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CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE
ROYAL ONTARIO MUSEUM OF ZOOLOGY

No. 3: A FAUNAL INVESTIGATION OF KING
TOWNSHIP, YORK COUNTY, ONTARIO,
By L. L. Snyder and E. B. S. Logier.

(Reprinted from Transactions of the
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Reprinted from Transactions of the Royal Canadian Institute, Vol. X VII, Part 2.
Pp. 167 to 208.

A FAUNAL INVESTIGATION OF KING TOWNSHIP,
YORK COUNTY, ONTARIO*

I. GENERAL INTRODUCTION

By L. L. SNYDER AND E. B. S. LOGIER
Royal Ontario Museum of Zoology

Although King township, York county, is so close to Toronto as to
justify its inclusion in that rather indefinite area, the Toronto region, its
fauna has not previously received specific treatment. Its southeastern
corner is but thirteen miles from the present northern city limit. Ina
few respects, such as the extent of uncultivated wooded and swamp land,
the territory is unique for the general region and it has appeared desirable
to make a su vey of the higher forms of animal life to be found there and
present a list for future reference.

The township is bounded on the south by Vaughan township and
on the west by the Peel county line. The Holland river forms its
northern boundary while Yonge street marks most of its eastern limits.
The original township survey was made in 1800, although subsequent
alterations in 1851 gave it its present outline. It is said to embrace a
total of 86,014 acres (History of Toronto and County of York, 1885).

The whole of the area is characterized by irregular, morainic ridges
which run approximately east and west and give a local variation of
altitude of over four hundred feet. The highest point in the township is
1,150 feet above sea level (Dept. of Nat'l. Defence, Topographic map,
No. 59). The irregularity of the land surface prohibits cultivation in
some sections as does also the heavy mixture of glacial boulders and
stones in the soil. In other sections the soil is good but this constitutes
perhaps only 30 or 35 per cent. of the total area. The moraine hills form
the height of land between Lake Ontario and Lake Simcoe, the drainage
to the south giving rise to tributaries of the Humber river, while on the
north the drainage is through the Holland river to Lake Simcoe and
thence to Georgian bay.

A few small moraine lakes or ponds occur more or less in alignment
across the township. About some of these, in the drainage valleys. and
more particularly along the Holland river, swamp and bog conditions are

*Contribution No. 3, Royal Ontario Museum of Zoology.
167

168 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN INSTITUTE

found. Such conditions contribute to the high percentage of untilled
land. A few of these lakes have no surface outlet but owing to their
constant levels appear to have some subterranean drainage.

The Holland river valley is the most interesting physiographical
feature in King township. It is wide, and in the main has not been
formed by surface erosion, but is rather a remnant bay of glacial Lake
Algonquin—that greatest of glacial lakes, the basin of which included
that of Lake Simcoe, Georgian bay and all of the upper Great Lakes.
After the shrinking of Lake Algonquin the depression was left which now
determines the course of the Holland river. The fall between the source
and mouth of the river is very slight, resulting in slow drainage in the
northern part of the township. This has given rise to the swamp and
bog conditions, which in turn have affected the animal life to be found
there.

The forest of the region has been largely cut over, either removed
completely or the better lumber-trees taken out. In the History of
Toronto and County of York (loc. cit.) the road from Lloydtown to
Kettleby, which runs in a general east-west direction in the northern part
of the township, is described as passing through a section “‘timbered with
cedar, hemlocks and pine, with a little hardwood intermixed.’”’ In
another paragraph in the same volume the forest, especially in the hilly
sections, is referred to as being “‘pine and hardwood intermixed.’’ At
this time, 1851, large tracts of land were still wooded but inroads were
steadily being made by settlers. William H. Smith (1851) has given us
an early conception of the deforestation in a brief description of the
country near the village of Kettleby. ‘“The situation is picturesque,
and would be more so had a little of the timber been left standing on the
hills. Here, however, the universal Canadian practice has been followed
in clearing the land, that of sweeping away everything capable of bearing
a green leaf; although it requires a generation to repair the devastations
of a few hours. The new settler, however, looks upon trees as enemies,
which must be destroyed on any terms, and it is not until he has been
settled for some years, and begins to feel comfortable, that he wishes he
had left a few trees to ornament his domain.’’ As evidence of the quan-
tity of timber being taken out at this time (1851), he states that twenty
one sawmills were in operation within the township. Lumbering is still-
carried on to some extent, winter cutting being done in the large swamp
of the Holland river valley and on the hills to the south. The last
stationary sawmill in York county is located near Pottageville. Much
of the hilly land which was stripped of its timber is unsuited for cultivation
and is still barren.

The absence of the forest prohibits an accurate estimate of the
associations and relative abundance of the various trees as they occurred

A FAUNAL INVESTIGATION OF KiNG TOWNSHIP 169

naturally. One curious result of lumbering operations is that white pine
is now rarely found outside of the swamp. These relics were preserved
as a result of their inaccessible situations. The individual trees may be
seen rooted in some slight mound above their water-soaked surroundings,
clinging, as it were, to the only semblance of their normal habitat. The
following is an estimate of conditions as they are to-day. Bed

The forest is largely characterized by the same species of trees as
in earlier times but is confined to the rough, untillable hills and low, wet
land. On the hiily ridges sugar maple predominates over a mixture of
beech, yellow birch, hemlock, American elm, paper birch, basswood,
white ash, black cherry, large-toothed aspen and hop hornbeam. On
the flatter ground a similar association is found but with hemlock fre-
quently replacing sugar maple as the dominant tree, and a few other
trees being present, including red maple and aspen poplar. On the low
ground and in the swamps proper, white cedar, balsam poplar, red maple,
slippery elm, black ash, tamarack, balsam fir and black spruce are
established. Some of these, such as white cedar and tamarack, occur
rather extensively in pure stands in suitable situations. Locally, willows
and oaks, cork elm, white spruce, butternut, etc., are to be found, but
they do not comprise a substantial element of the forest.

The climate of King township is very similar to that of Toronto as
regards precipitation and temperatures, although some minor differences
may be noted. These are due to the higher elevation and the fact that
the area is somewhat removed from the influence of Lake Ontario. Snow
sometimes falls there while the same precipitation is reduced to a cold
rain in the city, as attested by several local naturalists who make frequent
visits to the region by rapid transit. Snow also persists in the swamps
after it has entirely disappeared at Toronto. The insulation of the
swamp is particularly noticeable, ice being found under moss in the
tamarack swamps as late as the third week in June during some years.
The characteristic winter cloud-blanket which enshrouds the city is often
left behind when one travels north as far as King township. These
factors contribute to the minor differences which exist between the
climates of King township and the city of Toronto.

The population of King township in 1921 was 5,149, over 93 per
cent. being of British origin. This population is scattered and concerned
largely with agriculture. Of the eleven towns and villages which are
completely within the boundaries of the township, Schomberg is the
largest with a population of about 300. Until June 20, 1927, it was the
terminus of an electric railway from Yonge street but this branch was
discontinued on the above date. A branch of the Canadian National
railway cuts the southeast corner of the township and also a small section
in the northeastern corner.

170 TRANSACTIONS OF THE RoyaL CANADIAN INSTITUTE

A recent agricultural development which will affect the biota of a
portion of the Holland river valley is the drainage of 7,265 acres of flat,
marshy land (Day, 1927). By digging a canal around this area and
dyking the inner side with earth, the outside swamp water is prevented
from entering the enclosed area. The section of the old river-bed passing
through the centre now serves as a reservoir for precipitation on the
reclaimed land and the water collecting there is pumped out.

Previous work

We are indebted to Mr. J. L. Baillie for reference (1874) to an early
account of a “‘side hunt’’ which, although it did not take place
within the township, occurred at its border near the town of Brad-
ford (W. Gwillimbury township). The article states that ‘‘. . . A shoot-
ing expedition organized at Bradford, Canada, last week consisted of two
parties, with fifteen men in each. One returned with 3 foxes, 2 rabbits,
10 partridges, 1 hawk, 43 black squirrels, 5 woodpeckers, and 41 red
squirrels, and the other with 8 grey squirrels, 4 partridges, 1 pigeon, 70
black squirrels, 4 blackbirds, 11 woodpeckers, 60 red squirrels..... oe

The next earliest accounts which concern the natural history of
King township or immediate territory are two articles on birds, titled
Holland River Notes (Thurston and others, 1892, and Atkinson, 1892).
From the texts it appears that these observations were made along the
east branch of the Holland river which lies just outside of the eastern
boundary at the north. A few specific records of birds have been made
by Fleming and Lloyd (1920) and Lindsay (1929). The only published
account of mammals is by Edmonds (1928), dealing with the contents of
the stomach of a fox.

King township is included in a general way in The Natural History
of the Toronto Region, Ontario, Canada (Faull, 1918, editor) but is not
referred to specifically. Considerable botanical work has been done
there but to our knowledge nothing has been published.

Life Zone and Faunal Area

It will be noted in the following lists that the animals recorded from
King township are a mixture of northern and southern species—species
with wide ranges which overlap in this area from contiguous zones.
Such a fauna, in the wooded section of eastern North America, is a part
of what has been termed the Alleghanian fauna of the Transition life
zone. This fauna is perhaps more difficult to characterize by a few
specific indicators than is that of other zones.

Among the mammals the geographic form of the woodchuck,
Marmota monax rufescens and of the flying squirrel, Glaucomys sabrinus

A FAUNAL INVESTIGATION OF Kinc TowNSHIP 171

macrotis, may be considered as characteristically Alleghanian. Among
the birds two species which have been considered as typical of this zone
by other authors, a view with which we concur, are the black-billed
cuckoo (Coccyzus erythrophthalmus) and the wood thrush (Hylocichla
mustelina).

Of more significance in regard to the transitional character of the
fauna of King township was our finding of the following species in close
proximity,—cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) and porcupine (Erethizon
dorsatum), indigo bunting (Passerina cyanea) and white-throated sparrow
(Zonotrichia albicollis), cerulean warbler (Dendroica cerulea) and myrtle
warbler (Dendroica coronata), towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) and
Lincoln’s sparrow (Melospiza lincolnt), crested flycatcher (Myiarchus
crinitus) and olive-sided flycatcher (Nuttallornis borealis).

All the amphibians and reptiles secured are wide-ranging species
but the overlapping of the tree toad (Hyla versicolor) which is character-
istically southern, and the mink frog (Rana septentrionalis), a species
typically northern, is worthy of mention.

The forest as described in the general introduction is of the mixed
composition characteristic of the Transition zone. The needle-leaved,
northern types are confined to the low swampy areas, where conditions
approach the boreal. The broad-leaved, southern types occupy the
drier glacial drift. As with the animals, species more characteristic of
adjoining northern and southern zones here overlap geographically.
Black spruce (Picea mariana) and dwarf birch (Betula glandulosa) may
be only a stone’s throw from staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) and climbing
bittersweet (Celastrus scandens).

Acknowledgements

In March, 1925, the “Kettleby Kabin Klub” was formed and in
April of that year established a camp near Pottageville, one of the
primary purposes being to study the local biota. Since that time the
members, Messrs. J. L. Baillie, H.H. Brown, J. H. Fleming, W. P. Young
and the writers have had opportunity to observe intermittently the
principal features of the country and its wild life. To the other members
of the club, the Museum and the writers are indebted for contributions to
the work in hand and especially for the full use of the camp and equip-
ment for the Museum’s party during the summer of 1926. Special
acknowledgment is due Mr. Baillie, who was also associated with the
writers in field-work as a member of the Museum staff.

