LNTRODUCTION. 



The material upou which the following notes are based consists of specimens and field-notes 

 abtaiued by me during my explorations in Alaska, between the 1st of May, 1877, and the autumn 

 of 18S1. During this time my personal observations extended over most of the Bering Sea and 

 Arctic coasts of the Territory, and much of the interior. In addition, many specimens and facts 

 were secured through the cordial cooperation of the fur traders. 



This contribution to the history of Alaslian mammals is not intended to do more than convey 

 the information obtained by me while in the Territory, and, in consequence, does not contain any 

 account of a number of species found either on the land or sea within the region covered by my 

 work. As stated in the general introductory remarks, a large portion of the Territory is Arctic 

 or sub-Arctic in climate and in its animal and vegetable life. The southern portion of the main- 

 laud offers an exception to this general rule, and, as a consequence, we find a number of species of 

 mammals that reach their northern limit in that portion of the country. Other species, particu- 

 larly the Sea Otter and some of the seals, have a restricted distribution ; but by far the greater 

 number of the mammals are widely distributed. ]S^o species of mammal is peculiar to the Terri- 

 tory, although several have their center of abundance located within its limits. Among these 

 may be mentioned the Sea Otter, Fur Seal, Eibbou Seal, Pacific Walrus, and Dall's Sheep. The 

 discovery of this latter form was one of the most important results of my work among the mam- 

 mals of the Territory. 



For remarks upon the distribution of species in connection with certain faunal divisions of the 

 Territory, the reader is referred to the introductory notes to the ornithological portion of this report. 

 Since preparing the manuscript of this report, and too late to be incorporated therein, I have re- 

 ceived a letter from my friend, Mr. Rudolph Xeumaun, the Alaska Commercial Company's agent 

 in the Aleutian Islands, which contains some interesting information concerning some of the 

 mammals of those islands. These remarks I quote entire, as they are an interesting addition to 

 our knowledge of the mammals of that region : 



Blishni (Nearer) Islands. — Altu : Bine foxes ouly, very rarely a white one. Hut Islands : No foxes. 



AxDRAENOFSKi ISLANDS. — Atka : Silver, cross, red, aud blue foxcs ; white foxes rare. Amlia: Amlia foxes are, 

 I sniipcse, a cross between the silver and the blue foxes ; white foxes rai'c. 



F<ix Islands. — OiimnaJ,': Silver, cross, aud red foxes ; no white ones. VikiUihI.ii : Silver, cross, and red foxes; no 

 white cues. Akoiitan : Silver, cross, and red foxes; no white ones. Akoini : Silver, cross, and red foxes; no white 

 ones. Oiinimak: Silver, cross, andred foxes; no white ones. 



SnUiMAGlN Islands. — Silver, cross, and red foxes ; no white ones. 



Pribylov Islands. — Blue foxes; white oues rare. 



The Russians brought the blue foxes from Copper and Bering Islands and placed them on Altu, Atka, Saint 

 Paul, and Saint George Islands. Amlia was stocked with Alaskan silver foxes, but being close to Atka I think they 

 must have crossed (interbred) with the blue foxes of that island. 



■2i9 



