CRUISE OF THE STEAMER CORWIN. 121 



I have never seen a coastwise specimen. They range along the entire length of the river. Above 

 the delta a pair or more may be seen constantly as we ascend the river. They are extremely noisy ; 

 and when approached or disturbed manifest alarm with prolonged cries. Unlike the greater 

 portion of the waders, they frequently perch upon trees and bushes. I found them in small flocks 

 along the marshes and lagoons lying off the main river; and in securing two birds which I shot in 

 one of these places I became helplessly mired. 



In the lower latitudes this species is known as the "Tell-tale," a name well earned by its noisy, 

 restless disposition. They nest throughout the present region; a dry spot in the marshes being 

 usually selected for that purpose. 



53. Rhyacophilussolitarius (TTi^s.) Cass. [550]. Solitary Sandpipkr. 



One specimen from Hotham Inlet or Kowak River in the collection. 



54. TTnmeuius hudsonicus Lath. [559]. The Hudsonian Curlew. 



This fine species is a regular summer resident of the far north. Its interior distribution is 

 rather less than that of the coast. We find them sparingly in the rolling sections along the river. 

 After the nesting season, however, it resorts principally to the shores of Kotzebue Sound, and feeds 

 upon the ripening berries. It is not an abundant species on any section of the Arctic coast. They 

 are quite shy at all seasons; and great skill is required to obtain more than two or three birds in 

 one locality. This Curlew is one of the largest waders found in the north. 



55. UiimeniuB borealis (-Fo)-s«.)ia(/i. [560]. The Eskimo Curlew. 



Although smaller than the preceding, the Eskimo Curlew largely outnumbers it. They resort 

 to the same localities in which the Hudsonian is found, and the habits of both are almost identical. 

 In the fall I found them in large numbers at the delta, as well as the wet meadows on either side 

 of the river. At this season they are plump and well flavored, and afford most excellent sport. 

 Both species leave for the south during the latter part of September. 



PHALAROPODID^. PHALAROPES. 



56. Phalaropua fulicarius (^Linn.) Bp. [563 J. The Red Phalarope. 



This handsome bird has a very limited distribution in the Kowak region. During the nesting 

 season it is found in the immediate vicinity of the river mouth; and in rare instances only do we 

 find it above the delta. After the young are fledged this species is strictly maritime, and at this 

 season we find them far out at sea, "where, they feed upon the animalculoe well known as the food 

 of the bowhead whale. 



The phalarope nests in the wet meadows along the seashore early in June, and does not leave 

 until the water is closed by ice. 



57. Lobipea hyperboreus (£!n)^.) Cm. [564]. The Northern Phalarope. 



The Northern Phalarope has a much wider distribution in the present region. In the vast 

 marshes and lagoons of the delta it is a common species. Here we find them in every shallow 

 pond and lakelet. I have frequently approached within a few feet of a flock without causing the 

 slightest alarm. They nest here abundantly in June, and in the fall we find them in company 

 with the preceding species. Both species are known to the whalers as " bowhead birds." 



GRUID^. CRANES. 



58. Grus fraterculuB Cats. [584]. The Little Crane. 



From the mouth of the Kowak throughout the interior the crane is an extremely abundant 

 species. Along every exposed sand-bar in the river, as well as the adjacent marshes, a pair or 

 more may be found. In the spring they are quite shy, and resort to localities of difficult 

 approach. They nest princii)ally in ihe deep marshes along the main river, and when the young 

 are fully developed they are abundant in every portion of the interior. The natives insist that 

 there is a larger species than the fraterculus, and this is in accordance with my own observation. 

 I have examined with glasses large numbers of crane?;, in places where approach was impracti- 

 cable, the difference in size and coloration of which was noticeable even at a distance. 



