78 
THE CONDOR 
VoL XVI 
even more abundant during migrations. According to Merrill, occurs also in 
winter. 
Oidemia perspieillata. Surf Scoter. Seen occasionally during the summer 
months. Becomes more plentiful about August 15, and is abundant by the middle 
of September. Merrill states that it winters in considerable numbers. Accord- 
ing to Dali and Bannister (1869, p. 300), Bischoff obtained the eggs of this bird 
near Sitka. 
Anser albifrons gambeli. White-fronted Goose. Rather common in migra- 
tions, which occur mostly in October and April. Merrill has taken several speci- 
mens and seen many others that were killed in the vicinity. I saw two birds that 
were shot by Brightman on Swan Lake, September 29, 1913. 
Branta canadensis canadensis. Canada Goose. Two specimens taken at Sitka 
by Bischoff (Dali & Bannister, 1869, p. 295). 
Branta canadensis occidentalis. White-cheeked Goose. Fairly common 
summer resident, breeding around fresh water lakes and ponds. More plentiful 
during migrations. Known to nest in several localities near Sitka, also on Chi- 
chagof and Kruzof islands. By early September was plentiful in small flocks at 
the mouths of streams, but was exceedingly wild, and no specimens were obtained 
by me, though I saw several brought into Sitka that had been shot by Indians 
with rifles. These birds are easily domesticated and several small flocks have 
been reared by local people. 
Philacte canagica. Emperor Goose. The A. O. \J. Check-List ( 1910, p. 88) 
mentions Sitka as a record station of this species. Professor Cook informs me 
that this is based on the fact that Dresser ( 1903, p. 598) lists Sitka as a record 
locality for the species. There is no intimation anywhere in this work, however, 
to show what the basis of the record was. 
As this goose has occurred in winter in British Columbia and has even been 
recorded at this season from northern California, it is not at all unlikely that it 
should occur occasionally at Sitka. For this reason I have followed the example 
of the A. O. U. Committee and included the species in this list, although the evi- 
dence as to its actual occurrence in the locality, as given above, must be considered 
weak unless it can be further substantiated. 
Olor columbianus. Whistling Swan. According to Merrill, the Whistling 
Swan is rather a common migrant, the migrations taking place mostly in Oc- 
tober and early November, and in April. During the fall migration, flocks fre- 
quently alight on lakes and ponds, but in spring they usually pass over without 
stopping. Merrill has seen flocks passing high above the mountain ranges during 
the spring migration. He secured a specimen October 30, 1912, and knew of seven 
birds being taken by an Indian in October and November, 1910. Brightman saw 
a flock of about twenty-five swans going over Sitka, September 28, 1913. 
The flesh of this bird is much prized by the Indians, wdio cut it into strips 
and smoke- it. They also use the skins with the down for making articles of 
clothing. 
Ardea herodias fannini. Northwestern Coast Fleron. Occasionally seen in 
many different localities. Partial to timber-bordered streams and kelp patches. 
I saw several of these birds that were brought into Sitka by boys and sold to a 
local Chinaman. They are highly prized as a delicacy by this race. 
Grus canadensis. Little Brown Crane. According to Merrill and Brightman, 
a regular migrant but usually passing over without stopping. The latter gentle- 
man has taken specimens near Killisnoo, west side of Admiralty Island. 
Fulica americana. Coot. Rare straggler. Merrill took a specimen near 
