migrant by Farley at Red Deer and Camrose. Horsbrough records
spring birds under title of _S. m. ochracea_.
131.★ =Spizella passerina.= CHIPPING SPARROW.—Unexpectedly
absent from the upper parts of the river. Young reported one at
Camp 4 but it was not until we reached Camp 11 on the Little
Sandhill Creek that we met them again. Here they were quite
common and remained so until the first week in September. Four
specimens from Camp 11, July 20, 27 and 28. I refer them to _S.
p. arizonæ_.
132.★ =Spizella pallida.= CLAY-COLORED SPARROW.—Common
everywhere along the river,—the only generally common sparrow.
Specimens from Camps 1, 5 and 11.
133.★ =Junco hyemalis.= SLATE-COLORED JUNCO.—Fairly common
and breeding as far down the river as Camp 4, near Nevis.
Below, they became less numerous and none were seen below Camp
6 at Tolman’s Ferry, until the migrants came in September 17.
Specimens from Camps 1 and 11. These birds show no tendency
towards either pink sides or red backs and can only be referred
to _J. h. hyemalis_.
134.★ =Melospiza melodia.= SONG SPARROW.—Common throughout the
entire trip. 15 specimens from Camps 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and
11; also one July 20, Morrin,—Geo. Sternberg. Though much more
worn and hardly comparable with other material on hand, these
specimens are just what would be expected from much abraded
_juddi_. Specimens from Camps 5, 8 and 11 and Morrin are
considerably darker than the others, reversing the expectation
that light not dark birds would be found in the more arid
sections. Horsbrough lists his specimens as _M. m. melodia_. It
is not evident whether he has considered _juddi_ or not.
135.★ =Melospiza lincolni.= LINCOLN’S SPARROW.—Not seen
until August 25 at Camp 11 on the Little Sandhill Creek. They
gradually grew more common until September 5 when they became
very numerous in open woods and low lands and especially so
on the prairie level. One specimen from Camp 11. Though not
mentioned by Horsbrough, Farley regards Lincoln’s Sparrow as a
not uncommon breeder at both Red Deer and Camrose, saying,—“It
appears to be regularly distributed but not thickly. I can
always depend on hearing at least one every few miles in
scrubby country and have watched a pair all through the summer
in the same brush so am sure they breed.”
136. =Melospiza georgiana.= SWAMP SPARROW.—Reported by Farley
from Red Deer as not common.
137.★ =Passerella iliaca.= FOX SPARROW.—Reported by W. E.
Saunders at Red Deer in June 1906, in ‘Catalogue Canadian
Birds,’—J. and J. M. Macoun, 1909, not seen by us. Farley
says,—“The Fox Sparrow is a regular breeder in localities. Have
known several places where they breed regularly,—as many as a
dozen pairs on a mile square. In such places their song is the
commonest of any bird.” These are probably _P. i. iliaca_.
138.★ =Pipilo maculatus.= SPOTTED TOWHEE.—Towhees were not
observed until we reached Camp 5, Ross’s Ranch, where they
suddenly became quite common, thus putting in an appearance
with the first decidedly arid conditions. They remained common
the rest of the trip. The spotted Towhee has a varied vocal
repertoire. While many of its notes are strongly reminiscent
of the Chewink, none are exactly similar and it has many
peculiar to itself. The familiar Che-week was not heard but
the “ya-ree-ee-e” song was quite recognizable with slight but
obvious variation. Six specimens from Camps 5, 6, 8 and 11.
Naturally all are referable to _P. m. arcticus_. Towhees are
not mentioned by either Horsbrough or Farley. Probably this is
another species whose limit is south of Red Deer.
139.★ =Zamelodia ludoviciana.= ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK.—One
seen and taken at Camp 1 but not noted again until August 19
and 20 at Camp 11 on the Little Sandhill Creek when singles
were observed. Juveniles and females seem to differ from those
of the Black-headed Grosbeak only in the absence of traces
of lemon yellow on the under parts. The Camp 1 specimen is
peculiar in having a large bright red throat patch in addition
to the usual breast spot. I have seen indications or suggestion
of this in other specimens but in none others examined has it
been entire and pronounced. Specimens from Camps 1 and 11.
