Sora, Snowy Egret, Blue-Winged Teal, and Mourning Dove in Juneau, Alaska
Sara, Snowy Egret, Blue-winged Teal, and Mourning Dove in Juneau, Alaska.-On October 21, 1956, a Sora (Porzano Carolina) was collected near the Juneau airport. The specimen is the first from Alaska in the Fish and Wildlife Service collection.
On May 18, 1957, I received two reports of a bird fitting the description of a Snowy Egret (Leucophoyx tku.4.a) at Lemon Creek near Juneau. On May 19, four more persons reported seeing the bird. On May 20, Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Keithahn of the Territorial Museum, Game Management Agent Ralph Smith, and I observed the bird for one-half hour at close range while it fed on small fish in a shallow creek. The typical white coloration, size, plumes, black bill, legs, and light colored feet left no doubt as to its identity. The bird became quite a spectacle to the local citizens and was observed on May 22, 23, and 24.
On May 20, while seeking the egret, Mrs. Nelson and I observed a pair of Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors), a pair of Mallards (Anas pkztyrhynchos), and a pair of Green-winged Teal (Anas carolinensis) in a small pond near Juneau. The birds were in spring plumage. On July 7, 1957, a pair of Blue-winged Teal were observed at Salmon Creek. On September 1,1957, Game Management Agent Fred Robards received reports of five Blue-winged Teal taken by hunters at Eagle River. Wings of the teal were obtained and identified as those of the Blue-winged Teal. On September 1, a Mourning Dove (Zena.idwa macroura) was shot at Eagle River near Juneau. The specimen is being prepared for the Fish and Wildlife Service collection.-URBAN C. NELSON, Juneau, Alaska, October 30, 1957.