Other local naturalists have co-operated in many ways and indi-
vidual acknowledgment is made in the text. Our thanks are due to Mr.
J. A. Lloyd, on whose property the camp was established and who ren-

172 TRANSACTIONS OF THE RoyAL CANADIAN INSTITUTE

dered every assistance and accommodation possible. Appreciation is
also here expressed to Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Merriman, the late Mr.
William Meale, Mr. George Meale and Mr. Fred Blackburn and other
local residents for favours and considerations given to the members of the
club since its inception.

LITERATURE CITED

Anonymous. 1874. Canada. Forest and Stream, 3:204.
Anonymous. 1885. History of Toronto and County of York, Ontario.
Vol. I, Part 2, pp. 134-144. Toronto.
Atkinson, G. E. 1892. Holland river notes. Trans. Can. Inst., 3: 53-54.
Day, W. H. 1927. Reclamation of Holland marsh, Bradford. Can.
Engineer, 52: 211-215.
Edmonds, John. 1928. The food of the red fox (Vulpes fulva fulva).
Can. Field-Nat., 42:94.
Faull, J. H. (Editor). 1918. The natural history of the Toronto region,
Ontario, ‘Canada. ‘Can."Inst.; Toronto.
Fleming, J. H. and Lloyd, Hoyes. 1920. Ontario bird notes. Auk,
37 : 432.
Lindsay, R. V. 1929. First record of the prothonotary warbler in the
Toronto region. Can. Field-Nat., 43:164.
Smith, W. H. 1851. Canada: past, present and future. Vol. I, pp.
283-284. Toronto.
Thurston, J. R., and others. 1892. Holland river notes. Trans. Can.
Inst., a:02.

A FAUNAL INVESTIGATION OF KING TOWNSHIP,
YORK COUNTY, ONTARIO

Il. THE MAMMALS OF KING TOWNSHIP
By L. L. SNYDER

Sections of King township, especially the swamp along the Holland
river, have afforded protection to several species of mammals which have
become extirpated in most other areas equally adjacent to Toronto.
Several species formerly found within the township boundaries no longer
occur although they are still remembered by the older residents of the
district. At one time the beaver dammed the creeks of the lowland and
to-day some areas are referred to by residents as “beaver meadows.”’
No remnant dams or other definite signs of beaver, however, have been
located by us. The black bear has been extirpated for some years, the
last one being shot by Charles Burden near the present site of Kettleby
Kabin about the year 1888, although an exact date could not be ascer-
tained. This was said to be “in the berry season,” probably July or
August. A specimen of the lynx was killed west of Aurora about the
winter of 1883 by John Hogan and was for a long time exhibited in the
hotel in the town of King. The description given by two of the older
residents makes it appear fairly certain that the species was Lynx cana-
densis. No records of the bay lynx Lynx rufus, have been secured
although it appears probable that this species formerly lived within the
area and may have been more numerous than Lynx canadensis. Other
fur-bearers must have originally occurred in the township but no records
or first-hand information have come to light excepting those which appear
in the following list. It is also probable that future collecting in the
township will reveal the presence of small mammals other than those
listed below. The variety of habitats which occur in the township
strengthens the probability of such additions. Clethrionomys gappert
gapper1, the red-backed mouse, was described from specimens taken from
this general region but as yet it has not been trapped by us.

The following list is based on a collection of 99 specimens secured
by a number of individuals, mostly by members of the Museum’s staff,
and on the observations made at intervals by several Toronto naturalists
over the past six years (since May, 1924), but expecially during the
summer of 1926.

173

174 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN INSTITUTE

Specimens of Sorex fumeus fumeus, Mustela cicognaniu, Mephitis
mephitis nigra, Glaucomys sabrinus macrotis, Peromyscus maniculatus
bairdii, and Lepus americanus virginianus, have been submitted to the
Bureau of Biological Survey, Washington, D.C., for determination.
The measurements given are in millimeters unless otherwise stated and
were taken from specimens in the flesh. The total length is indicated by
L., the tail vertebrae by T., and the hind foot by H.F.

Condylura cristata (Linn.). STar-NosED MoLe.—We repeatedly
looked for signs of this mole in the black earth of damp swales, but
without success. It is, however, found in such situations as attested by
remarks made by Mr. J. A. Lloyd, who has “‘occasionally’’ seen moles
with a peculiar ‘‘fringe on their noses.’ In the month of May, 1923,
while repairing a road in a wet area near the swamp, he plowed up a nest
containing several young of these animals. The nest was in a slight
mound in the ground. Two badly decomposed specimens were taken
from a sunken box in a spring hole on the hillside back of Cedardale mill.
The skull of one of these taken on October 3, 1926, is preserved in the
Museum’s collection.

Sorex cinereus cinereus Kerr. CINEREOUS SHREW.—This species
is probably common but because of its small size and general incon-
spicuousness due to habits, little has been learned about it. On May 10,
1925, several members of the Kettleby Kabin Klub, including the writer,
were seated before their camp when their attention was attracted to one
of these tiny beasts. Some forty feet away a fallen log approximately
thirty feet long and two feet in diameter lay along the ground, somewhat
imbedded in the loose surface layer of decaying vegetation. The wind was
blowing briskly, disturbing the fallen leaves which filled the depressions
and leeward spots. One observer noticed a peculiar eddying of a leaf
from the ground to the top of the log and not until such a movement was
repeated several times did he become aware that this was not an acci-
dental disturbance by the wind but a leaf being transported by some
animal. The attention of the others was directed to the spot and with
the aid of binoculars a small shrew, probably the cinereous shrew, was
seen running to the ground. It picked up a leaf and in an instant
returned up the side of the log, reversed itself, and pulled the leaf into a
hole after it. The shrew was allowed to make several trips before being
disturbed, at which time we found it had entered the somewhat rotten
log through a hole no larger than one’s finger. The spot was marked
with the intention of examining the nest and its respective chamber, but
when this was attempted some time later the channel to the nest could
not be traced far but it was found to reach fairly solid wood before it
became obscure. There seems little doubt that this individual was pre-
paring a nest. On occasions specimens of this shrew have been picked

A FAauNAL INVESTIGATION OF Kinc TOWNSHIP 175

up dead, and although they were too old to preserve, the bodies appeared
uninjured. An explanation of this has been suggested by Jackson (1928).
He accounts for this as being the result of some nervous shock or as the
result of the extreme sensitivity of shrews to physical forces. Starvation
may also be a cause of fatality if an individual becomes lost from its
accustomed runways. Two individuals were secured by trapping, the
average measurements being, L., 91.5; T., 37; H.F., 11.5.

Sorex fumeus fumeus Miller. Smoky SHREW.—One specimen
was secured in long grass at the edge of a small swamp near our camp by
Mr. J. L. Baillie, on August 22, 1928. This situation and other similar
ones had been repeatedly trapped previous to this capture, but unsuc-
cessfully. The smoky shrew has not previously been taken in the
Toronto region. The measurements of this specimen are, L., 110;
T..42;) HF. 13:

Blarina brevicauda talpoides (Gapper). MoLre SHREw.—This
was a fairly common species, found in wet or dry situations in or near
woods. On two occasions specimens were captured in our camp build-
ings, once in December and again in March. These no doubt gained
entrance from the unfrozen ground beneath the building. The species
wanders during the daytime (in summer), one individual having been
captured alive from the surface of the ground in a dry woods. A speci-
men was found dead in April near Cedardale mill (see remarks in this
connection under cinereous shrew). Of the seven specimens preserved,
the average measurements are, L. 117.4; T. 23; H.F. 15.38.

Myotis lucifugus lucifugus (LeConte). LiTTLE Brown Bat.—
No record of this species was made until September 2, 1929, when two
specimens were secured. Mr. H. P. Stovell collected these during the
daytime from beneath the slab-siding of the woodhouse of the Kettleby
Kabin Klub. One of these is preserved in the Museum’s collection.

Eptesicus fuscus fuscus (Beauvois). Bic BRown Bat.—A male
specimen was taken at 8.35 p.m. on July 29, 1926. Other bats which
were probably of this species were seen flying about the clearings at camp
at dusk during the same summer but none could be secured.

Lasionycteris noctivagans (LeConte). SILVER-HAIRED Bat.—A
female was shot by Mr. Baillie at 8.10 p.m. on August 3, 1926, while it
was flying about just over the treetops in open woods near our camp.
No others were secured.

Procyon lotor lotor (Linn.). RAccoon.—Raccoons are secured
regularly each winter by local trappers in and about the swamp of the
Holland river. Their tracks may be noted along the banks of the
numerous streams which meander through the woods. On May 17,
1925, a specimen was found asleep during the daytime in an old squirrel’s
nest some thirty-five feet from the ground in dense, wet woods. Although

176 TRANSACTIONS OF THE RoyAL CANADIAN INSTITUTE

the species will probably persist for some time in this extensive swamp,
it is threatened by the practice of trappers of cutting down ‘‘coon trees”’
in which the animals are denned up. Large, hollow trees suited to their
needs are getting rather scarce. No specimens have been collected by us.

Mustela cicognanii cicognanii Bonaparte. BONAPARTE WEASEL.
—Mr. Paul Hahn has presented to the Museum a skin of this species
taken in February, 1927, on the hillside bordering the Holland river swamp
near our camp. No measurements except from the skin were secured
but the specimen is a very small individual and has been determined as
M.c. cicognani by Dr. H. H. T. Jackson. This is the first record of the
species for the Toronto region.

Mustela noveboracensis noveboracensis (Emmons). NEw YorK
WEASEL.—A fine large male specimen was secured on June 12, 1926, in
thick mixed woods near Pottageville. It was hunting the ground about
and under logs and did not appear particularly alarmed at the writer’s
approach. Another specimen, a nursing female in the collection of Mr.
Stuart L. Thompson, was collected by him at Kelly lake on May 24, 1925.
Weasel tracks are frequently seen in the swamp in winter and on one
occasion the writer saw signs of a successful capture of a mouse by one
of these lithe predators. The male specimen measured, L. 399; T. 144;
H.F. 50, approximately the terminal half of the tail being black. The
female was not measured while in the flesh but the tail of the dried
specimen measured 3% inches from the body to the tip, not including the
hair. The black area of the tail includes approximately the terminal
one-third.

Mustela vison vison Schreber. Minx.—Local trappers secure
a few mink each winter in the swamps and along the creeks, but they are
no longer plentiful. Two were seen by us on August 1, 1926, at Mount
Melick millpond near Strange.

Mephitis mephitis nigra (Peale and Beauvois). SKUNK.—The
skunk of the Toronto region has previously been recorded (Fleming, 1913)
under the name Mephitis mephitica mephitica but is now recognized as
M. m. nigra, the form which probably inhabits all of southern Ontario.
The name M.m. mephitis is now applied to the skunk of northern Ontario.
Although Howell (1901) considered the differences between mephitis
(=Chincha mephitis) and nigra (=Chincha putida) of specific value at
the time he published his revision of the skunks which has been followed
extensively by other writers, he now is inclined to include all of the
skunks of eastern North America under one specific name.

Skunks are still not uncommon and may be met with in the farmed
areas as well as in the wooded sections. Their leisurely gait and night-
wandering habits subject them to new dangers along the highways
although a thoughtful motorist will attempt to avoid contact with such

A FAUNAL INVESTIGATION OF Kinc TowNSHIP 177

highly protected beasts. A female specimen trapped near our camp on
June 22, 1926, has two white stripes which diverge from the white area of
the upper neck and extend only slightly beyond the shoulders. The
measurements of this specimen are typical for the long-tailed migra and
are as follows, L. 224 inches; T. 9 inches; H.F. 2 5/8 inches.

