Man, 1914 
BIRDS OF SITKA AND VICINITY, SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA 
85 
Bischoff found the species abundant at Sitka. It may possibly have been more 
plentiful in Bischofif’s time. At any rate it can not be considered abundant, nor 
even common, at the present time. 
Cyanocitta stelleri stelleri. Steller Jay. Common I'esident. Most plentiful 
along- the shores and in clearings in the timber. 
Corvus corax principalis. Northern Raven. Very common and generally dis- 
tributed throughout the region. Plentiful in the streets of Sitka and on the near- 
by beaches, feeding on refuse and carrion. They were also noted on the tops of 
the mountain ranges where they were freciuently seen playing on the snow banks 
and glaciers. They would dig holes in the snow and, lying down in them, would 
scratch the snow over their backs with bill and wings, the coolness secured in 
this way evidently affording them great enjoyment. They frequently follow the 
bald eagles when the latter are hunting, probably in hopes of securing a share of 
the prey. On one occasion I had killed a deer and left it for a couple of hours. 
On my return the eyes and part of the intestines had been picked out by the ravens. 
1 was never able to find the nest of this species nor could I find anyone who had 
seen one. They certainly breed in large numbers somewhere in the region but 
probably some little distance from Sitka. 
The raven is very fond of clams, abalones, sea urchins and other shell fish, 
which are secured from the rocks at low tide. The shells are frequently found 
high up on the hillsides, where they have been carried by the ravens. On one oc- 
casion iMerrill watched a number of birds standing around a hog that was digging 
clams from the mud. As fast as the clams were brought to the surface they were 
appropriated by the ravens. 
The raven heads the list of birds deemed sacred by the Indians. Among oth- 
ers are the owl, woodpecker and kingfisher. These are often seen in grotesque 
figures on the totem poles. 
Corvus caurinus. Northwestern Crow. Abundant on the islands and along 
the beaches. Nests from which the young had emerged were noted on St. Lazaria 
and Biorka islands. During the nesting season this Crow feeds to a great extent 
on the eggs and young of sea birds. In the fall after the young are raised and 
the sea birds are through nesting, they gather in large flocks along the beaches at 
low tide, feeding on shell fish and crustaceans, and when the tide is in, scratching 
among the drift kelp along the shore. 
Nucifraga columbiana. Clarke Nutcracker. Single specimen secured by Bis- 
choff at Sitka (Dali & Bannister, 1869, p. 286). 
Euphagus carolinus. Rusty Blackbird. A few specimens taken at Sitka by 
Bischoff (Dali & Bannister, 1869, p. 285). Single specimen seen by A. E. Hassel- 
borg at Freshwater Bay, Chichagof Island, November 25, 1909 (Swarth, 1911a, 
p. 80). 
Pinicola enucleator flammula. Kadiak Pine Grosbeak. According to Mer- 
rill, this bird is occasionally seen throughout the year but is most plentiful in Oc- 
tober and November. On August 24, 1912, while Merrill and I were walking in 
the swamp back of Sitka, he secured an immature bird of this species which he 
presented to me. This was the only one seen at the time. August 13, 1913, I saw 
a small flock of these birds in the tops of tall trees along Indian River. One was 
.shot but dropped in the dense underbrush and was lost. The species was noted 
by the 1907 Alexander Expedition on Chichagof Island (Hooniah, June 25, Port 
Frederick, July 25, and Idaho Inlet, July 20-25), and six specimens secured (Grin- 
nell, 1909, p. 222). It was also taken at Sitka by Bischoff (Dali & Bannister, 
1869, p. 281). 
