Russian Voyages Contribute to the First Bird History for Alaska and California

When a sea-voyage discovered the northwest islands of America 275 years ago, the government expedition briefly explored the chain of oceanic islands. It was the first of a few voyages sailed by great Russian commanders that scribed narratives with daily details that establish a the first bird history for Alaska. Consider Bering and his strait. Commodore Joseph Billings led several others that made several visits between 1887 and 1992. There was then shipping around by Captain Kotzebue. Their era extends across nearly a century to expressive details for the first birds known in the American state.

A first visit recognized and named Bering's island in 1728. In 1732 with the men sailing along on the Gabriel, M.S. Gvozdev left sparse records that have left a large quandary on where and what was seen. They were around during August, at least noting the vicinity of Cape Chukchi on the 5th. Cape Dezhnev and the Chukchi residents were visited three days later on the couple of weeks in America.

Vitus Bering and his hale men voyaged in 1741 to the Aleutian Islands and southern Alaska coast. A couple of narratives provide the first details of interest.

An Account of the Efforts of the Russians to Determine the Relation of Asia to America - Lieutenant Waxel's Report on the Voyage of the St. Peter

... "He seemed to receive these gifts with pleasure, and in return he threw to us two thin sticks planed smooth, to one of which were tied birds' feather and to the other a bird's claw with the feathers on, which feathers we identified as that of the hawk. ...

The journal of Chirikov's vessel, the "St. Paul" has a number of citations...

July 12-16th, 1741 : shore duck, or duck, various sorts of gulls; or, a large number of shore ducks, gulls

July 29 to August 2nd, 1741 : shore ducks and gulls,

August 3, 1741 : During the day many flocks of gulls flew over us, also red-billed ducks and another species with white bellies and white under wings. Sandpipers (kuliki) came on board, ... 5th: Numerous flocks of birds were in the air, the color of the water was not altogether like the sea, and therefore we concluded that land must be near, hidden by the fog.

August 15-17, 20-23, 1741 : shore duck that lives on the rocks; three shore gulls, which looked like sea terns, shore ducks, gulls

August 28, 31 1741 : saw about ten white shore gulls; saw also one red-billed duck

September 4, 1741 : sailed past a dead whale on which were many sea birds called fulmars

September 8th: also many shore ducks and gulls flying.

September 9th : they wear on their heads a kind of hat made of thin birch boards, which are decorated with various colors and feathers.

September 14 : Saw a shore cormorant on the wing.

There is a second source of detail for the voyage.

G.W. Steller, Former Adjunct of the Imperial Academy of Sciences

Journal of His Sea Voyage from the Harbor of Petropavlovsk in Kamchatka to the Western Coasts of America and the Happenings on the Return Voyage

"28 August

... and a black gull ...

30 August

All sorts of water birds in abundance were seen, such as swans, two kinds of urili, auks, ducks, snipes, sandpipers, various kinds of gulls, divers, among them a very remarkable and unknown species, Greenland pigeons, sea parrots, and michagatkas. Of land birds, however, I observed only ravens, flycatchers, snowbirds, willow ptarmigans, and no others whatever.

5 September

... On their heads they had hats made of the bark of trees, colored green and red, that resembled in shape the eye shades that are usually worn around the head; the crown was uncovered, these hats appeared to have been invented only for the purpose of shading the eyese from the sun. Between the hat and the forehead some had placed a few variegated falcon feathers, others tufts of grass, in the same manner as the Americans on the east side, about Brazil, decorate themselves with feather tufts. ...

5 September

... I hold that these people do not live constantly on the islands but are there only during the summer and spend the winter on the mainland. These people may in part be attracted hither by the large numbers of birds and birds' eggs, which the Kamchadals, at the greatest peril, likewise gather among the cliffs, although every year some of them break their necks in the attempt; ...

6 September

... When we were out to sea about half a mile, we were especially astonished at the untold numbers of sea birds which we saw on the northern side of the island. I noted here, besides the urili, auks, sea parrots, gulls, glupyshi, and Greenland sea pigeons, an entirely black snipe, with red bill and feet, which constantly moved the head like Ray's redshank; further a very beautiful black-and-white pied diver, never seen before; not to speak of other wonderful and hitherto unknown birds. ...

