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harlani nearly intermediate between dark and light phases. Young melanotic, but range 
from a solidly brownish black bird to one having considerable rusty feather edging above 
and ochreous on the breast. Tails dark, barred with darker, but writer sees no distinction 
by which they could be certainly distinguished from a black-phased juvenile calurus. 
As we also have good B . b. krideri from Teslin lake, Yukon Territory adjoining, and others 
are recorded in general Alaska-Yukon-British Columbian neighbourhood, it is evident 
that we have here all forms of species (except perhaps B. b, borealis ) inextricably mixed 
together. This occurring at this far-flung extent of species range, and failure to find 
harlani in pure strain anywhere indicates that it should be regarded as a phase of calurus 
instead of a distinct species or even subspecies. As name harlani has considerable priority 
over calurus it will be necessary in future to call western red-tail B. b . harlani instead of 
B. b . calurus. An unfortunate necessity, but seems unavoidable in circumstances and 
under rules of nomenclature. (*See “A Study of Buteo borealis, the Red-tailed Hawk, and 
Its Varieties in Canada/' by P. A. Taverner; Geol. Surv., Canada, Mus. Bull. No. 48.) 
27. Buteo swainsoni Bonaparte Swainson’s Hawk 
This species not observed on the Chitina; but on evening of August 
20 as party came off bare, high divide and reached timber-line on Nizina 
slope, a dark-phased Buteo, taken to be above, rose and hovered above in 
breeze for some time, calling shrilly. Only Buteo suspected of being 
other toan red-tailed type. Call, action, size and setting, seemed true of 
swainsoni. Red-tail never a timber-line hawk in this region. 
28. Aquila chrysaetos (Linnaeus) Golden Eagle 
Seen daily along tne Chitina from Young creek to far up glacier above 
Trail End. Usially these hunters seen circling about cliffs from timber- 
line to highest ranges, out when heavy clouds obscured upper reaches of 
mountains they hunted at lower elevations, even coming to river-level. 
Following their custom, usually hunted in pairs. In May and early June 
eagles almost constantly hovering about little flocks of Dali's sheep that 
at this date were mainly using first pastures above timber-line. Harry 
Boyden reported seeing an eagle “packing off a lamb” as early as May 4. 
Several times eagles seen in juvenal plumage that bears conspicuous 
white markings on wings and wnite basal tail-patch. Defi litely estab- 
lished that these markings show plainly both from below and above. 
Many times when writer hidden in some corner of crags far aloft, one of 
these hunters swept by below. 
It seemed that ground squirrel of upper slopes ( Cittllus plesius plesius ) 
was their chief food and ttese little chaps lived in deadly fear of them. The 
sight of an eagle always set going a series of shrill warnings as alarm passed 
about mountain. Several times eagles seen to strike, but not once seen 
with prey. They spied prey and stooped for it at incredible distances — wind 
humming through their wings as it hums through frame of an airplane 
landing with dead motor. One passing overhead at about 5,000 feet one 
day slanted down straight for a lakelet in timber so far away that even 
with glasses bird’s objective not learned. Again one was seen making a 
long, slanting strike on set wings and it was followed by a bard-winging 
little pigeon hawk. But hawk very quickly left behind and gave up 
chase. Eagles worked much more about crags than upon open slopes. 
Doubtless in sweeping suddenly around rocky bluffs able to make use of 
surprise attack against their clever and vigilant game. 
Two or three times voice of golden eagle heard here. In all cases a 
harsh and shrill yelping note oft repeated, and such was its penetrating 
quality that it could be heard nearly a mile. 
No nests discovered, though they must have been nearby. Suitable 
Desting crags almost without number. 
72984 — 6 
