132 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE NATURAL HISTORY OF ALASKA. 



saw a pair that were feeding at the mouth of a little stream which runs through the village on Na- 

 zan Bay, Atkka Island. I fired but failed to obtain them ; I never saw them afterward. 



At Attu Island the Baldpate is rare, a summer visitor, and not ascertained to breed. The 

 conditions on Semichi are favorable for a breeding locality of this species. 



138. Anas oreoca Linn. European Teal. 



A male of this species was obtained by me at Aktha Island June 28, 1879. As it was the only 

 specimen observed and nothing differing in babits from A. carolinenses at the time it was procured, 

 I can give no information other than it is extremely rare and not known to be other than a sum- 

 mer visitor aud probably breeding among the islands of the Aleutian chain. 



Tbis is the first specimen of tbis species recorded from the Pacific coast of North America. 



139. Anas carolinensis Gmelin. Green-winged Teal. 



Tbis beautiful little duck is found in all parts of Alaska. It arrives at Saint Michael's by the 

 10th of May. 



It never occurs in large flocks; singly, in pairs, or less than half a dozen individuals being the 

 usual numbers seen at once. 



Along the low lands bordering tbe " canal," at Saint Michael's, it can be found at any time 

 from May to September 25th. It breeds among the sedges at the margins of tbe ponds. In tbe fall 

 it resorts to the lakes of tbe higher grounds. This bird is not at all shy and endeavors to conceal 

 itself among the grasses rather than take flight. 



Many of these ponds bave a species of grass growing on their margins tbat forms a kind of 

 matting of its roots and stalks tbat in time encroaches on tbe pond in sucb manner as to completely 

 cover it. Tbis sends its tender roots down into the water aud in time forms sufficiently firm masses 

 to walk on. The Teals seek these places for food and when surprised usually dive under tbe mass 

 of vegetation out of sight. A careful search will sometimes reveal just their bead and neck thrust 

 out of some hole while their body is bidden below. 



I once shot a Teal, which dove under the edge of the grass on the margin of a pond where it 

 was sitting. I thrust a stick under and could feel for over a yard without interference of grass- 

 roots, yet it had sufficient firmness to support me even on its edge. I then knew how it was tbat 

 wounded ducks always disappeared in such a hitherto, mysterious manner. 



I have observed tbe Green-winged Teal at the mouth of tbe Kuskokvim River in the earty part 

 of June, 1878, and in the same month at Nusbagak settlement, on tbe river of tbat name; also at 

 Ugasik, on tbe peninsula of Aliaska. It is found on all the larger islands of tbe Aleutian Chain. 

 At Unalasbka it occurs in the neighborhood of Captain's Harbor at all seasons of the year. It 

 undoubtedly breeds there, although I have not seen the eggs or nest in that exact locality. It 

 also occurs on all of the islands west of Unalasbka. At Atkba, Amchitka, Semichi, and Attu it 

 is abundant. At Atkba it seems to prefer the bars that make off the mouths of the creeks which 

 empty into the sea. Just below the village on Nazan Bay, at Atkba Island, is a small stream that 

 throws out great quantities of sand, gravel, and clay. Quite a bar, or shallow place, has been 

 formed by it, and when the tide recedes a large area is exposed, to which Gulls, Mallards, and 

 Teals resort. 



At Attu the Teals frequent the southern side of the island more than the northern. 



At the Semichi Islands numbers breed every year among the marshes that abound there. 



At Amchitka Island they were extremely abundant in the middle of May, 1881. Along all 

 the little streams that were cutting deep into the earth, and so narrow that the tall grass completely 

 hid them for many yards of their length, the Teals were found walking along under such places, 

 searching for tender roots and insects. These streams are not long, as they are usually the outlets 

 of some inland lake, and their sides are prevented from widening by tbe dense mat of grass-roots, 

 so that their streams are deep and narrow. As soon as the current has excavated beneath the 

 roots of grass the stream widens, and the banks thus form an overhanging shelf on each side. 

 Under these places the Teals resort, so that it is difficult to find them, as they will not fly up while 

 in such places. 



