BIRDS. 89 



49. Bucephala ? 



Flocks of whistlers were observed on three occasions in May ; but I 

 could not with certainty identify the species, as none were killed. B. 

 islandica is quite common in the Godhavn district on the coast of 

 Greenland; breeds near Christianshaab. 



50. Histrionicus torquatus, (Liuu.) Bp. 



"Tornauiartook," Greeiilanders. 



Three examples seen, and one killed at Annanactook. l^ot uncom- 

 mon in the Godhavn district on the Greenland coast. 



51. Harelda glacialis, (Liuu.) Leacli. 



"Agiugak," CumLerlaud Eskimo. "Aglek," Greeiilanders. 

 Arrived at the head of Cumberland during the latter days of May. 

 As soon as there was extensive open water they became quite numer- 

 ous, and their loud and incessant cries could be heard at any hour out of 

 the twenty-four. They nest on the small rocky islands, especially about 

 the Greater Kingwah Fjord, but singly, and not in colonies. They arii 

 gregarious when they first arrive, but soon pair and scatter. Common on 

 the whole Greenland coast, and breed far to the north. These ducks 

 are the noisiest birds for their size I have ever met. During the breed- 

 ing plumage, scarcely any two males can be found that are precisely 

 alike. 



52. Polysticta stelleri, (Pall.) Eyton. 



A beautiful adult male was shot in Disko Fjord in August, 1878. The 

 specimen is now in the collection of Governor Edgar Fencker of God- 

 havn. During the time we were blockaded by the ice-jam at Annanac- 

 took Harbor, in Cumberland, I saw three or four of these eiders. At 

 one time a superb specimen sat for hours on a cake of ice but a short 

 distance from the ship ; but I could not reach it on account of the break- 

 ing ice. I watched him a long time with a good glass, and there is no 

 question of its Identity. In late autumn I saw some that I think were 

 of this species. 



53. Somateria moUissima, (Linu.) Leach. 



"Metuk," Cumberland Eskimo. "Mettek" aud "Amaulik," Grcenlanders. 



This eider is one of the commonest birds in Cumberland, and the only 

 species that congregates together in any considerable numbers to breed. 

 They are at all times gregarious. The old males separate from the 

 females and young as soon as the breeding season is over, and assemble 

 by themselves in large flocks. They also migrate southward much 



