1H87.] PROCEEDINGS OE UNITED c^TATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 195 



Aythya marila nearctica Stcjii. Amcrii-an Saiui> Duel;. 



This, and the next two species ure inserted in this list on the iiuthoiity 

 of Mr. Ileushiiw, who records them as migrants and winter visitants iu 

 the northeastern part of the State. 



Aythya affinis (Eyt.). Lesxcr Scaup Duck. 

 Aythya collaris (Doiiov.). Hhitj-ncclcd Duck. 



Glacionetta clangula americana (Boiiap.)- American (i olden-eye. 



The goldeu-eye m as frequently observed on the Lower McCloud in 

 fall and winter, and Mr. Fiebig informed me of its irregular occurrence 

 at Humboldt Bay. 



Chaiitonetta albeola (Linn.). Bufflc-liead. 



Apparently scarce in the interior, but 1 saw a female on a small 

 tribuary of the Lower Pitt Kiver in January, 1884, and the Feilner col- 

 lection shows that it has been taken at Fort Crook. Subsequently I 

 found it common on the coast at Humboldt Lay. 



Oideniia fusca (Linn.). I'elret Scoter. 



Both this and the next species are very common at Humboldt Bay. 



Oidemia perspicillata (Luni. }. Surf Scolcr. 



Chen hyperborea (Pall.). Leaner Show Goone. 



An abundant winter resident, being especially numerous in the Sacra- 

 mento Valley. On one occasion at lied Blutt", while watching the inces- 

 sant northward movement of the geese from the Sacramento Valley, I 

 saw a triangle of Canada geese headed by a single one of this species, 

 the two waving lines of dark forms converging in a snow white point. 

 The nuusual spectacle attracted the attention of pedestrians on the 

 street. Other triangles, composed of the two species flying in ai)parent 

 harmony, were seen frecpiently. When passing down the Sacramento 

 Valley on the cars, Hocks of these white geese in company with other 

 darker kinds were sometimes seen settling in the wheat almost within 

 gunshot of the train. 



Anser albifrous gambeli (Ilartl.). American White-fronted Goose. 

 Very abundant in winter. 



Branta canadensis (Linn.)- Canada Goose. 



xV very abundant winter resident of jS^orthern California, but exceeded 

 in numbers by the following: 



Branta canadensis hutchinsi (8\v. and Kick.). Uulchins's Goose. 



The most abundant species. California is blessed with a large and 

 varied assortment of waterfowl, but is specially celebrated in this 

 respect for the vast multitudes of wild Geese which winter in the interior 

 valleys. In the Sacramento Valley the Geese in their aggregate num- 