10 September

... This was further corroborated by our noticing sea parrots and the John of Ghent (John of Gaunt) and other gulls flying constantly from north and west to the south, ...

15 September

... As it was, however, we were too near land, so that towards evening even an owl appeared about the vessel. River gulls also showed themselves, ...

17 September

... During the entire day birds were seen flying from north to the west.

18 September

At sunset I observed large flocks of small snipes and other land birds flying from north to west."

These are species noted among the journals of Bering's men. They occurred during 12 July to 18 September.

• Tundra Swan • Duck • Unidentified waterfowl • Willow Ptarmigan • Northern Fulmar • Cormorant • Pelagic Cormorant • Black Oystercatcher • Sandpiper • Shorebird • Glaucous-winged Gull • Gull • Red-legged Kittiwake • Tern • Alcids • Pigeon Guillemot • Ancient Murrelet • Horned Puffin • Tufted Puffin

• Short-eared Owl • Black-billed Magpie • Common Raven • Hermit Thrush • Snow Bunting • Unidentified birds Bird effigy and Bird-motif garment

A summary of history for the region by Professor Krashennicoff - published in the mid 1750s at Philadelphia - used information of Steller's report to account for the birds.

"Of known birds, they saw there magpies, ravens, sea-mews (urili), sea-ravens, swans, wild ducks, jackdaws, woodcocks, Greenland pigeons, and mitchagatki, otherwise called northern ducks. But, of unknown birds, they observed more than ten sorts, which it was not difficult to distinguish from European birds, by the livleness of their colours."

The birds represented were known well enough the be a part of the common language of Russia eastward from Kamchatka, and across the sea to the Saint Lawrence Islands. Details are within: "The History of Kamtschatka and the Kurilski Islands, with the Countries Adjacent" by Stepan Petrovich Krasheninnikov. An English translation by James Grieve, M.D., was issued at London in 1764.

"A List of Some Plants, Beasts, Fishes, and Birds; with their Names in the English, Russian, Kamtschatka, Koratski, and Kurilski Lanauages.

English	Russian	Kamtschatka	Koratski	Kurilski
Great Sea Cormorant	Boloshoi tchaika	Atuma	Attume	Pongapiphe
Swan	Lebed	Matame	Kamtchan
Geese	Goussed	Ksude	Gecloaine	Kuntape
A drake	Celesna	Baine	Gectehogatche	Bakariku
Stone ducks	Kammenia utki	Nikihgike	unknown	Vaiout
Widgeons	Gargari, Ashoai	Yovaiya		Cesse
Eagles	Orli	Selche	Tilmiti	Surgoar
Hawkes	Saholi	Shishi	Tilmitil
Partridges	Kuropatki	Euihtchitche	Euette	Niepue
Crows	Voronni	Kaka	Tchautchavao-la yelle	Paskure
Magpies	Saroki	Nahitchectche	Unkitigin	Kakuk
Ravens	Voronitcherni	Hagulhak	Nimette yelle
Swallows	Laslotchki	Kaiukutche	Kavalingek	Kuahan
Larks	Javoronki	Tchelaalai	Geatcheiere	Rikintchire
Cuckows	Koakoutchitche	Koakoutchitche	Kaikuke	Kahkok
Snipes	Kuliki	Soakalutche	Tcheiaa	Etchikumama"

There was also a species account text for birds of the Kamtschatka vicinity, and elsewhere there in far east Russia, but that is foreign.

Another Russian-sponsored voyage provide further bird history from repeated visits between 1787 to 1792.

Account of a Voyage of Discovery to the North-east of Siberia, the Frozen Ocean, and the North-east Sea

By Gawrila Sarytschew, Russian Imperial Major-General to the Expedition

... "I find that Mr. Merk had collected a vast number of plants, and that our hunters had shot two woodcocks, besides finding a nest full of eggs, which afforded us a comfortable supper. We did not observe many birds on shore, but the few we saw were chiefly white-headed eagles, and some small birds of the finch species; with whose red feathers the Aleutians adorn themselves.

... [June 7th] ... "It is worthy of remark that the stomachers of these women are as beautifully shaped and decorated, as if they had been the workmanship of a European embroiderer. The stomacher is made of the skin of a bird's neck, stretched and prepared for the purpose, and ornamented with silk, or the hair of goats and horses interwoven with that of the reindeer, which latter appears like rows of small pearls. In a similar manner they decorate the holiday dresses, girdles, and caps of their husbands. ...

