During the last nine years over a dozen speci- mens having been taken there. I have not heard of its capture in any other part of the Province. SuBFAMILY ARDEINZ. HERONS, ETc. Genus ARDEA. | SuBGENUS ARDEA. 69 Great Blue Heron. (Ardea herodias.) A common summer resident, breeding in communities in the interior of the Province. Arrives early in April, departs about the middle of September. SuBGENUS HERODIAS. 70. American Egret. (Ardea egretta.) An accidental visitor to our southern border. BIRDS OF ONTARIO. 17 SuspcEnus GARZETTA. 71. Snowy Heron (Ardea candidissima ) An accidental visitor to our southern border. SusGENus BUTORIDES. 72. Green Heron. (Ardea virescens.) A regular though never a common summer resident of southern Ontario, it is not generally distributed and is more frequently found breeding in the swamps near Lake Erie than elsewhere. Genus NYCTICORAX. Suspcenus NYCTICORAX. 73. Black-Crowned Night Heron. (Nycticorax nycticorax nzevius.) A regular and in places a common summer resident, they breed in the interior of the Province in communities. As they are quite nocturnal in their habits they are not often observed even where they are common. Order PALUDICOLA. Cranes, Rails, etc. Suborder GRUES. Cranes. Famity GRUIDA. CRANEs. GENUS GRUS. 74. Whooping Crane. (Grus americana. ) Mr. Mellwraith records the capture of a specimen of this Crane in the County of Addington in September, 1871, the only one I ever heard of here. 75. Sandhill Crane (Grus mexicana.) An accidental visitor from the western prairies. Suborder RALLI. Rails, Coots, etc. Famity RALLIDA.. Rais, Coots, Etc. SUBFAMILY RALLINZ. Rats. 18 CHECK LIST OF THE GENUS RALLUS. 76. King Rail. (Rallus elegans.) A regular summer resident of the marshes at the western end of Lake Erie. I have not heard of its occurrence elsewhere. 77. Virginia Rail. (Rallus virginianus.) An abundant summer resident of the marshes of southern Ontario, breeding throughout its rang s in the Province. Arrives about the midule of April and leaves early in October. GENUS PORZANA. SuspGENUS PORZANA. 78. Carolina Rail. (Porzana carolina.) Very abundant summer resident of the marshes all over the Province, breeding throughout its range. Arrives about the middle of April, departs about the end of October. Suscenus COTURNICOBRS. 79. Yellow Rail (Porzana noveboracensis.) A regular but not a common summer resident of our marshes. SuBGENUS CRECISCUS. *80. Black Rail. (Porzana jamaicensis. ) Very rare, probably a summer resident where it occurs. SupraMILty GALLINULINA. GaALuLinules. Genus IONORNIS. 81. Purple Gallinule. (Ionornis martinica.) Of accidental occurrence here, one was taken in the marsh on the Rouge river east of Toronto in 1892, but I know of no others. BIRDS OF ONTARIO. Genus GALLINULA. 82. Florida Gallinule. (Gallinula galeata.) A common summer resident of the marshes of southern Ontario, breeding throughout its range. Arrives about the middle of April, departs towards the end of October. SUBFAMILY FULICIN A. Coots. GENuS FULICA. 83 American Coot. (Fulica americana. ) Common spring and autumn visitor to Southern Ontario. Breeds in the north. Order LIMICOLA. Shore birds. FamMiIty PHALAROPODIDZ. PHALAROPES. Genus CRYMOPHILUS. 84 Red Phalarope. (Crymophilus fulicarius.) An irregular spring and autumn visitor of rare occurrence. Genus PHALAROPUS. SupcEenus PHALAROPUS. 85. Northern Phalarope. (Phalaropus lobatus ) An irregular spring and autumn visitor of rare occurrence. Genus STEGANOPUS. 86. Wilson's Phalarope. (Steganopus tricolor.) An irregular spring and autumn visitor, but rather more frequently met with than either of the preceding Phalaropes. FamIty RECURVIROSTRIDA. Avocets, ETC. GENUS RECURVIROSTRA. . 87. Avocet. (Recurvirostra americana ) 20 CHECK LIST OF THE An accidental visitor from the western prairies. Famity SCOLOPACIDA. SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, ETC. tENUS PHILOHELA. 