DeBenedictis 1966 Journal - 8 24 May Meade River Coal Mine, 157°25'W, 70°29'N, Alaska There was a closed ground squirrel burrow hole and some nicotline sign (remnants only). The Stabilized domes are more heavily grown to plants - and implies the willows are well over two feet in height, and fairly dense. Drying lvs. are abundant and Ptarmigan footprints and droppings were abundant, although I found no ptarmigan. The central lake and the low-lying parts of the oxbows are almost completely snow-covered, with 12-15" of snow except on the ridges. There is some low willow in these areas, under the sars. On the way in I flushed 15 White-fronted Geese, which flew off N over the native village. Dead and slept most of the P.M. Snowing and overcast with heavy wind in the evening. A few Ptarmigan around camp. 25 May Ray shot 9 Ptarmigan during the night and they are scarce about camp than before. He said he saw a Red Fox, and a "jaegu" diving at Ptarmigan about 6 A.M. Not much about camp. I've got a money nose from lack of sleep due to this sadly sleeping bag sent in from AK. About 10:30 I found a white bird behind the village, which proved to be a Scaup Ecol. About 11:45 Glancous gulls assembled there and a few others near camp, flying over. [illegible]