FAUNA OF THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS AND ALASKA PENINSULA 135 



western islands than those in the vicinity of Unalaska. I saw 

 several on Sanakh Island in the spring of 1878, and also in late 

 August of 1879." 



Stejneger (1885) says that they occur on the Commander Is- 

 lands in fall migration only. 



We saw none of these birds on any of our expeditions. 



Aphriia virgata: Surfbird 



Turner (1886) says of the surfbird "At Sannakh Island in 

 1878, and at Kodiak in 1881, I saw several individuals of this 

 species, but under circumstances which rendered it an impossi- 

 bility to collect them." 



Friedmann (1934) records a specimen to the northward at 

 Goodnews Bay on the Bering Sea coast, taken August 12, 1933. 



The Attu chief, who is well versed in his native avifauna, did 

 not recognize a picture of this bird. 



Arenaria interpres: Ruddy Turnstone 



Arenaria interpres interpres 



Commander Islands (native) : Kidmalgikh (Stejneger) 

 Russian, Commander Islands: Kasnonogoj Kidik, i.e., red-legged sand 



snipe (Stejneger) 



A series of specimens was available for study : 2 from Nusha- 

 gak, 1 from King's Cove, 2 from Unimak Island, 1 from Unalaska, 

 2 from Umnak Island, 1 from Ogliuga Island, and 1 from "Aleu- 

 tians." In addition to these (which we examined), McKay ob- 

 tained a turnstone at Nushagak, August 12, 1881. 



We carefully compared the above-mentioned specimens with 

 series of A. i. morinella from eastern localities and with speci- 

 mens of A. i. interpres. The relationship between these two forms 

 did not seem to justify the insertion of an intermediate sub- 

 species, such as A. i. oahuensis, as has been proposed. More- 

 over, the present series from the Aleutian district agrees with 

 the characters of A. i. interpres. One specimen, No. 118845 of the 

 U. S. National Museum, taken by William Palmer, at Unalaska, 

 May 19, 1890, is much like morinella and perhaps could pass for 

 that race, especially because of the coloration of the head. But, 

 when the extensive black on upper parts and the restricted brown 

 areas and paleness on the wings is considered, it seems best to 

 refer it to interpres. 



On May 22, 1936, we observed a small flock of turnstones, 

 believed to be of this species, at Nelson Lagoon. On August 20, 

 2 or 3 ruddy turnstones were seen at Port Moller, where they 

 were feeding on the beach with Aleutian sandpipers. 



