The Birds of Western Manitoba

THE AUK'

A Q•UARTERLY JOURNAL OF

ORNITHOLOGY.

VOL. III. APRIL• I886. •NJO.

THE BIRDS OF WESTERN MANITOBA.

ERNEST E. T. SETON.

Fo• the sake of conciseness and conveuience of refk:rence I will first distinguishthe variousnatural divisionsof the country. I. The Assiniboinc Valley, or first prairie steppe. This includes all of Manitoba south and west of' a line drawn fi'om Pembina Mountain north, just west of Portage la Prairie, and thence nortMvest to Fort Pelly. This line is also the eastern edge of the cretnceousformation. The district is essentially a prairie region, the only wooded tracts of any extent being the fiat tops of the elew•tedtable Innds, known as Pemhina, Turtle, Riding, and Duck Mountains. The first two are at the United States Boundary. The other'sare on the northeast edge of this region. Carberryis just north of the AssiniboineRiver, a5out the center of the region. The Big Plain is an mmsuallv fiat prairie, betweenCnrberry aud the Riding Mountaiu. The Big Swamp is a spruceaud tamaracswamp, between (2arl)errvand the rive•'. Mnose Mountain is just outsideand west of Manitoba, at the head of the Souris River. QffAppelle is on the Q3•'Ap- pelle River, outsideand west of Manitoba, one lmndred miles up the river fi'omits junction with the Assiniboine. The obserwttiousfor the region are my own, as I have visited nearly everypart of it. I have. however,received nmch yahruble 146 SEzo•on the Birds of PVesternManitoba. tApril assistancefrom Mr. G. F. Guernsey,who is responsiblefor the records fi'om Q•u'Appelle. . . 2. The Red River Valley. This includesthe country east of the first region, south of the large lakes, xvestof the 96th meri- dian, and north of the United States Boundary. This also is a prairie region, but of lower;level than the preceding and char- acterizedby extensive tracts of marsh. It is partially wooded in the southxvest. Geologicallyit is chiefly Silurian on the east side of the river, and Devonian on the west. Long Lake is a long, marshybody of water lying just west of Winnipeg. Shoal Lake is an extensivemarshy lake near'the southeastend of Lake Manitoba. Although I have visited this region myself, my notes are chiefly from information supplied by Mr. W•n. L. Hine of Winnipeg, and Mr. C. W. Nash of Portagela Prairie. 3' The Winnipegoosis Basin. This includes the country which drains into Lakes Winnipegoosisand Manitoba. This is a fi)rest region, and is apparently all of the Devonian formation. Red Deer Lake and River, and Swan Lake and River empty into the northwest end of Lake Winnipegoosis. Waterhen River and Lake empty into the same lake on the east. Porcupine Mountain is at the northwest poiut of the region. Manitoba House is on the east side of Lake Manitoba, thirty miles southof the narroxvs. I have visited this region myself, but my information is chiefly basedon notesby ProfessorMacoun. The faunaof the basinof Lake •Vinnipeg appearsto resemble that of the Winuipegoosis region, but as yet almost nothing is knoxvnof the district. Norway House, on the Nelson River at the north end of the Lake, is outside of the province, but is referred to in several brief notes on distribution. Except when otherwise stated, all records /br the Assiniboine region are robe accreditedto myself; all fbr Red River region to Mr. Hine; all/br the Winnipegoosisregion to ProfessorJohn Macoun of the Canadian Geological Survey; and all fbr the NelsonRiver regionto ProfessorRobert Bell of the CanadianGeo- logical Survey. And I would here take the opportunityof thank- ing these gentlemenfor their courteousassistance. By "all over," I mean in suitable places throughout the Red River and AssiniboineValleys. The generalizationis sometimes based on the occurrenceof a speciesin five or six chief localities, but usuallyon more extensiveobservation. Dates for arrival and •836.] SETO•• on the Birds of WesternManitoba. i47

departureare given for Carberry and are'approximate. '•Sum- ruer resident" means also breeding. The nomenclature is that of the new A. O. U. Check List. The local Englishnames are added after the English name of the A. O. U. List. . I. z•Echmophorusoccidentalis. WgSTERN GREBg.--Tolerably common summerresident in Red River Valley, chieflytowards the north. Quite commonat ShoalLake, near LakeMan[toba. "BreedingorlLakeMani- toba and very abundantly in the marshes of Waterlien River, between it and Lake Winnipegoosis." 2. Colymbus holbcellii. I-oLmELL'S GREBE.--Rare summer resident in Red River Valley. "Breeds abundantly in the marshes of V;'aterhen River." 3. Colymbus auritus. HORNED Gr•E•z.--Abundant summer resident all over. April to October. 4' Colymbusnigri•ollis californicus. A•ERICA• EAREt•GREBE.-- "Breeding abundantly on Turtle Mountain and at points along the Mouse [Souris] River" (Coues). "Q._uitecommon in the westernprairie regions"

