138 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE NATURAL HISTORY OF ALASKA. 



It is common among the Aleutian Islands. It frequents the larger coves and bays, where 

 in favored situations this bird is abundant in winter. 



It is rather shy, but when single or in pairs it may be approached to within long range. The 

 favorite way to obtain this duck is to wait until it dives, then to go to where it will come up. It is 

 then so confused that ample time is given to obtain a shot at shorter range. When wounded this 

 duck will dive and swim for two or three hundred yards. I have wounded them and waited for 

 twenty minutes to have them reappear. They often sink to the bottom, as they die under water, 

 and there is not sufficient air in their lungs to float them. If not this, there is always some big fish 

 that accompanies the hunter and takes the bird only after it has dived under the water. 



Unless the bird is killed outright there is but little chance to obtain it. 



They have a peculiar habit of stretching up their necks as though they had some throat 

 disease like the " gapes" in the young chickens. 



The flesh of this duck is very nice, and if well prepared is excellent food, being free from any 

 strong odors. Its food is obtained from the bottom of the bays and coves, and consists almost 

 entirely of shellfish and worms that are found among the rocks. 



The Surf Duck is the Svestun, or Whistler, of the Russians. 



169a. Chen hypeeborba (Pall.). Lesser Snow Goose. 



The White or Snow Goose arrives in the Yukon district early in May. It is usually contem- 

 porary in its arrival with the White-fronted Goose and the Northern Crane (G. canadensis). 



It occurs only sparingly in the vicinity of Saint Michael's, and remains but few days until it 

 goes farther north. I am not aware that it breeds south of the Arctic Circle. They do not return 

 along the coast in the fall by way of Saint Michael's. They are usually on the wing by 10 o'clock 

 of each day, and to procure these birds one must seek them at early dawn while they are feeding 



Their flesh is only tolerable eating, it being'leau and has a peculiar odor. 



This is the Baity Goose (White Goose) of the Russians. 



It is not known to winter in any part of Alaska. It does not occur on any of the Aleutian 

 Islands, even during the migrations. 



171a. Aksbb albifrons gambeli (Hartl.). American White-fronted Goose. 



This species of goose arrives at Saint Michael's as early as April 25 in favorable years, and 

 rarely later than the 10th of May in any year. By the 25th of May they are abundant. 



It inhabits the fresh-water lagoons, and is essentially a vegetarian. The only animal food 

 found in their crops was aquatic larvae and insects. I am not aware that it eats shell-fish at any 

 season of the year. The young grass shoots found in the margins of the ponds form its principal 

 food. 



It breeds in greatest numbers on the Yukon Delta. The young are attended by the parents 

 until the former are able to fly in late August. 



These geese remain in this vicinity until the sharp frosts in October freeze the margins of the 

 ponds. 



I have never observed this species of goose on the Aleutian Islands. They probably never 

 visit the islands lying west of the mainland, as that region does not contain their particular food 

 in sufficient quantity to induce them to visit it. 



The flesh of this goose is excellent for the table, and they become very fat in the fall of the year. 



At Saint Michael's this species of goose is called in Russian Tun dri na Goose, or Low ground 

 Goose. 



This species does not winter in any part of Alaska. 



172. Branta canadensis (Linn.). Canada Goose. 

 The Canada Goose is not common on the coast. A few stragglers are shot during the spring 

 migrations. It occurs along the upper Yukon River region, and seems to prefer the interior rather 

 than the vicinity of the coast. The Canada Goose is not known to occur on any of the Aleutian 

 Islands. 



