36 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OP 



very great in March, and few are found later. I do not know 

 that more than one species is resident. 



Bernicla canadensis. 



A few geese ma^'^ come in October, but they are not plenty for 

 a month subseuqently. Some are to be seen in April, but the 

 greater number depart in March. I think that occasionally a 

 pair ma}^ remain to breed in the vicinity, as I have seen a brood 

 in domestication, said to have been raised from the egg ; a state- 

 ment that bears weight from the impossibilit}^ of procuring young 

 birds in any other wa}'. But such instances are doubtless excep- 

 tional. Geese may be procured, in season, for a dollar, or even 

 less, apiece ; a fact of itself attesting their abundance. 



Bernicla brenta. 



Common in winter, and seen until April 6. This and the last 

 were the only geese observed ; uor did I ever hear the gunners 

 allude to any white ones, though I should judge that A. hyper- 

 boreus would also occur in winter. 



Anas boschas. 

 Very common. 



Anas obscura. 

 Common. 



Dafila acuta. 



Common. Among the earlier October arrivals. 



Cbaulelasmus streperus. 

 Common. 



Mareca americanai 

 Common. 



Querquedula discors. 

 Nettion carolinensis. 



Both teals are very common, and are among the first to arrive, 

 and the last to leave ; flights occurring in September, and some- 

 times even in August. 



Aiz sponsa. 



Resident ; abundant ; breeds on the island. 



The Anatiuffi, as a group, are outnumbered in the harbor by 

 the Fuligulinn?, and none of them are so numerous as some of the 

 sea-ducks. The reverse is said to be the case on the inland waters. 



[May 2, 



