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I highly recommend this cruise experience to anyone who wants to see, hear, and feel Alaska at its finest. The captain is concerned about the individual. Those who charter with Alaska Custom Cruises will not be disappointed.



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ALASKA WILDLIFE

The pristine wilderness of Alaska is, perhaps, the last vestige of thriving populations of North American wildlife. Where else can you see polar bears, bald eagles, blue and humpbacked whales, gray wolves, grizzly bears, orcas, lynx, moose, and hundreds of other rare and endangered species in their original and undisturbed natural habitats?

During your voyages with us you are sure to see many of these. The natural backdrop of majestic mountains and stunning glaciers will provide you with wildlife photographs that can't be matched. Captain John will navigate you to get a closer look whenever possible and allow you to capture those special moments to share with your family and friends back home.

We enjoy bringing our guests out to our neighborhood and introducing them to our neighbors. Watching them in their natural surroundings will give you glimpses into why Alaska is such a unique and special place! Join us on your own personalized cruise and see wildlife up close like you have never seen before!

ORCA

The killer whale, (Orcinus orca), is the largest member of the group of marine mammals known as dolphins (family Delphinidae). They are called killer whales because they attack and consume whales or other large prey such as seals and sea lions.

General description: Adult killer whales generally grow to a length of approximately 27 feet (8.2 m). Females grow to an average length of about 23 feet (7 m). Adults may weigh as much as 10 tons. Killer whales are predominantly black in color with large white patches under the jaw and above and behind each eye. Much of the ventral surface of killer whales is also white and there are large white patches which extend from the ventral area onto the flanks. A gray or white saddle area is often found behind the dorsal fin. This area is highly variable and is one of the characteristics used to identify individual whales. The very tall dorsal fin is characteristic of this species. The dorsal fin of the male may reach 6 feet in height. Dorsal fins in females usually do not exceed 3 feet in height.

HUMPBACK WHALES

The humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) is the baleen whale most frequently seen swimming or feeding close to shore along the southern coast of Alaska. When beginning to dive, animals often lift their flukes (tail) out of the water thereby exposing the pattern of black and white which characterizes the ventral side. This pattern varies with each whale and is used by biologists to identify individual animals. Humpbacks may stay submerged for as long as 30 minutes although most dives do not last longer than 15 minutes. When resting near the surface between dives, whales may blow every few seconds.

General description: Humpback whales are distinguished from other whales by the extremely long flippers which may reach 25 to 30 percent of the length of the entire animal. The animals appear generally dark when viewed from above although the flippers may have varying amounts of white on the dorsal side. The underside of the flippers and tail, and often the sides and ventral surfaces of humpback whales may be partially white. Humpback whales have a small dorsal fin which is often seen when the animal is beginning to dive. Adults may reach a length of 55 feet (16.7 m) although the average adult length for west coast animals taken during the days of whaling was 42 feet (12.7 m) for females and 40.5 feet (12.3 m) for males. Like other baleen whales, adult females at any given age are usually larger than males. The plates of baleen are generally dark in color and number 270 - 400 on each side of the upper jaw.

DALL PORPOISES

With their beautiful black and white skin, Dall porpoises are sometimes mistaken for baby Orcas. They are, however, extremely different from Orcas in their behavior. Dall porpoises are robust animals and high speed swimmers. Their average size is around seven feet in length with a weight of 485 pounds. They are the fastest small cetaceans, and enjoy riding the bow waves of boats. They prefer cold, deep waters, making Alaskan waters a perfect home for them. They feed on a wide variety of fish, along with squid and crustaceans.

HARBOR PORPOISES

Harbor porpoises are quite similar in body size and length to Dall's porpoises, but are quite different in temperament. Harbor porpoises behave much more cryptically than Dalls - never riding bow waves and surfacing very quietly. Harbor porpoises also tend to be more shy - sightings can occur less frequently than Dalls.

