Blue Jay, vol.8, issue 3

BULLETIN
of the

SASKATCHEWAN NATURAL HISTORY

SOCIETY

In Co-operation with
The Saskatchewan Provincial Museum

Official publication ©f the

SASKATCHEWAN NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY
Editor: Lloyd T,, Carmichael

Hon, Pres.:, W.P. Thompson, F.R.S. , President, University of Sash,
President: Dr. G-.E. Ledingham, Biology Professor of Regina College,
1st Vice Pres,: C.C, Shaw, Yorkton,

2nd Vice Pres,: Maurice- G, Street, Nipawin,

i A DIRECTORS AT LARGE ,

One Year: E,W, Brooman, Prince Albert; H.C, Andrews, Moose Taw;

Judge L.T, McKim, Melfort; E.W, Van Blaricom, Tisdale;

A.C, Budd, Swift Current.

Two Years: Lloyd Peterson, Indian Head; R.J, Priestly, Victoria;

Stuart Houston, Yorkton; R.C, MaoKenzie; . W. Yanchinski,

11 , ; Naicam.

Three Years; Arthur Ward, Burnham; A, McPherson, Saskatoon; Mrs. Marion
Nixon, Wauchope; Mrs. -John Hubbard, Jr., Grenfell;

R.P. Stueok, Abernethy.

REGINA DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE FOR 1950

F.S. Robinson; F.G, 'Bard; Dick Bird; W.A, Brownlee; W,E, Whitehead
G.F, Ledingham . ..Business Manager

The aim of the society is to continue' and extend 'the, work and ideas
of the Founder' of the BLUE JAY, the late Mrs, Isabel M. Priestly,
in forming a medium of exchange of nature observations of mutual
interest, and in working together for the protection and conservatioiM
of the wild life in Saskatchewan, ;

HOW TO SUBSCRIBE

The BLUE JAY Is published quarterly at a yearly subscription rate of one
dollar. Anyone Interested in any phase of nature will be a vcilooineuiiamber
to this-..organizat iq>n. All subscriptions- ■will start and terminate on the~
first day of January.

All material for the BLUE JAY, as well as all subscriptions and business
letters, should be sent to the Editor at 1077 Garnet Street, Regina,

Material for each of the four issues -should be submitted^ not later than
Feb. 15, May 15, Aug. 15, or Nov. 15, as tbe-ouse may be.

Volume VIII - JULY -

THE EDITOR’S DESK

- AUG. SEPT. - No. 5

The success or failure of the BLUE JAY depends to a great extent
on the type of material submitted by the members of our Society, Each sub¬
scriber is a potential contributor, and so a share of the responsibility
rests, on the shoulders of all, .

We have received many letters praising our bulletin, compliment-
ing.qt.he contributors on the excellent manner in which they have presented
their hature observations, lauding the Society for the splendid contribu'- .
tion which it is making by creating a. greater interest, in the wildlife of
Saskatchewan and in its conservation. "

* -

But we have reason to believe that there are many who' have with¬
held their opinions; who believe that the BLUE JAY, as a nature magazine,
is not up to standard; who are convinced that more should be done to create
and hold the general interest*

Of course -we. should, be never satisfied with past accomplishments.
All of us must feel that there is a. great deal of room for • improvement •

’We have done those things which we ought not to have done .and we have left
undone those things which we' ought to have done.” Suggestions for change -
for improvement will be ’’thankfully received and faithfully applied,”

With the sincere hope that .we will not -offend or discourage any
member who so unstintingly has given ohis time to record his observations,
we would like to offer the following suggestions: • -

It is better not to submit material for publication in the form
of a letter. These letters are most interesting, but they very often con¬
tain a variety .of .stories, all- of- which must be sorted out before' they can
be printed. Readers will have noticed that an attempt has been made to
arrange the BLUE JAY articles under different sections - birds, mammals,
insects, flowers, archiology, etc. Please classify the observations so
that they may be easily transferred to the proper section. It would be
preferable to write each on a separate sheet of paper, suitably headed.

Let us suppose that the members of the Society have met for a
week’s outing at a suitable lake and camping ground, and that on the last
night before their departure they are gathered around a campfire, telling
stories of their experiences and observations. One enthusiast is trying
to hold the attention, ”0n Monday,” he says, ”1 saw three robins, two
crows, five meadowlarks sitting in a row on the fence, one woodpecker on
the trunk of a tree, a field mouse and a big black bear. On Tuesday a
flock of geese flew overhead. 1 saw a monarch butterfly, two porcupines,
a white-tailed deer jumping over a fence and three kinds of ducks although
I was unable to distinguish the species, Wednesday was, for me, the big
day. Prom 1G30 in the morning up to 12,15 I saw three tree swallows, five
juncos, -four pelicans wading near the shore of the lake, a lizard, a
beautiful ostrich fern and at least a dozen flowers which looked like a
pink ..species of pyrola. On Thursday . . By this time the atten¬

tion of the audience is directed towards the antics of an inquisitive grey
squirrel, who brazenly enters the circle and accepts tid-bits from a dozen
outstretched hands - the rest of the story falls on deaf ears.

The point is, talk and write about some definite incident that
will hold the interest of the audience or the reader — a story about the

3

cunning coyote, the antics of the ants, the cfgrfcbird's egg in the warbler's
nest, the determined parent hawk as it protected its young, the gulls and
the grasshoppers, unusual bird visitants. There are hundreds of subjects;
it only remains for him to tell that story.

If they so desired, five hundred members of the Saskatchewan
Natural History Society could each tell of incidents that would be of in¬
terest to all. We want no one to hold back because of timidity or of fear
of improper phrase construction or unsuitable English. Such things, to us,
are not always important and will easily be rectified. The main thing is
to give the facts and tell the story in your own way. Do not submit your
valuable daily diary of facts, but from among them select those nature
gems and conservation ideas, which may remain with you and the rest of us
for years to come.

Let us give this just one try and there seems no doubt that the
next issue of the BLUE JAY will stand up to the ideals and expectations
of even the most pessimistic.

HOW ARE OUR FINANCES?

There are two factors which, in the publication of the BLUE JAY,
make for success. The first has been discussed above, but there is
another without which our best efforts will be in vain — that is money.

Starting with a bank balance of about $58 on November 1st last,
we will, after this issue is paid for, wind up with an expected balance
of between seventy-five and eighty dollars, with one more issue to go in
1950, This condition prevails in spite of the fact that we have received
generous special donations from the Regina and Yorkton Natural History
Societies and from nine of our members, amounting in all to $130,

The cost for publication of our last three issues was $350,59,
an average of almost $120 each. It is very plain to see that we are not
paying our way and it is our opinion that special grants and patron dona¬
tions do not make for sound business principles.

What is wrong?

In the first place we seem to be financing on a shoe-string.

The potential revenue from 500 members, 20 of whom receive complimentary
copies, is $480, The cost of four issues is $470 — balance $10, provided
every member pays his membership and subscription dues.

But the point is, all members do not pay their subscriptions.
They forget. At the present moment there are 125 members who have not
paid their 1949 dues. We are convinced that in nearly all cases this is
simply a case of oversight, but nevertheless it is an oversight that may
mean the success or failure of the Saskatchewan Natural History Society,
as far as the publication of a quarterly bulletin is concerned.

When you receive this issue, please look on the outside of the

- 4 -

envelope, and if it is, indicated there that you are paid up_ to Dec, 31,
1949, it would be appreciated if you would rectify that as soon as pos¬
sible.

We invite discussion on this subject and will welcome any sug'
gestions that may be made for improvement.

THE ANNUA L MEETING .

