296 
TRANSACTIONS OF THE 
afford more profitable sport for a few flays than all the other species put 
together. The flight of the main body of these migratory birds seems to 
me to be along the western edge of St. Michael's Island, touching 
Stewart's Island, and then directly northward, across the open sea, 
towards Golownin Sound. I saw no such large flocks jjassing tne Fort 
as I saw down the canal flying towards Cape Stephens, B. 
141. CMoephaga canagica Bon. (573.) Emperor Goose. This 
magnificent bird abounds in profusion in the Kusilvak Slough, or mouth 
of the Yukon, to the exclusion of all the other species. My endeavors 
to reach that point being unavailing, I was obliged to do my best to 
obtain specimens elsewhere. It is quite scarce around the Kwichpak 
Slough, and o-n the seacoast. By ofiering a large reward, I obtained 
four fine specimens from the marshes around Kutlik, It is the largest 
of the geese of the country ; and the delicate colors of the body, with 
the head and nape snow white, tipped with rich amber yellow, are a 
beautiful sight. The eye is dark brown ; feet, flesh color. The eggs are 
larger and longer than those of Gambelii^ and rather brown fulvous, 
the color being in minute dots. It lays on the ground, like the other 
geese. The Eskimo name is NachbwtKluh. The raw flesh and skin 
have an intolerable odor of garlic, which rendered it a very disagreeable 
task to skin them ; but when cooked this passes away, and the flesh is 
tender and good eating. 
This goose arrives about June 1st, or earlier, according to the season. 
As soon as the eggs are hatched, they begin to moult. I saw half- 
moulted specimens at Pastolik, July 29th, 1867. It remains longer than 
any other goose, lingering until the whole seacoast is fringed with ice, 
feeding on Mytilus edulis and other shell fish. Has been seen as late as 
November 1st, by the Russians. It usually goes in pairs, or four or five 
together, rather than in large flocks. Its note is shriller and clearer than 
that of A. Gambelii or H. Mutchinsii, and it is shyer than the other geese, 
except the black brant. D. 
Two specimens of this species were shot at St. Michael's during the 
period of my stay there, both of them rather young, and not in the best 
of plumage. It can not be considered common at that particular point; 
but Mr. Pease reported having seen large numbers of them on the lower 
Yukon, while descending the river in June. 
The flesh of this species is exceedingly strong-smelling, so much so as 
to leave a taint upon the hands from skinning it, whicli can hardly be 
washed off. It is entirely unfit for food, except for the Indians and 
Eskimos, who will eat anything. B. 
142. Anas boschas Linn. (576.) Mallard. Indian name, Nhitala. 
One of the first ducks to arrive in the spring at Nulato, generally about 
the 1st of May, in company with B. albeola. Common both on the sea- 
coast and in the interior. I have found the eggs, eight in number, in a 
rotten stump about six inches above the level of the ground, laid directly 
