LIFE HISTORIES OF NORTH AMERICAN GULLS AND TERNS. 51 



Behavior. — I can not find any data on the food of the red-legged 

 kittiwake, but probably it does not vary materially from that of 

 closely related species. Mr. William Palmer (1899) writes, concern- 

 ing his impression of this species on the Pribilof Islands: 



To my mind this is the most beautiful species on the islands. Always grace- 

 ful, whether on the cliffs or flying, its beautiful form and delicate snow-white 

 plumage, with its vermilion feet, adds much to the avifaunal wonders of these 

 islands. Unlike its cousin, which carries its feet extended when flying, this 

 species nearly always buries them in the feathers of its under body, as if fearful 

 of showing their beauty except when absolutely necessary. When fog envelops 

 these islands, both the land and sea, the sea birds away from home find their 

 way by flying along the edges of the bluffs, where the stored heat in the rocks 

 dissipates the rapidly < drifting fog. The wily aleut, knowing these character- 

 istics, ensconces himself behind a rock in a suitable location and with a large 

 dip net intercepts the birds on their way along the bluffs. Thus many a meal 

 is obtained, and, unfortunately, our pretty red-legged kittiwake too often falls 

 a victim. 



Winter. — When the young birds are fully fledged and able to fly, 

 both old and young birds desert their breeding places on the rocky 

 cliffs, but do not migrate far away. They are resident throughout 

 the year in the vicinity of the Pribilof and Aleutian Islands, and 

 probably spend most of their time at sea during the winter months. 



DISTRIBUTION. 



Breeding range. — Islands of Bering Sea (the Pribilof, Near, and 

 Commander Islands) are the only places where this species has been 

 found breeding. It is supposed also to nest at various places in the 

 Aleutians from Akutan Island westward. 



Breeding grounds protected in the following national reservations 

 in Alaska : Aleutian Islands, as Near Islands, Round Island, Unimak 

 Pass, and Pribilof Islands. 



Winter range. — Unknown. Probably the open sea not far from 

 its breeding grounds. It has been stated not to winter on the Near 

 and Commander Islands. Elliott says it occurs about the Pribilofs 

 at all seasons. 



• Spring migration. — Apparently comes to the breeding grounds 

 about May 9. 



Fall -migration. — Birds leave the Pribilofs as soon as the young 

 can fly, usually early in October, latest November 11. Has been seen 

 near Unalaska Island, October 5. 



Casual records. — Taken at Forty Mile, Yukon Territory, October 

 15, 1889 ; St. Michael, Alaska, September 18, 1876 ; Kamchatka (spec- 

 imen, but no date) ; and Wrangel Island (specimen, but no date). 



Egg> dates. — Pribilof Islands : Three records, July 1, 3, and 10. 

 Kamchatka : Two records, June 12 and 22. 