5. Podilymbus podiceps. PIEI/-BILLED GREBE. DABCt•t:K.--Coin- Ilion summer resident all over. 6. Urinator iraher. LooN.--Tolerabiy comnmn snmmer resident on the large lakes and rivers only. "Coralnon only on tile northern lakes in forest (Winnipegoosis) country." Nelson River District. 7. Urinator lumme. REI)-TlfROATED LOON.--Tolerably common summer resident allout the large lakes. Breeds on Duck Mountain, and not nncommon in the UpperAssiniboine Valley. Common in Red River Valle)'. Found at Norway House. S. Larus argentatus smithsonianus. AMERICAN HERRING- GULL.-- Apparently of general distribution. "Breeding in all the large prairie lakes" (3œacoun). Breeds in great numbers at Lake Winnipeg (Gu•,•n). 9' Larus delawarensis. RING-BILLED GuLL.--Apparently of general distribution. .'Breeding in all lhe lakes of any size" (z14rttcoun).Breeds in considerablenmnbers in tile swanlpsof tile Saskatchewan (tllcharclson). Lake Winnipeg (Hine). Io. Larus franklinii. FR•XNKLIX'SGUL•. ROSYGULL. --Noted only as acommon spring migrant on tile Big Plain. Abundant and breeding in the marshesof the Red River Valley. "Breeding abundantly on Lake Winnipegoosis." Breeds at Selkirk and at Lake Manitoba II. Larus philadelphia. BONAPARTE'SGvLL.--"Breeding on all the largelakes of the pr.airie region"(3Iacoun). "Conlmonfiill nligrant at Winnipeg." Breeds near Siloal Lake (Gttnn). I2. Sterna forsteri. FORSTER'S TERN. -- "Breeding abundantly on Lake Manitoba, \VaterheB River, and Lake Winnipegoosis." Breeds at Shoal Lake, Selkirk, and Lake Winnipeg (Gu•,•n). 13. Sterna hirundo. COMMON TERN.--Common summer resident ou the large lakes. "Breeding with the preceding" (2/Iacoun). Occurs at Winuipeg (Hine). 148 SETOI•0• /lieJS'[rds q/c l/Ves/eri• _/Yla•itoba. [April

14. Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis. BLACK TER•.--Abundant summer resident all over. Arrives May 20; departs August 3ø . 15. Hydrochelidon leucoptera.--•ViirrE-wI•GED BLACK TERN.--"Six of these birds seen on a small lake near the source of the western branch of Swan River on September i, i88i. One of these was shot and exam- ined, but o•ving to our lack of food and hurried movements it was not skinned" (Macoust). I give this as it stands and assume no respon- sibility. i6. Phalacrocorax dilophus. DOUBLE-CREStED CO•O•A•. CROW DucK.--At 04•'Appelle, "summer visitant, breeding." "Breeding on Lake Winnipegoosis." Occasional on Red River. Once observed at Pembina (CoDes). Common on Lake Winnipeg (]ti•e). Breedsat Shoal Lake (G•). 17. Pelecanus erythrorhynchos. AMERICAN•VHITE PELICAN.--Appar- ently of general distribution. At Q•'Appelle, "Common, breeding at the lakes; have seen flocks of upwards of five hundred in the migrating season." Not observed in middle Assiniboine region. Common in Red River Valley, breeding about the large lakes. "Breeding on Lake Winnipegoosis." i8. Merganser americaBus. AMERICAN •'IERGANSER. SHELDRAKE.- At 04•'Appelle, "Tolerably comBIon snmmer resident." Breeding abun- dantlyin the rivers emptying into Lake Winnipegoosis." "Rare" in Red River Valley. 19. Merganser serratot. RED-BREASTEDMERGAIqSER. FISH DUCK.- At O•9'Appelle, "Tolerably common smarter resident." "Breeds in all the northern streams" (3[ctcottn). Rare in Red River Valley. 20. Lophodytes cucullatus. HOODED ME•tGANs•a.--Tolerably coul- mon summer resident all over. "Very common in streams around the Porcupine Mountain." 2I. Anas boschas. MALLARD.--Veryabundant snmmer residcnt all over.."The most abundant Dnck of the Northwest, breeding near all marshes north of the boundary" (Macottn). This includes the Winni- pegoosis region. Nelson River; abundant. Arrives April i5; departs late in October. 22. Anas obscura. BLACK DucK.--Very rare. Three or four specimens taken at Long Lake in four years. 23. Anas strepera. GADWALL.--Vcry rare in Red River Valley. ';Only one specimen shot on the Assiniboine, September, I88i" (3Iacoztn). Aloug the south boundary "abundant, breediug" (Cotres). 24. Anas americana. BALDPATE.--Summer resident. Not common. One'taken near Shell River, on the upperAssiniboine,July, I882. "Fre- quent on the Assiniboine, I88I" (gacottn). Not common in tbe Red River Valley. In the boundary region, "abundant; breeding" (Coues). 25. Anas carolinensis. GREEI•-WINGED TEAL.--Abundant summer resident all over. "Very common near Norway 1Iouse; scarce northward." Arrives April 2o; departs in October. 26. ALas discors. BLUE-WINGED TEAL.--Very abundant summer residentall over. Arrives late in April; departs early in October. SETONon the Birds of 14•eslern]•ranœtoba. i49

27. Spatula clypeata. SHOVELLER.--Common summer resident all Over. Lake Winnipeg (Bell). Arrives late in April; departs late in October, like the otber Ducks, wben the frost seals the ponds. 28. Dafila acuta. PlI•'TAIL.--Common summer resident all over. Breeds near Norway House. Arrives late in April; departs in October. 29. Aix sponsa. Wood DucK.--Very rare in Assiniboine Valley. One pair taken on the Big Plain. In Red River Valley, "rare, but a few pairs are always to be found about the creeks flowing into Lake Winnipeg from the south." 3o. Aythya americana. REDHE,XD.--Abundant summer resident all over. "Breeds abundantly in the marshes of Waterhen River." Arrives in April; departsin October. 3 I. Aythya vallisneria. CA•vAs-}3AC•:.--"Fairly common at Lake Manitoba, butnotgenerallybreeding"(Hine). Breeding on Turtle Moun-' rain ( Coues). 32. Aythya marila nearctica. A•VtERJCANSCAL•p DUCK. B•G BLU•Z- B1•L.--Common summer resident in Red River Valley, and northern part of Assiniboine region at least. "A few breeding on Lake Winnipegoosis, June, •88•." Arrives lale in April; departs in October. 33' Aythya affinis. L•SS•R Sc^uP Ducn. L•xx• BLu•-•I•L.--Very abundant summer resident all over. "Breeding more commonly than the preceding, x88•." 34. Aythya collaris. RING-NECKED DUCK. MARSH BLUE-BILL.--ln Red River Valley "abundant." "Breeding in the marshes of Waterhen River, 35. Glaucionetta clangula americana. AM•.g•C.aN GOLDEN-EYE. WmSTL•R. -- Near Winnipeg, "common, breeding." Rare, breeding at Portage La Prairie (2Vash). "Tolerably common" at Q•u'Appelle. "A few breed in the Waterhen River marsbes." "Breeds at Norway House." 36. Charitonetta albeola. BUFFLEffEAD.--Conltnou summer resident all over. Arrives April•5; departs in October. 37' Oidemia deglandi. WmT•-W•m, Scox•R.--Found it appar- entlybreeding at Shell River, on the upper Assiniboine, July 6, x882. At Q2'Appelle it is a"common summervisitant." In tbe Red River Valley, scarce but regular. A single specimen of the Surf Scorer (Oictemla •ersjbt'cillala) was taken by Mr. Gnernseyat Q•'Appelle in the fall of x883. 38. Erismatura rubida. Rum)¾ Ducrr.--At Q•u'Appelle, a common stunmet visitant. At Portage la Prairie, "very rare su•nmer resident" (•Vash). Red River Valley. "a few breed each year aboutLong Lake." At Shoal Lake, breeding (Nash). Common and breeding at Turtle Mountain and along the boundary west (Coues). 39' Chen hyperborea nivalis. GR•Arr•R S•ow Goose. WAVE¾.-- Abundant spring migrant all over: less common in the fallß Arrives May •5, and again in Octoberß 4ø Anser albifrons gambeli. AmuRxc^• WHJXU-rRO•rFX)Goos•.-- ß Secured one of a pair near Turtle Monntaiu, May •9, x882. SETONon the Birds of WeslernWlanœtoba. [April