"The common dress of the women differs but little from that of the men. It has a standing collar, about two inches broad, enamelled in various patterns. The front of the dress, and the opening of the arms, is trimmed with a row of pearls or coral. Their festival dress is similar in shape, but more enamelled, and bordered with rows of coral, bird's beaks, and goat's hair. ...

[June 10th] ... "While we lay at anchor, we were supplied by our Aleutians with a sufficiency of stock fish and roaches for the whole crew. The hunters whom we had sent to the island Kekalga, brought us also a variety of sea-fowl, and a particular sort of black-headed geese, which Dr. Merk called Canadian." ...

Chap. II. Departure from Unalaschka for Kadiak. - Description of the Aleutian Islands. - The Island of Kadiak, and Its Inhabitants.

"... On the 24th, we were almost entirely becalmed. Fowl of various descriptions hovered over the sea, but particularly a sort of divers, which were to be seen in immense flocks. We shot one of them, but found its flesh more fat than savoury. This bird, which is a native of the Frozen Ocean, is about the size of a common duck, with a white body, an ash-coloured back, head, and neck, a white and round tail, a cylindrical pale-green bill, red legs, and webbed feet. It lives on the fat of dead whales, is very bold, and often lights on the vessels. ...

Chap. X. Description of Unalaschka.

"Among the birds are eagles, with white heads and tails, hawks, woodcocks, and many kinds of small birds, some of which sing very well. Sea-fowls of different kinds are also numerous, as urilas, owls, &c. which frequent the ledges of the rocks, and are caught in their nests by the inhabitants, who convert their skins into garments as before described. The urilas are about the size of a wild goose, have long necks, sharp beaks, and black feathers, with a beautiful green ring round their necks. The breast and necks of the males are frequently variegated by a mixture of white feathers. Their legs are so near the tail, that when they sit on the rocks, they appear to be standing; their bodies and necks being almost perpendicular. The owls are about the size of a duck; their breasts are white; end the rest of their feathers black. The Toporkas are nearly of the same size their feathers being gray, their beaks red, broad, flat, and prominent; their eyes shaded with a row of white feathers, arched like eye brows. The skins of these birds are much valued for their firmness, and are mostly made into garments for the men; Their beaks are used by the women for the decoration of their cloaths. There are no birds so difficult to shoot as these, from the extreme closeness of their plumage, which repels the shot; besides which, they frequently plunge into the water, and when they swim clap their wings as in flying. Two sorts of geese also occasionally visit the island; the first, which come from the southern countries in the middle of April, and reside on the lakes during the summer, are of a moderate size with grey plumage, and the head and neck black; in September and October they disappear again, and are succeeded by others of a similar size, with an ash coloured plumage speckled with white. These latter come hither from the north, live the whole winter on the cliffs, that are often under water, and feed on the sea weeds that abound in time parts.

"In April, at the commencement of spring, they fly to the northern clime were they probably bred. Yet we saw none of them in the county of the Tschuksbens, whence I should draw the conclusion, that they make the shore of North America their summer residence." ...

A second narrative provides other bits of tantalizing bird details in addition to those given by Major-General Gavrill Sarychev, using a referential spelling of the name.

"An Account of a Geographical and Astronomical Expedition to the Northern Parts of Russia, for Ascertaining the Degrees of Latitude and Longitude of the Mouth of the River Kovima; of the Whole Coast of the Tshutski, to East Cape; and of the Islands in the Eastern Ocean, Stretching to the American Coast.

Performed,

By Command of Her Imperial Majesty Catherine the Second, Empress of all the Russias,

By Commodore Joseph Billings,

In the Years 1785, & c. to 1794.

The whole narrated from the original papers, by Martin Sauer, Secretary to the expedition.

London : Printed by A. Strahan, Printers Street. 1802.

"Their dances are proper tournaments, with a knife or lance in the right hand, and a rattle in the left; the rattle is made of a number of thin hoops, one in the other, covered with white feathers and having the red bills of the seaparrot suspended on very short threads; which, being shaken, strike together, and make a very considerable noise: their music is the tambourine, and their fangs are warlike. They frequently are much hurt, but never lose their temper in consequence of it. In these dances they use masks, or paint their faces very fantastically. The dances of the women are only jumping to and fro upon their toes, with a blown bladder in their hand, which they throw at any one whom they with to relieve, and who always accepts the challenge. ...