HARBOR SEAL

The harbor seal (Phoca vitulina), a widespread species in both the north Atlantic and Pacific oceans, is found in Alaska along the coast from British Columbia north to Kuskokwim Bay and west throughout the Aleutian Islands. Harbor seals are often called "hair" seals by coastal residents of southern Alaska. Most harbor seals are associated closely with coastal waters, although occasional observations up to 50 miles (81 km) offshore have been made. One radio-tagged animal crossed 45 miles (72 km) of open ocean between two islands in the Gulf of Alaska, and another moved over 50 miles (81 km) from Prince William Sound to Middleton Island. Harbor seals haul out of the water periodically to rest, give birth, and nurse their pups. Reefs, sand and gravel beaches, sand and mud bars, and glacial and sea ice are commonly used for hauling sites. Harbor seals are sometimes found in rivers and lakes, usually on a seasonal basis (present in summer, absent in winter). At Iliamna Lake seals are present year-round and are probably resident. Births of harbor seal pups are not restricted to a few major rookeries (as is the case for many species of pinnipeds) but occur at many hauling sites.

Harbor seals do not appear to make long annual migrations like some species of marine mammals. However, considerable local movements occur. Tagging studies have shown that juveniles move up to 150 miles (242 km) from their birth places. A radio-tagged adult was discovered 120 miles (193 km) from its tagging site. As more seals are being satellite-tagged, much more information is becoming available about winter and summer movements.

General description: Harbor seals are mammals, that is they are hairy, warm-blooded, air-breathing animals which suckle their young. They weigh about 24 pounds (11 kg) at birth and gain weight rapidly during a month-long suckling period, perhaps doubling their weight. Average weight for adults is about 180 pounds (82 kg); males are somewhat larger than females. They are covered with short, stiff, bristle-like hair. Coloration varies, but two basic patterns occur: a dark background with light rings, or light colored sides and belly with dark blotches or spots. Harbor seals molt annually, usually in late summer.

Harbor seals are well adapted to life in the sea. They are able to dive to depths exceeding 600 feet (183 m) and can remain submerged for over 20 minutes. Oxygen-conserving adaptations that allow such dives include reduced peripheral circulation, reduced heart rate, and high levels of myoglobin (muscle oxygen binder). Harbor seals are graceful and efficient swimmers as they use their hind flippers for propulsion and foreflippers as rudders. Movement on land, however, is slow and laborious.

STELLER SEA LIONS

The Steller (or northern) sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) inhabits the north Pacific Ocean and is the largest member of the family of Otariidae, or "eared seals." Sea lions differ from hair seals (harbor seals, ringed seals, ribbon seals, bearded seals, and spotted seals) in that sea lions have external ears and rear flippers which turn forward allowing them to "walk" with a gait similar to land mammals.

They are called sea lions because they resemble the terrestrial lion of Africa and Asia. Large adult male Steller sea lions have disproportionately large necks and shoulders. This, coupled with longer, coarser hair on the neck and shoulders, gives them the appearance of having manes, as do lions.

General description: At birth, the sea lion pup's coat is chocolate brown with a frosty appearance because the tips of the hair are colorless. Color gradually lightens as the animal ages and periodically molts. Most adult females are a yellowish, cream color on the back, although some remain darker. Nearly all males stay darker on the front of the neck and chest; some are even a reddish color.

SEA OTTERS

The sea otter (Enhydra lutris) lives in shallow water areas along the shores of the North Pacific. Its range once extended from southern California north then west through the Aleutian Islands, to the Kamchatka Peninsula, and south to the northern islands of Japan. In 1742, Vitus Bering's men returned with sea otter pelts from the historic voyage of discovery of Alaska. Interest in these rich furs initiated an era of exploitation which almost wiped out the sea otter.
General description: Sea otters are members of the weasel family (Mustelidae) and are related to mink and river otters. Adult males weight 70 to 90 pounds (32-41 kg) with some individuals weighing 100 pounds. Females average 40 to 60 pounds (18-27 kg). Adults reach a length of 4.5 feet (1.4 m). The hind feet are webbed and are adapted for swimming. The toes on the forefeet are short and stiff, enabling the animal to deftly handle food. On land their gait is clumsy. Probably because of this vulnerability, they are seldom found more than a few yards from water.

The fur, which is possibly the finest in the world, consists of a very dense underfur of inch-long fibers and sparse guard hairs. The underfur ranges from brown to almost black. Guard hairs may be black, pale brown, or silver, often giving a veiled effect of silvery hairs on a dark background. Older animals often develop a silvery head. This, combined with the prominent whiskers, leads to the nickname of "Old Man of the Sea."