4 I. Branta canadensis. CANADA GoosE. WiLl) GoosE.--Tolerably common summer resident all over; abundant in the migrations. Arrives in April; departs late in October. 4I a. Branta canadensis hutchins.i. HUTCHINS'S GoosE.---Taken on RedRiverbyKennicott.•t,-•- ] •.,c-c,,.-,•c•(•,•7" , o,'C.'A,' : ,' ,/ 42. Branta bernida. BRANT.--Occurs as a migrant on Big Plain. No specimens taken. 4t. Olor columbianus. WHISTLING S•VAN.--Not uncom•non about the large lakes. Not de•nonstrated to breed. 44. Olor buccinator. TRUMPETER SwAx.--This species doubtless occurs as a migrant though I can give no authentic records. 45. Botaurus lentiginosus. AMERICAN BITTERN.--Comnlon stunmet resident all over. Throughout the Winnipegoosis region. North to York Factory. Arrives about the middle of May; departs in October. 46. Botaurus exilis. LE•sTB•TT•RN.•One taken by Mr. Hine, near Winnipeg, 47. Ardea herodias. GR•T BLU• HuRox.•Not noted by me any- wherein theAssiniboine region, though reported a"tolerably common summer resident" at •'Appelle. A very rare summer visitant at Por- tage la Prairie (•ash). More common in the Red River Valley. "Shot on Swan River, Apri128th, t88•. Not very common." Said to be common on the Duck Mountain. 48. Nycticorax nycticorax n•vius. BLACK-CROWNEDNIGHT HERON.• Rather common summer resident along the Red River and at Shoal Lake. Professor Macoun gives the Green Heron as "rather common on the Assiniboine, near the mouth of Shell River. September 25, t88t." Snrely this remark should refer to the present species.which he omits altogether. 49. Grus americana. WHOOPINGCRANE. FLYING S•P.•Tolerably common migrant all over. "Breeding in the marsbes at Moose Moun- tain" (Macoun). Also, I a,n infbrmed, at Shoal Lake, near the south- east corner of Lake Manitoba. 50. Grus canadensis. LITTLE BROWN CRANE. SANDHILL CRANE.• Common summerresident all over. Norway House. Arrives April2t; departs late in September. 5L Rallus virginianus. VIRGINIA RA•L.•Summer resident about Winnipeg. Throughout Winnipegoosis region, "not common." 52. Porzana carolina. SORA. COMMON RA•L.•Abundant summer resident all over. Have taken half-a-dozen nests in a day, on the Duck Mountain. "Common west of Porcupine Mountain, and at the head of Swan River, September•, t88t." 53. Porzana noveboracensis. Y•LLOW RAIL. WATER SPARROW.• On the t3th of July, •883, a specimenof this Rail was brought to me alive by a farmer• •vho caught it in a slough xvherehe was cutting wild hay. Being just then called away, I placedthe bird in a coop,and on my return it •vasgone. But the record is, I believe, safe, especially as Hutchins reported the speciesfi'om Hudsons Bay. SETONon the Birds of J•eslern3[anœloba. 15 I

