25 
Anser albifrons subsp.? (Scopoli). White-fronted Goose 
On the evening of August 12, as the Thiepval was about midway 
between Unalaska and Prince Rupert, B.C., a flock of geese, winging away 
in a southeasterly course, passed out of sight in a few minutes. As the 
White-fronted Goose is the earliest to migrate southward along the Pacific 
coast — flocks have been seen over Portland, Ore., as early as August 18 — - 
it seemed the most probable explanation of this flock in the north Pacific 
on the date in question. Next day a flock of forty ducks was observed 
speeding over the same course, flying high, as the geese had been, bent on 
a far destination. 
Philacte canagica (Sevastianoff). Emferor Goose 
Seen only at Dolgoi bay, and at Kuluk bay, Adak island. Most of the 
geese of this species probably had left their wintering grounds in the 
Aleutians before our arrival. The entry of the Thiepval into Dolgoi bay, 
March 23, routed out sixty or seventy that returned again noisily in the 
evening to alight at the head of the bay. It was suspected then that 
probably they went up on the open tundra to feed, but the natives said 
that the birds always feed on the beach, and indeed they are called “Beach 
Geese,” even by some of the whites of the region. Later, at Kuluk bay, 
April 11 and 13, about three hundred were found frequenting the big 
lagoon, which teemed with bird life. Field notes for that day (April 13) 
run: “The wide bay (lagoon) resounded with the “Preep!” of Green- 
winged Teal and fifty were in the shallows. Pintails, Mallards, a golden-eye, 
two Red-breasted Mergansers, and three hundred Emperor Geese were in 
sight. A large flock of the last, routed by the landing party, circled into 
the bay and alighted near the shore at a long gunshot. Two barrels 
accounted for three geese, but two wounded made off and had to be 
secured. They were most beautiful birds, their bills when fresh were 
mixtures of blue and pink and purplish tints. Their tittering notes are 
almost exactly the same as the notes of the White-fronted. Their size, 
shape, yellow legs, and flight, all suggest that they really are closely related 
to the “Speckle-bellies.” They do not honk, but titter and “Tehee” in a 
shrill cackle.” Even after being skinned — which necessarily removes 
most of the fat — the flesh of these “Beach Geese” was very good eating. 
3 Adak island, Aleutian island. April 13 
9 “ “ “ 13 
Both in very fine high plumage. 
Ardea herodias fannini Chapman. Northwestern Coast Heron 
March 1, while passing out through the narrows leaving Vancouver — 
“on the point of Stanley park the blue heron rookery was plain. In a tall 
dead tree were about twenty big nests and the herons stood about in the 
bare tree and on the nests. On one nest stood two herons and this fact 
suggested that they might be a pair returned to claim their last year’s nest- 
site. Evidently with these, as with other birds, there is advantage in 
getting in early — a case of first come first served.” No herons were seen 
northward. 
