92 CRUISE OF STEAMER CORWIN IX THE ARCTH; OCEAX. 



GRUID^ CRANES. 

 QRUS FRATERCULUS Cass 



(113.) The Little Crank. 



From the Peniusula of Aliaska north along the mainhiiid of Alaska to Ivotzebue Sound this 

 small northern representative of the well-known Sand Hill Crane is found breeding in abundance, 

 especially towards tlie northern portion of this range. It also occurs on Saint Matthew and Saint 

 Lawrence Islands, though it occurs in small numbers at these points. During his visit to Saint 

 Matthew's Island on August 9, 1874, Elliott saw a few of these birds, and it has been found on the 

 East Siberian coast, in the vicinity of Saint Lawrence Bay, whcue Xordenskiold saw a considerable 

 number of them as he was passing south in July, lS7!t, after wintering in the Arctic. Until very 

 recently this bird has been confounded with the larger Saiul Hill Crane, and various authors 

 who have referred to Griis Canadensis from the northern region of America, according to our 

 present knowledge, referred to the present bird, which occupies this territory exclusively. On the 

 coast of Xorton Sound it is extremely common, and throughout the summer, from early iu May 

 until toward the end of September, its loud, rolling note an<l tall figure stalking over the flats are 

 among the most characteristic sights and sounds of this region. They are not very shy, and 1 

 have fre(piently approached them within gunshot by merely ai)pearing not to notice them but 

 continuing in a narrowing circuit to walk round their position until within sixty or seventy-five 

 yards, the bird continuing to stare stupidly at me and uttering its long note and appearing as if 

 doubtful whether it was worth while to take wing or not, until its thoughts were accelerated by a 

 shot. They are extremely curious at this season, and I have frequently decoyed them within gun- 

 shot by lying upon the ground and waving a hand or some conspicuous article in the air. As the 

 birds approach from a distance they will almost invariably turn and try to investigate the matter 

 before passing on their way. In many cases they only nmke a slight detour from their course and 

 I)ass on, but I have frequently had six or eight of the birds circling about until .some would 

 api)roach within thirty-five or forty j^ards, offering an easy prize. Their food is composed of the 

 various berries which grow so abundantly on the tundra of the north with an addition of what- 

 ever other palatable morsels are found, such as a stray lemming or mouse, or even insects and 

 other small fry that chance may afford. TLey ai-e not very good eating, although crane steak takes 

 its turn in varying the sameness of the fare in the Xorth. 



AXATID^. DUCKS, GEESE. 

 OliOR AMERICANtrS iSharplessi Bp. 



(114.) Whistling Swan. - 



During the cruise of the Corwin this fine bird was observed but once. Tliis occasion was on 

 July 15, while we were at the hcsad of Kotzebue Sound, where it was found with (piill feathers 

 molted, as were the geese at that place. Although the swan was seen so rarely during this 

 expedition, yet the bird is to be found in large numbers along the Alaskan coast of Bering Sea. 

 Here it breeds, especially from the Yukon mouth south to the mouth of the Kuskoquim River, 

 where the flat land, dotted with innumerable marshy lakes, aflbrds a favorite resort. It was not 

 seen on the Siberian coast, and I have no record of its occurrence there, but this or an allied 

 species occurs there. On the American shoi-e but a single species of Swan occurs, the large 

 Truini)eter Swan not being known west of Fort Yukon. We learn from Mr. Dall's paper on the 

 birds of the Aleutian Islands that several specimens of this swan were shot upon Sanak Island in 

 September, some years ago. but they are unknown from the Aleutian chain i>roi)er and from the 

 other islands in Bering Sea. 