88. Woodcock. (American Wocdcock.) (Philohela minor.) Formerly an abundant summer resident of our swampy woods; but now becoming scarce. breeds throughout its range. Arrives about the end of March and departs in November, usually remaining until the first severe frost. GENUS GALLINAGO. 89 Wilson’s Snipe. (Gallinago delicata ) Abundant in spring and autumn in Southern Ontario, the majority going north to breed. Some few, however, raise their young in all the larger marshes throughout the ‘Province from our southern border northward. The first arrivals in spring generally appear before the end of March, and in the autumn the last stragglers remain until the marshes freeze up. Genus MACRORHAMPHUS. 90. Dowitcher. (Macrorhamphus griseus.) A rather rare spring and autumn visitor. Genus MICROPALAMA. 91. Stilt Sandpiper. (Micropalama himantopus. ) A rare visitor, most frequently met with in summer. I have taken several, most of them in July and August. GENus TRINGA. SuBpGENUS TRINGA. 92 Knot. (Tringa canutus.) In the neighbourhood of Toronto and Hamilton I have found this species abundant from the twenty-fifth of May to the end of the first week in June. In the autumn it is seldom seen. Two or three times I have taken specimens in immature plumage in August, but that is all. BIRDS OF ONTARIO. 21 Suspcenus ARQUATELLA. 93. Purple Sandpiper. (Tringa maritima.) A very rare visitor from the sea coast, usually occurring late in the autumn. SuscEnus ACTODROMAS. 94. Pectoral Sandpiper. (Grars Plover.) (Tringa maculata.) A common autumn visitor to our marshes and sandbars. Not observed by me in the spring. Arrives in July, departs about the end of October. 95. White-rumped Sandpiper. (Tringa fuscicollis.) Rather an uncommon species. Possibly breeding, as I have found them here from the middle of June to the middle of October. 96. Baird’s Sandpiper. (Tringa bairdii.) A regular and not uncommon autumn visitor in the neighbour- hood of Toronto and at Dundas. Not seen in spring. Arrives in July, departs early in October. 97. Least Sandpiper. (Stint.) (Tringa minutilla.) Common spring and autumn visitor, arriving about the twentieth of May, departing early in September. The bulk of these birds go north to breed, but I think some few nest throughout their range in this Province, for some few pairs are always to be found on our sandy beaches all through the summer. SUBGENUS PELIDNA. 98. Red-backed Sandpiper. (Black-heart Plover.) (Tringa alpina pacifica.) A very abundant visitor in the spring, arriving about the twenti- eth of May and departing northward about the end of the first week in June. In the autumn they are much less abundant, the bulk going south by another route. The first arrive early in October and by the end of the first week in November the last has gone. 22 CHECK LIST OF THE Genus EREUNETES. 99. Semipalmated Sandpiper. (Stint.) (Ereunetes pusillus.) Very abundant from about the twentieth of May to the end of the first week in June, and from the middle of July until the end of the first week in September. The bulk of them go further north to breed, but I have alate found some pairs here during the summer. Genus CALIDRIS. 100. Sanderling. (Calidris arenaria ) Very abundant in spring and autumn along the lake shores. Arrive about the tenth of May, depart in October. Breeds in the far north. Genus LIMOSA. 101. Marbled Godwit. (Limosa fedoa.) A very rare visitor. 102. Hudsonian Godwit. (Limosa heemastica.) Rather more frequently seen than the last, but still very rare. Genus TOTANUS. Suscenus GLOTTIS. 103 Greater Yellow-legs. (Totanus melanoleucus.) Common in spring from early in April until the first week in May: In the autumn sometimes abundant, arriving towards the end of July and remaining until the end of October. Breeds in the far north. 104 Yellow legs. (Totanus flavipes.) Not common in spring, abundant in autumn, its movements in the spring correspond with those of the last species. In the fall it arrives early in July and leaves before the middle of September. Breeds in the far north. a BIRDS OF ONTARIO, 23 Genus HELODROMAS. 