306 
TBANSACTIONS OF THE 
The specimens in the collection of the Smithsonian Institution have 
yellowish legs and feet, but scarcely differ otherwise. None such were 
observed at St. George's, and the yellow legged ones, if a variety of the 
same species, are certainly well marked. They have, apparently, been 
described by Gould as M. bracJiyrhynchus, from Kamtschatka. 
The eye of the St. George's bii'd is dark gray. Specimens were 
obtained by Captain Smith, August 15th, 1868. D. 
187' Xema Sabinii Bon. (680.) Fork-tailed Gull. Abundant in 
the marshes about Pastolik and St. Michael's, where it breeds. Not rare 
at Plover Bay, E. Siberia. I have never observed it far inland, ia 
strictly fresh water, and it is not found at Nulalo. D. 
In the early part of July, I observed large flocks of these birds in the 
canal ; and the two specimens obtained were shot by Mr. Pease in the 
same locality and at very nearly the same period. I have never observed 
the species at any other point near the Redoubt. B. 
188. Sterna macrura Naum. (690.) Arctic Tern. This pretty 
tern is abundant every where on the Yukon, and also on the marshes 
near the seacoast, but is seldom seen on the open Sound. In traveling 
along the Yukon, large flocks of these birds can be seen hovering over 
the water, often keeping in one place, hanging suspended, so to speak, 
in the air for ten or fifteen minutes, almost motionless. At other times 
they will sit on a stick of drift-wood, chattering to one another, or gather 
in a sort of ring around a shoal of small minnows, eating, diving and 
screaming with equal vivacity. They are quite fearless, especially when 
a companion is wounded or killed, or their young are menaced. They 
will gather around a wounded friend in large numbers, cry to it, and 
even attempt to assist it to rise from the water. Their note, when not 
disturbed, is between a hiss and a whistle, but when alarmed it is a sharp 
cry or scream, somewhat like that of a gull ; and they have a sort of cluck 
or chatter when at rest, to attract the attention of their mates. These birds 
are extremely inquisitive; they have often followed my boat for miles, 
at a short distance from it. An Indian, one day, was tracking the boat 
up stream, by walking on the bank with a strap over his shoulder. One 
of these birds, perhaps alarmed by his proximity to her young, rose to a 
considerable height, and descending swiftly in a long curve, just brushed 
the ribbons in his cap, and rose again, leaving him in a great state of 
astonishment, not having seen the bird, which, however, immediately 
repeated the act, and in all perhaps half a dozen times. Finally he 
became so annoyed, his superstitious fears being aroused, that he took a 
large stick, which he was obliged to throw at the bird several times 
before he could drive it away. 
They lay two dark-spotted eggs, in a small excavation, lined with dry 
grass and a very few feathers. Tlie young were obtained, in the down, 
June 22nd, near Fort Yukon, and have the coral-red legs and bill from 
the first, by which they are readily distinguished from the young gulls, 