... "The birds that I observed hereabout were such as I saw at Oonalashka, and about Shumagin's Islands: wild geese; different kinds of gulls; the crested and tufted auk; blue pettrel, of a rusty dark brown, very like the swallow; the foolish and black guillemot; divers, and a great variety of ducks: the flesh of which are eaten by the natives, the skins used for dresses, and the bills, particularly of the sea-parrot, employed for ornament." ...

... "At the distance of four miles from the south-west extremity of Gore's Island, ... is another rocky island ... There appeared to me to be no earth upon the island, except the dung of animals, and of myriads of sea-birds, whose shrill notes almost prevented our hearing each other speak: these consisted of every species that we had seen on the coast of Kamtshatka, and all the Aleutin islands. I am inclined to think, that the birds, their eggs, and the sea animals cast on shore, constitute the chief food of the foxes in the summer; and that early in the winter the straits freeze over, when they pass to the opposite island, which, from the verdant appearance of the low lands, seems likely to afford them edible roots for their support during a long winter. I did not observe any fragments of shells of any kind on the beack, nor the least trace of any inhabitants." ...

... "These parties were furnished with muskets and ammunition for shooting wild fowl, which were also scarce and shy." ...

"A Bird of the Auk kind caught at Oonalashka - Portion of a Journal of a Russian Officer

"Bill orange colour, very little curved; both mandibles tipped and edged with black; the nostrils long and narrow, running parallel with the mouth; an elevation upon the nostrils of a light green colour, edged with black. The feathers commence at the base of the bill, and are of a dark ash, which is the colour of the head and neck. From the upper part of the eye, along the head, to the back of the neck, is a row of fine white satin feathers; and another row, broader and shorter, leads from the corners of the mouth. The eye of a pale yellow, the pupil being small and a very dark blue. The back, scapulars, coverts of the wing, and tail, are dark, with a paler edging; primaries something lighter; throat a light colour; breast and belly a dirty white; the fore part of the legs of a livid colour; the hind part, web, and claws, black, with three toes. It resides about the rocks and coast of Kamtshatka, and upon all the Aleutian islands, and is about the size of a black-bird."

These are the few words given in the language dictionary appendix.

English - Kamtshatka - Aleutan - Kadiak

Goose - Ksoais - Llak - Nachklaitt

Duck - Alshingush - Tshakutshadok - Sakoligak

Egg - N-gach - Shamlok - Mannik

Nest - I-i-itsh - Tshungangen - Oongolut

The next known voyage of Russian discovery is readily ascribed by its title.

A Voyage of Discovery, into the South Sea and Beering's Straits, for the Purpose of Exploring a North-East Passage, Undertaken in the Years 1815-1818, at the Expense of his Highness the Chancellor of the Empire, Count Romanzoff, in the Ship Rurick, under the Command of the Lieutenant in the Russian Imperial Navy, Otto Von Kotzebue Illustrated with numerous plates and maps. In three volumes.

Among its sea-faring, the ship was at Chamisso Island, near 66o 35' 18", through the Bering Strait and along the Seward peninsula.

"The island, which has only a small landing place, rises almost perpendicularly out of the sea; the rocks round about, and the islands to its west, are inhabited by numerous puffins; and the many egg-shells which we found on our way, were an indication that foxes destroyed the nests; hares and partridges were here in plenty; and cranes, on their passage, rested on the island. On places protected against the north wind, grow willows from two or three feet high, and these are the only trees that we saw in Beering's Straits."

It was August 3rd, 1815. A few day's later, was arrival at the sound, with a bird note for August 12th. Captain Kotzebue was visiting with the Americans about their summer-dresses, made of local animal skins.

"As we were proceeding farther, I observed a snipe, and wishing to know if my companions were acquainted with fire-arms, and what impression a shot would make on them, I was induced to shoot it. The sound occasioned the greatest fright, they looked at each other, not knowing whether to stay or fly; but, when they perceived that nothing had happened to them, they took courage, and cautiously looked round at my fowling-piece; the old man, who had carried one, without suspecting what he had in his hand, quickly returned the gun to the owner. The dead snipe, which he would not venture to touch, had inspired him with the greatest respect for the terrible instrument, and they could not get over their astonishment ..."

