VIII U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN 217 



lems of distribution and systematics. Ira N. Gabrielson has assisted 

 me with determinations and information from his wide experience 

 with Alaskan birds. While I take responsibility for the determina- 

 tions, except as noted, I could not have undertaken them without 

 the guidance of Herbert Friedmann, nor would I have compiled the 

 studies without his help and encouragement. Herbert Deignan was 

 most ready in extending to me the use of the collections and working 

 facilities of the Museum, and Bernard Feinstein aided the identifica- 

 tion of the specimens from Old Crow by making many comparisons 

 and references, including a complete review of my arctic specimens. 



The collections made include skins and sets of eggs with nests, which 

 are deposited in the U. S. National Museum, where I was kindly 

 afforded opportunity to compare the skins with those in the collections. 

 Most of the series of birds were quite uniform and conformed with the 

 average characteristics of their kind, so that identifications were, in 

 general, not difficult. 



In his editorial capacity John Lea has suggested many arrangements 

 of the text, tables, and figures which would clarify the presentation of 

 the information. 



Whatever is interesting and worthwhile in this work I wish to 

 dedicate to my wife and to our son Alan, whose short life was marked 

 by its great promise. 



Laurence Irving 

 Anchorage^ Alaska 

 February 1959 