The following is a special notice to all members of the Society
from our President, Dr, George Ledingham:

The Annual Meeting of the Saskatchewan Natural History Society
will be held in the Provincial Museum of Natural History on Friday,

October 27,

A full program of films, discussions' and tours will be provided.
Complete programs may be obtained from, the Editor or the Business Manager,

Plan to attend these meetings. See the progress being made at
the museum. Take your part in determining the future plans of our Society,

All paid-up members of the Society may vote at the annual elec¬
tion of officers on October 27, If you cannot attend the meeting in person,
you can write in your suggestions and nominations. Each of these will be
accepted as a vote,’

» . • ■ ■ K-

Positions open for election are president, two vice-presidents
and five directors to represent the province as a whole,. The presidency
should not be held by a Regina men each year, but. should probably rotate
between 'the established Natural History Societies, The directorships open
for election are those which at present are shown as serving for one year.
Present officers may be re-elected. The five directors will be elected
for a three-year period. They should be active in support of the Society,

If new-naiiies are suggested by letter, comments should be included to aid
the -voting of those attending the annual meeting,

*4 M

BRITISH EMPIRE NATURALISTS * ASSOCIATION

' The Saskatchewan Natural History Society, through the foresight
and generosity of Mr, Arch C, Budd, of Swift Current, is now a member, of
the B,E,N,A,

This is an organization of amateur field naturalists throughout
the British Commonwealth of Nations, which was founded in England by E,
Kay Robinson in 1905. Its official organ, a copy of which has been sent
to us, is called "Country Side,"

We have received the following letter from Mr,. G, A, Hebditch,
Hon, Secy, of the Association: ~

««• 5 •*

"It is with pleasure that following a letter and remittance for
15 shillings, received from Mr, A, C, Budd, Swift Current, I have entered
the name of your Society in our Records, I am glad to enclose the current
number of our Journal, "Country Side" and we shall be very glad to see
your "BLUE JAY" as opportunity arises. I am able to record the addition
of several new Dominion names to our Membership and have had the satis¬
faction of being able to help some visitors to this country.

PRESIDENT OE DUCKS UNLIMITED

Congratulations are extended to one of our Directors, Judge L,
T, McKim, of Melfort, who was elected president of Ducks Unlimited at
the annual meeting which was held at Calgary, June 3, He succeeds Dr, .
W, E, Tisdale, of Winnipeg, who was named chairman of the Board of Direc¬
tors,

The enthusiasm which Judge McKim has displayed for many years
in connection with bird life, conservation of wildlife and sport, singles
him out as an ideal man to direct this important organization.

APPRECIATION John D. Ritchie,

Wallwort ,

When I was quite a small lad, before' I even started to school, .
there wprked, on my father’s farm, five miles north of Beaverton, Ontario,
at Point Mara on beautiful Lake Simcoe, a most remarkable man. At that
time he seemed to me to know all about the trees, the flowers, the birds
and bees, the big and little animals. The very stones in the soil became
interesting with the stories he told me about them. All these natural
objects he knew something about*

Now if anyone had called him a naturalist he would have scoffed
at the idea. He married after working three years for my father,-” He and
his beautiful wife bought a farm close by and had three daughters. When
I was a young man he died with cancer and his wife shortly after, both in
their early forties* His children I have lost track of completely but
they. all became talented and educated women of whom any parents could have
been proud*

Many were the nature questions he answered for me and mysterious
problems that I couldn’t figure out for myself, he seemed to know. He
showed me my first hummingbird’s nest on the' branch of an apple tree; a
nighthawk’s nest; a big moth hatched from a coccoon - a wonderful Luna
with long tails; a delicate little orchid growing by the creek and pyrolas
on the banks; his wife’s wonderful wild flower garden; the tiny sundews
growing on mounds in the swamp with flies sticking to their rounded viscid
leaves on which, he said, the plants obtained their supplementary nourish¬
ment; and many, many other highly interesting things.

Some people said he was a fool to spend so much money on books,

I wonder? I have never forgotten how he satisfied my thirst for nature
knowledge. He let me drink at its well, A Great Naturalist with little
education, but with an immense store of knowledge of the great out-doors.

6

I will always remember him.

His name was Duncan Carmichael*

That is how I can remember the name of the present editor of
that marvellous little quarterly publication put out by the Saskatchewan
Natural History Society — the "Blue Jay,"

PUBLICATION DATES W, Yanchinski

It has occurred to me that .each issue of the BLUE JAY would re¬
present a definite seasonal phenomena in nature if the dateline for the
submission of material were set ahead a couple of weeks, say, June 1,
September 1, etc, Eor example, it is quite impossible to present a cdm-
plete picture of the nesting activities of birds by May 15, since many of
them, especially if it should happen to be a late spring, have barely
arrived in their summer home by then. Similarly, Feb, 15 is hardly the
end of the winter, March 1 would be an improvement,

NOTE:

Mr, Yanchinski is quite correct. The incompleteness of natural
seasons at the time of the present date-line has resulted in confusion
and incomplete migration observations. We are pleased that he has brought
this matter to our attention. It will be discussed with the executive
shortly and no doubt the desired change will be brought about,,,, ED,

FROM APRIL TO JUNE E, Cruickshank, Regina,

April the eight; snow was swirling and drifting around the yard.
The birds’ bread-crumbs were being blown and buried in it, I placed
larger tid-bits in sheltered spots. Sparrows descended hungrily when
suddenly — *

"They came with noise and clamour
Rush of wings and cry of voices" —

stubby-tailed black birds with sharp yellow bills, reddish legs set far
back on bodies which were strangely speckled — > starlings, of course. The
sparrows were not allowed to eat that day.

The starlings came and went with the storm. We had seen none
before, nor have seen any since.

More juncos visited us this year than in any former year - and
stayed longer. Among the slate-coloured and the paler grey ones were some
that were definitely pink-sided. They evidently liked bathing. It is a
sight never to be forgotten to see one after another dive into dry snow,
flutter its wings and come out refreshed.

The trilling little song of the juncos assures us that spring is
coming: the first infant crocuses are proof that it is here. We found

them in a sheltered warm depression' in the Valley on April 5,

* ■ '■ ■ "*••• ' '✓„-*•■ »

Mrs, Jacques in "Canadian Spring" was surprised and pleased to
find a bee, not busy, but sleeping in a crocus blossom* We found several

BIRDS

7

in the tsame apparent blissful state* - One- brought indoors was found .several
days later not to have wakened. Why! Mr* A* C* Budd has..- suggested they
partook of the poison present in the crocus cup*

Summer may have been delayed in reaching here, but has it not
brought a' "world full of abandon* of colour?" For every ■walk, beauty has
been at our side;

One early evening, late in June, I felt nothing could be more
beautiful than the prairie this night. Blue heavens above - groundsel,
asters, mustard and cinquefoil placing gifts of gold at' our feet — late
pentstemon and flan bring the blue of the sky within reactu Every garden
needs a touch of white «-* here were daisies and yarrow to supply the con¬
trast, Sergeant always had a bit of red to make his paintings complete —
before us nodded the loveliest three-flowered avens I had ever seen -
rose-madder in the shade 3 but red enough to supply the needed warmth — a
perfect picture*

What indeed is so rare as a day in Tune l

SIGNS OF BALL E». Barker, Regina,

Once again signs of fall are everywhere ~~ crickets are singing;
hoppers are hopping; berries colouring; .grass patches generously donating
their quota of spears for your clothing as you walk by; gophers storing;
seeds falling or floating everywhere and last, but not. least, birds
assembling,:

During a walk on August 13, in the vicinity of the Legislative
Buildings I saw the following birds in half an hour:

Eared Grebe, Ring-billed Gulls., Spotted and Least Sandpipers }
Brewer Blackbirds , Kingbirds, Cedar Waxwings, Catbird. Goldfinches, Yellow
Warbler, Pine Siskin and Barn -Swallows ,,

BIDEBIRDS COMMON AT GRRREBLL

Mrs* John Hubbard, Jr» , informs us that Bluebirds were quite
common around her* district this spring and nested on many farms* A pair
about their home won the battle with the sparrows and neared for a con¬
siderable time but no young were seen* A box inside a knot-hole in a bin
put up for Bluebirds was used by Tree Swallows c

■ BJTVMING BIRDS AT TOLLAND, ALBERTA Kirs, 0oL. Walters

Quite a few around have seen humming birds in their gardens lately e
I saw one August 2 among my delphiniums and scarlet lychnis* The next day
a neighbor said she had seen one among her flowers the day before also, and
while talking about it two more made their appearance in the garden.. Still
another neighbor saw one a few days ago and about the same time my young
son watched one among the scarlet runners of his garden.

