Page:Condor16(2).djvu/35

 Mar., 1914 BIRDS OF SITKA AND VICINITY, SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA 79 Sitka in September, x9o8, and knows of two or three others being taken in fall.. Phalaropus fuliearius. Red Phalarope. The main migration route of this bird apparently does not include the vicinity of Sitka. The only time it was noted by' me was on September 9, I913, when three birds were seen in Chatham Straits, east of Baranof Island. They were closely examined through a glass and their identity positively determined. Lobipes lobatus. Northern Phalarope. Common on salt water all through the summer, and very abundant during migrations. Frequently noted around tide rips feeding among the drift brought together by meeting currents. 0rallinago delicata. Wilson Snipe. According to Merrill, frequently seen on swamp lands in spring and fall. Taken at Sitka by Bischoff (Dall & Ban- nister, I869, p. 29). I saw a single bird of this species in a swampy meadow near Sitka, September 3, 93 This was the only one seen by me in the region. ll'acrorhamphus griseus scolopaceus. Long-billed Dowitcher. An immatm'e bird taken on Kruzof Island, Agust 2?, I913, was the only one noted. It was in company with seven Hudsonfan Curlews. Tringa canutus. Knot. Single specimen taken at Sitka by Bischoff (Dall & Bannister, I869, p. 291 ). Arquatella maritima couesi. Aleutian Sandpiper. Found abundant at Sitka by Bischoff (Dall & Bannister, 869, p. 29 ). This species and several others of the waders which have been previously noted by Bischoff and others, were not" seen at all by me. I believe this is due to a certain extent to the pcrsistent perse- cution of birds of the wading group by local hunters. As soon as a flock of waders is seen on the beach, the hunters appear and bombard them until they are either all killed or leave the locality. As a result waders were uniformly scarce in the immediate vicinity during my entire stay. Pisobia maculata. Pectoral Sandpiper. I found this species fairly plen0[u! at the head of Hooniah Sound, Chichagof Island, September lO, 913, and secured several specimens. This is the only time I noted it, but it is probably a regular mi- grant. A single specimen was taken by Bischoff at Sitka (Dall & Bannister, 1809, p. 292). Pisobia bairi. Baird Sandpiper. One specimen obtained at Sitka by Bischoff (Dall & Bannister, I869, p. 292 ). Pisobia minutilla. Least Sandpiper. Abundant nilgrant. I saw this species in many different localities during the fall, and Merrill tells me it is plentiful in spring. Grinnell (1898, p. 26) noted it as early as July 2. Pelina alpina saklmlina. Red-backed Sandpiper. Evidently a rather rare mi- grant. I saw one specimen on an outlying rock near Kruzof Island, July 3 , 1912, the only one seen by me in the vicinity. Bischoff took ten specimens at Sitka (Dall & Bannister, 1869, p. 29): Igreunetes pusillus. Semipalmated Sandpiper. According to Dall and Ban- nister (869, p. 292), this species was taken at Sitka by Bischoff. It has also been recorded by Swarth (1911, p. 52) from Thomas B&y, on the mainland opposite Kupreanof Island. All specimens of Ereunetes taken by me in the vicinity of Sitka were referable to the next species. reunetes mauri. Western Sandpiper. Common migrant on sandy beaches. Became plentiful in late July and remained so up to the time I left, the first part of October. According to Merrill, is most abundant in the spring in April and early May. Calidris leucophaea. Sanderling. Evidently a rare migrant. I saw one bird