134 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE NATURAL HISTORY OF ALASKA. 



At Amchitka Island I observed a male of this species in a fresh-water lake near the center of 

 the island. The bird was extremely shy, and under no circumstances could I approach within suf- 

 ficient distance to procure it without it instantly dove out of sight and disappeared. I suspected 

 the female to have a nest in the vicinity, although I could never detect her whereabouts. 



In Ohichagof Harbor (Attu Island) I observed several individuals of this species during the 

 winter of 1880-'81. I repeatedly attempted to secure them, but failed on account of the shyness ot 

 the bird. Whenever observed at this place the bird was always alone ; two or more were never 

 seen at a time. 



150. Glaucionetta clangula Americana (Bonap.). American Golden-eye. 



A single specimen of this bird was brought to me at Saint Michael's, but it was not in condi- 

 tion to save the skin. It does not appear in any numbers there. The few to be seen were individ- 

 uals, always singly. 



It is not common among the Aleutian Islands. In Unalashka it was obtained in the month of 

 December, and remains there all winter. It was never observed there in summer, and at no season 

 among the extreme western islands. 



153. Charitonetta Albeola (Linn.). Buffle-head. 



The Buffle-head is not common in the Saint Michael's district, and not plentiful anywhere in 

 the territory that has come under my observation. 



It occurs at Unalashka in the winter, when my specimens were obtained. It was not observed 

 to the westward on the Aleutian Chain, except rarely, and then only in the winter. 



154. Clangula hyemalis (Linn.). Old-squatv. 



The Old-squaw is a common sea-duck in all parts of the Saint Michael's district. It arrives 

 early in May and remains until the ice closes in November. It winters among the entire Aleutian 

 Chain, and is extremely abundant there. They breed to the far northern regions, and only spar- 

 ingly at Saint Michael's. It only sparingly breeds along the Aleutian Islands among the fresh- 

 water ponds. It is essentially marine in its habits, and was never observed in the freshwater 

 lakes or streams excepting during the breeding season. It is remarkably strong in flight and 

 alights on the water with a hard dash, making the water fly for many feet. It also ascends to 

 great heights as it flies from one locality to another, if distant. It is very noisy and the note may 

 be heard a great distance. The natives of Attu call this bird A lang tile, from its note, which is 

 repeated at short intervals. 



It congregates in large flocks, sometimes of over a hundred. They search for their food in the 

 shallower places in the coves and bays. When searching for food they string out in a long line 

 and swim abreast. At a signal one at the extreme end goes down, the rest follow in regular time, 

 never all at once, and rarely more than two or three at a time. The last one goes down in his 

 turn with the regularity of clock-work. As they dive they seem to go over so far as to throw the 

 long tail-feathers until they touch water on the other side: They remain under water a long 

 time, and usually come up near each other. They utter their noisy notes and again spread out 

 for another dive. When wounded they swim many yards under the water. The flesh of this duck 

 is not unpalatable, but has a decided fishy odor, which may disappear if the bird is cleaned and 

 hung away for awhile. 



155. Histrionicus histrionicus (Linn.). Harlequin Buck. 



This pretty duck is uot common in the immediate vicinity of Saint Michael's. South of that 

 place it becomes more numerous, and extremely abundant around all the Aleutian Islands. It pre- 

 fers the rocky places, exposed reefs, and shallow gravelly banks that are alternately covered or 

 left bare by the sea. The food of this duck is of an animal nature. Shellfish of all kinds do not 

 come amiss, the common black mussel (Mytelis edulis) being its favorite food. These mussels are 

 everywhere abundant on the rocks that are not exposed to too great a swash from the sea. Among 

 the coves and small indentations of the sea, especially if in the neighborhood of small islets, these 

 ducks are to be found in great numbers. They dive after the mussels, and are frequently caught 

 by the shellfish and held until the former are drowned and cease their struggles, upon which they 





