1^11] Suwth: Alaska Expedition of 1909. 47 



of the feathers that produces the general color effect. There is 

 no white half -collar at the base of the neck, and but a few black 

 spots interrupting the continuity of the white cheek patches 

 across the throat. 



As Grinnell (1910, p. 373) has already pointed out, the 

 geese of the Sitkan district do not at all accord with the descrip- 

 tions of occidentalis as currently given. It seems evident either 

 that a few abnormal birds have been taken as typical of the 

 form, or else that the geese of southeastern Alaska constitute 

 a race, separate and distinct from the four varieties already 

 recognized by name. Occidentalis is said to range "south to 

 California in winter." I have examined hundreds of geese in 

 the California markets, but have yet to see a large goose with a 

 white half -collar at the base of the neck, and with a black line 

 dividing the white cheek patches, supposedly the distinguishing 

 characters of this subspecies. 



Ardea herodias fannini Chapman. Northwestern Blue Heron. 



More great blue herons were seen in the Keku Straits, and 

 on the beaches of Kupreanof Island, April 11 to 24, than at any 

 other place, and probably not more than six or eight birds in 

 all were observed at these points. The species was decidedly 

 rare everywhere else, sometimes weeks passing without a single 

 one being seen. One or two were seen at Port Protection, and 

 several at Klawak Salt Lake, Prince of Wales Island. One was 

 flushed from the banks of a stream at Boca de Quadra on June 

 11, and a single bird was several times observed at Fool's Inlet, 

 "Wrangell Island, July 12 to 18. Two seen flying overhead at 

 Mitkof Island on the evening of August 10, and a single one 

 at Thomas Bay on August 22. They were at all times exceed- 

 ingly wary and unapproachable, and no specimens were secured. 



Grus canadensis (Linnaeus). Little Brown Crane. 



The peculiar call-notes of this crane were heard several times 

 at Mitkof Island, between August 1 and 13, usually late in the 

 afternoon, but the birds were not seen. I saw three in some 

 grassy meadows at Thomas Bay, on the morning of August 19. 