Reported nesting at Red Deer by Horsbrough.
140.★ =Zamelodia melanocephala.= BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK.—Only
seen at Camp 11 during August where Young reports it as being
not uncommon. Specimens from Camp 11, August 11. Not mentioned
by any Red Deer correspondent, probably of more southern
distribution.
141.★ =Piranga ludoviciana.= WESTERN TANAGER.—Only a few seen
by Young at Camp 11, on the Little Sandhill Creek the last of
August and first of September. Specimens August 21 and 25.
Dippie reports skins and eggs from Red Deer and Horsbrough
records nests at the same place.
142. =Progne subis.= PURPLE MARTIN.—Horsbrough records
occasional birds between Mirror and Buffalo Lake and nests in
rotten stumps near Sylvan Lake but says they are not common.
Specimen in Fleming collection.
143.★ =Petrochelidon lunifrons.= CLIFF SWALLOW.—Very abundant
along the whole river, nesting in large colonies under the
overhangs of cliff ledges. In places the cliff face is covered
solidly over many square yards with nests. Not all of these
colonies are occupied, and I presume that they are used but a
single season and that the colony seeks new location yearly
until the old nests gradually weather away and make room for
new ones. It was interesting to note that though many colonies
seemed to be built in exposed situations, when rain came,
all we observed remained dry while the surrounding cliff
face was soaked with wet that would have instantly dissolved
the frail clay structures. There is obviously more method in
their choice of site than is evident on a casual survey. As it
was, we noted many colonies that seemed to have been in situ
for several years, illustrating the discrimination of their
judgment. In one such colony I found old swallow nests doing
new service for House Wrens that had filled them with sticks
and were rearing families within them. Rather unexpectedly we
found many occupied nests in the immediate vicinity of Duck
Hawk and Prairie Falcon eyries. See _antea_ plate opp. p. 11.
We often found them plastered right up to and on the very
ledges so occupied and the swallows coming and going without
the slightest hesitation in the presence of the Falcons.
So often did we observe this, that it suggested that such
vicinities were matters of choice rather than the accident of
indifference. Specimens from Camp 2 and 11, none seen after
August 11.
144. =Hirundo erythrogastra.= BARN SWALLOW.—Not noted on
the upper parts of the river but a few were seen at Camp 6,
Tolman’s Ferry. At Camp 11, Little Sandhill Creek, Young
observed a few each day until September 25. Reported from Red
Deer by both Horsbrough and Farley but apparently not common.
145. =Iridoprocne bicolor.= TREE SWALLOW.—But two individuals
noted at Camp 1, July 1 and 2. Farley seems to regard it as
common and Horsbrough records nests at Buffalo and Haunted
Lakes.
146. =Riparia riparia.= BANK SWALLOW.—Seen constantly all the
way down the river and at Camp 11, Little Sandhill Creek, until
the end of July after which none were noted. They nest in the
many banks lining the river. As these are constantly caving in
and sliding into the river, great numbers of birds and nests
must be annually destroyed. They show less foresight in the
choice of nesting sites than do the Cliff Swallows. Horsbrough
records only a single nest and Farley refers to but a few. It
probably keeps close to the river banks where it is not seen by
the general observer.
147. =Bombycilla garrula.= BOHEMIAN WAXWING.—Horsbrough
records this species as—“During the summer this species was
common throughout the Alix district.” He records nests on the
authority of Dr. George of Red Deer and Mr. Cook of Buffalo
Lake. These observers seem perfectly familiar with the Cedar
bird so this rather unexpected record can not be altogether
disregarded on the grounds of confusion between similar
appearing species.
148.★ =Bombycilla cedrorum.= CEDAR WAXWING.—Fairly common
throughout the river. Specimens, Camp 11, July 20 and August 14.
