1924] Swarth: Birds and Mammals of the Skeena River Region 359

Tachycineta thalassina lepida Mearus. Northern Violet-green Swallow

The most abundant species of swallow. Like the tree swallow it
was nesting when we arrived, the end of May, and, similarly, occupy-
ing sites in buildings in town and on the farms. Seen only in the low-
lands. The latter part of August the species disappeared, and IT
supposed had already gone south, but on September 24 and 26 large
flocks appeared circling about over Hazelton.

Stelgidopteryx serripennis (Audubon). Rough-winged Swallow

Breeds in small numbers about Hazelton and in Kispiox Valley,
twenty-three miles to the northward. Present when we arrived, the
end of May. Seen only in the lowlands, and not met with after our
return from the mountains, the middle of August.

Bombycilla garrula pallidiceps Reichenow. Bohemian Waxwing

First seen in Kispiox Valley, July 5. Five birds appeared, and
three were collected. They seemed to be birds that had finished nest-
ing. Next encountered August 22, a flock of twenty or more at the
same place. During the remainder of our stay Socks numbering from
ten to twenty were seen occasionally, generally flying overhead, in
Kispiox Valley and about Hazelton, Five specimens (nos. 42438—
42442) were collected, all adults. One bird shot August 22 is just
beginning the annual molt; another, taken August 27, is in the midst
of it. Both these molting birds have new tail feathers (some of them
less than half-grown) and in one specimen the vellow-marked wing
feathers also are new. It is a curious fact that these yellow markings,
especially those on the tail, are not so brilliant in these adult birds as
they are in certain nestlings at hand. (For description of these young
birds see Swarth, 1922, p. 279.) In the juveniles the tail band is
decidedly orange, a color not seen in any other specimen examined,
summer or winter. Winter flocks must be composed largely of young
of the previous season, and the absence of any birds with orange
colored tail band probably means that this color fades appreciably
soon after the feathers get their growth. It seems strange, though,
that similar changes cannot be traced in the rectrices of the adult.

There is a slight difference in the sexes of the Bohemian waxwing
described by Tischler (1918, p. 85) that had apparently escaped the
notice of earlier observers. In his opinion the only passably sure mark

Dn mn