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J*^" U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

DIVISION 01' lUOUKIICAI, SUKVEY

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA

ISTo. 19

[Actual (kite ol pulilication, Octoljer (5, 1900]

RESULTS OF A BIOLOillCAL 11EC0XX01S.SANCE OF THE YUKON RIVER REGION

General Account of the Region
Annotated List of Mammals

I5y Wilfred 11. Osgood

Annotated List of Birds

By Louis B. Bishop, M. U.

Pruimnil inirter tho direction of

Dr. C. HART MBRRIAM

CHIEF OF DIVISION OF BIOLOGICAL SURVEY

WASHINGTON

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
1 \) U 0

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Jj-""

LETTER OE TRANSMEFTAL.

u. s. dei'ailtment of agriculture,

Washington, D. C, Ju/i/ ':JS, 1900.

Sir: I have the honor to transmit for publication, as No. 19 of North
American Fauna, a report entitled ' Results of a Biological Reconnois-
sanco of the Yukon River Region,' by Wilfred H. Osgood and Louis
B. Bishop.

Under instructions dated May 11, 1899, Wilfred H. Osgood, an
assistant in the Biological Survey, proceeded to Skagway, Alaska,
and thence over White Pass to the headwaters of the Yukon and down
the entire length of the Yukon River to St. Michael. He was accom-
panied by Dr. Louis B. Bishop, of New Haven, as volunteer assistant;
Dr. Bishop has prepared the report on the birds observed during the
trip. These are the first investigations of the kind undertaken on the
Upper Yukon, and the results herewith presented will be found to
contain many important facts concerning the distribution of mammals,
birds, and trees in this region.

Respectfully,

Hon. James Wilson,

Secretary of Ayrieultare.

C. Hart Merriam,

Chief., Biological Survey.

CONTENTS.

Page.

General account of the region, 1 )y Wilfred H. Osgood 7

Itinerary 7

Faunal districts 8

Lynn Canal district 8

White Pass district 9

Canadian Yukon district — Lake subdivision 10

River subdivision 12

Hudsonian Yukon district 13

Alaska Tundra district 15

Summary of faunal districts 16

Previous work 18

New species - 19

Mammals of the Yukon region, by Wilfred H. <Jsgood 21

Introduction i 21

List of species and subspecies 22

Annotated list of species 22

Birds of the Yukon region, with notes on other species, by Louis B. BishoiJ. . 47

Introduction 47

Classified lists of species 51

Annotated list of species 57

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Facing- puge.

Plate I. Map of Alaska Frontispief-e

II. Fig. 1. — Summit of White Pass.

Fig. 2. — Canadian police station at Caribou Crossing 10

III. Fig. 1. — Cliffs on east side of Lake Lebarge.

Fig. 2.— Yukon River 50 miles below Fort 8elkirk(^ 12

IV. Fig. 1. — Nests of red squirrels in spruce thicket.

Fig. 2. — Burrows made by red squirrels in loose scales stripped

from spruce cones 26

A^. Skulls of Scivrus vancouverensis, Sciunis luidsonicus pelulans, Xeo-

tonia cinerca drummondi, and Xeoloma saxamans 34

YI. Skulls of Lutreola vison energumenos, Lutreola v. ingens, Fiber ziheth-

icus, and Fiber sjyatulatus 42

YII. Skulls of Mustela americana bnnnaliti, Musfela americana artunsn,

and MuMela americana ''. 44

6

No. 19. NOETH AMEEIOAN FAUNA. October, 1900.

RESULTS OF A BIOLOGICAL REdONNOISSANCE OK THE YUKON

RIVER REGION.

GENERAL ACCOUNT OF THE REGION.

By Wilfred II. Osgood.

Nowhere else in North America is such a vast extent of ])oreal coun-
tr}' so easily accessible as along- the Yukon. The navigable waters
of the river begin at Lake Bennett, only 35 miles from the port of
Skagway, on the coast of southeast Alaska, and with but one short
interruption, extend northward as far as the Arctic Circle and then
westward to Bering Sea; in all, a distance of more than 1,800 miles.
The recent developments resulting from the discovery of gold in this
region include a modern railroad from Skagway to Bennett and a tram-
car service around the dangerous White Horse Rapids. The chief
oT)stacles to ready access to the territory have thus been removed, and
an opportunity is afforded for obtaining specimens and information
from a region much of which was previously unknown to naturalists.
Accordingly, with Dr. Louis B. Bishop as voluntary companion and
A. G. Maddren as assistant, I was detailed to make a hasty biological
reconnoissance of this region during the summer of 1899.

ITINERARY.

After outfitting at Seattle, Wash., we sailed via the Inside Passage
direct to Skagwa}^, Alaska, where we arrived on May 30. From
Skagway we worked slowly over White Pass and down to Lake Ben-
nett, at the head of navigation on the Yukon. Here we embarked in
a small flat-bottomed l)oat suited to our needs and sailed down the
series of lakes that follow one another for nearly 200 miles. From
the lakes we passed into Thirty-Mile River, thence into Lewes River,
and finall}' into the Y^ukon proper, stopping frequently and making
collections at favorable points. With the aid of the swift, even cur-

7

8 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [no. 19.

rent we were :i))le to make easy and rapid progress. Thus we con-
tinued until an unfortunate capsize between Fort Yukon and Fort
Hamlin prevented further detailed work on the river, and we were
obliged to proceed direct to St. Michael, where a month was spent in
collecting on the coast and tundra. Finally, late in September, our
work was brought to a close ])y the approach of the long arctic winter.
We returned to Seattle on the U. S. revenue cutter Cortrhi^ which
stopped on her way for a few hours art St. George Island and at
Unalaska, at each of which places we collected a few l)irds.

A relatively large part of our time was spent in the White Pass
region and about the headwaters of the Yukon, as this was an ahso-
lutel}^ virgin lield, whereas part of the lower river had })een previously
visited l)v naturalists. We were unable to do any collecting in the
mountains which lie back from the river, owing to the great distance
to be covered and the shortness of the season. Legions of mosquitoes
were attendant upon us almost constantly. At first they seemed posi-
tivel}' unbearable and were a real hindrance to the work, but we grad-
ually became accustomed to them, and Mj the use of gloves, head nets,
and canopies to sleep under, managed to exist in comparative comfort.
Aside from insect pests, however, outdoor life on the Yukon in June
and Jul}' is very enjoyable; good camping places are abundant, and
the weather is mild and beautiful. During the latter part of August
and in September strong winds sweep up the river and frequent rains
occur.

FAUN AT. DISTRICTS.

The country traversed mav l>e divided for convenience into five dis-
tricts: (1) The Lynn Canal district, (2) the White Pass district, (3)
the Canadian Yukon district, (i) the Hudsonian Yukon district, and
(5) the Alaska Tundra district. These districts are limited in a
general way by their respective life zones, but they^ are not of equal
extent or importance, and the names applied to them are used not to
specially designate restricted parts of zones alread}' recognized, but
purel}^ as a matter of convenience. They are longitudinal districts —
that is, they are very much longer than wide, and each is merely a nar-
row tract covered by our route through some larger fauna! region.

Lynn Ccmul dlst/'ict. — Skagway and the country bordering Lynn
Canal are in the northern part of that faunal area which Nelson has
called the 'Sitkan district' and which has often been included in the
Northwest Coast district. The trees and shrubs are much the same as
those at Juneau, Wrangell, and other points farther south, but the vege-
tation is not quite so dense and luxuriant. The shores of Lynn Canal
are steep, rocky, and comparatively sparsely timbered, but in some
places, as at Haines, low, swampy ground and heavy saturated forests
are found. At Skagway, poplars {Populus treviulmdes and Pojndus

OCT., 1900.] FAUNAL DISTRICTS. 9

hahamifera) are very common; they share the river bottom with wil-
lows and extend well up the steep canj^on sides, where the}' occupy
larj^e areas adjacent to the pines, tirs, and spruces. Skaj^way is
surrounded I)}' high mountains, and its fauna is limited chietly by
altitude. Glacier Station, 1-1 miles distant, and about 1,900 feet
higher, is near the }>oundary between the Lynn Canal and White Pass
districts. The station is situated on the side of a wooded gulch through
which a fork of Skagwaj' River flows. The immediate vicinity is
similar to the country aljout Skagway, but shows the influence of the
Hudsonian zone of the White Pass district, which begins only a short
distance beyond. On either side of the gulch are glaciated granite
clift's supporting an irregularly distributed vegetation, chiefly groves
of poplars and dense thickets of alders, while in the bottom of the
gulch conifers are the prevailing trees. The most common trees and
shrubs are lodgepole pines [Pinus 'laurrayanri)^ alpine firs {Ahiea
las'wcariKt)^ tidewater spruces [Picea sitc/umsis), poplars or aspens
{Popuhos tvemnloides and Populics halsamiferd)^ alders {Ahius sinuata),
dwarf birches {Betula glandulosa)^ currants {Pibes laxijlorxim), and
huckleberries ( Yacchiium ovalifoUum). The black crowberry {Empe-
truni nigrum) and several other heather-like plants occur in the gulch
but are more common higher up. Along the trickling streams are
man}' ferns and mosses, as well as occasional patches of the lichen
known as 'reindeer moss.' Among the mammals of this region are
the Streator shrew {Soi'ex ]). str'eatori), the Bangs white-footed mouse
{Peromyscus 07'eas), the Dawson red-backed mouse {Evokmiys dawsoni)^
the long-tailed vole {Mlcrotus mord^ix)^ and the red squirrel {Sciurus
h. petulans). Characteristic birds are the sooty song sparrow {Melo-
spiza m. rufina), the Townsend fox sparrow {Passerella i. tmvnsendl)^
the Oregon snowbird {Junco h. oregonus), and the varied thrush {IFcs-
pet'ocicJda ncBvia).

White Pass district. — The summits of the mountains that rise
directl}' east of Skagwa}' are covered with glaciers and perpetual
snow, which feed numerous streams that flow down between mass-
ive walls of granite. The sides of the wider canyons have been
smoothed and scored hy glaciation, and the smaller and more recent
ones are but jagged rock-bound chasms. These unfavorable conditions
cause a rapid change in the character of the plant and animal life, and
from Glacier to the summit of White Pass the zones are Hudsonian
and Arctic-alpine. A few hundred feet abovfe Glacier the trees become
smaller and more scattered, and at Summit only the alpine juniper
{JxLnip>eru^'< nana)., the bearl^erry {Arctostaphylos uvaimsi), and depau-
perate alpine hemlocks {Tsuga mertensiana) occur. Heathers and
mosses prevail and large areas of reindeer moss arc conspicuous.
For some distance on the summit of White Pass (Plate II, fig. 1) the
elevation and phj^siograph}' are nuich the same; the country- is slightly

10 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [no 19.

rolling and consists entirol}'^ of granite rock, alxnit wliicli cling many
mosses and heathers, while small alpine junipers and hemlocks
struggle for existence in favorable places. The breeding birds found
with these Hudsonian plants were ptarmigan {Lagojim riqjestris and
L. leucuru-s)^ pipits {Anthus 2)e'H8ilva7iicus)^ rosy finches {Leucosticte t.
littoraUs)^ and golden -crowned sparrows {Zonotrichiacoronata). Char-
acteristic manmials noted were pikas {Oehotona collctris)^ hoary mar-
mots {Arctomys caUgatus)^ and mountain goats {Oreamnos m.ontmnis).

Canadian Yukon district. — Lake subdivision: On the north side of
the divide the hemlocks are soon replaced by pines and spruces, and
in the vicinity of Shallow Lake the boundary of the interior fauna and
flora is reached. The change is complete at Log Cabin, British Colum-
bia, nine miles from the head of Lake Bennett, where the characteristic
features of the Canadian zone are again established and the general
aspect of the country is very different. The most abundant tree is the
white spruce {Picea canadensis)^ and among shrubs seen for the first
time the buffalo berry {LepciTgyrmi canadensis) is very common.
Birds marking a change of fauna are the slate-colored junco {Jwico
hyeinalis)., the Alaska jay {Perisoreus canadensis fumifi'ons)., the inter-
mediate sparrow [Zonotrichia I. gamheli)., and the l)lack-poll warbler
{Devdroica st7'iata). A new chipmunk {Entamias caniceps) is very
conspicuous. At the head of Lake Bennett another change occurs;
the country becomes more arid and rocky and there is a tinge of
Hudsonian.

Lake Bennett is a long, narrow sheet of water inclosed by high
granite clifl's, the sides of which are often so steep as to l)e unfavorable
for plant and animal life, and whose summits are doubtless similar to
White Pass in fauna and flora. Cold winds sweep down the lake much
of the time, and cool shadows envelop the east side most of the fore-
noon and the west side most of the afternoon, so that opportunity for
warmth by direct sunlight is limited. Hence there is quite a strong
Hudsonian element about the lake. Among the plants^ collected here
are the pale dwarf laurel {Kalmia glauca)^ the Greek valerian
{Polemmiitim Immile)^ the forget-me-not {Myosotls sylvatica alpestrL-i),
the alpine juniper {Juniperus )uma), the bush cranberry {Vihurmim
pauciflormii).^ the dwarf birch {Betula glandidosd)^ the bearberry
{Arctostaphylos uvaursi)^ the buffalo berry {Lepargyrwa canadensis),
the shadbush {Amekmchie?' alnifolia), the Labrador tea (Ledum grcen-
Jandicuiiii), and the black crowberiy {Enijxti'um nigrum). Where
trickling streams come down to the lake alder thickets abound, and
along terraces of rock clumps of pines and spruces as well as poplars
find suppoit. Among Hudsonian mammals were found pikas {Oeho-
tona collar is), hoary marmots {Arctoviys caligatus), and Dall sheep

'Identified by F. V. Coville, chief botanist, U. S. Department of Agriculture.

North American Fauna, No. 19.

Plate II.

Fig. 1.— Summit of White Pass.

Fig. 2.— Canadian Police Station at caribou Crossing.

OCT., 1900.] FAUNAL DISTKICTS. 11

{Oms dalll). Although the lake widens slightly at its lower end, its
outlet is a narrow stream about 3 miles long, called Caribou Cross-
ing- (Plate II, fig. 2), on the north side of which is an open, grassy
swamp })ordered ]jy willow thickets. This low country, though very
limited and not extending to the next lake, affords a breeding place
for a few mammals and birds not found about Bennett.

Lake Tagish, which receives the waters of Bennett through Caribou
Crossing, is like Bennett in character, though not so closely walled,
and is characterized by practically the same plants and animals. The
surrounding mountains are covered with dense forests, which in many
places are almost impenetrable.

Connected with Lake Tagish by a short, narrow stream, known as
Six-Mile River, is Lake Marsh, a long shallow lake on each side of
which extends low country, with rolling hills farther back. The valley
widens here quite appreciably, and the open country is like that at
Caribou Crossing. On the east side are sedgy l^ogs surrounded by
willow thickets, and in many places a wide margin of beautiful green
sedge meets the edge of the water. Rocky shores are found at some
points on the northwest side, but in general the country is low and
moist, in marked contrast to that about Bennett and Tagish. The
mountain animals of those lakes are of course absent, and the bird life
i.s also somewhat different.

Fifty-Mile River, into which the Yukon waters proceed from Lake
Marsh, is rather narrow, and for a short distance at White Horse Rap-
ids very swift. Its banks are chiefly abrupt bluffs of sandy clay (from
50 to 100 feet high) but at Miles Canyon it is confined between walls
of basalt. Below the rapids the stream widens somewhat and the higli
banks become less frequent, often being replaced l^y low ones thickly
grown with willows. The timber is somewhat scattered, and on the
rolling hills back from the river bare granite spaces may be frequently
seen. At the head of Fifty-Mile River, we first met with birch trees
{Bettda 2)a2)yrifera f)^ and from that time on they were seen daily.
They do not grow to large size — trees more than 8 inches in diame-
ter were seldom seen. Several small streams flow into Fifty-Mile
River, which favor the growth of thickets of alders along their )>anks
and large clumps of willows about their mouths. The little l)oreal
sagebrush {Artemisia Jrigida) grows abundantly on the warm exposed
slopes that occasionally alternate with the sandy 1)luffs. Lodgepole
pines are also abundant and f requentl}' occupy large areas to the exclu-
sion of all other trees. Spruce and poplar, however, are still the strong-
est elements in the forest.

From Fifty-Mile River we enter Lake Lebarge, the last and largest
of the lakes. All abovit its clear, cold waters are low granite moun-
tains (Plate III, fig. 1). Occasionally patches of heavy spruce forest
are found near the Avater, l)ut in man}^ places clift's rise al)ruptly from

12 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [no. 19.

the water's edg-e, and the timber i,s very sparsely sprinkled over them.
The rocks found here and a few in Thirty-Mile River are the last we
saw showing signs of glaciation. Lake Lcbarge is quite different from
Lake Marsh, and is more similar to Lakes Tagish and Bennett, though
all the Hudsonian elements of these are not present.

River subdivision : This area includes the section from the foot of
Lake Lebarge to the mouth of the Pell v River at Fort Selkirk. There
is very little variety in the character of the country between these
points. Thirty -Mile River, which proceeds from Lake Lebarge, is a
swift, narrow stream, and at low water is barely navigalile for small
steamers. A conspicuous feature of its banks, which are cut abruptly
like those of Fiftv-Mile River, is a narrow ribbon-like stratum of vol-
canic ash about 6 inches below the surface that may be seen wherever
the bank is exposed. On the mountains a short distance from the river
the forest of spruce is heavier and purer than an}" previousl}' noted.
The poplars and willows are more confined to the brink of the river,
and the birches are scattered. Thirt3"-Mile River is simply that por-
tion of the Yukon between Lake Lebarge and the mouth of the Hoota-
linqua orTeslin River. The stream is greatly augmented b}^ the
waters of the Hootalinqua, and from this point on to Fort Selkirk is
known as the Lewes River. Below the Hootalinqua it cuts through
the Semenow Hills, for the most part abrupt, rock}', and rather barren
mountains from 2,000 to 3,000 feet high. Near their bases and at the
water's edge are forested areas, but the exposed hillsides are covered
with boreal sagebrush {A7'temisiafngida)^ with here and there a pros-
trate juniper or a small clump of spruces. The river now widens
rapidly, receiving in succession the waters of the Big Salmon, the
Little Salmon, and the Nordenskiold. The rolling hills are sometimes
a mile or several miles from the river bank, with low willow swamps
intervening. Islands varying from 1 to 100 acres in extent and
covered with luxuriant vegetation are abundant. The distribution
of trees on the small, regular-shaped islands is very uniform, this
different kinds being grouped in concentric belts. Alders generally
form the outer margin; next come the willows; next the poplars,
rising somewhat higher; and finally the dark-green spruces, which
occupy the central area. The whole effect is quite picturesque. On
the larger islands the spruces are larger, and usually predominate to
such an extent that almost everything else should be classed as under-
growth (including trees and shrubs belonging to the genera Alnus,
Salix, Pojndus^ Lepargyrcm^ Cornus^ Vihurnwn, jRosa, Zedmn, Yac-
dnium^ Hihes^ and others). Lodgepole pines still occur, though unlike
the spruces they nowhere form continuous forest and disappear entirely
a short distance beyond Fort Selkirk.

The Canadian Yukon district as a whole is very well marked. Char-
acteristic mammals are the gray-headed chipmunk {Eutamias caniceps),

North American Fauna, t!:. 13

Plate

Fig. 1.— Cliffs on East Side of Lake Lebarge.

Fig. 2.— Yukon River, 50 Miles below Fort Selkirk.

OCT., 1900.] FAUNAL DISTRICTS. 13

the Bennett grouiul s(|uiiTel {Speriiwpldlwi em^et'rai}le><lui<)^ the North-
ern bushj'-tailed rat {^W'otoiiia saxamans)^ white-footed mice {Peramys-
Gus oreas and Peroiiiyscas riianicuIatHS arcticm), and the varying hare
{Zepus S(d!em). All of these species and three of the genera, FAitmnias^
Neotoma^ and Peromyscus^ find their northern limits in this district.
Among birds that are known from the Yukon only in this district may
be mentioned the sparrow hawk {Faico sjHirrerlm), the screech owl
{Megascops ado I'oinicottif)^ the night hawk ( CJwrdeiles virginlanus)^
the tree swallow {Tachycineta hicoJor)^ the Tennessee warbler {Ilehnin-
t}ioph'dit2>ere(jrin(i)^ the pileolated warl:»ler ( Wdsonla jyiiAiilla plleolatcib)^
and the mountain bluebird {Slalia arctica). Of these, CJwrdeiles is
perhaps the most noteworthy, as it is decidedly a southern genus. It
is very common, and was seen nightly from Caribou Crossing to Rink
Rapids, but after we had passed that point it disappeared. Its range
in this region as observed by us is probably accurate and corresponds
with the limits of the district. Among trees, the lodgepole pine
{Pinus 7mMrrayana) is common throughout the district, but does not
extend beyond it.

Iludsoniojii Yidion district. — This district, as here considered,
includes till of the Yukon region from Fort Selkirk to the limit of
trees. The Lewes River is joined at Fort Selkirk by the Pelly, after
which the increased volume of water flows on between heavily forested
slopes and jutting cliffs (Plate III, fig. 2), which replace the sandy
banks of the upper river. From the mouth of the Selw}^! northward
the topography of the river banks is but slightly different. The num-
ber of poplars in the forest is much increased; the spruces are corre-
spondingly decreased not only in number but also in size; while the
birches about hold their own, and the pines are not present at all,
having disappeared between Fort Selkirk and the mouth of the Sehv3^n
River. As we approach Dawson spruces become dwarfed and entirely
subordinate to the poplars, which crowd their l)ushy tops together for
miles and miles. The spruces are in the gulches and in small clumps
elsewhere, and a few are scattered about, their dark-green spike tops
showing off well against the billowy mass of the lighter foliage of
poplar and birch. The undergrowth remains much the same, and
deep moss covers the ground and rocks. In damp sandy places along
shore and on islands occasionally overflowed a bright-green scouring
rush {E(pdsetum) grows so abundantly as to be a characteristic plant.
The alpine juniper {Juniperus nana) is found occasionally on hill-
sides not too thickly grown with poplars, and on the more open hill-
sides the landscape is brightened liy masses of fireweed ( ChamcBnerion
angusti folium), for even here forest fires are not a novelty.

Two more large rivers, the White and the Stewart, empty into the
Yukon in this vicinity. About the mouths of these and other tributaries
is more or less low country covered with willows. Islands become

14 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [no. 19.

still iiioru nunici'ous iind larger, and have a forest growth that is more
uniform in character than that of the river banks. High clifis over-
hanging the I'iver arc of frequent occurrence.

From Dawson to the Alaska boundary and thence to Circle the
country is about the same. For a long distance in the vicinity of the
boundary a range of high mountains is visiljle to the northward on the
right bank of the river. The low, rolling hills which border the upper
river do not quite reach Circle, l)ut are replaced by a broad, flat country
known as the ' Yidvon Flats,' which extends from near Circle to Fort
Hamlin, a distance of about 200 miles. Through the ' Flats ' the course
of the river breaks up into a great man}^ channels, and the islands
still further increase in size and number. These are composed of
sand and silt, in which poplars thrive better than spruces, though the
latter are by no means eliminated. A wild rose {Rosa cmnaniohieaf)
is the most abundant shrubby plant, and on the ground below it the
Equisetuvi is rampant. The larger islands are identical in character
with the mainland, and on them the spruces form quite a heavy forest,
with deep moss beneath. At Fort Hamlin the river narrows again
and flows l)etween rolling wooded hills, which are similar to many
farther up the river. Small streams enter the main river frequently,
and the timl^er is much the same; poplars, alders, and birches cover
the hills in dense thickets, through which spruces are sprinkled.
Alders arc more numerous than before. The hills var}- in height
from 600 to 3,000 feet, and the highest have a distinct timberline at
about 2,000 feet. At the mouth of the Tanana the hills become smaller
and the river very much wider. Here, at Fort Gibbon, Dr. Bishop
found the larch {LariM aiaericana) quite alnmdant. This Avas the only
point at which it was seen by an}^ of our party.

The Lower Yukon beyond the Tanana is very uniform in character.
The banks are low and rolling and overgrown with willows and alders;
farther back are higher hills covered with poplars and birch; occasion-
ally the summits of a few hills higher than the rest are devoid of
trees. On the sandy islands the willow thickets are impenetrable, and
where a cut bank exposes a section of tliem their slender perpendicu-
lar trunks stand so closely as to present a solid front like a thick hedge
or canebrake. Thus it continues until the limit of timber is reached
at Andraefski, 90 miles above the mouth of the Yukon.

This district as a whole is characterized l)v absence of southern
plants and animals. Among migratory birds a few have their center
of abundance farther south, but all the mammals are northern forms,
and nearly all belong to genera of circumpolar distribution.^ Plant
life, though quite luxuriant, is made up of only a small number of
hardy species. Characteristic mammals are the Fort Yukon ground

^ The only exceptions are Synaptomys, Fiber, and Erethizon.

OCT., 1900.] FAUNAL DISTRICTS. 15

squirrel {^Sperino^Jdlus osgoodi)^ Dawson red-backed mouse {Eootomys
dawsoni), yellow-cheeked vole {Microtus xanthognathus), Yukon lem-
ming {Lemm.usyuJione7isis)^ Dall varjang hare {Lejms americanus dall'i)^
and tundra weasel {Putorms arcticui). Of the birds, the most char-
acteristic are the duck hawk {Falco peregrinus anatum)^ pigeon hawk
{Falco coluijiharius)^ Alaska longspur [Calcarius lajpjponicus alascensis)^
hoary redpoll {AcantJds Iwrnemannl exlllpes)^ fox sparrow {Passerella
illaca)^ Bohemian waxwing {ArnjJelis gai'mdtis)^ and wheatear {Saxicola
mnanthe).

Alaska Tundra district. — The Yukon from Andraefski to the coast
of Norton Sound is bounded on ])oth sides by typical tundra. The
country is low and gently undulating, and its surface a short distance
away appears to be thickly carpeted with grass. That this is not the
real condition a short walk ashore soon demonstrates; but the delusion
is so complete that were it not for the presence of the great river one
might fancy himself looking out over the undulating plains at the
eastern base of the Rocky Mountains in the western United States.

The flora of the tundra, though devoid of trees deserving of the
name, is found on careful examination to ])e quite varied. Besides
the numerous mosses and heathers and many small berry-bearing
plants are dwarf willows, birches, and alders. The alders attain the
greatest size, but are usually found in isolated clumps in favorable
spots, where they often grow from 6 to 8 feet high. The ground is
frozen a few inches below the surface, and the heavy, spongelike cover-
ing of vegetation is kept constantly saturated. Occasional high bluffs
on the coast in exposed situations are bleak and bare, but besides
these there is scarcely a spot not covered Avith low, matted vegetation.
Numerous small ponds are irregularly distributed over the tundra,
and around them the vegetation is ranker than elsewhere. Broken
lava borders the shores of St. Michael Island, and small moss-covered
heaps of it, which form practically the only solid footing on the island,
are scattered about over the tundra.

Characteristic mammals at St. Michael are the Hall Island fox
( Vul^yes hallensis), Nelson vole {Microtus ojMrarius), tundra red-backed
mouse {Evotoinys dawsoni alascensis), Nelson pied lenmiing {Dicro-
stmiyx nelsoni), Alaska lemming {Leminus alascensis)., and Alaska Arctic
hare {Zejms otJuis). Land birds known to breed are the hoary redpoll
[AcantMs Iwrnemanni exiUpes)^ common redpoll (Acanthis linaria),
Alaska longspur {Calcarius lajjponicus alasccmsis)., western tree spar-
row {Sjnzella inonticola ochracea)., golden-crowned sparrow {Zonotrickia
coronata)., and Siberian yellow wagtail {Budytes Jlavus lev cost?' iat us).
Common tundra plants^ are Cassiopea tetragona., Andromeda x>oli folia.,
Vaccinium, vitisidcea., Mairania alp>ina.. Ledum palustre, Artemisia

^Nelson, Report upon Natural History Collections in Alaska, 30, 1887.

16 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [no 19-

arctica^ Riihun cJutmiam'xynis^ Iii(l>iis (irctlGus^ Betida nana, Alnus
sinuata. CIt<( nuvcii^tux jn'ocairiheus, and Tnsnlago frigida.

SUSEVIAKY OF FAUXAI. DISTRICTS.

All the country horo, consitlorcd is in the boreal zones, the Tundra
district and a small part of the White Pass district belon«^ing- to the
Arctic subdivison, and the Yukon Valley principally to the Hud-
sonian, thoutj;-h it has also a well-marked Canadian section. Birds
are comparatively rare in all the interior region, and it is difficult to
determine the exact range of many species. Some were seen but
once or twice; others appeared sporadically at rather long intervals;
while still others that are known from the region were not seen at all;
so it is hardly safe, in making generalizations, to ridy too much on
the ranges obserxed b}- us. The distribution of trees and shrubby
plants and of man}' of the manmials, however, could be determined
with much greater accuracy and constitute reliable guides in fixing
the limits of the districts. These districts are in general the same
as those recognized by Nelson, but with more definite and somewhat
modified limits. Names slightly different from those he used are
adopted here in order to agree with the commonly accepted names
of the primary zones of North America. Thus the part of his 'Alas-
kan-Canadian' district here considered is called the 'Hudsonian
Yukon ' district, since it lies entirely within the transcontinental Hud-
sonian zone. Owing to fluviatile conditions, the boundaries of the
Yukon districts doubtless do not agree in latitude with those which
might be made away from the rivers.

The zones which we successivel}^ traversed in going from Skagway
to St. Michael via White Pass and the Yukon are: (1) Canadian; (2)
Hudsonian; (3) Arctic- Alpine; (4) Canadian; (5) Hudsonian, and (6)
Arctic. The Lynn Canal district is in the Canadian zone, but it has
some slight peculiarities such as are to be expected in a coast district.
Though it does not have the Hudsonian animals of the northern coast,
it lacks several of the typical Canadian forms of the coast farther
south. ^ It is really near the northern limit of the Canadian zone on

^The coast of Alaska south of the peninsula, or what has been known as the 'Sit-
kan district,' may be easily divided into two districts corresponding to the Canadian
and Hudsonian zones. Lynn Canal is situated near the boundary between these
districts. Among Canadian mammals which have their center of abundance in the
restricted Sitkan district on the coaat south of Lynn Canal are: OdocoUeus sitkensis,
Sciurus vancouverensis, Peromyscus ^nacrorhinus, Erotomys urangdi, Microtus maatii'us,
Synaptomys wrangeli, Zapus mltator, and Myotis alascerms. Among the Hudsonian
forms found on the coast only north of Lynn Canal are: Eangifer sp.. Oris dalli,
Sciunts hndsonicus, Spermophihtx r. plmufi, Zapus h. alascensis, Ochotonn coUaris, and
Myotis hiclfugm. Among trees which find their northern limit in the vicinity of
Lynn Canal are: Thuja plkaia, Ahies lasiocarpa, and Phnis murrayana. The northern
district from Lynn Canal to Kadiak is so similar to the great interior Hudsonian
region that it hardly merits recognition as a distmct district, but it certainly should
not be included in the Sitkan district.

