EXPEDITION TO POINT BARKOW, ALASKA. H7 



The eggs arc always laid in the black, muddy tundra, often on top of a slight knoll. The 

 nest is lined with tundra moss and down. The number of eggs in a brood appears subject to con- 

 siderable variation, as wo, found sets of four, six, and seven, all well advanced in incubation. The 

 last laid egg is generally in the middle of the nest, and may be recognized by its white, shell unless 

 incubation is I'm- advanced, the, other eggs being stained and soiled by the birds coming on and oil' 

 the nest. 



We, never saw any young birds, and the adults disappeared early in July. Perhaps they go 

 inland to the rivers to molt their flight -feathers. 



In the fall migrations they were exceedingly rare, a flock or two being seen each season in 

 August. 



These birds are familiar objects, during the breeding season stalking around the level tundra, 

 where the mirage makes them loom up as big as a man, and their peculiar laughing cry is fre- 

 quently to be heard. 



At this time, they are exceedingly shy and difficult of approach, but when they Jirst arrive <jan 

 easily be called within gunshot by the rudest imitation of their cry. 



596. BERNICLA NIGRICANS (Lawr.) Casa. 



BLACK BRANT 



The Black Brant appear at the end of the main spring migrations of the water-fowl, but in no 

 ,very considerable numbers, following the same track as the eiders. 



A few remain to breed and are to be seen flying about the tundra during June. The nest is 

 placed in rather marshy gro'und and is a simple depression lined with down, with which the eggs a re, 

 completely covered when the birds leave the nest. The birds sometimes begin to sit on four eggs 

 and sometimes lay as many as six. 



After the middle of August they begin to fly across the isthmus at Pergniak, coming west 

 along the shore of Klson Hay, crossing to the ocean and turning southwest along the coast. 

 Whenever during August the wind is favorable for a flight of eiders at Perguiak the brant appear 

 also. They, however, frequently turn before reaching the beach at Pergniak, follow down the 

 line of lagoons and cross to the sea lower down the coast. 



The adults return first. Xo young of the year were taken till the end of August. During the 

 first half of September, a good many flocks cross the land at the inlets as well as at Pergniak, and 

 are to be seen resting and feeding along the lagoons and pond-holes. 



At this season they are very shy and hard to approach, and all are gone by the end of Sep- 

 tember. 



598. PHILACTE CANAGICA (Sevast.) Banniat. 



EMPKUOR GOOSE. 



This bird did not occur at Point Barrow, and its name is only inserted here because the 

 expedition received the gift of a skin at Saint Michael's from Lieut. Frederick Schwatka, U. S. A. 



605. DAFILA ACUTA (Linn.) Bonap. 



PINTAIL (fciciig-u). 



The Pintail does not couie to the coast in anything but small numbers, and probably none breed 

 in the vicinity of the station. 



One or two small Hocks were occasionally seen during the spring migrations in jssi'. but none 

 in 1883, until the fall. 



During the fall migrations, that is through August and early in September, several small 

 parties came, down into the little ponds near the village and several were taken. These returning 

 birds were mostly young of the year, and very fat. 



The natives say that they are very plenty in summer on the larger riveis running into the 

 Arctic Ocean east of Point Barrow, and are very keen of sight and hearing. 



