BY P. A. TAVERNER.[24]
(Continued from p. 21.)
Since the first part of this paper went to press, I am in receipt of a series of notes from F. L. Farley, now of Camrose but formerly of Red Deer. His observations extend from 1892 to 1906 at the former locality and from then to date at the latter. They consist chiefly of lists of spring arrivals but have been supplemented by further details in correspondence. I have also received some comments upon the list as published from J. H. Fleming. The pertinent new information is embodied in the following continuation and the Addenda at the end.
80. Ceryle alcyon. Belted Kingfisher.—We found the species rather scarce on the river. This is probably accounted for by the cloudiness of the water which hides the fish. One bird was seen near Camp 4 near Nevis and Young recorded two at Camp 11 at Little Sandhill Creek. We have three birds taken by Geo. Sternberg at Morrin, August and September, 1915. Horsbrough records the Kingfisher nesting at Red Deer and Farley notes it occasionally at Camrose.
81. Dryobates villosus. Hairy Woodpecker.—Not very common anywhere but more seen in the upper parts of the river in the wooded sections than lower down. Singles or pairs seen at camps 1, 4, 6 and 8½. Specimen from Camp 1 also one from Rumsey, September 24, 1915, taken by Geo. Sternberg and another from Buffalo Lake, November 9, 1914, by Horsbrough who reports nest at Sylvan Lake. I ascribe them all by their large size to leucomelas. One specimen in Fleming’s collection lately examined by me overmeasures any D. v. leucomelas I have previously seen, having a wing 140 mm. Our next largest specimen is but 132.
82. Dryobates pubescens. Downy Woodpecker.—Not seen by us but both Horsbrough and Farley report it as a common resident and a breeder. The former refers the local form to D. p. nelsoni, probably on geographical grounds for we have an Edmonton specimen, August 13, 1886, that has been identified by Oberholser as homorus. A female, Red Deer, April 19, 1916 in Fleming’s collection agrees so closely with larger specimens from New Brunswick and eastern Ontario that I see no grounds for separating it from them and following Oberholser’s determination of a Banff bird August 13, 1891, ascribe it to D. p. medianus.
83. Picoides arcticus. Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker.—Under the subspecific designation, P. a. arcticus, Bangs lists five specimens, without date (collections of Wm. Brewster, and E. A. and O. Bangs) from Red Deer, Auk, XVII, 1900, —139.
84. Picoides americanus. American Three-toed Woodpecker.—Mr. Farley reports taking a specimen in winter at Red Deer. He makes no subspecific determination. Geographically P. a. fasciatus is the probability.
85.★ Sphyrapicus varius. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.—Quite common on the upper parts of the river but as the country grew more arid it became scarcer and none were seen below Camp 5. One specimen, a female with black cap, Camp 1, June 30. Horsbrough records it breeding.