92 CRUISE OF STEAMER CORWIN IN THE ARCTIC OCEAN. 
GRUIDAD CRANES. 
GRUS FRATERCULUS Cass. 
(113.) THE LITTLE CRANE. 
From the Peninsula of Aliaska north along the mainland of Alaska to Kotzebue Sound this 
small northern representative of the well-known Sand Hill Crane is found breeding in abundance, 
especially towards the northern portion of this range. It also occurs on Saint Matthew and Saint 
Lawrence Islands, though it occurs in small numbers at these points. During his visit to Saint 
Matthew’s Island on August 9, 1874, Elliott saw a few of these birds, and it has been found on the 
East Siberian coast, in the vicinity of Saint Lawrence Bay, where Nordeuskidld saw a considerable 
uumber of them as he was passing south in July, 1879, after wintering in the Arctic. Until very 
recently this bird has been confounded with the Jarger Sand Hill Crane, and various authors 
who have referred to Grus Canadensis from the northern region of America, according to our 
present knowledge, referred to the present bird, which occupies this territory exclusively. On the 
coast of Norton Sound it is extremely common, and throughout the summer, from early in May 
until toward the end of September, its loud, rolling note and tall figure stalking over the flats are 
among the most characteristic sights and sounds of this region. They are not very shy, and I 
have frequently approached them within gunshot by merely appearing not to notice them but 
continuing in a narrowing cireuit to walk round their position until within sixty or seventy-five 
yards, the bird continuing to stare stupidly at me and uttering its long note and appearing as if 
doubtful whether it was worth while to take wing or not, until its thoughts were accelerated by a 
shot. They are extremely curious at this season, and I have frequently decoyed them within gun- 
shot by lying upon the ground and waving a hand or some conspicuous article in the air. As the 
birds approach from a distance they will almost invariably turn and try to investigate the matter 
before passing on their way. In many cases they only make a slight detour from their course and 
pass on, but I have frequently had six or eight of the birds circling about until some would 
approach within thirty-five or forty yards, offering an easy prize. Their food is composed of the 
various berries which grow so abundantly on the tundra of the north with an addition of what- 
ever other palatable morsels are found, such as a stray lemming or mouse, or even insects and 
other small fry that chance may afford. They are not very good eating, although crane steak takes 
its turn in varying the sameness of the fare in the North. 
ANATID4. DUCKS, GEESE. 
OLOR AMERICANUS (Sharpless) Bp. 
(11g¢.) WHISTLING SWAN. 
During the cruise of the Corwin this fine bird was observed but once. This occasion was on 
July 15, while we were at the head of Kotzebue Sound, where it was found with quill feathers 
molted, as were the geese at that place. Although the swan was seen so rarely during this 
expedition, yet the bird is to be found in large numbers along the Alaskan coast of Bering Sea. 
Here it breeds, especially from the Yukon mouth south to the mouth of the Kuskoquim River, 
where the flat land, dotted with innumerable marshy lakes, affords a favorite resort. It was not 
seen on the Siberian coast, and I have no record of its occurrence there, but this or an allied 
species occurs there. On the American shore but a single species of Swan occurs, the large 
Trumpeter Swan not being known west of Fort Yukon. We learn from Mr. Dall’s paper on the 
birds of the Aleutian Islands that several specimens of this swan were shot upon Sanak Island in 
September, some years ago, but they are unknown from the Aleutian chain proper and from the 
other islands in Bering Sea. 
