CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE NATURAL HISTORY OF ALASKA. 16l 



364. Pandion haliaettjs CAROLiNENSis (Gmel.). American Osprey. 



A single specimen of the American Osprey was obtained from Fort Yukon, May 20, 1876. It 

 is reported as an early arrival ; and during the summer to be not uncommon, though it ranges 

 along the smaller tributaries rather than the larger rivers. 



I have been assured, by natives and white persons, that the Osprey does not descend the 

 Yukon River lower than the Mission. At Nulato it is quite common on the north side of the river, 

 and rarer on the south side. 



They return for many years to the same nest. 



I did not obtain either eggs or nest of this species. 



Some of the native tribes greatly prize the wing and tail feathers to affix to their arrow shafts. 



367. Asio accipitrinus (Pall.). Short-eared Owl. 



The Short-eared Owl is the commonest bird of prey in the Territory. It is to be found in all 

 localities of the mainland and Aleutian Islands. It is most abundant on the lowlands, where it 

 may be seen on the wing nearly every day in the year. It is a common sight in the spring, during 

 the arrivals of the smaller kinds of water birds, to see this owl sailing or flopping over the marshes 

 in search of food. During the brightest days it generally remains in an alder thicket, but flies at 

 the least alarm. They are more often shot as it flies unwittingly by. 



I had occasion to go out to the end of my house one night with a lighted cigarette in my 

 mouth. Suddenly something came so close to my head as to nearly knock my cap off. In a 

 moment another came. I saw it to be an owl and ran for my gun. As I suspected the light from 

 m.y cigarette had attracted the bird I tried some matches. In a moment owls were thick around 

 me. I succeeded in killing nine of them, and knew that several more were lying not far off, but 

 could not find them, as I could only see objects which were several degrees above the horizon. 



I could not obtain eggs of this species, although it is reported to breed anywhere among the 

 grass and moss of the hillsides. Among the Aleutian Islands this owl is not rare. I obtained a 

 specimen at Unalashka Island, where the natives assert it is to be found in the larger ravines. 



At Atkha Island I saw one of them as it flew from a patch of wild rye. It was the only one 

 seen. At Attu I saw one, but missed killing it, as it was too far off for large shot. The Aleuts 

 have no good word for this bird. The women are afraid to touch it. 



Among the natives of the Yukon District the liver of this bird is used as a love-philter. The 

 liver is dried and reduced to a powder; and placed, unknown, to the person to whom the philter 

 is to be administered, in some food. On eating the food the desired affection is supposed to make 

 itself evident. I knew of an instance where a native endeavored, by this means, to regain the 

 affection of his wife. The mother-in-law had more potency than dried owl-liver; and as she con- 

 trolled her daughter the philter was as naught. 



It is administered, indifferently, by man or woman, and is frequently used by the Eskimo. 



The native (Eskimo) name of this owl is Mung leu die 1 wuk. 



370. Ultjla cinerea (Gmel.). Great Gray Owl. 



The Great Gray Owl is a resident of the Yukon Valley and was obtained on the coast at the 

 Uphuu Slough, the northern part of the Yukon Delta. It is not common there. The specimen 

 was a female containing' large, but undeveloped, eggs, two in number; hence should conclude the 

 period of incubation to be from the latter part of April to middle of May, as this specimen was ob- 

 tained April 8, 1S76. The iris was yellow, bill white, cere pale flesh-color, and dark claws. 



Several specimens were obtained from Fort Yukon, where this bird appears to be common 

 and resident. 



It is said to be very stupid during the day but active during the twilight. 



Their habits weie not learned. 



The colors of this species are dusky grayish-brown and grayish- white; the former color pre- 

 vailing above and the latter below; the upper surface with mottlings of a transverse tendency; 

 the lower surface with the markings in the form of longitudinal stripes, which are transformed into 

 transverse bars on the flanks, &c. Face grayish- white, with concentric rings of dusky. The tail 

 S. Mis. 155 21 



