1911] Swarth: Alaska Expedition of 1909. 45 



this place none were observed until we reached Etolin Island, 

 where a few were seen. Many flocks were encountered in 

 Frederick Sound, near Thomas Bay, on August 13. 



Oidemia deglandi Bonaparte. White-winged Scoter. 

 Seen at almost every point visited, sometimes in large num- 

 bers. In the channels between Kupreanof and Kuiu islands, 

 during April, they were quite abundant, as also along the west 

 coast of Prince of Wales Island in May ; but by the end of May 

 their numbers had greatly diminished. Probably the breeding 

 birds had all gone farther north by, that time; the many small 

 flocks seen at various points during June and July were in all 

 probability non-breeding birds. By the end of July they had 

 vastly increased, so that flocks of hundreds were encountered in 

 the channels, and throughout August and September they 

 remained equally abundant. 



Oidemia perspicillata (Linnaeus). Surf Scoter. 



An abundant species throughout the region. They were 

 exceedingly numerous about Kuiu Island in April, and about 

 Prince of Wales in May. Though some were seen during the 

 summer, they were not abundant and were probably all non- 

 breeding birds, as they remained gathered in flocks. By the 

 end of July their numbers were again on the increase, and in 

 August and September enormous flocks were seen everywhere on 

 the salt water. 



At Kuiu Island, about the first of May, they were beginning 

 to pair off, and the courting antics of the males were curious to 

 observe. Vast numbers were feeding close to shore, in the 

 shallow water, and the drakes were continually on the move, 

 flying a few yards and then sliding for eight or ten feet upon 

 the surface of the water, with the wings held stiffly extended 

 above the body. 



Chen hyperboreus (Pallas). Snow G-oose. 

 Flocks of white geese, presumably of this species, were seen 

 on several occasions flying high overhead, along the Taku River, 

 September 17 to 28. They were evidently migrating south, and 

 none were seen to alight anywhere in the vicinity. 



