Arctic Fox, White Fox

Many skins were seen east of White Partridge Lake, twenty miles south of the Barren Grounds, November 26, and this species was known to be common in the neighbourhood. One taken north-east of Reindeer Lake, December 22.

Black Bear

Observed below Knee Rapid, Churchill River, June 5.

Brown Bear

Very large specimen observed below Key Falls, Churchill River, June 25.

Otter

Observed on Crooked Lake, May 12. Skin seen in trapper's cabin on island at north end of Reindeer Lake, December 29.

Skunk

One trapped on Beaver River, May 20.

Mink

Observed carrying an eel in the water, Island Lake, Churchill River, June 26. Two Mink skins seen east of White Partridge Lake, near the edge of the Barren Grounds, November 26. Tracks in snow noted near Pelican Narrows, January 4, 1915.

Weasel

Secured specimen in summer fur near Fort Du Brochet, July 16. Observed Cochrane River, July 24. One taken north of Fort Du Brochet, December 5.

Marten

Observed on Theitaga-Tua (Lake) near latitude 60°, November 25. Many skins looked over east of White Partridge Lake, twenty miles south of the Barren Grounds, but no Marten among them, November 26. One taken north of Du Brochet Lake, November 29.

Wolverine

See " Timber Wolf," November 24. Skins seen east of White Partridge Lake in latitude 60.5°, twenty miles south of the edge of the Barren Grounds, November 26.

List of Birds, and where Collected and Noted during this Expedition of 1914 1

Note

Where name of species is not within square brackets, specimens have been carefully examined and identified by Mr. J. H. Fleming, C.M.Z.S., C.M.B.O.U., and the references to actual skins, which are made in the following list, are those which he has kindly made in writing a paper on the collection.

A few more species might have been added to the list of those observed, but their identities were not positively established and they are omitted for the present. The data below contains the names of a great many species, but owing to limited time, and to the virgin nature of the North country, its vast extent, and the unlimited cover it affords to bird or beast, it is not possible that all birds common to the territory have yet been noted.

1 See also Report of Chief Game Guardians, 1914, pp. 33-4, 37-9, Regina, 1915.

Bird life was found most plentiful in the territory west of Stanley Post, on the Churchill River, and south to the point of starting on Lake He a la Crosse, and the various other waterways. Along that part of the route the land and vegetation and forest were of a richer, more attractive nature than further north, and no doubt that accounted for the greater presence of bird life.

In travelling through the somewhat barren-looking territory of the Far North, birds, with few exceptions, were encountered at rarer intervals and in fewer numbers. Ducks were notably very scarce, while, on the other hand, some of the sparrows were numerous and had their first encountered breeding-grounds north of latitude 58°.

Holbcell's Grebe (Colymbus Holbcelli)

Set of five eggs taken on Churchill River, June 6; bird seen at close range. Nest a pile of rotten weeds, in open water among scant floating raft of dead weeds. Nest elevated two or three inches above water limit, but the whole water-soaked. Nest close to marsh shore in narrow inlet in Churchill River, some ten or fifteen miles below mouth of Haultain River.

Observed Beaver River, May 19, 20, and in marsh above Sandy Lake on the Churchill River, June 8.

Horned Grebe (Colymbus Auritus)

One pair observed on inland lake east shore Ile a la Crosse Lake, May 30 ; female taken.

Eared Grebe (Colymbus Nigricollis Calif Or-Nicus)

Observed Crooked Lake, May 12, 13 ; Beaver River, May 19.

Loon, Great Northern Diver (Gavia Im-Mer)

An adult takenl on Reindeer Lake, July 8.

Observed Crooked Lake, May 12. A few observed Sandy Lake on the Churchill River, June 10. Two observed on Black Bear Island Lake on the Churchill River, June 14. Observed Otter Lake, Churchill River, June 20. Two observed in neighbourhood of the mouth of Reindeer River, June 27 ; heard calling at night now, or before high wind rises : a solitary drawn-out call, cool . . . ou . . .; a most striking call of the northern wilderness. Many observed at south end of Reindeer Lake, July 3, 4. Observed Reindeer Lake, July 7, noted to be not so numerous on July 9. Few observed Reindeer Lake, July 10 : when in flight the feet project conspicuously behind, like a tail. One observed Reindeer Lake, July 13. Observed Cochrane River, July 21. One male taken on the Cochrane River, July 23, length 30*5 in ; bones of small fish in stomach. Observed July 24, 26, 27 on Cochrane River; Du Brochet Lake, August 5; calling before onset of a storm, and flighting restlessly. Observed north end Du Brochet Lake, August 10, 12 ; Cochrane River, on return journey, August 14, 15.

Red-Throated Loon (Gavia Stellata)

Observed for first time in Sucker Bay, south end Reindeer Lake, July 6. Observed one pair on Reindeer Lake, July 8 : birds wild, and difficult to get within gunshot. One observed Cochrane River, July 19. Few observed on inland lakes west of Cochrane River, July 23, 24, 26. One observed Cochrane River, July 27 : these birds seem impossible to secure, so wild are they. Four observed Du Brochet Lake, August 7, warned of their presence by their cat-like Awe-Awe call; a cry very different from the harsh, rumbling quack which they utter when flying. Observed north end Du Brochet Lake, August 10, 12 ; fairly numerous on this lake, but all very wary. Observed on Cochrane River, on return journey downstream, August 13, 14, 15.

Jaegar ? (Stercorarius Parasiticus ?)

Single bird observed on Sandfly Lake on the Churchill River, June 12. Specimen dark above, white below from bill down, with dark ring circling under neck. This was the only Jaegar observed throughout the expedition.