Black Tern--Chlidonias nigra (Linnaeus).

The first black terns were recorded on May 23 when four ap-
peared flying over Puntchesakut Lake; others were observed in the
Baker Creek Valley as follows: Goose Lake, May 24, 2; Puntchesa-
kut Lake, May 29, 2; May 30, 2; dune 4, 1; Puntataenkut Creek,
May 51, 10; Puntataenkut Lake, June 4, 3. Those at Puntataenkut

Creek were circling lower over a sedge marsh in the manner of nest-
ing birds

At Dale Lake on June 20 three were observed flying about the
meadow and these also may have been nesting

A nesting colony of 20 to 30 pairs on the deep bog at Nukko
Creek was under observation on July 7 Some carrying food in
their bills hovered for a-few moments then dropped out of sight
amongst the marsh growth; others wheeled about overhead, and some-
times swooped down with a few feet of me as nesting black terns
commonly do.

Other summer records are: Bouchie Lake, June 12, 2; Summit
Lake, June 28, 2; duly 3 - 2; Nukko Lake, July 8 - 2. So far as
I am aware the species has not hitherto been recorded from central
British Columbia.

Horned Owl--Bubo virginianus (Gmelin).

Two that were heard on several nights in early May beside
Puntchesakut Lake hooted in the manner of paired birds, i.e., one
hooted and was quickly answered by the other It was thought
likely these were hunting food for young in the nest. A large pel-
let found on the lakeshore and probably cast by a horned owl was
composed chiefly of grebe feathers and bird bones presumably also
On grebe

Another pair of horned owls that was heard several times during
the evening dusk at Nukko Lake answered each other with a deep, re-
sonant hooting. Heard at close quarters it was an explosive sound
produced with great vigour and at shorter intervals than ordinary.
Reference was made earlier to a horned owl attacking a brood of
baldpate as it swam along a narrow backwater of the Bulkley River.
Supplementing this account it can be added that after the unsuc—
cessful attempt to seize one of the baldpate the owl continued to
hunt, crossing from one side to the other of the narrow opening
through the forest that marked the course of the slough or back—
water At the same time two others, full grown young, flew silently

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