Vulpes fulva (Desmarest). RED Fox.—A few foxes are trapped
each winter by farm boys and trappers of the district. The forested hills
are eminently suited to these animals, making it probable that they will
persist in the township for many years. Aspecimencollectedon January
8, 1928, is now mounted in the Museum and has been recorded by
Edmonds (1928) in connection with stomach analyses. In the late
afternoon of May 8, 1927, Messrs. W. J. LeRay and E. B. S. Logier
watched one hunting and catching mice in the grass near Kelly lake. It
apparently caught several, placing them in a pile as each was caught.
They were all picked up and carried away together. The specimen col-
lected, a male, measured, L. 39% inches; T. 143 inches.

Marmota monax rufescens Howell. WoopcHuck.—The wood-
chuck of King township and southern Ontario generally belongs to the
form rufescens described by Howell (1914). It has previously been
listed in connection with the mammals of the Toronto region as belonging
to the type form monax. It is a common mammal in this area, in-
habiting the higher ground both in the clearings and in the woods. They
are somewhat troublesome in some places where they encroach upon
cultivated land but due to local control they are most numerous where
the soil is poor and uneven. On the grounds of the Kettleby Kabin Klub
one large individual made his burrow in a small clearing under the root
of a large pine stump. It regularly used this stump as a lookout and
could frequently be observed sunning itself there. The burrow was, as
mentioned, beneath the root of a stump, which appears to be the usual
location for the entrance to the burrow of this species. This, no doubt,
gives protection against destruction of the entrance by dogs which
attempt to dig them out. Several examples of a back exit from the
burrow have been noted. In each case no pile of earth marked the open-
ing, the digging having been accomplished from the inside, the earth
being carried to the main entrance or elsewhere. The writer has ob-
served a woodchuck up a tree on two occasions; on the first, the animal
was taken by surprise by my dog and climbed a hemlock going out
to the tip of a branch some twenty feet from the ground; on the second
occasion no such alarm prompted the act, the animal first being observed
from a considerable distance, ten feet up in a pin cherry tree, which was
no doubt serving as a lookout. On approach the animal scrambled down
and into its burrow. The average measurements of two adult males
are, L. 21 1/8 inches; T. 51/8 inches; H.F. 3 1/8 inches.

178 TRANSACTIONS OF THE RoyAL CANADIAN INSTITUTE

Tamias striatus lysteri (Richardson). EASTERN CHIPMUNK.—A
common inhabitant of the wooded sections. This species is not strictly
terrestrial in its habits as one individual repeatedly gained entrance to
our cabin by climbing to the roof and entering between the rafters. Of
the nine unmutilated adults preserved, the average measurements are,
L,.. 236.3; 7. Ba.¢;. HF. 34.

Sciurus hudsonicus loquax Bangs. RED SourrREL.—The red
squirrel has not been very common any year within the experience of the
naturalists visiting the region since 1924, but a few are always noted
during any extended walk through the wooded sections. Mr. J. A.
Lloyd related to the writer that woodsmen of the district used to locate
wild bee stores in early winter by following the tracks of red squirrels,
their well-marked path to and from a bee tree suggesting their fondness
for honey. The average measurements of eleven undamaged adults
are, Li.) 298.42. T. 217:83 BE. 45:7.

Sciurus carolinensis leucotis (Gapper). BLACK oR GRAY
SQUIRREL.—King township is near the centre of the type locality of
this form. Dr. Anthony Gapper described the grey phase as a species
(1830), naming it Sciurus leucotis. At that time the gray squirrel was
considered rare and present conditions are similar, the black phase out-
numbering the grey by perhaps ten to one. These squirrels found in the
woods of King township are wary and have not the confidence in man
that has been acquired by the individuals of Toronto city parks and
streets. The average measurements of six adults are, L. 474.3; T.
eG eee aa) oO,

Glaucomys sabrinus macrotis (Mearns). NORTHERN FLYING
SQUIRREL.—This was an interesting addition to the fauna of the Toronto
region. G.v. volans occurs sparingly at Toronto, but G. s. macrotis, a
southern form of the northern flying squirrel, had not previously been
discovered in the region. It inhabits the extensive woods of the Holland
river swamp and although it is an animal rarely seen we have been
particularly fortunate in securing three adult specimens (skins). In
addition two young taken June 4, 1926, are preserved in alcohol. The
method practised in discovering these animals was by jarring the base
of dead stubs which contained woodpecker holes. In one instance one of
these squirrels was disturbed from a flicker box on the property of the
Kettleby Kabin Klub. The first specimen was discovered on May 25,
1925, by Dr. Paul Harrington and Mr. Baillie. The average measure-
ments of the three specimens are, L. 276.3; T. 113.3; HF. 36.

Peromyscus maniculatus bairdii (Hoy and Kennicott). Barrp
WHITE-FOOTED Mouse.—The first capture of this mouse in the Toronto
region was made on February 2, 1924 (Snyder, 1925), the extension of its
range eastward in Ontario having been previously predicted, since the

A FAuUNAL INVESTIGATION OF Kinc TOWNSHIP 179

species had the lakeshore and cultivated territory to spread over. The
appearance of the species in King township, however, is more surprising
since it indicates that this mouse is distributed northward and inland
for more than thirty miles from the lake in the Toronto region. On
November 23, 1925, two specimens were secured in long grass on the edge
of an unused road near the swamp of the Holland river. One of these is
just acquiring the coat of maturity; the other is an adult. A third
specimen was taken beside a fence bordering open fields near Kelly lake.
Measurements of the only adult measured are, L. 130; T. 47; H.F. 18.

Peromyscus leucopus mnoveboracensis (Fischer). WHITE-
FOOTED Mousrt.—This was the common white-footed mouse of the
wooded sections. It was a regular visitor about our camp building,
particularly so in the autumn. On June 2, 1926, a nest with six suckling
young was found in a rotten foundation timber beneath a small frame
building. It also frequently builds winter nests about our buildings,
on the sills, etc., using any soft materials that are available about camp.
The average measurements of nine adults are, L. 169.6; T. 80; H.F.
20.3.

Microtus pennsylvanicus pennsylvanicus (Ord.). MEApow
Movusre.—During some years this species is undoubtedly common, but
our observations in the township since 1925 have shown it to be sur-
prisingly rare. Only one specimen was trapped during the summer of
1926. The average measurements of two adults are, L. 150.5; T. 38;
H.F. 19.

Ondatra zibethica zibethica (Linn.). Muskrat.—lIn spite of
regular trapping these animals persist about the small ponds near farm-
land, although no area is thickly populated with muskrats. When their
numbers increase so that the animals become conspicuous, their ranks
are speedily decimated during the following open season. Only on one
small pond have their houses been found by us. It appears that the
scattered individuals live mostly in burrows. No specimens have been
collected.

Rattus norvegicus (Erxleben). Housz Rat.—tThe rat is to be
expected about farm-buildings everywhere. Especially is it a menace
to chicken-raisers where it damages grain and grain bags. The only
specimen preserved was taken in such a situation.

Mus musculus musculus Linn. Housz Mousr.—Generally
distributed, occurring principally about farmsteads, although the species
wanders, especially in the fall, and has been captured at this season in
our camp buildings situated in the woods.

Zapus hudsonius hudsonius (Zimmermann). MEApow JUMPING
Mouse.—Found to be fairly common since 1925. Most of the specimens
which have been seen or collected were in long grass or beneath brush

180 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN INSTITUTE

near wet cedar swamps. On the morning of July 15, 1928, Mr. W. J.
LeRay found a nest beneath a rail in a weedy fence corner in an open
section some distance from woods near a small pond. The adult left the
nest with a bound and although the rail was returned to its original
position the parent had not returned shortly before dark. The nest,
made of dry grass, and the six young were taken. The young were old
enough to be covered with hair and were kept alive for two weeks before
being preserved. The average measurements of four adults are, L.
200.2: (TORS SA a.

Erethizon dorsatum dorsatum (Linn.). Porcupine.—One of
the interesting additions to the mammals of the Toronto region. The
great extent of wooded swamp of the Holland river accounts for the
existence of this species at the present date. Unfortunately the animal
is enough of a curiosity to endanger it when seen by the casual hunter.
There can be no charge against it since the territory it inhabits is prac-
tically useless and a few individuals will probably escape the thoughtless
destroyer for many years. A young specimen was collected by Mr.
Baillie in a dense growth of young deciduous trees near the edge of the
swamp on May 25, 1925. We have record of two adults being shot on
October 11, 1924, but we could not secure the specimens. The measure-
ments of an adult collected on December 27, 1929 are, L. 720; T. 199;
FB) 100:

Lepus americanus virginianus (Harlan). VAryING HARE.—
These animals exist mainly in the depths of the extensive swamp of the
Holland river and have only occasionally been noted by us on its margin.
In winter their big foot-tracks may be followed in and out of the laby-
rinth of fallen timber and occasionally a hare may be started by day but
for the most part they are active at night. A few hunters find sport in
hunting these hares with dogs. One specimen was snared by the writer
at the entrance of a burrow beneath a brush-pile in the depths of the
swamp. It could not be determined what kind of animal had made the
burrow or whether it was a natural or accidental hole leading into the
ground but it was established that the hare will resort to underground
protection during the daytime when the opportunity is afforded. Little
has been learned as to the fluctuation in numbers of this animal in the
township, but it was certainly more numerous during the winter of
1929-30 than previously. The average measurements of five winter
adults‘are; 1. 4745 (7. 50.65 ie 130,

Lepus europaeus europaeus Pallas. EuRorpEAN HareE.—This
hare, which was introduced at Brantford, Ontario, in 1912 (Dymond,
1922) first reached King township in mid-February, 1925, according to
our records. Mr. Silas Groombridge states that he shot a hare in an
open field at that time and his description could apply only to this species ,

A FAUNAL INVESTIGATION OF KinG TOWNSHIP 181

The animal came into the township from the Woodbridge district accord-
ing to Mr. R. J. Rogers, Agricultural Representative for York county,
and was considered by him to be quite numerous in King township, in
December, 1927. Our only specimen is a male taken on October 6,
1929. The measurements were as follows, L. 655; T. 88; H.F. 155.

Sylvilagus floridanus mearnsii (Allen). CoTronTAIL.—Known
to have been fairly common during the winter of 1925-26 and during the
following summer. Considered less numerous during the year 1928.
The species inhabits the smaller swamps as well as thickets in dry,
unused land. It seldom invades the big swamp where it would overlap
the territory of the varying hare. The average measurements of two
adults collected are, L. 443.5; T. 60 (one specimen); H.F. 100.

Odocoileus virginianus borealis (Miller). WHITE-TAILED DEER.
—It has been some years since deer were permanent residents of the
township. OccasionaJly a stray individual or two may appear in the
northern part of the area in winter where the swamp affords them pro-
tection and the woods are almost continuously linked with the north
where deer occur regularly. Two were seen during the winter of 1925-26,
and another one wintered in the swamp two years later (1927-28). In
both instances the animals were seen by local residents and their tracks
were noted in the snow as late as April 22, 1928, by us. In 1929-30 at
least three deer were again noted.

LITERATURE CITED

Dymond, J. R. 1922. The European hare in Ontario. Can. Field-
Nat., 36:142-143. ,

Edmonds, John. 1928. The food of the red fox (Vulpes fulva fulva).
Can. Field-Nat., 42:94.

Fleming, J. H. 1918. Mammals. In: The natural history of the
Toronto region. Pp. 206-211. Can. Inst., Toronto.

