1911] Swarth: Alaska Expedition of 1909. 43 



was no possibility of approaching unseen, and never allowing 

 the launch to come within gunshot. 



Clangula clangula americana Bonaparte. Golden-eye. 



During the month of April golden-eyes were quite common in 

 the Kelm Straits and at Three-mile Arm, Kuiu Island. At Port 

 Protection, Prince of Wales Island, they were seen daily from 

 May 6 to 10, though usually not more than three or four 

 together; and a few were also observed at Calder Bay, May 11 

 to 13, where one was shot, but not preserved. 



The species was not detected again until June 21, when 

 Hasselborg reported seeing an old female with a brood of 

 downy young, at a point ten or twelve miles up the Chickamin 

 River. In an Indian camp at the head of Boca de Quadra I 

 saw some young ducks which the women were keeping as pets, 

 and which may have been of this species. They cannot breed 

 commonly in the region, however, or some individuals would 

 surely have been seen among the numbers of ducks which began 

 to appear toward the end of August. 



Charitonetta albeola (Linnaeus). Buffle-head. 



During April and May buffle-heads were very common in all 

 the bays and in the more sheltered channels. At Kupreanof 

 and Kuiu islands they were abundant, on Prince of Wales they 

 were seen in numbers at Port Protection and at Calder Bay, 

 and many small flocks were observed about Coronation and 

 Warren islands. After leaving the latter island (May 23) 

 they were no longer seen, nor did any appear during the south- 

 ward migration in August and September. 



The preponderance of males in this species was very 

 noticeable, and nearly all of the small flocks were composed of 

 several drakes and but one or two females. The drakes were 

 constantly exhibiting their plumage and competing for the 

 favor of the females; sometimes when several were flghting 

 together furiously the single female of the flock would quietly 

 fly away and leave them, to be presently followed by the whole 

 gathering as soon as her defection was discovered. 