105. Solitary Sandpiper. (Helodromas solitarius.) Generally distributed throughout the Province but nowhere abundant. Dr. C. K. Clarke of Kingston has found this bird breeding near that town, and, no doubt, it regularly breeds in the interior of the Province. As I have never found it in the spring I cannot give the date of its arrival. In July it may be found along the margins of our streams or upon muddy flats in the marshes, it departs about the end of Sep- tember. Genus SYMPHEMIA. 106 Willet. (Symphemia semipalmata. ) A rare visitor. Genus PAVONCELLA. 107. Ruff. (Pavoncella pugnax.) A specimen of this European bird in some way wandered to Toronto and was taken there in 1882. There are a few other records of its occurrence in America, but it can only be regarded as a straggler on this continent. Genus BARTRAMIA. 108. Bartramian Sandpiper. (Upland Plover ) (Bartramia longicauda.) This is a bird of the prairie and is of rare and local occurrence here. I have found it breeding in the Counties of Brant and Norfolk, and Dr. C. K. Clarke reports it as regularly nesting near Kingston. Genus TRYNGITES. 109. Buff-breasted Sandpiper. (Tryngites subruficollis.) A rather rare and irregular autumn visitor in Ontario. IJ have usually found it in August. Mr. McI wraith on the authority of Dr. Macallum records the dis- covery of a nest and eggs of this species near Dunnville. 24 CHECK LIST OF THE st Genus ACTITIS. 110. Spotted Sandpiper. (Actitis macularia.) An abundant summer resident, breeding throughout the Province, Arrives about the first of May, departs about the middle of Sep- tember. Genus NUMENIUS. 111. Long-billed Curlew. (Numenius longirostris.) A very rare visitor, usually in the spring. 112. Hudsonian Curlew. (Numenius hudsonicus. ) An irregular visitor, sometimes occurring in large numbers in spring, in the autumn it is rarely seen. Breeds in the far north. 113. Eskimo Curlew. (Numenius borealis.) A very rare visitor. Famity CHARADRIID. PLOVERS. GENUS SQUATAROLA. 114. Black-bellied Plover. (Squatarola squatarola, ) Common spring and autumn visitor, passing through in the spring migration between the twentieth of May and the end of the first week in June, they return from the north in August and remain until about the middle of October. Breeds in the far north. Genus CHARADRIUS. SuspacEnus CHARADRIUS. 115 Golden Plover. (American Golden Plover ) (Charadrius dominicus.) I have never found the Golden Plover in Ontario in the spring. Dr. C. K. Clarke informs me that it sometimes occurs near Kingston at that season. BIRDS OF ONTARIO. 25 In the autumn it is generally fairly abundant in most parts of the country, visiting the newly ploughed fields, the muddy flats of marshes and the sand bars of the lakes. It arrives from the north towards the end of August and departs about the middle of October. Breeds in the Arctic regions. Genus ANGIALITIS. SUBGENUS OXYECHUS. 116. Killdeer. (Aigialitis vocifera.) A common summer resident, generally distributed over the Pro- vince, breeding through its range. Arrives about the end of March, departs early in October. SuscENus AIGIALITIS. 117. Semipalmated Plover. (Aigialitis semipalmata. ) Common in spring from about the middle of May to the end of first week in June when it goes north to breed. In July they return and are again abundant until the end of September, sometimes remain- ing even later. 118 Piping Plover. _ (Agialitis meloda.) A regular, but not a common summer resident. They arrive early in May and probably leave as soon as the young can fly as I have never found them in autumn. 119. Snowy Plover. (Mgialitis nivosa.) Only two specimens have been taken in the Province to my know- ledge. Famity APHRIZIDA. TuRNSTONES, ETC. SUBFAMILY ARENARIINA. TURNSTONES. GENUS ARENARIA. 