194 ALASKA. 



gloss of the adult, wearing, during the first year, a dull drab- 

 brown coat, with the brilliant colors of the base of the bill and 

 gular sac subdued. 



" This shag is a bold and very inquisitive bird, and utters no 

 sound whatever except when flying over and around a boat or 

 ship, which apiiarently has a magnetic i^ower of attraction for 

 them. When they are hovering and circling around in this 

 way, I have heard alow, droning croak come from them. 



" The cormorant cannot be called a bird of graceful action at 

 any place, either on the wing or cu shore. Its flight is a quick 

 beating of the wings, (which are usually more or less ragged,) 

 with the neck and head stretched out horizontally to the full 

 length. It is exceedingly inquisitive, flying around again 

 and again to satisfy its curiosity, but never alighting on a boat 

 or ship, though coming close enougL sometimes to be almost 

 touched by hand. It is very dirty on the rocks, and does not 

 keep its nest in tidy trim like the gulls ; but iu regard to 

 its plumage, it cannot be surpassed, or even equaled, by 

 any bird of Bering Sea for brilliant gloss and glittering 

 sheen. It fairly shimmers, when in the sunlight, with deep 

 bronze and purple reflections, as though clothed in steel armor. 



" In their stomachs I have found almost invariably the re- 

 mains of small fish and a coil of worms, (Xematocla.) 



" As this bird is found during the whole winter, in spite of 

 severe weather, perched on the sheltered bluffs, the natives re- 

 gard it with a species of affection, for it furnishes the only sup- 

 ply that they can draw upon for fresh meat, soups, and stews, 

 always wanted by the sick ; and were the shags sought after 

 throughout tjie year, as they are during the short spell of 

 intensely-bitter weather that occurs in severe winters, driving 

 the other waterfowl away, they would certainly be speedily ex- 

 terminated. They are seldom shot, however, when anything 

 else can be obtained." 



Dionaedea bracliyura, TE:sm.— Short-tailed Albatross. 



" Twenty or thirty years ago, when whaling-vessels were 

 reaping their rich harvests in Bering and the Arctic Seas, the 

 albatross was often seen about the islands, feeding upon the 

 whale-carrion which might drift on shore. But with the decrease 

 of the whale-fishery the birds have almost disappeared. Only 

 a single individual was noted during my two years' residence. 

 This was taken by Dr. Meany, on the north shore of Saint 

 George's. 