After the visit to Kotzebue's Bay, waterfowl got some mention in early September, at St. Paul Island, Oonalashka. The next note was during August, 1816 at the islands Oonemack and Akun, of the St. Lawrence Islands of Alaska.

"On the 23rd, the wind veered to the south, and disappointed my hope of soon reaching the tropics. A number of albatrosses flew round our ships: the idea of many learned men now struck me, that these birds fly from the north of Cape Horn to build their nests. Common sense contradicts this assertion. The Aleutians are accustomed to search for the nests of the albatrosses on the summits of their mountains, and are very fond of the eggs. On the island of Oonemack and other volcanic islands, the birds build so high that it is difficult for the Aleutians to reach their nests. They shoot them with arrows in autumn, when they are fattest: their fat is esteemed a great delicacy. The black albatrosses, which are by many thought to be the young of the white ones, are asserted, by the Aleutians, to be a distinct species."

There was a naturalist's account by Fr. Eschscholtz as a section of the Captains thorough report, which discussed various species of butterflies, among other natural history topics. Birds were discussed for the environs of San Francisco, obviously based on a time when there was a dearth of bird activity.

"There is an uncommon number and variety of birds, the Oriolus phaniceus is found in innumerable flocks. We did not see a single kind of the family of creepers, and a splendid humming-bird seemed to be a stranger which had strayed hither from the south."

Later in the remarks, the small albatrosses were mentioned again:

"Many land birds have spread over to Oonalashka from the nearest coast, of which the white-headed American eagle is predominant. With respect to the albatrosses, Diomedea exulans, we have to correct a very common error, which has gained credit order the authority of Pallas. The albatross does not visit the north as a transitory guest from the southern hemisphere, merely to appease its hunger for a short time, and then to return at the breeding season to its southern home. The albatross builds its nest of feathers on the highest summits of the Aleutians islands, namely, on Umnack and Tschatirech Sobpotschnie ostroff, (the Island of the Four Peaks.) It lays two very large eggs, of a blueish colour, and hatches in the summer season. The black variety mentioned by authors is the young one. The Aleutians ascend these summits towards August, and take the eggs from the nest; they also throw darts, made for the purpose, at the sitting birds, and are particularly eager after their fat, with which they abound at this season."

Captain Kotzebue kept sailing along in his career. The next volumes were about a new voyage around the world in 1823-1826. It reached the Russian Post at Bodega Bay, and went further southward into the great interior bay. A common species of the coastal waters was noted September 28, 1824 while near the Mission at Santa Clara.

"The death-like stillness of these beautiful fields is broken only by the wild animals which inhabit them; and as far as the eye can reach, it perceives no trace of human existence; not even a canoe is to be seen upon the surrounding waters, which are navigable for large vessels, and boast many excellent harbours; - the large white pelican with the bag under his bill, is the only gainer by the abundance of the fish they produce."

Later in the day...

"Our island was surrounded by wild ducks and other sea-fowl; the white-headed eagle hovered over the oaks, and seemed to be pursuing a very small species of hare, and a pretty partridge, of which there are great numbers.

"We enjoyed for a few hours the recreation of the land, so welcome to sailors, and then continued our voyage with a favourable wind."

The wild birds continued to impress the Captain, enough to scribe it in the entry for the next day.

"I now ordered the horses tube and we set off for the mission, the buildings and woods of which bounded the view over these prodigious corn-fields. Our way lay they the stubble, amongst flocks of wild geese, ducks, and snipes, so tame that we might have killed great numbers with our sticks. These are all birds of passage, spending the winter here, and the summer farther north. We fired a few shots among the geese, and brought down adult a dozen: they differ but little in size from our domestic goose, and some of them. are quite white."

Another pertinent mention is from the forested coast of Sitka, in the mid-April of 1825.

"There is no great variety of birds native to this coast; but the beautiful white-headed eagle, and several sorts of pretty humming-birds, migrate from warmer climates to build their nests in Sitka. It is extraordinary that these tender little creatures, always inhabiting hot countries, should venture thus far northwards."

An eagle's wing or tail was used as a fan. The importance of bird objects as an effigy, is given in account of a ceremonial dance.