BIRDS

— 8 —

SPARROWS IN THE BACK YARD E Barker, Regina*

During the period from May 16 to 27, when each day I fed up to
30 Clay-coloured Sparrows along with other species, the House Sparrow played
quite an important role, Every new bird which arrived was either led or
followed to my yard by one of these birds. He always proved quite a helper
in grinding down the hard pieces of bread for the Clay-coloured Sparrows
who were unable to do this type of work. The wee sparrows would first draw
back in alarm as their helpers would barge onto the table and snatch the
largest pieces of bread. However their fear was soon overcome when they
saw fine crumbs scattered around as a result of the larger sparrow’s efforts
to dispose of the morsels, . •

On May 16, the following kinds of sparrows fed on crumbs in my
yard in one square yard of space: 2 House Sparrows, 8 or 10 White -crowned,
1 White-throat, 1 Lincoln, 1 Savanna, 8 Clay-coloured, and 2 Vesper, Eor
a few minutes all except the Vespers were feeding together.

Of great interest in my district this summer are a pair of
Purple Martins, which frequently appear on a hunting spree around my yard.
Lark Buntings started singing near the house this year on June 5, and
continued each day until July 27. Since that time a depressing silence
seems to brood over the place - their rollicking, tinkling, soaring song
is greatly missed.

A GOOD YEAR W. Yanchinski

The birds, like the. red lilies, roses and berries, appear to
have had a good year. Among the species observed nesting for the first
time in recent years were the Brown Thrasher, Horned Grebe, and Hermit
Thrush. Among others who have successfully raised families are Ruffed
Grouse, Hungarian Partridge, Mountain Bluebird, Barn Swallows, ^.Sparrows
(Song, . Vesper , White-throated, Clay-coloured), Least Flycatcher, Baltimore
Orioie .and large numbers of Red-tailed Hawks, Swainson Hawks, Eastern
Kingbirds, Flickers, Killdeer Plovers and, of course, the Robins,

On a recent trip to Banff I was amazed by the large numbers of
Meadowlarks encountered along the road through the open prairies. Most
of them sat on the road instead of the usual perch on the fence posts

NOTE:

NEW BIRD ACQUAINTANCES S.P, Jordan,

Saskatoon,

(Mr, Jordan is a young man attending the University of Saskat¬
chewan who is keenly interested in nature. He admits the fact that the
country is teeming with wildlife of which he knows very little, but is
most anxious to learn. His keen observation is a definite assurance that
he will not be content until his curiosity has been satisfied. He has sug¬
gested that we publish a list of reference books which could be purchased
by those interested in more accurate bird, animal and plant identifica¬
tion. We hope that our readers will suggest any books which they think
would be of help to the amateur naturalist. ED. )

I saw my first Shrike on May 15, preening himself in the rain
while I stood not more than 12 feet away. Since that time I have seen
many of these birds and am fairly certain that I have identified both the

BIRDS - 9 ~

White-rumped and the Northern, There were at least three or four pairs
nesting along a half-mile' strip of country road, I found two of their
nests along this road.

On May 16 I counted between 150 and 200 geese in six flocks which
flew overhead at varying intervals.

Between May 20 and May 22 I saw three large flocks of what I think
were Golden Plovers, I identified them. as Black-bellied Plovers at first,
but after reading an article on the former changed my identification, Bach
flock of plovers numbered at least 50 birds,

I was quite interested in a method used by a male robin to en¬
courage his offspring to develop his powers of flight. When the young
bird had, by means of a tree, reached a high telephone wire, the parent
bird then commenced to dive upon and even forcibly push the young bird off
- the wire.

LARK BUNTING C, Stuart Francis,

Torch River,

On May 28,- I had. the great pleasure of seeing my first Lark
Bunting and listening to his beautiful and very much varied song.

When I first spotted him he was sitting on a fence post about a
hundred feet- from me in an open field. Just as I was about to walk to¬
wards him, he took wing and flying over my head alighted in a tall Balsam
Poplar, There he commenced his beautiful song, I stood and looked and
listened for at least five minutes. He then flew back to the fence again,
I believe that this record is probably the farthest north record for this
province, as I live in Township 54, Range 15, West 2nd,

'COMMON AT HAWARDEN Harold Kvinge

Lark Buntings are very common in this district this summer and
are nesting everywhere on the prairies. They haven’t been around here in
such numbers since 1937,

I wonder what causes them to come in such great numbers one
year and then be almost absent in other years. On a trip to Alberta this
summer I noticed that they became common after leaving Medicine Hat and
east until we came to Maple Creek and then down to our own town- of
Hawarden,

I noticed a Holboell Grebe on our pond, August 4, This is the
first time this bird has been recorded in this district.

We have four ducklings that are a cross between a brown tame
duck and a wild mallard drake. Is this a rare occurrence? They are al¬
most feathered now (August 12),

NOTES FROM P,L, BECKIE Bladworth

The Black-billed Cuckoos seem to be very numerous this year, I
saw and heard a great many during July. Their song is rather mysterious-
in its tone and quality, I have heard them sing in the darkness of night.
I have often wondered if they nest here.

BIRDS

- 10 -

I found a goldfinch nest on July 24 with one egg, and another on
July 25 with five eggs, I was surprised at the skillful "building of the
nest and its soft feathery appearance.

On July 10 I heard an unfamiliar song from a valley side at Silver
Lake (a small local lake) and hy careful checking have decided that it was
a Brewer’s Sparrow, This is described as a bird of the dry sage brush
area. At any rate that was the first and only time I have heard it (I did
not see it),

I was up in the Lac Vert, Naicam district on July 22 and 23 —
in W, Yanchinski’s country, and was pleasantly surprised by the change in
bird life from that of our locality. Some of the common ones that do not
visit us are the Black-capped Chickadee, Song Sparrow, Red-tailed Hawk,
Western Pewee, Ruddy Duck, Coot, Olive-sided Flycatcher and the House Wren,

Bladworth is out of the park area so the change is to be expected.

DUCK AM) GOOSE • SENSE L,T, McKim, Melfort

One, of Ducks Unlimited men saw a Pin-tail with her young brood
two miles from water. He gathered up the ducklings . and took; them to his.
car, The*mother followed. When the car attained a speed of 45 miles an
hour she fell behind but kept up with it at 40 miles per hdur, When the
water was reached and the ..young ducks released, the mother took charge of

them, I : think this would not happen often* '• ; ‘ '

( .f , - ■ . ■ r * - *• 1 ■

An American, living near Boston, .made a pet of a Canada Goose .1 r

and took it riding with him on the front seat of his car* The goose ..'en¬
joyed the ride so much it was always ready to jump into the car, .Once he
left the goose behirid and drove through Boston, He noticed that people
stopped on the streets and pointed his way.. Stopping the car, he found
that the 'goose had followed him, . .

I believe this is a true story,. A goose in Saskatchewan used
to follow the children to school and then fly home,

-! • • ROBINS ARE NOT DUMB EITHER Mrs. 0.L, Wolters

A neighbor went to move his hinder and noted a robin’s nest with
eggs in it. He moved it over a quarter of a mile., thinking- it was too
bad to have broken up the little home. After about a week he had occasion
to come by and could hardly believe his eyes. There were the parent birds
feeding young robinsj . A-

. . * t . .L ■ • ' ■ ' • ■ ' • " ; . _ J '

THEY DELAY TRACTOR SALS

Norm Ewasahuk, Danbury, refused $250 for an old tractor that he
had been trying to sell for some time. Reason? A family of robins had
set up housekeeping in the tractor and mamma, robin had hatched her eggs.

When the baby birds were big and strong, enough to leave the nest
Mr, Ewaschuk sold the tractor, ...

BIRDS

- 31 -

PRAIRIE CHICKEN DANCING GROUNDS Marion Nixon,

Wauchope.

One thing I thought to bo. of interest is in respect to the prairie
chicken dancing ground which I reported for the BLUE PAY before. This long
knoll had been used for years „ . , . .perhaps as long as my husband has been
interested. But this year they- -have deserted it. The trouble was that the
poplar bluffs kept expanding until they encroached too closely. Two years
ago they had left a sort of natural lane leading to it, and almost ringed
it except for this opening, I suppose now they have started growing over
the' knoll itself .and at loast they have shut off the open view and
approach to the site.

The other dancing ground in our cultivated field about 300 yards
west of the house is used increasingly, though not as -many congregate there
as did on 15, However, I also hear them east of the house from rising
ground-in the sheep pasture. They may use the crest of the gentle rise,
or just beyond it, I have not had time to investigate,

THE BROWN THRASHER Arthur Ward

Even with so muck food around, the Brown Thrasher has a special
craving for crushed wheat and is easily taken for banding.

