BIRDS OF THE KOWAK RIVER. 



TUEDIDiE. THRUSHES. 



1. Hylocichla allciee Baird [3}.' The Gray-cheeked Thrush. 



Amoug the taugled aad almost impeuetrable forests of the interior we often hear the sound 

 of sweet melody. As we stop almost involuntarily and listen to the clear, sweet tones our tired 

 frame seems quickened into a new life. Like the weary traveler who kneels over the clear spring 

 to quench his thirst in the cool waters below, we feel revived. The feeble pulse becomes stronger, 

 the eye becomes brighter, and we listen with bated breath to the strange melody in the forest. 



To one unacquainted with this charming songster it would be difScult to describe him. 

 Although clad in a plain coat, the thrush has no rival among the feathered chori-sters. 



From the inner shores of Hotham Inlet, where the willow and alder bushes extend to the 

 water's edge, throughout the region of the Kowak River the thrush is an abundant species. 



It arrives in this latitude early in June, and during the mating season the forests resound with 

 its melody. The nest, a loosely constructed affair, is generally placed in a low bush and contains 

 five eggs. After the young birds appear the thrush is seldom heard, and the song is reduced to 

 a single note. Later in the season the thrush becomes silent, and early in September it leaves for 

 the south. 



2. Merula migratoria (Linn.) Sw. and Bich. [7]. The American RoBm. 



To one who is familiar with the robin in the lower latitudes, how strangely out of place does 

 he appear in the dreary regions of the north ! What memories are awakened on hearing the 

 familiar strain, and how readily does the mind wander back to the more pleasant scenes and sur- 

 roundings of the lower latitudes! 



Throughout the timbered portion of this region the robin, although not an abundant species, 

 is a regular summer resident. It seldom visits the tide-water coast in this latitude. I saw a pair 

 at the head of Hotham Inlet in August, but it ii^ doubtful whether it breeds there, as the shelter 

 is hardly sufficient. It undoubtedly ranges throughout northern Alaska, and in the wooded in- 

 terior it rears its young far above the Arctic Circle. 



PARID^. TITMICE. 



3. Parus cinctus Bodd. [44]. The Siberian Chickadee. 



This active little wood sprite is more or less common throughout the wooded interior. The 

 chickadee is one of the few species that brave the Arctic winter. Its enlivening presence does 

 much to relieve the dreariness of the forest. It seldom or never approaches the sea-shore in this 

 latitude. The absence of its natural home, the trees, excludes it from the coast region. 



" The nomenclature is that of Mr. R. Ridgway's " Nomenclature of North American Birds," Bulletin No. 21 of 

 the U. S. National Museum. 

 H. Mis. 602 8 



113 