OCT., 1900.] SUMMAKY OF FAUNAL DISTRICTS. l7

the Pacific coast. The occurrence at Skagway of iiiummals of the
interior, such as Mlwotus m'ordax,^ Evotomys dmcwnl, and Peromyscua
or^eas, seems to show an approach to the condition farther north where
the coast and interior forms are practically the same. The Canadian
zone of the Lynn Canal district gives way to the Hudsonian and
Arctic-Alpine in the White Pass district. The character of this dis-
trict is essentially the same as that of other mountain regions in
western North America. This is well indicated by the fact that its
mammals include the hoary marmot {Arctomys caligatm), the Alaska
pika {Ochotona coUaris), and the mountain goat {Oreamnos mo7itanm)^
and its birds the ptarmigan {Lagopiis Imourus and Z. rupestris), the
pipit (Anthuspensilvamcits), and the rosy finch (Leucostccte t. littoraUH).
The Canadian Yukon district from Bennett to Fort Selkirk merely
represents the extent to which our route entered the extreme northern
part of the Canadian zone; that is, its limits are those of the section
that our route made across the end of a narrow tongue which extends
northward from the great areas occupied by the Canadian zone farther
south. Owing to its being so near the border of the Hudsonian zone,
its character is not purely Canadian, but the presence of such forms
as chipmunks {Eutamias) and white-footed mice {Peromyscus) among
manmials, night hawks {CJiordeiles) among birds, and lodgepole pines
{Plnus murrayana) among trees, makes it evident that the Canadian
element is very strong. The Hudsonian Yukon district represents the
complete section which the Yukon River makes through the great
northern forest belt of the Hudsonian zone. This belt corresponds to
the Alaskan-Canadian district outlined by jTelson. It is bounded on
the south by the Canadian zone and the extreme northern limit of
southern forms, and on the north by the treeless tundra. On the west
it probably reaches and includes the coast from Kadiak to Lynn Canal;
on the east its limits are unknown. The Alaska Tundra district defines
itself. Its character is the combined result of latitude and rigorous
coast clunate. Our experience in this treeless district was limited
to St. Michael Island and the ninety miles between Andraefski and the
mouth of the Yukon. The animals of this region are not all abso-
lutely confined to it, many of them ranging some distance into the
forest belt. Small mammals, such as the Nelson vole {Mlcrotm ope-
rarim), occupy so-called ' islands '—local spots oft'ering what are prac-
tically tundra conditions— as far within the forest belt as Circle.

'The case of Microtas mordax at the head of Lynn Canal is particularly interesting,
since a closely related form, M. macruriis, has been found at Glacier Bay on the
north side of the mouth of the canal and also at Juneau on the south side, and
would therefore be expected at Skagway, which is halfway between. Assuming
that 7namirus has been dispersed from tlie south northward on the coast, it seems
that it did not reach Glacier Bay by way of the present mainland, otherwise it would
be fomid at Skagway. M. mordax doubtless reached Skagway from the interior.
4494— No. 19 2

18 NOETH AMERICAN FAUNA. [no. 19.

The fauna of the Yukon Ijasin as a whole is composed of two prin-
cipal elements, one containing absolutely circumpolar forms, evidently
derived from the north, the other containing- forms which have their
center of abundance farther south. This is particularly true of the
mammals. Among the genera Ijelonging to the north may be men-
tioned Ilan(j>fei\ EvoioniyH, Lenniius, and Dlcrostonyx^ all of which
are circumpolar in distri})ution; those from farther south are Mcei^^
Sciuropterus, Etttamias, Peromyscus^ Neotoma^ Fihe/\ and Synajytomys.
With the exception of alpine species and a few wide-ranging forms,
chiefly carnivores, the variations of which are not sufficiently known
to be of use in defining faunal regions, no species of mammals are
common to the Yukon region and the Sitkan coast district. From
this it seems that all the southern forms which reach the Yukon region
have been derived from the interior rather than from the coast. This
is also true of the trees and to a great degree of the birds. But, on the
other hand, some species of land l)irds are common to the lower Yukon
and the Sitkan district while a large intervening area in the interior is
uninhabited by them.^ SelasphoruH rufus, Dendrolca townsendi^ and
Ilyloclchla aoimlascldw were found on both sides of White Pass, but
only rarely and for a very short distance on the interior side.

PREVIOUS WORK.

Our knowledge of the natural history of the Yukon region has been
derived chiefly from two sources — the members of the Kusso-Ameri-
can Telegraph Expedition and the Signal Service officers formerly
stationed at St. Michael. The first information was gathered l)y the
scientific corps of the Telegraph Expedition of 1865 to 1868. Promi-
nent among the members of this corps were Robert Kennicott, Wil-
liam H. Dall, and J. T. Rothrock, all of whom secured valual)le speci-
mens and information. The notes of Kennicott were not published,
owing to his untimely death at Nulato, May 13, 1866, but numerous
specimens, particularly from the vicinity of Fort Yukon, are now in the
National Museum, a monument to his faithful pioneer work. Among
the numerous papers on various subjects relating to Alaska published
by Dail are lists of birds and mammals.'^ A list of plants including
some records from Fort Yukon was published by Rothrock.^

^ One of these species is the varied thrush (Hesperocichla nsevia) which was found
in the Lynn Canal district, but not in any numbers in the Yukon Valley above Daw-
son. Below Dawson it is quite common along the Yukon and undoubtedly breeds
there. It is well known to range along the Pacific coast to Kadiak, and thence to the
shores of Kotzebue Sound and up the Kowak River. Its absence on the Upper
Yukon and its occurrence all along the coast make it extremely probable that in
reaching the Yukon its course of migration is up the river from its mouth.

^ List of Birds of Alaska, by W. H. Dall and H. M. Bannister < Trans. Chicago Acad-
emy of Sciences, I, pt. II, 267-310, 1869; also Alaska and its Resources, by W. H.
Dall, Boston, Lee & Shepard, 1870.

^Sketch of the Flora of Alaska, by J. T. Rothrock < Annual Report Smithsonian
Institution, 1867, 433-463.

OCT., 1900.] NEW SPECIES. 19

In 1874, with the establishment of a meteorological station at St.
Michael, work was begun by Lucien M. Turner. Ho collected about
St. Michael and secured specimens from the fur traders and natives
on the Yukon as far up as Fort Yukon. The results of his work were
published in the Arctic Series of the Signal Service.^

Turner was relieved in 1877 by E. W. Nelson, who continued to
collect specimens until 1881. His work was more extensive than that
of Turner, but was carried out along the same lines. He made several
trips up and down the coast from St. Michael, and also worked about
the Yukon delta and up the river as far as Anvik. L. N. McQuesten,
who conducted a trading post at Fort Reliance, furnished him with
numerous specimens and much valuable information. The results of
Nelson's work were also published in the Arctic Series of the Signal
Service ^ and form by far the most valuable contribution to the natural
history of Alaska jet made. In 1889 an important report ^ was pub-
lished by Dr. George M. Dawson, covering the region of the sources
of the Yukon and down as far as Fort Selkirk. This report contains
detailed descriptions of the physical features of the upper river, notes
on natural history, particularly on the distribution of trees, and a list
of plants by John Macoun.

NEW SPECIES.

Nine new species and subspecies of mammals arc doscril^ed in the
present report. They are as follows:

Scluropterus yukonensis.
Sciurus hudsonicus petalaris.
Eutamias caniceps.
SpcrmopMlus emj)etra j)lesitis.
Neotoma saxamans.

Fiber spatulatus.
Lepus saliens.
Lutreola mso^i ingens.
Mustela amerlcana acluosa.

In the collection of birds, three new forms were found. These have
been described by Dr. Bishop * as follows :

Canachites canadensis osgoodi. I Contopus richardsoni saturalH,'^.

Sayornis saya yukonensis. \

^ Contributions to the Natural History of Alaska, by L. M. Turner, Arctic Series,
Signal Service, No. II, Washington, 1886.

'^ Report upon Natural History Collections made in Alaska, by E. W. Nelson, Arctic
Series, Signal Service, No. Ill, Washington, 1887.

^ Geological and Natural History Survey of Canada, Annual Report, HI (1887-88),
Pt. I, 6 B-277 B, 1889;

* Auk, XVII, 113-120, April, 1900.

20 NOKTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [no. 19.

Besides the tibove, several new mammals whieh come within the
scope of the present report have been recently described by Dr. Mer-
riam.^ These are as follows:

hfpermophilus osgoodi.
Lemmus yukonensis.
Lemmus alascensis.
Dicrostonyx nelsoni.
Ereihizon epixcmthun myops.

Lepus americanus dalli.
Lepus othus.
Vulpes hallensis.
Sorex personatus arclicus.
Sorex tundrerms.

In addition to these, three new forms recently described ))y Witmer
Stone '~ should be mentioned:

jyicrostonyx hudsonius alasceTisin ( equals D. nelnoni Merriam ) .
Puturius rixosus eskimo.
Lynx canadensis mollipilosus.

1 Proc. Wash. Acad. Sci., II, 13-30, March 14, 1900.
'' Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., March 24, 1900, 33-49.

MAMMALS OF THE YUKON REGION.

Bv Wilfred H. Osgood.

INTRODUCTION.

The following list, primarily based on collections made during the
past year, includes all the known mammals of the Yukon region.
Besides the species which belong strictly to the Yukon, are included
those found in the Lynn Canal and White Pass districts and those
known to occur at St. Michael. This makes a list containing the majority
of the mammals known from Alaska, which is not, however, intended
to be comprehensive, but should be considered as supplementary to
the list published by Nelson in 1887. As may be seen from the itin-
erary, our collections were made during a hasty trip from the coast of
southeastern Alaska to the head waters of the Yukon and thence down
the river to St. Michael. Good series of all the common small mam-
mals were secured, but the larger and rarer species were not often
obtained. It was not only difficult to secure specimens of the larger
mammals, but it was hard to gain much accurate information in regard
to them. Most of the miners we met had lieen in the country but a
short time and their knowledge of animals was limited; natives were
seldom met on the upper river and the few that were interviewed
seemed disinclined to talk. The fur trade on the Yukon has dwindled
to comparatively meager proportions. The Indians still bring a few
furs to the traders every year and receive pittances of flour and tea in
return; but the trade is apparently very small and were it not for the
transportation business which has recently become so important, the
large companies would doubtless find it difficult to maintain themselves.

In identifying the recently collected specimens and studying their
geographical distril)ution, it has been necessary to refer constantly to
the specimens collected by Kennicott, Dall, Nelson, and Turner. Many
of these, which are in the National Museum, were found to be in poor
condition and required considerable renovating to make them compar-
able with modern specimens. For the free use of these specimens I
am indebted to Gerrit S. Miller, jr., assistant curator of manunals
in the National Museum. I am also indebted to Outram Bangs for
the use of specimens, and E. W. Nelson for much valuable informa-
tion. The identifications of some of the mammals have been verified

21

22

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[NO. 19.

by spccialistj as follows: The species of Sorex by Dr. C. Hart Merriam;
of Microtus by Vernon Bailey, and of Zapus by Edward A. Preble.
All measurements are in millimeters.

LIST OF SPECIES AND SUBSPECIES.

1. Rangifer montamis Seton-Thompyon.

2. Rangifer arcticus ( Richardson) .

3. Rangifer tarand us (Linnaeus).

4. Alces gigas Miller.

5. Ovis dalli Nelson.

6. Oreamnos montanus {Ord) .

7. Sciuropterus yukonensis sp. nov.

8. Sciurus hudsonicus Erxleben.

9. Sciurus hudsonicus jJetulana subsj). nov.

10. Eutamias caniceps sp. nov.

11. Spermophilus empetra 2)lesius subsp.

nov.

12. Spermophilv^ osgoodi Merriam.

13. Arctomys caligatus Eschscholtz.

14. Castor cayiadensis Kuhl.

15. Mus decumanus Pallas.

16. Peromyscus oreas Bangs.

17. Peromyscus maniculatus arcticus

(Mearns).

18. Neotoma saxarnans sp. nov.

19. Evotomys dawsoni Merriam.

20. Evotomys dawsoni alascensis (]Miller).

21. Microtus mordax CNLerrisun) .

22. Microtus drummondi ( Aud.and Bach. ) .

23. Microtus xantJiognathus (Leach).

24. Microtus ojyerarius (Nelson ) .

25. Fiber spatulatus sp. nov.

26. Synaptomys dalli Merriam.

27. Lemmus yukonensis Merriam.

28. Lemmus alascensis Merriam.

29. Dicrostonyx nelsoni Merriam.

30. Zapus hudsonius alascensis Merriam.

31. Erethizon epixantkus myops Merriam.

32. Ochotona collaris (Nelson)

33. Lepus saliens sp. nov:

34. Lepus americanus dalli Merriam.

35. Leptis othus Merriam.

36. Lynx canadensis mollipilosus Stone.

37. Canis occidcntalis Richardson.

38. f Vulpes fulvus (Desmarest).

39. Vulpes hallcnsis Merriam.

40. Ursus americanus Pallas.

41. Ursus horribilis alascensis Men-iam.

42. Lutra canadensis (Schreber) .

43. Lutreola vison ingens subsp. n( »\-.

44. Putorius arcticus Merriam.

45. Putorius cicognani alascensis (Mer-

riam.)

46. Putorius nxosus eskimo Stone.

47. Mustela americana actuosa subsj). nov.

48. Mustela pennanti 'Erxleben.

49. Gulo luscus (Linnaeus).

50. Sorex personatus streatori Merriam.

51. Sorex 2Jerso7iatus arcticus Merriam.

52. Sorex obscurus Merriam.

53. Sorex tundrensis Merriam.

54. Myotis lucifugus (Le Conte).

ANNOTATED LIST OF SPECIES.

Rangifer montanus Seton-Thompson. Mountain Caril)oii.

Rangifer montamis Seton-Thompson, Ottawa Naturalist, XIII, No. 5, (i, Aug. 11, 1899;
Allen, Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., N. Y., XIII, 1-18, April 3, 1900.

This large woodland caribou is reported as quite eouimon in northern
British Columbia al^out the head waters of the Yukon and for an
indefinite distance northward. It does not occur on the coast south of
Cook Inlet, but is reported from many points immediately bej'ond the
summit of the coast mountains. It prefers the higher ground in
summer and is not found along river bottoms like the moose, for
which reason few are killed by parties descending the river. Its fiesh
is smoked and dried b}^ the Indians for winter food, and when so cured
is preferred to all other meat of the country. The hides, like those
of the moose, serve the natives for various articles of clothing and a"e
utilized especialW for sleeping ro])es.

OCT., 1900.] MAMMALS OF THE YUKON REGION. 23

Eangifer arcticus (Richardson). Barren Ground Caribou.

The barren ground caribou ranges over nearly all of extreme north-
ern North America from northwestern Labrador to the Aleutian
Islands. It was formerly abundant over this great territory, but is
now quite rare. Even at the time of Nelson's work in 1877 it had
become comparatively uncoumion, though it was once common all
about Norton Sound and for some distance up the river. The south-
ern and interior limits of its range are uncertain. During our stay
in St. Michael, I saw half a dozen skins which had been secured
near Andraefski, 90 miles above the mouth of the Yukon. There are
specimens in the National Museum from Nushagak and Unalakleet,
Alaska; and from Rampart House and La Pierre House, Northwest
Territory.

Rangifer tarandus (Linnfeus). Domesticated Reindeer.

During the past few years, as is well known, an effort has been
made to introduce domesticated reindeer from Siberia into Alaska.
The animals as a rule have been carefully herded, but in a few cases
they have had opportunities to stray away and run wild. The herd
that had perhaps the best chance to stray was one which was brought
from Lapland to Haines in 1898, and driven inland over the Dalton
trail. A short time after it started several of the animals were seen
in the forest near Haines, and one of them was killed. This was the
only instance of the kind brought to my attention, but I have no
douljt that reindeer have occasionally wandered from the care of the
herders at other times and in other places.

Alces gigas Miller. Alaska Moose.

Aires ffigas Miller, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., XIII, 57-59, May 29, 1.S90.

The Alaska moose, as has frequently been stated, is the largest of
the deer family in North America. Its distribution along the Yukon
extends from Lakes Atlin and Tagish at least to the mouth of the
Tanana and prol)al)ly somewhat farther. Whymper^ says that it was
'never known as low as Nulato,' even in the time of its greatest
abundance. It is evident, however, from the record of Nelson ^ at the
Yukon delta, and that of Richardson ^ at the mouth of the Mackenzie,
that it does occasionally leave its favorite woodlands of the interior
and wander as far as the Arctic coast. At present it is still quite
numerous, but is chiefly contined to the small streams tri])utary to the
Yukon, According to reports which came to me it is abundant in the
region al)out the upper waters of the Stewart, Pelly, and MacMillan
rivers. Along- the great river itself numbers have been killed during

^ Travels in Alaska and on the Yukon, 245, 1869.'

^ Report upon Natural History Collections in Alaska, 2S7, 1887.

■' Fauna Boreali-Aiuericana, 233, 1829.

24 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [no. 19.

the recent iiiHux of pro.spectors. At the l)egiiining of the Klondike
rush, it wjis not uncommon for a l)Jirty to secure one or two moose
while descending the river, but such is rarely the case at present.
Our party failed to see any, though w^e spent nearly three months in
the region; duiing this time we heard of but two animals being
killed, one near the foot of Lake Lebarge and another on upper
Charlie Creek, a short distance above Circle; both were secured by
Indians. We saw comparative!}^ few fresh tracks.

In winter, moose meat is the staple diet of both Indians and whites
and has readily sold in the mining camps at $1 to $2 per pound. Such
a price, even in this country of high wages, has l)een a great incentive
to hunting, and many a miner has left his claim to pursue the moose.
The hides also are a source of prolit, particularly to the Indians, who
tan them and make them into mittens and moccasins. What the Indians
do not need they sell readily to miners and prospectors. It is dif-
ficult to estimate the number of animals that have been killed, but it
must be ver}^ large, for the demand has been steady and a comparatively
large population has been supplied with meat. On one hunt, an ac-
count of which has been given by Tappan Adney,^ 44 moose were
killed in about one month, and a single party of Indians was credited
with a total of 80 moose and 65 caribou in one Avinter.

Ovis dalli (Nelson). Dall Mountain Sheep.

Most of the specimens of the Dall sheep which have reached our
museums were secured in the vicinity of Cook Inlet, but the animal
occurs in nearly all the high mountains of Alaska, and in the north
ranges to the Arctic coast. Since we were at a distance from the
mountains during the greater part of our trip, I was unal)le to secure
much information in regard to the distribution of the species. Sheep
are said to occur about the West Arm of Lake Bennett, and Windy Arm
of Lake Tagish. A prospector with whom I talked at Lake Tagish
said he had seen and killed them at both of these places. Lake Bennett
is not far from the type locality of 0. stonei, and it is possible that
this species occurs there with O. dalli. Both white and gra}' sheep
are reported, though all are said to be white in winter. I was told
that white sheep were killed some years ago on the cliffs about Lake
Lebarge, but I failed to find signs of them there. Prospectors at Fort
Selkirk say that sheep are always to be found in the mountains along
Pelly Kiver, particularly in the MacMillan Mountains ^ near the mouth

' Harper's Magazine, C, 495-507, March, 1900.

^ The sheep from the MacMillau INIouiitains are 8aid to he the ' black wlieep,' which
name could hardly api:)ly to 0. dalli, hut i.s the name commonly given to 0. stoneL
If Monc'i really does occur in these mountains the record is a very interesting one, and
the locality nmch farther north than any from which thesjjecies hiia been previously
recorded.

OCT., 1900.] MAMMALS OF THE YUKON EEGION. 25

of MacMilliui liivor, and they were also reported from the head
waters of the Stewart and from the Xanana Hills.

Oreamnos montanus (Ord). Mountain Goat.

Goats occur on the high granite clifl's which inclose the upper part
of Lynn Canal; they arc also common on the mountains near White
Pass and about the rock}' walls of Lake Bennett. 1 was told that they
had been killed recentl}'^ at the upper end of Little Windy Arm on
Lake Tagish, but I could obtain no relia])le report of their occurrence
in the interior bej^ond this point. At Lake Lebarge they were very
doul)tfully reported. Their range is known to extend north to White
Pass in the coast mountains at least to Copper River/ ])ut does not
reach far into the interior. Hunters from the mountains a1)out the
upper waters of the Pelly and Stewart rivers asserted positively that
none had been heard of in that region.

The station agent at Glacicn-, near White Pass summit, told me that
goats frequently appear on the cliffs within easy view of his house.
He also showed me the hide of one that had been killed near there
a short time before our arrival. I made one short trip into these
mountains, but failed to see any goats. The character of the cliffs
is ideal for them, but they had evidently gone farther hack to their
summer feeding' grounds, as the abundant tracks and dung were
a few weeks old.

Sciuropterus yukonensis sp. nov. Yukon Flying Squirrel.

Ti/2'i' from Camp DavidiJon, Yukon River, near Alasska-Canada boundary. No. Hf if)
U. S. Nat. Mu.«. Collected Decemljer 8, 1890, by R. E. Carson.

Characters. — Size largest of North American flying squirrels; tail
exceedingly long; color rather dark, underparts suffused with fulvous;
skull slightly characterized.

Color. — Top of head, neck, and upperparts to base of tail pale cin-
namon or between the wood brown and cinnamon of Ridgway; under-
fui' ]>luish black, partially exposed on legs and membranes; underparts
dull whitish, irregularl}^ suffused with cinnamon fawn; feet dusky
above, lightly edged with creamy white, buffy white below; cheeks
and sides of head ashy, lighth^ mixed with cinnamon; end of nose
slightly paler than top of head, not light ashy as in S. sahrinus; black
e^'c-ring prominent; tail light fawn below, with a light edging of
dusky, becoming l)roader toward tip; tail above fawn heavily mixed
with black, which predominates for terminal fifth.

Sh///. — Size large, slightly larger than in S. alpfm(.s/ audital
bulla? larger; width at postorbital constriction greater; molars heavier,
particularly the mandibular series.

1 H. T. Allen, Science, YII, 57, 1886.

26 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [no. 19.

Measurements. — Total length 3^)5; tail 180; hind foot (measured
dry) 41. Skull: Occipitouasal length 40; zygomatic breadth 35;
postorbital con.striction 10.

Remarks. — This species is distinguished from both 8. sdbrinus and
S. al2)inu.s by its large size and very long tail, but it is also ver}^ dif-
ferent from either in color. It is evidently a ver}" rare squirrel, as
the type and one topotype are the only specimens known. A speci-
men from Chilkoot Inlet which ma}" possil)ly be this species has been
recorded l)y Dr. George M. Dawson.^ Camp Davidson is the north-
ernmost point at which the genus Sciuropterus is known to occur. The
type and one other specimen were secured by R. E. Carson, who was
a member of the boundary survey part}^ of the l^. S. Coast and (leo-
detic Survey under J. E. McGrath, in 1890. Dr. W. W. Kingsbury,
also a member of the party, writes me as follows in regard to these
specimens:

I send you the following notes taken from my journal regarding two Flying Squir-
rels which were captured l)y a member of our party while in Alaska, in 1890; their
skins were sent to the National Museum at Washington.

The female was caught Dec. 8th, 1890, and the male Dec. 9th, 1890. Both squirrels
were caught in a trap known as the 'dead fall,' which was set by R. E. Carson for
marten. The traps were set in the bed of a frozen stream, where it ran through
a clump of spruce trees about one-fourth of a mile back from the Yukon river.
This clump of trees is about 2J miles east of the International boundary line, and
on the east bank of the Yukon river.

We showed these skins to both McQuesten and Mayo, two traders who had been
in that country over twenty years, and who said that they had seen Flying Squirrels
along the Yukon river quite a number of times before, and had also seen them at
Ft. Reliance and Ft. Yukon; but had not seen any of them for a number of }'ears
before this date. We also showed the skins to an Indian, who said these squirrels
would attac'k a man by flying in his face, and the Indians would not eat them
because the squirrels ate dirt.

During the winter and spring of that year, I hunted very carefully in the vic-inity
where these squirrels were captured, but failed to find further ti-ace of them. The
stomachs of both of these squirrels were empty. The traps in which they were
caught were set for martens, and two or three had been caught, but none were caught
in tl>ese traps after the squirrels were captured.

Sciurus hudsonicus Erxleben. Hudson Bay Red Squirrel.

All the red squirrels from the Yukon basin and northern Alaska, as
far as can be determined at present, are referable to Sciurus kudsoni-
cus ' proper,' although those from the Upper Yukon show considerable
tendency toward 8. h. streatori. Most of the Yukon specimens are
in summer pelage, while the few available specimens from eastern
Canada and the vicinity of Hudson Bay are in winter pelage, so that
close comparison is not possible. Specimens from various points
along the Yukon from Bennett to Nulato have been examined. The

' Geol. and Nat. Hist. Survey of Canada, Annual Report, III (1887-88), pt. 1, 50 A,
1889.

North American Fauna, No, 19.

Plate IV.

S ■•' ■■"it

,>.

P':'%:W*

S*.?^^.

i'^

'' ''^4if

^ft£^^^^

' !*4H

b

^

^|K^;

Hhv^'' ^ ' '^' i n* ^*^ ^ "^ ^'^'^W^

F™1

1_

i. ■;■-

IflHHHK^dl -IS^:

Fig. 1.— Nests of Red Squirrels in Spruce Thicket.

Fig. 2.— Burrows made by Red Squirrels in loose Scales stripped
FROM Spruce Cones.

OCT., 1900.] MAMMALS OF THE YUKON EEGION. 27

animal is exceedingly abundant in all the .spruce forest, and doubtless
ranges northward to the limit of trees.

Evidences of its activity are to be found all through the spruce
forest. Its globular nests of grass, moss, bark, and refuse are com-
mon (Plate IV, fig. 1), and are usually situated near the trunk of some
slender spruce, 10 or 20 feet from the ground. Sometimes several
will ))e found in the same tree, and a half dozen or more are very
often to be seen at the same time. Little excavations in the moss
show where the chickarees have been digging for roots; and spruce
cones tucked away in these and other out-of-the-way places are fur-
ther evidence of their sagacity. The ground is often strewn for some
distance with the scales of spruce cones which they have stripped
(Plate IV, fig. 2). Near Lake Marsh I found one such place 20 feet
square which was covered 6 inches deep with scales.

Sciurus hudsonicus petulans subsp. nov.

Ti/pe from Glacier, White Pass, Alaska (altitude 1,870 feet). No. 97457, U. S. Nat.
Mus., Biological Survey Collection, ? ad. Collected June 4, 1899, by W. H.
Osgood. Original No., .370.

Characiers. — Similar to aS'. hudsonicrts^ but larger and darker; central
portion of tail darker and with slight mixture of black; submarginal
black in tail wider; edging of tail much darker; underparts not pure
white in summer. Similar to Sciurus Ji. streatori^ but more reddish;
central portion of tail with much less admixture of black; subterminal
black in tail much narrower. Somewhat similar to S. Vancouver ensis^
but paler and cranially different; lateral stripe much more prominent;
submarginal and subterminal black in tail narrower; median dor.sal
stripe less suffused; median dorsal hairs of tail with much less black.

Color. — Summer pdage: Upperparts between the raw umber and
Prout's brown of Ridgway; top of head slightly darker than back;
lateral line prominent, intense black; forelegs and feet russet; under-
parts lightly washed with fulvous; median dorsal portion of tail hazel,
slightly mixed with black-tipped hairs; submarginal and subterminal
l)lack in tail rather limited; edging of tail ochraceous; under surface
of tail palei- than upper, the grayish roots of the hairs showing through.
^¥^nter 'pelage: Similar to the corresponding pelage of S. hudsonicus^
but considerably darker; median dorsal line more diffuse; tail darker
and with greater admixture of black in central portion.

Skull.- — Similar to that of hudsonicus and its other subspecies; nasals
longer and posteriorly more compressed than in S. vanc<mverensis;
orbital arch with a sharp indentation between lachrymal and postorbital
process. (See Plate V, fig. 2.^)

Measurements. — Average of two specimens from type locality:
Total length 303; tail 120; hind foot 50.

'Topotype No. 97460, U. S. Nat. Mus. Compare with fig. 1, »S'. vancouverensis, No.
71889, U. S. Nat. Mus., from Goldstream, Vancouver Island.

28 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [no. 19.

RenuirJis. — The closest relationship of this red S({uirrel is (evidently
with Jiudsonicus of northern Alaska J A single specimen from Ya-
kutat Bay shows a decided tendency toward the northern form, ai>d
those from Cook Inlet are clearly referable to it. A more or less im-
perfect specimen from Inverness, British Columbia, indicates a possi-
ble interg-radation with Sciurns h. streatmn. There is ample material
demonstrating ])y skulls as well as by color that it has no very close
relationship to S. Vancouver ensis. My specimens oij)ettdmhs taken
early in June are in new summer pelage or in old winter pelage just
previous to or in process of change. The latter doubtless does not
fairly represent the winter pelage; but in making comparison with
eastern specimens, 1 have chosen those in a similar condition.

About Lynn Canal and on the southwest side of White Pass I
found these red squirrels abundant. Several at Glacier had become
quite tame, and came every day to the cabin of one of the railroad
hands to be fed. They have all the vivacious energy, curiosity, and
vocal accomplishments of their Eastern cousins, and fully maintain
their reputation for rollicking- good nature and fearlessness,

Eutamias caniceps sp. nov. Gray -headed Chipmunk.

Tyjw from Lake Leljarge, Northwest Territory, Canada. No. 99200, V. S. Nat.
Mus., Biological Survey Collection, ? ad. Collected July 13, 1899, Ijy W. H.
Osgood. Original No., 603.

Characters. — Similar to^. hwealis^i but grayer, particularly the head,
tail, and feet; postauricular spots more prominent; uuderparts pure
white.

C6lm\ — Summer or j)ostbreeding j^^^Za^e.' Sides bright ochraceous,
extending from Hanks forward and stopping immediateh' below ears,
but interrupted at shoulders by the extension of gray from arm; five
black stripes on back very distinct and, except outer ones, entirely
unmixed with ochraceous; outer pair of light stripes pure white,
prominent, not continuous with postauricular spots ; inner light stripes
bluish white mixed with ochraceous; top of head brownish gray;
postauricular spots bluish white, connected with throat b}^ a continuous
light stripe running below ear; light stripes on sides of head promi-
nent, almost pure white; dark stripes rufous mixed with blackish,
narrower and darker than in E. horealis; underparts pure w^hite; feet
yellowish white. Worn j><d(ige: General effect of upperparts olive
gray relieved by the black and white stripes of the back and faint
traces of the fulvous, which has l^een worn away; feet grajash white;
tail above black, grizzled and overlaid with white, below clay color
submargined by black and margined by white.