Unlike seals, which rely on a heavy layer of blubber for protection against the cold North Pacific waters, sea otters depend on air trapped in their fur for maintaining body temperature. If the fur becomes soiled or matted by material such as oil, the insulation qualities are lost. This results in loss of body heat and eventual death. For this reason, otters spend much time grooming their fur to keep it clean.

BROWN BEARS

Brown bears (Ursus arctos), also known as grizzlies, occur throughout Alaska except on islands south of Frederick Sound in southeast Alaska, west of Unimak in the Aleutian Chain, and Bering Sea islands. They also occur in Russia, northern China, northern Japan, Europe, western Canada, and in limited portions of the northwestern United States. Brown bears symbolize Alaska as depicted on the back of the state quarter and on the state flag (Ursa Major - The Big Dipper). They are also important to Native Alaskans, local residents, hunters, fishers, photographers, and hikers.

General description: Brown and grizzly bears are classified as the same species even though there are notable differences between them. Kodiak bears (brown bears from the Kodiak Archipelago) are classified as a distinct subspecies (U. a. middendorffi) from those on the mainland (U. a. horribilis) because they have been isolated from other bears since the last ice age about 12,000 years ago. "Brown bears" typically live along the southern coast of the state where they have access to seasonally abundant spawning salmon. The coastal areas also provide a rich array of vegetation they can use as food as well as a milder climate. This allows them to grow larger and live in higher densities than their "grizzly" cousins in the northern and interior parts of the state. To minimize confusion, this report uses the term "brown bear" to refer to all members of Ursus arctos.

The brown bear resembles its close relatives the black bear (U. americanus) and the polar bear (U. maritimus). Brown bears are usually larger than black bears, have a more prominent shoulder hump, less prominent ears, and longer, straighter claws. Polar bears are similar in size to coastal brown bears, but are more streamlined, lacking the hump. The varying shapes of these bears are adaptations to their particular life styles. Long claws are useful in digging roots or excavating small mammals, but are not efficient for climbing trees. The musculature and bone structure of the hump are adaptations for digging and for attaining bursts of speed necessary for capture of moose or caribou. Color is not a reliable key in differentiating these bears because black and brown bears have many color phases and polar bears may have stained fur. For example, black bear fur may be black, brown, reddish or even shades of grey and white, while brown bear colors range from dark brown through very light blond.

Brown bear weights vary by age, gender, location, and time of year. Bears weigh about one pound (0.5 kg) at birth and attain adult size by age 6. Adult males tend to be 30-50% larger than females. A large male may weigh up to 1,500 lbs (680 kg) in coastal areas or up to 500 lbs (227 kg) in interior areas. Bears weigh the least when they emerge from their dens in the spring, and can increase their weight by over 50% during late summer and fall. The largest brown bear ever killed had a skull that was 17.9" (46 cm) and 12.8" wide (33 cm). Such a bear, when standing on its hind feet, would be over 10' (3.0 m) tall.

Brown bears have an exceptionally acute sense of smell, exceeding that of dogs. Contrary to popular belief, bears are not nearsighted. Their eyesight and hearing are comparable to humans. They can run in short bursts up to 40 mph (64 kph) and are excellent swimmers. By all indications, bears are extremely intelligent and most have individual personalities.

BLACK BEARS

Black bears (Ursus americanus) are the most abundant and widely distributed of the three species of North American bears. They have been recorded in all states except Hawaii. In Alaska, black bears occur over most of the forested areas of the state. They are not found on the Seward Peninsula, on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, or north of the Brooks Range. They also are absent from some of the large islands of the Gulf of Alaska, notably Kodiak, Montague, Hinchinbrook and others, and from the Alaska Peninsula beyond the area of Lake Iliamma. In Southeast Alaska, black bears occupy most islands with the exceptions of Admiralty, Baranof, Chichagof, and Kruzof. These are inhabited by brown bears. Both species occur on the southeastern mainland. Black bears are most often associated with forests, but depending on the season of the year, they may be found from sea level to alpine areas.

General description: Black bears are the smallest of the North American bears. Adult bears stand about 29 inches (.73 m) at the shoulders and measure about 60 inches (1.5 m) from nose to tail. The tail is about two inches long. Males are larger than females. An average adult male in spring weighs about 180-200 pounds (81.8 to 90.9 kg). They are considerably lighter when they emerge from winter dormancy and may be 20 percent heavier in the fall when they are fat.

