Alaska species accounts, v4430
Page 105
Image from the Biodiversity Heritage Library. Contributed by Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley. | www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Transcription
MacLean 1968 (2) Aphriza virgata (16 May) coasted on set wings held fairly high— —giving a gee-geww call. It completed about 10 calls in six seconds, covering a straight line of flight of ca. 150m., then dropped to the ground. The call was reminiscent of the tone and quality of a Western Sandpiper — fairly deep and somewhat hoarse, and very Calidorine-like. 17 May I got skunked today. Saw none. Weather rotten — fog and falling snow on the ridges. 18 May Spent the morning watching display on Eagle Summit. No display as I walked out (away from Highway) at 3:30 a.m., but found a pocket of active display on the way back at 6:00 a.m. Was first attracted by the baird-like flight note. This is somewhat higher pitched and shorter in duration (just <2/sec.) than bairdii, but otherwise very similar. I approached and was able to see the display sequence at close view under several circumstances. The display is given out over the deep canyons. The birds fly out from a ridge slope— thus the closest ground is lateral. They may fly >100 m. from the ridge. They cover much territory — one bird that I was able to follow May : re →. sing now and bairdii: play again, I longer believe a. bairdii is higher pitched, triton similar.