184 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE NATURAL HISTORY OF ALASKA. 



I was at Nushagak, near the river of that name emptying into Bristol Bay, in June, 1878, 

 where I had a few hours' hunting. About two miles back of the village the timber begins. It is 

 a scanty growth of spruce, many of the trees isolated. Along the streams heavy growths of alder 

 form extensive thickets. On approaching one of these clumps I heard a twittering of an unknown 

 bird. I crept up stealthily, but the bird darted to the other side of the thicket. After repeated 

 trials to get within shooting distance, and following it over two miles, I fired at long range and 

 failed to get the bird. What it was I have no knowledge. It looked like a Robin, but much more 

 active, and of deeper color. The song, which was uttered incessantly when uot on the wing, did 

 not at all resemble that of the Robin. 



The Robin has not been detected on the Aleutian Islands, although it is reported to be seen as 

 a chance visitor during the migratory season at the Pribylof Islands. 



763. Hesperocichla n^svia (Gmel.). Varied Thrush. 



One specimen was obtained at Fort Yukou, Alaska, September 4, 1876. It is uot plentiful 

 at any time. A second speciuieu was brought to me at Saint Michael's on May 27, 1877, killed by 

 a native, just back of the Redoubt, among the patches of alder. It was far advanced in decompo- 

 sition when I saw it, and found it impossible to even save the wings and other parts for identifica- 

 tion, else than on the spot. 



It is only a casual visitor to the coast, and apparently not abundant anywhere in the Yukon 

 District. 



This species was not detected on any of the Aleutian Islands. 



LIST OF THE BIRDS OF ALASKA. 



The following list contains all the authentically known and recognized species of Alaskan 

 birds. A full investigation of the natural history of the Territory will, doubtless, add many names 

 of birds which have not yet been detected withiu its border and included waters. 



The nomenclature here adopted is that of the A. O. U. Check-list of North American Birds, 

 1886. The numbers preceding each species or subspecies correspond with the numbers in that 

 Check list, 



Family PODICIPLD^. Grebes. 



Genus Colymbus Linnaeus. 



2. Colymbus holbcelli (Reinh.) HolbceWs Grebe. 



3. Colymbus auritus Linn. Homed Grebe. 



Family URINATORID^E. Loons. 

 Genus Urinator Cuvier. 



7. Urinator imber (Gunm). Loon. 



8. Urinator adamsii (Gray). Yellow-billed Loon. 



9. Urinator arcticus (Linu.). Black-throated Loon. 



10. Urinator pacifious (Lawr.). Pacific Loon. 



11. Urinator lumme (Gunn.). Bed-throated Loon. 



Family ALCIDiE. Auks, Murres, and Puffins. 



Genus Lunda Pallas. 



12. Lunda oirrhata Pall. Tufted Puffin. 



Genus Fratercula Brissou. 

 14. Frateroula corniculata (Naum.). Horned Puffin. 



