124 CRUISE OF THE STEAMER CORWIN. 



LARID.E. GULLS, TERNS. 



73. Pagophila ebumea {Phipps) Kaup [6.17]. Ivoky Gl'll. 



Olio specimeu from Ilotbiiin lulet or Kowak River in tiie collection transmitted to the Smith- 

 sonian Institution. 



74. Rissa tridactyla kotzebui (I}p.) Coiics [COHa]. The Pacific Kittiwake. 



This interesting and widely distributed gull has a limited range only in the present region. 

 It is chiefly coastwise in di.stribntion, and along the interior waters its occiirrcncie may be regarded 

 as accidental. I have seen them at the delta of the river, but it is very doubtful whether they 

 nest there. The Kittiwake breeds in great numbers on the rocky shores of Chammiso Island, 

 which is only a few miles distant. 



75. Larus glaucus Bi-ihiii [GGO]. The Glaucous Gfll. 



The Glaucous Gull largely outnumbers all other species in the present region. Its habits are 

 a strange combination of the fresh-water and saltwater gulls, and we find them commonly in both 

 places. In the Kowak region the inland distribution of the Glaucous Gull greatly exceeds that of 

 the coast, and throughout the interior they are extremely abundant. The distribution of this 

 species is in a measure complementary to that of the Arctic Tern, and in localities resorted to by 

 the latter the gull is unaccountably absent. They nest in large numbers at the delta and through- 

 out the interior. 



76. Larus glaucesceus Uchl. [UGS]. The Glaucous-WINGED Gull. 



This gull has a very limited range in the Kowak region. It is confined to the immediate 

 vicinity of the river mouth, and is never seen above the delta. On the shore of Kotzebue Sound 

 it is moderately abundant, and replaces the jireceding species to a certain extent. They are much 

 more abundant south of the Bering Strait. 



77. Larus philadelphiae ( Orrf. ) (.'ra^ [075]. Bonapaute's Gull. 



On the Arctic coast tliis species is of very rare occurrence. There is no record of it north of 

 the Bering Strait, and according to my observation it is strictly an inland species. In the present 

 region it is a regular summer resident, and occurs throughout the interior. It is not abundant, 

 neither is it rare. 



They undoubtedly nest in this region. 



78. Sterna macrura {Xuuin.) [(W7]. Thk Arctic Terx. 



For a distance of one hundred miles above the delta the Arctic Tern is extremely abundant. 

 Although it is the smallest of the Laridw, it is one of the most interesting as well. It is known in 

 every portion of the far north, and resorts commonly to the iulaiul waters, as well as the icy seas. 

 The tern arrives early in May or as soon as the ice moves out of the rivers. The nest is generally 

 placed upon a sand-spit or any bare location along the river, and the young are hatched in June. 



During the nesting season the male birds may be seen circling about in the vicinity, and the 

 peculiarly reckless and headlong manner in which they plunge into the water will at once draw 

 attention. 



They are extremely belligerent in their disposition, and Mill attack and drive away any 

 species that may invade their domain. Even the lue.sence of man is warmly resented, and I have 

 often been attacked while invading its haunt. A single discharge from a shot-gun will cause 

 them to be remarkably scarce, however. On the wing these birds are very graceful. Their long, 

 pointed wings and deeply forked tails, together with the elegance of coloring, renders them one 

 of the most beautiful species. 



79. Stercorarius parasiticus (iiini.) .Su««rf(r8 [Oy.l]. The Long-tailed jAECiEit. 



This elegant species has a limited range in the Kowak region. We usually tind them in pairs, 

 and they are not abundant in any locality. In several instances I saw them in company with the 

 Glaucous Gull, ui)on whom they practice their piratical operations. Tlie jaegers imbitnally 

 attack and annoy the gulls and compel them to disgorge their prey, and in consequence of this 

 fact it is a bird of ill repute among the gulls. 



They nest here in the marshes wherever found. 