149. =Lanius borealis.= NORTHERN SHRIKE.—Farley notes the
Northern Shrike at Camrose in November and December.
150.★ =Lanius ludovicianus.= LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE.—Only seen at
Camp 11 where one or perhaps two families were reared and I
took a female with accompanying young and later Young took a
single adult female. Specimens, July 21 and 28. Only one of
these is subspecifically determinable, it has the extensive
white rump typical of _L. l. excubitorides_. Farley gives
spring dates for the species at both Red Deer and Camrose.
151.★ =Vireosylva olivacea.= RED-EYED VIREO.—Seen fairly
constantly all the way down the river but less common below
than above where the banks are more wooded. At Camp 11, Young
did not meet it until August 20 nor after September 1; and
never in any numbers. Specimens from Camps 1, 8 and 11.
152.★ =Vireosylva Philadelphia.= PHILADELPHIA VIREO.—Taken
at Camps 1 and 3 but not recognized again. At Camp 11, Young
saw a few small vireos but no Philadelphias were recognized.
At Camp 1, a male and female were taken June 30 and July 3.
The abdomens of both showed indications of incubations and
doubtless it was an original pair of breeding birds. Horsbrough
records a nest at Sylvan Lake he supposes to be of this species.
153.★ =Vireosylva gilva.= WARBLING VIREO.—Small Vireos were
not common anywhere on the river. The only ones positively
identified by capture proved to be Philadelphias until August
16 when Young took a Warbling at Camp 11 on the Little Sandhill
Creek. Occasional specimens were seen that he took to be the
same species until September 5. I refer this specimen to _V. g.
gilva_.
154.★ =Lanivireo solitarius.= SOLITARY VIREO.—One seen and
collected at Camp 11, Little Sandhill Creek, and six were noted
the same place, September 1.
155.★ =Mniotilta varia.= BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER.—Only seen at
Camp 11, Little Sandhill Creek, between August 13 and September
1. Two specimens taken.
156.★ =Vermivora celata.= ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER.—One adult
male taken at Camp 2. Its song was slightly reminiscent of a
wren and I suspect it was nesting nearby. Occasional birds
were seen and taken at Camp 11, Little Sandhill Creek, between
August 25 and September 17. This specimen is colored light
enough for _V. c. orestera_, its size is small for any race
but _V. c. lutescens_, under which confliction of characters I
prefer to leave its subspecific identity open, together with
the four Camp 11 juveniles that accompany it.
157.★ =Vermivora peregrina.= TENNESSEE WARBLER.—Seen at
Camp 1, where I suspected it was nesting but received no
corroborative evidence other than season and its uneasy
actions. Seen for a few days after the middle of August at Camp
11 on the Little Sandhill Creek. Specimens from Camp 1 and 11,
August 13, 15 and 21. From Farley’s notes this appears to be
quite a common species at both Red Deer and Camrose,—at least
in spring.
158.★ =Dendroica æstiva.= YELLOW WARBLER.—Not abundant but a
few seen at nearly every camp. Not common at Camp 11, Little
Sandhill Creek, except from August 9 to September 8, after
which they decreased, disappearing altogether September 17.
Specimens, Camp 2, 5, 7½, 8 and 11.
159.★ =Dendroica coronata.= MYRTLE WARBLER.—One seen at Camp
2 was the only one observed until August 23 after which they
gradually increased in numbers during Young’s stay. Specimens
from Camp 11, August 23 and September 8 and 18. The first one
is in striped juvenile plumage and was probably raised nearby.
160.★ =Dendroica magnolia.= MAGNOLIA WARBLER.—Two seen and
taken, September 1, at Camp 11, Little Sandhill Creek.
161.★ =Dendroica striata.= BLACK-POLLED WARBLER.—Only seen at
Camp 11, Little Sandhill Creek, August 28 and September 1. Two
specimens, the latter date.