^The hudsonicus of northern Alaska is here considered the same as that from
eastern Canada, l)ut will d<)ul)tless prove sejiaraljle when an abundance of material
in all pelages is available.

OCT., 1900.] MAMMALS OF THE YUKON REGION. . 29

Skull. — Similar to that of ]^. h<rre<(lis, ])ut Avith a slightly fuller brain-
case -and larger audital l)ulltB.

MeanuremenU. — Typ^^ (f rom dry skin): Total length i!23; tail verte-
brae 103; hind foot 32.

Hemarks. — The typc^ of E. harealis from Fort Liard, British Colum-
bia, is missing, but specimens from Fort Simpson, which is not far
from Fort Liard, and other points east of the Rock}^ Mountains, are
available for comparison. These are all much suffused with fulvous,
and are very easily distinguished from those of the Upper Yukon.
E. canicejjs is characterized not only ])y gray head and cheeks, but by
gray feet, gray edging to tail, and pure white imdcrparts.

This species is found from the headwaters of the Yukon about Lake
Lindeman to the vicinity of Fort Selkirk, where it was last seen by
our party. I found it most common in the dry and open rocky
country about Lake Bennett and Lake Leljargc, and a few were taken
in the thickets of Lepanjyriea about Lake Marsh and Fifty-Mile River.
It is not abundant anywhere in the region, but is remarkably tame
and unsuspicious. I seldom saw more than two or three in a half
daj'^s tramp, l>ut these would often frisk about within a few feet of
me as if entirely oblivious of ni}^ presence.

Spermophilus empetra plesius subsp. nov. Bennett Ground Squirrel.

Type from Bennett City, head of Lake Bennett, British Cohimbia. No. 98931, U. S.
Nat. Mus., Biological Survey Collection, 9 ad. Collected June 19, 1899, by
W. H. Osgood. Original No., 465.

Characters. — Similar to S. emjpetra and S. kadlacenHia., but smaller;
general color less fulvous; under side of tail always clear bright cinna-
mon rufous; molar teeth relatively much larger than in kadtacensis,'
skull small and light and otherwise slightly peculiar.

Color. — Postbreeding j)elage: Above, mottled as in S. emjpetra^ but
general colorless fulvous; upperparts, mixed black, white and yellow-
ish gray extending forward to top of head, becoming narrower and
slightly grayer between shoulders; top of head chestnut mixed with
black; nose and forehead clear hazel; under side of bod}' cinnamon
rufous paling to nearly white around chin and extending to sides of
body, neck and cheeks, and botR sides of legs; under side of tail some-
what deeper cinnamon rufous margined by yellowish white; subterminal
black in tail less extensive than in empet7'a and kadlacensis; median
part of upper side of tail grizzled black and yellowish, narrow sub-
margin and subterminal zone black, the whole edged and overlaid with
yellowish white. The hairs of the back in ,6'. j^^&si-us are of two kinds,
some being of several colors arranged in zones and some pure black
for their entire length. The former, which are most abundant, are
dark sooty plumbeous at the base followed by a zone of light gray,

1 See Allen, Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., N. Y., Ill, 109, 1890.

30 , NOKTH AMKKU'AN FAUNA. [no. 19.

then one of hhick, tlu'ii yeilowisli white, and Hiially a black ti}). In
S. cmipetni, tlic arranoeiiHMit is ])iiU'tically tlie same, but the upper
part of the li^'ht gray zone; blends into ful\'ous. As this is the widest
zone, it gives a fulvous suti'usion to the entire u])perparts of the ani-
mal. Injjlesius the black sul)inaroin of the tail never shows through
on the under side. Wodi xprhuj j^tdaijc: Upperparts 3'ellowish gray;
top of head, forehead, and nose cinnamon rufous; thighs with faint
suggestions of rufous; shoulders and neck hoary; sides and under-
parts grayish white washed with yellowish and flecked with ochrace-
ous; feet pale buffy ochraceous; tail paler than in postbreeding pelage.

Skull. — Similar to that of S. emjpetra from Unalaska, but smaller
and lighter; nasals shorter and wider in proportion to their length;
postpalatal notch extending fai'ther f(jrward, being almost on a
plane with the last molar; molar teeth decidedly larger than those of
kadiace7ims.

Measureiiients. — Tjqje (from dry skin): Total length 845; tail verte-
brae 93; hind foot 50. Skull of type: Basal length 45; zygomatic
breadth 35', postorbital constriction 13; length of nasals IS; least
width of nasals G; alveolar length of molar series 13.

Refmarlxs. — The material representing SjjermojjJdlus eiiijpetnt is still
very scanty and imperfect. Specimens from the Arctic coast are few
in number and poor in quality, while from Hudson Bay one flat skin,
unaccompanied by a skull, is all I am able to find. I have considered
this (No. 13932, U.S.N.M.) to bo typical of emjjetra and have used
it in making skin comparisons. Since it agrees fairly well wdth speci-
mens of the ground squirrel which has been introduced on Unalaska, I
have used the skulls of these for skull comparisons. Specimens from
Bristol Bay and the Alaska peninsula are apparentl}' intermediate
between efmxjetra and j)l&slus. jS. kadiacensis is apparently confined to
Kadiak Island, as specimens from the mainland immediately opposite
the island are cranially and dentally distinct. The southern members
of the group, colu7nbianu» and erythroglutceus, also need not be con-
sidered, as they are very difierent from erripefra and 2jlesl'm.

K plexitis was first met with on the south side of White Pass near
Glacier, where a small colony was found on a steep rocky slope above
the canyon. They were active here in early June while patches of
snow still lay on the ground. On the summit of White Pass another
small colony was found, and at Lake Bennett they were very abundant.
Here their burrows are to be found wherever the conformation of the
rocks affords lodgment of sufficient soil. From Bennett on to Fort
Selkirk they are exceedingly abundant. We saw them daily about all
the lakes, and as we floated down Fifty-Mile and Thirty -Mile rivers,
we often saw them bobbing in and out of their burrows or scurrying
along their little trails which score the banks.

From sunrise till late in the afternoon, their sharp clicking cries

OCT., 1900.] MAMMALS OF THE YUKON KECIION. 31

rang' out ticross tlic ^vater, ,so that, if not to ])e seen, the}' at least
reminded us of their presence nearly' all the time. When alarmed,
they stand erect on their haunches near their l)urrows and violently
utter their sharp, high-pitched dlehetij dick as long as the exciting
cause is in sight, always emphasizing each cry ]jy vigorously slapping
their short tails against the groiuid behind them. As a rule they were
quite wary, and it was not possible to get within gunshot without some
concealment and careful stalking. The limit of the range of the spe-
cies along the river is near Fort Selkirk. The last specimen secured
was caught near Rink Rapids, but I learned that (juite a colony of
ground squirrels exists on the west bank of the river just boloAV Fort
Selkirk.

Spermophilus osgoodi Merriam. Fort Yukon Ground Squirrel.
Hpcrmnph'dm ot^ijuodl Merriam, Prof. AVash. Acad. Sci., II, 18, March 14, 1900.

From Fort Selkirk, near the limit of Spermo2)ldlwiple8ius in the inte-
rior, nearl}" to Circle, we saw no signs of ground squirrels of an}' kind.
Just before reaching Circle, however, we began to see unmistakable
signs of them and were soon attracted to a small colony by their click-
ing calls which reached our ears as we floated down in midstream.
The call is executed in about the same time as that of S. pleHiux^ but
its pitch is nuich lower and its effect on the ear is utterly different.
It suggests the click of castanets. On going ashore we found their
burrows and connecting paths scattered over (juite an area on the hill-
side. The colony occupied the open hillside and a few ledges of loose
rock, and even extended down into a thicket of alder and willow at
the foot of the hill. The animals were very shy and became much
excited at our approach. Their long tails were very noticeable in
marked contrast to the short ones of 8. jpledus^ which we had been
accustomed to seeing. Fifteen specimens were secured.^ At this
time (Aug. 14) they were all very fat and in splendid postbreeding
pelage; the entire underparts were rich ferruginous without a trace of
any othei* color; the back was very dark, and the long tail was full
and bushy . One specimen was pure glossy black with faint shadowy
indications of vermiculation on the back. Among the specimens in
the National Museum from Fort Yukon are several in this melanistic
condition, showing that it is not uncommon. The range of this spe-
cies on the Yukon begins a])out ^0 miles above Circle and extends at
least to Fort Yukon and probably to the mouth of the Tanana.

Arctomys caligatus Eschscholtz. Hoary Marmot.

Six specimens of the hoary marmot were secured in the AVhite Pass
region and about Lake Bennett, where it was common. It is confined

* ThiH valuable series was unfortunately destroyed.

32 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [no. 19.

to rocky, mountainous parts of the Hudsonian zone, and consequently
we did not meet with it during the latter part of our trip, and only
heard of it through reports from the mountains at the headwaters of
the White and Tanana rivers. As elsewhere, it is familiarly known
as the 'whistler,' although occasionally rather inappropriately called
'ground hog.' Its long drawn whistle is peculiarly mournful, par-
ticularly when it breaks the deathly silence of some rock}^ canyon. It
loves to stretch at full length on top of a large rock and bask in the
sun. I frequently found it quietly enjoying itself in this manner.

Castor canadensis Kuhl. American Beaver.

It hardly seems possible that half a million or more beaver skin.'j
have been secured in the Territory of Alaska. The animal is now
almost as rare there as it is in the United States, the inevitable result
of continued pursuit by both whites and natives, which has so many
parallels that it is useless to emphasize it here. At Fort Selkirk I
saw several beaver skins taken on a small tributary of Stewart River,
and at St. Michael I found a very few in the warehouses of the trad-
ing companies. Beyond this I saw or heard nothing of them,

Mus decumanus Pallas. Norway Rat.

Large rats are exceedingly abundant at St. Michael. Their intro-
duction must have been effected very recently, as they were unknown
there at the time of Nelson's work. Unalaska has long been their
northern limit on the Pacific coast. They find shelter about the
wharves and lumber piles at St. Michael and also infest the l)uildings,
particularly food warehouses. Their distribution will undoulitedly
soon be extended all along the Yukon by means of the many steamers
now plying between St. Michael and Dawson.

Peromyscus oreas Bangs. Bangs White-footed Mouse.
Peromyscus oreas Bangs, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., XII, 84, March 24, 1898.

Long-tailed mice were taken at Skagway, Glacier, Summit, Bennett,
Caribou Crossing, Fifty-Mile River, and Rink Rapids. In general
they seemed to be more woodland loving than the short-tailed species,
though at Bennett a number were taken among bare rocks at the very
water's edge. I first noticed them here while walking along the shore
at night. They were darting in and out among the rocks, chasing-
each other as if playing a game of tag, and often four or five were in
sight at once. jP. otvas from the type locality is somewhat intermedi-
ate between my specimens and those which come from the coast of
Puget Sound and southern British Columbia. Northern specimens
are slightly larger, paler, and less ruddy brown than typical oreas.
They are very similar in color to canade7isis and increase the prob-

OCT., 1900.] MAMMALS OF THE YUKON KEGION. 38

ability that the latter has a transcontinental range. Their skulls arc
large]- and have fuller braincases than those of either oreaa or cana-
densis.

Peromyscus maniculatus arcticus (Mearns). Arctic White-footed Mouse.

Ileupcroinyti Ifucupus ardicu-'i biennis, Bull. Xixi. Mus. Nat. Hist., N. Y., II, 285, Feb.,
1890.

A short-tailed white-footed mouse was found to be very common
from Lake Marsh to Lake Lebarge. Thirty specimens were secured,
most of them about the crevices of low ledges of rock along the lake
shores. The name arcticus is onh^ tentatively used for these speci-
mens, as its applicability can not be positively known until a series of
Lal^rador specimens is obtained. My specimens do not differ from
topotypes of arcticus^ and these in turn, as stated by Bangs, ^ do not
differ in color and size from t3q:)ical maniculatus. The description of
the skull of the Great Whale River specimen examined b}^ Bangs, how-
ever, does not agree well with the characters of the skulls of arcticus,
so it seems advisable to recognize arcticus as a subspecies of manicu-
latus. It is probable that more material will amply justify this treat-
ment of the western form.

Neotoma saxamans sp. nov. Northern Bushy -tailed Rat.

Typ<; from Be-nuett City, head of Lake Bennett, British Columbia. No. 98923, U. S.
Nat. Mus., Biological Survey Collection, $ ad. Collected June 19, 1899, by
W. H. Osgood. Original No., 462. (See Plate V, fig. 4. )

Characters. — Similar to Neotoma cinerea drummondi., but somewhat
darker: underparts pure white; skull strongly characterized.

Color. — (Type:) Above, grayish fawn mixed with black, becoming
brighter on sides, Avhere the quantity of black is much diminished;
underparts and feet pure white; eyelids intense black with a limited
sooty area about them; nose and anterior cheeks ashy; tail slaty above,
white below.

Skidl. — Similar to that of W. drumm/mdi (Plate V, fig. 3^) but with
interorbital space narrower; nasals narrower and more attenuate pos-
teriorly; maxillary arm of zygoma lighter; sphenopalatine vacuities
open; ventral surface of occipital with a high trenchant median ridge;
front of incisors very pale.

Measurements. — Type (from dry skin): Total length 452; tail verte-
brae 192; hind foot 46. Skull of type: Basal length 52; zygomatic
breadth 20; interorbital width 5; length of nasals 23.

Reniarks. — Neotoma saxamans differs from N. cinerea^ N occiden-

lAm. NaturaHst, XXXII, 496, July, 1898.

'^Neotoma c. columbiann Elliot does not differ eranially from N. cmerea, and there-
fore need not be considered in this connection.
^No. 75907, IT. S. Nat. Mus., from Jasper House, Alberta.
4494— No. 19 3

34 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [no. 19.

tdlls^ and iV. drumimmdl chiefly in its long attenuate nasals, open

sphenopalatine vacuities, and pale incisors. The only specimens

secured were caught in a slide of large granite ])owlders at the head of

Lake Bennett. It was ascertained to occur, however, from White

Pass to the Semenow Hills. In the cliffs above Glacier on the coast

side of White Pass I found signs of Neotoina^ and once one peeped

out of a crevice at me while I was busily engaged stalking a hoary

marmot. It also occurs sparingly in the cliffs about Lake Lebarge

and in the Semenow Hills, where the last evidences of its presence

were seen. This distribution makes it the northernmost species of

the genus.

One night about 10.30, as I was returning to camp at Bennett, I saw

one of these rats frisking about in the rocks. It was still quite light,
and I immediately stopped and stood motionless while he darted in and
out of the rocks. His movements were utterly noiseless and so quick
that my eye could scarcely follow them. For some time his little
whiskered nose appeared and disappeared at various openings in the
rocks about ten feet away. Each time he would look steadily at me
for a moment or two and then silently vanish. Gradually his curiosity
overcame his caution, and in decreasing circles he came nearer and
nearer until he bobbed out right before me and then cautiously
approached until he could sniff at the toe of my shoe. A slight grat-
ing of my gun barrel against a rock caused him to vanish like a flash,
and this time he did not reappear.

Evotomys dawsoni Merriam. Dawson Bed-backed Mouse.

Red-lxicked mice are by far the most abundant maumials in the
Yukon region. Although but one specimen was taken at Bennett,
and none between there and Fifty-Mile River, in spite of considerable
trapping, aside from this they were found all along our route from
Skagway to Fort Yukon. The following are the most important
localities at which specimens were secured: Skagway, Glacier, Ben-
nett, W^hite Horse Rapids, Lake Lebarge, Rink Rapids, Fort Selkirk,
Dawson, Char.lie Creek, and Circle. From a study of this series,
which numbers over 100 specimens, it appears that all l)elong to one
species, E. daivsoni. Its range probabl}^ reaches northward almost if
not quite to the limit of trees.

Specimens were trapped in all sorts of localities; along cold streams,
under logs, in heavy moss, in Microtu^ runways, and among rocks.
They abound on the large islands, where the}'^ were generally caught
in dry, brushy places, in the dead leaves which cover the ground.
We occasionally saw them during the day, and often heard them rust-
ling the dead leaves on the ground about us as we lay in our blankets
at night. They are the vermin of the miner's larder, and are always
to be found about log cabins.

ocT.,1900.] MAMMALS OF THE YUKON REGION". 55

Evotomys dawsoni alascensis (Miller). Tundra Red-backed Mouse.
Bvotomys alascensis Miller, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1898, 364-367.

The Evoto-inys found at St. Michael has heretofore been compared
only with the Asiatic E. Tutilus. Its closest relationship is really with
E. dawsoni^ with which its range is doubtless continuous. On com-
paring the series secured at St. Michael with those in the same condi-
tion of pelage from Rink Rapids,^ Northwest Territory, I am unable
to find even the slightest difference in color or size. The skull of
alascensis is slightly characterized by small, narrow molar series, and
by nasals which have their posterior end truncate. The palate and
audital bullse are not peculiar. The tail is often thick and bristly in
winter pelage and in immature specimens of both dmmoni and alascen-
sis. From this it appears that alascensis may be only a slightly
marked subspecies.

The favorite habitat of these mice about St. Michael is in the heaps
of broken lava scattered about over the tundra. The}^ are very rarely
taken in the Miarotus runways. They are common in the warehouses,
which they seem to enter more readily than other mice of the tundra.

Microtus mordax (Merriam). liong-tailed Vole.

Specimens of this vole were taken at Skagway, Glacier, Bennett,
Lake Marsh, Lake Lebarge, Rink Rapids, and near Charlie Village.
Specimens from near the coast are almost exactly like those of the inte-
rior and all are quite typical of the species. They were found in various
environments, but the general habitat of the species was dry places
rather than moist. At Glacier and Bennett they were secured on dry,
rocky hillsides; at Lake Marsh two specimens were taken in the crev-
ises of some granite rocks; at Lake Lebarge they were taken in the
kitchen of a log cabin; at Rink Rapids, in an open, sandy place; and
near Charlie Village, on the side of a cut bank, where they had made
burrows and runways among the exposed roots of trees. Charlie
Village is by far the northernmost locality from which the species has
been recorded.

Microtus drummondi (Aud. and Bach.). Drummond Vole.

This is the most common meadow vole of the Yukon region. At
Caribou Crossing and Lake Marsh its runways form interminable
labyrinths in the level, open stretches of sedge at the margin of the
water. It occurs in nearly all moist, grassy places from Caribou
Crossing to Fort Yukon. From there it undoubtedly ranges farther
on, at least to Nulato, where Dali took several specimens. It is most
active during the day, as I easily learned by visiting traps night and

^ No good series of specimens is available from any point nearer Finlayson Eiver,
the type locality of E. dawsoni, than Rink Rapids. This series is therefore used to
represent the species.

36 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [no. 19.

morning. Near f'ort Yukon I found its runways on recently depos-
ited silt sparsely j^rown uj) to Equlsetwm. Its burrows in this soft
material were very mimerous, and at the entrance to each a little heap
of earth in small globular lumps, as if carried in the mouth, was
always to be seen.

Microtus xanthognathus (Leach). Yellow-cheeked Vole.

This tine species was met with only once. A small colony was found
on a little stream near Charlie Village, occupying an old log ]am,
part of which had become embedded in a matrix of sand and mud and
overgrown with weeds. Burrows perforated this structure in numer-
ous places, and well-beaten, open runways connected various openings
about the protruding logs. The little animals were quite active during
the daytime, and as I walked over the logs I occasionally saw one flash
from one opening under a log to another and heard sharp little squeaks
sounding all about beneath me. A liberal number of traps placed
about yielded nine specimens, chiefly immature. The colony was
apparently confined to the log jam, as traps set in suitable places but
a few yards away secured only M. d/rummnondi. Four specimens of
this vole collected l)y Kobert Kennicott are in the National Museum,
one from the mouth of the Porcupine and three from the Yukon, 200
miles southwest of that point.

Microtus operarius (Nelson). Nelson Vole.

This vole was taken on a small stream about -10 miles above Circle,
and a few more were secured between that point and Fort Yukon. It
doubtless ranges from there to the coast. Forty-nine specimens were
taken at St. Michael. These represent all stages of growth and several
phases of color and seem to offer pretty conclusive proof that but one
species of Microtm occurs at St. Michael. It was found in all moist
parts of the tundra, being particularly numerous along the banks of
the small ponds in the tall grass and rank, weedy growths.

Fiber spatulatus^ sp. nov. Northwest Muskrat.

Tijpe from Lake Marsh, Northwest Territory, Canada. No. 98567, U. 8. Nat. Mus.,

Biological Survey Collection, 9 yg. ad. Collected July 3, 1899, by AV. H.

Osgood. Original No., 552. (See Plate VI, fig. 4.)

Characters. — Similar in general to Fiber zibethicus; size small; color
rather dark; skull small; molar teeth very small; nasals short and
much expanded anteriorl3^

Col(yr. — Similar to Fiber zibethicus^ but apparently less suffused
with fulvous.

Shull. — Similar to that of Fiber zibethicus (Plate VI, tig. 3''), but
smaller; jugals more slender, and but slightly produced dorsally ; audital
bullae smaller; molar teeth decidedly smaller; nasals much shortened and

^ Simtulatus, spatulate, in allusion to the shape of the nasals.
^No. 76259, U. S, Nat. Mus., from Wilmington, Mass.

North American Fauna, No. 19,

Plate V.

Skulls of Sciurus and Neotoma. (x u.)

1. Sciunis vancouverensis.

2. Sciunis kudsonicus petiUans.

3. Neotoma cinerea drummondi.

4. Neotoma saxamans.

OCT., 1900.] MAMMALS OF THE YUKON REGION". 37

widely expanded anteriorl}^, rapidl^^ becoming- eonipressed posteriorly;
angular process of mandible short, blunt, and upturned; condyle
narrow and somewhat rounded.

Memm^ements. — Tj'pe (from dry skin): Total length 4:95; tail verte-
brne 170; hind foot 73. Skull of type: Basal length 57; zygomatic
breadth 38; leng^th of nasals 21; alveolar length of molar series 14.

Reiiim'Ji's. — Specimens of this species from Ugashik, Fort Kenai,
Nushagak, and Nulato, in Alaska, have been examined. Besides
these, I find two specimens from Alberta which seem to be referable
to it, one from South Edmonton and one from Henry House. These
all agree in having very small molar teeth and short, spatulate nasals,
characters which are amply sufficient to distinguish the species from
all other forms in the genus. The specimens secured by Nelson at
St. Michael can not now be found, l)ut they doubtless show the same
characters. Fiher osoyooseoisis has larger teeth and a much longer
rostrum than spatalatus, so need not be further compared with it.
From these facts it appears that Fiher .^patulatux is the form occupying
all of northwest America, and is derived from a form east of the
Rocky Mountains rather than from a western one.

Muskrats occur sparingly all along the Yukon, where they find par-
ticularly favorable environment about the many small swamp-invested
ponds a short distance from the river banks. At St. Michael a few
are still found about the open ponds on the tundra.

Synaptomys dalli Merriam. Dall Lemming Mouse.

Lemming nnce were taken at the foot of Lake Lebarge, at Rink
Rapids, and near the mouth of the Chandindu River. At Lake
L('])arge they were found in the long grass at the edge of a small pond;
at other localities in cold, boggy places near small streams. The
external characters of B. daUl have been unknown up to the present
time, but, as was to be expected, they are in accordance with the gen-
eral type so uniform throughout this genus. The color of the upper-
parts is chiefly raw umber mixed with black; the lower parts are uni-
form bluish white, and the feet and tail are dusky. The ears are of
medium size and partially hidden by long hairs growing from the
aiiterior base; a conspii-uous l)luish-white side gland is present in the
males. The skull of the type of dalll is not fully mature and does
not agree in all particulars with my specimens from the Upper Yukon.
In these the skull is somewhat larger and heavier and the nasals ore a
trifle longer and more noticeably constricted posteriori}".

Lemmus yukonensis Merriam. Yukon Lemming.

ic»imus 7/w^-o?ie?iS('s Merriam, Proc. Wash. Acad. Sci., II, 27, March 14, 1900.

This lemming was found at only two localities — Rink Rapids, where
five specimens were secured, and Charlie Creek, where five more were

38. NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [no. 19.

taken. Considerable careful trappino- was clone at various points
between these two places, but no other specimens were secured. At
Rink Rapids they were caught about old logs and among dry leaves in
places usually frequented by red-backed mice. At Charlie Creek one
was caught in a M'wrotus runway and several were secured on the side
of a cut bank. On one occasion one was seen running about under a
brush heap in midday.

Lemmus alascensis Merriam. Alaska Lemming.

Lcmmui^ aluscensia Merriam, Proc. Wash. Acad. Sci., II, 26-27, March 14, 1900.

All efforts to secure this species at St. Michael proved fruitless.
I kept large numbers of traps out for more than two weeks and set
them in all conceivable locations about the tundra, but failed to catch
any lemmings.

Dicrostonyx nelsoni Merriam. Nelson Pied Lemming.

Dicrostonyx nelsoni Memam, Proc. Wash. Acad. Sci., II, 25-26, March 1-1, 1900.
Dicrostonyx hudsonius alascensis Stone, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., March 24, 1900,
37-38.

No specimens of this species were taken. Nelson says of it:

Specimens were brought me by the fur traders from above Fort Yukon and from
Nulato, Anvik, and Kotlik, along the course of the Yukon, and also from the Kaviak
Peninsula and about Kotzebue Sound. A few were taken near St. Michael, but
they were not numerous there. They are more plentiful about Bering Straits than
any other district visited by me, if the number of their skins among the native
children can be taken as a guide.

Zapus hudsonius alascensis Merriam. Alaska Jumping Mouse.

Three typical specimens of this jumping mouse were taken in a"
sedgy swamp near the foot of Lake Lebarge. Similar swamps exist
near the Yukon, at least as far as Fort Yukon, but I was unable to do
any trapping in them. No specimens were taken elsewhere.

Erethizon epixanthus myops Merriam. Alaska Porcupine.

Erethizon epixantlius myojjs Merriam, Proc. Wash. Acad. Sci., II, 27-28, March 14, 1900.
Porcupines are quite common in all the forest region of Alaska.
I noticed signs of them at man}^ places along the Yukon. They were
abundant about Glacier, in the White Pass region, and 1 shot one there
one evening as it swayed back and forth in the top of a slender alder.
It was eating the leaf buds which were just bursting.

Ochotona coUaris (Nelson). Alaska Pika.

Two specimens of an ashy gray Ochotona were taken, one at the
summit of White Pass, another at the head of Lake Bennett. The
species was apparently quite rare at these localities and it was only
with considerable difficulty that these individuals were secured. Both
are very pale, ashy gray, with pure white underparts, no traces of

OCT., 1900.] MAMMALS OF THK YUKON REGHON. 89

fulvou.s, and vevy indistinct collars. They are in the early spring or
left-over winter pelage, and agree quite well with specimens in the
same pelage collected in the Chigmit Mountains, near Bristol Bay, by
C. L. McKay. The type and topotypes of O. collaris are in the
summer or post-breeding pelage and present quite a different
appearance.

The species apparently occurs in the high mountains throughout
Alaska. It was reported to me from the MacMillan Mountains, the
Upper Stewart River, the Upper White, and the Upper Tanana.
Fragments of a skull were found in an owl pellet picked up by Dr.
Bishop near Windy Arm, Lake Tagish. The present record from
White Pass is the most southern one. There is suitable country for
it farther south, and it will be interesting to trace its range in this
direction.

Lepus saliens sp. nov.

Type from Caribou Crossing, between Lake Bennett and Lake Tagish, Northwest
Territory, Canada. No. 98956, U. S. Nat. Mus., Biological Survey Collection, $
ad. Collected June 26, 1899, by W. H. Osgood. Original No., 504.

Characters. — Similar to Lepus hairdi, but more yellowish and less
ruddy; dorsal hairs with plumbeous roots; feet nearly white in sum-
mer; similar to Z. coluiinihieiisis^ but with greater amount of black in
dorsal region; feet much lighter; skull similar in general to that of
Lepus a. dalli; audital bulla? very large.

Color. — Type in wm'n spinng pelage: Upperparts mixed black and
yellowish buff, with patches of plumbeous under -fur exposed in places;
black hairs predominating on rump and middle of back, forming an
ill-defined dorsal stripe; outer edge of thighs, outer side of forelegs
and pectoral band buff; ears and head, except sides of nose, buff with
black hairs sprinkled through; sides of nose gray; ears margined with
white; hairs of fore and hind feet plumbeous at base, rufous in cen-
tral part, and broadly white at tips; general appearance of feet white,
lightl}^ mixed with rufous; underparts, except pectoral band, white.

Skull. — Similar to that of dalli but somewhat larger; teeth heavier;
nasals long, heavy, and very broad anteriorly; audital bullae very
large; palate short; malars rather wide, deeply channeled anteriorly;
postorbital and antorbital processes of f rentals well developed.

Measurements. — Type (measured from dry skin): Total length 395;
hind foot 134; ear from crown 74. Skull of type: Occipitonasal
length 77; greatest zygomatic breadth 38; length of nasals 33; great-
est width of nasals 17; alveolar length of molar series 16.

Remarks. — The exact relation in which this species stands to ameri-
canus^ hairdi.^ and columhiensis is difficult to determine at present. Its
light feet point to relationship with haird% while its dark under color

1 Rhoads, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1895, 242-243.

40 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [no. 19.

and oenoral l)uliy appearance are more like eolumhlensh. Its skull
is quite distinctive, the large audital bulke and broad nasals being-
unequaled in the group. It seems probable that it is a northern
form of hah'di not related to columhum^if^^ which is nearer to vxixhrixj-
toni. There are no specimens availal)le to show whether or not it has
any connection with dalli^ which is the form found on the Lower
Yukon. But two specimens were secured — the type, which I shot in a
Lejxirgyrcea thicket at Caril)Ou Crossing, and one very young female
which Dr. Bishop took in a willow bog near Bennett City. It seems
to have been a decidedly 'off year' for rabbits, for these two were the
only ones we saw on our entire tY\\), though numerous signs of their
former abundance were seen daily.

Lepus americanus dalli Merriam. Dall Varjnng Hare.
Le2yus americanus daUl Merriam, Proc. Wash. Acad. Sd., II, 29-30, March 14, 1900.
This rabbit is doubtless abundant at certain times all along the
Lower Yukon, but we heard very little of it. It is subject to epidem-
ics and frequently becomes locally extinct, which probably accounts
for its scarcity last year.

