102 ORNITHOLOGICAL EXPLORATIONS. 



ing to H. W. Elliott), and to other birds in different parts of the 

 vast empire where the Russian tongue is spoken. 



This bird comes only as a rare visitor to the islands during the migra- 

 tion seasons. This is rather strange, as it inhabits the nearest coast of 

 the mainland, and as the Komandorski group offers every favorable con- 

 dition to these bright, noisy, and shy fellows. Besides, an allied species 

 {H. bachmani AuD.) frequents the American islands of the Aleutian 

 chain. 



On the IDth of June, 1883, about noon, I observed two Oyster- catchers 

 on the low sandy beach opposite the village of Bering Island. Cross- 

 ing the river I followed them for more than 3 miles, but their shyness 

 prevented me from securing a specimen. The pursuit had then to be 

 given up, as I was compelled to return in order to attend to the me- 

 teorological observation at 3 p. m. A native hunter, whom I immedi- 

 ately sent out, promising him a good reward, likewise failed. They 

 were not seen afterwards. 



33. Areuaria interpres (Lin.). 



1758. — TririgainierjjreaLii'f., Syst. Nat., lOed., I, p. 148. — St7-epsilas i. Midd., Sibir. Reise, 

 11,2 (p. 213) (1853).— Dyb. & Parvex, J. f. Om., 1868, p. 337.— Dall. & 

 Bann., Tr. Chic. Acad., 1869, 1 (p. 290).- Finsch, Abh. Brem.Ver., Ill, 1872, p. 

 62.— COUES, in Elliott's Aflf. Alaska, p. 180(1873). —Taczan., J. f.Orn., 1873, 

 p. 101.— /d., ibid., 1«74, p. 336.— 7d., Bull. Soc. ZooLFraDce, 1876, p 247.— irf., 

 ibid., 1883, p. 339.— id., Orn. Faun. Vost. Sibir., p. 51 (1877).— Blakist. & 

 Pryer, Ibis, 1878, p. 219.— lid., Tr. As. Soc. Jap., VIII, li-80, p. 193.— iid., 

 ibid., X, 1882, p 108.— Seed., Ibis, 1879, p. 26.— Elliott, Monogr. Seal Isl., 

 p. 129 (1880).— Bean, Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1882, p. 163.— Nelson, Cruise Cor- 

 win, p. 82(1883). — Blakist , Amend. List B.Jap., p. 11 (1884). — Arenariai. 

 Turner, Ank, 1885, p. 157. 



1810.— Morinella collaris Mey. & WoLF, Taschb. Deutsch. Vog., I, p. 383. — Strepsilas c. 

 Kittl., Deukw., I, p. 287; II, p. 401.— Coinde, Rev. Mag., Zool , 1860, p. 

 400. 



1826. — Tringa oahuensis Bloxh., Voy. Blonde, App. (p. 251). 



1826. — Charadrius cinclus Pall., Zoogr. Ross. As., II, p. 148. 



I have carefully compared my specimens with others from the Pacific 

 and find tnem to agree in all essential points with birds from the At- 

 lantic. Those from the latter in the collection of the National Museum 

 are a trifle brighter colored, a circumstance due to the less worn state 

 of their jjlumage. No foundation for even a subspecific division could 

 be detected. Arenaria melanocephala is a good species. 