Gapper, A. 1830. Observations on the quadrupeds found in the
District of Upper Canada extending between York and Lake
Simcoe, ... describing some species hitherto unnoticed. Zool.
Jour. London. No. XVIII, pp. 206-207.

Howell, Arthur H. 1901. Revision of the skunks of the genus Chincha.
North Amer. Fauna No. 20, U.S. Dept. Agric.

Howell, Arthur H. 1914. Ten new marmots from North America.
Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 27:13-14.

Jackson, H. H. T. 1928. A taxonomic review of the American long-
tailed shrews. North Amer. Fauna, No. 51, U.S. Dept. Agric.,
pp. 7-8.

Snyder, L. L. 1925. Peromyscus maniculatus bairdit at Toronto.
Can. Field-Nat., 39:25.

Milne!

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A FAUNAL INVESTIGATION OF KING TOWNSHIP,
YORK COUNTY, ONTARIO

Ill. THE SUMMER BIRDS OF KING TOWNSHIP
By L. L. SNYDER

The avifauna of the Toronto region is perhaps as well known as that
of any similar region in the province and it might therefore have been
deemed unnecessary to make a survey such as the one here reported.
However, work entirely confined to the summer season has never been
prosecuted systematically within the area and the particular section
with which we are here concerned, King township, has not received
especial attention although it exhibits conditions not to be found exten-
sively elsewhere in the region.

The outstanding feature of King township from the ecological view-
point is the presence of an extensive swamp which in some parts ap-
proaches rather typical bog conditions. Such situations create what
have been termed “‘boreal islands.’’ It is probably due to the somewhat
cooler temperatures which prevail in the swamp and bog as compared
with the surrounding area that certain species of plants and animals, the
numerical centre of abundance of which is farther north, find this area a
more or less suitable habitat. As a consequence we have been able to
make some additions to the list of birds known to reside in summer
within a thirty-mile radius of Toronto.

With few exceptions the occurrence of the various species of summer
birds presented in the following paper was recorded during June, July,
and early August, 1926, when a party from the Royal Ontario Museum
of Zoology was stationed near the village of Pottageville. A few obser-
vations had been made in the summer of 1925 and some additions re-
sulted from visits there during August of 1927 and 1928. The list is
believed to be fairly complete although it is to be expected that future
work will add at least a few species.

Daily lists of the species seen were kept throughout the summer of
1926, more than fifty being noted regularly, while twice in midsummer
seventy species were listed. All species seen within the summer months,
June, July and August, are included in the following list, the status of
each being remarked on in the text. Although the woodcock, ring-
necked pheasant and pine siskin have not been positively identified in

183

184 TRANSACTIONS OF THE RoyAL CANADIAN INSTITUTE

the township in summer they have been included for reasons stated
under the specific accounts. All dates given in the text refer to 1926
unless otherwise stated.

Annotated List

The following list comprises 112 species. At the end of the dis-
cussion of each species, a list is given of the specimens of that species
collected. The total number of specimens thus recorded is 213. Young
of the year are indicated as “‘Yg.,’’ while specimens known to be in their
second year are indicated by ‘‘Im.”’

The arrangement of the list is according to the 1910 edition of the
American Ornithologists’ Union Check List and the nomenclature is that
of the same edition with changes that have appeared in the published
supplements.

Larus argentatus. HrrRiInG GULL.—From one to twelve of these
birds were seen daily during the summer as they flew overhead on their
course between Lake Ontario and Lake Simcoe. As many as thirty-one
passed over on the evening of July 17. All of those noted at fair range
appeared to be adult or nearly adult birds. Apparently these are non-
breeding birds which summer in this region (see Fleming, 1930). The
single specimen secured is in full adult plumage.

Q June 20.

Querquedula discors. BLUE-wINGED TEAL.—A young male was
taken on a small pond on August 21, 1928, by Mr. W. J. LeRay. It has
not been ascertained whether or not the species nests within the town-
ship but it can be safely said that it is of rare occurrence in the area.

Vg. o Aug. 21, 1928.

Aix sponsa. Woop Ducx.—A female was seenon a small lake
surrounded by flooded green timber on August 22, 1928, by Mr. J. L.
Baillie. Such a situation would probably be suitable for the species to
nest in but no evidence that it does so has been secured.

Botaurus lentiginosus. BItrERN.—One regularly visited a creek
near our camp during the summer and others were noted elsewhere. A
few pairs probably breed in the wet margin of the Holland river but we
have found no nests.

? August 6.

Ardea herodias herodias. Great BLUE HERoN.—Individual
birds were seen at dusk periodically throughout the summer and three
were noted at this time of day on July 17. These birds are probably
wanderers from breeding colonies located on Thorah island, Lake Simcoe
(385 miles to the northeast) or in the Minesing swamp, Simcoe county
(30 miles to the northwest).

A FAuNAL INVESTIGATION OF Kinc TOwNSHIP 185

Butorides virescens virescens. GREEN HERoN.—Two or three
of these birds would be noted on days on which we penetrated the flooded
alder thickets of the swamp where big trees had been removed. They
were also noted along the meandering course of the upper section of the
Holland river. These situations were ideal for the species to nest in but
no nests were found.

Q June 24.

Nycticorax nycticorax naevius. BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON.
—One of these birds was seen by Mr. Baillie and the writer on June 29
as it flew along the tree-draped border of the upper Holland river. A
specimen was also seen just outside the township boundary near Bradford
by Dr. F. A. E. Starr on June 22, 1921. These birds were both adults
and although their occurrence was noted in midsummer the species can
only be considered as an occasional summer resident, no evidence that it
nests having been discovered.

Rallus virginianus. VIRGINIA Rai_t.—Noted on two occasions,
once in a small patch of rushes and once in a wet thicket of alders. These
were similar situations, both being clearings within the wooded swamp.
The species no doubt nests in such situations, the specimen collected
containing fairly well-developed eggs.

Q June 15.

Porzana carolina. SorA.—Seen on four occasions during the
summer. It frequents the tall grass bordering the Holland river and
along the marshy shores of some of the small ponds and lakes which are
denuded of trees. The young bird collected, though fully feathered, was
no doubt reared in the immediate vicinity.

Yg. 9 August 6

Rubicola minor. Woopcock.—During early May, 1928, Mr.
Stuart Thompson observed this species performing its nuptial flight, and
also on May 19 of the same year, Mr. Baillie and other members of the
Brodie Club saw and heard the same performance. This would indicate
that a few birds may nest along the extensive swamp in the northern part
of the township. However, only one observation was made during the
entire summer of 1926, which indicated that the bird was a summer
resident. While hunting for bats on the evening of June 26, the writer
saw a bird flying swiftly and directly, perhaps ten feet from the ground,
toward a creek some yards away. The momentary impression which I
got as the bird passed me in the small clearing was that the flight and
form was that of a woodcock and I have no doubt that such was the case.

Gallinago delicata. WAILSON’s SNIPE.—Each spring, about the
end of April, this species has been observed performing its nuptial flight
over the wet clearings and woods near our camp. The birds appear at
daybreak on some mornings but more especially at dusk in the evening,

186 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN INSTITUTE

making wide, irregular circuits in the sky and producing their character-
istic notes which may be described as a regularly interrupted monotone,
a vibrato or winnowing on one pitch. Very few have been noted during
the summer months but it appears probable that a few pairs may nest
on the extensive flat-lands which border the Holland river.

oo July 4.

Pisobia minutilla. Least SANDPIPER.—This species is included
in the list because it occurs in the township as a migrant during summer
months. It is likely to be found about temporary ponds in cultivated
fields.

Yg. Q August 22, 1928.

Totanus flavipes. YELLOw-LEGs.—Another migrant which occurs
in summer months. The specimen collected was taken on the border of
a small temporary pond in a cultivated field.

Yg. o August 22, 1928.

Tringa solitaria solitaria. SoLiTARY SANDPIPER.—Also a mi-
grant which occurs during the months of July and August. It is to be
found occasionally about the borders of temporary ponds and small
permanent lakes.

Q July 28. Yg. 9 August 21, 1928.
“ August 22, 1928.

Actitis macularia. SproTTEpD SANDPIPER.—A common summer
resident in all sections where suitable habitats are to be found. A pair
hatched a brood of four young in the trench which borders the railroad
right-of-way near our camp.

Yio. Bis Taal tS. Q June 9.

Oxyechus vociferus. KiLLDEER.—A summer resident, fairly gen-
erally distributed in pastured areas. A female collected in mid-June
contained partially developed eggs. Its plumage is very much worn as
is characteristic of breeding birds, but the feathers of the back are dis-
tinctly margined with rusty, a condition of immaturity.

Q June 15.

Bonasa umbellus togata. CANADA RUFFED GrousE.—The
grouse of this region have been referred to togata by Fleming (1907). A
winter female from King township is very similar to females from
southern Ontario generally. It is, however, somewhat redder than any
specimen from northern Ontario which we have in the Museum collection.
Birds from Lake Nipigon (Snyder, 1928a) are noticeably grayer, while
those from Lake Abitibi (Snyder, 1928b) are blacker.

Not many grouse persist within King township and their numbers
are known to have been reduced within the past three or four years. In
1925 and 1926 they were frequently seen and males could be heard
drumming during the day and even at midnight during the spring of

A FAuNAL INVESTIGATION OF Kinc TOWNSHIP 187

both years. Their reduction may be entirely due to hunting, irrespective
of the prohibitive regulations which have prevailed since the fall of 1927.
Local naturalists have refrained from securing desirable specimens in
order to give these birds a better chance to increase.

The species nests in the heavier woods bordering the swamp, both
eggs (ten incubated, May 25, 1925) and young being observed.

Yg. ? June 28.

Phasianus torquatus. RING-NECKED PHEASANT.—A farmer liv-
ing in the northern part of the township hatched and liberated about
twenty of these birds a year or two prior to 1926. Some of these may
still survive as they had done so up to a short time prior to our summer’s
stay. Individual specimens had been seen by us on two occasions. It
seems improbable, in view of the known introduction, that birds observed
are from the stock which is now well established throughout parts of
extreme southern Ontario.

Zenaidura macroura carolinensis. Mourninc Dove.—Gener-
ally distributed and not uncommon. A pair nested in a paper birch near
our camp and other nests have been found..

wf July 3:

Circus hudsonius. Marsa HAwKk.—Seen fairly regularly through-
out the summer. A young bird which as yet had not attained its full
powers of flight was secured from the border of the tamarack bog which
flanks the wet grassy flat-land of the Holland river. A nest with five
eggs was found on May 19, 1929.

Veuot Suby 26.

Accipiter velox. SHARP-SHINNED HAwK.—An adult male was col-
lected in open woods in mid-June, this being the only summer occurrence
of which we have record.

o June 18.

Accipiter cooperi. Cooprer’s Hawk.—The species may be con-
sidered a rare summer resident of the township and we have but one
record for the species in the summer months—June 14, 1925. However,
it is a breeding bird of the area, a nest containing four fresh eggs having
been found by Mr. Stuart L. Thompson on May 5, 1929.

Buteo borealis borealis. Rep-TaileD Hawk.—Not more than
two individuals were seen on any one day during the summer, but an
adult, probably the same one, was noted regularly in one situation. No
recently used nests were found but one which appeared to belong to
either this species or the next was located in a heavily-wooded section of
the swamp. On July 15, Mr. Baillie saw an adult carry food to a flying
young bird which had but recently left the nest.