162.★ =Dendroica virens.= BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER.—But
one seen and collected at Camp 11, Little Sandhill Creek,
August 17.
163. =Dendroica palmarum.= PALM WARBLER.—Two birds seen by
Young at Camp 11, Little Sandhill Creek, September 1.
164.★ =Seiurus aurocapillus.= OVENBIRD.—Heard nearly every day
about Camp 1, but none noted again until Young secured two at
Camp 11, Little Sandhill Creek, August 27 and September 1.
165.★ =Seiurus noveboracensis.= NORTHERN WATER-THRUSH.—One or
two seen nearly every day the last week in August at Camp 11,
Little Sandhill Creek, specimens, August 20 and 21. These are
referable to _S. n. notabilis_.
166.★ =Oporoenis philadelphia.= MOURNING WARBLER.—At Camp 1,
where warblers were scarce, this was the species most often
met with. A mated pair were taken just below Camp 4 near
Nevis. In all these birds the abdomen was bare and thickened
so they were undoubtedly breeding. Young took another at Camp
11, Little Sandhill Creek, August 17. The male of the Camp
4 pair, is typical _philadelphia_ but the female has the
eyelid spots as pronounced as in many female Macgillivray’s
Warblers. It is evident that females of the two species may be
difficult of separation. This specimen unaccompanied by its
mate would almost unhesitatingly be referred to _O. tolmiei_.
The Camp 11 specimen is also interesting. By skull structure
it is a juvenile but is very different in coloration from any
other specimen in our collection. It is Empire Yellow below
warming to Primuline Yellow,[25] instead of Lemon Chrome
changing to Sulphur Yellow on neck and throat as is shown by
comparable August and September material from Point Pelee,
Ontario. However, fall specimens of this species are scarce
in collections and I have no fall juveniles of _tolmiei_ for
comparison and include it under _philadelphia_ on the strength
of accompanying specimens.
167.★ =Geothlypis trichas.= MARYLAND YELLOW-THROAT.—Sparingly
distributed but seen practically throughout the trip and
becoming a little more common as we descended. The last week
in August they were fairly common at Camp 11 on the Little
Sandhill Creek but thinned out after the first of September.
Specimens from Camps 4½, 8 and 11. In harmony with the findings
of the A. O. U. Committee as indicated in the ‘Check-list,’ I
am inclined to refer our Canadian prairie Yellow-throats to
_occidentalis_ rather than to _trichas_, of _brachydactyla_, as
some of them have been designated by Oberholser. In fact I find
them easily distinguishable from birds of eastern Canada and
almost if not quite inseparable from B. C. specimens determined
as _arizela_ by the same authority. For the present, I prefer
to regard these birds as _G. t. occidentalis_.
168.★ =Wilsonia pusilla.= WILSON WARBLER.—Not seen until August
21 at Camp 11 on the Little Sandhill Creek after which one or
two were seen every other day until September 18. Specimens,
August 21 to September 18. These were well marked _W. p.
pileolata_. Some are rather small for this form but the colors
are distinctive.
169. =Wilsonia canadensis.= CANADIAN WARBLER.—Reported by
Young at Camp 1, but not noted again.
170.★ =Setophaga ruticilla.= REDSTART.—Only seen at Camp 11 on
the Little Sandhill Creek between August 26 and September 6.
Specimen, Camp 11, August 27.
171.★ =Anthus rubescens.= AMERICAN PIPIT.—Pipits appeared in
large flocks on the prairie level near Camp 11, Little Sandhill
Creek, September 12, but were not noted after the 17th.
172.★ =Anthus spraguei.= SPRAGUE’S PIPIT.—Only seen once by
Young at Camp 11, Little Sandhill Creek, September 13. He says
it hid in the holes made by the feet of horses and cattle,
allowed close approach, flushing like a grouse. Specimen Camp
11, September 13. From Farley’s notes it evidently occurs at
Red Deer but is more common in the vicinity of Camrose.