Lepus othus Merriam. Alaska Arctic Hare.

Lepufi otJi'iis Merriam, Proc. Wash. Acad. Sci., II, 28, March 14, 1900.

Signs of Arctic hares were occasionally noticed about St. Michael,
but we did not sec any of the animals. The Eskimos were hunting
continually, and brought numbers of ducks and geese to the village to
sell, but they brought no rabbits during our stay.

Lynx canadensis mollipilosus Stone. Arctic Lynx.

Lynx canadensis molKpilosm Stone, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., March 24, 1900, 48-49.

The Canada lynx is not as common in the interior of Alaska as might
be expected. I saw no signs of it and could obtain only very scanty
information as to its occurrence. The police sergeant in charge of the
station at the foot of Lake Lebarge told me that the tracks of but
one had been seen in that vicinity during the previous winter. Lynxn
skin robes are in common use in the country, but the majorit}^ of them
are imported. This I learned from a trader at Circle, who had scA'cral
for sale that came from eastern and southern Canada.

Lynx skulls from the following localities arc in the National
Museum: Tanana River, Russian Mission, Nulato, Andraefski, and
mountains near Unalakleet.

Canis occidentalis Richardson. Wolf.

The country along the Yukon is not well suited for wolves, and they
are seldom seen there. A prospector showed me the skin of a large
gray one from the upper waters of the MacMillan river — the only
one I saw on the trip.

OCT., 1900] MAMMALS OF THE YUKON REGION. 41

Vulpes fulvus (Desmarest) 'i Red Fox.

Occasional reports of foxes were received all along our route, l)ut no
specimens were secured. Owing to their natural sagacity, foxes are
doubtless able to hold their own against trappers better than most other
fur- bearing animals. Their skins are quite common among traders
and natives.

Vulpes hallensis Merriam. Hall Island Fox.

Vulpes hallensis Merriam, Proc. Wash. Acad. Sci., II, 1.5-16, March 14, 1900.

White fox skins are common among the natives and traders at St.
Michael, and could be bought at from $1 to $4 each, according to
quality. During our stay there one of the animals was seen on the
island, which indicates that they are still far from extermination.

TJrsus americanus Pallas. Black Bear.

Black and l)rown bears are common all along the Yukon. We found
them conunon on the upper river, and Nelson records them as far down
as Anvik. We saw tracks very frequently, but owing to the thick
forest and underbrush, and the fact that we made no special hunts for
them, the animals themselves were rarely observed. A young adult
female in glossy black pelage was killed at Glacier by A. G. Maddren,
and several others were seen during our stay there. I was told at
Lake Lebarge and at White Horse Rapids that brown l)ears were seen
very frequently. At Fort Selkirk I saw skins brought from the Pell}^
River. Near Charlie Village I saw the skin of a large brown bear
that had been killed there shortly before our arrival. One afternoon
while sitting in the boat preparing specimens, about 20 miles above
Circle, I saw a good-sized black })ear walking deliberately across an
open space on a hillside a short distance away. We gave chase, but
did not see it again. At the mouth of the Tatondu River I saw
numerous tracks, and on the border of a stagnant pool found evidences
that bruin had been enjoying a mud bath. Moss uprooted hy })ears in
digging for roots was noticed at several places.

TJrsus horribilis alascensis Merriam. Alaska Grizzly Bear.

Very little accurate information is obtainable in regard to the grizzly
in the Yukon region. It doubtless occurs sparingly all along the river,
but miners and prospectors report any large bear as a grizzly, and
without doubt often mistake the brown bear for it. There are a num-
ber of its skulls from Norton Sound in the Biological Survej^ collection.

Lutra canadensis (Schreber). American Otter.

The fate of the otter in Alaska is much the same as that of the bea-
ver. There are doubtless a few on some of the smaller streams of the
interior and about the Yukon delta, l)ut they are now quite rare in
comparison with their former u1)uiidance.

42 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [no. 19.

Lutreola vison ingens sul)sp. nov. Alaskji Mink.

Type (skull) from Fort Yukon, Alanka. No. G530, U. S. Nat. Mu.s., $ ad., old.
Collected by Robert Kennicott. (See Plate VI, fig. 2.)

Characters. — Size largest of North American mink; similar to L. v.
energumenos^ but lighter in color and very much larger; skull and teeth
v^ery large and heavy.

Color. — Similar in general to Lutreola v. energumeno^., but palci-.

Skull. — Very large, angular, and ridged; rostrum very wide; brain-
case relatively sliallow and very wide; zygomata heavy; audital ])ulhe
large and relatively wide; dentition heavy. (Compare with skull of
Lutreola v. en^rgunienos, Plate VI, fig. 1.^)

Measurements. — No. 13880, U. S. National Museum, St. Michael,
Alaska (from dry skin): Total length 720; tail vertebras 180; hind
foot 75. Skull of type: Occipitonasal length 69; zygomatic breadth 47;
mastoid breadth 41; ])readth across postorbital processes 23; length
of audital bulla 17. Average of five adults: Occipitonasal length
44.5; mastoid breadth 39.5; breadth across postorbital processes 21;
length of audital bulla 17.5.

LteinavTis. — The large size of the Alaska mink has been noted by
various authors,^ but each has dismissed the subject by concluding
that it is the natural result of the animal's northern range, and the
form has remained unnamed, while less marked forms from other local-
ities have been recognized. The largest mink previous!}^ described
is L. V. en^ergumenos, which is very much smaller than rngen.^ and also
averages much darker.

The minks of the Yukon region are caught mostly on the tributarj^
streams, and, as stated by Nelson, are very abundant in the area
between the deltas of the Yukon and the Kuskokwim. Along the
Yukon itself our party did not see any, and very few signs of them
were observed. Their skins were seldom seen among the Indians and
Eskimos. They were reported, however, from the Porcupine, Koyu-
kuk, Tanana, and various other streams tributary to the Yukon, and
without doubt occur in suitable places all over Alaska.

Putorius arcticus Merriam. Tundra Weasel.

Puioriuii arcticus Merriam, N. Am. Fauna No. 11, 15, June, 1896.
Putorius cicognani richardsoni Merriam, L c, 11-12 (part).

Three immature specimens of this weasel were taken at St. Michael.
They were caught in traps baited with sandpipers and set among the
lava rocks along the shore. Several specimens which were also secured
at St. Michael by Nelson and Turner are in the National Museum.
Besides these I find specimens from Nulato, Fort Yukon, and Fort
Reliance, which gives the species a more extensive range in the interior
than it has been supposed to have. Most of these specimens are

^ No. 5537, Bangs collection, from Sumas, B. C.

■' See Allen, Bull. U. S. Geol. and Geog. Survey Terr., II, 327-328, 1876.

North American Fauna, No, 19

Plate VI

Skulls of Lutreola and Fiber. (Natural size.)

1. Liitrrold Tifion encrfinmriui><

2. Lutreola rhon i)Hjni.<.

3. Fiber zibethicus.

4. Fiber spatidatns.

ocT.,l'.ioo.] MAMMALS OF THE YUKON KEGION. 43

imperfect, but enough skulls are now at band to sbow conclusively that
all tbe Yukon specimens heretofore identilied as rlcliardsoni are really
practically identical witb P. arctlcus from Point Barrow.

Putorius cicognani alascensis (Merriam). Juneau Weasel.

A single immature specimen taken %) miles l)elow Fort Selkirk is
referred to tbis form. Its skull is ratber large and indicates a possible
intergradation with P. arcticus; otherwise it agrees with alascensi-H.

Putorius rixosus eskimo Stone. Alaska Least Weasel.

Putor'ms rixosux eskimo Stone, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sei. Phila., Marcli 24, 1900, 44-45.

No specimens of this rare weasel were obtained. There are three
imperfect specimens in tbe National Museum, two from St. Michael
and one from Fort Reliance, Besides these tbe only ones recorded
are the type and four topotypes from Point Barrow, Alaska, and tbe
specimen mentioned by Stone (loc. cit.) from Bethel, Kuskokwim
River, Alaska.

Mustela americana actuosa subsp. nov. Alaska Marten.

Type (skull) from Fort Yukon, Alaska. No. 6043, U. S. Nat. Mus., $ ad., old.
Collected by Robert Kennicott. (See Plate VII, fig. 2. )

Characters. — Similar to 3£ hrumalis, but larger; cranial and dental
characters distinctive.

6^>/^r/r.— (Topotype, No. (M16, U.S.N.M., <? ad.): Posterior half of
upperparts pale ochraceous buff, shoulders and anterior part of upper-
parts gradually becoming grayish; entire upperparts, except head,
overlaid with coarse brown hairs; head, including cheeks and throat,
pale grayish-white lightly mixed with brown, especiall}^ on nose and
chin; inside and edges of ears whitish, outside and bases of ears
brown; underparts similar to upperparts, but darker and more brown-
ish on chest; an irregular patch of creamy buff mixed with white on
chest; legs and feet dark brown, front of legs with mixture of gray
hairs; tail brown, somewhat darker at tip, and with a slight mixture
of gray hairs.

/Skull. — Similar to that of 3L h'lmiaHs (Plate VII, fig. 1^), but some-
what larger; relatively longer and narrower; interorbital space slightly
narrower; audital bullae very much larger and longer; dentition rela-
tively much weaker; last upper molar decidedl}^ smaller.

Measurements. — Average of four adult male topotvpes measured in
the flesh by the collector: Total length 26.22 inches (665 mm.); tail
vertebra? 8.08 inches (223 mm.); hind foot 4.36 inches (109 mm.).
Skull of type: Occipitonasal length 85; greatest zygomatic breadth
55; breadth across postorbital processes 24; palatal length 44; length
of audital bullae 19.

'Type No. 7417, Bangs collection, from Okak, Labrador.

44 NOKTII AMKHK^AN FAUNA. (noIIi.

Remarhs. — This form is tlu' liir<i('st of the sul).s]KH'ics o'i Musfrla
miierlcami. M. h/'iimaHs is ulso hir*j;"e, but does not equal dctiiosa^ jukI
notwithstiindiuo- its .smaller size has heavier" dentition. The enor-
mous audital bulhe of acUiom are not equaled b}^ those of any other
member of the j^roup. The skulls of americana (Plate VII, lig. ^^')
and cavrina are so very much smaller than those of hnnnalix and ncin-
osa that they do not need to be closely compared. In a good series of
actuosa from Fort Yukon and Fort McPherson the characters are very
constant. A large num))er of skins from these localities present ver}'
little variation, and nearly all are (juite light colored like the one
described above. 'I'he maiten is still the commonest fur-bearing
animal of Alaska, notwithstanding the hundreds of thousands that
have already l)een taken. Trappers are always contident of a harvest
of martens whether other animals are abundant or not.

Mustela pennanti Erxleben. Fisher.

Dr. Elliott Coues'^ states that he has examined specimens of the
fisher from Alaska, but does not give the exact locality. At present
no specimens are at hand to corroborate this record, but there is little
doubt that the animal occurs along the Upper Yukon, as it is known
from similar latitudes to the eastward. It was not met with by our
party, and I received no reliable information in regard to it.

Gulo luscus (Linnaeus). Wolverine.

Wolverines seem to be quite common in the Yukon region. They
were often reported, and I saw a number of skins among the natives
on the lower river. One was said to have been trapped at Tagish in
the winter of 1898, and others were seen in the vicinity. They arc
seen frequently a])out Lake Lebarge in winter, and trapj)ei-s fi-om the
MacMillan River say they are abundant in that region.

Sorex personatus streatori Merriam. Streator Shrew.

Specimens of this shrew were secured as follows: Haines 1, Skag-
wa}^ T), Glacier 1, Bennett 3, Caribou Crossing 2, Lake Lebarge 1, .50
miles below Fort Selkirk 1, mouth of Chanclindu River 1, and 40 miles
above Circle 1. Although the conditions along the Yukon seem to be
ideal for shrews, 1 was unable to secure many specimens, ajid could
only conclude that they were not common there, for the same mi^thods
of trapping were much more successful in the coast regions.

Sorex personatus arcticus Merriam. Arctic Shrew.

Sorex personatus arcticus Merriam, Proc. Wasli. Acad. Sci., II, 17, ]\Iar. 14, 1900.

Twent}' specimens were taken at St. Michael. They occur through,
out the tundra in much the same situations as S. tund7vnsift, l)ut were
also found in the lava heaps and along high banks near the coast.

'No. 4934, Merriam collcclion, fmin the Adirondack^, New York.
^Fur-bearing Animals, 69, 1877.

North American Fauna, No. 19,

Plate VII

Skulls OF MUSTELA. (Natural size.)
1. Mustela americana brumalis. 2. Mustela americana actuosa.

3. Mustela americana.

ocT.,iyuo.] MAMMALS OF THE YUKON KEGION. 45

Sorex obscurus Merriam. Mountain Shrew.

Two specimens were caught under tufts of o-mss on a rocky hillside
at Bciniett. This locality is nuich farther north than any from which
this species has been previously recorded.

Sorex tundrensis Merriam. Tundra Shrew.

Sort'x iandrensis Merriam. Proc. Wash. Acad. Sci., II, 16-17, March 14, 1900.

Eighteen specimens of this pretty shrew were taken at St. Michael.
They were found in various parts of the tundra, but seemed to })c in
small localized colonies. About certain small ponds nearly all the
shrews caught were of this species, while lait a short distance away all
were arctiom. A single imperfect specimen collected by Kennicott
near Fort Yukon is in the National Museum. In size it does not differ
from typical tioidrensils, but in color it is somewhat darker, thus
indicating a possible intergradation with rlchardsoni.

Myotis lucifugus (Le Conte). Little Brown Bat.

Bats were tirst seen at Caribou Crossing, and from that point were
occasionally noticed at various places to our camp, 50 miles below
Fort Selkirk, where they were last seen. Turner mentions their
reported occurrence as far down as Fort Yukon and Nulato. In June
and July we generally found them flying from 10 to 11.30 p. m.. and
sometimes even later. Two specimens only were secured. These are
somewhat grayer and less glossy than specimens from the eastern
United States.

BIRDS OF THE YUKON REGION, WITH NOTES ON OTHER

SPECIES.

By Louis B. Bishop, M. D.
INTRODUCTION.

In preparing the ornithological part of this report I have thought
it advisable to note as far as possible all species met with from the
time we passed Dixon Entrance, northward bound, May 28, until we
reached Cape Scott on the return trip, October 12, for the reason that
articles on Alaska birds are not yet so numerous as to make such notes
worthless. It was of course impossible to obtain specimens of water-
fowl seen from the decks of steamers; therefore when specific identifi-
cation was not positive I have referred genera seen to the species
which previous observers — especially E. W. Nelson and William
Palmer — have found most common in the waters visited.

Nowhere did we see the vast colonies of water birds which others
have met with in Alaskan waters, probably because most of these
birds had left their summer homes in Bering Sea when we passed in
October; but various migrants were common in the Inside Passage in
May, geese and ducks on the Lower Yukon in August, and waterfowl
of many species in Akutan Pass in October.

The region from Skagway, at the head of Lynn Canal, to Circle, on
the Yukon, was the scene of most of our work; and as very little was
known of it ornithologically I have mentioned in my annotated list
every occasion of our observation of all except the commonest species.
Ornithologists, in referring to the Upper Yukon, include, as a rule,
only that part of the river which lies between Dawson and Nulato;
hence the avifauna of its head waters was with us largely a matter of
conjecture. George G. CantwelP mentions species he saw about the
lakes; but his experience was in many ways so difi'erent from ours that,
while crediting him with the first records for species which we also
found, I have omitted others which we did not find and for which he
may have mistaken closely allied birds.

The country we traversed between Skagway and Circle divides itself
into three quite distinct faunal districts. The coast of Southeast
Alaska belongs to the 'Sitkan district' of Nelson, White Pass Summit

1 Birds of the Yukon Trail <Osprey, III, 25, Oct., 1898.

47

48 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [no. 19.

and the heights above Glacier belong to the Arctic-Alpine zone, and
the Yukon Valley Ijelongs to the Canadian and Hudsonian zones. In
the last the Canadian element is most pronounced in the lake region,
with a very slight infusion of Sitkan forms, the strictly Hudsonian
species increasing and the others decreasing as the Yukon winds north
toward Fort Yukon. Be^^ond this point Hudsonian forms predomi-
nate, giving place to Arctic where the Yukon loses its identity in the
tundra of the delta. The Upper Yukon Valley may be divided faun-
ally at Fort Selkirk, where the Pelly from the Kocky Mountains and
the Lewes from the Coast Range unite to form the Yukon proper, 15
species of land and shore birds occurring above this point which have
not been found between there and Fort Yukon, and 12 having been
recorded between the Pelly and Fort Yukon which have not been
taken above. Of the 128 species and subspecies found between Dixon
Entrance and Fort Yukon, 22 per cent were common to the coast of
southeast Alaska and the Yukon Valley, 19 per cent confined to the
coast, 55 per cent to the Yukon Valley, and 4 per cent found only on
White Pass Summit and at similar altitudes.

The avifauna of southeastern Alaska is alread}^ fairly well known,
and the twelve days spent at Haines, Skagway, and Glacier resulted
chiefly in extending the ranges of a few species, though the barn
swallow proved to be the subspecies recently reinstated by Mr. Palmer,
the myrtle warbler that lately described by Mr. McGregor, and the
wood pewee an unrecognized form. Of the 62 species found between
Dixon Entrance and Glacier, 2 — Colcvptes auratus lutem and Merula
migratorla — were eastern, 8 Alaskan, 25 Pacific coast, and 17 common
to northern North America. At Haines, which is situated on a nar-
row and for the most part heavily wooded peninsula, birds, although
not common, were more numerous than they were either at Skag-
way, which is in a narrow clifl-l)ordered valley at the head of Lynn
Canal, or at Glacier, 14 miles from Skagway, 1,870 feet higher, and
surrounded by deep spruce woods and alder thickets. We found in
the avifauna of Glacier a slight but decided difference from that of
the tide-water level of Lynn Canal, Junco hiyetnalis connectetis replac-
ing J. h. oregonus, and Wilsonia ptisilla plleolata replacing Helminth o-
phila celata lutesceiis, while Melosjpiza melodia rufina and Merula
migratoria were absent.

Among the thickets of alpine hemlock growing with moss and
heather between the granite rocks of White Pass Summit and the
heights above Glacier we found Zonotrichia coronata and Anthiis
■pensilvanicus common, and Lagopun rupestris^ L. leuGurus, Leucosticte
tep)hrocotis littoralis and Sayomis saya yukonensis in smaller numbers.
Sayornis s. yukonensis reached the Yukon level at Fort Selkirk, and
AntJms 2)ensilvanicus at Circle, but the others were not seen again.

To one accustomed to the orchards, fields, and forests of Connect!-

ocT.,]'JOO.] INTRODUCTION. 49

cut, the duck uiarshcs of North Dakota, or even the balsam thickets
of northern New England, the Yukon Valley seems wanting in ])ird
life^ — not the center of abundance of its avifauna, but rather a deposit
for the overflow from more favored regions. There are exceptions to
this rule, notably wandering flocks of crossbills, the colonies of bank
swallows of Fifty -Mile and Thirty -Mile rivers and the Yukon proper,
the spotted sandpipers that continually flitted across our bow, the
intermediate sparrows and j uncos that seldom failed to greet us as we
stepped ashore, and the Alma thrushes, whose songs sounded all night,
wherever we happened to camp. Bird life is fairly abundant, too, in
certain favored places such as Log Cabin, Caribou Crossing, the
swampy shores of Lake Marsh, and the ponds and level country at
the lower end of Lake Lebarge. Near Miles Canyon I noticed 23
species on July 11, but individuals of each, with the exception of bank
swallows, were few. In the entire Upper Yukon Valley breeding
colonies of shore and water birds were conspicuously absent. The
precipitous shores of the lakes, the comparative absence of islands, the
swift current of the Yukon, and its high banks cut by narrow, wooded
vallej^s, are a sufficient explanation of this; and I can not believe that
either geese, ducks, or shore birds ever bred abundantly in most of
the region visited, though their number has doubtless been reduced in
recent 3'ears.

In the Yukon flats the condition changes, and no doubt many of
these birds find a summer home in the ponds a few miles back from
the river, as they do at the foot of Lake Lebarge; but these we had
no opportunity of visiting. Our study of the bird life of the Yukon
was chiefly confined to what could be seen or heard from our boat or
on the banks in the immediate vicinity of camping places. From the
lakes to the Alaska boundary snow-capped peaks were absent, and
no species were found that did not also occur upon the banks of the
river, although we climbed hills, visited deep woods, and ascended
small streams for some distance. As we proceeded north, however,
several birds were found at lower altitudes than those at which they
had been already noted. Away from the river, birds were rarer than
immediately upon its banks.

We learned little regarding the Upper Yukon as a migratory high-
way for species breeding farther north, though we heard that thou-
sands of geese and ducks passed Lower Lebarge in the spring. It was
too late for the spring migration, and the southward movement of
ducks and geese had hardly begun on August 20, when we left Circle.
The fall migration of the Limicolfe should have been well under way
at this date, but very few of these birds were observed. If they
do pass in large numbers they must frequent the ponds back from
the river. Several times at Circle, I walked a long distance over
the sand flats left bare by the falling Yukon without seeing any
4494— No. 19 4

50 NOKTH AMKRIGAN FAUNA. [so. 19.

shore ])irds, or an3"thing on which they could feed. This was very
diflferent from the constantly passing- flocks I saw on the Yukon Delta
August 27-28, and the abundance of Limicohe at St. Michael in Sep-
tember. The smaller land ])irds we often saw late in July and in
August. They were usually in family parties, and most of them
seemed to be traveling up the river. At Circle the intermediate
sparrow, western tree sparrow, and western savanna sparrow were
abundant, and were evidently migrating August 19-20.

Forty-two species of migratory l)irds, exclusive of those possessing
a continental range, certainly occur as summer residents in the Yukon
Basin above Fort Yukon. Of these, 13 (31 per cent) have their center
of distribution in eastern North America, 11 (33 per cent) near the
Pacific coast, and 15 (36 per cent) in western North America not far
from the Rocky Mountains. The eastern birds reach the Yukon
through the Rocky Mountains. Some of these, such as Chordeiles
virginianus^ were found only above the Tatchun River; others, as
Em/pidonax t. ahiorum, were absent above the Pelly and common
from there to Fort Yukon; others, as Wilsonia pusilla., were not
found above the Chandindu River; others, as Ilelniintliophila 2>ere-
grina were each found at a single place, while still others, as Junco
hyemalis and Merula viigratoria., were regularly distributed along the
river. The Pacific coast forms probably all reach the Yukon over
the Alaska coast range. These disappear as one goes north, Hylo-
cichla aonalasclikm extending through Lake Bennett, Wilsonia 2^- X>^^eo-
lata to Lake Marsh, Dendroica townsendi to Lake Lebarge, Myadestes
townsendi to Dawson, and Tachycineta thalassina to Circle. Last
and most important in number of species, abundance of individuals,
and regularity of distribution are birds which breed in the Yukon
Valley and spend the winter in the western United States, as Zono-
trichia I. ganibeli^ Spizella s. arizonce, and the small Ammodramus s.
alaudinus of the Yukon lakes, and those which probably enter by
the mouth of the Yukon, as the large Ammodrarmis s. alaudinus,
found below Alaska boundary, and Seiurus n. notabilis^ first met near
Dawson.

In coloring, Yukon birds, especially in juvenile plumage, show a
strong tendency to replace the buff-ochraceous markings of Eastern
forms by white, cream color, and gray. Canachites c. osgoodi, Parim h.
evura, and Hylocichla u. alma are good examples of this characteristic.

I take this opportunity to express \nj hearty thanks to Dr. Merriam
for the privilege of visiting Alaska as a member of the Biological Sur-
vey party, of writing this report, and of using the collection of the
Biological Survey in its preparation; also to Mr. Osgood and Mr.
Oberholser of the Biological Survey for aid in determining species.
I am also greatly indebted to Mr, Robert Ridgway and Dr. Charles
W. Richmond for the opportunity of studying the collection of the

OCT., 1900.]

CLASSIFIED LISTS OF SPECIES.

51

United States National Museum and for much valuable assistance; to
Dr. J. A. Allen and Mr. F. M. Chapman for the hours which I spent
with the birds in the American Museum of Natural History; to Mr,
William Brewster for the courtesy of allowing me to compare my
speciniens with those in his valuable collection, and to Mr. Walter
Deane for much help in this study.

CLASSIFIED LISTS OP SPECIES.

NEW SUB8PECIE,S.

Canachites canadensis osgoodi. Contopus richardsoni saturatus.

Sayornis saya yukonensis.

SPECIES NOT HITHERTO RECORDED FROM WESTERN NORTH AMERICA.

Haliseetus albicilla.

SPECIES NOT HITHERTO RECORDED FROM SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA.

^chmophorus occidentalis.

Xema sabinii.

Lagopus leucurus.

Picoides americanus alascensis.

Contopus richardsoni saturatus.

Empidonax hammondi.
Junco hyemalis connectens.
Sitta canadensis.
Merula migratoria.

SPECIES NOT HITHERTO RECORDED FROM UNALASKA.

Larus Philadelphia.
Tringa maculata.

Tringa acuminata.
Loxia curvirostra minor.

Larus Philadelphia
Tringa acuminata.

SPECIES NOT HITHERTO RECORDED FROM THE PRIBILOF ISLANDS.

? Arenaria melanocephala.

SPECIES NOT HITHERTO RECORDED FROM ST. MICHAEL.

Calidris arenaria.

SPECIES NOT HITHERTO RECORDED FROM THE YUKON ABOVE FORT YUKON.

Tringa bairdi.

Symphemia semipalmata inornata.

Buteo borealis calurus.

Falco sparverius.

? Megascops asio kennicotti.

? Dryobates villosus hyloscopus.

Contopus l)orealis.

Contopus richardsoni saturatus.

Empidonax trailli alnorum.

Empidonax hammondi.

Spinus pinus.
Spizella socialis arizonse.
Passerella iliaca.
Helminthophila peregrina.
Dendroica townsendi.
AVilsonia pusilla pileolata.
Sitta canadensis.
Hylocichla aonalaschkie.
Hylocichla aonalaschkte pallasi.
Saxicola oenanthe.

Colymbus holboelli.
Colymbus auritus.
Gavia im])er.
Gavia arctica.

LIST OF SPECIES KNOWN FROM THE YUKON BASIN.

Gavia lumme.

Stercorarius pomarinus. '
Stercorarius parasiticus.^
Stercorarius longieaudus.'

^ Known only from Fort Yukon or below.

52

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[NO. 19.

Rissa tridactyla pollit-aris.'

Larus barrovianuw.'

Larus argentatuH sinithsonianus.

Larus vegae.^

Larus braehyrhynchus.

Larus Philadelphia.

Xema sabinii.^

Sterna caspia.'

Sterna j^aradissea.

Sterna aleutica.'

HydrocheUdon nigra surinamensis.'

Phalacrocorax pelagicus robustus.^

Merganser aaiericanus.

Merganser serrator.'

Anas boschas.

Mareca americana.

Nettion carolinensis.

Querquedula discors.'

Spatula clypeata.

Dafila acuta.

Aythya vallisneria.^

Aythya marila.

Aythya affinis.

Clangula clangula americana.

Clangula islandica.

Charitonetta albeola.

Harelda hyemalis.

Histrionicus histrionicus.

Arctonetta fischeri.^

Somateria v-nigra.^

Somateria spectabilis.^

Oidemia americana.^

Oidemia deglandi.

Oidemia perspicillata.

Chen hyperborea. '

Anser albifrons gambeli.^

Branta canadensis hutchinsi.

Branta canadensis minima.

Branta nigricans. '

Philacte canagica. '

Olor columbianus. '

Olor buccinator.'

Grus canadensis.

Fulica americana. "^

Crymophilus fulicarius.'

Phalaropus lobatus.

Gallinago delicata.

Macrorhamphus scolopaceus.'

Tringa canutus. '

Tringa couesi.'

Tringa maculata.

Tringa bairdi.

Tringa ininutilla.

Tringa al])ina paciiica.

Ereunetes occidentalis. '

Calidris arenaria.'

Limosa lapponica baueri.'

Limosa haemastica.'

Totanus flavipes.

Helodromas solitarius cinnamomeus.

Heteractitis incanus. '

Bartramia lopgicauda. '

Synij)hemia semipalmata inornata.^

Tryngitcs subruficollis '

Actitis macularia.

Numenius hudsonicus.

Numenius liorealis.'

Squatarola squatarola.

Charadrius dominicus.

Charadrius dominicus fulvus.'

^gfalitis semipalmata.

Arenaria interpres.^

Arenaria melanocephala. '

Canachites canadensis osgoodi.

Bonasa umbellus umbelloides.

Lagopus lagopus.

Lagopus rupestris.

Pedioecetes phasianellus columbianus.

Circus hudsonius.

Accipiter velox.

Accipiter atricapillus.

Buteo borealis calurus.^

Buteo swainsoni.'

Archibuteo lagopus.'

Halifeetus leucocephalus alascanus.

Falco rusticolus gyrfalco.

Falco peregrinus anatum.

Falco columbarius.

Falco columbarius richardsoni.^

Falco sparverius.^

Pandion haliaetus carolinensis.'

Asio accipitrinus.'

Scotiaptex cinerea.

Scotiaptex cinerea lapponica.'

Nyi'tala tengmalmi richardsoni.

?Megascops asio kennicotti.^

Bubo virginianus pallescens.

Nyctea nyctea.'

Surnia ulula caparoch.

Ceryle alcyon.

Dryobates villosus leucomelas.

?Dryobates villosus hyloscopus.''

' Known only from Fort Yukon or below.
^ Known only above Fort Yukon.

OCT., 1900. J

CLASSIFIED LISTS OF SPECIES.

53

Dryobates pubescens nelsoni.

Picoides arcticus.

Picoides americanus alascensis.

Colai^te.s auratus luteus.

Chord eiles virgin ianus.'^

Selasphorus rufiis.^

Sayornis saya yukonensis.^

Contopus borealin.

Contopus richardsoni satnratus.*

Empidonax trailli.'

P^m])idonax trailli alnoruni.^

Empidonax hanimondi.'-'

Otocoris alpestris leucoltema.

Pica pica hudsonica.

Perisoreus canadensis fumifrons.

Corvus corax principalis.

Scolecophagus carolinus.

Pinicola enucleator alascensis.

Pyrrhula cassini.^

Loxia leucoptera.

Acanthis hornemanni exilipes.

Acanthis linaria.

Spinus pinus.^

Passerina nivalis.

Calcarius lapponicus alascensis.

Calcarius pictus.^

Ammodramus sandwichensis alaudinus.

Zonotrichia leucophrys gambeli.

