122 CRUISE OF THE STEAMER CORWIN. 



ANATIDyE. DUCKS, GEESE. 



59. Olor americanus {Sharpless) Bp. [588]. The Whistling Swan. 



Although extremelj' rare o» the coast, I found the swau moderately abundant at the delta of the 

 river. It resorts almost exclusively to the marshes and lagoons of tliis region, and its occurrence 

 on the Arctic coast may be regarded as exceptional. The swan also ranges for some distance up 

 the river. I saw an occasional skin among the river natives throughout the region visited by us. 



They associate in small numbers only. JTot more than four or five birds are found in any 

 locality. A native hunter brought in three fine specimens about the middle of August, and 

 informed us that they were quite abundant. Before the southern navigation commences they 

 arc quite common here for a few days. The swau uests about the first of June, somewhat later 

 than the geese, and leaves for the south early in September. 



60. Auser albifrons gambeli (Uartl.) Couch [.">93]. Thk Ameiiioan White-fronted Goose. 



At the delta of the river, where the vast marshes extend as far as the eye can reach, we find 

 this species in its greatest abundance. They reach this latitude earlj' in May, or as soon as the 

 lakes and marshes are free from ice, and nest here in tlie greatest numbers. The white-fronted 

 species is commonly known as the Tundra Goose, from the frequency with which it occurs in those 

 peculiar sections. 



During the molting season, the latter part of July, they are quite helpless, and large numbers 

 are speared by the natives. 



They leave for the south in September, when ice begins to form on the marshes. 



61. Bernicla cauadensis hutcliinsi (Siu. <f- liich.) Bidgto. [594a]. Hutchins's. 



This form has a limited range only in the present region. The main body is confined to the 

 Bering Sea coast of Alaska, several hundred miles south. Among twenty specimens not more 

 tliaii one can be referred to this sjjecies. 



62. Bernicla canadeusis leucopacia {liraiidt) Cass. [r>y4ft]. . The WmTE-cnEF.KED Goose. 



The range of this s[)ecies in this region is almost identical with that of the White fronted 

 Goose. Its interior distribution exceeds it, however, and it is more common. The habits, time of 

 arrival, and dei)arture do not differ essentially from those of the other species. 



63. Bernicla nigricans (tuui.) Cass. [509]. The BiACk Brant. 



These birds occur here merely as spring and fall migrants. The main flight, which passes over 

 very early in the spring, breed in the far north, possibly on the unknown lands surrounding the 

 l)ole. In the present region we only find occasional speciiuen.s, which are merely stragglers from 

 the main body. They may safely be called a very rare resident of this region. 



64. Dafila acuta (7.iK«.) 7JoHa/>. [605]. The Pintail. 



The Pintail, or, as it is sometimes called, the Sprigtail, is the most abundant duck in northern 

 Alaska, and they outnumber all other species combined in the present section. It has an interior 

 as well as a coastwise distribution, although it is somewhat restricted in the former region. P'or a 

 distance of one hundred miles above the mouth the Pintail is very common, but above that point we 

 seldom see them. They nest in large numbers at the delta, and in the fall they are very abundant 

 on the shores of Kotzebue Sound. 



They are not shy, and I have often approached within a few rods without alarming them. 

 They are among the first arrivals in the spring and the last to leave in the fall. 



65. Mareca americana (Gnic/.) iS/cj)A. [007]. The Baldpate. 



The distribution of the American Widgeon north of the circle is very limited. On the Kowak 

 River they were noted on a few occtisious only, and I am inclined to think tliem somewhat rare. 

 Along the shores of Hotham Inlet they are a sparing .summer resident, and a few specimens were 

 obtained during our stay at that place. They nest, where found, in northern Alaska. 