Usually shy, it is a^ very desirable bird to have around, both in
song and usefulness t One pair nested in a gooseberry bush and the four,
young had' reached the half fledged state when, for some reason, the female
died.

After this event careful observation showed the male vigorously
protecting and feeding the young, both before and after leaving the nest.

One female Brown Thrasher, after having been banded, returned
here three years in succession,; No other bird except a barn swallow has
been known to do that at this station. There have, however, been one-year
returns,

A robin banded Tune 6, 1949, was retaken on May 15, 1950, A Cat¬
bird banded Tune 14, 1949, was retaken August 9, 1950, One -robin banded
Tuly 26, 1947 was rebanded in Oklahoma, Eab, 1, 1947, Another robin banded
August 7, 1944, was killed by a cat at Kerrobert, Tuly 24, 1946e A Brown
Thrasher banded Tuly 27, .1943, was killed during a hail storm at Lucky Lake
Tune 3, 1944,

BIRD BATH CONSTRUCTION W. Yanch inski,

. Naicam.

I would like to pass on an idea of an easily made, inexpensive
bird bath, I constructed one last spring and it appears to be just the
thing to attract birds. It requires only a few cents’ worth of cement and
an old discarded washtub*

The space in the lower half of the tub, which is not required,
may be filled with old cans or scraps of wood. The concrete is poured into
the tub, then hollowed out with a trowel to form a tasin-like depression,
the deepest part in the centre being not more than three inches deep*

BIRDS

- 12 -

It may easily be water-proofed by a heavy application of asphalt
and then another layer of cement. A water-pail equipped with a faucet and
hung on the bath would not only keep it replenished but the dripping water
would draw the attention of the birds to the bath. It may be painted to
match the grounds scenery.

PURPLE MARTINS L.T. McKim

.. *

I have four boxes for Purple Martins which I can look into from
the top of my house. This week (July 10) I took a peep. One contained
seven young, one five, one two and the other had one egg. I have found in
other years that the number of eggs varies greatly, I wonder if they lay
in each- others nests! ' 7 ° . ...

STUBBORN AND OBLIGING- WARBLERS ' Arthur Ward .

On visiting a friend in Ashley Park, Swift Current, he proudly
announced that there was a "Wild Canary’* nest in the garden containing
three eggs, and that the birds were in the habit of covering the eggs up
during the day and sitting on them during the night. I remarked that this
was something unusual for the Yellow Warbler. Well! He would show me.

On looking into the nest I noted that it was empty, "Poke down, ” he said,

I did so and discovered the egg of a Cowbird, Further poking revealed
another; then under another layer was found the third Cowbird egg.

It was evident there was going to be no hatching there. The ■
warbler had declined to do the baby sitting.

Although having seen three pairs of Cowbirds in my grove, I
found no evidence of their parasitic schemes. I was, however, surprised
to see a: young Cowbird, fully fledged and well able to take care of itself,
seemingly'- picking insects on a spruce branch, when a yellow warbler flew to
it'wit-h food, -At the same time another young Cowbird came within six feet
of them and the three flew away together,

'••t The warbler, though having been known to build three nests, one

above the' other, rather than hatch out a Cowbird, evidently, in this case,
has:. willingly obliged the Cowbird,

- Of. all the warblers, the Yellow Warbler is the most useful to
those living on the prairie. It is the only warbler we see at this point
between migration periods. It is surprising how large a mouthful, for a
small bird, the young can take soon after being hatched.

Truly this is one of the most valuable of our feathered friends.

ANOTHER YORKTON NATURE ENTHUSIAST . D. Vivian Everard

I have been a member of the British Empire Naturalists Association
for a number of years, and having been out here two -years now I’m really
getting down to the study of wild life in Saskatchewan.

Ornithology is the particular line I work on apart from every
other phase of wild life. I observed in the BLUE JAY that Mr, Ralph Stueck
of Abernethy is one of your directors. We contact each other .quite
frequently on matters of Natural History.

BIRDS

~ 13

I do quite a bit of Photography and am publishing the pictures
from time to time in the Yorkton Enterprise and other papers. Having a
Kodak Medalist 11 with complete line of accessories I am well equipped.

I rather imagine to get .photographs published in the BLUE JAY
would incur too much expense on behalf of the Saskatchewan Natural History
Society. But providing the photographs were excellent I imagine the BLUE
JAY would have a greater circulation. Just an idea I had!! That’s all! I
Let me know what you think!!

NOTE: '

(We are looking forward to the day when the Society can afford to
have the BLUE JAY printed commercially and photographs reproduced in it.

As you say, this would result in greater circulation. Such a procedure
will not be possible until we can boast of a thousand or more members. At
the present time our membership is about 500 and it takes over a hundred
dollars t,o produce, and deliver each issue, '

In the meantime we will depend upon the enthusiasm of our present
subscribers to get at least one new member each. Editor)

SCARLET TANAGSRS Stuart Houston

On Sunday, May 21, a beautiful male Scarlet Tanager was noted at
the York Lake golf course, four miles south.~west of ' Yorkton by Miss Nancy
Morrison, It was also observed on the same day by Henry Beck and on the
following day by myself, and Henry Belcher,

It was very tame and allowed observers to approach to within ten
feet of it. This is the first definite record of this species in the
Yorkton district,

I noticed in "Chickadee Notes" in the Winnipeg Free Press, that
there have been more reports than usual of the Scarlet Tanager s in Manitoba
this year,

{ ‘

• .i

DUCKS PLENTIFUL AT EOAM LAKE

Mr, George Cruickshank, of Foam Lake, reports that he has never
previously seen as many ducks in his district as there are this year. Al¬
though unable to identify the species, he said most of the ducks were of
small size and in the spring pract ically , all nests had twelve eggs,

Mr. Cruickshank also reported there were fewer crows, more than
the average number of coyotes and a heavy increase in the magpie population,

i : ,

FRIENDLY CHICKADEES Marion Nixon,

Wauchope.

Last winter I persevered until I taught two chickadees that it
was safe to feed from my hand or my hat. There were several who came for
suet and nutmeats, but only these two became tame. They stay together, and
are so different in build I am sure they were a pair. Toward spring they
became much more nervous of feeding from my hand though the little slim one
always did so eventually. They left the shelterbelt twice for a period of
time, but the inclement weather would drive them back I suppose. The last
time they came, demanding food in no uncertain terms, was April 29th,
Chickadees may be heard still, well out in the pasture, so I am hoping that
"Sweetheart and Cocky" bring me a brood of young ones to feed bye and bye.

BIRDS

- 14 -

ALBINO ROBIN Mrs. W, Buceuk,

1 Kamsack,

This spring, May 16, 17 and 18, w© had an unusual visitor* It
was an albino robin, the only one I’ve ever seen. It was pure white, with
perhaps the faintest suggestion of pink on its breast, The fact that it
sang heartily suggested that it was a male bird.

Several years ago, in the fall, I saw a Barn Swallow that appeared
to be a partial albino. The other swallows in the flock chased it away^
whenever it came near. The robins, however, treated the white robin just
as they did the. others. There was a female robin present which I believe
wa’s its mate,

ROCK IRENS NEAR RESINA

Mr, Cliff Shaw, of Yorkton, informs us that Mr. Thos. M. Beveridge,
Rural Route No. 1, Regina, is a keen naturalist and knows hiw birds so
well that he can qualify with the best ornitholigists in the province.

We were therefore pleased to receive from Mr, Beveridge the fol¬
lowing observations: ■ '

Bird migration has not been as spectacular as last year, but
quite interesting none the less. Probably the late spring would account
for the comparative fewness of water birds observed, though representatives
of most species seen last year have been among them, and the persistent
winds probably accounted for my not seeing many migrating warblers out
here far from effective' shelter. Actually I have not yet had a. look
around the Qju’Appelle Valley this spring, so have missed seeing some of
the common resident birds. So what I have not seen may not be particularly
significant. However I wonder if the Say Phoebe did arrive and starved
for lack of insects. I have not seen one of them yet.

