ANATINJ^ — THE DUCKS — FULIX. 27 



obtained it at Mazatlaii in Western Mexico, and Mr. John Xantus on the Kio de 

 Coahuano in the same region. Mr. Dresser, in his journey from San Antonio to Eagle 

 Pass, in Western Texas, in December, shot one of this species on the Nueces River, 

 and saw several others at the same time and place. 



This Duck occurs on the Pacific coast at least as far north as Vancouver Island, 

 where it was taken by Mr. R. Browne. Dr. Cooper mentions that a single specimen 

 of this species was obtained near the Straits of Fuca by Dr. Kennerly, when with the 

 Northwestern Boundary Expedition in 1857. It was shot September 14 ; and from its 

 occurrence so early in the season in that latitude the inference may be drawn that it 

 occasionally comes into California in the winter, unless only an accidental visitor to 

 the Pacific coast. Dr. Cooper does not regard it as common there, but states that it 

 may be found to the south as far as Mexico, and that it is usually seen in localities 

 similar to those in which the Blue-bill occurs. 



Mr. George A. Boardmau informs me that this Duck is seen every summer in the 

 vicinity of Calais, and that it breeds there. The same gentleman states in the " Natur- 

 alist " (y. 121) that in the spring of 1870 he found several flocks of the Ring-necked 

 Duck breeding on the river near Calais, and that in one instance he secured the old 

 birds and the young ducklings. In the summer of 1874 Mr. Boardmau was so fortu- 

 nate as to meet with the nest and eggs of this species. The nest, containing eleven 

 eggs, was placed among the reeds and thick grass on the banks of the St. Croix 

 River, and was made of dry grasses, but without any down. 



This Duck is of not infrequent occurrence in Eastern Massachusetts, where it is 

 usually seen on the larger streams near their mouths ; but it has been taken in several 

 instances in the Merrimack just below Haverhill. Mr. William Brewster shot a 

 specimen near Belmont, Mass., November, 1867 ; and several other instances of its 

 capture in this region are recorded. 



This Duck is mentioned by Giraud as of occasional occurrence on Long Island. 

 By the hunters of tliat locality it is generally considered as a hybrid, and is familiarly 

 known as the "Bastard Broad-bill." Along the sea-coast it is not abundant, but a 

 fcAv of this species are observed almost every spring and autumn on the south shore 

 of Long Island, and at Egg Harbor, New Jersey. On the streams of the interior it 

 is quite common during the winter. Mr. Giraud met with it on the Ohio in various 

 localities, and also on the Mississippi as far south as New Orleans. It associates with 

 others of the same species in small flocks, and is usually observed flying but a short 

 distance above the water. The largest flock Mr. Giraud ever noticed consisted of 

 from nine to twelve individuals. These he saw at the mouth of the Licking River. 

 They were not so plentiful in the vicinity of Cincinnati as they were farther down 

 the Ohio. 



A single specimen was obtained at Bermuda by Mr. Hurdis in November. It was 

 a young bird in the plumage of the first season which had been taken alive, and an 

 attempt was made to keep it. 



Richardson states that this species breeds in all parts of the Fur Country, from 

 the 50th parallel to its most northern limits. Whether this is given on his own 

 knowledge or on the authority of others does not appear. There has been no farther 

 evidence confirmatory of his statement, which quite possibly is not correct. 



Audubon speaks of this Duck as being abundant on all the western waters during 

 the autumn and winter. It is also met with along our Atlantic coast, but by no means 

 in such numbers as in the interior. He says that its flesh is excellent, being fat, 

 tender, and juicy, and having none of the fishy flavor of those species which are in 

 the habit of diving deep for their food. This Duck arrives in the region between 



