Vol i90^ VI ] Sheldon, Birds Observed near Mt. McKinley, Alaska. 67 



creeks. The poplar is practically absent. Dwarf birch grows 

 abundantly in places. 



The specimens of birds collected were presented to the U. S. 

 Biological Survey. 



Birds of Toklat River Region. 



Larus argentatus. Herring Gull. — Commonly breeding June 12, 

 40 miles below my cabin. 



Larus brachyrhynchus. Short-billed Gull. — Seen commonly in 

 pairs along the bars in spring. Probably breeds. First seen May 16. 



Sterna paradissea. Arctic Tern. — Common summer resident about 

 the small lakes in the rolling country above timberline. Breeds. First 

 seen May 30. Mature young observed August 2. 



Anas platyrhynchus. Mallard. — Summer resident below the moun- 

 tain ranges. One migrating pair observed May 16. Aboiit 40 miles 

 above the mouth of the river there is a stretch of 3 miles where the water 

 does not freeze but remains open all winter. This is the end of the salmon 

 run. About 300 mallards were there all winter. They fed on dead 

 salmon and salmon eggs in the pools. White men have observed these 

 ducks wintering there for seven years. Indians tell me they have always 

 wintered there. I visited the spot on January 3, 190S, and secured two 

 males and a female. 



Sixteen mallards wintered on Moose Creek in the open water about 100 

 miles southwest of those in the Toklat. These also were in open water 

 at the head of the salmon run. 



Mallards winter also just below Gulkana Lake in the outlet which flows 

 into Copper River, and a few have been observed wintering in a small 

 tributary of the Tanana River just below the Delta River. Undoubtedly 

 there are many other places in the interior of Alaska where Mallards winter. 



Nettion carolinense. Green-winged Teal. — Commonly seen with 

 young in the small lakes in the rolling country above timber. So observed 

 in July and August. 



Histrionicus histrionicus. Harlequin Duck. — One pair observed 

 May 16. 



Chen hyperborea. Lesser Snow Goose. — Flock of three seen migrating 

 October 10. 



Grus canadensis. Little Brown Crane. — Seen only in fall migration, 

 from Sept. 10 to early October. All flocks followed the same course. 



Gallinago delicata. Wilson Snipe. — Common summer resident. 

 Arrived May 14. 



Pisobia bairdi. Baird Sandpiper. — One migrating pair observed 

 May 12. 



Heteractitis incana. Wandering Tattler. — Very abundant in spring. 

 Arrived May 18. A female was secured May 22. They appeared mated 



