CRUISE OF THE STEAMEK CORWIN. ll? 



24. Perisoreus canadensis fumifrona ffiiiijMi. [297 6]. The Smoky-fronted Jay. 



In the central and southern portions of Alaska the jay is an abundant species; but its range 

 within the Arctic Circle seems to be very limited. In the present region but three specimens were 

 seen, and I am inclined to think that it is very rare in this latitude. 



It is found principally in the bushy growth along the river, in which place they exercise a 

 species of kukluxism among the smaller birds. It is very shy, and I found it diflQcult to approach 

 within gunshot. I have never seen it in the Kotzebue Sound region, and its occurrence on the 

 sea-coast may be regarded as accidental. 



PICID^ WOODPECKERS. 



25. Pious pubescens i(H». [361]. The Downy Woodpecker. 



Although common in the central portions of Alaska, in the Kowak region I found this a very 

 rare species. The only specimens coming under my notice were about three hundred miles above 

 the mouth of the river. I have never seen it in the vicinity of Hotham Iidet, and am inclined to 

 thinks its occurrence there very unusual. The dwarf growth of willow and alder is unsuitable for 

 nesting places, and if found there at all it is undoubtedly a straggler from the interior. 



26. Colaptes auratus (Linn.) Sw. [378]. The Yellow-shafted Flicker. 



The only record of the present species in this region rests upon a single specimen seen in the 

 upper river regiou. Although I made special efforts to find this bird, save in the above-mentioned 

 instance none came under my observation. It would appear that the Piciche represented by this 

 and the preceding species are uucommon, if not rare, in Arctic Alaska. The question should 

 remain unsettled, however. The necessary haste with which the writer's observations were made 

 leaves room for doubt in some instances in regard to the exact abundance of certain species. 



ALCEDINID^. KINGFISHERS. 



27. Ceryle alcyon (Linn.) Boie. [382J. The Belted Kingfisher. 



Along the waters of the upper river this well-known bird is quite common, and it is undoubt- 

 edly a regular summer resident of this region. The kingfisher is confined exclusively to the 

 water courses of the interior and it seldom approaches the coast in this latitude. During the past 

 two years I have never seen a specimen in the Kotzebue Sound regiou. It is possible that during 

 the migrations au occasional si)ecimen may be found there. But the abseuce of the natural home 

 of the kingfisher renders its occurrence there very improbable. 



The present record adds considerably to the known range of the kingfisher. 



STRIGID^. OWLS. 



28. Ulula cinerea (Gmel.) Bp. [399 J. The Great Gray Owl. 



In the dense spruce forests of the interior the Gray Owl is a well-known resident. It is con- 

 fined to the timbered portions of the country. I have never seen a specimen in the vicinity of the 

 coast, and it is doubtful whether that treeless section has any attraction for it. The nest of this 

 species consists of a rude mass of sticks, generally placed in the top of a spruce tree. Like most 

 of the Strigida, the Gray Owl is a permanent resident of this region, and the same nest is used 

 year after year. During winters of exceptional severity there is frequently a partial migration to 

 the lower latitudes. 



29. Nyctea scaudiaca (Linn.) Newt. [40G]. The Snowy Owl. 



Throughout every portion of Alaska known to man the Snowy Owl is a well-known resident. 

 Although it is never abundant in any locality, I saw it frequently along the river. Perched upon 

 a rocky eminence, a tall spruce, or even a fragment of drift-wood, this noble species is a conspicu- 

 ous figure. It is very shy, however, and great skill is required to circumvent it. 



Unlike the preceding species it is common on the coast. Here we find it on the hills or even 

 among the drift-wood along the beach. 



It nests ])rincipally in the wooded interior, although a cliff is often chosen for that purpose. 

 Like the preceding, the Snowy Owl frequently migrates during rlie severe months of winter. 