120. Turnstone. (Redshank.) (Arenaria interpres.) Very abundant at some points along the lake shores in spring, arriving about the twenty-fifth of May and remaing until the middle 26 CHECK LIST OF THE of June. In the fall they are never common, a few in immature plur - age return this way about the tirst of August and remain until the middle of September. Breeds far north. Order GALLINZA“. Gallinaceous Birds. Sub-order PHASIANI Grouse, Partridges, etc. Famity TETRAONIDA. GrovuskE, PARTRIDGES, ETC, SUBFAMILY PERDICIN 2. PaRTRIDGES. GENus COLINUS. 121. Quail. (Bob White.) (Colinus virginianus.) A common resident in the south-western counties of Ontario A valuable game bird and one of the farmer’s best friends. SUBFAMILY TETRAONIN AL. GROUSE. Genus DENDRAGAPUS. Genus CANACHITES. 122 Canada Grouse. (Spruce Partridge.) (Canachites canadensis.) Common resident in the northern counties of Ontario. Genus BONASA. 123. Ruffed Grouse. ( Partridge.) (Bonasa umbellus.) A common resident throughout the Province. Three sub-species have been separated from the typical form, all of which are found here with endless intermediate variations. Genus LAGUPUS. 124. Willow Ptarmigan. (Lagopus lagopus.) A regular winter visitor to the extreme northern parts of the Province. Genus TYMPANUCHUS. 125. Pinnated Grouse. (Prairie hen.) (Tympanuchus americanus.) BIRDS OF ONTARIO. 27 Formerly a resident of the open country along our southwestern border but now extinct there. GENUS PEDICECETES. 126. Sharp-tailed Grouse. . (Pedicecetes phasianellus.) A resident of the northwestern part of the Province. Famity PHASIANIDZ. SUBFAMILY MELEAGRIN A. Genus MELEAGRIS. 127. Wild Turkey. (Meleagris gallapavo fera.) Formerly common in all the southwestern counties. There are still a few left in that district, but they are very scarce. Resident wherever found. Order COLUMBA‘. Pigeons. Famity COLUMBID. PIGEoNs. Genus ECTOPISTES. 128. Passenger Pigeon. (Ectopistes migratorius.) Formerly a very abundant summer resident, occurring in flocks of countless thousands, but now very scarce. Dr. C. K. Clarke informs me that he found a small colony breed- ing in Eastern Ontario in 1898. Genus ZENAIDURA. 129. Mourning Dove. (Carolina Dove.) (Zenaidura macroura. ) A common summer resident, but somewhat locally distributed. Breeding throughout its range. Arrives early in April and departs in October, stragglers some- times remaining until the middle of November. 28 CHECK LIST OF THE Order RAPTORES. Birds of prey. Suborder SARCORHAMPHI. American Vultures. Famity CATHARTIDA. AMERICAN VULTURES. Genus CATHARTES. 130. Turkey Vulture. (Cathartes aura.) Of occasional occurrence, specimens having been taken at many places from east to west. Suborder FALCONES. Falcons, Hawks, Eagles, etc. Famity FALCONIDA. Fatcons, Hawks, EAGLES, ETC. SuBFAMILY ACCIPITRINA. Kites, HAwks, EAGLes, ETC. Genus ELANOIDES. 131. Swallow-Tailed Kite. (Elanoides forficatus.) Mr. Mcllwraith records the occurrence of this species in Ontario, and it is quite likely to be seen here again as it is a great wanderer. GENus CIRCUS. 132. Marsh Hawk. (Circus hudsonius.) Very common summer resident, breeding in the marshes of the interior. Arrives early in April, departs about the end of October. One of our most useful hawks. Genus ACCIPITER. SusBcENuS ACCIPITER. 133. Sharp-shinned Hawk. (Accipiter velox.) Common summer resident, breeding through its range. Arrives early in April. The bulk depart about the middle of September, but stragglers often remain until the end of October. This bird is very destructive to young poultry. 134, Cooper’s Hawk. (Accipiter cooperi.) BIRDS OF ONTARIO. 29 A summer resident, put not nearly so abundantas the last. Breeds in the interior of the Province. A very destructive hawk. Suscenus ASTUR. 135. Goshawk. (Accipiter atricapillus.) A winter visitor to Southern Ontario, Probably resident in the northern part of the Province. This hawk is capable of killing full grown fowls and does so at every opportunity. Genus BUTEO. 136. Red-tailed Hawk. (Buteo borealis.) A common summer resident, breeding in the interior. Arrives early in March, departs at the beginning of November.