ALASKA. 1G9 



down ill the countless chinks and holes over the entire surface 

 of the north side of this island millions of ' chooch-kies' {Simo- 

 ritynchus microceros) breed, filling the air and darkening the 

 light of day with their cries and fluttering forms. On Walrus 

 Island the nests of the great white gull of the north [Lams 

 (jlancns) can be visited and inspected, as well also as those of 

 the sea-parrot or puffin, [Fratercula^] shags or cormorants, 

 {Gmcidus,} and the red-legged kittiwake, {Lanis hveviroHirh.) 

 These are all accessible on every side, affording the observer 

 an unequaled opportunity of noticing these birds through the 

 breeding-season, from its beginning in ]May until the end in 

 September. 



" Not one of the water-birds found on and around the islands 

 is exempted from a place in the native's larder; even the 

 delectable shags, ' oreelie,' are unhesitatingly eaten by the peo- 

 ple, and indeed furnish, during the winter-season especially, 

 an almost certain source of supply for fresh meat. The large, 

 gaily-colored eggs of the ' arrie' {Lomvia arra) are gathered in 

 June and July, without stint, for use, and might be packed 

 away in lime-water by the barrel, so as to keep through the 

 year, if any provident or thoughtful action was taken in the 

 matter. Walrus Island would alone supply the whole demand 

 from year to year. On the occasion of my visit there, July 5, 

 1872, six men loaded a bidarrah, capable of carrying four tons, 

 exclusive of crew, down to the water's edge with eggs, in less 

 than three working-hours. 



"During the winter-months the birds are almost wholly 

 absent. They begin to make their first appearance, in any 

 number, for the season, early in May, and by the middle or end 

 of September the great body of the millions that have bred 

 during this time go to sea, and are not again noted, save a few 

 stragglers now and then, until they re-assemble next May, for 

 the repetition of their reproductive processes. The stress of 

 severe weather in the winter-months, driving snow-storms, and 

 floating ice-floes brought down from the nortb, which shut the 

 islands in, still, cold, and quiet, are cause enough for the dis- 

 appearance of the water-fowl. 



" The position of the islands is such as to lie somewhat out- 

 side of the migratory path pursued by the birds on the mainland, 

 and, owing to this reason, they are only visited by a few strag- 

 glers from that quarter, and also from the Asiatic side. One 



