258 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA 61, FISH AND W4LDLIFE SERVICE 



Island, and Steenis found another nest with 4 eggs. Apparently, 

 the male sings throughout the entire nesting period. 



In 1936, young birds on the wing were seen as early as July 2. 

 On July 11, 1937, four or five young birds were seen flying about 

 on Amchitka Island. On August 22, Scheffer found 2 dead long- 

 spurs in a cabin on Herbert Island, together with 30 dead song 

 sparrows. 



The Alaska longspur is lighter in color than typical lapponicus. 

 Concerning the birds of the western Aleutians, Ridgway says 

 (1901), "The great contrast in coloration is just as marked be- 

 tween specimens from the extreme western Aleutian Islands 

 (Atka, Adak, and Attu) and the extremely dark form (C. I. 

 coloratus) of the Commander Islands as between the latter and 

 specimens from the Pribilofs and Unalaska." 



Plectrophenax nivalis: Snow Bunting 

 Plectrophenax nivalis nivalis 



It is probable that some eastern snow buntings winter in the 

 Aleutian district. According to Ridgway (1901), this form 

 winters at Unalaska, the Shumagins, and at other points in south- 

 eastern Alaska. Osgood (1904) reports — 



One specimen was taken on the beach at Nushagak, September 20, and 

 another was seen in company with it. A small flock was seen on Becharof 

 Lake, October 6, and a few more were seen in the mountains between Bech- 

 arof Lake and Kanatak. Numerous specimens were taken at Nushagak by 

 McKay and Johnson. Most of these are winter birds, but at least one (No. 

 110128) is in full nupital plumage. It was taken July 3, 1886, which would 

 indicate its breeding in the vicinity. It also breeds at Cold Bay, where Mad- 

 dren found it nesting in high rocky cliffs in the summer of 1903. 



Hine (1919), and other members of the 1919 expedition of the 

 National Geographic Society noted snow buntings on mountain 

 tops of the Katmai region and in Katmai Canyon. A pair were 

 noted, singing, in upper Mageik Creek. These observations indi- 

 cate nesting. 



Specimens from Kodiak have been taken in the migration pe- 

 riod, but Turner (1886) states that he saw these birds "at Kodiak 

 in the early part of August, 1881. At the latter place young birds 

 of the season were abundant." On June 18, 1940, Gabrielson 

 noted snow buntings on the Semidi Islands. 



Howell (1948), reporting for 1944, says of the snow bunting 

 on Kodiak Island — 



Seen only on the top of a mountain near Bell's Flats. Here ten were seen 

 on June 25. They were above the snow line near the crest of the mountain 

 at an elevation of about 2500 feet. Numerous bare areas in the extensive 



