CRUISE OF STEAMER CORWIN IN THE ARCTIC (JCEAN. 67 



LEUCOSTICTE GRISEINUCHA (Brandt) Baird. 



(31.) The Aleutian Rosy Finch. 



Along the entire Aleutian chain of islands, from Kodiak on the east to Atkha and Attou on 

 the west, and including Saint Matthew's and the Seal Islands on the north, this beautiful bird is 

 found to be one of tlie most frequent species. The delicately blended grays and browns, with the 

 lovely roseate wash over nearly all the body, renders it the richest in color and most attractive 

 species found in this region. In addition to being the northernmost of its limited number of con- 

 geners, it is also the giant among its rehitives; as well it may be to endure the harsh climate where it 

 has made its home. Much to the writer's regret, although he made special effort to tind this bird 

 during both his visits to Ounalaska, a hasty glimpse of a single individual flitting along the rugged 

 face of a cliff near the shore in May, 1877, was the only one seen. Nearly every other naturalist 

 who has visited this locality has secured specimens and records it as one of the commonest birds. 

 Even the long, harsh winter is not able to make these elegant linches seek a milder climate, but 

 amid the whirling snows and desolate scenes of these forbidding islands they make their per- 

 manent home. In summer, among the long grasses and other plants, this bird is to be found 

 rendering pleasant the scenes where in winter it alone breaks the dull, cheerless monotony. It is 

 totally unknown on the mainland of either continent, but has near relatives on the American 

 shores, and it appears to be a form strictly limited to this peculiar chain of islands. Although it 

 winters on the Aleutian islands it is only known as a summer resident to the north on the Seal and 

 Saint Matthew's Islands. 



iEGIOTHUS CANESCENS EXILIPES (Coues) Ridgw. 



(32.) The White-Rumped Red Poll. 



All along the coast of Bering Sea, on the Alaskan shore, from the Peninsula of Alaska north 

 to Point Barrow, as well as upon the islands in Bering's Strait and across to the adjoining shore 

 of Asia, this is perhaps the most abundant of all the land birds. Their nests are placed 

 indifferently in bushes and tufts of grass, or a hole in a piece of drift wood on the barren shore 

 serves as a building site. This and the following species intergrade in many instances, so that it 

 is difticult to separate them accurately. My reasons for keeping the two forms separate are given 

 in full in a complete list of the birds of the territory now in preparation. Over all the polar lands 

 of America, Europe, and Asia, as well as in Greenland, we find both forms of this handsome little 

 bird giving animation to many of the otherwise lonely and barren spots. In summer he is usually 

 engaged in rearing his one or two broods of duUplumaged young and preparing them for the 

 trying experiences they will necessarily face a few mouths later, when the sun draws his short bow 

 across the southern sky, and long, frosty nights make the very earth crack under the lowering 

 temperature. At this season the stars seem each to hang from the firmament by an invisible cord 

 aud twinkle clear and bright overhead. Tlie sharp, querulous yelp of the white fox alone breaks 

 the intense stillness. A white, frosty fog hangs in the air — the cliilled breath of nature — which 

 falls silently to the ground in the lovely crystal handiwork of northern genii. lu tiie north a pale 

 auroral arch moves its mysterious banners and the rounding bosom of the earth, silent and chill 

 under its white mantle, looks dreary and sad. After such a night the sun seems to creep 

 reluctantly above the horizon, as though loath to face the bitter cold. The smoke rises slowly and 

 heavily in the fixed atmos[)here, aud warm rooms are doubly appreciated. Soon small troops of 

 these little red polls come silently about the houses, their feathers puffed out and looking gloomy 

 enough as they search silently amoug the dead weeds for food. An hour or two later they catch 

 the fuller rays of the sun and become more cheerful and flit busily about, though they are far from 

 showing the character which becomes tliem so well and which later in the season they reveal under 

 tlie brightening rays of the sun in early spring-time, towards the last of March and first of April. 

 Then indeed we learn the true worth of our happy companions. They come flitting about the 

 houses on all sides, examining tlie bare spots on the ground, searching the old weeds and fences, 

 clinging to the eaves, and even coming to the window sills, whence they peer saucily in, making 



