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.