BIRDS. 97 



in October, but a very few as far soutli as the Kikkertarsoak Islands 

 on the Labrador coast. They are far less common on the Greenland 

 coast than L. leucoptents , while in Cumberland it is just the opposite. 

 Eskimo from Cape Mercy tell me they are found all winter off the cape 

 and about Shaumeer. A single specimen staid in the tide-rifts of the 

 Greater Kingwali during the winter of 1877-78. In autumn they remain 

 in the upper Cumberland waters as long as they continue open. 



I have examined some nests that were built on the duck islands, 

 always on the highest eminence ; the structure seemed to have been 

 used and added to for many years in succession, probably by the same 

 pair. In shape they were pyramid-formed mounds, over four feet at the 

 base and about one foot at the top, and nearly two and a half feet in 

 height. They were composed of every conceivable object found in the 

 vicinity, grass, sea-weed, moss, lichens, feathers, bones, skin, egg-shells, 

 c. The normal number of eggs is three, but often only two are found. 

 Have taken the downy young in the latter part of June. I had an opr 

 portunity of seeing how these young hopefuls are instructed in egg- 

 sucking. The parent carried a duck's egg to the nest and broke a hole 

 in it, and the young one just helped himself at his leisure. After the 

 young are full-fledged, these birds are eminently gregarious, and are 

 often seen feeding in considerable flocks. The flesh is highly esteemed 

 by the Eskimo; we found the young by no means despicable food. 



The Eskimo use the skin with the feathers on for a part of their win- 

 ter's toot-gear. They are extraordinarily greedy and voracious ; nothing 

 in the animal kingdom seems to come amiss to them. I have seen a 

 half dozen tugging- at an Eskimo dog skin; but this proved too much 

 for them, though they made desperate attempts to get off some small 

 pieces, which they would have eaten had they succeeded. Eggs, 

 young or disabled birds, fish, and crustaceans are their common fare. 

 They are also very fond of feeding upon seal carcasses. The first plum- 

 age of the young is much lighter than that of a yearling bird. This is 

 just the opposite of L. Uucopterus, they being the darkest when young. 

 The young of L. glaucus gets darker in autumn, but when first fully 

 fledged resembles more the bird of two years, except that there is no 

 trace of blue on the mantle, and they have somewhat darker primaries. 



64. Lams leucopterus, Faber. 



Xowyah," Cumberland Eskimo. " Xayangoak," Greenlauders. 



The Eskimo do not distinguish between L. glaucus, leucopterus, glau- 

 cescens, and argentatus; they are all "nowyah"; in fact, I am led to 

 Bull. Sat. Mus. Xo. lo 7 