Buteo lineatus lineatus. Rep-sHOULDERED HAwK.—What was
presumed to be the same bird was seen on several occasions in a section

188 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN INSTITUTE

of the woods bordering the swamp. Like most of the hawks listed from
the township, this species can only be considered as rare.

Cerchneis sparveria sparveria. Sparrow HAwKk.—Rarely seen.
The only nesting pair was found on our first visit to the region on May 25,
1924.

Asio wilsonianus. LOoNG-EARED OwL.—Although this owl had
been found nesting near Bradford just beyond the borders of King town-
ship by Dr. Paul Harrington and Dr. Fred Starr on May 23, 1920, we
had no records of its occurrence within the township until August 20,
1928, when one was secured.

Q August 20, 1928.

Otus asio asio. SCREECH OwL.—This owl was heard on a number
of occasions near our camp but little is known of its abundance in the
township asawhole. On the evening of June 16, we discovered a brood of
flying young witha parent bird. The brood was no doubt reared close by.

Q June 12. Yeu a's June 16:

Bubo virginianus virginianus. GREAT HornED OwL.—A pair
has returned to nest in a paper birch tree, situated in a dense wet woods
bordering the swamp, each year since 1924, at least until 1927. This
nest contained two eggs on March 7, 1925. Another occupied nest was
found within the swamp, about fifty feet from the ground, in a hemlock
tree, in the spring of 1927. It is impossible to estimate accurately the
abundance of this species but other pairs are probably established in
heavily wooded sections, particularly in the extensive swamp.

Coccyzus americanus. YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOoo.—One was seen
on June 14, 1925, by Messrs. H. H. Brown, R. V. Lindsay and C. D.
Richards. This is the only occasion on which the species has been re-
ported within the township.

Coccyzus erythrophthalmus. BLACK-BILLED CuckKoo.—Seen
regularly throughout the summer and is apparently generally distributed.
A nest with three fresh eggs was found by Dr. Harrington on June 19.
It was situated about three feet from the ground in a red-ozier dogwood.

oS June 24.

Ceryle alcyon alcyon. BELTED KINGFISHER.—Generally dis-
tributed but not common. Nesting tunnels were found beside the rail-
way right-of-way at some distance from water.

co June 29.

Dryobates villosus villosus. Harry WoopPECKER.—The form
found resident in the township is villosus. The species is not common
but was noted regularly. An occupied nesting hole containing young
was found on May 831, and others were found during the summer.

Yg. of June 16. Yg. 9° July 30:
Ye O°"; Puly 2: ~¥g. o& August 3.

A FAuNAL INVESTIGATION OF KinGc TOWNSHIP 189

Dryobates pubescens medianus. Downy WoopPECKER.—This
species nests commonly in the area. Several nesting cavities, old and
new, were found, at low elevations. Such a cavity, undoubtedly made
by a downy woodpecker but occupied by a house wren, was only two feet
from the ground. Dead birch, in which drilling would be comparatively
easy, was frequently used, but, on the other hand, dead maple in fairly
sound condition was also used.

So June 19. Ye. co Angust 17.

Sphyrapicus varius varius. YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER.—
Rather uncommon but was seen regularly. Two occupied nesting cavi-
ties were found, one about thirty feet up in a dead elm, and the other in
a dead section of a living maple.

Voy 2 July 23, Wet 0 Ful 28.

Melanerpes erythrocephalus. RED-HEADED WOoOODPECKER. —
Found more frequently along the country roads than in the heavy woods.
It was rare about our camp, which was on the border of the swamp. It
probably nests in the groves about farm buildings. On May 25, 1924,
a nest was found in a tall, dead elm in an open pasture. Of interest,
also, was the fact that in this same stub were nesting a pair each of
starlings, sparrow hawks and house sparrows, all living amicably together.

o& June 19. Yg. Q August 7.

Colaptes auratus luteus. NorTHERN FLICKER.—The flicker is
common and nests generally throughout the area. Young females col-
lected were of particular interest. The writer recalls having previously
examined a brood of nestling flickers which appeared to be composed
entirely of males. At the time it was presumed that the division of
sexes in a brood was more or less a matter of chance. A second obser-
vation of this feature suggested that a different story was involved.
Dissection of young flickers, since collected, shows that young females
possess the familiar black or blackish malar stripes usually regarded as
peculiar to males. This condition is a rare exception to the general rule
that, when adult sexes differ in plumage, the young at first resemble the
female. Since both sexes possess the black malar markings at one period
in their lives, it might be argued that these markings on adult males
cannot be considered as secondary sexual characters. It might be more
nearly correct to consider the absence of these markings as a secondary
sexual character. However, females possess the markings at a time
when sexual vigour is undeveloped. In any case these markings may
be considered as an unmodified condition which was apparently pos-
sessed by both sexes of its earlier progenitors. The loss of these markings
by females, which takes place during the post-juvenal moult, and the
retention of them by males, indicates that adult female flickers have a
more advanced or specialized plumage than do males. This feature

190 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN INSTITUTE

seems to be a difficult one to explain on the basis of suppression of con-
spicuous markings (if indeed the black markings may be considered con-
spicuous) by the destructive action of differentiating conditions of life
under which the female lives, since both sexes take a part (Bendire, 1895)

in nidification.

Q June 17. Yg. 9 August 4.
Yg. o July 21. Yg. 9 August 11, 1928.
Yg. ? July 28. Yg. o August 11, 1928.

Antrostomus vociferus. Wutp-Poor-WIiLL.—Fairly common.
Its call was a nightly sound during Juneand July. About 8.30 p.m., two
or three birds would start their calling from the wooded hills bordering
the swamp and would continue on warm evenings, at least until mid-
night. Cool nights seemed to suppress their vocal efforts. On a few
occasions the call was heard in the dark hours of early morning. Two
nestling birds were found by Mr. Baillie among the leaves beside a log
on a dry, wooded hillside.
Veuiiiot july 3: Q July 3.
RUIN Re as
Chordeiles virginianus. NicHTHAWK.—A fairly common spe-
cies. As many as ten birds, some of them probably young ones, were
seen on the evening of July 11, while from two to eight were noted nightly
throughout the summer. One of the females collected was feeding

almost fully-grown young.
®) ame ya: Yg. @ August 20, 1928.

Q July 25.

Chetura pelagica. CHIMNEY SwiFt.—Fairly common and gen-
erally distributed. A pair nested in a disused chimney of a building
near our camp.

? June 10. o July 12.

Archilochus colubris. RuByY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD.— AI-
though generally distributed throughout the area, the hummingbird is
nowhere common. On June 138, the writer was standing motionless in a
small clearing in the woods when a female hummingbird hovered within
arms-length. I saw distinctly a patch of white feathers on the back of
its head. This is the first observation of albinism in this species experi-
enced by the writer.

Tyrannus tyrannus. KINGBIrRD.—Common and generally dis-
tributed. The species nests in orchard trees about farms as well as in
more isolated situations such as the tamarack bogs along the inner border
of the swamp of the Holland river. A scattered flock of seventy indi-
viduals was seen on August 28, 1928. This congregation was prepara-

tory to their fall movement southward.
Q June 2. Aig) 4. ANA BE yes

A FauNAL INVESTIGATION OF KinG TOWNSHIP 191

Myiarchus crinitus. Crrestep FLYCATCHER.—A common breed-
ing bird in wooded sections. About the grounds of the Kettleby Kabin
Klub it nested in abandoned woodpecker holes and in natural cavities.
It also nested in orchards, as well as in the more isolated parts of
swampy woods. A good deal of animal material is frequently incor-
porated into its nests. One example contained the feathers of domestic
fowl and ruffed grouse as well as quantities of the hair of the wood-
chuck. On August 2, a young bird of the year was heard uttering the
characteristic call of the species which, however, was noticeably weaker
than that of an adult.

? July 23. Yg. @ August 2.

Sayornis phoebe. Puase.—Fairly common and generally dis-
tributed. Practically all culverts and bridges examined, including those
of the radial railway, had one or more pheebe nests placed beneath them
on some supporting beam or abutment. One would have thought that
the passing of ten cars every day over the railway bridges would have so
disturbed the birds as to discourage them from using these sites for
nesting but such was not the case. The largest set of eggs examined
contained six eggs.

®) June 7: Vou a Palys 23.

Nuttallornis borealis. OLIvE-sIDED FLYCATCHER.—A specimen
taken on June 13 was considered at the time to be a late migrant, but
twice in July (18 and 23) the species was noted in the centre of the swamp
of the Holland river. On the second occasion two birds were associated.
One called continuously its characteristic ‘‘whip-wheeoo,’’ a sound which
brought to mind the desolate spruce forests of the north. We have indi-
vidual records, undoubtedly of migrants, between August 14 and 28,
1928, but the July records suggest that the species may be other than a
migrant in the township.

co June 13.

Myiochanes virens. Woop PEWwEE.—A fairly common species,
found in sections where there were large deciduous trees. A nest con-
taining three incubated eggs was found on the horizontal limb of an oak
some fifty feet from the ground on June 22.

Q June 15.

Empidonax flaviventris. YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER.—Not a
summer resident. It was not recorded after June 2, when three migrants
were seen.

Empidonax trailli alnorum. ALDER FLYCATCHER.—Seen fairly
regularly, as many as six having been recorded on a single day. Dr.
Paul Harrington found a newly completed nest which he believed to
belong to this species, but unfortunately it had been destroyed by some
unknown agency when the site was later visited. However, a breeding

192 TRANSACTIONS OF THE RoyAL CANADIAN INSTITUTE

record for the species was established on July 29, when Mr. Baillie ob-
served an adult bird near our camp at Pottageville feeding young.
co Junel. oS July 26.

Empidonax minimus. Least FLYCATCHER.—Seen daily through-
out the summer, as many as six having been observed on several different
days during the earlier part of the season. The species nests in the alder
thickets of wet sections where the heavy timber has been removed. A
nest with four fresh eggs was found fifteen feet from the ground in the
crotch of an alder on June 9.

o June 9. Yg. ? August 4.

Otocoris alpestris praticola. PRAIRIE HorNED LARK.—One was
heard by Mr. R. V. Lindsay and the writer on August 1, as we were
tramping a dry, sandy hilltop in a field of oats in the north-central part
of the township. No others have been observed in summer. The form
likely to be found here in summer is praticola.

Cyanocitta cristata. BLur Jay.—A fairly common species. Two
nests were found in heavily wooded areas. The first, which contained
five fresh eggs, was found on July 8, situated at the high elevation of over
fifty feet on a horizontal limb of an elm. The other contained four
partially fledged young on July 20, and was situated in a sapling hemlock
ten feet from the ground.

o June 3. Wee ie ve Haaky 2,

Corvus brachyrhynchos brachyrhynchos. Crow.—A common
breeding species. The young are on the wing by the last week of June.
Tall hemlocks situated in fairly dense woods on dry ground along hillsides
seem to be preferred by crows as nesting sites.

Q June 15.

Sturnus vulgaris. Srar_inc.—We first discovered the starling
in King township on May 25, 1924, when a pair was found nesting in a
dead elm near Pottageville (Snyder and Baillie, 1925). A pair nested in
the same tree in the summer of 1926. By that time several other nesting
situations were occupied. The species was still not numerous but was
fairly well distributed in 1926. Since then it has become more common.
The song of the wood pewee and the white-throated sparrow were fre-
quently imitated by the starling. Both of the species imitated are
summer residents of the area with which the starling comes in contact.
The male collected was carrying food to its young, showing that this sex
participates in nesting duties.

o' June 17.