54. Fulica americana. AMERICAN CooT.--Abundant summer resident all over. Not cotnmon in the •¾innipegoosis region. Arrives in April: departs late in October. 55. Phalaropus lobatus. NORTHERNPHALAROPE.--Rare spring and fall •nigrant; noted about Winnipeg only. 56. Phalaropus tricolor. WILSON'S PHALAROPE.--Common on the prairies in spring in Red River Valley; breeds at Long Lake and at Lake Wiunipeg. "Breeding around ponds at Moose Mountain, July 24, I$$O" (gacoun). 57. Recurvirostra americana. AMERICAN AVOCET.--"Very abundant around saline ponds and lakes throughout the Northwest. Shot at the base of the Coteau [duMissouri•.July 28, I88O" (Macoun). The region referred to is to the southwest, and may be partly within Manitoba. No otlIer records. 58. Philohela minor. AMERICAN WOODCOCK.--Very rare summer resident of Red River Valley, as follows. At Winnipeg less than a dozen birds noted during four years. At Portage la Prairie, one or two pairs seen each year (2Vash). 59. Gallinago delicata. •,VILsON'S SNIPE.--Abundant summer resident all over, including XViunipegoosis region. North to Nelson River. Arrives April 2o; departs Septe•nber 3ø . 60. Macrorhampus griseus. DoxwTCHUR.--Abundaut migrant on the Souris, and probably breeding (Coues). Very rare migrant about Winnipeg: observed only in August and September. "Very abundant at Swan Lake House and Red Deer Lake, July and August, I88•." A specimen of the Stilt Sandpiper (Mt'cro•balama hœmanlo•us) was taken by Professor Macoun, just west of Manitoba. uorth of the River Q•'Appelle, September •6, •88o. 6I. Tringa canutus. KNOT. ROBIN SNIPE.--(•ommon •nigrant along Red River. 62. Tringa maculata. PECTORALSANDPIPER.--A rare migrant in Red River Valley and on Big Plain. Common fall migrant on Turtle Moun- tain (Coues). Apparently common to the west, as it is given "abundant on the great plains and northward during I88I" (Macoun). The plains are chiefly ohtside of Manitoba. 63. Tringafuscicollis. W•HTE-RUM•'E•)SANDPIPER.--Observed in large flocks near Shoal Lake (Riding Mountain), June 4, •884. Also on Duck Mouutain. June 8, •884. 64. Tringa bairdii. BAIRD'S SANDPIPER.--Noted as a migrant on the Big Plain. Migrating in small flocks along the Souris River near the Boundary (Cot•es). "Shot on Red Deer River, July 23, I88I." 65. Tringa minutilla. L•AST SANDPIPER.--A migrant along Red River. Observed at Turtle Mountain as a migrant (Coues). "Shot on Red Deer River, July 23, I88I." 66. Tringa alpina pacifica. RED-BACKED SANDPIPER. BLACKHEART. --Cottanon migrantalong Red River. 67. Ereunetes pusillus. SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER.--A migrant SETONon the Bœrdsof' WesternManitoba. [April along Red River, fi'equenting the wet prairies. Observed along the Boundary during August (Coues). "Shot on Red Deer River, July 23 , I88I ." 6S. Calidris arenaria. SANnEgLrN-G.--"Abundant on the west shore of Lake Manitoba, June I2, I88I." Numerous about Lake Winnipeg in June ( t•ennlcott). 69. Limosa fedoa. MARBLED GomvIT.--ConmIon summer resident on the wet prairies near WinnitJeg, and on the Plains of the Souris. 7o. Limosa h•emastica. HtYnsoxIAN GODW•T.--A rare migrant along Red River. 7 L Totanus melanoleucus. GREATER YELLOW-LEGS.-- Common migrant all over. Very abundant at Red Deer River. Norway House. Spring migration, late in April; fall, early in August. 72. Totanus flavipes. YELLOW-LEGs.--Common migrant all over. Abundant throughout the Winnipegoosis region. Nelson River. Chiefly noted in Assiniboine Valley about August x5. 73. Totanus solitarius. SOLITARY SANnPXPER.--Raremigrant all over. Frequent throughout the Winnipegoosis region. Abundant fall niigrant along the Boundary; possibly breeding (CouPs). 74' Syruphernia semipalmatE. •,VILLET.--ToIerably common sum- met resident on the Souris and Brandon Plains; occasional along the Boundary, from Red River westward (CouPs.) 75- BartfatalE longicauda. BARTRAMIANSANDPIPER. PRAIRIE PLOV- ER. Q,.vAILY.--Abundant summer resident all over. "Not seen in the furest (Winnipegoosis) region." Arrives May 7; departs August 3o. 76. Tryngites subruficollis. BUFF-BREASTED SAXDPIPER.--Rare migrant along Red River. 77- Actiris macularia. SPOTTED SANDPIPER.-- Common summer resident all over. Frequent in the Winnipegoosis region. Norway House. 78. Numenius longirostris. LONG-BILLED CUaLEW.--Rare summer resident on the wet prairies of the Red River, and noted in May, I882, as tolerably common on the Souris. 79. Charadrius squatarola. BLACK-BELLIEDPLOVER.---Tolerably common spring migrant on Big Plain. Noted on Riding Mountain June 4, I884. Common spring migrant along Red River, frequenting fields; returns in large numbers during the summer. 8o. Charadrius dominicus. AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER.-- Common spring and tall migrant all over. Affects burnt prairies and ploughed land. Spring migration, middle of May; fall, ill August and September. 8L Aggialitis vocifera. KILLDEER.-- Common summer resident all over. Manitoba House. Arrives late in April; departs last of August. 82. Aggialitis semipalrnata. SEMIPALMATED PLOVER. RING PLOVER. --Rare migrant. "Occurs along Red River." "Shot on Red Deer River at Salt Springs, July 22, 1881,and at Lake Manitoba." Lake Win- nipeg 83- z•E;gialitis meloda. PIPING PLOVEE.--" Shot in company with Sanderlings on the shoresof Lake Manitoba, June •2, I88L" Four specimens taken at Lake Winnipeg (Gunn). •886.] SETO•on the Bœrdsof WeslernMan•'loba.