Zonotrichia coronata.

Spizella monticola ochracea.

Spizella socialis arizonae.'^

Junco hyemalis.

Melospiza lincolni.

Passerella iliaca.

Petrochelidon lunifrons.

Ilirundo erythrogastra iinalaschkensis.

Tachycineta bicolor.

Tachycineta thalassina.^

Clivicola riparia.

Ampelis garrulus.

Lanius borealis.

Helminthophila celata.

Helminthophila peregrina.^

Dendroica sestiva rubiginosa.

Dendroica coronata hooveri.

Dendroica striata.

Dendroica townsendi.^

Seiurus aurocapillus.'

Seiurus noveboracensis notabilis.

Wilsonia pusilla.

Wilsonia pusilla pileolata.'^

Budytes flavus leucostriatus.'

Anthus pensilvanicus.

Cinclus mexicanus.

Sitta canadensis.^

Parus atricapilhis septentrionalis.

Parus cinctus alascensis.'

Parus hudsonicus evura.

Phyllopseustes borealis.'

Regulus calendula.

Myadestes townsendi.'^

Hylocichla alicise.

Hylocichla ustulata almse.

Hylocichla aonalaschkee.^

Hylocichla aonalaschkse pallasi.''

Merula migratoria.

Hesperocichla na3\aa.

Saxicola oenanthe.

Sialia arctica.*

SPECIES WHOSE OCCURRENCE ON THE YUKON IS DOUBTFUL.

Chaulelasmus streperus.
Eniconetta stelleri.
Branta canadensis.
Macrorhamphus griseus.

Aquila chrysaetos.
Nucifraga columbiana.
Loxia curvirostra minor.
Motacilla ocularis.

' Known only from Fort Yukon or below.
^ Known only above Fort Yukon.

54

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

(NO. ly.

SPECIES AND SUBSPECIES OCCURRING IN THE YUKON UASIN AND HAVING THEIR CENTER
OF ABUNDANCE DURING THE BREEDING SEASON IN ALASKA AND BERING SEA.

Rissa tridactyla poUicaris.'

Larus barrovianus.'

Lams vegpc'.*

Larus brachyrhynchus.

Sterna aleutica.'

Phalacrocorax pelagicus rol)ustus.'

Arctonetta fischeri.^

Somateria v-nigra.'

Chen hyperborea.^

Branta canadensis minima.

Branta nigricans.^

Philacte canagica.'

Grus canadensis.^

Macrorhampus scolopaceus.

Tringa couesi.^

Ereunetes occidentalis.

Heteractitis incanus.

Canachites canadensis osgoodi.
Haliteetus leucocephalus alascanus.
? Megascops asio kennicotti.
Picoides americanus alascensis.
Sayornis saya yukonensis.
Contopus richardsoni saturatus.
Perisoreus canadensis fumifrons.
Pinicola enucleator alascensis.
Leucosticte tephrocotis littoralis.
Calcarius lapponicus alascensis.
Hirundo erythrogastra unalaschkensis.
Dendroica testiva rubiginosa.
Dendroica coronata hooveri.
Parus cinctus alascensis.
Parus hudsonicns evura.
Hylocichla ustulata almae.
Hesperocichla ntevia.

Arenaria melanocephala.

Of these 35 forms, 1 is a subspecies of can Asiatic bird, 5 are chiefly
confined to Bering Sea, 2 range in winter to the western Pacific, 7
are resident subspecies of northern North American birds, and the
remaining 20 pass in winter to the western United States or beyond.

EASTERN NORTH AMERICAN SPECIES FOUND IN THE YUKON BASIN.

Limosa hjemastica.
Numenius borealis.
Accipiter atricapillus.
Falco span^erius.
Colaptes auratus luteus.
Chordeiles virgiuianus.
Empidonax trailli alnorum.
Junco hyemalis.
Passerella iliaca.

Helminthophila celata.
Helminthophila peregrina.
Dendroica striata.
Seiurus aurocapillus.
Wilsonia pusilla.
Hylocichla alicipe.
Hylocichla aonalaschkpe pallasi.
Merula migratoria.

WESTERN NORTH AMERICAN SPECIES FOUND IN THE YUKON BASIN.

Anser albifrons gambeli.

Branta canadensis hutchinsi.

Olor buccinator.

Symphemia semipalmata inornata.

Bonasa umbellus umbelloides.

Pedioecetes phasianellus columbianus.

Buteo borealis calurus.

Buteo swainsoni.

Falco columbarius richardsoni.

Bubo virginianus pallescens.

? Dryobates villosus hyloscopus.

Picoides americanus alascensis.

Selasphorus rufus.

Empidonax trailli.

Empidonax hammondi.

Otocoris alpestris leucoljema.

Pica pica hudsonica.

Calcarius pictus.

Ammodramus sandwichensis alaudinus.

Zonotrichia leucophrys gambeli.

Spizella monticola ochracea.

Spizella socialis arizonse.

Seiurus noveboracensis notabilis.

Cinclus mexicanus.

Parus atricapillus septentrionalis.

Myadestes townsendi.

Sialia arctica.

' Reported only from the Yukon Delta.
* Known only as migrant*.

OCT., 1900.

classifip:d lists of species.

55

AMERICAN I'AC'IFIC COAST Sl'ECIES FOUND IN THE YUKON U.V.SIN.

Helodromas solitarius cinnamouieiis.
Tachycineta thalassina.
Zonotric'hia coronata.

Dendroica townsendi.
Wilsonia pusilla pileolata.
Hvlocichla aonalasclikfc.

ASIATIC .VNIJ PACIFIC SPECIES FOUND I.N THE YUKON BASIN.

Limosa lapponica baueri.^
Charadrius dominicus fulvus.'
Archibuteo lagopus.
Scotiaptex cinerea lapponica. '

Pyrrhula cassini.

Budytes flavus leucostriatus.'

Phyllopseustes borealis.'

MIGRATORY SPECIES NOT COMMON TO NORTHERN NORTH AMERICA FOUND DURIN<i THE
BREEDING SEASON IN THE YUKON BASIN ABOVE FORT YUKON.

Eastern species.

Accipiter atricapillus.
Falco si:)arverius.
Cola])tes auratus luteus.
Chordeiles virginianus.
Empidonax trailli alnorum.
Junco hyemalis.
? Passerella iliaca.

Hebninthophila celata.
Hebninthophila peregrina.
Dendroica striata.
Wilsonia ])usilla.
Hylocichla aliciiT?.
Hylocichla aonalaschkai pallasi.
Merula migratoria.

Western species.

Branta canadensis hutchinsi.

? Grus canadensis.

Symphemia semipalmata inornata.

Buteo borealis calurus.

? Otocoris alpestris leucolsema.

Pica pica hudsonica.

? Calcarius lapponicus alascensis.

Amniodranius sandwichensis alaudinus.

Zonotrichia luucophrys gambcli.

Falco columbarius richardsoni.

Selasphorus rufus.
Sayornis saya yukonensis.
Empidonax hainmondi.
Spizella monticola ochracea.
Spizella socialis arizonse.
Seiurus noveboracensis nota])ilis.
Myadestes townsendi.
Hylocichla ustulata almse.
Sialia arctica.

Pacific coast species.

Larus brachyrhynchus.

Helodromas solitarius cinnamomeus.

Leucosticte tephrocotis littoralis.

Zonotrichia coronata.

Ilirundo erythrogastra iinalaschkensis.

Tachycineta thalassina.

Contopus richardsoni saturatus.

Dendroica sestiva rubiginosa.
Dendroica coronata hooveri.
Dendroica townsendi.
Wilsonia pusilla pileolata.
Hylocichla aonalaschkfe.
Hesperocichla nrevia.

SPECIES OCCURRING ON THE COAST OF SOUTHEAST ALASKA AND IN THE Y'UKON VALLEY.

Gavia imber.
Larus Philadelphia.
Anas boschas.
Histrionicus histrionicus.
Oidemia deglandi.

Oidemia perspicillata.

Phalaropus lobatus.

Actitis niacularia.

Halieeetus leucocephalus alascanus.

Picoides americanus alascensis.

^ Known only from the Yukon Delta.

50

NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA.

[NO. 19.

Colajjtes auratiis luteiis.

Selasphorus rufus.

Contopus richardsoni saturatus.

Empidonax hammondi.

Sterna paradissea.

Corvus corax principalis.

Ammodramu8 sandwichensi.s alaudinus.

Spizella monticola ochracea.

Hirundo erythrogastra unalaschkensis.

Tachyt'ineta l)icolor.
Dendroica coronata liooveri.
Dendroica townsendi.
Wilsoiiia pusilla pileolata.
Ant has pensilvanicus.
Sitta canadensis.
Hylocichla aonalaschkfe.
Merula niigratoria.
Hesperocichla ngevia.

SPECIES OCCURRING ON WHITE PASS SUMMIT AND IN THE YUKON VALLEY.

Sayornis saya yukonensis.

Zonotrichia coronata.

? Wilsonia pusilla pileolata.

Antlius pensilvanicus.

Hirundo erythrogastra unalaschkensis.

SPECIES FOUND BY US ONLY' ON WHITE PASS SUMMIT.

Lagopus rupestris.
Lagopus leucurus.

Zonotrichia coronata.
Leucosticte tephrocotis littoralis.

SPECIES FOUND BY US ONLY ON THE COAST OF SOUTHEAST ALASKA.

? Dendragapus obscurus fuliginosus.

Sphyrapicus ruber.

Cyanocitta stelleri.

Corvus caurinus.

Junco hyemalis oregonus.

Junco hyemalis connectens.

Melospiza melodia rufina.

Melospiza lincolni striata.
Passerella iliaca townsendi.
Helminthophila celata lutescens.
Anorthura hiemalis pacifica.
Parus rufescens.
Regulns satrapa olivaceus.
Regulus calendula grinnelli.

LAND BIRDS FOUND IN LYNN CANAL DISTRICT ONLY NEAR TIDE WATER.

Contopus richardsoni saturatus.

Sphyrapicus ruber.

Cyanocitta stelleri.

Corvus caurinus.

Spizella monticola ochracea.

Junco hyemalis oregonus.

Melospiza melodia rufina.

Melospiza lincolni striata.
Tachycineta bicolor.
Helminthophila celata lutescens.
Anthus pensilvanicus.
Sitta canadensis.
Merula migratoria.

LAND BIRDS FOUND IN LYNN CANAL DISTRICT ONLY NEAR THE LEVEL OF GLACIER.

Colaptes auratus luteus.
? Dendragapus obscurus fuliginosus.
Junco hyemalis connectens.
Wilsonia pusilla pileolata.

Cinclus mexicanus.
Anorthura hiemalis pacifica.
Regulus satrapa olivaceus.

SPECIES RECORDED FROM THE UPPER Y'UKON ONLY ABOVE THE PELLY RIVER.

Tringa minutilla.

Symphemia semipalmata inornata.

? Megascops asio kennicotti.

? Dryobates villosus hyloscopus.

Chordeiles virginianus.

Selasphorus rufus.

Contopus borealis.

Hirundo erythrogastra unalaschkensis.

Tachycineta bicolor.
Helminthophila peregrina.
Dendroica townsendi.
Wilsonia pusilla pileolata.
Hylocichla aonalaschkse.
Hylocichla aonalaschkpe pallasi.
Sialia arctica.

o.:t.,1900.] birds of the YUKON" REGION. bi

SPECIES RECORDED FROM THE YUKON VALLEY BETWEEN FORT YUKON AND THE PELLY

RIVER.

Falco peregrinus anatum. Acanthis hornemauni exilipes.

? Falco columbarius. Passerella iliaca.

? Falco columbarius richardsoni. Seiurus noveboracensis notabilis.

Empidonax trailli alnorum. Wilsonia pusilla.

Otocoris alpestris leucolsema. Hylocichla alicia?.

Calcarius lappouicus alascensis. Saxicola o^nanthe.

ANNOTATED LIST OF SPECIES.

1. .ffichmopliorus occidentalis. Western Grebe.

Several seen at Bocadequadra, near Dixon Entrance, Ma}^ 28.

2. Colymbus holbcelli. Holboell Grebe.

A young- male was taken on the ' Canal ' at St. Michael September
22. The irides were primrose yellow; basal two-thirds of the culmen,
outside tarsi, and lobes, seal brown; rest of bill, ocher yellow; inside
of the tarsi and lobes, maize yellow; nails, yellowish olive buff.

3. Gavia imber. Loon.

Seen at Bocadequadra May 28 and in the Inside Passage May 29.
Several seen on Lake Bennett and a pair at Caribou Crossing between
June 17 and 28. On Lake Marsh they were common and were fre-
quently heard, especially at night. The last loon certainly referable
to this species was seen there July G.

4. Gavia arctica. Black-throated Loon.

A loon that flew over our boat on Thirty-Mile River July 18, and
another seen near Big Salmon River July 20, I believe were Oavla
arctica. I saw several loons at the Aphoon mouth of the Yukon
August 27 and one at St. Michael on September 5 and 16. We obtained
none of them, but the experience of others makes it probable that all
were the black-throated. Dr. Romig, of the Moravian Mission on the
Kuskokwim River, told me that his party killed two on August 27 on
the portage from Bethel on the Kuskokwim to Hendricks Station on
the Yukon Delta.

5. Lunda cirrhata. Tufted Puffin.

Osgood saw one at Whale Island, near St. Michael, September 8.

6. Fratercula corniculata. Horned Puffin.

We took two and saw about a dozen puffins near Whale Island Sep-
tember 8. Irides, drab gray; ring on eyelid and lip of l)ill, flame
scarlet; rest of bill dull straw yellow; bare skin at gape and line along
base of maxilla, cadmium yellow; line below lower ej'elid and horns,
black; palmations, cadmium orange; tarsi and toes, cadmium orange
above, chrome yellow below; nails varying from drab gray to slate
color.

58 NORTH AMEEICAN FAUNA. [no. 19.

7. Simorhynchus pusillus. Least Auklct.

Anklets were seen several times while we were crossing Bering Sea
in the Corwhi October 1-2 and increased in numbers as we approached
the Pribilofs. They were common with ^'arious other (unidentitied)
species of water ])irds off Unalaska October 4 and a])undant in Akntan
Pass October 0. T refer them to this species, as Nelson found it the
most aliundant in these waters.

8. Brachyramphus marmoratus. Marbled Murrelet.

This bird was fairly common in the Inside Passage Ma}^ 28-29, and
one was killed at Bocadequadra. We saw a few on Lynn Canal May
30, and I shot one near Skagway May 31. Doubtless some of the
many murrelets seen with auklets near the Pribilof and Aleutian
islands in October were this species.

9. Cepphus columba. Pigeon Guillemot.

Seen at Bocadequadra and along the Inside Passage May 28-29.
Guillemots which I saw near Unalaska October 4 were probably this
species.

10. TJria lomvia arra. Pallas Murre.

The murres seen near St. Michael August 29 and about St. George
Island and Unalaska in October were probably chiefly this species,
though some may have been Uria troile calif ornica.

11. Stercorarius parasiticus. Parasitic Jaeger.

Common at the Aphoon mouth of the Yukon August 27-28, and
about St. Michael until September 10. About this time their nvnn-
bers decreased, and the last one was seen September 16. All appeared
to be adults (as were the four collected), and only one was in the black
plumage.

12. Stercorarius longicaudus. Long-tailed Jaeger.

I saw one at the Aphoon mouth August 28, and both Osgood and I
occasionally saw the species at St. Michael until September 12.

13. Rissa tridactyla pollicaris. Pacific Kittiwake.

Adult kittiwakes were tolerably common at St. Michael from Sep-
tember 19 to the end of our stay, but no young were seen. As we
crossed Bering Sea October 1-5, and at Unalaska October 5-6, young
kittiwakes w^ere common, and we saw no adults except at St. George
and Unalaska. The irides of the adult arc vandyke brown; ring on
eyelid orange rufous; bill sulphur yellow, whitish at tip; gape rufous;
tarsi, toes, palmations, and nails slate black.

11. Rissa brevirostris. Eed-legged Kittiwake.

One was seen by Osgood at Unalaska (Dutch Harbor) October 5.

OCT., 1900.] BIRDS OF THE YUKON REGION. 59

15. Larus barrovianus. Point Barrow Gull.

Abundant on the LoWer Yukon, at the Aphoon mouth, and durinj^
September at St. Michael, though most of the adults had gone by the
middle of the month. While crossing Bering Sea we saw several
young October 2 and others near Unalaska October 4. A young
bird shot near St. Michael September 19 had the head of a recent!}^
killed ptarmigan in its throat. The irides of the 3'oung are Prout's
brown; tip of l)ill and sides of nails black; rest of bill, toes, and pal-
mations vinaceous buff; rest of nails drab gray.

IG. Larus glaucescens. Glaucous-winged Gull.

Large gulls, which doubtless were chieii}" this species, were common
from Dixon Entrance to Lynn Canal May 28-30, and we saw a few
near Skagway June 1-2. At Unalaska, where I collected two, the}'
were a])undant October 4^6. A few gulls that followed the Oori/nn
in the North Pacific I think also T)clonged to this species.

17. Larus argentatus smithsonianus. American Herring Gull.

The only large gulls I took on the Yukon — a female which had fin-
ished laying, collected at Lake Tagish June 30, and another taken near
Charlie Creek August 8 — were this species, and no others came close
enough to make identification positive; hence I must refer all the large
gulls seen to Larus a. smitlisonicmus^ although on several we could see
no black on the primaries. I saw one flying over White Pass Summit
June 12 and another at Bennett City June 19. We saw eight or ten
at Cari])ou Crossing and a few on Lake Tagish. No more were
observed until we reached Lake Lebarge Jvlj 13; but from this point
to the mouth of the river large gulls slowly became more numerous,
one or two being noted every few daj's. Three fully grown 3"oung,
with their parents, were seen on a sand bar about 1.5 miles a])o^'e
Circle August 12.

18. Larus brachyrhynchus. Short-billed Gull.

Our acquaintance with this bird dates from our arrival at Lake
Marsh, July 1, where we found it common, and took downy young
the next day. From this time, until we reached the Tatchun River,
July 23, hardly a daj^ passed that we did not see several; on July 20
we counted fourteen on a sand bar near Little Salmon River. After
July 23 we saw no more until September 6, when young of the year
appeared at St. Michael, and were common there until the 23d. The
only adult seen at St. Michael was noted on September 11.

The adult has the irides Prout's brown; ring on eyelids and skin at
commissural angle reddish orange; gape orange; bill, tarsi, and toes
olive yellow; nails black, french gray at base.

Natal plumage: Creamy white, becoming pale cream color on fore-
head, chin, and anterior breast, mottled with different shades of brown,

60 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [no. 19.

except the center of chest and abdomen. Head markings slate-black,
distinctly defined and numerous, the most characteristic being one
that covers the entire nasal region, a V on the pileum, a W on .the occi-
put, and a somewhat interrupted U on each side of the throat. On
the upperparts the markings become pale seal brown, and with lighter
tips render the lower neck, sides of breast, flanks, and anal region
grayish. Bill l)rownish black; tip of bill, tarsi, toes, and palmations
whitish; nails and edges of scutellfe of tarsi and toes hair brown.

19. Larus Philadelphia. Bonaparte Gull

I saw several small black-headed gulls, probably this species, in the
Inside Passage May 29. I took a Bonaparte gull at Caribou Crossing
on June 24 and saw several others. We saw one on Lake Marsh
July 1, a few young at St. George Island October 3, and found them
common at Unalaska October -i-S.

20. Xema sabinii. Sabine Gull.

Osgood found a dead bird of this species on the shores of Chilkat
Inlet June 1. The specimen, unfortunately, was not in a condition to
permit its preservation, but it was carefully identified at the time and
showed no apparent variance from the description and figure in
Ridgway's Manual.

21. Sterna paradisaea. Arctic Tern.

We saw a largo flock of terns in the Inside Passage May 39, and
two days later at Skagway saw a few more, securing two, which proved
to be of this species. ■ At Bennett, between June 15 and 20, we fre-
quently saw two or three, and 1 was informed that arctic terns bred on
a small lake near Log Cabin, British Columbia. We found a breed-
ing colony of about twenty on a small rocky island lying in the
entrance to Windy Arm, Lake Tagish, July 1. I found four single
eggs (three fresh and one well advanced in incubation), one set of two
(one fresh and the other at point of hatching), and also a young bird
which had just left the shell. There were no nests; the young bird
and eggs were in the short grass on the top of the island. Except a
single bird, seen at Lake Marsh and probably belonging to this colony,
we did not meet with terns again until August 27, when I found this
species common at the Aphoon mouth. A single tern with injured
primaries was seen frequentl}^ at St. Michael up to September 21.
The downy young differs from the description given in Baird, Brewer
and Ridgway's 'Water Birds,' in having the forehead plain dusky, the
chin whitish, the basal half of bill, tarsi, and toes salmon pink, and the
rest of })ill and nails black.

22. Diomedea albatrus. Short-tailed Albatross.

A dark-brown albatross, probably the young of D. albatrus^ joined
the Co7'win October 1, about 150 miles from St. Michael. It was soon

OCT., 1900] BIRDS OF THE YUKON REGION. 61

accompanied l)^' others, and until we reached Cape Scott, Octol)er .12,
a ghmco astern would seldom fail to show two or three followino- the
vessel.

23. Fulmarus glacialis glupischa. Pacilic Fulmar.

A single dark-colored fulmar, possibly this form, was seen October
4, between St. George and Unalaska.

24. Oceanodroma furcata. Forked-tailed Petrel.

To this species I refer a few light-colored petrels seen October 3,
on Bering Sea north of the Pribilof Islands.

25. Phalacrocorax pelagicus. Pelagic Cormorant.

Cormorants were seen October 4 near Unalaska, where this species
is reported as common.

26. Phalacrocorax pelagicus robustus. Violet-green Cormorant.

We saw a single cormorant at Whale Island September 8; and one —
possibl}^ the same bird — was seen by Osgood several times at St.
Michael.

27. Phalacrocorax urile. Red-faced Cormorant.

This is the only cormorant reported by William Palmer from St.
George, where we saw several October 3.

28. Merganser americanus. American Merganser.

A pair of mergansers was breeding on a small, rocky island in Lake
Tagish, at the entrance to Windy Arm, June 30-July 1. The nest was
found by Osgood in a crevice in the cliffs about 15 feet above the
water. It was made of down, and contained seven eggs about one
week advanced in incubation. Retrieving would have been impossible
had we shot the bird, but as I succeeded in watching the female on the
nest from a distance of less than 6 feet I feel positive of the species.

A few other mergansers, usually in pairs, were seen on Lake Tagish
July 1, on Lake Marsh July 8, at Fifty-Mile River July 9 and 12 (a
flock of a dozen males flying up the river in the evening of the latter
date), near Little Salmon River July 20, and about 25 miles above
Circle August 12. Near Charlie Creek we found the dried wing of an
adult male of this species August 8.

29. Anas boschas. Mallard.

On the flats of Chilkat Inlet I saw seven Juno 2. In no part of the
Tukon Valley above Circle did we find ducks abundant, except surf
scoters, but the mallard undoubtedly occurs at all suitable places
throughout the region. It must breed very early, as on June 24, only
three weeks after the lakes were open to steamer navigation, I found
a female with two young at Caribou Crossing, and on June 28 I shot

62 NOKTH AMEEICAN FAUNA. [n().19.

another feiiialo there and caught two of her half dozen downy young.
Two ducks, pr()})al)ly nialkird.s, were seen on Lake Marsh eJuly 6, and
at Miles Canyon Maddren was informed they had been common there
earlier in the season. We saw several females with young in the
marshy ponds at the foot of Lake Lebargo July 17, a few adults near
the Little Salmon July 20, and a good-sized flock near Charlie Village
August 10. Osgood shot one near Fort Yukon August 21.

In the large flocks of geese and ducks disturbed by the steamer on
the Lower Yukon were two young mallards, secured at Hendricks
Station August 25. Mallards were common at the Aphoon mouth
August 27, and we saw a few at St. Michael September 2.

30. Mareca americana. Baldpate.

Five ducks that I took to be baldpates were seen a short distance
above Fort Selkirk July 25.

31. Nettion' carolinensis. Green-winged Teal.

Three teal that 1 saw in the creek at Circle, August 19, were prob-
ably this species. Green-winged teal were common in the tundra
ponds about St. Michael during the first half of September, but
apparently did not occur after September 16. All that were taken
were young birds.

32. Dafila acuta. Pintail.

Maddren was told at Miles Canyon, July 11, that pintails were com-
mon, but we saw none near enough for identification until August 27,
when I found them abundant at the Aphoon mouth. Seven were here
killed by a passenger on the steamer. During September young
pintails far outnumbered all other ducks on the marshes and tundra
ponds about St. Michael. Largo numbers were killed by the Eskimos,
but no adults were seen. Their numbers had greatly decreased by
September 20.

33. Ay thy a marila. Scaup Duck.

We saw a flock of about a dozen adult males at Caribou Crossing
June 24, and another of about twenty on the Yukon, a short distance
above Fort Selkirk, July 25.

31. Aythya affinis. Lesser Scaup Duck.

We found a pair with young on a small pond at Lower Lebarge
July 17. Osgood secured the female.

35. Clangula clangula americana. American Golden-eye.

I am confident that a flock of ducks seen about 25 miles above Circle
August 12 were males of this species or of C. islandica.

ocT.,iyoo.] BIRDS OF THE YUKON REGION. 63

36. Charitonetta 'albeola. Buffle-hcad,

I shot a fciiiiilo on a small pond near Lake Marsh July S, and saw
a male near Little Salmon River July 20. Maddren was informed
that buffle-heads were common near Miles Canyon, and a lio}^ at Lower
Lebarge said they bred commoidy on the ponds near there, and that
he took two young July 16.

37. Harelda hyemalis. Old Squaw.

Single young l)irds were found frequently during September in the
small ponds about St. Michael, and a flock of about a dozen was seen
in the harbor September 11. No adults were observed. One ^^oung
bird, taken earl}^ in September, still retained natal down on the hind-
neck.

38. Histrionicus histrionicus. Harlequin Duck.

We saw a male and two females in Wrangell Narrows May 29. A
flock of twelve males came close to the shore at Bennett June 18; and
on June 23 a single male swam so near that men sitting on the beach
threw stones at it. One other harlequin was seen a few miles above
Fort Selkirk July 25. Dr Romig told me he saw a number on the
portage from the Kuskokwim to the Yukon August 24-25.

3t». Somateria v-nigra. Pacific Eider.

We saw the head of a male of this species lying in the window of
the hotel at St. Michael, and the soldiers at the barracks had a
mounted bird, shot near St. Michael in the spring, but we saw no
living eiders of any species during our trip.

■40. Oidemia americana. American Scoter.

We noticed a few in Wrangell Narrows May 29, and I saw a number
ofi" Unalaska October 5.

41. Oidemia deglandi. White- winged Scoter.

This species was fairly numerous at Bocadequadra, Wrangell Nar-
rows, and Lynn Canal May 28-30. We saw two on Lake Marsh July
6, two on Lake Lebarge July 14, and a flock of about twenty-five flying
up Fifty-Mile River from Lake Lebarge on the evening of July 12.

42. Oidemia perspicillata. Surf Scoter.

In Lynn Canal, near Haines, June 1 we noted a large flock of surf
scoters, most of which had disappeared the next day. They were
abundant on all the Yukon lakes except Bennett, which was almost
destitute of bird life. On Lake Tagish we saw fourteen June 30, and
at Lake Marsh thirty to forty males almost every day between July
1 and 8. We saw no more, except a pair on July 11 on Fifty-Mile
River, which connects Lake Marsh with Lake Lebarge, until we

64 * NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [n<>.19

entered Lake Lcbar^^e on the evening- of Jul}^ ly, when a tioek of at
least a hundi-fd Hew hig-h overhead from the direetion of the hike.
Al)out 8 p. ni. and at 10 p. m. of the ,sanie evening, and on the next
morning, we ,saAV what we took to T)e tht^. same floek. The birds were
probably taking a morning and evening flight, such as E. S. Bryant
has noticed in the case of the white-Avinged scoters breeding at Devils
Lake, North Dakota; and I believe that with both species these flights
are taken chiefly to exercise the wing muscles. We saw no females
on any of the lakes, nor could we find them on the shore, though they
were undoubtedly nesting in the vicinitv- We observed several on
Thirty -Mile River July 18 and two near the Little Salmon July 20.
Near Whale Island, at St. Michael, we saw a number September 8,
and two scoters, probably young of this species, September 21. I
think there were a few with the American scoters I saw at Unalaska
October 5.

43. Chen hyperborea. Lesser Snow Goose.

1 saw five snow geese at the Aphoon mouth August 28, and a large
flock at St. Michael September 11.

44. Anser albifrons gambeli. American White-fronted Goose.

A single white-fronted goose was seen by Osgood among a number
of other birds killed by natives about the Yukon Delta August 29.

45. Branta canadensis hutchinsi. Hutchins Goose.

Although Maddren was informed that a goose with four young was
seen near White Horse Rapids about July 11, and although the
sergeant in charge of the police station of Lower Lebarge told us
that thousands of geese and ducks passed there in the spring, and
that he had counted twenty -four distinct species, and had killed both
Hutchins and cackling geese, we did not see a goose of any species
until we were in the neighborhood of Charlie Village, August 10.
There we saw a flock of about twenty of the Branta canaderwis group,
and Osgood shot two hutchmd and saw many more near Fort Yukon
August 21. Brown geese, apparently chiefly this subspecies, were
common on the Yukon flats and on the lower river, especially the
Yukon Delta. A Hutchins goose was brought to the steamer Robert
Kerr by an Eskimo August 26, and I found the bird common at the
Aphoon mouth August 27-28. Prospectors on the Kerr told me that
geese bred abundantly at the head waters of the Porcupine and the
marshes at the source of Birch Creek.

During September this species was common about St. Michael in
small flocks, but very shy; Osgood took one September 23.

{Philacte canagica. Emperor Goose. Dr. Romig told me they
were couniion on the tundra along the Kuskokwim.]

OCT., 1900] . BIRDS OF THE YUKON REGION. 65

\^<Jl(ir roliiinhixniis. Whi.stling' SAvaii. We were told that a swan —
probabl}' this species — was killed at Circle duriiii;- the spring.]

46. Grus canadensis. Little Brown Crane.

Along the Yukon we did not see any cranes, although I thought I
heard one near the Little Salmon July 21, and a man who had spent
the summer at Circle told me he had heard and seen the 'sand-
hill crane' there frequently during the past two months. I was also
informed by prospectors that these cranes were found in small imm-
bers at the head waters of Birch Creek and Porcupine River.

Near St. Michael we saw flocks of from two to six indi\dduals each
almost daily during the first half of Septem])er, but none later than Sep-
tember 16. On the night of September 13 and all the following day
there was a hard southwest gale. On the 14th Ave saw large num-
bers— Osgood counted ninety-six — flying south, high in the air.

