28 
heading southeastward, plainly in migration. They were almost certainly 
Turnstones. 
9 Unalaska, Alaska. August 8 
6 « “ “ 8 
9 " “ “ 8 
These are all very dark birds, with heavily striped crowns and very little red in back. They 
seem to be quite adult. On a previous examination of east and west-coast Turnstones it was 
found that those from the west coast averaged darker and larger. It seemed that specimens 
could be allocated to their habitat by these characters with 33| per cent error by coloration and 
a 25 per cent error by size. Above specimens are of the characteristic western type, yet it is a 
question whether it is wise to separate nomenclaturally forms one-quarter to one-third of which 
cannot be definitely identified. These birds, however, are obviously those that in some cases 
have been referred to A. i. inter pres. 
Hematopus bachmani Audubon. Black Oyster-catcher 
Met only on two occasions. At Kuluk bay, Adak island, two were 
seen by Lieut.-Col. Broome, and one was secured. Later, at Kyska island, 
on April 15, two flew by the ship and alighted on the shore under some 
high cliffs. “In flight they have a ‘dumpy’ pulled-together appearance. 
Their flight is easy, but not speedy and darting, like the flight of sand- 
pipers.” 
Colour notes were as follows: “bill carmine red with yellow tints; 
iris dark chrome yellow; eye-ring like bill; feet and legs flesh colour. 
Sex unknown — specimen shot with high-power rifle.” 
o ? Kuluk bay, Adak island, Aleutian islands. April 11 
Lagopus rupestris atkhensis Turner. Turner’s Ptarmigan 
Ptarmigan were reported near the cannery wharf at Chignik on the 
day of our arrival, March 22, but could not be found. Next day, at 
Dolgoi bay, their fresh tracks were found on the wet snow in a ravine lined 
with low alder shrubbery, half a mile back from the shore. At Atka 
island, April 4, they were actually met for the first time. On a cold, 
windy morning, with snow squalls between periods of sunshine, a Duck 
Hawk posting along the shore was seen to rout some of these white chickens 
of the north almost from the water’s edge and send them whirling over the 
white hilltop. On going ashore it was found that about fifty ptarmigan 
were in the vicinity. They refused to fly very far and during the hunt 
seventeen specimens were secured. Rank grass in tussocks and crow- 
berry patches grew on the hills and as there had been a good fall of snow, 
walking was difficult. Sometimes the birds were wild, again rather stupid. 
They were first found cuddled in the sun against the sheltered wall of a 
small canyon enclosing a brawling stream. Afterwards they flew from one 
hilltop to another. They were very speedy on the wing, usually flew down 
wind, and were extremely difficult to kill. 
The strangest thing about them was their purring snort like that of a 
startled horse. This seemed an alarm call. A sentinel stood on a hill 
and gave it again and again. It could be heard 300 or 400 yards, but 
was very elusive and difficult to locate. One bird gave it in flight, with 
opened beak. A cock that was winged purred again and again when 
chased and stopped purring only when caught. 
“From a study of these birds it was found that the hens turned brown 
earlier than the cocks. Many of the latter were still in almost complete 
winter plumage — white with a blackish eye-streak. The naked brow- 