84. Arenaria interpres. TURn'STONE.---Along Red River; rare. •' Found occasionally about the prairie ponds, and in pairs about Lake Winnipeg; apparently goes fnrther uorth to breed. Returns about Au- gust •5-" 85. Dendragopus canadensis. CAXADA GROUSE.--"Very numerous in the poplar woods to the north of FortPelly (3œacoun). "Abnndant iu the woods about Lake Winnipeg, but so tame and fearless that its pursuit can scarcelybe called sport" (Hine). 86. Bonasa umbellus umbelloides. GRAY RUFF•nD GROUSE.--Abun- dant resident, probably all over, as it xvas noted on Duck and Riding Mountains, all along the A•siniboine, and abont the Big Plain, as well as in the Red River region. Throughout Winnipegoosis region. Exhibits considerable variation of plumage. (See 'Auk' for July, •$$$, pp. 27% 27I. ) 87. Lagopus lagopus. Wm•ow PTAR.'atGAN.--Itas been taken on the east sho,t-e of Lake Winnipe,g (Iart'ne). Norway Ilonse. 88. Tympanuchus americanus. PRAXmEIIEN.- In X$72 Dr. Coues wrote: "I have no reason to believe that it occurs at all in Northwestern M[nnesota or Northern Dakota." In xS$2, when first I visited Manitoba, the speciesxwts nearly nnknown in the country; the only known specimen having been takeu near Winnipeg in •88L In •883, Mr. Iliue in- forms me, it began to be common at Pembina. In •884.itwas not only common at Winnipeg, bnt had also for the first time made its appearance at Portage la Prairie, on the Assiniboine. 89. Pediocaetesphasianellus columbianus. COLUMBIANSHARP-TAILED GROUSE. PRAIRIE CH•CKb:•',L--Veryabundant resident all over. North to the narrows of Lake Winnipeg, and thence eastwardas far as Long Lake and Pic River, on Lake Winnipeg (Bell). This specieslives exclnsively on the open prairie in the sttmmer, and exclnsively in the wooded districts in the winter, so that it is in a sense migratory. 9¸. Ectopistesmigratorius. PASSENGERPIGEOX.--Common snmmer resident, probably all over, as it was noted on Riding Mountain, along the Assiniboine, on Big Plain, on Turtle Mountain (Cotte3),and northward, as well as all over the Red River Valley. Thoughont the 'Winnl- pegoosisregion. Often very abundantduring the migrations. I am not aware of the existence of any extensive "rookeries." Arrives early in May; departs in October. 9t. Zenaiduramacroura. •OURNINGDOVE.--" Cramnonin Pembina in Jtme" (Co•tes). Rare at Winnipeg. 92. Cathartes aura. 'I'URKEYVULTURE.--Comtnon summer resident in the Assiniboine Valley only. One specimen taken on Red River (Blaktkton). The present species,the Missouri Skylark, and others, appearto confinethemselves to the Assiniboineregion as defined; while the Bluebird, the •,Voodcock.and others are as characteristic of the Red River Valley. 93. Circus hudsonius. IIArimER.--Abunda•tsummer residentall over. The adults in blue plumage are common in spring andihlh Ar- rives April •5; lieparts October •5' I5•c SETONon lhe Birds of •Vestern3œanœ1oba. [April

