82 



LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS — AXSERES. 



seemed to be present in about equal numbers, and were generally found together. 

 In June, however, he noticed numerous small flocks comjsosed entirely of males ; 

 and still later in the season — in the latter part of July, and in August — the flocks 

 were apparently all females, though perhaps partly composed of males in their au- 

 tumnal plumage. Throughout 

 the month of July, however, 

 solitary males could often be 

 started on the small outlying 

 rocky islands, apparently in 

 full spring colors, though gen- 

 erally unable to fly. They es- 

 caped by rapid swimming and 

 diving, and they could only be 

 shot or followed in a kyah when 

 circumstances were very favor- 

 able. Mr. Bannister's observa- 

 tions of this species led him to 

 believe that these birds dislike 

 swimming in rough water. On 

 windy days he has generally 

 seen them in small flocks squat- 

 ting along the upper edge of the 

 beach or swimming in the more 

 sheltered coves and inlets. The 

 noise made by these Ducks in 

 spring is said to be very pecu- 

 liar ; and when many are heard together — as is generally the case — it can only be 

 described as a continuous grunting. 



Mr. MacFarlane found this species breeding in great numbers on the Arctic coast, 

 near the mouth of Anderson Eiver. The nests were seen in various situations — 

 some on a rising band near the sea-shore, others on sloping ground three hundred feet 

 or more from the water. Some were on the coast, and others on islands in the bays. 

 All the nests were on the ground, and, for the most part, mere depressions in the 

 soil, but plentifully lined with down. Those found after the middle of June con- 

 tained more or less developed embryos. By the last of June the males appeared to 

 have left their mates, as Mr. MacFarlane noticed that the two sexes kept apart, 

 although they were occasionally seen in pairs. In some cases Mr. MacFarlane found 

 what he believed to be eggs of the spectabilis in the same nest with those of the 

 V-nigrum, for which fact he could only account on the supposition that the former 

 had dispossessed the latter, who were the original and rightful OAvners. He also 

 noticed that the number of females seemed to be always in excess of that of the 

 males ; and it may be that this Eider is also to some extent polygamous — as is also 

 the moUissima, two females sometimes using the same nest. 



The largest number of eggs recorded by Mr. MacFarlane as having been found in 

 any one nest is apparently six — and this in only one instance; the general numl)er 

 was five. Mr. Dall, in his second paper, states that this Duck is apparently a resident 

 in the Aleutian Islands. Wintering abundantly at Unalashka, it seeks its breeding- 

 grounds in the islands to the westward; and it is certain that the large flocks which 

 winter in Captain's Bay do not breed in the immediate vicinity, while this is the most 

 common Duck among the western islands throughout the summer. 



Female. 



