1910] Grinnell_—Birds: Alaska Expedition, 1908. 365 
stomach of this bird contained nothing but some grebe feathers, 
probably swallowed during preening. 
Gavia immer (Briinnich). Common Loon. 
Heller saw two flying over at short range at Northeast Bay, 
Hinchinbrook Island, the last of June. Two more seen at Green 
Island the middle of July. 
Gavia pacifica (Lawrence). Pacific Loon. 
An immature female (no. 1116) shot by Heller in Valdez 
Narrows, September 18. 
Gavia stellata (Pontoppidan). Red-throated Loon. 
Common, and thought to be breeding, about the head of 
Cordova Bay. Two adult specimens taken there June 9 and 10 
(nos. 1117, 1118) have the entire lower surface, where it is 
normally snowy white, of a bright ferruginous tinge. This 
color is intensest on the exposed portions of the feathers, sug- 
gesting adventitious origin. Dr. M. Vaygouny, of the Depart- 
ment of Chemistry of the University of California, determined 
by analysis that the discoloration is due to the presence of ferric 
oxide (Fe,0,), probably deposited from the water of the marshes 
in the immediate locality. As the red-throated loon molts in 
the spring, the discoloration must have been acquired since 
about April 1; and furthermore, the species probably does not 
arrive from the south until that date at earliest. Therefore the 
deposit had been surprisingly rapid. The iron oxide in the 
water is said to result from bacterial action, and precipitation 
is liable to oceur freely on organic substances of certain tex- 
tures. Evidently the loon’s feathers are especially favorable. 
The same deposit was noted to a less extent on certain other 
birds of the same locality, as hereinafter noted. 
The red-throated loon was seen elsewhere but once, by Heller, 
at Green Island. 
Lunda cirrhata (Pallas). Tufted Puffin. 
Not uncommon around Montague Island, where it was be- 
lieved to be nesting at Stockdale Harbor. Noted also near 