"Their song, accompanied by the dull music of the tambourine, consisted of a few hollow and unconnected tones, sent forth at intervals to keep time with the stamping of their feet. The men made the most extraordinary motions with their arms and bodies, varying them by high leaps into the air, while showers of feathers fell from their heads. Every dancer retained his own place, but turning continually round and round, gave the spectators an opportunity of admiring him on all sides. One only stood a little apart; he was particularly decorated with ermine-skins and feathers, and beat tithe for the dancing with a stab ornamented with the teeth of the sea otter. He appeared to be the director of all the movements."

"Sitka Island

"Of birds we remarked: the Aquila leucocephala, Astur, Corvus Corone and Stelleri, and some varieties of the species Turdus, Sylvia, Troglodytes, Parus, Alcedo, Picus, Ardea, Haematopus, Scolopax, Charadrius, Anas, and Colymbus. Trochilus rufus is not only often found here, but also under sixty degrees of latitude. A small shoal of Procellaria furcata was once driven into the Bay by stormy weather.

"Bay of San Francisco

"In consequence of the lateness of the season, most of the birds that breed here had already left the neighbourhood; we therefore saw only such birds as pass the winter here, and also a number of aquatic birds that were daily arriving from the north. Of the former we met with five kinds of Icterus; one quite black, except the shoulders, which were red; these were extremely numerous, and sleep, like the Icterus phoenicius, among rushes. The Sturnus ludovicianus and Picas auratus of the United States, are also found in California; the Percnopterus californicus, Corvus mexicanus, and Perdix californica, are already known. A large grey crane, probably from the north, remained here: Upon the whole, the number of birds observed, amounted to forty."

Russian territory north of California continued to be a place visited by bird watchers. The Commandante of the Spanish Mission near San Francisco, had to provide documents to allow passage into the neighboring country, as well as the practical matter of horses to ride. It was a first of September weekend, 1837 when Faxon Dean Atherton visited Fort Ross. Don Pedro Kostromitinoff was the governor, and Don Alexander Rotcheff was the pending commander of the presidio at Bodega Harbour.

Atherton noted no birds during his visit to Russia, though he was familiar with species elsewhere and mentioned them - the large vulture for example - in his journal for south of the San Francisco Bay, in the Upper Division of California, Mexico.

CommonName	1741	1787	1788	1790	1792	1815	1816	1824	1825
Emperor Goose			* *
Cackling Goose			* *
Canada Goose		* *			* *
Goose				* *				* *
Tundra Swan	* *
Duck	* *			* *	* *			* *	* *
Unidentified waterfowl	* *	* *	* *	* *	* *			* *
Willow Ptarmigan	* *
California Quail									* *
Quail								* *	* *
Loon				* *	* *				* *
Albatross							* *
Northern Fulmar	* *
Fulmar									* *
Storm-petrel				* *	* *
Red-faced Cormorant			* *
Pelagic Cormorant	* *
Cormorant	3
Heron									* *
Bald Eagle		* *	* *					* *	* *
Hawk			* *
Sandhill Crane									* *
Plover									* *
Black Oystercatcher	* *								* *
Sandpiper	3
Shorebird	* *	* *	* *			* *		* *	* *
Glaucous-winged Gull	* *
Gull	* *			* *	* *
Red-legged Kittiwake	* *
Tern	* *
Common Murre				* *
Alcids	3
Black Guillemot				* *	* *
Pigeon Guillemot	* *				* *
Ancient Murrelet	* *
Whiskered Auklet				* *
Crested Auklet				* *	* *
Horned Puffin	* *
Tufted Puffin	* *			* *	* *
Puffin	* *					* *
Snowy Owl			* *
Short-eared Owl	* *
Hummingbird							* *		* *
Rufous Hummingbird									* *
Belted Kingfisher									* *
Northern Flicker									* *
Woodpecker									* *
Steller's Jay									* *
Black-billed Magpie	* *
Common Raven	* *
Raven									* *
Chickadee									* *
Wren									* *
Hermit Thrush	* *
Thrush									* *
Warbler									* *
Snow Bunting	* *
Red-winged Blackbird							* *		* *
Western Meadowlark									* *
Unidentified birds	* *	* *	* *	* *	* *				* *
Bird effigy	* *			* *					* *
Bird-motif garment	* *	* *	* *	* *
This list is preliminary and possibly subject to change with further review and editing.