124 CRUISE OF THE STEAMER COR WIN. 



LARID-^:. GULLS, TERNS. 



73. Pagophila eburnea {Phipps) Jiaup [6.")"]. Ivory Gull. 



One speciuicu from Hotb.Tin Inlet or Kowak River in the collection transmitted to the Smith 

 sonian Institution. 



74. Rissa tridactyla kotzebui (Bp.) Couei [658a]. The Pacific Kittiwake. 



Tbis interesting and widely distributed gull has a limited range only in the present region. 

 It is chietly coastwise in distribution, and along the interior waters its occurrence may be regarded 

 as accidental. I have seen them at the delta of the river, but it is very doubtful wliether they 

 nest there. The Kittiwake breeds in great numbers ou the rocky shores of Chammiso Island, 

 which is only a few miles distant. 



75. Lams glaucus Briinn [660]. The Glaucous Gull. 



The Glaucous Gull largely outnumbers all other species in the present region. Its habits are 

 a strange combination of the freshwater and saltwater gulls, and we find tliem commonly in both 

 places. In the Kowak region the inland distribution of the Glaucous Gull greatly exceeds that of 

 the coast, and throughout the interior they are extremely abundant. The distribution of this 

 species is in a measure complementary to that of the Arctic Tern, and in localities resorted to by 

 the latter the gull is unaccountably absent. They nest in large numbers at the delt.i and through- 

 out the interior. 



76. Larus glauceacens Lichl. [(i6'i]. The Gi.aucous-winged Gull. 



This gull has a very limited range in the Kowak region. It is confined to the immediate 

 vicinity of the river mouth, and is never seen above the delta. On the shore of Kotzebue Sound 

 it is moderately abundant, and leplaces the preceding species to a certain extent. They are much 

 more abundant south of the Bering Strait 



77. Larus philadelphise {Ord.) Gray [67.')]. Bonaparte's Gull. 



On the Arctic coast this species is of very rare occurrence. There is no record of it north of 

 the liering Strait, and according to my observation it is strictly an inland species. In the present 

 region it is a regular summer resident, and occurs throughout the interior. It is not abundant, 

 neither is it rare. 



They undoubtedly nest in this region. 



78. Sterna macrura {Xaum.) [OHT]. TnK Arctic Tern. 



l''or a distance of one hundred miles above the delta the Arctic Tern is extremely abundant. 

 Although it is the smallest of the Laridcc, it is one of the most interesting as well. It is known in 

 every portion of the far north, and resorts commonly to the inland waters, as well as the icy seas. 

 The tern arrives early in May or as soon as the ice moves out of the rivers. The nest is generally 

 lilaced upon a sand-spit or any bare location along the river, and the young are hatched in June. 



During the nesting season the male birds may be seen circling about in the vicinity, and the 

 Iteculiaily reckless and headlong manner iu which they plunge into the water will at once draw 

 attention. 



They are extremely belligerent in their dispo.sition, and will attack and drive away any 

 species that may invade their domain. Even the presence of man is warmly resented, and I have 

 often been attacked while invading its haunt. A single discharge from a shotgun will cause 

 them to be remarkably scarce, however. On the wing these birds are very graceful. Their long, 

 pointed wings and deeply forked tails, together with the elegance of coloring, renders them one 

 of the most beautiful species. 



79. Stercorariu8 parasiticus (/.iiKi.) .'>'(iH;irf(r» [(VJl)]. TiiK 1.<in<;-taii.ed .Iaecer. 



This elegant species has a limited range in the Kowak region. We usually find them in pairs, 

 and they are not abundant in any locality. In several instances I saw them in company with the 

 Glaucous Gull, upon whom they practice their piratical oi)erations. The jaegers habitually 

 attack and annoy the gulls and compel them to disgorge their prey, and in consequence of this 

 fact it is a bird of ill repute among the gulls. 



They nest here in the marshes wherever found. 



