Catalogue of British Columbia Birds Informative Summary

Overview:

This 1904 catalogue, compiled by Francis Kermode, Curator of the Provincial Museum of Victoria, B.C., is a fascinating snapshot of the avian fauna of British Columbia at the time. It lists over 360 species and subspecies of birds, providing information on their distribution, abundance, and breeding habits. The catalogue highlights the diversity of birdlife in the province, covering a wide range of habitats from coastal shores to the interior mountains.

Kermode acknowledges the incompleteness of the list and expresses the need for further research, especially in the province’s northern and northeastern interior. He acknowledges the contributions of several local observers, including A.C. Brooks, Rev. J.H. Keen, and Thomas Kermode. The catalogue is organized systematically, starting with diving birds and moving through various orders and families, culminating in the songbirds.

Key Findings:

The catalogue provides a valuable historical record of bird distribution in British Columbia at the beginning of the 20th century.
It highlights the important role of local observers in documenting birdlife.
The presence of introduced species, like the Mountain Partridge and the California Partridge, is noted.
The catalogue reveals a significant diversity of birdlife across British Columbia’s various ecosystems.

Learning:

Bird Diversity in British Columbia: The reader will gain an understanding of the wide array of bird species inhabiting British Columbia, from common birds like the American Robin and the Western Golden-crowned Kinglet to rarer species like the California Vulture and the White-faced Glossy Ibis.
Bird Distribution: The catalogue provides information on the geographical distribution of different bird species within the province, highlighting which birds are found in coastal areas, the interior, or specific regions like the Queen Charlotte Islands.
Bird Breeding Habits: The reader will learn about the nesting and breeding habits of various bird species, including the locations where they build their nests and the time of year they raise their young.
Introduced Species: The catalogue specifically mentions species that were introduced to British Columbia, such as the Mountain Partridge and the California Partridge, illustrating how human activity can influence the composition of local ecosystems.

Historical Context:

The catalogue was created in 1904, a time of significant exploration and development in British Columbia. The province was experiencing rapid economic growth, with increasing settlement and resource extraction, impacting the natural environment. This context is relevant to understanding the information on bird distribution and abundance, which may have been influenced by human activity.

Facts:

The Western Grebe is a common winter resident along the coast of Vancouver Island and the Mainland.
The American Red-necked Grebe is a common winter resident on the coast and breeds on lakes along the Cariboo Road.
The Horned Grebe breeds on lakes from Okanagan to Dense Lake.
The American Eared Grebe was found breeding on lakes at Kamloops.
The Pied-billed Grebe is a common resident on Vancouver Island and breeds on lakes close to Victoria.
The Great Northern Diver is a common resident throughout British Columbia and breeds on Vancouver Island and the Mainland.
The Black-throated Loon was taken at Burrard Inlet and Dease Lake.
The Pacific Loon is not common and was taken at Comox and Chilliwhack.
The Red-throated Loon is fairly common near Esquimalt and was reported at Chilliwhack.
The Tufted Puffin breeds on Bare Island, near Sidney, B.C.
The Horned Puffin is rare at Massett, Queen Charlotte Islands.
The Rhinoceros Auklet breeds on islands in the Gulf of Georgia.
The Ancient Murrelet is not common and was taken in the Straits, near Victoria.
The Marbled Murrelet breeds on Vancouver Island and along the inlets of the Mainland.
The Pigeon Guillemot breeds throughout its range.
The California Murre breeds on the West Coast of Vancouver Island.
The Ivory Gull was shot at Dease Lake and Okanagan Lake.
The Glaucous-winged Gull is an abundant resident on the coast and breeds on some of the islands in the Gulf of Georgia.
The Western Gull is an abundant resident on the coast during the winter months and breeds in the Similkameen Valley.