94. Accipiter velox. SHARP-SHINNED}'IAWK.--Common 8umnler re.M- dent of Red River Valley. Taken on the Souris (Cozies). Rather rare on the Big Plain. Arrives April I5; departs October 15. 95. Accipiter atricapillus. AMEI•tCAN GosHAWK.-- Tolerably common fitll and xvintervisitant on the Big Plain and about Winnipeg. Not notedduring the breedingseason; usuallyapp,earinginAugnst. 96. Buteo borealis. RED-TAILED ttAwxc.--Tolerably common sum- met resident of the wooded regions all over. Apparently complementary of the uext, which is tSmnd in more open country and on the prairie. Ar•-ivesApt*il 15; departs October 15. None thatltook appeared to be rel'erable to the form krlderL 97' Buteo swainsoni. SWAINSO•'S IIAwK. COMMON HENHAWK.- Very abundant suninier resident all over; breeds perhaps t•vice each season. Have seen two black specimens. Arrlves April I5; departs Octo- ber 15. 98. Buteo latissimus. BROAD-WINGEDHAWK.--Very rare snmmer visitant on the Big Pluin. More common and probably breeding in Red River Valley. 99. Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis. A•tERICAN ROUGH-LEGGED IIAwxc.--Tolerably conimon fall visitant on the Big Plain and about Winaipeg. Less common in the spring. IOO. Archibuteo ferrugineus. FERRUGINEUSROUGH-LEG.--Thi8 species is doubtlessManitoban, as Dr. Coues found it breeding on the Pem- bina Mountain, and I liave seen a specimen taken immediately to the west of the Province. ioi. Aquila chrysa•tus. GOLDENEAGLE.--Very rare, but apparently resident on Big Plain and along Red River. io2. HaliaiStus leucocephalus. BAI.D EAGLE.-- Very rare stunmet visitant on Big Plain and on Red River, probably breeding. Io 3. I%lco peregrinus anatum. Duck HAWXC.--Much like the Gos- haxvk in movements and distribution. Probably breeds in the neigh- borhood of the large lakes. Q•ite common on the Big Plain, about August. IO4. Falco columbarius. PIGEON HAWK.-- Common fall migrant on Big Plain, Riding Mountain, and in Red River Valley. Norway Ilouse. io 5. Falco richardsonii. RICVIARDSO•'SMER•IN.--Probably Manito- ban. Taken by Dr. Coues on the boundary at the headwaters of the Souris. to6. Falco sparverius. AMERICAN SPARROWHAWK.--Abundant summer resident all over. Throughout the Winnipegoosis region. Arrives April 20; departslate in September. i ' IO7. Pandion haliaiStus carolinensis. A•ERICAN OSPREY.-- FISH HAWK. Not yet taken in Manitoba, though it doubtless occurs, as it is given, "Common around Lake Superior and at Churchill River" (Bell). Occasional at Q,•'Appelle. North to Barren Grounds (]?icharclson). These with other records surround ;vithout actually touching onr Prov- ince. SETONon lhe BirdsoJ l•eslernz}•tn[loba. 15•