47. Crymophilus fulicarius. Red Phalarope.

We saw a small flock near Skagway in Lynn Canal Jiuie 2, and
others I believed to be this species near Wrangell Narrows and in
Prince Frederick Sound May 20. Osgood took one at St. Michael
September 17 during a heavy storm.

48. Phalaropus lobatus. Northern Phalarope.

Large flocks were seen near Dixon Entrance May 28, and smaller
ones on the Inside Passage Ma}' %). From a flock of about twenty on
Lake Lebarge July 13 1 shot a female that was changing to Avinter
plumage, and on a small pond at Lower Lebarge July 17 I took a
male that Avas in worn breeding plumage. At St. Michael September
2 I caught a young bird that had but one wing, and on St. (leorge
Island October 3 I shot one that Avas swinmiing alone in a pool.
Phalaropes, probably this species, were seen on Bering Sea October
1 and 4.

49. Gallinago delicata. Wilson Snipe.

At Haines May 31 I was told that several Wilson snipe had been
seen that day, but Avas unable to find them. We saAV one on Fifty-
Mile River not far below Lake Marsh July 10, and another in the
marsh at LoAver Lebarge July 17. Osgood saw one at Circle August
18, and I killed tAvo from a small flock at Hendricks Station August
25. At St. Michael Ave saw eight or ten single birds between Sep-
tember 12 and 22.

50. Tringa couesi. Aleutian Sandpiper,

Common about the lava rocks that line the shore at St. Michael,
where flocks of five to fifty Avere obserA^ed, l)ut onlj' small flocks after
September 15. A fcAv were occasionally seen on the tidal mud flats,
4494— No. 19 5

66 NOETH AMEKICAN FAUNA. [no. 19.

but none about the ])oik1s in the interior of the islund or on the salt
meadow behind the town. Out of eighty specimens taken only eight
were adults, and five of these were taken })efore September 1). On the
rocky shores of a point opposite Dutch Harbor, Unalaska, I found
them common October 5. Those taken at St. Michael were molting
into first winter phunage, which is practically complete in the Una-
laska birds. In this plumage there is considerable individual differ-
ence in the width and shade of the pale edgings of the feathers of the
upperparts.

The irides were Vandyke brown; bill, black changing to olive buff'
in basal half; tarsi and toes, yellowish olive buff washed with black;
nails black.

I find great sexual variations in size in this species, the females, as
in many other species of Limicolie, averaging considerably larger,
especially in length of bill. Measurements of twenty-nine males:
Length 8. OB to 8.94 (average 8.67) inches; wing 4.37 to 5.12 (average
4.89) inches; exposed culmen 0.96 to 1.13 (average 1.06) inches; tar-
sus 0.91- to 1.03 (average 0.96) inches. Measurements of thirty-four
females: Length 8.56 to 9.56 (average 9.03) inches; Aving 4.47 to 5.31
(average 4.98) inches; exposed culmen 1.16 to 1.42 (average 1.24)
inches; tarsus 0.96 to 1.05 (average 0.99) inches.

51. Tringa ptilocnemis. Pribilof Sandpiper.

We saw a number on St. George October 3, but too close to the
rookery of fur seals to be obtained.

52. Tringa acuminata. Sharp-tailed Sandpiper.

First found September 18, when six were seen with a large flock
of T. a. pacijica at St Michael. We did not see liiore than a dozen
of this species during the rest of September. Although the species
has not been hitherto recorded from St. George Island, we took three
and saw about a dozen during the short time we were there October 3.
At Unalaska, October 5, I secured one which was with T. couesi on
the rocky beach. The irides were Vandyke brown; maxilla and distal
half of mandible, dark seal brown, mandible changing to dull olive buff
at base; gape ecru drab; tarsi and toes, greenish maize yellow; nails
black.

53. Tringa maculata. Pectoral Sandpiper.

This species was present throughout our stay at St. Michael, usually
associating with flocks of T. a. pacifica^ but in very small numbers,
not more than twenty being seen. All the specimens taken were
young birds. Osgood took one at St. George October 3, and 1 one at
Unalaska October 5.

ocT.,l900.j BIRDS OF THE YUKON KEGION. 67

54. Tringa bairdi. Baird Sandpiper.

Two sandpipers, proljably of this species, flew ])y us on Lake Marsh,
and we saw four more in the marshes of Lower Lebarge, but failed
to secure any of them. I shot one young bird near the Tahkandik
River August 7. Osgood shot one from a flock of four at Circle
August 15, and another near Fort Yukon August 21.

55. Tringa miimtilla. Least Sandpiper.

At the southern end of Lake Marsh, not far from where Six-Mile
River enters, the surrounding country is level, and at liigh water the
lake stretches far back through a dense growth of willows. At the
time of our visit the retreating water of the lake had left a 1)elt of
grass between these willows and its margin. Here on the evening of
July 2 I found three pairs of least sandpipers, and after a long search,
somewhat interrupted by hordes of mosquitoes, I came upon a female
surrounded by four downy young. Both parents tried time and
again the well-known 'wounded-bird' tactics to lure me from the- spot
where the young were hidden in the bunches of grass, and, linding
this a failure, would circle around me only a few yards ofl', uttering a
plaintive twitter. I saw two other least sandpipers (jn the west shore
of Lake Marsh July 7.

Natal plumage: Lower parts, forehead and orbital region, l)rownish
white. Upperparts bright cinnamon rufous mottled with black; many
feathers, especially on head, rump, and tail, tipped with white. Post-
orbital line and loral line blackish, and spot of l)right cinnamon rufous
on sides of chest. Irides dark brown; bill and nails, slate black; tarsi
and toes, pale slate.

56. Tringa alpina pacifica. Red-backed Sandpiper.

Yovmg red-] lacked sandpipers were very abundant at St. Michael
during our stay, many times outnumbering all other Limicolje. Early
in Septeml)er they frequented chiefly the mud flats on the coast, but
after the middle of the month large numliers were found only about
the pools of the salt marsh. September 24, when the tundra was quite
thoroughly frozen, with snow in every hollow and a skimming of
ice on the pools, I saw at least one hundred in this latter place.

In several taken early in September the back of the neck was still
covered with down, but the majority were in full juvenile plumage.
Some still retained this plumage at the time we left St. Michael, but
the larger portion had molted into winter plumage. Only two adults
were taken, September 1 and 5. A few were seen at St. George
Island October 3.

57. Calidris arenaria. Sanderling.

I saw three at St. Michael September 11 and collected one, which
proved to be a young female.

68 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA [no. 19.

58. Totanus flavipes. Ycllo\v-lco.s.

On July 1, while Hoating' down Six-Mile River close to it.s entrance
into Lake Marsh, we were attracted by the anxious cries of a pair of
yellows-legs. Osgood shot hoth birds, and we found two downy young
in the grass on the shore of the river. Entering Lake Marsh we
heard a yellow-legs' whistle, and on Jul}'^ 2 I i5aw a yellow- legs near
where I found the least sandpiper. I collected a female on the west
shore of Lake Marsh July 8, and a male, the last bird of this species
seen, near a small pond at Lower Lebarge July 17. Both these birds
undoiil)tedly had eggs or young close by, for they alighted exclusively
in trees, scolded vociferously, tilting the body with each cry, and
refused to leave. Bare spaces on the breast show that both sexes
assist in incubation.

Natal plumage: Upperparts and thighs, dark seal brown, man}" of
the feathers tipped with cream buff and whitish; longitudinal lines on
rmup, cream color, inclosing central, seal-brown space. Forehead,
buff}" white, extending in narrow lines on sides of crown to occiput,
and in broader lines above eye to nape, the latter crossed by trans-
verse dark lines extending from eye to occiput. Line beginning at
base of culmen enlarged to dark space on crown and occiput, extend-
ing down neck to back, seal brown; other dark lines extending from
crown above eye to occiput, and from nostrils through eye to nape.
Throat and center of abdouien silvery white; rest of lower parts and
sides of neck, bufty white; each feather of lower parts becoming
brownish black at base. Irides, Vandyke brown; bill, black at tip,
changing to greenish olive at base; tarsi and toes, yellow, paler than
in adult, and mottled with brown; nails, brown. The juvenile plumage
is appearing, in this specimen, on wings, wing coverts, chest, and sides.

5t). Helodromas solitarius cinnamomeus. Western Solitary Sandpiper.
At Log Cabin, British Columbia, on the evening of June l-t, we
noticed a sandpiper wheeling through the air, like the woodcock at its
breeding place, occasionally uttering a rather musical whistle. The
next morning I found it feeding in a small swamp. It proved to be a
solitary sandpiper, as I had suspected on the previous evening.
Osgood saw another near Lake Marsh July 6, and I saw two near
Little Salmon River July 21. On July 8, after rowing a few miles
down Lake Marsh, we stopped for lunch on the west shore, where a
forest fire had killed most of the trees, and fallen trunks piled in end-
less confusion, brush, small pools, and hordes of mosquitoes rendered
the place anything but a paradise. Here I startled a solitary sand-
piper and a yellow-legs at the same instant. They lighted on the half-
fallen trees and scolded me, tilting their liodies at each cry. The
solitary sandpiper, which doubtless had a nest there, differed chiefly
from eastern specimens of solitarius in having dark, wavy markings

OCT., 1900.] BIRDS OF THE YUKON REGION. 09

on inner wel)s of outer primaries. Osgood took a typical young of
cinnmnoineufi and saw another on an island near Sixty -Mile Creek
August 1.

60. Symphemia semipalmata inornata. Western Willet.

While in a meadow a short distance ])aok from the southeast end of
Lake Marsh July 2 I heard a willet whistle several times its unmis-
takable 'pill- willet,' but failed to see the bird.

Gl. Heteractitis incanus. Wandering Tattler.

Osgood took an adult at Skagway May 31. I shot a .young bird
from a flock of three at St. Michael September 1, saw one on Whale
Island September 8, and secured two at Unalaska October 5.

The irides of the adult were vandyke brown; bill, black, base of
mandible brownish; tarsi and toes, l)rownish ocher; nails, black. In
the young, the bill changed from Ijlack to sage green in basal third of
mandible, and to greenish olive at base of maxilla; tarsi and toes,
dull gallstone yellow, greenish at joints.

62. Actitis macularia. Spotted Sandpiper.

1 saw one at Skagway June 3, and Osgood one at Glacier June 8.
This is preeminently the shore bird of the Yukon Basin; we saw two
at Bennett June 18, and until we reached Circle, August 15, hardly
a da}^ passed without our seeing many running along the shore, or
skimming over the river. They were especially abundant between
White Horse Rapids and Lake Lebarge. After the 1st of August
most of the spotted sandpipers seen seemed to be traveling upstream
in small flocks. We saw no adults after August -1.

The first set of eggs was found at Caribou Crossing June 27; the
last at the Tatchun River Juh' 23. The flrst young noticed were in a
nest containing three young and one pipped egg found on Lake Marsh
July 7. Both sexes were incubating. Nests were close to the shore,
and also on small rocky islands in the lakes.

63. Numenius hudsonicus. Hudsonian Curlew.

I secured one from a flock of four curlews on the marshes of Chilkat
Inlet, and Osgood found a dead bird in the woods at Haines, June 1.
Three young were brought to the steamer by an Eskimo at the Aphoon
mouth August 28. I saw one at St. Michael September 2, and, I think,
another September 14.

Adult: Irides, vandyke brown; bill and nails, black; tarsi and toes
cinereous. Young (Massachusetts specimen): Irides, raw umber;
maxilla, black; mandible, clove brown, blackish at tip, vinaceous
toward base; tarsi and toes, olive gray; nails, black.

70 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [n".19

64. Squatarola squatarola. Black-bellied Plover.

At the Aphoon mouth of the Yukon I saw a flock August 28.
Osgood saw three young- which had been shot on the mainland near
St. Michael September 10, and from this date to the end of our stay
we saw occasionally one or two birds of the year, one of which was
taken September 16.

65. Charadrius dominious fulvus. Pacific Golden Plover.

None were seen until September 16, after which young ])irds became
fairly common on the boggy tundra about St. Michael and the murl
flats along the shore. The only adult seen was taken by Osgood Sep-
tember 25. We saw a number of young birds on St. George Island
October 3, and Osgood secured one. Crossing Bering Sea we saw some
near Unalaska October 4, and I saw one on October 8, when we were
several hundred miles south of the Aleutian Islands. This bird flew
several times aroiuid the Corxoin., answering my ever}' whistle, and
seemed anxious to alight. The specimens collected difi^er greatly in the
amount of the golden coloring, but all are far more golden than Massa-
chusetts skins of (lominicus^ and all have the shorter wings oi fulvus.
Irides, vandyke brown; bill and nails, black; tarsi and toes, slate
gray.

66. .ffigialitis semipalmata. Semipalmated Plover.

Osgood collected a male at Caribou Crossing June 24. and a pair of
adults and one pipped Qgg at the southern end of Lake jViarsh Juh'
2. I removed the young bird from the shell, and within half an hour
the down was almost dry, the eyes were open, and it could hop about
on its 'knees.' Maddren took another adult at this place .July 6, and
1 a female and four eggs nearly hatched, on the west shore of Lake
Marsh on the same day. The nest was a hollow, lined with a few
grasses and dead leaves, and was situated about 8 feet from the water
in the drift debris among the stones of the beach. We saw three or
four on a sand flat near Charlie Village August 10; a few about 15
miles above Circle August 12, and the last at Circle August 15.

Bare pectoral spaces showed that both sexes assist in inculmtion.
Natal plumage: Lower parts, white, separated by broad bare space on
neck, changing to cream color on lower tail coverts. Above, cream
color, mottled with black, changing to ])ufl' on wings and tail. Fore-
head and infraorbital patches, cream color: broad band on neck
encircling head, white, bordered above by narrow band of black
extending from bill around occiput, and connecting in malar region
with ])lack line leading to inner canthus of ey^e. Spot on forehead, on
sides of chest at lower border of bare space, on sides and on flanks,
black. Irides, dark; bill and nails, black; tarsi and toes, slate color,
whitish posteriorly.

OCT., 1900.] BIRDS OF THE YUKON REGION. 71

(17. Arenaria melanocephala. Black Tvirnstone.

We found a small tiock on the rocky .shore at St. Michael August
31; I took three 3'oung there the next day, and on September 5 1 saw
a single turnstone flying across the marsh. On St. George Island,
October 6, we saw a number of birds that we had no doubt were black
turnstones, but I do not And this species recorded from the Pribilofs,
and we were unable to obtain specimens. Irides, vandj'ke brown;
bill, olive black; tarsi and toes varying from clay color to vinaceous
cinnamon, and washed with black; nails, black.

68. Dendragapus obscurus fuliginosus. Sooty Grouse.

We were told that grouse were common on the heights above Skag-
way, but although we often found droppings we saw no birds, and the
spring 'calling' of the male had ceased. Maddren and I heard a bird
that must have been this species 'booming' far up on the hillside from
the ravine above Glacier June 8.

69. Canachites canadensis osgoodi. Alaska Grouse.
Canachites canadensis osgoodi Bishop, Auk, XVII, 114, April, 1900.

We first met the Alaska grouse at Bennett City, where Osgood shot
a laying female June 22. At Caribou Crossing he found feathers of
this grouse in a magpie's nest and in one of his mammal traps. At
Lake Marsh he shot four females and four young July -1-5, at Lake
Lebarge a female Jul}" 14, at Lower Lebarge a female and one young
July 17, and on Thirt3"-Mile River an adidt male July 19. He found
the birds frequenting the thickets of poplars and young spruces and
remarkably easy to approach. I saw a male at Lake Lebarge July 16,
and shot a well-grown young near the Tatchun River July 16, but
did not meet with the species elsewhere. This bird was reported as
common at Lower Lebarge by the police sergeant stationed there; at
Rampart City by Mr. Burkman, and along the Kuskokwim by Dr.
Romig.

70. Bonasa umbellus umbelloides. Gray Ruffed Grouse.

I secured a female and one young bird on the west shore of Lake
Lebarge July 14, and another female that had a brood of young, two-
thirds grown, at Lower Lebarge July 17. Osgood took a young bird
from a covey near Rink Rapids July 22. The sergeant at Lower
Lebarge called this species rare, but 1 was told it was common near
Rampart City.

71. Lagopus lagopus. Willow Ptarmigan.

Two flocks were found on the tundra at the Aphoon mouth August
28, one alighting close to the steamer. Not seen at St. Michael until
September 11, when about one hundred appeared. These were seen
frequently after this date, but were exceedingly shy. Most of those

72 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [no. 19.

taken wore youni^' hirds, jiiul all wore in full molt. The iridcs of a
young male taken September 19 were vandyke l)rowii; skin a))()ve
eye, rufous; 1)111, slate black, whitish at tip and salmon l)uli' at base of
mandible; nails, white.

We were told that ptarmigan were very abundant near Atlin, British
Columbia, at the head waters of the Porcupine River and IVirch Creek,
near Rampart City, along the Kuskokwim, and in winter at Glacier
and Lower Lebarge. Doubtless some of these statements refer to the
following species.

72. Lagopus rupestris. Rock Ptarmigan.

At White Pass Summit, June 11 and 13, we took three males still in
white plumage (excepting a few dark feathers on head and lower
neck), and saw a few others. Osgood found two eggs there, pro])ably
of the previous year, lying on the moss under an alpine hemlock.
Dr. Romig told me that this sDecies was more common than L. lagopus
along the Kuskokwim.

YLagopuf^ rujyestris nehoni. Nelson Ptarmigan. We were told at
Unalaska that this species had been abundant during the summer on
Unalaska Island, but that the l)irds had l^een almost exterminated hy
the officers of an English man-of-war. We saw none during the day
and a half we were there.]

73. Lagopus leucurus. White-tailed Ptarmigan.

Osgood took a white-tailed ptarmigan June 8 on the summit of the
cliffs above Glacier, and saw several other ptarmigan, probably of this
species. On June 8 he found at the same place, on the moss under an
alpine hemlock, fragments of two ptarmigan eggs, sparingl}^ dotted
with brown as in leucurus.

71. Circus hudsonius. Marsh Hawk.

We saw one at Lake Marsh July 8, one at Lake Lebarge Jul}^ 12,
a young bird on which duck hawks were feeding near the Tahkandik
River August 7, one about 20 miles above Circle August 12, and two
at Circle August 15 and 20. At the Aphoon mouth 1 saw several
August 28. At St. Michael we secured a .young bird September 2,
and saw single marsh hawks on September 6, 7, and 11. The young
bird taken is noticealjl}^ darker than .young from Dakota and New
England.

75. Accipiter velox. Sharp-shinned Hawk.

I saw one at Lower Lebarge Juh^ 17, and two near White River
July 30; Osgood found one feeding on a thrush near Charlie Creek
August 9; at Circle I saw one August 17 and shot an adult female
August ll>. Osgood found a nest of this species, about 15 feet

ocT.,l900.J BIRDS OF THE YUKON REGION. 73

from the ground, in a small .spruce in the center of an island near the
Nordenskiold River July 22, and I secured the female, whose crop
held the ti))ia, tarsus, and toes of a flicker. The nest contained three
.downy, but ver\^ pugnacious young, one infertile egg, and the remains
of a young intermediate sparrow. I kept two of the young alive
until July 31, when both were well feathered and trying to fly and
were as irascible as ever. The last survivor succeeded in getting out
of his box w'lile we were moored at Dawson, flew into the Yukon, and
was carried rapidly along by the current, though struggling valiantly
to reach the shore. I suspect that it succeeded, as I heard a man who
hurried after it say later that he would have ' fricasseed chicken for
dinner.'

76. Accipiter atricapillus. American Goshawk.

I saw an adult flying high above the shore of Lake Marsh July 8
with a mammal, probably a ground squirrel, in its talons.

77. Buteo borealis calurus. Western Red-tail.

This is presumably the common hawk of the Upper Yukon ; for the
two large hawks taken are this species, and the numerous others seen
resembled these in appearance, flight, and cry. About half were in
the melanistic plumage.

Passing down Six-Mile River July 1 we saw three large buteos
circling, and we noticed others frequently, usually in pairs, until we
left Circle. Osgood and Maddren found a nest near Lake Marsh July
5 regarding which a pair of these birds were very solicitous. It was
high in a spruce, and was empty except for a dead ground squirrel.
On Fifty-Mile River July 10 1 found a nest that was about 55 feet up
in a spruce and contained two downy young. Osgood shot the female,
which was in light plumage; the male, a melanistic bird, escaped.
Osgood shot a melanistic female at Lower Lebarge July 17, and I
found a pair — one light, the other dark — near Fort Selkirk July 25.
These had a nest that was 60 feet up in a spruce and contained two
young able to fly. I saw another nest with the birds about it on an
island near the White River July 31.

78. Archibuteo lagopus. Rough-legged Hawk.

On September 1, 6, 7, and 9 we saw at St. Michael large hawks
which from their proportions and flight were either buteos or archi-
buteos. Osgood shot one on Whale Island September 8, but could
not retrieve it. Mr. Nelson's experience with the hawk family at St.
Michael leads me to refer these birds to this species.

79. Haliseetus albicilla. Gray Sea Eagle.

Lieutenant Satterlee, of the Oorwin, found a dead bi^d of this
species at Unalaska October 5, which proved to be a young female.

74 NORTH AMEKICAN FAUNA, [no. 19.

The vving.s had Ixmui removed iit the cai'pal joint, ))ut the unruffled
plumage — the down yet persisting on the ends of the secondaries —
removes all probability that it had been a caged bird. This is the first
record of the occurrence of this species in western North America,
although it is common in Japan and occurs in Kamchatka and occa-
sionally on the Commander Islands.

80. Haliaeetus leucocephalus alascanus. Northern Bald Eagle.

We found this l)ird common along the Inside Passage, especially
near Wrangell Narrows, and from the steamer I noticed three occupied
nests. We visited one which was high in a gigantic dead cedar on a
small island near Bocadequadra. Broken shells at the foot of the tree
made it probal)le that the nest contained young. The female parent
was secured by Maddren. On the flats of Chilkat Inlet June 1 I saw
28 eagles feeding. Here I found another occupied nest at least 100
feet up in a living spruce (it was so high that heav}^ charges of No. 4
shot did the bird no harm). A man passing l)v shot the male with a
rifle. The next day I saw the female again on the nest. In the interior
this bird is much rarer, though I saw one at Log Cabin June 20, and
another at Bennett June 19. We saw the birds occasionally about the
lakes (I found a deserted nest on Lake Marsh), and once or twice
along the river, the last being observed near the White River July 31.

81. Falco rusticolus. Gray Gyrfalcon.

A female was caught in a steel trap set on a post at St. Michael
September 21. Its stomach contained feathers. The irides were
Vandyke brown; tip of bill and nails, black; tarsi, toes, cere, gape,
and rest of bill, pearl gray, the ))il] changing to pearl blue on maxilla
near commissure.

82. Falco peregrinus anatum. Duck Hawk.

At Fort Selkirk the character of the Yukon Valley changes, and
the high, sandy bluff's which have been constantly visible on one bank
or the other are frequently replaced by rocky cliffs of varying height.
Flying about one of these cliffs near Stewart River July 31 was the
first duck hawk we noted. From that point to the Yukon Flats, a
few miles above Circle, a day seldom passed without our seeing or
hearing them, and from Camp Davidson to Circle I think there was
at least one breeding pair every 10 miles. We saw a number of their
nests on shelves on the cliff's, but at this time, the first half of August,
the young had flown.

Osgood secured a young female August .5 on the cliff known as
' Old Woman,' and an adult female August 7 near the Tahkandik River,
and shot several others which he failed to bag. I took a young male
from a family on ' Castle Rock' August 5. We found that those taken

OCT., 1900.] BIRDS OF THE YUKON REGION. 75

had been feeding on marsh hawks, Alaska jays, white-winged cross-
bills, intermediate sparrows, and varied thrushes.

I saw two duck hawks near Nulato August '24:, and a tame young
bird spent part of the rainy evening of August 30 perched on the back
of a chair in the hotel at St. Michael. The cere and bill of the young
male were french gray, changing to black on tip of bill and along
culmen and cere above; tarsi and toes, pale, grayish green; soles, tarsi
behind, and edges of scutella? in front, yellow; nails, black.

83. Falco peregrinus pealei. Peale Falcon,

One flew around the Corwin when we were some distance south of
the Aleutian Islands and out of sight of land October 7.

84. Falco columbarius. Pigeon Hawk.

We saw a pigeon hawk feeding on a large vole near Charlie Creek
August 8. Osgood took a young male at a point 12 miles aljove Circle
August 13, and I saw one at the Aphoon mouth August 28.

85. Falco columbarius richardsoai. Richardson Merlin.

At Circle August 18 I shot a young female merlin which is inter-
mediate between columharius and richardsonl. In general coloring
both above and below, it is between typical examples of the two
forms and approaches very closely a specimen of riclmTdsmiv taken by
Captain Bendire at Walla Walla, Washington, December 3, 1880, and
now in the American Museum of Natural History. My bird has light
spots on outer webs of primaries and six light bars on tail similar to
those of ricJiardsoni^ but the bars are narrower and more interrupted.
The crop and stomach contained the remains of a red-backed mouse.
The i rides were vandjdce brown; cere, greenish-yellow; maxilla, slate
black at tip, changing to greenish-white toward cere and pale french
gra}^ at commissure; mandible, pale dull greenish, changing to pale
french gray toward tip and commissure; tarsi and toes, straw yellow,
the latter inclining toward sulphur yellow; nails, black. Mr. Cant-
well writes in the 'Osprey'^ of having seen Richardson's merlin, but
does not state that he took specimens. These are the only records for
this bird in the Yukon Valley.

86. Falco sparverius. American Sparrow Hawk.

We saw this species at Log Cabin June l-l, Semenow Hills July 19
and 20, near the Tatchun River July 23, near Fort Selkirk July 26,
about 30 miles below Fort Selkirk July 28, and, I think, at Circle
August 15. We took specimens on July 19 and 28. This species has
not previously been reported from along the Yukon.

^Osprey, III, 25, Oct., 1898.

76 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [no. 19.

\Pandion haliaetxiK. caTolinen.n><. American Osprey. While the
steamer was anchored near Holy Cross Mission August :25, one of the
passengers, Mr. J. F. Burkman, tired at, but failed to get, a large
hawk which he was positive was this species. As Mr. Nelson records
it from the Lower Yukon, I see no reason to doubt Mr. Burkman's
identification.]

87. Asio accipitrinus. Short-eared Owl.

We saw a short-eared owl flying overhead at St. Michael on the
evening of September 7, and I flushed one from some bushes on Whale
Island the next day. September 9 I set three steel traps near St.
Michael on poles in the tundra. One of them failed to catch anything,
but before September 25 the others yielded 0 short-eared owls and the
nails of another. These birds had lieen feeding on mice and shrews.
Osgood shot a short-eared owl at Unalaska October 5. These speci-
mens average slightly darher^ with the white of the face purer, than
fall birds from New England.

88. Scotiaptex cinerea. Great Gray Owl.

From some low growth on a steep hillside at Miles Canyon 'luh' 11
we flushed a large gray owl that I am confident was this species. We
saw a mounted specimen in Dawson August 2 and I was told at
Circle that an owl answering the description of this species had been
killed there recently.

89. Nyctala tengmalmi richardsoni. Richardson Owl.

While l3'ing awake under my mosquito netting in a clearing at the
base of the Semenow Hills on the night of July 19 I saw a small,
round-headed owl alight on the limb of a dead tree only a few feet
away. It flew before I could bring my gun to bear, liut I have no
doubt it was this species. Osgood took a young bird near Rink Rap-
ids July 22. I was told at Circle that a small owl was common there,
and that one had been caught recently.

90. ? Megascops asio kennicotti. Kennicott Screech Owl.

A reddish-brown owl, of the size and appearance of a screech owl,
was seen by Maddren and mvself at Caribou Crossing on the afternoon
of June 27. We were drawn from camp by its peculiar notes, and
saw it fly from a poplar across an opening to a spruce thicket. Later
that da}^ Osgood caught a glimpse of another, or perhaps the same
bird, as it flew from the top of a small poplar.

91. Bubo virginianus pallescens. Western Horned Owl.

Owl pellets, some of themi remarkably large, containing chiefly
bones of rabbits, ground squirrels, and red squirrels, were found in
great abundance, especially at Caribou Crossing and on Windy Island,
Lake Tagish, but the most careful hunting failed to disclose the owls.

OCT., 1900.] BIRDS OF THE YUKON REGION. 77

On Fifty-Mile River, near Lake Mar.sh July 8, we heard the hoot-
ing- of a horned owl; and at our camp at Lower Lebargeone flew over,
about midnight July 16, and lit in the top of a .spruce just out of gun-
shot. 1 hurried after it but merely succeeded in seeing the bird
swoop into the surrounding gloom.

At our camp near the Tatchun River Jidy 22 one flew by and set-
tled for an instant not far off; and the next day Osgood saw three
extremely light-colored horned owls near by. We also heard the hoot-
ing of this species near the Yukon at the following places: Near
Little Salmon River Jul}^ 21, 20 miles below Fort Selkirk July 27,
20 miles below the Selwyn River July 2!>, near the Tatondu River
August <], about 15 miles above Circle August 12, and opposite Circle
August 14. In the last case the identiflcation is not without doubt,
but the notes of the others were unmistakable.

{Surnia ulvla capcvrocli. American Hawk Owl. At Bennett, June
18-22, a bird with a pecidiarl}' weird cr}' flew aljout the cliff's above
our camp ever}' night. By a process of elimination ] have attributed
the serenade to this species.]

92. Ceryle alcyon. Belted Kingfisher.

This bird occurs about the Yukon lakes, but in small iuunl)ers.
Osgood saw one at Bennett June 20; I heard one at Caribou Crossing
June 2!>, and saw another on Lake Lebargc July 13.

We found kingfishers fairly common on Fifty -Mile River, and still
more common on Thirty -Mile River. As the cliffs replaced the high
banks below Fort Selkii'k kingfishers became fewer, and none were
seen after August ■!, when we were about 40 miles Ijelow Dawson.
Young able to fly were seen near Five-Finger Rapids July 22.

93. Dryobates villosiis leucomelas. Northern Hairy Woodpecker.
Osgood took a single hairy woodpecker on Fifty-Mile River a few

miles above Miles Canyon July 10.

94. ? Dryobates villosus hyloscopus. Cabanis Woodpecker.

Near the Little Salmon River July 21 1 took a young female that
corresponded in size and plumage with some young of this subspecies.
It was seated in the entrance to a cavity in a burnt spruce. This is
the first record of the occurrence of this Ijird in the Yukon Basin.

