APPENDIX VI 409 



June 1st to September 1st. Common at Lady Franklin 

 Bay in August, 1901. Was interested in seeing a large 

 flock alight upon the water in Kennedy Channel. Seen 

 frequently along northern shores of Grant Land in June, 

 1909. 



28. Lagopus rupestris reinhardi. Reinhardt's ptarmigan. 

 Eskimo name, Ah-kuck-sha. Common at Etah in spring 

 and fall migration. Not seen in July and August. Un- 

 doubtedly many remain in far North throughout the year. 

 Seen on March 19, 1914, when we were crossing the Beit- 

 stadt Glacier of EUesmere Land at a height of 4,700 feet 

 with a temperature of — 50° F. Also seen on March 30, 

 1914, in Eureka Sound at 79° 15' N. Recorded by me at 

 Ward Hunt Island on most northern coast of Grant Land, 

 83° 7' N., on March 21, 1909. Shot at Etah on February 

 13, 1916, five days before the return of the sun. These 

 birds pick through the crust of snow with their bill, then 

 clear away loose snow with their feet, in order to uncover 

 willow buds. The breeding-note in April resembles very 

 much the sound of a policeman's rattle. Nesting date 

 early in June. 



29. Falco islandus. White gyrfalcon. Speckled partridge- 

 hawk. Eskimo name, Ka-she-we-a-how. Arrives at Etah 

 about May 1st. Found nesting on vertical cliffs from a 

 height of 30 to 1,000 feet. As far north as Cape Sheridan, 

 82° 30'. Nesting dates, at Force Bay, May 27, 1915; 

 May 31, 1917; Etah, June 7, 1917. Eggs, 4. Young taken 

 from nest at Etah on August 16, 1908, August, 1915. 

 Young seen flying September 1, 1916. Feeds upon eider 

 duck, Mandt's guillemot, ptarmigan, Arctic hare, and 

 dovekies. The last are carefully picked, decapitated, 

 wings bitten off, and body swallowed. WTien the meat 

 is digested the bones are disgorged. 



'30. Nyctea nyctea. Snowy owl. Eskimo name, Ook-pik. 

 Rarely seen at Etah. Common at Cape Sheridan on 



