1911] Swarth: Alaska Expedition of 1909. 29 



Colymbus auritus Linnaeus. Horned Grebe. 



Although the expedition of 1907 did not observe this species 

 at all in the northern part of the Alexander Archipelago, it 

 proved to be a very common migrant on the bays and channels of 

 the more southern islands. First seen at Three-mile Arm, Kuiu 

 Island, on April 28, and observed daily thereafter in rapidly 

 increasing numbers. It was common at Port Protection, Prince 

 of Wales Island, generally in flocks of six or eight; and, at 

 Calder Bay, at the same island, it was abundant. May 10 to 14. 

 No horned grebes were seen in the open sea nor about the out- 

 lying islands (Coronation and Warren), during the ensuing 

 two weeks; and when we returned to the more sheltered waters 

 of Prince of Wales, on May 23, they had apparently all passed 

 on to their breeding grounds. The only subsequent occasion 

 on which the species was observed was at Thomas Bay, on 

 August 22, when a single individual, apparently still in the 

 breeding plumage, was flushed from a little slough on the tide 

 flats. 



The horned grebes never attempted to escape by diving, when 

 unwounded, but invariably took to their wings, rising from the 

 water with but little more effort than that exerted by the diving 

 ducks. 



Four specimens were secured. A female shot at Three-mile 

 Arm, April 29 (no. 9906) is in complete nuptial plumage, except 

 for some white feathers on the chin and upper breast, which, in 

 this individual, might not be molted at all. Another, taken on 

 April 30 (no. 9907) is but beginning to lose the winter plumage, 

 a few scattered red feathers on the throat, and black ones about 

 the head, marking the beginning of the change. A male secured 

 at Three-mile Arm on May 6 (no. 9908), and another from 

 Calder Bay, May 13 (no. 9909), are both in perfect summer 

 plumage. 



Gavia immer (Briinnich). Common Loon. 

 Fairly common, and apparently generally distributed 

 throughout the Alexander Archipelago. At Kuiu Island, April 

 25 to May 6, the species was abundant, gathered in large flocks 



