Faunal Districts in Alaska 



If Alaska were a great plain it would have a substantially uniform 

 climate, gradually colder from south to north. However, the country 

 is embroidered with ranges of lofty mountains, which divide it into 

 several regions, each distinct in climate, and consequently distinct in 

 plant and animal. Four of these districts may be marked off as below : 

 and it is important to keep them in mind if one wishes to form a 

 clear idea of Alaskan ornithology, for each has its own characteristic 

 bird-life. 



A. THE SOUTH-COAST DISTRICT. 



B. THE WOODED-INTERIOR DISTRICT. 



C. THE ARCTIC-COAST DISTRICT. 



D. THE ALEUTIAN DISTRICT. 



These districts might be reviewed in any order; but that of the 

 islands and shore of the southern coast has been placed first because 

 it is the best known, the most easily accessible, and the most populous 

 part of Alaska. 



A BREEDING COLONY OF CALIFORNIA MURRES 

 From a Photograph by A. C. Bent 



8 



