32 



CIRCULAR 3, FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE 



to the vanishing point, after which the flocks slowly build up again 

 from scattered survivors. 



As a result of the uncertainty of the native game-bird crop, experi- 

 ments on a limited scale are being made with hardy types of pheasants, 

 including the brown and blue eared, cheer, kaleege, Mongolian, and 

 Reeves'. It is the plan to rear and liberate in various parts of the 

 Territory enough of these birds to determine which if any will survive 

 the rigors of the Alaska winters. 



Figure 33. — Rock ptarmigan in partial winter plumage, Twelve Mile Creek. 

 (Photo by O. J. Murie.) 



BIRDS OF PREY 



Largest of Alaska's birds of prey are the bald eagle, which is abundant 

 along the coast line, and the golden eagle, scattered throughout the 

 interior mountain ranges. In the far north the black and white gyr- 

 falcons are often found in the vicinity of the ptarmigan flocks upon 

 which they prey. Frequenting the northern tundra is the snowy 

 owl, as well as the migratory short-eared owl. In timbered sections 

 are the great gray owl, great horned owl, hawk owl, Richardson's owl, 

 and the small pygmy and screech owls. Among the hawks, the 

 goshawk and the red-tailed hawk are most often seen, although the 

 duck hawk, rough-legged hawk, osprey, sparrow hawk, sharp-shinned 

 hawk, pigeon hawk, and marsh hawk also are familiar sights. 



