Page:Condor21(2).djvu/36

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82 THE CONDOR VoL XXI trails or roadways arduous and slow. Fortunately the roads are exceptionally fine, or at least were during our season there; pack trails lead everywhere, giv- ing access to all parts adjoining. There is little farming activity and most of the few clearings are devoted to the grazing of a few cattle and bunches of pack horses. The topography is rough and broken. At New Hazelton, four miles above the original settlement at the forks, the Bulkley l?iver breaks through a ridge by way of a narrow canyon over three hundred feet deep. Across this gorge the wagon road is carried on a suspension bridge, one of the highest structures of its kind in the world. A few hundred yards up stream and at a little lower elevation are the remains of a unique bridge that fell this summer, built years ago by the original natives from wire from the abandoned transcontinental telegraph line. This locality was collected in by two parties from the Canadian Geological Survey during the summer of 1917. The first, composed of J. M. Macoun and Win. Spreadborough, was in the field from June 20 to July 21. They camped near (Old) Hazelton, on the shores of the Skeena River, and worked most of the mountains and valleys adjoining. The present writer joined a geological party for a week (August 23 to 29) at a point some two miles west of New

Hazelton near the bridge across the Bulkley. Most of his work was done in 

the vicinity of the camp, and higher altitudes were scarcely visited. Birds were very scarce and retiring during this midsummer week and the work is worth reporting upon only as supplementary to that performed by Macoun and Spreadborough earlier in the season. 1. Gavia iramet. Common Loon. A Loon was seen on the Skeena, August 22, by the writer, as the train he was on approached Hazelton. The species was noted almost daily by Spreadborough in June and July. 2. Mergus americanus. American Merganser. Not common at Hazelton. Spread. borough reports an adult and four young. 3. Charitonstta albsola. Buffiehead. An adult with four young seen by Spread- borough on a small lake near Hazelton, July 18. - 4. Actitis rnacularia. Spotted Sandpiper. Reported by Spreadborough as a com- mon breeder along the river; not seen about New Hazelton. 5. Bonasa umbellus. Ruffed Grouse. Several coveys and single birds seen at various times by both Spreadborough and myself. No specimens were taken, but umbl- loides is the form to be expected here. 6. Acclpiter elox. Sharp-shinned Hawk. Three seen by Spreadborough, and single birds observed by the writer nearly every day. 7. Buteo swainsoni. Swainson Hawk. One doubtfully recorded by Spreadborough, July 18. 8. Haliaeetus leucoce.pbalus. Bald Eagle. One taken June 29; several noted in July. 9. Falco sparverlus. Sparrow Hawk. Spreadborough found the Sparrow Hawk ?airly common aboutHazelton, and the writer saw several birds near New Hazelton. Two females taken July 2 and 9. I refe? these to the type form, sparverius. 11. Otus asio. Screech Owl. I thought I heard the distant quavers and trills of this species a couple of evenings, but too faintly to be absolutely certain of the identi- fication. 12. Bubo virginianus. Great Horned Owl. One seen by Spreadborough July 20 or 21. 13. Ceryle alcyon. Belted Kingfisher. Several seen along the river'at Hazelton and one seen by the writer on the Bulkley. 14. Dryobates illosus. Hairy Woodpecker. Reported as common by Spread-' borough, and one taken by the writer August 26. Three specimens taken by Spread- borough. Two of these birds are of slightly questionable identity. They are quite smoky below, but whether this is due to contact with burnt timber or is a natural coloration is