Most interesting of my observations this spring has been the
appearance within several hundred yards of the Manse of a Rock Wren, a
bird I had not expected to find this far north in the Province, There was
one around for about four days and I had several good views of it, so am
■absolutely certain of the identification,

ROCK WREN’S NEST

On July 5, Mrs. Croome, of Regina, was fortunate enough to find., a
Rock Wren’s nest in the Qu’Appelle Valley, near Highway No, 6, North of
the city. With her was Mrs, James Crawford, of Regina, who made the
identification,

AN UNUSUAL SITE

On June 17, Ronald Coleman, of Yorkton, reported finding a robin’s
nest built on the ground at the base of a poplar tree, "about the: size of
a stovepipe," The nest was in the centre of a bluff, edging the muskeg, on
the west outskirts of the town. Ronald is one of .the active members of the
Simpson School Nature Club,

BIRDS

15 -

BIRD LIFE AT SHEHO In. Niven

Our winter was very long and very cold - the coldest in history.
Naturally this affected bird and animal life. However, most of the resident
winter birds came through in good shape. The spring was very late and cold,
the snow staying nearly all April and there were still drifts in May,

The bird migration was later than usual all through, some of them
arriving two or three weeks after usual dates. The only birds to arrive
here in March were the Horned Lark (March 3) and the Crow (March 29).

I might mention here that. I observed the northern race of Horned
Larks, which I reported last year, on May 8, The flocks were smaller in
numbers than last season and only stayed about two weeks,

I had one unusual record this spring. Three large Snowy Owls
paid us a visit on April 16, probably on their way north. This is a very
late date for their appearance here. Only one was noted in southern mi¬
gration (Dec. 11). They must have gone a long way south last winter;
according to reports I have read, some went as far as the southern states.

The nesting season is now (June 22) well advanced, though later
than other years.

There is one thing I must mention here and that is the great
amount of grouse and duck nests taken by crows and magpies. These marauders
are far too plentiful and they keep up a continual hunt for eggs, I have
found many empty egg-shells and nests. At this time there, should be many
broods of ducks on the sloughs, but I havenrt seen any so far. It seems
most of the early nests are taken before the leaves come on the trees.

This was very late this season so most of the ducks would have to nest
again when there was better cover,

I think our commonest nesting bird here is the Vesper Sparrow,

Many nests have been found and some destroyed while working the summer-
fallow, Fortunately, they soon start another nest again.

One Arkansas Kingbird was observed here, June 6, They have been
seen here before, but only stayed a few days and never nested, to my
knowle dge .

A Bobolink was noted, June 13, flying over but going south, I
guess it had been further north scouting the country. They are rarely
seen here now. Many years ago they were common and nested in the hay flats.
None were seen last year, but in 1948, four were observed on June 12.

This was the first time since 1942,

1950 SPRING- MIGRATION RECORDS

In order to have a comparative list of bird migrants this year,
we published in our last issue the one compiled by P, Laurence Beckie, of
Bladworth,

The remaining dates of his spring migration records appear below.
The complete list should be of value to many others who have similar ones.
Next year, as well as this, they will prove of value for comparative pur¬
poses, There are 96 birds in the complete list.

BIRDS

- 16

1950 SPRING MIGRATION RECORDS

P, Laurence Beckie

May 12 Tree Swallow

Clay-coloured Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Red-headed Duck
Canvasback Duck
Baldpate Duck
American Pipit
Upland Plover
May 13 Barn Swallow
Cowbird

Ring-billed Gulls
May 14 Yellow Warbler
Hermit Thrush

May 15 Northern Water Thrush
Chipping Sparrow
Black-poll Warbler
Olive-backed Thrush
Short -eared. Owl

Lecontes or Sharp-tailed Sparrow May

May 16 Bairds Sandpiper
Bank Swallows
Spotted Towhee
Harris Sparrow
Golden Plover
Eastern Kingbird
May 17 Least Elycatcher
May 18 Night hawk

Say’ s Phoebe

May 18 Rose-breasted
Grosbeak

Baltimore Oriole
Brown Thrasher
May 20 Cliff Swallow
Sora Rail
21 Mourning Dove
23 Black Tern
Purple Martin
(not certain)

26 Common Tern

27 Lark Bunting
Western Pewee

28 Arkansas Kingbird

29 American Goldfinch

30 Burrowing Owl Nest
(a hasty, uncertain

observation)

31 Northern Phalar ope
5 Connecticut. Warbler

(The above ident,
was quite certain,

I saw the mantel,
the eye ring, .al¬
though it was my
first record of it).
June 2 Veery or Wilson
Thrush

May

May

May

May

May

May

May

June

June

June

June

June

July

5

6

11

17

2

Catbird <

Black-crowned Night Heron
Cedar Waxwing
American Bittern
Black-billed Cuckoo

BIRD BANDING AT BURNHAM .

Mr, Arthur Ward has had a very busy summer again at his banding
station. In the shade of an artificial bluff, it is so close to his home
that he can see some of the traps from his study window.

Twenty species and a total of 13.2 birds have been banded.

2

Myrtle Warbler

2

Catbird

42

Junco

3

Redwing Blackbird

2

Song Sparrow

1

Red Crossbill

2

Tree Sparrow.

1

Baltimore Oriole

12

Olive -backed Thrush

6

Brown Thrasher

23

Gambel ’ s Sparrow

11

Robin

1

White Crown Sparrow

5

Lincoln Sparrow

1

Chestnut-coloured Longspur

10

Yellow Warbler

3

Say’s Phoebe

2

House Wren

1

Eastern Towhee

2

Chipping Sparrow

BIRDS.

~ 17 -

BLUEBIRDS R. D. Burroughs

(Reprinted hy permission of Conservation Volunteer),

Can you recall when first .you saw a bluebird — when last you saw
one? The chances are that you cannot, But if you are a country man at
heart, the flash of azure wings along a country road will thrill you as it
did -when you first saw this blithesome bird of woods and fields. One does
not tire of seeing bluebirds.

In earlier years, when man was less efficient in the management
of land, the bluebird was more common than it is today. It faced no
housing shortage then for hedgerows bounded nearly every field; orchards
grew on almost every farm, and many woodlots still remained untouched by
saw or axe. Decaying snags or broken limbs and hollow trunks of lifeless
trees provided cavities for bluebird nests.

Today the situation is reversed. The ancient monarchs of the
woods are gone; diseased defective trees are soon removed; "wolf” trees are
cut to open up the forest canopy and give the younger healthy trees the
space they need for growth. In many areas steel has now replaced the cedar
post, and fence rows generally are cleared of trees and brush. The use of
2-4-D and DDT gives promise of reducing weeds and insect life. All this
is good considering human needs, but song birds find these changes in their
habitat unfavorable,

A scarcity of natural nesting sites is known to limit the abun¬
dance of birds which lay their eggs in cavities; in rotting wood. In addition
to the bluebird, a partial list of them might well include the woodpecker,
the nuthatch, the chickadee, the house wren, and the crested fly catcher.

All these are birds of economic worth. They hold destructive insect life
in check; they are important factors in maintaining Nature's balance among
the varied forms of living things; their needs must not be overlooked in
managing the land,.

The forester, who understands the intricate relationships of all
the varied forms of life, both plant and animal, will take account of the
requirements of game and other animals when making plans for management of
woods and open areas, .The- farmer or the country man, who dwells by choice
upon the land, will find reward in managing his fields and timber lands in
such a way that food and cover are assured for wildlife.

The bluebird will respond quite readily to any improvements in
his habitat. A farmer, who erected several score of bluebird houses in the
woods and orchards and along the fence-rows where bluebirds had been rarely
seen, found that more than half of them were shortly occupied,

;*Tis fortunate that man has learned that he can ill afford to
overlook the needs of common birds as well as those which satisfy his yen
for sport .

G-od grant that we may never see the time when bluebirds are a

curiosityl

ARE YOU AN ARTIST?

We will be glad to reproduce small and simple drawings, to illus
trate your story, such as those that have appeared in the BLUE JAY.

CONSERVATION

- 18

CONSERVATION PLEDGE Mrs. O.L. loiters,

Tolland, Alta.

In the last issue of the BINE JAY I mentioned the American Con¬
servation Pledge and our adopting it,. Perhaps you have already noticed in
the July issue of ’’Outdoor Life" that Canadians have a similar pledge in
both English and French with maple leaves and a beaver instead of stars and
an eagle. Now I hope they make badges and sea,ls, etc., for our coat lapels
and stationery. Perhaps they have done so already. I want some as soon as
I find out.