Statistics:

The late John Fannin’s 1898 list of British Columbia birds contained 339 species and subspecies.
Kermode adds 24 species and subspecies to Fannin’s list in 1904.
Large numbers of Lesser Snow Geese congregate off the mouth of the Fraser River during some winters.
In April 1894, the author saw great numbers of Black Brant migrating north off Barkley Sound.
Four specimens of the American White Pelican were taken between 1890 and 1900.
Two specimens of the California Brown Pelican were killed at Race Rocks in January 1897.
Four young birds of the American Merganser were taken on Queen Charlotte Islands in July 1895.
A few European Widgeon have been taken near Victoria.
Mr. Brooks reports that the Shoveller is a common resident in the Lower Fraser Valley.
Mr. Brooks has seen the Ruddy Duck all winter at Okanagan Lake.
The author saw a small flock of American Black Scoter on a lake near 108-Mile House in May 1891.
The author found the Marbled Godwit quite common at Clayoquot in May 1894.
In May 1891, the author found the Greater Yellow-legs breeding around the lakes at Clinton.
The author found the Least Sandpiper common at Clayoquot in May 1894.
Mr. Brooks has seen the Long-tailed Jaeger at Sumas Lake in September 1890.
The author found the Western Flycatcher quite common at Skidegate, Queen Charlotte Islands in July 1895.
Mr. Brooks has taken the Arkansas Kingbird at Chilliwhack and Okanagan.
The author found the Western Wood Pewee very common at Sicamous in May 1895.
The author found the Western Warbling Vireo common at Skidegate, Queen Charlotte Islands in July 1895.
The author found the Russet-backed Thrush very common at Skidegate, Queen Charlotte Islands in July 1895.

Terms:

Resident: A bird species that lives in a particular area year-round.
Winter Resident: A bird species that spends the winter months in a particular area.
Summer Resident: A bird species that spends the summer months in a particular area.
Migrant: A bird species that travels between breeding and non-breeding grounds.
Abundant: A bird species that is frequently encountered.
Common: A bird species that is regularly observed.
Not Common: A bird species that is infrequently observed.
Rare: A bird species that is seldom observed.
Taken: A bird species that has been captured or observed.
Specimen: A preserved example of a bird for study.

Examples:

The author observed a large number of Black Brant migrating north off Barkley Sound in April 1894, indicating the significance of this location for bird migration.
The finding of four young American Mergansers on Queen Charlotte Islands in July 1895 shows the presence of a breeding population in this region.
The observation of the American White Pelican at various locations across the province, including Sicamous, Alexandria Bridge, Tranquille, and Comox, suggests its widespread distribution.
The author found the Marbled Godwit quite common at Clayoquot in May 1894, illustrating its abundance in this coastal location.
Mr. Brooks’ report of the Shoveller being a common resident in the Lower Fraser Valley around Sumas Lake indicates the suitability of this habitat for this bird species.
The author found the Least Sandpiper common at Clayoquot in May 1894, highlighting its presence in both coastal and inland habitats.
The author observed the Western Flycatcher quite common at Skidegate, Queen Charlotte Islands in July 1895, suggesting a significant breeding population in this region.
Mr. Brooks has taken the Arkansas Kingbird at Chilliwhack and Okanagan, confirming its presence in both coastal and inland locations.
The author found the Western Wood Pewee very common at Sicamous in May 1895, showcasing the importance of this location for this bird species.
The author observed the Western Warbling Vireo quite common at Skidegate, Queen Charlotte Islands in July 1895, confirming the suitability of this island for this bird species.
The author observed the Russet-backed Thrush very common at Skidegate, Queen Charlotte Islands in July 1895, showcasing the abundance of this bird species in this region.

Conclusion:

This 1904 catalogue offers a valuable glimpse into the birdlife of British Columbia, documenting a diverse range of species across various habitats. It emphasizes the importance of local observers in documenting birdlife and reveals the significant diversity of birds inhabiting the province’s different ecosystems. The presence of introduced species highlights how human activity can impact local biodiversity. This historical document serves as a reminder of the importance of ongoing monitoring and conservation efforts to ensure the continued health and diversity of British Columbia’s avian fauna.

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