63 



southern locality than the preceding, and winters regularly in the 

 Eocky Mountains of Colorado, and even farther south; that australis 

 inhabits the next lower section, breeding in Colorado, and probably 

 extending into the British possessions, but wintering, for the most part — 

 especially in severe winters — south of this Territory ; that atrata, if any- 

 where common, must occupy a still more southern locality." 



BIOGRAPHY. 



The habits of the birds of this genus are, at present, only very imper- 

 fectly understood, few observers having enjoyed an opportunity to study 

 them. The L. tephrncotis var. griseinucha is the only form whose habits 

 during the breeding-season have been recorded, and whose eggs and 

 young plumage have been seen. L. australis has been found in summer 

 at its breeding-ground by several collectors ; but unfortunately none of 

 them found its eggs or saw the birds in the exact locality where they 

 bred, so that they were unable to throw any light upon the subject. 

 The other forms are known only as migrants. 



The L. tephrocotis var. griseinucha inhabits, during summer as well 

 as other seasons, the coast and islands of Alaska, the Aleutians and the 

 TJnalashka main being its center of abundance. Mr. Dall, the author 

 of "Alaska and its Resources," furnishes the first account of the habits 

 of this bird in his paper on the birds of Alaska (Transactions of the 

 Chicago Academy of Sciences, I, ii, 1869, j). 282.) His account is as 

 follows : 



" This species abounds on the Pribylov and Aleutian Islands. A num- 

 ber of specimens were obtained on Saint George's, in August, although 

 they were molting at the time. This beautiful bird had no song at that 

 season, except a clear chirj), sounding like ' Weet-a-weet-a-wee-weet.' 

 It was on the wing a great part of the time, avoiding lighting on the 

 ground, but darting rapidly in a series of ascending and descending 

 curves, now swinging on the broad top of an umbelliferous plant, and 

 now alighting on some ledge of the perpendicular bluff, jumping from 

 point to point, and seemingly delighting in testing their own agility. 

 Their nest is a hollow on one of these ledges, provided with straws or 

 bits of moss. They lay four white eggs in May. In August, the young 

 were fully fledged. They are graminivorous apparently ; but I found 

 two or three small beetles in the crop of one which. I skinned." 



Mr. Elliott, in his report on the Pribilov or Seal Islands of Alaska, 

 thus remarks upon the habits of this bird, as observed by himself on 

 the islands of Saint George's and Saint Paul's :* 



" This agreeable little bird, always cheerful and self-possessed, is a 

 regular and permanent settler on the islands, which it never leaves. 



" In the depth of dismal winter, as well as on a summer's day, the pah- 

 toshkie greets you with the same pleasant chirrup, wearing the same 

 neat dress, as if determined to make the best of everything. It is 

 particularly abundant on Saint George's, where its habits may be 

 studied to best advantage. 



" The pahtoshkie nests in a chink or crevice of the cliffs, building a 

 warm, snug home for its little ones of dried grasses and moss, very 

 neatly put together, and lined with a few feathers. 



" The eggs vary in number from three to six, being generally four. 

 They are pure white, with a delicate rosy blush when fresh, and measure 

 .97 by .67 inch. 



'Government Printing-Office, Washington, 1873. See ornithological portion of the report, 

 edited by Dr. E. Coues. 



