BIRDS. 



97 



Measurements of Grus i 



05. FuLiCA AMEEiCANA GdioI. Aiueiicau Goot. 



A single bird taken at Fort Yukon by Mr. McDougal represents the known record of this 

 species within the Territory. The most northern point at which this bird has been recorded is 

 Greenland. 



Cetmophilus FULicAEiu.s (Liun.). Eed Thalarope (Esk. Ai-fing-hntd;.) 



This handsome Phalarope arrives at the Yukon mouth and adjacent parts of the Bering Sea 

 coast during the last few days of May or first of June, according to the season. It is a common 

 summer resident at Point Barrow, where it arrives early in June and remains till the sea closes 

 late in October; it is an abundant summer visitant on the ]S"ear Islands, and breeds abundantly 

 on some of the Commander group. It is much more gregarious than its relative, and for a week 

 or two after its first arrival fifty or more Hock together. These flocks were very numerous 

 the 1st of June, 1879, at the Yukon mouth, where I had au excellent opportunity to observe them. 

 In the morning the birds which were paired could be found scattered here and there, by twos, 

 over the slightly-flooded grassy flats. At times these pairs would rise and fly a short distance, 

 the female, easily known by her bright colors and larger size, in advance, and uttering now and 

 then a low and musical " clink, cliuk," soundiug very much like the noise made by lightly tapping 

 together two small bars of steel. When disturbed these notes were repeated oftener and became 

 harder and louder. 



A little later in the day, as their hunger became satisfied, they began to unite into parties 

 until fifteen or twenty birds would rise and pursue an erratic course over the flat. As they passed 

 swiftly along stray individuals and pairs might be seen to spring up and join the flock. Other 

 flocks would rise and the smaller coalesce with tlie larger until from two hundred to three or even 

 four hundred birds were gathered in a single flock. As the size of the flock increased its move- 

 ments became more and more irregular. At one moment they would glide straight along the ground, 

 then change to a wayward flight, back and forth, twisting about with such rapidity that it was 

 diflficult to follow them with the eye. SuddenVs- their course would change, and the compact flock, 

 as if animated by a single impulse, would rise high over head, and, after a series of graceful and 

 swift evolutions, come sweeping down with a loud, rushing sound to resume their playful course 

 near the ground. During all their motions the entire flock moves in such unison that the alternate 

 flashing of the under side of their wings and the dark color of the back, like the play of light and 

 shade, makes a beautiful spectacle. When wearied of their sport the flock disbands and the birds 

 again resume their feeding. 



When the Eed Phalaropes arrive in spring its preference is for the flat wet lands bordering 

 the coast and rivers, where it remains to breed. They are not usually found on the sea at this 

 season, but ou June 10, 1878, a number were found swimming among the floating ice in the 

 bay of Saint Michaels. Very early in June the females have each paid their court and won a 

 shy and gentle male to share their coming cares. The eggs are laid in a slight depression, 

 generally on the damp flats, where the birds are found. There is rarely any lining to the nest. 

 S. Mis. 156 13 