173.★ =Dumetella carolinensis.= CATBIRD.—Fairly common along
the whole river. At Camp 11, Little Sandhill Creek, they fed
upon Buffalo berries. None were noted after September 7.
Specimens, Camp 2 and 11.
174.★ =Toxostoma rufum.= BROWN THRASHER.—Only seen occasionally
at Camp 11 on the Little Sandhill Creek. None observed after
September 1. Specimen, Camp 11, August 6.
175.★ =Salpinctes obsoletus.= ROCK WREN.—Not seen until we
reached Camp 11, on the Little Sandhill Creek. There they
appeared fairly common, the greatest numbers being observed
about the first of August, when fifteen were noted. The last
was observed September 5. Specimens July 20 to 31.
176.★ =Troglodytes aëdon.= HOUSE WREN.—Fairly common everywhere
but very shy. I do not think the song of the western birds is
such a spontaneous bubbling over as is the case of our eastern
ones. It is thinner and more restrained. At Camp 2 we found it
occupying old Cliff Swallow nests. Common at Camp 11, Little
Sandhill Creek until after the first of September when it
gradually became less numerous. Specimens 6, from Camps 1, 8,
11 all _T. a. parkmani_.
177. =Telmatodytes palustris.= LONG-BILLED MARSH WREN.—Farley
lists it in May and June at Red Deer and Horsbrough reports
numerous nests around Buffalo Lake.
178. =Sitta canadensis.= RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH.—About Camp 1,
we several times heard Nuthatch voices but were unable to trace
them to their origin and we cannot be certain of the species.
Young took one at Camp 11 on the Little Sandhill Creek, August
21, feeding on woolly aphides on the cottonwoods. Neither
Farley or Horsbrough report this species in the breeding season
though Fleming has Red Deer specimens taken June 10.
179.★ =Penthestes atricapillus.= BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE.
—Chickadees were fairly common all along the river. In most
cases they seemed to be cruising about in family groups not yet
separated. Five specimens all juvenile, from Camps 1, 3, 8 and
all have the extreme white feather marginations and long tails
of _P. a. septentrionalis_.
180. =Penthestes hudsonicus.= HUDSONIAN CHICKADEE.—Under _P.
hudsonicus_, Horsbrough lists this species as a common resident
and reports a nest. I have no further records for the vicinity.
181.★ =Regulus calendula.= RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET.—Occasional
birds seen at Camp 11 on the Little Sandhill Creek from the
end of August to the end of Young’s stay becoming more common
latterly. Specimen, Camp 11, August 29.
182.★ =Hylocichla fuscescens.= WILSON’S THRUSH.—Fairly common
as far down the river as Camp 9 below Rosedale Mines. Most of
the records are based upon their notes as all thrushes were
exceedingly shy. Two specimens, Camp 7½. These are rather more
richly colored than other birds from about Edmonton, less olive
and more nearly like eastern specimens. I am doubtful as to the
exact subspecific status of these specimens but refer them to
_H. s. salicicola_ with reservations.
183.★ =Hylocichla ustulata.= OLIVE-BACKED THRUSH.—Thrushes
though common enough were very difficult to identify as they
were very shy and only fleeting glimpses were caught of them
as they slunk away through the brush. One Olive-back was taken
at Camp 11, Little Sandhill Creek, September 17. Horsbrough
reports nests at Sylvan Lake.
184.★ =Hylocichla guttata.= HERMIT THRUSH.—For the above
reasons I only care to specifically pronounce upon the one bird
taken at Camp 11, Little Sandhill Creek, September 22.
185.★ =Planesticus migratorius.= AMERICAN ROBIN.—Common all
along the river. At Camp 11, Little Sandhill Creek, Young says
they fed extensively upon Buffalo berries. Specimens, Camp 11,
September 7 to 21. Horsbrough refers his birds to the western
form _P. m. propinquus_, a rather questionable decision.