The color of this bear over its entire range varies from jet black to white. A very rare white or creamy phase occurs on Kermode Island and vicinity in British Columbia. Three colors are common in Alaska. Black is the most often encountered color, but brown or cinnamon bears are often seen in Southcentral Alaska and the Southeast mainland. The rare blue (glacier) phase may be seen in the Yakutat area and has been reported in other parts of Southeast Alaska. Only the black color phase is seen on the islands of Southeast. Black bears may have a patch of white hair on the fronts of their chests.

Black bears are most easily distinguished from brown bears by their straight facial profile and their claws which are sharply curved and seldom over 1½ inches in length. Positive identification can be made by measuring the upper rear molar which is never more than 11/2 inches long in the black bear and is never less than that in a brown bear. Black bears have adequate senses of sight and hearing. They do have, however, an outstanding sense of smell.

SITKA BLACK-TAILED DEER

The Sitka black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis) is native to the wet coastal rain forests of Southeast Alaska and north-coastal British Columbia. Its range has been expanded by transplants, and established populations now also exist near Yakutat, in Prince William Sound, and on Kodiak and Afognak islands.

General description: The Sitka black-tailed deer is smaller, stockier, and has a shorter face than other members of the black- tailed group. Fawns are born in early June and weigh 6 to 8 pounds (2.7-3.6 kg) at birth. The average October live weight of adults is about 80 pounds (36 kg) for does and 120 pounds (54.5 kg) for bucks, although dressed-weight bucks of over 200 pounds (90.1 kg) have been reported. The summer coat of reddish-brown is replaced by dark brownish gray in winter. Antlers are dark brown with typical black-tailed branching. Normal adult antler development is three points (including the eyeguard) on each side. Antlers are relatively small, with very few scoring more than 110 points by the Boone and Crockett system.

Their average life span is about 10 years, but a few are known to have attained an age of at least 15.

MOUNTAIN GOATS

The mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus) is the single North American representative of a unique group of mountain ungulates called the Rupicaprinae, or “rock goats”. They are characterized by relatively short horns and a fondness for living in rugged terrain.

Occupying remote habitat, little scientific information was recorded about mountain goats until the 1800's. Mountain goat hides had been obtained by Captain Cook as early as the late 1700s, but he had presumed that the specimens were of white bears, and the species was not described in the scientific literature until 1816. Even today, mountain goats are the least studied large mammal in North America. Alaska Natives, however, have a long history coexisting with mountain goats in Alaska dating back thousands of years. Alaska Native traditional knowledge, while not well documented in the contemporary literature, has undoubtedly contributed significantly to our understanding of mountain goats. Oral accounts of subsistence hunting and uses of mountain goat wool for weaving Chilkat and raven's tail blankets are particularly notable.

General description: Mountain goats are one of the two species of all-white, hoofed, large mammals found in Alaska. They are often confused with young and female Dall sheep, but are easily distinguished by black horns. Mountain goats are well adapted for extreme winter conditions and have a long, shaggy winter coat. A crest of long, erect hair up to eight or more inches in length runs along the length of the spine, on the rump, and over the shoulders and neck. Long hairs on the legs give the animal the appearance of wearing pantaloons. A shaggy crop of hair hangs down from the chin and lower jaw – a goatee. Mountain goats beginning shedding their winter coat in June, with adult males and subadults shedding-out before females. By mid-July mountain goats have a soft, sleek summer coat that is hardly longer than a Labrador retriever; this helps goats stay cool during hot summer periods. By the time the first winter snows dust the high country in mid-October, mountain goats have fully grown in their new winter coats. Both sexes have a crescent-shaped gland behind each horn that increases in size, particularly among males, during the rutting season.

The appearance of both sexes is much alike except that males are about 40% larger than females and have different shaped horns. Adult male and female mountain goat weights average about 260 and 180 lbs., respectively. However, large adult males can weigh up 350 lbs. The horns of an average adult female are equal in length to those of an average adult male but are more slender and bend back more sharply towards the tip. Sexes are extremely difficult to differentiate in the field unless the female is accompanied by a kid.