Dolichonyx oryzivorus. BoxBoLink.—Sections of the extensive
grassy flat-land bordering the Holland river are populated with bobolinks,
the species nesting there in some numbers. <A few were seen elsewhere in
cultivated meadows. Their numbers on the grassy flats will probably be

A FAuNAL INVESTIGATION OF KinG TOWNSHIP 193

affected by the draining of this land. In order to secure male specimens
in changing plumage the species was watched closely during mid-July.
A slight change of plumage was noted between July 18 and 26 (at the
time nestling took to the wing), but at the critical time (the last week of
July) the species moved, leaving the flats entirely and was not noted
again except for individuals and small flocks passing overhead. These
were quite probably migrants from farther north.

2 o’s June 7. 3. o's July 26.
Q@ july 4. 4 9’s July 26.
3 o's July 12. Yg. o July 26.

Ye. 2 July 26.

Molothrus ater ater. Cowsirp.—Common and generally dis-
tributed.

Oo June 3. Q July 14.
Vo PR): June £9. Yg. 92 August 3.

Agelaius phoeniceus phoeniceus. RED-wINGED BLACKBIRD.—
This species was restricted to the cat-tail marshes which, however, are
nowhere extensive within the township. In several situations, small
colonies composed of from three to six pairs were found occupying small
marshes, none of which embraced an area of more than a few square
yards. It is difficult to explain why this species has not established itself
in numbers throughout the wet flats bordering the Holland river, even
though that area is not a cat-tail habitat. In northern Ontario, where
cat-tail marshes are rare, the species finds suitable nesting sites in open,
wet places of a different nature. There they attach their nests to shrubs,
sedges, grasses, etc., which grow in or near the water. Situations similar
to these are found extensively along the Holland river. These differences
might be explained by the theory that red-wings to the north have
nesting habits slightly at variance to those of the same species farther
south since they are descendants of pioneering individuals which ex-
tended the range of the species, these pioneers possessing and passing on
characteristics which made them adaptive to new conditions. However,
what has been said of the red-winged blackbird is equally fitting in con-
nection with other species of birds.

2 o's June 18.

Sturnella magna magna. MEADOWLARK.—Not particularly

common but generally distributed over the farmland where it nested.
Q June 7. Yg. ? June 19.

Icterus galbula. BaLtTimorE OrIoLE.—Not particularly common
but generally distributed. Towering elms are apparently preferred as
nesting sites, but one nest was found in a quaking aspen near our camp.

Weng?) falyis:

Quiscalus quiscula zneus. BronzED GRACKLE.—Noted daily

throughout the summer. Although they were locally numerous only one

194 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN INSTITUTE

nesting situation was found. This was in the broken top of a dead stub
which projected from the water in a marshy clearing in theswamp. The
species started moving about in flocks about July 16. In 1928, a flock
estimated to contain one thousand birds was seen by Mr. H. H. Brown
on August 18.

9 June 2. Yg. @ July 21.

Carpodacus purpureus purpureus. PurpLe Fincy.—At least
two pairs summered near our camp, the males being heard daily, singing
from the tops of evergreen trees. The species may be a rare resident all
along the extensive swamp bounding the township at the north.

o June 22.

Astragalinus tristis tristis. GoLprinca.—Common. A nest
containing three fresh eggs was found situated six feet from the ground
in a Spireea shrub at the edge of a small permanent lake on August 7.

o') June tl. o August 3.
2 June. 1;

Spinus pinus. Pine Siskin.—Although this species has not been
observed during the summer months it must be listed as a nesting bird
of the township, Dr. Paul Harrington having found a newly completed
nest in the tamarack bog which flanks the flat-lands of the Holland river,
on April 3, 1927. The nest was situated approximately fifteen feet
from the ground at the base of a limb next to the trunk of a tamarack.
It was constructed of small tamarack twigs and was lined with fine plant
fibre, down, horse hair and other fine hairs. No eggs had been deposited
in the nest but siskins were about at the time. It seems probable that a
few of these birds remain within the township during some summers.

Passer domesticus. HousE SpArrow.—Fairly plentiful about
farmsteads and in the towns within the township. A few pairs nested
about the lumber mill and other buildings near our camp. A female
specimen collected possessed a curious malformed upper mandible, the
tip having grown outward and downward 6 mm. beyond where the
bill would normally terminate.

oO) june's. Q July 22.
Nese" Jimet7.

Poccetes gramineus gramineus. VESPER SPARROW.—A fairly
common breeding bird, generally distributed over the dry open land.
Young just out of the nest were seen on July 9.

f.. tunes; 3 o’s August 3.
Q July 8. o August 7.

Passerculus sandwichensis savanna. SAVANNAH SPARROW.—
Fairly common but perhaps not so generally distributed as the previous
species. It nests in the open pastures and fields which are not closely
cropped, and also on the grassy flats of the Holland river. Young which

A Fauna. INVESTIGATION OF KinGc TOowNSHIP 195

had but recently left the nest were secured. On June 19 an adult was
observed feeding a young cowbird.

oo Junel. Q July 12.
o July 4. Vo. of... July 23.
2 o's July 8. Yq. 2). July 23.

Zonotrichia albicollis. WHITE-THROATED SPARROW.—A fairly
common bird of the clearings in and about the main swamp of the
Holland river. One nest found on June3 contained three fresh eggs and
a cowbird’s egg. It was situated beside a log in a raspberry thicket in a
fairly dry clearing within the main swamp. Another nest containing
three eggs, found by Mr. H. H. Brown on July 4, was situated on the
moss of a tamarack growth on the inner edge of theswamp. This appears
to be the first record of the nesting of this species for the Toronto region.

It is of interest to note that in King township and elsewhere, male
white-throated sparrows incubate, or assist in incubating, the eggs.
Associated with this habit we have found, in a few cases, that males were
less brightly marked than their mates.

o June 2. Yeo. July 14.
oe \Jane'd.

Spizella passerina passerina. CHIPPING SPARROW.—A common
species, nesting in the evergreens bordering the swamp and also about
dwellings. The eggs from a nest near our camp were found broken on
the ground while the nest contained two eggs of the cowbird.

go June'?.

Junco hyemalis hyemalis. SLATE-cOLOURED JUNCo.—Pairs of
juncos were seen in midsummer in two situations along the height of land
which crosses the township. Their immediate habitats were high and
dry where trees had been partially removed, leaving the sterile soil
exposed to the summer sun. The occurrence of these northern birds in
such situations is in strong contrast to that of other northern species
found which are very largely confined to the bog in King township.

3 June l. 3 July 28.

Melospiza melodia melodia. Sonc Sparrow.—A common
species. It was found nesting about wet, wooded pastures, brushy hill-
sides, etc. On August 1, a young bird of the year was heard singing a
song which was recognizable as a song sparrow’s song, but possessed a
harsh rasping quality, suggesting that of the long-billed marsh wren.
The series of nine summer adults is notably uniform in tone and general
coloration.

ov June oo)": ee aby eee
2 o’s June 23. po a 1) ay
o June 24. 2 o's August 3.
Q July 21. Q@ August 4.
o. 6 July 21. Yg. ? August 6.

Ry pale ake

196 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN INSTITUTE

Melospiza lincolni lincolni. LrincoL_n’s SpARRow.—One of our
most interesting discoveries during the summer was the finding of several
pairs of Lincoln’s sparrows established in and about clearings in the
centre of the main swamp. The species probably occurs in restricted
areas other than those discovered by us since we could explore but a
small part of the extensive swamp. On July 14 and 16, adults were
observed carrying food and feeding young. This constitutes the most
southerly breeding record for the species in Ontario. It has not pre-
viously been recorded as a resident bird of the Toronto region.

o july 4. Q July 14.
oa July 14.

Melospiza georgiana. Swamp Sparrow.—A fairly common
species, found in the grassy areas of swamps. Young not long out of
the nest were collected.

22 June's. ¥g. 2") Tore
Vas Fs abe ab:

Pipilo erythrophthalmus erythrophthalmus. TowHEr.—Rather
scarce. The few birds noted were in the deciduous woods where large
trees and some undergrowth were present. A nest with four fresh eggs
was found on May 25, near Kelly lake, by Mrs. Stuart L. Thompson.

Q June 23. Yg. o' August 3.
co June 23.
Hedymeles ludovicianus. RosE-BREASTED GROSBEAK. — This

species was well distributed and not uncommon, from one to five speci-
mens having been seen daily. A nest with a completed set of four fresh
eggs was found on June 3, about five feet from the ground, in a small
white cedar. This species has not previously been recorded as nesting in
the Toronto region.

An adult female taken in May in King township is of especial
interest, in having one feather of the breast marked with red of the hue
possessed by males.

oo July 14. o July 20:
Yeo?) July) 14.

Passerina cyanea. INpIGo BuntTinGc.—Rather scarce. A nest
with four incubated eggs was found three feet from the ground in a
hazelbush in a small clearing on June 19.

o June 2. Q June 19.

Piranga erythromelas. ScArRLET TANAGER.—Single pairs of
these birds were found in several localities in fairly dry dense woods.
The species is to be regarded as scarce for the township as a whole. It
has not previously been recorded as a summer resident of the Toronto
region.

o June 12.

A FAUNAL INVESTIGATION OF KinGc TOWNSHIP 197

Progne subis subis. Purpre Martin.—The only colony of
martins noted was seen in early summer in the town of Aurora. Later
in the season, individual birds were seen about the surrounding country.

Yg. o& July 12.

Petrochelidon lunifrons lunifrons. CLirF SwaLtLow.—The
only summer record of the cliff swallow for King township is that of a
single bird observed on August 30, 1924. It was probably a migrant.

Hirundo erythrogastra. BARN SwWALLOow.—Common, nesting
about farmsteads throughout the area. During the first week of August
small family flocks assembled to feed over the wet flats bordering the
Holland river. Flocks composed of twenty-five to one hundred indi-
viduals were noted during the middle and latter part of August.

Q June 3. Wey |e) (aly (23.

Iridoprocne bicolor. TREE SwaLLow.—Fairly numerous in and
about the main swamp, where they find suitable nesting sites in standing
dead trees. Small flocks congregated in late summer and were found
with the barn swallows sweeping over the grass flats and perching on
wires which cross the border of the open area.

Mei | fay 4.

Riparia riparia. BANK SwALLow.—This species was found nesting
in a low sandy-clay bank along the radial right-of-way. Full comple-
ments of fresh eggs were found by June 6. This species began to flock
about the middle of July and was found in great numbers over the grassy
flats towards the end of that month.

Q July 12.

Stelgidopteryx serripennis. RoUGH-WINGED SWALLow.—A nest
of this species was found on June 17 in the low bank where the bank
swallow also nested. It contained a set of five fresh eggs. The species
has since been noted on one occasion in May.

9: Pune Lif,

Bombycilla cedrorum. CEDAR WAxwinc.—Common in and
about the swamp and nested in the cedars bordering it. It was found on
one occasion to have used a small elm as a nesting site. The earliest eggs
were found on July 3.

o June 8. 2 August 4.
o' August 4.

Lanius ludovicianus migrans. MicrRANT SHRIKE.—Found spar-
ingly along the country roads, in the hedge-rows and in the thickets.
Young which had but recently left the nest were observed.

Me. taby 6.

Vireosylva olivacea. RED-EYED VirEO.—A common species in
the wooded sections. It was found nesting.

o June l. Yg. ? August 3.

