| Hersey, Birds at St. Michael, Alaska. 155 
the Long-billed Dowitcher is also quite abundant. The Pectora 
Sandpiper I found decidedly uncommon during the breeding season 
while the Red-backed was not found at all until after the fall migra- 
tion began. The first Red-backed Sandpiper seen was an adult 
in worn plumage taken July 18 and soon after the species became 
common. 
Wilson’s Snipe is uncommon. About three pairs were breeding 
somewhere near St. Michael,— the males, being frequently seen 
and heard “winnowing,” which attracted attention to the species 
and gave the impression that it was rather common. 
Toward the end of July the Aleutian Sandpiper became very 
common about the rocky parts of the beach. Early in August 
they all disappeared and no more were found during my stay. 
_ All the specimens collected were adults in nuptial plumage. 
Dr. Bishop tells me he found many in September nearly all of 
which were immature. Mr. Nelson gives the time of their arrival 
and departure as the last of July until the middle of October, so 
there are probably two distinct northward movements or migra- 
tions of this species,— an early one composed of adults and a later 
one of young birds. 
The Pacific Godwit is much less common during the summer than 
at the Yukon Delta but during August becomes abundant. 
The Hudsonian Curlew and Black-bellied Plover are uncommon, 
a stray pair only being seen now and then. The Golden Plover was 
not seen at all. As Mr. Nelson found this to be “one of the com- 
monest breeding waders,” and in view of its scarcity on our eastern 
coast in recent years, it seems not improbable that the species may 
be nearer extermination than is generally realized. The Pacific 
Golden Plover was met with three times. Once on June 30 when a 
bird in breeding plumage was seen and secured and on August 15 
and 22 when two birds, doubtless migrants were seen, one of which 
was secured each date. 
The Black Turnstone is a common bird especially on rocky 
beaches,— the Ruddy Turnstone less so. In one of these rocky 
locations a single Wandering Tatler was seen on June 10. 
About the first of August a very noticable migration of shore- 
birds takes place about St. Michael. The great expanse of mud 
flats left by the falling tide along certain parts of the canal, and 
