Breeding Birds of Arctic Bay, Baffin Island, N.W.T., with Notes on the Biogeographic Significance of the Avifauna

Résumé

The known avifauna of the Arctic Bay area consists of 38 species, of which 22 are probable or proven breeders and 3 are permanent residents. Arctic Bay appears to be in a transition area between characteristic high arctic and low arctic forms. Eurasian or Greenlandic forms include breeding Ringed Plover and 'Greenland' Hoary Redpoll; and transient Wheatear, Red Knot and Ruddy Turnstone. The absence of several sea-associated species as breeders or even transients may be attributed to the normal late ice break-up in Admiralty Inlet.