95. Picoides arcticus. Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker.

On July 1 I was attracted by the loud cries of a young bird, and
traced the sound about 100 yards through a spruce grove on the bank
of Six-Mile River. The noise proceeded from a full-fledged young
woodpecker of this species that had thrust its head out of the opening
to its house and kept up a continual screaming. With Osgood's assist-
ance, the nest was opened Imt only this young bird was found. The

78 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [no. 19.

entrance was 5 feet 8 inches from the ground, on the lower side of a
living-, slightly leaning spruce, and the cavity was 10 inches deep.
Osgood shot what we both supposed was one of the parents, for it cer-
tainl}^ came in answer to the cries of the young; yet this bird proved
to be a typical adult male of P. amerlcanus alanceni^h. We saw no
other woodpeckers there, except flickers.

96. Picoides americanus alascensis. Alaska Three-toed Woodpecker.
Osgood found the remains of an Alaska three-toed woodpecker at

Haines June 1, and I shot a laying female near Glacier June 10. In
the Yukon Valley we secured one on Six-Mile River; three on Fifty-
Mile River above Miles Canyon July 10-11, two of them young-
adults; two on the Lewes River between Big Salmon and Little Salmon
rivers July 20-21, and two at Circle, August 19-20. The young have
whiter backs than the adults.

97. Sphyrapicus ruber. Red-breasted Sapsucker.

I took an adult male at Skagway May 31, and heard what I suppose
was its mate.

98. Colaptes auratus luteus. Northern Flicker.

We saw and heard flickers several times at Glacier. One, which
Osgood flushed from a hole high in a dead pine June 8, had yellow quills.
In the Yukon Valle}^ this is by far the most common woodpecker.
We found it quite regularly from Log Cabin to Circle, but, like most
Yukon birds, it was shy. At Caribou Crossing June 27 Osgood secured
a female and found her nest, containing 8 young and 3 eggs, in a cavity
3 feet from the ground in a partly dead poplar. At Six-Mile River
we found a nest about 6 feet from the ground, and at Lower Lebarge
July 17 I found 7 well-fledged young in a cavity about 6 feet from the
ground in a small dead tree in a burnt tract. July 25 1 took a full-
grown 3^oung near Selkirk.

Adult flickers from Alaska average slightly darker than luteus from
Canada and farther south, the wings, tail, and bars of upperparts
being somewhat blacker, and the light parts more olive and less buffy.
Three young — one from near Fort Selkirk, the others nestlings from
Lower Lebarge — show this difi'erence in a marked degree, having the
wings, tail, and bars of upperparts deep black, and the ground color
above smok}^ olive, instead of bufly olive as in luteus,' they are even
darker than the young of auratus from Florida. But the slightness
of the difi'erence shown by the adults, the small number of specimens
from Alaska, and the possibility that the plumage of the three young
maj" have been discolored by the burnt trees where they were found —
though microscopic examination shows no sign of this — make their
separation as a subspecies inadvisable at present.

OCT., 1900.] lilRDS OF THE YUKON REGION. 79

99. Chordeiles virginianus. Mghthawk.

From Caribou Crossing,. where I shot two females June 27, until
after passing- the mouth of the Tatehun River Jul}^ 24, wc met with
nig'hthawks on numerous occasions. I took an adult male at White
Horse Rapids Jul}- 11. These birds were very fat, as might l)e expected
from the abundance of fl.ying insects. They are slightly darker than
vhx/imtanus from the East.

100. Selasphorus rufus. Rufous Hummingl)ird.

We saw a rufous hummingbird on 'Eagle Island' at Bocadequadra
May 28. At Glacier Osgood saw one June (5, and on June 10 I found
a nest with two slightly incubated eggs 3i feet from the ground on
the branch of a small conifer near the falls of the river. I secured
the female, and also one of two males which I saw the same day in the
open country below Glacier. On Lake Bennett we saw one opposite
West Arm June 24. Mr. George G. Cantwell has already added
both this species and Chordeiles virghilcmus to the Yukon avifauna.^

101. Sayornis saya yukonensis. Yukon Phoebe.
Sayornix xaya i/uhDn'iinis Bishop, Auk, XVII, 115, April, 1900.

Osgood took the type specimen of this phoebe on the heights above
Glacier June 8, and I saw one on the mountainside at Bennett June 17.
We next met the bird about some cliffs below Fort Selkirk fluly 26, and
after this saw family parties almost daily. Near Stewart River July
31, we saw a pair about their nest on the face of a clitf a few feet
above the water. After passing Charlie Creek August 10, we saw
no more until we reached Circle, where I killed a young one August
19. Full-grown 3'oung were taken July 30. The note is harsh, some-
what resembling that of Contopusrichardwni., but louder and shriller.
We found the bii'ds only about the cliffs, or the steep, grass-grown
banks of the Yukon, a favorite perch being rocks along the shore.
Those we met in August seemed to be migrating up the river.

102. Contopus borealis. Olive-sided Flycatcher.

At Six-Mile Ri\er 1 took a pair Jul}' ], the female of which had
finished laying. A bird which I heard near Bennett June 20, and a
large flycatcher which I shot, but coidd not find, at Caribou Crossing
June 25, I believe were this species.

103. Contopus richardsoni saturatus. Alaska Wood Pewee.
ContojMS richardsoni cdturatUK Bishop, Auk, XVII, 116, April, 1900.

Osgood took a wood pewee at Skagway May 30, and I two males at
Haines June 2. In the Yukon Valley, from Windv Island, Lake
Tagish, where I took a male .June 30, until we passed Little Salmon
River July 21, we often heard this bird's ' pee-ah ' coming from the

iQsprey, III, 25, Oct., 1898.

80 NORTH. AMERICAN FAUNA. [no. 19.

woocU'd hanks. We next saw the bird about 12 miles above Circle,
where I took a pair August 14. It was more eoiumon at Miles Can-
yon than elsewhere on the Yukon, and here on Jul}^ 11 I found an
unfinished nest (which resembled that of C. richardsoni) in the fork
of a half-dead poplar about 10 feet from the ground. No form of
wood pewee has previously been recorded from the Yukon.

104. Empidonax trailli alnorum. Alder Flycatcher.

We first found this species ,]\Aj 26 at Fort Selkirk, where the Pelly
River, from the Rocky Mountains, joining the Lewes, forms the
Yukon, and hardly lost it again until we reached Circle; later I heard
one 15 miles below Fort Yukon on August 21. Wherever we landed
we found this or the Hammond flycatcher in the alders and willows.
Full-grown young in juvenile plumage were taken on August 5. The
adults are apparent!}" typical ainoniin^ having the greener upperparts,
more conspicuous wing bars, and shorter bill of this form.

105. Empidonax hammondi. Hannuond Fljxatcher.

We saw several Hammond flycatchers at Skagway, and collected
three. I took one at Glacier June 8, and another on a hill above
Caribou Crossing June 26. After this we did not again meet with
the bird until about 15 miles below Selwyn River, where Osgood shot
a young one July 29. From that point to Charlie Creek it was almost
equally common with Empidonax t. alnorum., frequenting the same
localities; but after passing Charlie Creek, August 9, we saw no more
of it. The young secured were molting. The male collected at
Caribou Crossing is unusually pale for hammondi^ but this is doubtless
the result of wear, as the same thing is shown in Contopus saturatu8
and Ilylocichla almm.

106. Pica pica hudsonica. American Magpie.

Maddren saw a pair at Caribou Crossing June 26, and Osgood found
their deserted nest. At Fort Selkirk July 26 I took two young-
male and female — which had just assumed first winter plumage. They
were feeding about the houses of the town. I was told that another
young bird had been seen there recently.

107. Cyanocitta stelleri. Steller Ja3^

Osgood found the remains of a Steller jay in the woods at Haines
June 1.

108. Perisoreus canadensis fumifrons. Alaska Jay.

We first met this bird at Log Cabin, noted it also at Bennett and
Caribou Crossing, and found it common from Lake Marsh to Circle,
generally in families. Between White River and Circle it was less
common than farther up the Yukon. I saw one 15 miles above Fort

orT.,i90().] BIRDS OF THE YUKON REGION. 81

Yukon, heard several at Hendricks Station August 25, and saw one at
St. Michael September 18.

Adults had completed the sunnuer molt ])y July 20; the young were
in full juvenile plumage on June 20, and in tirst winter plumage on
August 20. The molt is complete in the adults, while in the young
the Avings and tail remain unchanged.

The adults collected are all intermediate between capitaJh and
fianifronsj each has a black orbital ring, but this is broader in those
from Circle. All those in juvenile plumage have the head dull plum-
beous, like the l)ack, as mfuinifrons.

109. Corvus corax principalis. Northern Raven.

Of all the birds we met the raven occurred most regularly. On
our entire trip down the Yukon hardh^ a day passed without our see-
ing the birds in twos and threes. We saw a few at AVrangcll, found
them more common at Wrangell Narrows, saw several at Skagway,
and noticed the wing of one at Glacier. A few were noted across
White Pass at Middle Lake and they were abundant at Log Cal)in.
A flock of at least 200 was observed at the latter place Juno 20, and
another of 50 at Bennett two days later. During September at St.
Michael we saw them frequenth, but never in large numbers. At
Unalaska they were abundant and remarkably tame.

An adult taken on June 20 is in full molt; a young taken July 22
is in juvenile plumage; on one taken August 28 the body feathers of
the lirst winter plumage have replaced most of the juvenile, and the
change is complete in one taken September 9.

[tWvus atnericanus. American Crow. I was .told by one of the
prospectors whom I met on a Yukon steamer that the crow, as well as
the northern raven, occurs at the head waters of the Porcupine.]

110. Corvus caurinus. Northwest Crow.

Common on ' Eagle Island ' at Bocadequadra, where Osgood found
a linished but empty nest May 28. Crows were ver}^ common near
Vancouver June 26, but we saw none after leaving Bocadequadra.

111. Scolecophagus carolinus. Rusty Blackbird.

Two blackbirds which I saw at Log Cabin June 15 were probably
this species, and 1 was told that rusty blackbirds had been abundant
there a few days before our visit.

Osgood took a specimen near Fort Yukon August 21, and I saw a
small flock at the Aphoon mouth August 28. I was informed that
these birds breed in large numbers on the tundra by the Kuskokwim
and at the head of the Porcupine.

YCrxx'otJiraustes vesjyertinus rnoiitanii-^. Western Evening Groslieak.
A prospector told me that a grosbeak, whose description answered
4494— No. 19 6

82 NUKTH AMEKICAN FAUNA. [no.I'J.

that of this species, was common on the Copper Kiver. He assured
me it was not the pine grosbealv, which he knew well.]

[Pmicola enucleator alascensis. Alaska Pine Grosbeak. A red })ird
with dark wings — certainly not a crossbill — which I saw at Lake Mai'sh
July 8 was prol^ably a pine g-rosbeak, but we did not meet with any
others during our trip. I was told this bird occurs along the Porcu-
pine.]

112. Loxia curvirostra minor. Red Crossbill.

Osgood took a red crossbill and saw another at Unalaska October 5.
We did not take any along the Yukon, but I feel positive that a red
male crossbill which I shot at Lake Lebarge July 16, but could not
find, belonged to this species.

113. Loxia leucoptera. White-winged Crossbill.

Crossbills in flocks of from half a dozen to one hundred individuals
were often seen from Lower Lebarge to Charlie Village July 16 to
August 11. Most of these flocks were probably leucoptera^ and some
certainly were. They were exceedingly restless, and the only ones
taken (besides those found in the crop of a duck hawk), were three
young at Camp Davidson August 5-6.

114. Leucosticte griseonucha. Aleutian Leucosticte.

We saw a number of Aleutian leucostictes on St. George October 3.
At Unalaska I saw a flock of about twenty and another of two young
October 5, and secured an adult and one of the young. The latter is
in juvenile plumage, feathers of the first winter appearing only on the
sides of the chest.

115. Leucosticte tephrocotis littoralis. Hepburn Leucosticte.

We found this bird only at White Pass Summit, where Osgood took
two males and I one female June 13. It is doubtless this species of
Leucosticte to which Cantwell refers in his paper on the ' Birds of the
Yukon Trail.''

116. Acanthis hornemanni exilipes. Hoary Redpoll.

I secured two young from a flock about 15 miles above Circle
August 13, and Osgood one from a flock at Circle August 19. I saw
several at the Aphoon mouth August 27, and we found them rather
common in small flocks at St. Michael during September. All taken
were young and were molting from juvenile to first winter plumage.

117. Acanthis linaria. Redpoll.

We saw several, usually in pairs and very shy, at Bennett June 17.
One stopped for an instant on a bush close to our tent. Near Charlie
Village I saw a male in high plumage August 11.

iQsprey, III, 25, Oct., 1898.

OCT., 1900.1 BIRDS OF THE YUKON KEGION. 83

118. Spinus pinus. Pine Siskin.

A very restless t'uniily of this species was seen on Windy Island,
Lake Tagish, June 30, and Osgood secured one. I saw one at Lower
Lebarge July IS, and took one from a small flock near the Selwyii
River July 29, and Osgood one from a large flock near Sixtj^-Mile
Creek Jul}^ 31. We saw a large flock near Dawson August 1, a few
near Forty-Mile Creek August tt, and Osgood saw one 15 miles above
Circle August 12. Flocks of either this bird or redpolls were heard
near the Tatondu River and Charlie Creek August 7-8. I And no
former record of this species for the Yukon Valley.

119. Passerina nivalis. Snowflake.

At White Pass Summit I shot a female June 13 that had an old
fracture of the wing, which had healed in such a manner as to make
long flight impossible. I was informed snowflakes had been very
al)undant there earlier in the year. At St. Michael I saw two Septem-
ber 16, and a flock of about twenty September 19. Osgood took one
from a small flock September 25, and I three on September 28.

Snowflakes were common on St. George October 3, but the two
young taken ( $ and 9 ) are indistinguishable from those from St.
Michael, and have bills smaller than the young of townseridi.

120. Calcarius lapponicus alascensis. Alaska Longspur.

I saw several small flocks at the Aphoon mouth August 27, and
secured one specimen. A few were found at St. Michael the last of
August, and large flocks there September 1-2. After that several
were seen almost every day until September 22, when the last were
taken. Osgood saw several at St. George October 3, and 1 saw one
at Unalaska October 5.

121. Ammodramus sandwichensis. Sandwich Sparrow.

A few were seen at Unalaska October 5-6, and two young secured.

122. Ammodramus sandwichensis alaudinus. Western Savanna
Sparrow.

I saw several savanna sparrows on the marshes of Chilkat Inlet
June 1, and we took one at Haines, one at Skagway, and two at
Glacier. Several pairs were found on the marshes near Log Cabin,
a few at Caribou Crossing, and one pair on an island in Lake Tagish.
They were fairly common about Lake Marsh, and Osgood found a set
of four eggs there, securing the female July 5. After leaving Lake
Marsh these sparrows were not seen again until we reached the Alaska
boundary, when I took a young August 5. Osgood took a young
specimen from a flock near Charlie Village August 10, and young
were common at Circle August 11—19, I saw a number at the
Aphoon mouth August 27-28, and we found a few at St. Michael up
to September 11.

84 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [no. 19.

Breeding .specimens from the Yukon lake region are indistinguish-
able in size and color from alaudinus from North Dakota. Those from
Haines and (xlacier are lai-ger in l)ill and other measurements, slightly
darker, and more butfy, but evidently belong to the same form. A
male taken at Skagway May 31 is identical in color with a female
savanna taken in Connecticut about the same date, but in measure-
ments intermediate between sandiDichensis and alaudinus. Young
birds from St. Michael and the Yukon below Camp Davidson resem-
ble closely the young of sava/ina in coloring, and have bills slightly
shorter and deeper than adult alaudln as from the Yukon lakes, but
are larger and have longer wings and tails than the latter.

123. Zonotrichia leucophrys gambeli.' Intermediate Sparrow.

Descending from the bleak, snow-covered rocks of White Pass, we
reached at Portage June 14 a country of a more luxuriant vegetation.
Here the intermediate sparrow appeared, and it stayed with us con-
stantly until we left Circle, August 20. At Fort Gibbon August 23
I saw one adult and one young. With the exception of the bank
swallow, this is the most abundant species inhabiting the Yukon Basin.

At Log Cabin June 20 I took a laying female; on Windy Island
June 30 Osgood took a young, able to fly, and at Lower Lebarge I
shot one molting into first winter plumage. We found j'^oung
abundant in this plumage at Circle August 15-20, but saw no adults.
This species has two distinct songs. That most often heard is a very
mediocre performance, but the other, which I heard in its full perfec-
tion only on a hill at Caribou Crossing June 26, and about 2 a. m. on
Fifty-Mile River July 9, possesses all the sweetness and clearness of
the song of Z. alhicolUs. By July 15 the song season was practically
over, but I heard one bird singing as late as August 10.

121. Zonotrichia coronata. Golden-crowned Sparrow.

Osgood found the golden-crowned sparrow on the heights above
Glacier June 5. It was common at White Pass summit June 11-14,
and was the only bird we saw along the trail to Portage June 14. We
thought we heard it singing at Log Cabin. The song does not equal
those of others of the genus. Osgood found an almost finished nest
in a conifer at Summit Lake June 12. It was composed of sticks and
moss, lined with grass, and placed about 2^ feet from the ground.
The next day I shot a female that contained an Qgg ready for the shell.

125. Spizella monticola ochracea. Western Tree Sparrow.

At Haines I took a female June 2. At Caribou Crossing we took
two pairs June 29, one of them with a nest containing three fresh eggs.
The nest was buried in the moss at the base of a clump of willows in

^ This is the species formerly known as Zonotrichia leucophrys intermedia Ridgway.
See Ridgway, Auk, XVI, 36-37, 1899.

OCT., 1900.] BIRDS OF THE YUKON REGION. 85

a willow swamp near the lake, and it was eoinposed of fine, diy g'rasses,
lined with feathers, covered externally with a thick coating- of living
moss. The eggs, which average 0.80 by 0.57 inches, are pale pea g-reen,
heavily mottled over the entire surface with reddish fawn color. At
Lake Marsh July 8 I took an adult female, and 15 miles above Circle
August 8 a young bird molting from the striped juvenile into the fall
plumage. The species was abundant at Circle, and a number were
seen on an island 15 miles above Fort Yukon August 21. I saw one
at the Aphoon mouth August 27, and noticed seven during September
at St. Michael, taking the last Septeml)er 21.

126. Spizella socialis arizonse. Western Chipping Sparrow.

We found this species almost dail}^ from Log Cabin to Dawson, or
between June 15 and August 1. In point of numbers it follows the
intermediate sparrow and the slate-colored junco. It was last observed
^bout 10 miles below Dawson August 3, but the range of the species
may extend much farther north, as a large flock seen near the Selwyn
River July 29 showed that the fall migration had l^egun.

We found a nest with four eggs at Lake Bennett June 24, large
young in a nest on Lake Tagish June 30. Young able to fly were met
with at Lake Marsh July 5, and a set of three eggs on Thirty-Mile
River July 18. The nests were in small spruces, one 4 inches and
another about 3 feet from the ground.

Yukon chipping sparrows, females especially, average darker than
typical aris(m<e, but coincide in measurements. Turner reports this
species from Fort Yukon, ^

127. Junco hyemalis. Slate-colored Junco.

From Log Cabin to Circle this bird occurs ever3^where, contest-
ing with the intermediate sparrow for supremacy in numbers. Two
broods are, I think, regularly reared. Females taken at Log Cabin
and Bennett had finished laying. On Windy Island June 30 1 shot
a young bird aljle to fly, and on the east shore of Lake Tagish
the following day saw one pair building a nest and another feeding
young. Maddren found a nest with four fresh eggs at Lake Marsh
July 4:, Osgood one with three fresh eggs at Lower Lebarge July 16,
and I one with five young on Thirty-Mile River July 18, and another
with four just hatched young near the Tatchun River July 23. By
rluly 20 young in striped plumage were common, and August 2 I took
one near Dawson molting into first winter plumage. The slate-colored
junco, the intermediate sparrow, and the western chipping sparrow
were most common about brush heaps left by lumbermen, weed-grown
clearings resulting from forest fires, and cabins of the towns. Every
nest found was sunk in the ground to the rim in an open place

'Contril). Nat. Hist. Alaska, 174. 1886.

86 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [no. 19.

under ii weed or a tussock of grass. One contained a few dark hairs
besides the usual line grass lining. Twenty adults differ from eastern
summer specimens of hyemalis only in having in both sexes bills aver-
aging 0.02 inch longer (measured from the nostril).

128. Junco hyemalis oregonus. Oregon Junco.

Tolerably common at Skagway and more so at Haines. At Skagway
I took a female and four fresh eggs May 31. The nest, of dried grass
lined with short, white hairs, was sunk in the ground and concealed by
dead weeds under a birch only about 30 feet above the water of Lynn
Canal.

129. Junco hyemalis connectens. Shufeldt Junco.

Maddren took a female at Glacier June 7, a male was taken near
White Pass City June 9, and Maddren saw several near there that
day. I took a male below Glacier June 10, and saw and heard a
number singing a few hundred feet above White Pass City, where the
spruce woods gave place to more open country. Their song is quite
distinct from that of orecjonus. This is a new record for Alaska.

130. Melospiza melodia rufina. Sooty Song Sparrow.

We heard several singing at Skagwa}^ May 31, and Osgood saw
some at Haines June 2. At Haines 1 took a male June 1, and a pair,
the female of which had finished laying, June 2.

131. Melospiza cinerea. Aleutian Song Sparrow.

Abundant at Unalaska, October 5-7, frequenting the roofs of build-
ings, lumber piles, wharves, beaches, and weeds of the level countr}^
and hillsides. The males were singing constantly, their song having
the usual song sparrow character, but not the usual strength or beauty.

132. Melospiza lincolni. Lincoln Sparrow.

At Log Cabin June 15 we saw what was apparently a Lincoln
sparrow. Osgood took a female and a set of five fresh eggs near
Lake Marsh July 5, I another female on the west shore July 8, and
we heard several singing near the lake. The nest found was composed
of coarse grass lined with fine, and was in a tuft of grass in a swamp,
about 4 inches above the water. We again met this species at
Lower Lebarge, near Fort Selkirk, near the White River, at Camp
Davidson, at Charlie Village, 15 miles above Circle, and at Circle,
where one was taken August 19. July 27 a full-grown young was
taken, and August 12 one that had almost finished molting into win-
ter plumage.

133. Melospiza lincolni striata. Forbush Sparrow.

A Lincoln sparrow which Osgood saw at Haines June 1 should be
referred to the northwestern subspecies.

OCT., 1900.]

BIRDS OF THE YUKON REGION. 87

134. Passerella iliaca. Fox Sparrow.

A wave of sparrows occured at Circle August 19 just after a frosty
night, and among other species I saw a single fox sparrow. The bird
was too close to leave identification doubtful.

135. Passerella iliaca townsendi.^ Townsend Fox Sparrow.

Osgood saw one at Skagwaj^ and we noticed several at Glacier which
were exceedingly shy. Osgood collected two at Glacier June 8-9, one
of which was too badly shot to preserve; the other Mr. Ridgway
pronounces somewhat nearer this form than amiectens.

136. Petrochelidon lunifrons. Cliff Swallow.

This species was common at Log Cabin June 15 and 20. At Cari-
bou Crossing we saw a few June 29, probably members of the small
colony breeding on the cliffs of an island in Lake Tagish July 1. We
next saw cliff swallows near the Hootaliuqua River July 19, and from
this point to a few miles above Dawson, August 1, we frequently met
with colonies of varying size, the largest being near White River.
Their nests were attached to cliffs bordering the river, except at Fort
Selkirk, where they were breeding under the eaves of houses. Full-
fledged young were taken July 25, and I think the absence of this spe-
cies below Dawson was due to their having already migrated. I was
told that both cliff' and bank swallows were exceedingly abundant
along the Porcupine.

137. Hirundo erythrogastra unalaschkensis." Alaska Swallow.

A few were fl3"ing over the marshes of Chilkat Inlet ,Tune 1; I heard
that they were common at White Pass Cit}' June 9, and we saw two
about the buildings of White Pass Summit June 10. At Log Cabin
they were common on June 14, 15, and 20, and on the last date I took
a male. A few were noticed at Bennett June 19-21. I refer all seen
to this subspecies, for all had remarkably long tails. The single
specimen taken had a length of 7.96 inches, wing 1.68 inches, tail 1.10
inches, fork of tail 2.33 inches. The forehead, lower wing-coverts,
and abdomen are more highly' colored than eastern skins of H. erythro-
gastrci^ and the shafts of the long tail feathers are whitish.

138. Tachycineta bicolor. Tree Swallow.

I saw several at Skagway May 31 and June 3, and over the Chilkat
marshes June 1. We saw others near Caribou Crossing June 29; one
July 6 and a pair July 7 at Lake Marsh; and several at Miles Canyon
July 11. A few miles above Fort Selkirk July 25 I saw several enter-
ing and leaving an old flicker hole in a dead spruce.

' Auk, XVII, 30, Jan., 1900.

2 jigpt Fur-Seal Investigations, 1896-97, pt. 3, 422, 1899.

88 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [n-'W.

139. Tachycineta thalassina. Violet-green Swallow.

Mr. CantwelP has already added this species to the list of ])ird.s ktiown
to iiihal)it the Yukon Valley. We saw a single nial(> among flocks of
bank swallows tt3Mno- over Fifty-Mile River above Miles Canyon July
11 and another between White Horse Rapids and Lake Lebarge. On
July 18 I took a male from several that we saw near Hootalin([ua,
and at the Semenow Hills Juh' 20 Osgood secured a female, flnding
her nest with four young in a crevice in the cliti's. Maddren shot a
young July 28. After this we frequently saw colonies of from six
to ten birds of this species, and one near White Rivei* that must have
contained over fifty.

They were nesting about the cliffs as a rule, but several times we
saw them enter holes in banks similar to those of Cllvicola ivparia,
while at Fort Selkirk they were nesting in the interstices between the
logs of the cabins. We often met with small colonies until within 15
miles of Circle, but after August 5 they kept so high al)out the cliffs
that identiflcation was possible only ))v their characteristic twitter.
The two adult males have green rumps.

140. Cllvicola riparia. Bank swallow.

We found a small colony nesting at the northern end of Lake
Tagish July 1, and a larger one on the west shore of Lake Marsh July
7, but we were entirely unprepared for the great a))undance of this
species on Fifty-Mile River above Miles Canyon. There almost ever}-
l)ank was honej'combed with their holes. Along the rest of the Yukon
as far as Circle bank swallows were common and often abundant, but
after August 1 their former presence was generally manifested onl}-
by the deserted holes. At Circle I saw about thirty August IT, and
a single bird on the following da}'. Eggs advanced in incul>ation
were found July 7, and by the 22d the young were flying, and all
acting as if preparing to migrate. As it grew dusk on the evening
of August 5 Ave watched a large flock which circled over the Yukon,
rising higher with each revolution, and at last disappeared toward
some mountains due south.

141. Ampelis garrulus. Bohemian Wax wing.

We saw several on Six -Mile River Jid}' 1, two at Lake Marsh JuW
7, one on Fifty-Mile River July 10, two pairs (one of which was
secured) at Miles Cannon Julv 11, one at Lower Lebarge Jul}" 16, two
about a mile apai't on Thirty-Mile River July 18, and four near the
SelwA^n River July 28. We took two adults and three 3'oung from a
flock of twent}^ about 15 miles below the Selwyn Jul}" 29, and four
from a similiar flock near Sixty-Mile Creek July 31. We saw them
again at the Chandindu River August 4, Camp Davidson August 5,

iQsprey, III, 25, Oct., 1898.

OCT., 1900.] BIRDS OF THE YUKON REGION. 89

50 miles above Circle August 11, and 15 miles lower August 12.
The female taken Jul}' 11, which lacked the wax tips on the second-
aries, contained an eg-g ready for the shell. The young resemble those
of A. cedrorum^ but are grayer, have less white on the abdomen, no
pale streaking above, and have the wings, tail, and lower tail-
coverts like adult garrulus. The}" lack the cinnamon suffusion of the
head of the adult, have only a few black feathers on the throat, a
much shorter crest, the wax- like tips of the secondaries peach-blossom
pink instead of scarlet, and the lower tail-coverts paler. A still
younger bird than the two described is obscurely streaked with whitish
both on ])ack and lower parts. On one of the young the wax tips are
very small.

In habits and notes the Bohemian waxwing closely resembles the
common cedar waxwing. Two males that we noticed while descending
Thirtj^-Mile River were perched on the topmost sprays of tall spruces,
uttering a lisping whistle at frequent intervals. One of them flew
after a passing insect in the manner of a fl.ycatcher. Flocks were
easily approached, and when one bird was shot the rest would scatter,
and each would alight on the top branch of some spruce and utter a
characteristic call note. This note, which we often heard from pass-
ing flocks, was similar to the whistle just mentioned. The birds that
we collected had been feeding on the purple berries of some uniden-
tified plant.

142. Helminthophila celata. Orange-crowned \Varl)ler.

Osgood took an adult male at Caribou Crossing June 26; I a female
and two young 20 miles below Fort Selkirk July 27, and a young near
Dawson August 2. Osgood secured an adult and one 3'oung at Camp
Davidson August 5 and 6, and I saw one young 15 miles above Fort
Yukon August 21. All taken were in alders or willows close to the
water.

143. Helminthophila celata lutescens. Lutescent Warbler.
Common at Haines, where we took five June 1 and 2.

144. Helminthophila peregrina. Tennessee Warbler,

Found only at Caribou Crossing, where I heard four males singing
and secured three of them June 25 and 27. They were in compara-
tively open swamps of willows and low spruces.

145. Dendroica aestiva rubiginosa.^ Alaska Yellow Warbler.

I am positive I often heard the song of this species at Bennett June
17-22. I took an adult male at Caribou Crossing June 27, and think
I heard the song about Lake Marsh, An adult female was taken by

lAuk, XIV, 76, 123, 1897.

90 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [no. 19.

Osgood near the Nordenskiold Rivor July 22, and family parties were
often found in the alders and willow thicliets between the Felly River
and Circle. I took a young from a small flock 15 miles above Fort
Yukon August 21, saw one at the Aphoon mouth August 28, and a few
I thought this species at Hendricks Station August 25. Birds from
the Yukon Valley do not differ from those of the Alaska coast. A
young female is duller above and more buff'y below than the young
female of D. cestiva.

