166 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE NATURAL HISTORY OF ALASKA. 



394. Dbyobates pubescbnss. Downy Woodpecker. 



The Downy Woodpecker ranges throughout the wooded districts of Alaska. 



Along the Yukon River it is very common. It prefers the poplar groves and alder thickets. 

 At the Yukon Delta it is common in winter, seeking its food among the willow patches. 



It occasionally visits the vicinity of Saint Michael's, as one was seen at a distance as it took 

 flight from a thicket of willows on the edge of a lake, west of the Redoubt. 



401a. Picoides ambbicanus alascensis (Nels.). Alaskan Three-toed Woodpecker. 



Specimens of the American Three-toed Woodpecker were obtained from Nulato and Fort 

 Yukon, on the Yukon River. The bird is a resident of the wooded districts, and common in some 

 localities. 



The iris is black ; tip of bill black, becoming paler posteriorly to nearly white at base ; toes 

 and feet black. 



The difference in plumage of alascensis and dorsalis is sufficient to warrant the separation of 

 the two forms, but from a lack of sufficient material for comparison the matter may be considered 

 as not yet decided. 



401 ft. Picoides ameeioanus dobsalis Baird. Alpine Three-toed Woodpecker. 



This Woodpecker is abundant in the interior wherever there are wooded districts. 



It rarely visits the vicinity of Saint Michael's. A single specimen was seen in April, 1876, on 

 the high staff at the end of the warehouse. It flew off immediately. I again saw an individual of 

 this species among some poplar trees, about eighteen miles southeast of the Redoubt, in March, 

 1877. 



At Fort Yukon this bird is numerous. From there I obtained all my specimens. 



I could not learn of the occurrence of this bird on the western part of Aliaska. At Nushagak 

 Station, and on the river of that name, it is quite abundant. 



412. Colaptes aueatus (Linn.). Flicker. 

 The Flicker does not occur on the coast of the Yukon District to my knowledge. A specimen 

 was obtained from Fort Yukon, where it is not abundant. 



457. Sayobnis saya (Bonap.). Say's Phcebe. 

 Several specimens of this bird were obtained from Fort Yukon, where it arrives during the 

 latter part of May. I am not aware that it descends to the coast. 



474. Otocobis alpesteis leucol^ma (Coues). Pallid Horned Lark. 



A single specimen of this bird was brought to me by a native, who said he had just killed it 

 at Egg Island, a few miles from the village of Saint Michael's. It was a female and had been just 

 killed. This species is not common in that vicinity, but is said to be common on the higher hills 

 just back of the seashore. The bill, feet, and iris were black. 



475. Pica pica hudsonica (Sab.). American Magpie. 



A specimen of this Magpie was not obtained by me. Several of the traders from the Upper 

 Yukon district reported this species to be not rare in the neighborhood of Fort Yukon, and rather 

 more common in the vicinity of Fort Reliance, farther up the Yukon River but south of Fort 

 Yukon. 1 saw a single individual at Unga Island in the latter part of July, 1881. Itis said to breed 

 on the island among the alder thickets. At Kadiak Island I observed quite a number of these 

 birds. A young bird was seen as a captive at Karluk fishing-station, on the northwest shoulder 

 of Kadiak Island. The bird was quite gentle, constantly uttering its harsh cry. At Saint Paul's 

 village, Kadiak Island, I observed quite a number of these birds among the shade trees within 

 the village. They were constantly quarreling ; even the dashing rain, which prevailed during my 

 very short stay there, did not at all dampen their ardor in making a noise. Several pests were also 

 seen, which had beep used earlier in the year, for J saw them August 9, 188J, 