CONSERVATION PLEDGE W.A, Brownlee, Regina.

The little article on a conservation pledge (Mrs. loiters) in
the last issue of the BINE JAY brings to mind that we have such a pledge in
Saskatchewan, but so far few people know about it.

This pledge has been printed on the back of special muskrat
licenses since 1947. The particular work I have been looking after in the
Department of ■ Natural Resources is the supervision of the trapping program
in southern Saskatchewan. It is my hope that these pledges will be printed
and distributed to all schools. The pledge is as follows:

I pledge myself as a citizen of Saskatchewan
to. protect and conserve the Natural Resources
of my Province — its soil and minerals, its
forests,., waters, and wildlife*

WE ARE BECOMING CONSERVATION MINDED C. Stuart Francis

a At last I really believe that Saskatchewan folk are becoming con¬
servation minded. Wherever one goes he is beginning to meet people who are
seriously realizing the value of conserving our forests, ,our waters, soils,
and wildlife, .1 believe that .the awakening is due mostly to the perser-
verence of our public-spirited men who have, over the. radio and through the
newspapers, tried very hard to show the necessity of preventing the colossal
waste that has been going on .all over our great western country. They have
endeavored to show peo'ple the; pleasure and. satisfaction to. be enjoyed in
having a Saskatchewan .that is beautiful, prosperous and healthy in natural
resources.

My hope is that the newspapers, radio stations, forestry official^
game officials, Fish and Game Leagues and private individuals will keep up
the good work. We have only just begun to awaken to the richness and
wealth of our country and of the short time left to undo the damage done by
carelessness and exploitation in the past, . . .

THE TRAIL OF EXTERMINATION - Wildlife Division, Dept,

of Resources, Winnipeg.

Nntil very recently the persistent idea that we have unlimited
trees, animals and birds was so firmly fixed in the minds of Canadians that
the man who suggested caution was looked upon as abnormal. Now more and
more people have become aware that wildlife is an important part of our
total resources, and that it cannot be treated as a separate item. Wildlife
Management has thus begun to assume its rightful place as an integral part
of land use. With the technically-trained staffs that are now employed by
the Dominion and various provinces we are learning how these resources must

CONSERVATION

19

be handled, and we are applying the necessary controls for their preservation.
Let. us. all be ever on. the watch, lest, some of the remainder of the wild
animals and birds follow the trail of extermination, which the buffalo so
narrowly escaped.

WANTON KILLING K. M, Buceuk, Kamsack.

The Sunday after ..the. local Fish and Game League had a write-up in
our paper regarding crows, etc., a group of young boys spent much of the
afternoon on the road allowance within half a mile of our house. We pre¬
sumed that they were trying to shoot crows, but later, when I had occasion
to go that, way, I saw what had occupied their time. After much effort they
had succeeded in killing a Flying Squirrel, of whose existence I had not
even been aware.

It seems that more, time might be profitably spent in educating
people which animals should be conserved ratheh than emphasizing destruction,

CONSERVATION DEFENDS ON ONE * S POINT OF VIEW Arthur Ward

True conservation has many adherents in the; province as we have
observed from comments which have appeared, in past issues' of the BLUE LAY.

Of this we must justly be proud.

I believe that acts of various predators must be condoned to that
extent to which nature has devised. Man, considered by many as number one
predator, considers that he has justifiable reasons in protecting ducks and
other, game birds from all other sources of destruction, in order that he,
in turn may dispose of them. It would seem that some species that prey on
other birds are immune from attacks by others. There are so many angles
following along the lines of conservation, that one can hardly refrain from
trespassing beyond the bounds of the cause and condoning the results we see
in others.

Seated in a garden in California, I saw a Cooper ’ s' Hawk carrying
a small bird in Its talons, settle oh a dove cote. It regarded me with
baneful eyes, as I moved nearer to get a better view of the victim, who
soon flew away, carrying the bird. This was repeated on another occasion.

And still once again in the same garden, one of these hawks swooped towards
a bush where all the small birds had scurried, causing their hurried exit.

The hawk, following, seized one of the' birds on the wing within twelve feet
from the bush and took off with it.

On reporting this incident to the members of the Whittier Audubon
Society, the only remark of the ardent conservationists was, "Yes, they do
eat small birds."

•• t ;

CONSERVATION IS A STATE

OF MIND - Conservation Volunteer

Today is an era of challenge, a challenge to sportsmen to unite
behind a unified program of conservation, a challenge to recognize that con
servation is much more than hunting and fishing, a challenge to support a
program of conservation education as the basis of a long-range conservation
program, and. a .challenge to realize that conservation is fundamental to the
economic prosperity of our? state and nation.

CONSERVATION

20 -

; In the years gone by we have talked a great deal about conser¬

vation education. We have been impatient of results. We realize that the
teaching of conservation is not achieved by legislation alone; that con¬
servation is a state of mind; that it is an attitude.

MJSEUM REGISTERS' VITALITY By William Rowan

(Mr, Rowan is professor of zoology and head of that department at the
University of Alberta),

A few days ago I stopped over in Regina and for ’the first time had
the pleasure of visting your provincial museum.

Having spent many professional hours in some of the famous museums
of this continent and Europe, may I take the liberty of complimenting you
on yours. It seems to be the., fate of most -loeal museums to start life in
a basement and it was no shock to find yours in one, but I marvelled at the
maturity yours had reached without bursting its walls and coming up into
.the open. Every cubby-hole and corridor appeared to be in use for the dis-
' play of something: it seemed to me that the museum had already qualified
for some fresh air and promotio.nl

I liked your museum on -several counts, A modern museum should
achieve various objectives: to provide entertainment for visitors of all
kinds is perhaps the first. It does this in a manner difficult to analyse
but attendance is the final arbiter as to whether a museum is dead or alive.
The registered attendance at- yours strikes me as remarkable, especially in
view of its subterranean premises, for a city the size. of Regina, It has
definitely demonstrated its vitality.

Another function of a museum is to fire the imagination and in¬
spire an interest in its exhibits, an invitation to visitors to obey the
ancient behest — *"Go thou* and do likewise," In this way museums have been
constant incentives for the' development of hobbies. In our present age,
when it seems to be expected of our' youth that it should squander its spare
hours on the fictitious glories of ’ Hollywood, or lapping up the imported
gangsterism (and today, propaganda) of the funnies, or listening by the
hour to the swing, jazz and crooning (also imported rubbish) which flows
incessantly from our radios, or reading 'the lowest forms of cheap escape
literature (also mostly imported), a museum seems to belong to another
world, a clean world of the great open spaces which' are still our heritage.

The museum invites us to spend our time in personal effort, men¬
tal and physical, to cultivate our intellects under our own steam. It is
not only great naturalists who have been born of museums, but geniuses in
other fields have in the museum atmosphere discovered themselves too, Erom
the simple inspiration of plants and animals, dinosaurs or Indians or geo¬
logical formations, they have finally become critical students of the world
they live in, prompted in the first place by the simple revelations of an
effectively organized museum.

In Canada, where we can still hunt at a nominal cost, and' there is
yet something left to hunt, a museum, with its graphic displays of game
animals and birds, can instil the basic principles of conservation more
readily and soundly than many hours of lecturing. It can convert mere hunter
into true sportsmen. There is also the art of photography which for many

MJSHTM

21 -

replaces the lure of the gun. And the jumping off point is often against
irhe museum. In this connection, the film library now so successfully started
in your institution will doubtless prove a potent stimulus for this hobby
also. I saw some of these films: they were excellent.

General education, that over -worked word, is perhaps the final and
greatest function of a museum. In this respect, the general plan of yours
is as sound as anything I have encountered. Accurate information, interest¬
ingly conveyed, is doubtless the essence of a museum: yours has it,

A museum is only half a museum if it fails to cater also to the
beautiful, the aesthetic. The paintings embellishing the walls and cases,
part and parcel of modern showmanship, surpass many that I can recall in
some of the world’ s more celebrated museums. They are an inspiration in
themselves. They add that final touch that gives a museum its "soul.”

