Mar., 1918 85 



BIRD NOTES FROM FORRESTER ISLAND, ALASKA 



By GEORGE WILLETT 



DURING the summer of 1917, which the writer spent on Forrester Island, 

 Alaska, the following fifteen species of birds were noted, not previously 

 recorded by Professor Heath in his article on the birds of the locality 

 (Condor, xvii, 1915, pp. 20-41), or by the present writer in his two previous pa- 

 pers (Auk, xxxn, 1915, pp. 295-305; Condor, xix, 1917, pp. 15-17). Two spe- 

 cies, the Pink-footed Shearwater and the Brandt Cormorant, are, I believe, new 

 to Alaska. 



Phaleris psittacula. Paroquet Auklet. On May 4, while on the water at the north 

 end of the island, a bird of this species was approached closely enough to permit identi- 

 fication. A few minutes later seven more small auklets were seen that were possibly of 

 the same species. 



Stercorarius longicaudus. Long-tailed Jaeger. A migration of these birds was 

 noted a few miles off shore on August 24. They were proceeding southward down the 

 channel between Forrester and Dall islands. Probably thirty birds were seen, mostly 

 singly. 



Larus Philadelphia. Bonaparte Gull. An immature bird killed with an car July 31 

 was the only one seen. 



Sterna paradisaea. Arctic Tern. Common in southward migration on August 24, 

 occurring well off shore in company with Sabine Gulls and Long-tailed Jaegers. At least 

 a hundred terns were seen, singly and in small flocks. 



Puffinus creatopus. Pink-footed Shearwater. On August 24, while about two 

 miles off the north end of Forrester Island, my son called my attention to one of these 

 birds. It was in company with several Sooty Shearwaters, and circled around the boat 

 several times within clcse range. I am familiar with this bird as occurring along the 

 California coast, and am satisfied as to the identity of the one seen. I believe this is the 

 northernmost record for the species. 



Phalacrocorax penicillatus. Brandt Cormorant. On June 2, while rowing around 

 Sea Lion Rocks, at the north end of Forrester Island, I noticed a stranger among a bunch 

 of Pelagic Cormorants standing on a ledge over the water. On approaching more closely 

 it was seen to be a Brandt Cormorant in full adult plumage. It was secured and proved 

 to be a male. Is now in the Biological Survey collection. 



Oidemia americana. American Scoter. A pair of adults was seen at the north end 

 of the island on May 6. 



Anser albifrons albifrons. White-fronted Goose. On April 24 a flock of sixty or 

 seventy of these geese passed over camp, heading northward. Another flock of about 

 the same size went over April 27, and on the following day a flock of eighteen birds 

 alighted on the water in front of camp and remained for about fifteen minutes. 



Gallinago delicata. Wilson Snipe. On April 28 a snipe was flushed from a marshy 

 #lace near camp. It circled and returned, and remained in the vicinity several hours. 



Macrorhamphus griseus scolopaceus. Long-billed Dowitcher. On June 3 my son 

 reported the presence of a strange wader at some small ponds at the top of the island. 

 Upon accompanying him to this locality the following day, I found the bird to be still 

 there and to be of the above species. 



Aphriza virgata. Surf-bird. Three birds seen on outlying rocks April 20, one May 

 4, and another May 6. 



Dryobates pubescens glacial is. Valdez Downy Woodpecker. A female downy 

 woodpecker seen at camp April 23 was probably referable to this form. It was undoubt- 

 edly a straggler from the mainland or cne of the larger islands. 



Loxia leucoptera. White-winged Crossbill. A pair of these birds was seen at 

 close range May 19. 



Iridoprcene bicolor. Tree Swallow. Two birds seen flying over the bay May 12. 



Regulus calendula grinnelli. Sitka Kinglet. Several birds seen in the woods May 

 4. Probably a migrant only on this island. 



Los Angeles, California, January 5, WIS. 



