CRUISE OF THE STEAMER GORWIN. 123 



66. Nettion caroUnensis (Gmel.) Baird [612]. The Green-winged Teal. 



This well kiiowu and handsome species has an extended range in northern Alaska. It nests in 

 moderately large nnmbers at the delta, and ranges for a hundred miles or more above that point. 

 Ill the fall they are one of the commonest ducks at Hotham Inlet, and nearly equal to the Pintail 

 in abundance. They generally associate in flocks of a dozen or more and are very unsuspicious. 

 I have frequently obtained almost the entire flock by remaining concealed in the grass. The 

 Green-wing leaves early in September. 



67. Fulix marila (Linn.) Baird [614]. The Scaup Duck. 



Like the Widgeon, the distribution of this species is somewhat restricted in the present region. 

 According to my observation, they are not abundant north of the Bering Strait; and above Kotze- 

 bue Sound they are seldom seeu. It is confined exclusively to the small lakes and fresh-water 

 ponds lying inland, where they breed to a limited extent. I saw a few at the delta, but none on 

 the main river. In the southern portion of its range the Scaup Duck is much more common. 



68. Harelda glacialis (Linn.) Leach [623]. The Old Squaw Duck. 



The present species is one of the most peculiar and widely distributed of the northern water- 

 fowl. It is equally at home iu the great ice-fields of the Arctic or the vast marshes and lagoons 

 of the interior. They arrive in this latitude very early in the spring, before the ice has commenced 

 to break up ; and at this season they resort to the few open spots that can be found. During the 

 nesting season, wiiich begins as soon as the snow leaves, they resort in large numbers to the marshes 

 and flat sections, where they remain until the young are fledged. From this time they are chiefly 

 maritime in distribution, and we seldom find them except along the sea shore. Here they remain 

 until the ocean closes with ice. 



69. OQdemia americaua Sw. 4' Rich. [GliU]. The American Scoter. 



Although properly a sea duck, the Scoter has a limited inland distribution. In the present 

 region we find them during the breeding sea.son extending as far as the head of the delta. They 

 are not abundant, however, and may be regarded as an uncommon species. After the conclusion 

 of the nesting season they resort to the coast exclusively, and I hav« never seen a specimen in the 

 above mentioned region. 



70. Melanetta velvetina (C«88.) i>ai>'(f [632]. The American Velvet Scoter. 



The distribution of this handsome species seems to be very irregular in the present region. 

 The only record I have in the present region rests upon a single flock. On Jnly 26, while in camp 

 on the river, at a point about two hundred miles above the month, a large flock of Velvet Scoters 

 were seen drifting by on the strong current of the river. Although I made every eftbrt to get within 

 range it was impossible to do so, and I was greatly disappointed to see them take flight. Tlie 

 occurrence of these birds here was rather unexpected. According to previous observations they 

 are strictly maritime in this latitude. This species breeds to a limited extent at the delta. In the 

 fall more were observed here, and but few were seen at Hotham Inlet. 



71. Mergus merganser americanus (Cass.) Bidgtc. [636]. The American Sheldrake. 



On the coast region of Alaska the Sheldrake is a very rare species. In the present region, 

 however, the Sheldrake is a common, although not an abundant, species. At the various points 

 along the river I saw and obtained specimens of it. I have never seen more than a pair in one 

 locality, and in several instances only saw the female. In the early part of August I obtained the 

 latter, together with the youug, which at that time were iu downy plumage. I infer from this that 

 they arrive late in the spring. 



72. Mergus serrator {Linn.) [637]. The Ked-breasted Sheldrake. 



The ))resent species is found in varying abundance in the Kowak region. They are confined 

 chiefly to the lagoons and lakes lying off the main river, among which they breed. We find them 

 also common on the shores of Hotham Inlet and Kotzebue Sound. 



