FAUNA OF THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS AND ALASKA PENINSULA 71 



were noted throughout June in diminishing numbers. The last 

 flock was seen on July 7. The time of gradual disappearance 

 on Alaska Peninsula corresponds very well with the time of 

 the late migration noted at Hooper Bay the previous year. The 

 lingering flocks in Izembek Bay were mostly immature birds. 

 One bird, which was collected in adult plumage, proved to be a 

 nonbreeder. 



A few late occurrences were noted farther west. C. S. Williams 

 noted a group of about six emperor geese on Uliaga Island 

 on June 8, 1936; and a bald eagle's nest on Kavalga Island con- 

 tained remains that were fresh enough to indicate a kill in July. 



Apparently, there is an eastward movement of emperor geese 

 along the Aleutian chain, and a consequent "piling up" at favorite 

 locations on the Alaska Peninsula, until the northern flights are 

 well under way. 



The exact reversal of this process occurs in the fall. Some 

 time early in September, the emperor geese begin to arrive from 

 the north in the vicinity of Izembek Bay. And, according to the 

 enthusiastic accounts of local residents, these emperor geese are 

 almost as numerous as the cackling geese before the latter de- 

 clined in numbers. At Port Moller, emperors are said to arrive 

 as early as the latter part of August. They congregate on 

 Nelson Lagoon, Izembek Bay, head of Morzhovoi Bay, locally 

 in Isanotski Strait, St. Catherine Cove, Swanson Lagoon, and 

 Urilia Bay. Most of these geese move westward some time in 

 November. Incidentally, Swarth (1934) states that emperor 

 geese were present on Nunivak Island, to the north, as late as 

 October 29, 1927. The Attu chief said that they arrive at that 

 westernmost point in the Aleutians late in October. 



Apparently, in fall migration the immature birds again lag 

 behind their elders. According to Swarth, the first arrivals on 

 Nunivak Island, observed by Cyril G. Harrold, August 20 to the 

 middle of September, were white-headed adults. "On September 

 15 the first young birds (dusky headed) were seen and they 

 were common thereafter." 



Food Habits 



It is well known that the emperor guose is largely a beach 

 feeder; in fact, it has earned the local name "beach goose." Yet, 

 it is reported as occasionaly feeding on the berries of the 

 tundra, notably Empetrum nigrum. Swarth (1934) sums it up 

 thus, 



The emperor geese fed mostly upon the sea shore, but occasional flocks 

 were encountered on the tundra, feeding upon berries. The one adult male 