Goats are usually quite docile and their usual gait, even when alarmed, is a deliberate pace. The body structure is robust and muscular with a broad chest and powerful front and rear legs. Mountain goat hooves are specially designed for climbing in steep, rocky and slippery terrain. A close-up look reveals a hard keratinous sheath and a soft embedded pad that enable goats to gain purchase on the smallest of granite cracks while simultaneously gripping maximum surface area. Tracks are slightly larger than Sitka black-tailed deer but broader in appearance.

MARINE BIRDS and DUCKS

Numerous species of birds live in Prince William Sound at least part of the year, taking advantage of its abundant food and habitat offerings. Following are some of the most common: gulls, kittiwakes, murres, auklets, puffins, terns, crows, murrelets, geese ducks, cormorants, loons, grebes and bald eagles. Don’t forget to bring your binoculars for some great bird watching!

BALD EAGLES

The Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) of Alaska's waterways and the soaring Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) of the Interior are two of this state's most magnificent birds of prey. Long valued for their aesthetic beauty, eagles are now recognized for their biological importance as scavengers and predators in the natural environment. These raptors deserve our protection and respect.
General description: The Bald Eagle is so named for its conspicuous white head and tail. The distinctive white adult plumage is not attained until 5 or more years of age. Immature birds lack this easily identifiable characteristic and can be confused with the Golden Eagle. The immature Bald Eagle's unfeathered tarsi (lower legs) and whitish wing linings on the forward part of the wings, can be helpful distinctions where the two species coexist. The Bald Eagle is Alaska’s largest resident bird of prey (the Steller's Sea Eagle is larger) with a wing span up to 7 1/2 feet (2.3 m) long and weights of 8 to 14 pounds (3.6-6.4 kg). Like many raptors, females are larger than males.

PUFFINS

Puffins, because of their large colorful beaks and comical looks, are probably the most easily recognized and most popular Alaska seabirds. Puffins have probably been depicted on more tee-shirts, drinking cups, cards, and souvenir plates, been the subject of more drawings and paintings, and been made into more stuffed toys than any other Alaska bird except eagles and ravens.

Two species live in Alaskan waters: the Horned Puffin (Fratercula corniculata) and the Tufted Puffin (Fratercula cirrhata). They belong to the family Alcidae, which includes auks, auklets, murres, murrelets, and guillemots. Alcids spend most of their lives on the open sea and only visit land to breed in the summer. In Alaska, puffins breed on coastal islands and headlands from Forrester Island in southeastern Alaska to Cape Lisburne on the Chukchi Sea Coast. Horned Puffins are more prevalent farther north than Tufted Puffins.

General Description: The most striking puffin feature is the large colorful bill. Early sailors dubbed them the "sea parrot" from their stout bodies, short wings, and their orange or red webbed feet which are placed far back on their body. Both males and females have the same markings.

Horned puffins are the species most often depicted on souvenirs. In summer they have a black back and neck with white on the sides of the head and on their breast. The white breast is so distinctive that in one Eskimo language puffins are called katukh-puk, meaning "big white breast." The Horned Puffin has a small, fleshy, dark "horn" above each eye in the summer. The beak is bright yellow with a red tip. Adults are about 14 inches (36 cm) long and weigh about 1 1/4 pounds (600 gm).

Tufted Puffins are named for tufts of feathers that curl back from each side of the head. They have dark, black bodies and white faces. They have orange feet,and their bills are red and yellow.

Puffin bills are larger and more colorful in the summer nesting season than in winter. Both species shed the bill's outer layers in late summer, which leaves a smaller, drab-colored bill. Also, their bodies are not as distinctly marked with white but tend to be dusky gray.

HARLEQUIN DUCKS

The male harlequin duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) is a colorful, compact sea duck inhabiting Alaska's coasts for most of the year. The common name harlequin as well as the latin name Histrionicus (from "histrio" or stage player) come from the male plumage, said to resemble the gaily colored dress of medieval court jesters. Male harlequins are mostly a dark blue-gray, with bold accents. The face is white between the eye and dark gray bill. Black-bordered white markings include a spot over the ear, a streak on the side of the neck, a collar, and a bold sash from the shoulder to the breast. In addition, the black crown is highlighted by rust and there is a large rust patch on the flank. Females are generally a uniform grayish black, with light cheeks and spots above the eye and over the ear. Harlequin hens resemble bufflehead females that have a singular white face patch or, except for a much smaller size, female scoters. As with most sea ducks, harlequins do not mature or attain full adult plumage until they are 2 years old.

