Mar., 1914 BIRDS OF SITKA AND VICINITY, SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA 
81 
are easily approached. I have seen one hunter come into Sitka with over a hun- 
dred birds. 
Haematopus bachmani. Black Oystercatcher Fairly common on outlying 
rocky islands. This species is also hunted to a considerable extent, and from 
what I could learn, is not as abundant as formerly. 
Dendragapiis obscurus fiiliginosiis. Sooty Grouse. While this bird could 
hardly be considered abundant, it is very generally distributed and was noted in 
the timber in many different localities, perhaps most plentifully on Kruzof Island. 
Small young were seen on the latter island July 17, 1912. The old birds were 
found to be rather tough eating', but the birds of the year were very palatable 
after hanging two or three days. 
Lagopus lag’opus alexandrae. Alexander Willow Ptarmigan. Apparently 
much less plentiful than the next species. The only place I found this ptarmigan 
was at an altitude of about 3000 feet on the slopes of Mt. Bklgecumbe, Kruzof 
Island. On July 31, 1913, a small flock made up of this and the next species was 
flushed from the heather above timber line and specimens of both secured. Alcx- 
andrae was not seen on Baranof, and Merrill has never taken it, so it can not be 
considered plentiful in the region. Two speci'mens taken near Sitka by Bischoft' 
are mentioned by Dali and Bannister (1869, p. 287). 
An adult male, the type of this subspecies, was secured with an immature 
male by F. Stephens at Bear Bay, on Peril Straits, north end of Baranof Island. 
August 26, 1907. Another adult male was taken by Mr. Stephens near Hooniah, 
Chichagof Island, June 25, the same year (Grinnell, 1909, p. 204). 
Lag'opus rupestris dixoni. Dixon Rock Ptarmigan. Fairly common on Bara- 
nof and Kruzof islands. I failed to find it on Chichagof, but it is said to occur 
there in some numbers. The type, an adult male, together with another adult, 
was taken by J. Dixon, near Port Frederick, Chichagof Island, July 30, 1907 
(Grinnell, 1 . c., p. 207). During the summer months these birds keep well tip 
toward the summits of the mountain ranges, above timber line, where they feed 
on heather buds and berries. Owing to the difficulties in ascending these moun- 
tains, specimens are hard to secure at this season. They apparently move in 
bodies from one section of the mountains to another, and locating them is largely 
a matter of luck. I have been in sections of the mountains where sign less than 
a week old was abundant, but the most diligent search failed to locate a single 
bird. Whether these changes of location are due to the weather or food supply, 
I am unable to state. 
I secured specimens of this form above the Lucky Chance mine in the Great 
Eastern Mountains, Baranof Island, at an altitude of about 3500 feet, August 28, 
1912, and at a little less altitude on Mt. Edgecumbe, Kruzof Island, July 31, 
T913. One of the birds taken in the latter locality was a fledgeling about two or 
three weeks old. Merrill informs me that during the winter months these ptarm- 
igan come down to the coast and are frequently seen in the central part of Sitka. 
Zenaidura macroura marginella. Western Mourning Dove. One record. 
Merrill took a male near Sitka September 14, 1912. 
Circus hudsonius. Marsh Hawk. I secured an immature female in the flesh 
which was killed by a hunter near Tenakee, Chichagof Island, September 3, 1913. 
Accipiter velox. Sharp-shinned Hawk. Rather common in the timber every- 
where. Frequently seen among trees in the town. 
Astur atricapillus striatulus. Western Goshawk. I was unable to obtain any 
information as to the breeding of the goshawk in this region. It is most plentiful 
in the vicinity of Sitka in the fall, some years occurring in much greater num- 
