128 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE NATURAL HISTORY OF ALASKA. 



part of August. It is very abundant in this vicinity, breeding plentifully on a small island just at 

 the northern end of the "canal." They are usually associated with & paradiscea, both in procuring 

 food and nesting habits. The nest consists of a bare spot on the ground, with few wisps of grass 

 round the margin of the nest. Sometimes no sign of a nest is visible; the eggs then are deposited 

 on the ground. The number of eggs is one or two. Incubation lasts for seventeen days. The 

 young are able to fly by the first of August. 



The note of this bird differs from that of S. paradiscea in that the "squay" is weaker and 

 squeaky; the other note is like twe-eee prolonged, and is readily distinguishable from the harsher 

 "squay" of the S. paradiscea. 



I have never observed this Tern amoug the Aleutian Islands, although it may occur there, 

 especially on the less rugged islands. 



The Eskimo name of this Tern is Eg lug nd giilc, and refers to the white stripe on the head. 



81. Diomedba nigripes Aud. BlacJc-footed Albatross. 



The Black-footed Albatross is quite a common bird in some localities north of the Aleutian 

 Islands. In Bristol Bay in June, 1878, 1 saw numbers of them in the vicinity of Cape Newenham. 

 They were not shy and seemed perfectly at home. Toward the western Aleutian Islands they are 

 not common but are frequently met. They follow the vessels for miles or even day after day, feed- 

 ing on all manner of scraps of food, which were thrown overboard from the galley. 



They have a peculiar note, which is only uttered when a less fortunate bird attempts to seize a 

 morsel of food from another's beak. The note is then a whining groan. On the wing these birds 

 are extremely graceful. They rise and fall in their flight with the curve of the wave over which 

 they sail; aud, at times, it seems as though the tips of their wings touch the water; and apparently 

 without effort these birds will continue on flight for a great distance without other movement of 

 their body than a simple roll to one or the other side. 



I have often tried to catch them by baiting a piece of pork on a hook and letting it trail many 

 feet in the wake of the vessel. The birds become very intelligent and soon suspect the intention. 

 They seize the baited hook in the tips of the long, stout beak and by rising partly on wing, with 

 feet spread out and tail bent into the water, they make a strong pull against the line; and frequently 

 snap a stout cord. Many will collect round the vessel and each one seems eager to snatch the 

 food used as bait; they rarely try it but once. In rising from the water the wings are unfolded, 

 joint at a time; and, only when the bird is on the water, a quick stroke with its feet sends it to the 

 surface, where by skipping aud flapping along the body gains sufficient momentum to enable the 

 wings to carry it away. 



I have no doubt that this bird breeds in some locality amoug the islands, for it is found there 

 from the early part of May to late October. 



There is much difference in the color of specimens seen in these northern localities. The bill 

 is dusky to pure white, plumage sooty to lighter, with considerable white about the neck and chin. 

 The feet are dusky to black. Some of these birds were suspected to be young of the year, but I 

 could never get a specimen of them as they were too far off from land; and to obtain one, while a 

 vessel is in motion, is impossible. 



82. Diomedea Albatrus (Pall.). Short-tailed Albatross. 



The Short-tailed Albatross is found in great abundance in the neighborhood of Cape Newen- 

 ham, near Bristol Bay. In June, 1878, I was on a vessel in that locality, and at one time counted 

 fourteen individuals, flying or sitting. 



The mouth of the Kuskokvim River was the farthest north that I observed these birds near 

 the shore, but at sea I have seen them near Saint Lawrence Island. The natives of Saint Michael's 

 assert they are to be seen in rare instances off the northwest point of Stewart's Island. 



Among the Aleutian Islands they are quite common, but generally far out at sea. They ap- 

 proach the land during dense fogs, and may then be found sitting on a small rock jutting from the 

 water. 



I never could obtain a specimen in condition to save the skin, for the birds do not come near 

 the settlements ; and, when a native kills one he saves only the wings, from which to take the sinew 





