Alaskan Waterfowl Management— Gabrielson 293 



Survey, working from the Shumagins to Attu. Turner also 

 returned to the Territory and worked at various points from 

 the mouth of the Nushagak to Attu. The reports of these men 

 furnished much information regarding wildlife on these islands 

 and are still of value in analyzing present conditions. 



These observers worked some of the key areas that are now 

 known to concern the future of Alaska's waterfowl. These men 

 were impressed with the enormous numbers of breeding water- 

 fowl, especially geese, and subsequent visitors have been equally 

 impressed. However, it is only recently that definite informa- 

 tion has commenced to be available. I spent some time at 

 St. Michael and in the Yukon Delta comparing present con- 

 ditions with those found by Nelson. I had his report with me, 

 and enjoyed the novelty of comparing my daily observations 

 with his narratives referring to the same ponds, streams and 

 willow patches. 



When Alaska is viewed from the air, as most travelers see it, 

 the vast number of lakes makes a definite impression. While 

 lakes are sprinkled liberally through much of the Territory, 

 certain areas in the interior and in coastal units on the Bering 

 Sea and the Arctic slope show unusually heavy concentrations 

 of water areas. From the air the landscape at these points 

 appears to be composed almost entirely of water, with only 

 enough land interspersed to give it form and hold it together. 

 These areas of wet and marshy tundra are favored breeding 

 grounds for geese which tend to colonize as well as for other 

 waterfowl which do not. 



In addition, there are interior areas which are of importance 

 to other waterfowl. The Yukon Flats have been known orni- 

 thologically since Kennicott's first visit in 1865. Many of the 

 specimens collected by him in this then unknown country are 

 still in the National Museum to substantiate his reports. The 

 Innoko Flats, another intricate complex of marshes and pools, 

 lying at the junction of the Innoko and Iditarod Rivers, is also 

 an important breeding area. Tetlin Lakes which have not been 

 surveyed extensively were reported by early visitors to be the 

 home of numerous waterfowl. The Minto Lakes, between Fair- 



