60 Blackwelder, Birds of the Upper Yukon. [j" n 



After a spruce grove has once been mowed down by the gradual 

 advance of a meander, it evidently requires several decades and 

 probably more than a century for the spruce to regain its lost terri- 

 tory, which meanwhile has passed through the willow and poplar- 

 birch stages. 



During the short summer season the wilderness of the Flats is 

 well stocked with birds. While drifting down Beaver and Birch 

 Creeks we were frequently attended by solitary Loons (Gavia 

 stellata) which now and then broke the general stillness with their 

 weird and almost human cries. Several companies of Brown 

 Cranes were seen stalking along the gravel bars, and hundreds of 

 Geese were congregating in flocks preparatory to their southward 

 flight. Large Horned Owls were so numerous along the willow- 

 lined banks of Birch Creek that in one day we saw six of them in 

 broad daylight. Probably the most common birds in the Flats 

 are the various species of Ducks and Phalaropes which breed in 

 countless numbers in the many scattered ponds and bayous. 



The following detailed notes may have some value as coming from 

 a remote' and little known region: 



Colymbus auritus(?). Eared Grebe. — Two seen August 12 on the 

 sluggish lower course of Birch Creek in the Yukon Flats. 



Gavia pacifica. Pacific Loon. — Several seen August 15 on the side 

 channels of the Yukon, 50 miles below Ft. Yukon. 



Ga,via stellata. Red-necked Loon. — Common on Beaver Creek in 

 August both in the mountains and on the flats. Often swam ahead of our 

 raft for miles keeping at a distance of about 1000 feet and frequently 

 voicing its weird wail. 



Larus argentatus(?). Herring Gull.— Common along the Yukon. 

 Nests on the gravel bars of Beaver Creek, in mountains. Young able to 

 fly were observed about August 1. This is the northwestern limit of its 

 known breeding range. 



Mergus serrator. Red-breasted Merganser. — Rather common on 

 the larger creeks and on the Yukon. Young not yet able to fly, seen 

 August 10. Last seen August 26 on the Lewes River near Lake Labarge. 



Mareca americana. American Widgeon. — The most common duck 

 on the marshy lakes of the Birch Creek flats. 



Nettion carolinense (?). Green-winged Teal. — A teal, apparently 

 this species, rather common in the Beaver Creek flats early in August. 



Dafila acuta. Pintail. — Two seen after being shot at Dawson, 

 August 20. 



Histrionicus histrionicus. Harlequin Duck. — A few, singly or 



