CRUISE OF THE STEAMER CORWIN. 91 



13. Anser albifrous gambeli {Hartl.). American White-fronted Goose {Ti-gi-uh). 



TJds ,t;-i>osi-' is ;i summer resident of the entire KoAvak River region, and probably tlie most 

 • i^aadant'of all t\\eAns(n-iiiiv breeding there. We fonud il (everywhere over the tundra lauds, 

 .■■.'ding on the blueberries. Mr. Caiitwell brought me ;i s]iecimpn from the lake at the source 

 of the river, whei'e it was very abundant. 



14. Brauta canadensis hutchiusu (Sn\ & Rich.). HCTCHlNS's GooSE. 



This and the following species were C(mstantly present upon the river, and we frequently 

 shot them from the launch as we steamed along. The large fledglings, when stuffed with 

 potato and l)its of wild onion, which we gathered along shore, furnished us many a savory roast. 



15. Branta canadensis minima Hithjw. G.\ckung Goose. 



16. Olor columbianus (Unl). WmsTLiNG Swan. 



Swans were scarce in the region through which we traveled. Straggling individuals were 

 sometimes seen on the sliallow lakes scattered over the tundra lands. 



17. Grus canadensis (Liiiii.). Little BROWN Crane. 



This small crane, which is dispersed in moderate numbers throughout the country, is such 

 a diminutive bird that I hardly recognized it as an American species. It seemed not more 

 than one-third the size of the Grus I had become familiar with in the M^'estern States. Now 

 known to be a distinct species, it is strange that it should have been so long confused with 

 larger Inrds. There is probably room for doubt as to its wiutering-place being the borders of 

 Mexico. 



18. Tringa minutilla (VieiU.) Least Sandpiper (Ca-ivak). 



I procured five specimens of the least sandpiper on the upper course of the river July 

 20-25. It was not uncommon later in the season. 



19. Ereunetes pusillus (Linn.). Semipalmated Sandpiper (I-rip-kak). 



A single specimen was shot on July 20, from a flock of the preceding species. 



20. Tetanus flavipes [Giiie!.). Yellow-lecw (Pii-bi-dk-tiik). 



The yellowdegs breeds sparingly in marshy thickets bordering the river. It is very noisy 

 when its retreats are invaded, flying excitedly over the low spruces or resting upon their tops. 

 One specimen; Lower Kowak, July i. 



21. Baitramia longicauda (Bedist.). Bartramian Sandpiper (U-li-dm). 



Only seen on two or three occasions. 

 One specimen; Upper Kowak, July 15. 



22. Actitis maoularia (Linn.). Spotted Sandpiper (I-cd-kok-cun-i-ch'i-rok or A-mo-tlli-yuk). 



Rare. One specimen; Upper Kowak. July 24. 



23. Numenius tahitiensis (OmeL). Bristle-thighed Ccrlew (Tii-ni-tn-rnk). 



I shot a specimen of N. tahitiensi.^ at Kotzebue Sound. August 20, 1885, having flushed 

 it from among the Idueberry bushes Avhere it was feeding. The occurrence of this inhabitant 

 of the South Pacific Islands is thus recorded for the third time in North America, it having 

 been taken at Fort Kenai, Alaska, by Mr. Bischoff, May Ki, isilli, and at St. Michael's, Alaska, 

 by Mr. Nelson. May 24, 1880. From the fact of this being a young l)ird taken in the autumn, 

 it is probable that the species sometimes breeds in Alaska. It is not recorded as occurring on 

 the Asiatic side. 



24. .ffigialitis semipalmata Bof(/). Semipalm.'^ted Plover (/viV-)"i'-»-i'!(A'). 



Not uncommon about the sand-bars of the river. 

 Two specimens; Upper Kowak, July 8-24. 



