22 



August 15, to Sheep Creek and began our preparations for 

 the descent, an undertaking which we all dreaded, as we 

 realized it was chiefly a matter of trusting to the current. 

 Fortunately the task was safely accomplished after many 

 narrow escapes from rocks and snags. Five hours were 

 consumed in descending, whereas four days of toil were 

 required in making the ascent. 



A couple of weeks was spent at Honier in collecting shore 

 and water birds, after which we set out in quest of Moose on 

 August 31 which were then ranging the higher ridges of the 

 tableland on the north side of the peninsula. On account of 

 the grass, but few small animals were secured. Birds, which 

 were then migrating, were plentiful and several species not 

 previously seen were taken. 



Returning to Homer on October 4, passage by steamer was 

 taken for Popof Island of the Shumagin group, near the 

 extremity of the Alaska Peninsula. Here we were storm- 

 bound for a week, fuially crossing Unga Strait in small open 

 boats to the mainland on the 26th, where a fine collection of 

 Grant's Caribou (new to science) was secured, as well as many 

 other small mammals and birds. 



Upon returning to Popof Island November 10, a large col- 

 lection of birds, voles and shrews was made while awaiting 

 the already long overdue steamer for Yaldez and Seattle. 



The steamer finally arrived and the seven months' trip was 

 at an end on January 2, 1902. 



BIRDS. 



The following is a list of birds secured or observed on the 

 Alaska and Kenai Peninsulas between June and December 

 1901, and the accompanying field notes throw some light on 

 the food, the habits and the environment of the several spe- 