A museum cannot create a good director: it is the director, and
his staff, that create the museum. In Mr. Fred Bard and his associates you
have the dynamo which is putting yours on the map. If I may make a sugges¬
tion — I hope it won’t be considered an impert inane e— it is that you give
them fresh air to breathe and the space to fulfill the promise they have
shown to provide Saskatchewan with a notable and invaluable provincial in¬
stitution.

BEATERS AT WAN C HOPE Marion Nixon

There has been a marked increase in beaver population throughout
this district during the past three years. The main lodge we know of is
situated about 3 l/2 miles northeast of our house, and is well posted. It
is now quite (h local tourist attraction, as the lodge is so large in com¬
parison with the ubiquitous muskrat house; and the amount of wood being cut
and hauled is amazing. I have been to look at it once, in early evening,
and our presence was repeatedly reported by the scout, smacking his tail on
the water several times. Then he would dive, come up a few yards farther
away, swim around for a few moments, smack out his beaver morse code again,
and submerge.

Their site is on the north side of a long slough with fairly steep
sloping banks. My husband says that all through the dry years it was a hay
meadow, and was cut out year after year, right to the middle. It was then
like a long "draw," But now that it has been filled with our past rainy
seasons, and dammed by the beaver, horses have been seen to swim, crossing
it.

The neighbor who lives nearest t o it has counted 15 beaver adults
and yearlings. This is the same number I was told were there last year also.
Perhaps they consider this the capacity of that site, for now there are
several new lodges being started within two or three miles of the big one.

One' of these is within 3/4 mile of our house, and they have dammed a runway
between two sloughs, backing up the run-off so that water covers the road in
one place where a high narrow grade separates the two sections of a deep
slough. My husband noticed the beginning of a lodge east of this last fall,
but no one saw any activity all winter, nor any footprints while the snow
was here. There is another started on the Antler creek just south of Parkman;
and my. son’s school pupils are enjoying watching the construction of another,
now, in their pasture. The trimmings from the felled trees had been laid

MAMMALS

22

carefully in a circle, stems pointing to the interior of the house-to-be,
and they had started the first layer of plastering.

In another place by the original lodge, they have dammed (plugged)
a culvert in a grade, and repeat this as often as the farmer unplugs it,,
and now have dug a flitch 3 ft. deep (so I am told) between the slough and
another, and have carried that mud to the big house. No wonder the
beaver’ s engineering acumen and its indefatigable industry is legend! I
have written Mr, Paynter about them, as this road submersion becomes a
problem.

In 1924 there was a beaver lodge on the Pond on the Antler creek,
but there was not so much bluff in those years, and they soon exhausted
supplies and moved on. Once since we have known of a lodge in much the
same reach of the creek, but it was later abandoned also.

DEER . K, M, Buceuk

I would like to report on the deer population around Kamsack,

Last fall hunters were out in full force. Some of them had an aeroplane
to ’’spot” the deer for them. I do not know whether this is against the
law or not ,

Towards spring our forest ranger noticed many deer starving at
Madge Lake Provincial Park ana began to enquire where the deer were located.
He was very pleased to find that some had wintered on our farm. They were
the only ones he had heard about# However, there must have been more be¬
cause this spring we had four herds of them -- up to twenty-five — feeding
on the stubble every evening. It seems to me that poachers take a heavy.;
toll of deer during the late winter,

A COYOTE IN THE YARD Mrs. John Hubbard,

Grenfell.

We had a visit from a coyote on August 13. My husband looked out
of the window about 6 o’clock and saw one between the house and- the barn
eyeing my hens, which had not been shut up. He circled around and didn’t
take a hen though they were within reach and much excited. He never worried
about three cows in the yard and they eyed him but didn’t get excited.

By the time my husband got out with the rifle the coyote had decided to ■
leave and although he was followed down the lane on the tractor he didn’t
appear again.

A VISIT FROM A WEASEL Mrs, O.L, Wolters,

Tolland, Alberta,

During the later part of June I heard quite a commotion among
the bird population in some bush near our house and hurried over exnecting
to see our old cat, but looking down at me and crouching very still along
an inclined tree trunk was a weasel. He stayed there for a long time, just
moving his head occasionally to look at some newcomer to his onlookers.
Beside, myself , his spectators were bluebirds, robins, orioles and a flicker.

MAMMALS

25

COYOTE CAPERS S.P. Jordon

The following eye witness account of coyote behaviour was told
to me by a member of the United States ■ federal department of agriculture:

”1 once watched a pair of coyotes capture a gopher by a rather
unique method. The coyotes lined up in single file and approached a gopher
so that the wind blew their scent away from the gopher. As far as the
gopher was concerned there was only one coyote approaching his hole, "When
the first coyote passed over the hole the gopher reappeared, his safety
being assured by the faintness of the scent of the first coyote which had
continued on, walking up-wind, The second coyote, having dropped to a
crouch position immediately behind the first coyote when it passed over
the hole, was able, with one quick lunge, to grasp the unsuspecting gopher,”

FIELD-MOUSE NEST S.P. Jordon

On May 18 I discovered the nest of a field-mouse. It was com¬
posed entirely of chicken feathers and yet there wasn’t a farm or a chicken
for nearly- a mile. What boundless energy must have gone into the construc¬
tion of this warm and cosy abode!

WHITE -FOOTED MICE W. Yanchinski

.* • * .

Have the members noticed the scarcity of the White-footed mice
this year? I haven’t noted a single individual, while working in the
fields, although I did encounter several Jumping Mice.

BOTANY

HIS ANTIC IE WILL BE MISSED

In this- issue readers will greatly miss the usual article on a
plant family written by Mr. -Arch C, Budd.

We are sorry to report that Mr, Budd has not been weel this
summer. He took radium treatments in the clinic at Regina early in June
and since then has been having a great deal of trouble with his right eye
which had become affected.

On July 21 he wrote that he and his wife wore .leaving by train,
for Nova Scotia to attend his son’s wedding. They did not expect to be back
until mid-August. He expressed his regret at not being able to send his
usual contribution but hoped to be able to prepare one for our next issue.

The BLUE JAY hopes that Mr. Budd has had a restful holiday and
wish for him a speedy return to good health.

To turn a world of beauty into a world of ugliness is
a great crime.

. . .Howard Braucher .

BOTANY

24

INTERESTED IN BOTANY SECTION Win, Niven

I am very interested in the Botany Section and read with interest
the descriptions of the different plant families that appear in the BLUE
JAY.

I am familiar with the names of most of the common wild flowers,
but would like to know them all, I have already learned some of them from
the descriptions given by Arch C, Budd,

I am glad to learn that he is publishing a book of the plants
and flowers of the West. It should prove a very welcome aid in identifying
the different kinds. Two of my favorites are the violets aiid the wild
peas and vetches. There has already appeared a description of the different
violets in an issue of the BLUE .JAY,' The kinds of vio'lets I have found
growing around here are the following; the' commonest is the Early Blue
Violet, The Crowfoot Violet - is found in' some grassy meadows. The Canada
Violet is fairly common in moist well-shaded bluffs. Also I have found one
which I think is the Marsh Violet, growing in wet places. The flower is
blue, but' the leaves are heart-shaped, sometimes reddish on the underside,

(This is the Northern Bog Violet, Viola nephrophylla, .Editor ) .

I would like to see an article on the wild peas and vetches as
I would like to know the proper names for them, I am familiar with the
Golden Bean, a very common flower, but we have several wild peas or vetches,
as well as some wild clovers and loco weeds, the names of which I am not
yet familiar.

MARSH VIOLET

We were pleased to receive from Mrs, W, Buceuk, of ICamsack, a
living specimen of a violet for identification. It was a Marsh Violet
(Viola palustris) and was found in a damp spot, growing in the shade of
trees.

This plant was set out in a flower pot and thrived all summer
under the shade of a spruce tree in the garden. We hope to get a plant in
full bloom next spring to add to our collection.

CACTI

Never within the memory of local naturalists was there such a
profusion of Cacti as appeared on the dry hills of the Qu’Appelle Valley
this spring. Some hillsides were yellow with the waxy blossoms of the
Prickly Pear Cactus, Others were almost a solid mass of red a galaxy

of fiery stars protruding from the pine-apple-like green clusters of the
Ball Cactus,

^ Among the yellow blossoms, Mrs. H, A. Croome, of Regina, came
upon a Prickly Pear blossom, distinctly pink in color.

