302 Willett, Birds of Forrester Island. [july 



I estimated the number of these birds nesting on Petrel Island at 50,000 

 pairs. Their burrows were abundant both on the grassy hillsides and on 

 top of the island among the timber. They began laying about June 20 

 and the nesting season was at its height June 29. 



Phalacrocorax pelagicus pelagicus. Pelagic Cormorant. — About 

 one hundred pairs of these birds nested on the reservation during the past 

 season and there were probably as many more immature birds that did not 

 nest. The principal nesting colony, consisting of about fifty pairs, was at 

 the northeast end of the main island. Occasional nests were also noted 

 at other points on the main island, on Petrel Island and on Cape Horn and 

 Sea Lion Rocks. The birds were nest building during the entire month 

 of June and the first eggs were noted June 26, on which date one nest con- 

 tained three eggs, all other nests nearby being empty as yet. A week later 

 nearly all the nests contained eggs. The first young were seen July 22. 



At least two thirds of the eggs and young of the cormorants were de- 

 stroyed by the crows, which were always most abundant in localities where 

 the cormorants were nesting. • 



Nettion carolinense. Green-winged Teal. — A bird of this species 

 shot near camp August 13 and another seen the same day. 



Histrionicus histrionicus. Harlequin Duck. — Occasional through- 

 out the summer. Pair of adults in breeding plumage seen at Lowrie 

 Island June 14. A search for a nest was unsuccessful. 



Ardea herodias fannini. Northwest Coast Heron. — One seen 

 at north end of island July 28. Rather common on Dall and Prince of 

 Wales Islands. 



Lobipes lobatus. Northern Phalarope. — Abundant on the ocean 

 during late July and August. 



Ereunetes mauri. Western Sandpiper. — Single bird seen at north 

 end of island July 15. Common at south end of Dall Island during late 

 August. 



Numenius hudsonicus. Hudsonian Curlew. — One seen at north- 

 east end August 13. 



iEgialitis semipalmata. Semipalmated Plover. — Single bird ap- 

 peared on the beach near camp the morning of July 31 and remained most 

 of the day. 



Heematopus bachmani. Black Oystercatcher. — About fifty pairs 

 nesting on reservation. Nest containing three eggs noted June 29. Three 

 young about two days old seen the same day. 



Summary of breeding water birds. 



Lunda cirrhata. Tufted Puffin 70,000 



Fratercula corniculata. Horned Puffin 2,200 



Cerorhinca monocerata. Rhinoceros Auklet 40,000 



Ptychorhamphus aleuticus. Cassin Auklet 4,000 



Synthiliboramphus aleuticus. Ancient Murrelet 40,000 