198 TRANSACTIONS OF THE RoyAL CANADIAN INSTITUTE

Mniotilta varia. BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER.—Seen regularly
in and about the heavily-wooded swamp where it was quite numerous.
A nest containing three young birds and an infertile egg was found by Dr.
Paul Harrington and Prof. T. F. MclIlwraith on June 19. The nest was
constructed of shredded fibres of some woody plant and lined with finer
fibres of the same material. It was placed on the ground beneath the
drooping branches of a ground hemlock which grew on a dry mound
wooded with mixed forest. Many families with young were noted during
the summer.

o June 2. Yg. ? August 3.
Ye. 2) July 34.

Vermivora ruficapilla ruficapilla. NAsHVILLE WARBLER.—
Locally numerous; found in open, wooded, wet pasture-land bordering
the swamp. ‘That the species nests in such situations was indicated by
the taking of partially fledged young there. No evidence that the species
nests in the Toronto region has previously been recorded.

9 June 3. Yg. @ July 14.

Dendroica estiva estiva. YELLOW WARBLER.—Rather scarce
and irregularly distributed. A few were found inhabiting thickets of
dogwood and willow in wet swales. Adults were seen carrying food to
young.

Q June 18.

Dendroica coronata. MyrtTLE WaARBLER.—The finding of this
species in summer within the township was one of the interesting obser-
vations of 1926. The species was rare and confined to the inner edge of
the swamp bordering the Holland river where conditions probably more
nearly correspond to those of more northern latitudes.

o 6 July 16.

Dendroica cerulea. CERULEAN WARBLER.—On June 7, Mr.
Baillie collected a singing male from a large basswood tree which stood
on the edge of a heavy mixed woods. This is the only record for this
species in the township and the first summer record for the Toronto
region.

oS June 7.

Dendroica pensylvanica. CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER.—A few otf
these warblers were noted rather regularly throughout the summer. A
nest, situated three feet from the ground in a choke-cherry shrub con-
tained three incubated eggs on June 28. One other nest was found in
raspberry canes in a small clearing in dry woods.

os June o july 6.

Dendroica fusca. BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER.—A few pairs were
noted in dense, mixed woods where large hemlocks were numerous. This
species has not previously been regarded as a summer resident of the

A FAUNAL INVESTIGATION OF KING TOWNSHIP 199

Toronto region. Specimens previously recorded in June have usually
been considered to be late migrants.
o June 5. oo July 6.

Dendroica virens. BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER.—Not
uncommon, pairs having been found in dry mixed woods and in the
heavily wooded swamp. Two nests were found, each approximately
thirty feet from the ground, situated on horizontal limbs of hemlocks a
few feet out from the trunks. Each contained three fresh eggs. The
first was found on June 19 and the other on August 9. The species has
not previously been recorded as a summer resident or breeding bird of
the Toronto region.

o June 19.

Seiurus aurocapillus. OVvEN-BIRD.—Fairly common in suitable
woods. A nest containing four fresh eggs was found on June 11 on the
ground beneath the boughs of a ground hemlock in a dense mixed woods.

ei Janek. Migs) Queutdaahy Fs

Seiurus noveboracensis noveboracensis. WATER-THRUSH. —
Fairly numerous in and about the main swamp. Two young birds were
collected; one taken July 27 possessed the woolly first plumage char-
acterized by the heavily-streaked throat, chest and sides, which gives the
bird, generally, a dark, sooty appearance; the other, taken July 29, was
acquiring a more mature plumage. These birds were unquestionably
reared in a section of wet woods near our camp. This appears to be
the first evidence that the species nests in the Toronto region.

o June 2. Yg. @ july 29.
You o. puly ied,

Oporornis philadelphia. MourniInGc WARBLER.—Rare. A pair
was established on a hillside near our camp where berry bushes and small
second-growth grew in dense clumps.

o June'2.

Geothlypis trichas trichas. MaAryLAND YELLOW-THROAT.—A
fairly common breeding bird, found in wet clearings and partial clearings,
pastures, and along the borders of the extensive grassy flats of the Holland
river.

o Junel. Maw 02) Jab h2.

Wilsonia canadensis. CANADA WarBLER.—Not plentiful but
noted regularly in and about the swamp. Young just out of the nest
were seen on several occasions in the latter part of the summer. This is
the first evidence that the species nests in the Toronto region.

eo". June 1. o' June 2.

setophaga ruticilla. RErpstart.—Rather scarce but noted fairly

regularly. In only one instance did we secure evidence of the nesting of

the species.
Im. o June 22. oy Pula 2

200 TRANSACTIONS OF THE RoyAL CANADIAN INSTITUTE

Dumetella carolinensis. CatTsirp.—Not particularly common

but observed regularly and found nesting.
o June l. 3 july 8.

Toxostomarufum. Brown THRASHER.—It was rather surprising
that the brown thrasher was not seen during the summer of 1926. How-
ever, that it is occasionally a rare summer resident of the township is
indicated by the fact that one was seen by Mr. H. H. Brown during the
summer of 1925.

Troglodytes edon edon. Housk Wren.—A common breeding

bird of the area.
co June 3. 2 o’s August 3.
Nga) 24, daly 2,

Nannus hiemalis hiemalis. WINTER WREN.—Few. Pairs were
found in widely separated localities along the swamp of the Holland river.
The species frequents the dark, damp, tangled woods in which it also
breeds. Families of young just capable of flight were found on two
occasions in late summer.

Yg. o June 25. Yg. co August 2.

Cistothorus stellaris. SHorT-BILLED MArsH WrEN.—A large
scattered colony of these wrens was established in a section of the exten-
sive grassy flats bordering the Holland river. Intensive searches were
made for nests but none was found. However, on July 4, Mr. Baillie and
Mr. W. P. Young saw an adult carrying food or nesting material in its
bill, and on July 16 a female was collected which had eggs almost ready
for extrusion. There are no previous records of the breeding of this
species in the Toronto region; even its occurrence has been noted but
rarely.

2 os June 29. Q July 16.
3. o's July 12. 2 o’s August 6.
Q August 6.

Telmatodytes palustris palustris. LoNG-BILLED MArsH WREN..
Found to be fairly common along the Holland river, where it also nests.
None was seen elsewhere.

2 o' June 29.

Certhia familiaris americana. BrowN CREEPER.—A few pairs
were found distributed through stands of large timber. A nest con-
taining four young was found on June 22, nine feet from the ground in a
large, broken elm stub. The nest was composed of smail twigs and bits
of outer bark and was lined with fine shreds of inner bark. It was long
and narrow and was curved in conformity with its position, behind a
large, loose sheet of bark. This is the first definite record that the species
breeds in the Toronto region.

Yg. of. June 22. het «i Saily 30.

A FAuNAL INVESTIGATION OF KinGc TOWNSHIP 201

Sitta carolinensis carolinensis. WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH.—
Seen regularly but not very common. Young just out of the nest were

seen, one having been collected.
Q June 22. Vou?) July 23.

Sitta canadensis. RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH.—Single individuals
were seen in two situations in the centre of the swamp where there were
tall standing dead conifers. The discovery of this species was perhaps
one of the most unusual finds made in 1926, since it has not previously
been recorded as a summer bird of the Toronto region.

Penthestes atricapillus atricapillus. CHICKADEE.—A common
species. A set of six fresh to incubated eggs was found on July 14. The
nest was situated in a stump within a woodpecker-drilling less than two
feet from the ground, within the main swamp.

o June 12. Yg. @ August 3.
9 July 14. Yg. o' August 3.
Yeo" @) July 30.

Regulus satrapa satrapa. GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET.—Single
birds were seen on a few occasions in two separate sections of the swamp.
There appears to be no previous record of the occurrence of this species
in the Toronto region in summer.

o& July 27.

Hylocichla mustelina. Woop THrusHy.—A few pairs inhabited
different sections of the thick, dark woods bordering the swamp. During
the first week of June we were frequently awakened in the morning by
the voice of this splendid songster. At this time of day, when the sun has
but started on its upward climb, the quality of the song strikes one as
being essentially that of cheerfulness—a sort of morning greeting. Espec-
ially does it seem a salutation when out of its theme one hears ‘‘Oh
Youhoo,’’ a pause, and then, again the theme. Later in the summer the
wood thrush sang most frequently in the evening. As darkness ap-
proached, the mystical and spiritual qualities of its song seemed to be
accentuated. The voice carries well in the stillness of twilight and one
is convinced that this bird deserves its high rank as a songster.

Hylocichla fuscescens fuscescens. VrEERY.—A fairly common
species. A nest containing four fresh eggs was found on June 29 on the
ground beneath a gooseberry shrub. The general situation was a small
arm of the main swamp where sapling ash and alders grew in the wet soil.

of. June 1,

Planesticus migratorius migratorius. Rosin.—A common
nesting species.
Q June 3. gai ae a ae:
os July 21.

202 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN INSTITUTE

Sialia sialis sialis. BLUursirp.—Fairly common. It was most
frequently met with in stump-covered pastures, where it nests.
oo June 3. Yg. 9 June l7.

LITERATURE CITED

Bendire, Chas. H. 1895. Life histories of North American birds. U.S.
Nat. Mus. Special Bull., Part 2, p. 133.

Fleming, James H. 1907. Birds of Toronto, Canada. Part 2. Auk.
24:71.

Fleming, J. H. 1930. Ontario bird notes. Auk. 47:65.

Snyder, L. L. and Baillie, Jas. L., Jr. 1925. The increase and present
status of the starling (Sturnus vulgaris) at Toronto, 1925. Can.
Field-Nat. 39:149-150.

Snyder, L. L. 1928a. The summer birds of Lake Nipigon. Trans.
Roy. Can. Inst. 16:258.

Synder, L. L. 1928b. The summer birds of Lake Abitibi. Univ.
Toronto Studies: Biol. Ser. No. 32, p. 21.

A FAUNAL INVESTIGATION OF KING TOWNSHIP,
YORK COUNTY, ONTARIO

IV. THE AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF KING TOWNSHIP
By E. B.S. LoGIeRr

The specimens and data on which the present paper is based were
gathered during a number of short visits to King township, each of from
one to three or four days’ duration, between October, 1924, and Sep-
tember, 1929. Unfortunately, it was not possible for the writer to
remain constantly on the ground with the Museum party in 1926. He
also had the co-operation of Mr. W. J. LeRay, who visited the region
several times in the summers of 1928 and 1929.

The following list includes thirteen species of amphibians and rep-
tiles, but it is probable that future collecting will add other species
to it.

Close to our camp were a number of temporary pools which filled
in the spring with the melting of the snow. These pools occurred for the
most part in depressions in lightly wooded land so that trees, logs and
stumps, bushes and grassy ground were included in the flooded areas.
The photograph reproduced in plate II, fig. 2, shows a section of the
largest of these pools. The water was shallow around the margins and
toward the centre reached in some places a depth of about two feet.
Most of the observations on the swamp tree frog and wood frog were
made at these pools.

Kelly lake, where some collecting was done, lies about 2% miles
south of Pottageville, at the foot of one of the morainic hills. It is about
two hundred and eighty yards in its greatest length. The margins are
in part of quaking bog and the trees occurring there include black spruce,
white cedar, tamarack and others characteristic of such low, wet places,
as mentioned on page 169 in the general introduction.

Just east of Kelly lake is a large pond lying in more open land, and
here newts and swamp tree frogs were numerous, and some painted
turtles were collected. Another large, permanent pond is situated about
three-quarters of a mile to the north, immediately east of the seventh
concession. It has open meadow land sloping up from it on the east and
north. The water depth at the middle was not measured but would be
fully three feet. This pond sustained a considerable growth of aquatic

203

204 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN INSTITUTE

weeds and furnished a good breeding place for Triturus, Ambystoma
and several species of frogs.
All measurements given are from preserved specimens.

