RIIIDS OF ALASKA, WITH A PARTIAL BIBLTOGEAPHY OF ALASKAN 



ORNITHOLOGY. 



INTRODUCTION. 



In view of tlie fact that tlie author's personal observations covered a large portion of the 

 Territory, this report lias been extended to include all the species of birds known to occur within 

 Alaska. In addiri n to the territory personally visited, as detailed in the accompanying narrative, 

 I received frorn one of the fur traders, Mr. L. N. McQuesteu, about two hundred bird-skins collected 

 along tbe valley of the Yukon, between the mouth of the Tanana Eiver and the point where the 

 Yukon crosses the Britisli boundary line. By teaching intelligent natives how to prepare bird- 

 skins, I also secured various specimens from the course of the Yukon below the Tauana and from 

 the Kotzebne Sound legion. The coUectiou gathered by me amounted in all to over two thousand 

 bird-skins and tifteen huiidre<l eggs. To complete the report I have unxde free use of the skins 

 contained in the Smithsonian collections, obtained by other collectors in Alaska, and the literature 

 on that region has yielded many notes and facts of interest. The author's aim has been so far as 

 ])ossiblo to embody herein all of importance that is known concerning the birds of Alaska, but for 

 unavoidable causes lie has been comjielled to curtail that portion relating to the swimming birds 

 subsequent to the ducks and geese. To explain a lack of information concerning some species 

 found, even in the districts best known to me, I may state that zoological work was done in hours 

 snatched from (routining official duties, or when relieved of these for a time by the co-operation of 

 the fur company's agents, who frequently attended to my meteorological work for a day or two at 

 a time in addition to occasional longer periods. An absence on my'i>art, however, always entailed 

 extra work ui)on my return. The month of June is the most favorable time for oruithological 

 work in the north, but this is tbe season when our annual mail airived, and the closing of the 

 ofiicial records for th<> preceding year made it difficult to gain time for outside work. 



Between June 17, 1S77, and June, ISSI, my time was passed at Saint Michaels or iu exploring 

 the surrounding region. For th(^ ornithologist this is a rich field, and the varied attractions of sea 

 and sliore draw a great variety of si)ecies. This abundance of birds, however, is a characteristic 

 feature during summer in high northern latitudes. Nordenskiold has well remarked that it is not 

 the larger aniuial forms, such as the seals, whales, and walrus, that first draw the attention of the 

 voyager in Arctic seas, but the innumerable Hocks of birds which swarm in the polar latitudes during 

 the long summer day of the north. Around all of the rocky islands of Bering Sea and Straits 

 the auks, gulls, and fulmars fill tiie air and cover the sea in myriads. This was also the case on 

 Wrangel and Herald Islands, in the Ar(;tic, which are perpetually inclosed by tiieice-pack. These 

 islands all reminded me of huge beehives, only the bees perpetually swarming about them are in 

 the shape of birds. If one stands on the beach under one of (he bird clilfs and looks up toward 

 the sky he soon feels giddy, from gazing at the circling throng. 



The work of a naturalist in the north is one of almost continual hardshi|), y(^t the suc(M'ssion 

 of novel experiences lends a, peculiar zest to such a life. Many of the most enjoyable days of my 

 life were passed on expeditions in which it was a constant struggle to obtain the bare necessities 



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