EIDER DUCKS

The eiders are sea ducks found across the arctic and subarctic zones of the northern hemisphere. All four of the world's eider species breed in Alaska, and many of these birds remain in the state's coastal waters during winter. The common, king, and spectacled eiders are among the largest ducks in North America. Steller's eiders are smaller and one of the most unique members of the duck tribe.

General description: As sea ducks, eiders have the physical characteristics of diving ducks: feet set far back on the body with a lobe of skin on the hind toe, thicker insulating plumage, and abundant body fat. Typically, male sea ducks have bold plumage patterns of black and white, with females being muted black, gray, and brown. Males of the four eider species are easy to distinguish by their black and white patterns and areas of soft vibrant color, unique to eiders. Unlike other sea duck females, eider hens are dominantly brown to rusty, with black bars and mottling that aids concealment during nesting. Females of the three large eiders are very similar, but they may be distinguished at close range by bill shape and subtle feather markings. Eider down, the fluffy underlayer of feathers, is an excellent insulator. Down is collected from nests on "eider farms" in Iceland and Scandinavia and marketed in sleeping bags and comforters.

LOONS

Loons are known as "spirits of the wilderness," and it is fitting that Alaska has all five species of loons found in the world. Loons are an integral part of Alaska's wilderness—a living symbol of Alaska's clean water and high level of environmental quality. Loons, especially common loons, are most famous for their call. The cry of a loon piercing the summer twilight is one of the most thrilling sounds of nature. The sight or sound of one of these birds in Alaskan waters gives a special meaning to many, as if it were certifying the surrounding as a truly wild place.

Description: Loons have stout bodies, long necks, pointed bills, three-toed webbed feet, and spend most of their time afloat. Loons are sometimes confused with cormorants, mergansers, grebes, and other diving water birds. Loons have solid bones, and compress the air out of their feathers to float low in the water. A loon's bill is held parallel to the water, but the cormorant holds its hooked bill at an angle. Mergansers have narrower bills and a crest. Grebes, also diving water birds, are relatively short-bodied. Loons can be distinguished from ducks in flight by their slower wing beat and low-slung necks and heads.

The five species of loons found in Alaska are the common, yellow-billed, red-throated, pacific and arctic. Common loons (Gavia immer), have deep black or dark green heads and necks and dark backs with an intricate pattern of black and white stripes, spots, squares, and rectangles. The yellow-billed loon (Gavia adamsii) is similar, but it has white spots on its back and a straw-yellow bill even in winter. The yellow-billed is the largest of the loons (30-36 inches long) and one of the largest diving birds in North America.

SWANS

Trumpeter swans (Cygnus buccinator) and tundra swans (C. columbianus) are the two species of swans native to North America, both nesting in Alaska. The tundra swan was formerly named the whistling swan. A few whooper swans (C. cygnus), an Asian temperate region relative to trumpeters, are occasionally seen in the Aleutian Islands during winter.

General description: The trumpeter is the world's largest member of the waterfowl family, with males averaging 28 pounds (12.7 kg) and females averaging 22 pounds (10.0 kg). Eggs of trumpeters sometimes are 5 inches long (12.6 cm)! Like all swans, the sexes have identical plumage, and both tundra and trumpeter swan adults are all white. However, in some Alaska locales, iron-rich marshes stain head and neck feathers a rusty color. Feathers of immature swans are an ash gray color, and some gray feathers remain evident on the heads and necks of swans that are 1 and 2 years old. Trumpeter swans have an angular wedge-shaped head profile, with the black of the bill appearing to merge with the eye. Their bills are all black, with a red border on the mandible (lower jaw). One sure way to identify trumpeters is by their deep, French horn-like call, compared to the higher "whoop" of the tundra swan.

Although less than two-thirds the size of trumpeters, tundra swans are often difficult to distinguish from their close relative when seen in the field. Adult tundra swans frequently, but not always, have a yellow spot on their black bill near the eye. Their profile suggests a forehead and the eye appears separate from the bill.

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