Amphibians

Triturus viridescens viridescens (Rafinesque). GREEN NEwrT.
—This species was found to be very plentiful in the pond north of Kelly
lake where collections were made on several occasions. The specimens
seen and collected by the writer at this pond were on the average rather
small, ranging from 69.5 to 94.5 mm. in length. The two smallest speci-
mens, which were taken in the water on June 20, 1926, and May 8, 1927,
respectively, were females of 69.5 mm. and both contained enlarged and
ripening eggs. Males of over 75 mm. showed good development of
external sexual characters,

The pond in question was overcrowded with newts, a condition
which might account for the limited growth attained by all the indi-
viduals seen.

In the well-drained, sloping meadow leading down to this pond a
number of the red, terrestrial form were found under cover on the ground,
at different times during the summer and early autumn.

No larvae were found in the water on June 20, 1926, and May 8,
1927, but in 1928 they were found to be numerous from July to Sep-
tember by Mr. W. J. LeRay, who informed the writer that on September
23 larvae up to 14 inches (82 mm.) in length were abundant in the pond
just east of Kelly lake and specimens with their gills almost absorbed
were found under cover about the margins. The adults had all left the
water and olive-coloured specimens were found under cover even at long
distances from the water (about 4 mile) and the farther from the water
the lighter in colour.

On September 13, 1929 (a warm, rainy morning), the writer, in com-
pany with Mr. LeRay, visited Kelly lake and some of the ponds in the
vicinity. On this date neither adults nor larvae were found in the water,
but individuals of all sizes from newly-transformed young to full-grown
adults were found travelling over land away from the pond on the east
side of Kelly lake. They were wandering on the roads, and the larger
ones were working their way up the wooded slope to the north where they
were found hundreds of feet from the water.

Many of the newts collected had assumed a bright orange or almost
red coloration. Among these highly-coloured individuals were specimens
of from 79 to 89 mm. in length, Some of these were females in which the
eggs were enlarging and turning brown.

The largest specimens in this landward migration were of an olive
or greenish colour and measured from 100 to 115 mm. in length.

A FAuNAL INVESTIGATION OF KinG TOWNSHIP 205

A few adult newts were seen in the temporary pools in the vicinity
of our camp at different times.

Out of a total of seventy specimens collected by the writer, in 1926
and 1927, twenty-eight, or 40 per cent., were males.

Ambystoma jefiersonianum (Green). JEFFERSON’S SALAMAN-
DER.—This species was seen occasionally in shady, moist situations. One
specimen was found in the earth cellar of our cabin on October 16, 1926.
Another specimen was taken beside Kelly lake on May 8, 1927.

Larvae were plentiful in the pond north of Kelly lake on June 20,
1926. Of ten specimens taken, seven were jeffersonianum* and ranged
from 38 to 45 mm. in length.

Egg masses were seen in the funanatoy pools near our camp on
April 25, 1926. They were attached to twigs and grasses at depths of
from six inches to a foot.

Ambystoma maculatum (Shaw). SpotTTED SALAMANDER.—This
species was found in similar types of habitat to that chosen by the pre-
ceding. One specimen was taken from a decayed log in the woods near
Pottageville on July 21, 1926, and two beside Kelly lake on May 8, 1927.

Three larvae, ranging from 26 to 29 mm. in length, were taken in the
pond north of Kelly lake on June 20, 1926.

Masses of eggs in advanced stages of development were seen in pools
beside the radial railway near our camp on May 15, 1926.

Plethodon cinereus (Green). RED-BACKED SALAMANDER.—Red-
backed salamanders were common in the mixed hardwood forests in the
vicinity of Pottageville, where they were taken from decayed logs and
under cover on the damp ground.

Out of thirty specimens collected only one was of dark brown color-
ation, all the others were red-backed.

On July 21, 1926, ten females with bundles of eggs were found in
decayed logs. In most cases the eggs were far advanced in incubation.
the young animals being within a few days of emerging.

Bufo americanus Holbrook. AMERICAN ToAp.—Toads do not
appear to be very plentiful in the region. An occasional specimen was
seen, and they were sometimes heard trilling in the evening or after
nightfall during May and June.

Pseudacris triseriata (Wied). Swamp TREE Froc.—This species
was quite plentiful. It resorted in numbers to the many temporary pools
in the district from which its voice could be heard at almost any hour of
the day or night through April, increasing to a chorus toward evening and
after nightfall, unless the coldness of the night silenced it.

The lowest air temperature at which voice was recorded was 23°F.

*Identification is based on the number of costal grooves, which is usually 12 in
jeffersonianum and 10 in maculatum.

206 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN INSTITUTE

(record by J. L. Baillie, Jr., April 2, 1927), and the second lowest was
29°F. The frogs gradually became silent through the early half of May.
After heavy rains on June 14, 1926, they commenced singing again, after
nearly a month of silence. The last voice recorded for the year 1926 was
on October 17, after which date no more visits were made to the region
that year. Repeated search for eggs in the pools where the frogs were
calling failed to reveal any.

A few adult specimens were collected and many were seen.

Hyla crucifer Wied. Sprinc PEEPER.—This species occurred
rather sparingly. In 1926 its voice was heard occasionally from May 3
till June 17. The latest date on which its voice was heard was on October
11, 1924, when a few individuals were heard to utter several feeble calls
from the ground in the woods.

Specimens were taken in the woods near Pottageville and at Kelly
lake.

Hyla versicolor versicolor (Le Conte). TREE Toap.—This species
was not common. From May 30 until June 20, 1926, a few were heard
calling occasionally in the evening. After the latter date it was not heard
again till July 20, when a single specimen was heard again in the evening.

In a pond near Kelly lake young frogs were found transforming on
August 12, 1928, by Mr. W. J. LeRay.

Rana clamitans Latreille. GREEN FroGc.—This frog was common.
It was seen about the temporary pools near our camp and was plentiful
at Kelly lake and the ponds in its vicinity.

On June 16 and 18, 1926, a few males were croaking in the pools
near our camp. On June 20, many of them were croaking in a pond
north of Kelly lake and three females collected there on that date were
full of eggs. Tadpoles were seen in a quiet stream where it entered the
open marsh on its way to the Holland river.

Rana palustris Le Conte. PICKEREL FroG.—Three specimens were
seen in the pond north of Kelly lake on June 20, 1926, two of these were
collected, both young males. The species was not seen elsewhere.

Rana pipiens Schreber. LEopArD FroGc.—This was the common-
est Rana. It was plentiful about pools and ponds in the early part of the
summer, and in August was found ranging widely over low-lying, open
country, and damp meadow land. It was found about rain pools in the
woods near Pottageville on October 11, 1924. It was heard croaking in
the temporary pools near our camp on April 18, 1925, and on May 8 and
9, 1926. The latter record was at 3 a.m. with a frost settling. Full-
grown tadpoles were found in a creek near our camp in August, 1925.

Rana septentrionalis Baird. Mink Froc.—This species seems to
be not uncommon at Kelly lake where 31 specimens have been collected
in the years 1927 to 1929. All of these, with one exception, were taken
by Mr. LeRay.

‘

A FAuNAL INVESTIGATION OF Kinc TOwNSHIP 207

Rana sylvatica Le Conte. Woop Froc.—Wood frogs were
numerous about temporary pools in the early spring and were found occa-
sionally in moist or shady places throughout the summer.

The writer’s first visit to the region in the spring of 1925 was on
April 4, when the frogs were in the water calling, and were so noted on
each subsequent visit till April 18, after which date he had no opportunity
to visit the region again that season. On April 24, 1926, they were in full
chorus in the temporary pools nearourcamp. On May 8 they were silent
in these pools but were croaking in a section of the cedar swamp near by,
where they had not previously been heard.

Spawn was found in considerable quantities in one of the pools near
camp on April 25, 1926, and on May 9 was found to be hatched, young
tadpoles of about 9 or 10 mm. in length clinging to the disintegrating jelly
and swimming freely when disturbed. Many of the eggs had failed to
develop. Some newly transformed wood frogs were collected about these
pools on July 21, 1926.

Reptiles

Liopeltis vernalis (Harlan). SmMooTH GREEN SNAKE.—A specimen
was taken near Kelly lake on September 23, 1928, by Mr. W. J. LeRay.

Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum (Lacépéde). Mui_x
SNAKE.— Two specimens were taken at Lloyd’s sawmill near Pottageville
on June 2 and 9, 1926. They measured 978 and 984 mm. in length re-
spectively. A third specimen was seen but escaped.

Mr. J. A. Lloyd told the writer that these snakes are common about
the mill but are not usually seen except on hot days. A partly decom-
posed specimen were seen near Kelly lake by Mr. J. L. Baillie, Jr.

Storeria dekayi (Holbrook). DEKaAy’s SNAKE.—This species was
not found by the writer, but Mr. W. J. LeRay reports having seen it.

Storeria occipito-maculata (Storer). RED-BELLIED SNAKE.—This
species was fairly common and has been seen in the vicinity of Kettleby
Kabin each year from 1924 to 1929 and a number of specimens have been
captured. In the autumn these snakes would resort to the radial right-
of-way for the purpose of sunning themselves on warm days and many of
them were killed by the electric cars.

Thamnophis sauritus (Linn.). RIBBON SNAKE.—One specimen
was taken and another seen by Mr. W. J. LeRay at a pond near Kelly
lake on September 16, 1928.

Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis (Linn.). GARTER SNAKE.—This was
the commonest snake. It was found in a variety of situations,—in light
woods, in meadows and clearings, on roads, on the radial right-of-way,
and at the Holland marsh. It was occasionally seen about camp.

Twelve specimens were collected, three males and nine females. The

208 TRANSACTIONS OF THE RoyaAL CANADIAN INSTITUTE

largest male measured 515 mm. The females, with the exception of one
which measured 479 mm., were all larger. The largest specimen was
965 mm.

The dorsal scales in every case were 19-17. The ventral plates
numbered 147 to 159. One specimen had eight supralabials on each side
but was in other respects normal. Another had four postoculars on each
side, while three others showed slight abnormalities. One specimen was
very dark, the dorsal and lateral stripes though well-defined were very
dusky and the posterior two-thirds of the ventral surface was almost
black. All the other specimens were normally coloured.

Three of the five females taken in June, 1926, were pregnant, while
a sixth taken in July of the same year apparently was not. One taken
on August 30, 1924, was emaciated and had evidently recently given
birth to young. :

A specimen taken near the Holland marsh swallowed a leopard frog
while being carried to camp in a cotton bag, and was found upon dissec-
tion to have recently swallowed a young bird also.

Chelydra serpentina (Linn.) SNappinc TuURTLE.—This species
was seen at Kelly lake by Mr. W. J. LeRay.

Chrysemys marginata marginata (Agassiz). PAINTED TURTLE.
—This turtle was common at Kelly lake and in the ponds in that vicinity.
‘It was seen in the Holland river by Mr. J. L. Baillie, Jr.

TRANSACTIONS OF THE RoyAL CANADIAN INSTITUTE Vor, <Vik Pare i, Preeti

Photo by H. H. Brown
Fig. 1. A view of the clearing and woods in spring at Kettleby Kabin

‘ig. 2. A typical spring snow-pool near Kettleby Kabin

=eS

, eee ee simi s

Sead

=n

TRANSACTIONS OF THE RoyAL CANADIAN INsTITUTE VoL. XVII, Part II, Pt. III

Photo by S. L. Thompson
Fig. 3. A view of Kelly lake, a characteristic moraine lake

Photo by S. L. Thompson
Fig. 4. Reclamation on moraine ridges

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TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN INSTITUTE

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