Animals that fight with their teeth retract their ears
when angry so that the ears cannot be injured or torn
by the enemy.

BOTANY

25

THE PRAIRIE LILY

Of interest, perhaps to our new members, is the fact that the
Prairie Lily is the floral emblem of Saskatchewan. The Saskatchewan Natural
Society should form the nucleus of a group, continually advocating that
this beautiful flower be conserved.

Mrs, E, B. Flock, of the Regina Natural History Society first
suggested that that society urge the government to declare the lily to be
Saskatchewan’s floral emblem. In 1941 the Legislature passed an Act making
’’the flower known botanically as • Li lium philadelphicum andinum’' and
popularly called ’the Prairie Lily’ . ” the emblem of the Province,

Dorothy Morrison, of Regina, has written a very interesting book¬
let on this flower, dedicated to the children of Saskatchewan, Copies may
be obtained from the School Aids and Text Book Publishing Company, Regina,

In some areas of Saskatchewan, this summer, the lilies appeared
in abundance. In other areas there were very few. In the few places they
grow around Regina they appeared in profusion but their beauty was soon
marred as their petals were destroyed by grasshoppers almost as fast as
they appeared. Mrs, Hubbard writes that there were very few at Grenfell,
but Mr, Yanchinski reports that they were abundant and lovely at Naicam.

flower
to pull

Mrs. S, 0,
appears to be
them and

Olson, of Big River, has this to say: ’’This beautiful
on the increase around. our home. No one is permitted
Orie has of a Bootion, a few years soon show

IP ! i "V yj

BOTANY

— 26 —

Of particular interest is the following item from C,S, Francis,
of Torcli River:

Several years ago I found a delicate yellow Prairie Lily, which
has since bloomed every year in my garden. About the middle of June, my
son, Stanley, a keen naturalist, like his dad, found an even more unusual
and lovely wild lily. It was at least two feet tall, with two very large
blooms, of unusual beauty. The petals were of a bright red on the outer
edge, gradually turning to an orange or a highly strong yellow, while the
spots in the throat, which are usually almost black, were of a beautiful
clear lilac color. It was strikingly different from the others that were
blooming all around it. Needless to say we have this rare find in our
garden alongside the yellow lily,

FLOWERS AT GRENFELL Mrs. John Hubbard

We’ve had lots of rain (as well as three hailstorms) in June,
and the crops are heavy, though late and badly lodged. Wild flowers are
not late in spite of the backward season and are very profuse, Lilies were
noticeable by their absence this year. My husband brought in a lady
slipper from some breaking; the first we’ve seen in years. They are going
with the bush. Saskatoons and wild raspberries have been plentiful this
year. Berry pickers were just as thick as the mosquitoes and just as
courteous.

It has been estimated that more than one-half of the
world’s flowers, would vanish if there were no bees.

THE GREAT SAND HILLS A.J. Breitung

There are more ,or less extensive areas of Shifting sand hills in
the prairie region of south-western Saskatchewan. The largest of these
is known as the Great Sand Hills with an extent of more than 500 square
miles. This area is situated approximately 30 to 45 miles east of the
Saskatchewan -Alberta border and 100 to 130 miles north of the International
Boundary.

The areas of drifting sand are due to the action of prevalent
north-westerly winds on an originally sandy and hilly region. Whenever the
sod or protecting covering of matted roots is broken or removed, the dry,
light sand underneath, coming under the influence of the eddying currents
of air, is carried away and piled up in oval or rounded banks. Across these
banks clouds of sand are constantly driving. This process continues until
the main substance of the hill is gone and nothing but its mere skeleton
remains. The floor, after the hill has been removed, is generally covered
with pebbles and other heavier matter which was sifted out.

The sand hills appear to be moving . slowly toward the east or
south-east following the direction of the prevailing winds. The progress
is clearly shown on the east side where the hills are now underlaid with a
loamy or clay floor and on the western side where solitary sand hills are
occasionally found far ain the rear of the advancing mass.

27

INSECTS AND FROST J.D. Ritchie

When it is fifty below the snow creaks underfoot; the frosty wind
pierces the clothing, whitens one’s nose and ears and -nips the toes and
fingers. The trees in the woods crack with a report like that of a rifle
’ then in its little nest on the bare twig of a willow there hangs the
tiny caterpillar of the Banded Purple, When men and animals freeze and
die this hibernating insect larva, secure in its hibernaculum, is able to
retain its spark of life and in the spring, after feeding and pupating,
will emerge into what is probably our- most beautiful butterfly. It flits
here and there, dances in the sunshine and delights the eye of the natura¬
list.

Nothing in the whole realm of nature is more marvellous than the
manner in which some of the minutest forms of animal life are able to re¬
sist extremely cold temperatures. Away up in the arctic regions where the
mercury goes as low of 75 and even 80 degrees below zero the butterfly
caterpillars of the genera Erebia Oeneis and many species Brenthis awaken,
feed and develop when vegetation starts to grow again in the spring.

One entomological writer is doubtful that insect larvae can
freeze in the winter, thaw in the spring and regain their vitality. He
says, ’’This view has never been positively proven,”

I wish that writer had been with me last winter when I was
splitting wood, I am certain that he would have changed his mind. There
in the centre of a poplar block was a little larva, a cerambycid grub en-
conced in its woody winter bed, I took it in my fingers and broke it in
two. It snapped like a piece of sealing wax of the same size. Frozen?
Certainly!. Wouldn’t this race of beetles become extinct if they did not
rejuvinate? But tliey still continue to destroy untold numbers of our
valuable forest trees.

Two years ago I came across a cossid moth caterpillar in the
same way. It was solidly frozen, I tightly tied the split stick together
again with twine, being careful not to injure the occupant and stored it
in a shoe-box in the cold tool-house. When spring arrived I took it into
the cabin and after it matured and hatched I had a perfect adult female
specimen of the destructive tree pest, Acoasus populi. Ants in a state
of suspended animation in their woody galleries were found in the same way.
When squeezed between the thumb and fingers of my glove their stiffly
frozen bodies became a blackish brown powder.

Oh yes! Mr. Entomologist. Insect larvae freeze and regain
their vitality. At least some of them do. There is absolutely no doubt
about that , ’

THE LARDER BEETLE AND THE ARMY CUTWORM MOTH A Ward

I submitted two species of insects, this summer, to the Dominion
Laboratory at Indian Head, for identification. Miss Margaret Gumming, of
that department, identified one as a larva of the Larder Beetle and the
other as the Army Cutworm moth.

The Larder Beetle, a household pest often seen on stored ham and
bacon in basements and other storage areas, is from one-quarter to three-
eights of an inch in length. The color is blackish, and the insect has a
wide pale yellow head. The grubs, which were found in a bee-hive, are brown
and hairy with two stout spines on the back near the end of the body.

INSECTS

28 —

The moths, which have been so numerous this summer, with the
fore-wings dark in color and the hind wings a lighter shade, and with a wing
expanse of about two inches, are those of the Army Cutworm. What this por¬
tends in the matter of next year’s increase of these insects remains to be
seen.

FORESTRY A. Ward

The article on forestry by C, Stuart Francis, in the first issue
of this year’s BLUE JAY is to be highly commended. Mr, Francis refers to
the grasshopper infestation as something that could possibly be prevented
from reaching the proportions that have been so evident this summer.

If forestry were undertaken more seriously and extended to the
prairies, means would be provided 'for encouraging many insect -eat ing birds
to stay where they are not at present.

The matter has been discussed and presented to the Department
of Natural Resources, Regina. The presentation to the Department was the
suggestion that eighty acres of land be set aside in every municipality
for the planting of trees. It was suggested that the trees should be
planted twenty feet between rows, so that they could be easily worked with
a'tractor.

Travelling west last November, after a very dry period, parts,
of the prairie district presented a most miserable sight. The grass,
nibbled as bare as the road, had the appearance of a desert area. The
proximity to the adjacent wooded Cypress Hills does not seem to influence
the surrounding semi-arid district,

A forestry station in that area might be the means of inducing
more moisture and attracting many species of birds which do not stay there
at the present time.

.ANNUAL MEETING

Plan to attend this meeting, to be held in ’the Museum
auditorium, Regina, Friday, October 27. See page 4,