io8. Asio wilsonianus. AMERICAN LONG-EARED OWL.--Common summerresident on the Big Plain and in the Red River Valley. Probably all over, as it is found norti• to the Saskatchewan()?ic]tardson). rives April •$; departs October 2o. Io 9. Asio accipitrinus. SHORT-EAREDOWL. MARSH OwL.--Common summerresident on Big Plain and in Red River Valley. Arrives April I: departs October 3o. •o. Syrnium nebulosum. BARREDOwL.--Tolerably common sum- ruerresidentabout Winnipeg and northwardin Red River Valley,arriving April •, departing November •. II•. Ulula cinerea. GREAT GRAY OwL.--One specimen taken on the Big Plain, September 29, •$84. Rather common along the Red River, and resident in the woods about Lake Winnipeg. •2. Nyctala tengrnalmi richardsoni. RICHARDSON'S OwL.--Rare on Big Plain. Tolerably common resident along Red River. ix3. Nyctala acadica. SAW-WHETOwL.--Rare resident. Noted only on Red River. •4. Bubo virginianus subarcticus. WESTERN HORNED OwL.--Com- lnon resident all over. This fornl of Bubo is lighter in color than the trueB. v. subarclicus. It is probably just intermediate between thatform and var. arclt'cus. x 14 a. Bubo virginianus arcticus. ARCTIC HORNED OwL.--One shot near Duck Mountain in the fall of •883. Touchwood Hills, October, •88o (3[acoun). II 5. Nyctea nyctea. SNowY OwE. WHITE Owu.--Common winter visitant, probably all over, as it is reported fi'om all points where obser- vations have been made in winter; this excludes only the Souris Plains. Rare summer resident nearI,ake Winnipeg (Gunn). Arrives October departs April 15. Ix6. Surnia ulula caparoch. A•IER•CANH.•WK Own.--Tolerably common winter visitant on the Big Plaio and iu the Red River Valley. Ex- ceedinglyabundant in the winter of •884-85. Arrives late in September and remains until April. i• 7. Coccyzus erythrophthalmus. BLACK-BILLED Ct'cKoo.--A tolerably cw.nmon summer resident, probably all over, as it was noted at Riding Mountain, Big Plain, and in the Red River region. First seenat Carberry usually late in June, but given by Mr. Nasa as arriving at Portage Ia Prairie late in May. Departs early in the fall. xxS. Ceryle alcyon. BELTED K.INGFISHER.--CoITimoiI summer resident all over. Very abundant on Red Deer and Swan Rivers. Lake Winnipeg (Bell). Arrives April 20; departs in October. x•9' Dryobates villosus leucomelas. NORTHERNHAIRY WOODPECKER. --Common resident all over. Found throughout the Winnipegoosis region. i2o. Dryobates pubescerts. DOWNY WOODPECKER.--Common resident about Winnipeg, the Big Plain, Lake Manitoba and westward. x2•. Picoides arcticus. ARCTIC THREE-TOED WOODPECKER.--Abun- 156 RtVESon Birds of SaltPond3Iountaiu, Virffinia. [April

dant resident in the wooded parts about the Big Plain and in the Red River Valley. Red Deer River. Most plentiful in winter, therefore probably in some degree migratory. 122. Picoides americanus. AMERICAN TIIREE-TOED WOODPECKER..-- Not taken, but Richardson ascribes to it a range which includes Northern Manitoba. 123. Sphyrapicus varius. YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCtCER.--Common sumxner resident about the Big Plain, on the Souris (Coues), and in the Red River Valley. Manitoba House aud Swan Lake }louse. 124. Ceophloeus pileatus. PmF.XTE• WOm)PECtZER. COCK-OF-THE WooDs.--Rare resident in heavy timber. Occurs at Lake Winnipeg and Lake of the Woods (Hine). Selkirk (Gu•t). At Swan River. Probably in all the great forests to the north, as it is found north to latitude 63ø (Richar&on). I25. Melanerpes erythrocephalus. RED-HE^baD WOODPECKER.-- A tolerably common summer resident abon• the Big Plain, and also along the Red River. It is probably a summer resident in all woodedsections. i•6. Colaptes auratus. FLtCKER. HtGHaOLDER.--Very abundant summer resident all over. Red Deer Lake. Arrives April •$; departs September 3ø . i2 7. Antrostomus vociferus. WHIP-POOR-WILL.--Abundant summer resident at Big Plain, Turtle Mountain, and in Red River Valley. Mani- toba House. Arrives May •o; departs September I$. I•8. Choralelies virginianus henryi. WESTERN NtGHT-H•XWK.--Very abundant summer resident all over. Manitoba House. Arrives May •4; departs August 3ø . •9. Ch•etura pelagica. CvxiM•E¾ S•vtE•.--Tolerably common sum- met resident all over. "A few observed at Swan Lake House."

( To be concluded.)

NOTES ON BIRDS OF THE SALT POND MOUN-

TAIN, VIRGINIA.

BY •V1LLIAM C. RIVES• JR.• M.D.

IT has been well establishedby numerousobservations that, as far as birds are concerned• the northern and southern limits of the various fauna correspond •u' more closely with isothermal lines than with parallels of latitude.