186.★ =Sialia currucoides.= MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD.—Some Bluebirds
glimpsed in the outskirts of the city of Red Deer and whilst
driving from the river to Nevis, Camp 4, we attributed to
this species. Several times below Camp 4 we noted individuals
amongst the eroded cliffs and hills but could not get close
enough to identify them satisfactorily. It was not until we
reached Camp 11, on the Little Sandhill Creek that the species
was certainly recognized. Here we found them common, feeding
upon Saskatoon berries, and later according to Young on
Buffalo berries. They remained common up to the time he left
and he noted a flock of one hundred birds, September 8. Seven
specimens Little Sandhill Creek, July 20 to September 8. Both
Farley and Horsbrough report it common at Red Deer.
FOOTNOTES:
[24] Published by permission of the Geological Survey, Ottawa, Ont.
[25] Ridgway’s Color Standards and Nomenclature. 1912.
ADDENDA.
We have received in addition to the specimens already cited the
following, collected by Dr. R. M. Anderson, Western Grebe, _Æchmophorus
occidentalis_, Dried Meat Lake, near Camrose, September 20, 1918.
Horned Grebe, _Colymbus auritus_; Greater and Lesser Yellow-legs,
_Totanus melanoleucus_ and _T. flavipes_; Ruffed Grouse, _Bonasa
umbellus_ from Miquelon Lake, near Camrose, September 29, 1918.
The following species and notes should be added to the previous list:
187.★ =Larus Philadelphia.= BONAPARTE’S GULL.—Farley reports
this species May 1, 1900 at Red Deer and May 13 and 16, 1917
at Camrose. Anderson took a specimen, September 29, 1918 at
Miquelon Lake.
(12). =Phalacrocorax auritus.= DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT.
—Farley reports that for many years this species bred on
Miquelon Lake some 24 miles southeast of Edmonton where
Anderson found evidence in September, 1918 of the current
year’s nesting in the form of nests said to be Cormorant’s.
(13). =Pelecanus erythrorhynchos.= WHITE PELICAN.—Said by
Farley to have nested in numbers at Miquelon Lake until of late
years and it is not known as yet where they have removed to. At
the height of their nesting from 300 to 500 nests were to be
seen on an island of not three acres extent.
(25). =Clangula clangula.= GOLDENEYE.—Farley reports that for
the past eight years Goldeneyes have nested in a blind brick
chimney on the R. B. Price house in Camrose, about five feet
down. The young clamber up the flue to the top, tumble off and
roll down the roof to the ground where they are gathered up
and conveyed to the water by human friends, where the mother
invariably awaits to receive them. Every spring ducks visit
many chimneys in town as if prospecting for nesting sites.
My informant queries, “Would these be the young that have
remembered a similar nesting home?” The facts suggest the
affirmative.
(29). =Chen hyperboreus.= SNOW GOOSE.—Fleming informs me that
he has examined the head of one of Horsbrough specimens,
probably one of those he cites, and declares it to be the
Lesser, _C. h. hyperboreus_.
(35). =Ardea herodias.= GREAT BLUE HERON.—Anderson on an
island in Miquelon Lake, September, 1918 found nests of this
species together with those of Cormorants on the ground. The
specific identity was supplied by Mr. Farley and other good
report.
(36). =Grus mexicana.= SANDHILL CRANE.—Farley reports finding a
crane nest on Spotted Lake near Buffalo Lake in May 1895. Dr.
George of Red Deer also informs me that he took crane eggs on a
small pond near Innisfail May 24, 1896. Undoubtedly these were
_G. mexicana_.
188. =Grus americana.= WHOOPING CRANE.—Dr. George of Red Deer
informs me that he has not seen Whooping Cranes near Red Deer
for some years, inferring their former presence but stating
that he never found them breeding.
189. =Coturnicops noveboracensis.= YELLOW RAIL.—Mr. Farley
says,—“I know of a swamp at Red Deer where a pair nested
several years. Their note is just like two stones knocked
together quickly. There is also a pair in a swamp just off our
farm (Camrose) where I can depend upon hearing them every June.”