Page:Condor17(1).djvu/24

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Jan., 1915 BIRDS OBSERVED ON FORRESTER ISLAND, ALASKA 23 In sharp contrast to this jungle is a relatively large open ?neadow, about the center of the island, overgrown with heather and set with several exquisite pools in which the yellow water lily (Ammodenda peploidcs ma.]or) abounds and the eagles find bathing places. It is worthy of note that several of the ttaidah Indians report that fifty or sixty years ago the entire island was much ?nore open than now. Salmonberry and huckleberry thickets were.unknown and grassy slopes predominated. Still earlier, according to tradition, the groves of spruce were likewise more open, and apparently the entire place was more like Lawtie Island is at the present time. As will appear later on in the account, this may explain the absence of the Ehinoeeros Auklet and the Ancient Murrelet from places where they were formerly abundant. It is also worthy of note that the dwarf juniper (Jit?iiper?s comntais). together with greatly stunted lodgepole pines (Piaits coatorta), are fairly abundant in the lake region. This same locality is also the home of the west- Fig. I1. LOOKING SOUTH FRO?! THE LAKE REGION; LOI.t:EPOIoI'; PINE ;11OVE I_X THE FORE- GROUND ern red cedar (?'hltja plicata). though the trees are all small as though recently introduced. I am greatly indebted to my son Ronald, whose keen sight and agility resulted in ?nany observations which have added ?nuch to the value of this re- port. To Mr. W. D. MeLeod, acting as interpreter, naturalist, guide and genial companion, I am also under deep obligation. Captain John. an unusually keen and accurate naturalist of .the Haidah tribe, was also of the greatest assist- artec. Mr. John Beatty, Thaddaeus Isaac, George Haldane and Edwin Scott were also valuable helpers during the course of the survey. LA?V Bm?s.--Naturalist fishermen and others with accurate powers of observation and extended knowledge of the country declare that the land birds are ?nore rimherons on Forrester Island than at any other point in southeast- eru Alaska. This may be accounted for, in part at least. by the report that the