140. Dendroica coronata hooveri.' Hoover Warbler.

We found Hoover warblers common at Skagway, Glacier, Log
Cabin, and Cariliou Crossing, and also noted them at Haines, Bennett,
Lake Tagish, Miles Canyon, White River, Sixt3'-Mile Creek, and 12
miles above Circle. At Skagway May 31 they were still in flocks,
but at Glacier June 4-10 they seemed to be mated and settled for the
summer. At Log Cabin we found a flock June 15, but live days later
those still remaining there were beginning to nest. A small flock seen
on an island near Sixty-Mile Creek August 1 showed that the return
migration had begun. I took a .young in striped plumage August 1.
Adult males average paler below than typical D. coronata^ the black
markings being narrower, thus giving an effect of broad longitudinal
markings rather than black clouding on the chest. Eigiit specimens
of both sexes average slightly larger in length of wing and tail than
the corresponding sexes from eastern and central United States. In
six males, the exposed culmen averages 0.02 inch longer than in males
from Connecticut, but the bill from nostril averages the same, as do
both measurements in females. In juvenile plumage liooveri is darker
than coronata^ the black markings are broader and blacker, both
above and below, and the brownish edgings to the feathers greatly
restricted— entirely wanting on the lower parts and middle back.

147. Dendroica striata. Black-poll Warl)ler.

At Log Caliin June 15 this species was common, but on my return
elune 20 I saw onl}^ one pair — which I secured — and one other male.
July 5 I took a male at Lake Marsh. Two birds taken at Caribou
Crossing are somewhat smaller than average specimens from Dakota
and Connecticut.

148. Dendroica townsendi. Townsend Warbler.

Osgood took a male at Skagway May 31. At Glacier it was tolera-
bly common in the dense woods of spruce and fir, and unquestionably
nesting; altogether we noticed about twenty individuals during our
stay. Osgood took an adult at the southern end of Lake Marsh Jul}^
1, and I an adult female and young female on the west shore of Lake

' Bull. Cooper Ornith. Cluli, I, 82, 1899.

orT.,1900.] BIKDS OF THE YUKON KEGION. 91

Lebarge July 14. The juvenile pliuiiage differs from that of D. virens
only in being slightly less ]>rown on crown and back. This is a new
species for the Yukon Valley.

149. Seiurus noveboracensis notabilis. Grinnell Water Thrush.

The first sound that I heard on the morning of August 1, when we
were on a small island about 10 miles below Sixty-Mile Creek, was the
unmistakable alarm note of the water thrush. This was the first time
we had met with this species, and before starting that morning on our
daily Yukon drift, Osgood and I each secured a young bird. Near
Forty-Mile Creek, Tatondu River, and Charlie Creek water thrushes
were again met with. At Circle I saw several August 16-20, took one
15 miles above Fort Yukon August 21, and saw two in a thicket at
the Aphoon mouth August 28. The young in fall plumage taken on
the Yukon are clove-brown above, including wings and tail — far darker
than is usual in notaMlis — and have darker streaks below.

150. Wilsonia pusilla. Wilson Warbler.

Osgood took an adult female near the Chandindu River August 4,
and I a 3'oung female near Charlie Village August 11 and a young
male 25 miles above Circle August 12. I also saw one 30 miles below
Circle August 20. These birds, while not typical ^>?m//^/, are, like
those of- the Lower Yukon, nearer it than jnleolata.

151. Wilsonia pusilla pileolata. Pileolated Warbler.

We found this the most al)undant bird at Glacier June 5-10, fre-
quenting the alder thickets from the valle^^ as far as they extended up
the hills. I saw a }■ ellow warbler I thought this species on White Pass
Summit June 12. Pileolated warblers were common at Log Cabin,
Bennett, and Caribou Crossing, and I am confident I heard them
singing at Lake Marsh. Adult males from Glacier resemble normal
pileolata closely, but have the back rather more green; those from the
Yukon Valley, while having the orange forehead and lower parts of
this form, have the duller green back of jyusilla.

[Motacilla ooulark. Swinhoe Wagtail. On the morning of August
28 the Rohert Kerr^ on which I was a passenger, was hindered from
proceeding by a gale and low water on the bar, and was made fast to
the bank at the Aphoon mouth of the Yukon. As I came on deck I
saw half a dozen white wagtails fly about the vessel and settle in the
grass close by. While I returned for my gun they left, but a thor-
ough acquaintance with MotaciUa allxt in Egypt, where it is abundant
during the winter, leaves me no doubt that these birds were wagtails.]

152. Anthus pensilvanicus. American Pipit.

A male taken at Skagway June 3 was probably a belated migrant.
On the heights above Glacier Osgood saw several -June 5, and we

92 NOETH AMERICAN FAUNA. [no. 19.

found them conimoii at Summit Juno 11-13. A female taken June 13
was laying, and a fresh but empty nest I found the same day I attrib-
uted to this species, no other being near. This nest was loosely
formed of line dry grass in a hollow in the deep moss which covered
the almost perpendicular side of a bowlder lying on a hill high above
Summit, only a small hole for entrance showing in the moss. We
often saw the song-flight at Summit. Launching himself with a sharp
preliminary ' chip ' from one of the granite bowlders that abound
there, the male would rise rapidly to a height of a hundred feet or
more, uttering a sweet, clear song. After poising high in air and
repeating this song for several minutes the singer would slowl}^ float
toward earth and alight 100 yards from where he started, soon to repeat
the same performance. We found a pair on the heights above Ben-
nett June 17, and a few, possibly members of one family, at Circle
August 15-20.

153. Cinelus mexicanus. American Dipper.

We collected a female and set of four fresh eggs at the falls at
Glacier June 8. A single ouzel seen farther down the river June 10
was probably the mate of the ore taken. Osgood also took one at
Unalaska October 5.

151. Anorthura hiemalis pacifica. Western Winter Wren.

We noticed a few at Glacier June 4-10, and I took a male there
June 6.

155. Anorthura alascensis. Alaska Wren. ,

I saw one at St. George October 3, and we collected five at Unalaska
October 5. The young were then molting.

156. Sitta canadensis. Red-breasted Nuthatch.

I took a male at Skagway May 31 and another near Log Cabin
flune 20, and heard one on an island at the junction of the Lewes and
Pelly rivers July 26. This species has not heretofore been noted in
the Yukon Valley.

157. Parus atricapillus septentrionalis. Long-tailed Chickadee.

AVe took this species at Bennett June 19, west shore of Lake Ben-
nett flune 24, Caribou Crossing June 26, Lake Marsh July 7, and Lake
Lebarge July 15, but did not notice it again until we reached the Lower
Yukon, although chickadees were heard several times whose specific
identity was not determined. Thirty miles below Holy Cross Mission
I took two August 25, and at the Aphoon mouth I saw a small flock
August 28. Young able to fly were taken July 7. One taken August
25 had completed the molt into first winter plumage, while an adult
taken the same da}" was in fresh plumage.

OCT., 1900.] BIRDS OF THE yUKC>N REGION. ^3

158. Parus hudsonicus evura.' Yukon Chickadee.

We took the Yukon chickadee at Caribou Crossing June 27, Lake
Tagish June 30, Lake Marsh July 5, and Lake Lebarge July 14, and
after reaching Thirty-Mile River July 19, found it regularly distrib-
uted in families or large flocks all the way to Fort Yukon, 1.5 miles
above which I saw a flock August 21. At St. Michael I took a young
female in flrst winter plumage September 20. Young able to fly were
first taken July 5 and molting birds August 13. Wo took adults in
full molt June 27, and one in which the molt was almost completed
July 24.

159. Parus rufescens. Chestnut-backed Chickadee.

We found a few at Haines and Skagway, and I took one and heard
another at Glacier June 5. A female taken at Skagway June 3 had
finished laying.

160. Regulus satrapa olivaceus. Western Golden-crowned Kinglet.
Tolera])ly common at Glacier; often heard but seldom seen, and

diflicult to procure. A female that I took June 10 had the last egg
ready for the shell.

161. Regulus calendula. Ruby-crowned Kinglet.

I took a male at Log Cabin, and on June 20, between that point
and Bennett, heard another singing. Osgood took two young speci-
mens, one at Lower Lebarge July 17, and the other 20 miles below
Dawson August 4.

162. Regulus calendula grinnelli."^ Sitka Kinglet.

At Skagway I heard a Sitka kinglet singing May 31, and at Haines
took a male and heard another singing June 1. At Glacier I took a
male June 6, and during our stay heard two or three others singing.
While the Log Cabin bird is normal calendula^ the Haines and Glacier
birds have the more olive back and darker sides of crown of grinnelli.

163. Myadestes townsendi. Townsend Solitaire.

On the heights above Bennett 1 took an adult male June 17. On
the hot noon of June 26, while seated on the summit of a hill some
1,500 feet above Caribou Crossing, I heard the most beautiful bird
song that has ever delighted my ear. It seemed to combine the
strength of the robin, the joyousness and soaring quality of the bobo-
link, and the sweetness and purity of the wood thrush. Starting low
and apparently far away, it gained in intensity and volume until it
filled the air, and I looked for the singer just above my head. I
finally traced the song to a Townsend solitaire that was seated on

1 Auk, XVII, 118, April, 1900. ^ Auk, XIV, 399, 1897.

94 NOETH AMERICAN FAUNA. [no. 19.

a dead tree about 150 yard« away, pouriiif^ forth this vohiinc of melody
without leaving- its perch. The siuger came close enough later to
make identification certain.

Osgood and Maddren saw one at Lake Lcbarge Jul}^ 14, Osgood
took an adult at Miles Canyon July 11, another at the Semenow Hills
July 20, a young in the spotted plumage 20 miles below the Selwyn
River July 29, and another 3^oung 30 miles above the White River
July 30. I saw an adult near the Selw3"n River Jul}^ 29, and took a
molting adult near Sixty-Mile Creek August 1. Mr. Cantwell found
this species in the Yukon Valley.

164. Hylocichla alicise. Gray-cheeked Thrush.

Several thrushes which we heard singing on the west shore of Lake
Marsh July 8 were, I think, this species, as their song differed from
that of the dwarf, hermit, and Alma thrushes. 1 saw two, but they
were so shy that 1 could not secure either. Near Sixty-Mile Creek,
July 31, 1 took a young in spotted plumage, which was with the young
of almm which Osgood shot. At Circle I took a young in first winter
plumage, also with alnuB.

165. Hylocichla ustulata almse.^ Alma Thrush.

This is the common thrush of the Yukon basin, occurring every-
where from Log Cabin to Circle, perhaps in largest numbers at
Caribou Crossing and Lake Marsh. Fifteen miles above Fort Yukon

1 took one, and saw others August 21, We found many nests,
usually 6 to 10 feet from the ground in thick growths of young
spruces, but none contained eggs. A nest containing four young
just hatched, which I found at Caribou Crossing June 25, was about
8 feet from the ground in a thicket of small spruces. The nest resem-
bled that of //. u. swainsoni. At Miles Canyon July 11 we saw
young able to fly. Osgood took young in spotted plumage July 31,
but those taken August 20 had assumed first winter plumage.

They were usually silent by day, but sang frequently during the
short nights. At Caribou Crossing, the last of Juno, their song could
be heard constantly from 8 p. m. to 8 a. m., one taking up the
strain as another stopped. The song is much superior to that of
Hylocichla aonalaschkca and almost equal to that of TI. fuscescens. It
has whispered notes like that of H. mustelinus. By the middle of
July the song season was practically over, though we heard one of
the birds singing July 23. When the nights became really dark in
August, I often heard the call-note of this bird near our camp between

2 and 3 a. m.

1 Auk, XVII, 119, April, 1900.

OCT., 1900.] BIRDS OF THE YUKON REGION. 95

166. Hylocichla aonalaschkse. Dwarf Hermit Thru.sh.

We heard several singing at Skagway, and Osgood took one at
Haines June 2. At Glacier thc}^ were tolerably common, and we
secured several, but they were ver}- shy, keeping in the thickets dur-
ing the day and singing for several hours in the evening from the
topmost spray of some spruce well up the mountainside. Several
thrushes' nests in small spruces 6 to 8 feet from the ground were
empty, for which condition the abundant red squirrels were probably
responsible. At Log Cabin and Bennett we heard a few singing, and
at Caribou Crossing Osgood took one June 27.

167. Hylocichla aonalaschkae pallasi. Hermit Thrush.

About 15 miles below Little Salmon River July 22 we secured a
pair, whose nest, containing four well-grown j^oung, Osgood had found
the evening before. Far from selecting the secluded nesting site usual
with this species, this pair had placed their nest between two small
bunches of flowers on an open southern hillside, just above a small
piece of burnt poplar woodland, and exposed to the full glare of the
sun.

168. Meruli migratoria. American Robin.

Tolerably common at Haines and Skagway, but not found at Gla-
cier. At Haines I took a female and four well-incu])ated eggs June 2.
Robins were common at Log Cabin June 15, and were found regu-
larly, but in gradually decreasing numbers, until August 1, when the
last was noted near Sixty-Mile Creek. A flock seen July 29 showed
that the southern migration had commenced. We found an empty
nest 30 miles below Dawson and heard that the birds bred near Fort
Yukon.

Although robins were by no means common at Caribou Crossing, I
found, on June 25, 13 empty nests, most of them evidently built
that year, and 1: empty nests of the Alma thrush, in a small patch of
spruces. The red squirrels which lived in a hollow tree near by
probably knew the location of most of these nests. Osgood took a
well-grown young robin here on June 26.

169. Hesperocichla naevia. Varied Thrush.

At Haines I saw several June 1, and Osgood took one June 2. At
Glacier varied thrushes were rather conmion, but exceedingly shy.
About an hour before sunset they would fly to the top of some tall
tree and repeatedly utter a long-drawn, plaintive whistle until dark-
ness fell. Sometimes on cloudy days we would hear their song, but
it was infrequent and had about stopped when we left Glacier, June
11. We next saw this species near the Tatchun River, where I took
a young bird July 23. Thirty miles below Dawson we took young,

96 NOKTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [no. 19.

and met with the birds sevcrtd times until August 21, when hirge
flocks were seen near Fort Yukon.

At Glacier I found on June 7 a nest containing four eggs, varying
from fresh to several days incubated. It was very large, built of
sticks and moss and lined with dry grass, and was situated 15 feet
from the ground, near the top of a small spruce growing in dense
woods a short distance from the river. When I put my hand on
the tree, the female flew from the nest with a hoarse, cackling cry and
settled a few feet away; the male did not appear. The eggs average
1.25 by 0.84 inches and are nile blue sparingly spotted with ecru drab
and seal brown.

170. Saxicola cenanthe. Wheatear.

Osgood saw two 3'oung wheatears at Circle August 19, and secured
one. At the Aphoon mouth I shot one on August 27, which fell into
the river and was carried away by the rapid current, but I saw the
white rump plainly.

171. Sialia arctica. Mountain Bluebird.

We found a pair on Fifty-Mile River a short distance above Miles
Canyon July 10. The next day I secured the female and found the
nest with four well-incubated eggs in a hole about 8 feet from the
ground in a dead spruce in the midst of a l)urnt tract. July 22 I
shot a male near the point where Fifty-Mile River empties into Lake
Lebarge. Mr. Cautwell also found this species on Fifty -Mile River.

NDEX

[Names of new species in lilaok-face type.]

Abies lasioearpa, 9, 16.
Acanthis exilipes,82.

linaria,82.
Accipiter atricapillus, 73.

velox, 72.
.\ctitis macularia, 09.
^Echmophorus occidentalis, 57.
^Egialitis semipalmata, 70.
Alaska tundra di.strict, 1.5-lfi.
Albatross, short-tailed, 00-61.
Alces gigas, 23.
Alniis sinuata, 9, 16.
Amelanchier alnifolia, 10.
Ammodramus alaudinus, 83-84.

sandwichensis, 83.
Ampelis garrulus, 88-89.
Anas boschas, 01-62.
Andromeda polifolia, 15.
Anorthura alascensis, 92.

pacifica,92.
Anser gambeli,0-l.
Anthus pensilvanicus, 91-92.
Archibnteo lagopns, 73.
Aretomys caligatus, 31-32.
Aretostaphylos uvaursi, 9, 10.
Arenaria melanocephala, 71.
Artemisia arctica, 1.5-16.

frigida,ll,12.
A.>*io accipitrinns, 70.
Auklet, least, 58.
Aythya afRnis,62.

marila, 62.
Baldpate, 02.
Bat, little brown, 45.
Bear, Alaska grizzly, 41.

black, 41.
Beaver, American, 32.
Betula glandulosa, 9, 10.

nana, 10.

papyrifera.ll.
Birds, classified lists of, .51-57.
Blackbird, rusty, 81.
Bluebird, mountain, 96.
Bonasa umbelloides, 71.
Brachyramphus marmoratus, 58.
Branta hutchinsi, 04.
B\ibo pallescens, 70-77.
Buffalo berry, 10.
Buffle-head,63.
Buteo calurus, 73.
Calcarius alascensis, 83.
Calidris arenaria, 67.
Canachites osgoodi, 19, 71.
Canadian Yukon district, 10-13.
Canis occidentalis, 40.
Caribou, barren ground, 23.

mountain, 22.
Cassiopea tetragona, 15.
Castor canadensis, 32.

4494— No. 19 T

Cepphus columba, 58.
Ceryle alcyon, 77.
Chamsecistus procumbens, 16.
ChamEenerion angustifolium, 13.
Charadrius fulvus, 70.
Charitonetta albeola, 63.
Chen hyperborea, 64.
Chickadee, chestnut-backed, 93.

long-tailed, 92.

Yukon, 93.
Chipmunk, gray-headed, 28-29.
Chordeiles virginianus, 79.
Cinclus mexicanus, 92.
Circus hudsonius, 72.
Clangula americana, 62.
Clivicola riparia, 88.
Coccothraustes montanu.s, 81-82.
Colaptes luteus, 78.
Colymbus holbcelli, 57.
Contopus boreal is, 79.

saturatus, 19, 79-80.
Cormorant, pelagic, 61.

red-faced, 61.

violet-green, 61.
Corvus americanus, 81.

caurinus,81.

principalis, 81.
Crane, little brown, 05.
Crossbill, red, 82,

white-winged, 82.
Crow, American, 81.

northwest, 81.
Crymophilus fulicarius, 65.
Curlew, Hudsonian, 69.
Cyanocitta stelleri, 80.
Dafila acuta, 62.
Dendragapus fuliginosus, 71.
Dendroica hooveri, 90.

rubiginosa,89.

striata, 90.

townsendi, 90-91.
Dicrostonyx alascensis, 20, 38.

nelsoni, 20, 38.
Diomedea albatrus, 00-61.
Dipper, American, 92.
Dryobate.s hyIoscopus,77

leucomelas, 77.
Duck, harlequin, 63.

lesser scaup, 62.

scaup, 62,
Eagle, gray sea, 73.

northern bald, 74.
Eider, Pacific, 63.
Empetrum nigrum, 9, 10.
Empidonax alnorum,80.

hammondi,80.
Equisetum, 13, 14.
Erethizon myops, 20, 38.
Eutamias caniceps, 19, 28-29.

98

INDEX.

Evotomys alascensis, 35.

daw.soni, 34.
Falco anatum,74.
columbarius, 75.
pealei, 75.
richardsoni, 75.
rusticolus, 74.
sparverius, 75.
Falcon, Peale,75.
Faunal districts, 8-18.
Fiber spatulatus, 19, 36-37.
Fisher, 44.

Flicker, northern, 78.

Flycatcher, alder, 80.

Hammond, 80.

olive-sided, 79.

Fox, Hall Island, 41.

red, 41.
Fratercula eornicu]ata,57.
Fulmar, Pacific, 61.
Fulmarus glnpischa, 61.
Gallinago delicata, 65.
Gavia arctica, 57.

imber, 57.
Goat, mountain, 25.
Golden-eye, American, 62.
Goose, American white- fronted, 64.
emperor. 64.
Hutchins, 64.
lesser snow, 64.
Goshawk, American, 73.
Grebe, Holbcell, 57.

western, 57.
Grosbeak, Alaska pine, 82.
■ivestern evening, Sl-82
Grouse, Alaska, 71.
gray ruffed, 71.
sooty, 71.
Grus canadensis, 65.
Guillemot, pigeon, 58.
Gull, American herring. 59.
Bonaparte, 60.
glaucous-winged, 59.
Point Barrow, 59.
Sabine, 60.
short-billed, 59-60.
Gulo luscus, 44.
Gyrfalcon, gray, 74.
Hare, Alaska arctic, 40.

Dall varying, 40.
Harelda hyemalis, 63.
Haliaetus alascanus, 74.

albicilla, 73.
Hawk, duck, 74.

American sparrow, 75
marsh, 72.
pigeon, 75.
rough-legged, 73.
sharp-shinned, 72.
western red-tailed, 73.
Helminthophila celata, 89.
lutescens, 89.
peregrina, 89.
Helodromas cinnamomeus, 68.
Hesperocichla nsevia, 95-96.
Hesperomys arcticus, 33.
Heteractitis incanus, 69.
Hirundo unalaschkensis, 87.

Histrionicuh histrionicus, 63.
Hudsonian Yukon district, 13-15.
Hummingbird, rufous, 79.
Hylocichla alicise, 94.
almse, 94.
aonalaschka, 95.
pallasi, 95.
Jffiger, long-tailed, 58.

parasitic, 58.
Jay, Alaska. 80-81.

Steller, 80.
Junco, Oregon, 86.
Shufeldt, 86.
slate-colored, 8-5-86.
Junco connectens, 86.
hyemalis, 8-5-86.
oregonus, 86.
Juniperus nana, 9, 10, 13.
Kalmia glauca, 10.
Kingfisher, belted, 77.
Kinglet, ruby-crowned, 93.
Sitka, 93.

western golden-crowned. 93.
Kittiwake, Pacific, 5s.

red-legged, 58.

Lagopus lagopus, 71.

leucurus, 72.

nelsoni, 72.

rupestris, 72.

Larix americana, 14.

Larus barrovianus, 59.

brachyrhynchus. -59-60.
glaucescens, 59.
Philadelphia, 60.
smithsonianus, .59.
Ledum grcenlandicum, 10.

palustre, 15.
Lemming, Alaska, 38.
Nelson pied, 38.
Yukon, 37-38.
Lemmus alascensis, 20, 3s.
yukonensis, 20, 37-38.
Lepargyraa canadensis, 10.
Lepus dalli, 20. 40.
othus, 20, 40.
salieiis, 19, 39-40.
Leueosticte, Aleutian, 82.

Hepburn, 82.
Leueosticte griseonucha, 82.

littoralis, 82.
Longspur, Alaska, S3.
Loon, 57.

black-throated, 57.
Loxia leucoptera, 82.

minor, 82.
Lunda cirrhata, 57.
Lutra canaden.sis, 41.
Lutreola iiigens, 19, 42.
Lynn canal district, 8-9.
Lynx, arctic, 40.
Lynx mollipilosus,20,40.
Magpie, American, 80.
Mairania alpina, 15.
Mallard, 61-62.
Mammals, list, 22.
Mareca americana, 62.
Marmot, hoary, 31-32.
Marten, Alaska, 43-44.

INDEX.

99

Megaseops kennicotti, 76.
Melospiza cinerea, 80.

lincolni, 86.

rufina, 86.

striata, 8G.
Merganser, American, 61.
Merganser americanus, 61.
Merlin, Richardson, 75.
Merula migratoria, 95.
Microtus drummondi, 35-36.

mordax, 17, 35.

operarius, 36.

xanthognathus, 36.
Mink, Alaska, 42.
Moose, Ala.ska, 23.
Motacilla ocularis, 91.
Mouse, Alaska jumping, 38.

Arctic white-footed, 33.

Bangs white-footed, 32-33.

Dall lemming, 37.

Dawson red-backed, 34.

tundra red-backed, 35.
Murre, Pallas, 58.
Murrelet, marbled, 58.
Mns decumanus, 32.
Muskrat, northwest, 36-37.
Mustela nrtuosa, 19,43-44.

pennanti, 44.
Myadestes townsendi, 93-94.
Myosotis alpestris, 10.
Myotis lucifugus, 45.
Aeotonia saxamaiis, 19,33-34.
Kettion carolinensis, 62.
New species, 19.
Nighthawk, 79.
Numenius hudsonicus, 69.
Nuthatch, red-breasted, 92.
Nyctala richardsoni, 76.
Oceanodronia furcata, 61.
Ochotona collarls, 38-39.
Oidemia americana, 63.

deglandi, 63.

perspicillata, 63-64.
Old-squaw, 63.
Olor columbianus,65.
Oreamnos montanus,25.
Osprey, American, 76.
Otter, American, 41.
Ovisdalli, 24-25.

stonei, 24.
Owl, great gray, 76.

American hawk, 77.

Kennicott screech, 76.

Richardson, 76.

short-eared, 76.

western horned, 76-77.
Pandion carolinensis, 76.
Parus evura, 93.

rufescens, 93.

septentrionalis, 92.
Passerella iliaca, 87.

townsendi, 87.
Passerina nivalis, 83.
Perisoreus lumifrons, 80-81.
Peromyscus arcticus, 33.

oreas, 32-33.
Petrel, forked-tailed, 61.
Petrochelidon lunifrons, 87.

Pewee, Alaska wood, 79-80.
Phalacrocorax pelagicus. 61.

robustus, 61.

urile,61.
Phalarope, nortliern 65.

red, 65.
Phalaropus lobatus, 65.
Philacte eanagica, 64.
Phoebe, Yukon, 79.
Pica hudsonica, 80.
Picea canaden.sis, 10.

sitchensis, 9.
Picoides alascensis, 78.

arcticus, 77-78.
Pika, Alaska, 38-39.
Pinicola alascensis, 82.
Pintail, 62.
Pinus murrayana, 9, 13, 16, 17.

sitchensis, 9.
Pipit, American, 91-92.
Plover, black-bellied, 70.
-Pacific golden, 70.

semipalmated, 70.
Polemonium humile, 10.
Populus balsamifera, 9.

tremuloides, 8, 9.
Porcupine, Alaska, 38.
Ptarmigan, Nelson, 72.

rock, 72.

white- tailed, 72.

willow, 71.
Puffin, horned, .57.

tufted, 57.
P\itorius alascensis, 43.

arcticus, 42-43.

eskimo,20,43.

richardsoni, 42.
Rangifer arcticus, 23

montanus, 22.

tarandus,23.
Rat, northern bushy-tailed. 33-34.

Norway, 32.
Raven, northern, 81.
Redpoll, 82.

hoary, 82.
Regulus calendula, 93.

grinnelli,93.

olivaceus, 93.
Reindeer, domesticated, 23.
Ribes laxiflorum, 9.
Rissa brevirostris, 58.

poUicaris, 58.
Robin, American, 95.
Rosa cinnamomea, 14.
Rubus arcticus, 16.

chamfemorus, ICi.
Sanderling, 67.
Sandpiper, Aleutian, 6-5.

Baird, 67.

least, 67.

pectoral, 66.

Pribilof , 66.

red-backed, 67.

sharp-tailed, 66.

.spotted, 69.

western solitary, 6s.
Sapsucker, red-breasted, 78.
Saxicola oenanthe, 96.

100

INDEX.

Sayornis ynkonensis, 19, 79.
Scluropterus yukoiieiisis, 19,-25-26.
Sciunis Imdsonicus, 26-27.
petulans, 19, 27-28.
vancouverensis, 27.
Scolecophagus carol inus, 81.
Scoter, American, 63.
surf, 63-64.
white-M'inged, 63.
Scotiaptex cinerea, 76.
Seiiim.s notabilis, 91.
Selasphorus rufus, 79.
Sheep, Dall mountain, 24-25.
Shrew, arctic, 44.
mountain, 4.5.
Streator, 44.
tundra, 45.
Sialia arctica, 96.
Simorhynchus pusillus, 58.
Siskin, pine, 83.
Sitta canadensis, 92.
Snipe, Wil.son, 65.
Snowflake,83.
Solitaire, Townsend, 93-94.
Somateria v-nigra, 63.
Sorex arcticus, 20, 44.
obscurus, 45.
streatori, 44.
tundrensis, 20, 45.
Sparrow, Aleutian song, 86.
Forbush,S6.
Fox, 87.

golden-crowned, 84.
intermediate, 84.
Lincoln, 86.
sandwich, 83.
sooty song, 86.
Townsend fox, 87.
western chipping, 85.
western savanna, 83-84.
western tree, 84-85.
Spermophilus osgoodi, 20, 31.

plesius, 19,29-31.
Sphyrapicus ruber, 78.
Spinus pinus, 83.
Spizella arizonee, 85.
ochracea, 84-85.
Squatarola squatarola, 70.
Squirrel, Bennett ground, 29-31.
Fort Yukon ground, 31.
Hudson Bay red, 26-27.
Yukon flying, 25-26.
Stercorarius longicaudus, 58.

parasiticus, 58.
Sterna paradissea, 60.
Surnia caparoch,77.
Swallow, Alaska, 87.
bank, 88.
cliff, 87.
tree, 87.

violet-green, 88.
Swan, whistling, 65.
Symphemia inornata,69.
Synaptomys dalli,37.
Tachycineta bicolor, 87.

thalassina, 88.
Tattler, wandering, 69.

Teal, green- winged, 62.
Tern, arctic, 60.
Thrush, Alma, 94.

dwarf hermit, 95.

gray-cheeked, 94.

hermit, 9-5.

varied, 95-96.
Thuja plicata, 16.
Totanus flavipes, 68.
Tringa acuminata, 66.

bairdi, 67.

couesi, 65.

maculata, 66.

minvitilla, 67.

pacifica, 67.

ptilocnemis, 66.
Tsuga mertensiana, 9.
Turnstone, black, 71.
Tus.silago frigida, 16.
Uria arra, .58.
Ursus alascensis, 41.

americanus, 41.
Vaccinium ovalifolium,9.

vitisidEea,15.
Viburnum pauciiiorum.lO.
Vole, Drummond, 35-36.

long-tailed, 35.

Nelson, 36.

yellow-cheeked, 36.
Vulpes fulvus, 41.

hallen.sis,20,41.
Wagtail, Swinhoe, 91.
Warbler, Alaska yellow, 89-90.

black-poll, 90.

Hoover, 90.

lutescent,89.

orange-crowned , 89.

pileolated,91.

Tennessee, 89.

Townsend, 90-91.

Wilson, 91.
Water thrush, Grinnell, 91.
Wax wing, Bohemian, 88-89.
Weasel, Alaska least, 43.

Juneau, 43.

tundra, 42-43.
Wheatear, 96.
White Pass district, 9-10.
Willet, western, 69.
Wilsonia pileolata, 91.

pusilla,91.
Wolf, 40.
Wolverine, 44.
Woodpecker, Alaska three-toed, 78.

arctic three-toed, 77-78.

Cabanis, 77.

northern hairy, 77.
Wren, Alaska, 92.

western winter, 92.
Xema sabinii, 60.
Y'ellow-legs, 68.
Y'ukon flats, 14.
Zapus alascensis, 38.
Zones, 16.
Zonotrichia coronata,84.

gambeli, 84.

o