62 Blackwelder, Birds of the Upper Yukon. [j^ 



Bubo virginianus saturatus. Dusky Horned Owl. — A rather dark 

 variety, with prominent sulphur patches on the sides. Fairly common 

 everywhere but actually abundant (six seen in one day) along the Beaver 

 and Birch Creek flats. Often hunts in daylight. The call of the male is 

 shorter and of lower pitch than that of the female. A parent bird was seen 

 teaching a full-grown young to hunt on August 13. 



Surnia ulula caparoch. Hawk Owl. — Not uncommon in the tundra 

 and scrub spruce areas on Beaver Creek. Seen hunting in daytime. 



Ceryle alcyon alcyon. Belted Kingfisher. — Locally common, in 

 the flats of Beaver and Birch Creeks, and on the Yukon only above White 

 River. None were seen elsewhere. It requires clear water, presumably 

 in order to see its prey. 



Picoides americanus fasciatus. Alaska Three-toed Wood- 

 pecker. — Two seen late in July, in thick spruce forest in the bottom lands 

 of Beaver Creek, below the mouth of Fossil Creek. 



Colaptes auratus luteus. Northern Flicker.— Common in the 

 Birch Creek flats and locally along the Yukon. 



Chordeiles virginianus virginianus. Night Hawk.— One seen in 

 the upper Yukon valley, near the Hootalinqua (Teslin River), August 26. 



Sayornis say us. Say's Phcebe. — A somber flycatcher apparently of 

 this species was fairly common here and there over the region. A nest 

 under the eaves of a road-house near Circle contained newly hatched young 

 July 1. Several pairs were found nesting in dolomite crags above timber- 

 line in the White Mountains. 



Empidonax trailli alnorum. Alder Flycatcher. — A few seen in 

 willow thickets along the Yukon in June. 



Otocoris alpestris arcticola. Pallid Horned Lark. — Frequents the 

 drier summits and ridges above timber-line in the mountains around the 

 head of Beaver Creek. 



Pica pica hudsonia. Magpie. — A few were noted on the Yukon 

 between Lake Labarge and Stewart River, but none below that. 



Perisoreus canadensis fumifrons. Alaska Jay. — Common every- 

 where in the timbered areas. 



Corvus corax principalis. Northern Raven. — Common wherever 

 food was available. Abundant along the Yukon and Upper Beaver Creek. 



Euphagus carolinus. Rusty Blackbird. — A few small flocks were 

 seen in August on the flats of lower Birch Creek. 



Leucosticte tephrocotis. Gray-crowned Rosy Finch.— Abundant 

 in July on barren dry slopes of the White Mountains above timber-line. 

 None seen elsewhere. 



Acanthis sp. Redpoll. — ■ Both singly and in flocks. A common 

 denizen of the mountain valleys, especially near timber-line. 



Calcarius lapponicus alascensis. Alaska Longspur. — Two males 

 in faded nuptial plumage were seen on a grassy ridge 4000 ft. above sea- 

 level near the White Mountains on July 15. 



Calcarius pictus. Painted Longspur. — Same habitat as the Horned 

 Lark. Not common. 



