278 Clark, Characteristic Kamchatkan Birds. [july 



mast, the birds were everywhere few in numbers and inconsequent 

 in action. 



No signs, whatever, were discovered of late summer nesting. 

 Removal from the region of observation made it impossible for me 

 to determine whether or not the crossbills were sexually active dur- 

 ing July and August. 



CHARACTERISTIC KAMCHATKAN BIRDS. 



BY AUSTIN H. CLARK. 



United States Fish Commission. 1 



From the 17th to the 20th of June this past summer, I was 

 fortunate enough to be in that out-of-the-way and seldom visited 

 town, Petropaulski, Kamchatka, where I had an opportunity to 

 form a close acquaintance with a number of interesting birds 

 which I had previously known only from museum specimens. I 

 reached Petropaulski from Bering Island, after having spent nearly 

 a month in the bleak and desolate Aleutian chain; and the sight 

 of the pretty wooded hills about the town, the broad meadows, 

 and the distant snow-covered mountains, combined with the songs 

 of hundreds of birds all about produced a deep impression, and 

 made me think at the time that there could not exist a more 

 charming spot than this little town in farthest Siberia. The 

 weather during my stay was perfect, warm and summerlike, the 

 sun shining almost all the time, which I was in a condition to 

 appreciate, as the sun is a rather rare sight in the Aleutians, and 

 comfortable days, at this season, rarer still. 



The first bird in Kamchatka to attract attention is the Siberian 

 Ruby-throat (Calliope calliope), not from its coloration, for it is 

 rather plain, nor for its ubiquitousness, for it is quite retiring, but 

 for its most exquisite song. It is abundant about Petropaulski, 

 and sings all day long, from sunrise to sunset, its song being the 

 most characteristic bird note of the region. It inhabits particu- 

 larly hillsides grown up to bushes, and bushy patches in the mead- 



1 Published by permission of the Commissioner. 



