NOTES ON THE WILD FOWL AND GAME ANIMALS 

 OF ALASKA 



By E. W. Nelson, 

 Biological Survey, U. 8. Department of Agriculture 



Among the many interesting features to be seen by visitors to 

 Alaska, the animal life is noteworthy for several reasons. During 

 the brief summer, the otherwise desolate tundras are animated 

 by swarms of water-fowl, which arrive from the south in spring 

 as soon as the bare ground begins to appear, and after a short 

 delay set about their summer housekeeping. The water-fowl 

 on the rivers and lakes of the interior are the familiar species 

 which winter among the ponds and marshes of the western 

 United States. The Canada, Hutchin's, white-fronted, and 

 snowy geese are there with swans and fresh-water ducks of 

 many species. Besides these, sand-hill cranes and numerous 

 waders abound. One of the most strikingly colored species 

 along the small tributaries of the Yukon is the harlequin duck. 

 The most interesting part of the bird-life of this region, however, 

 is found along the coast of Bering sea. Four species of eider 

 ducks occur there, some of which are very handsome. Among 

 these the king, Steller's, and spectacled eiders are shown in the 

 accompanying illustrations* 



The emperor goose is another fine bird peculiar to this coun- 

 try ; it has its home in the marshy region between the mouths 

 of the Yukon and Kuskokwim rivers. It is the most elegantly 

 dressed of its kind in America. The top and sides of the head 

 and neck are snowy white, the chin, throat, and under side of 

 the neck blackish, and the feathers of the back a soft, silky, gray 

 color, bordered by a black crescent near the end and tipped with 

 White. The under surface is similar, but duller, and the feet 

 are vivid orange. 



The black brant pass along the coast of Bering sea in great 

 numbers every spring, and afford royal sport to persons fortu- 

 nate enough to choose good stands while the flight lasts. 



During the four years the writer lived at St Michael water- 

 fowl was a very important item in the bill of fare, and when the 



* I am indebted to Mr F. W. True, Executive Curator, U. S. National Museum, for the 

 photographs of bird and mammal groups in the Museum which illustrate this article. 



