128 THE DUSKY DUCK. 



tions, and quite a few remaining to breed in suitable places. 

 When passing north in spring, sometimes in single pairs, 

 sometimes in groups of pairs, they seem to tarry for a few 

 weeks, selecting certain feeding grounds — shallow pools 

 and ditches about the fields — to which they attend regu- 

 larly, unless seriously disturbed. Like the Mallards, they 

 are particularly Ducks of the ponds and the puddle-holes. 

 Here, by proper caution in the use of some screen, they 

 may be easily shot, especially about day-break. These 

 Ducks, as also the Mallards, are occasionally seen in enor- 

 mous flocks in early spring on submerged grain-fields of 

 the previous year, in the vicinity of Tonawanda Swamp, a 

 large territory extending along the southern border of this 

 county (Orleans), and many miles beyond. 



On the 7th of last April (1881), the Ducks flew in great num- 

 bers in these flooded regions. I was watching them from a 

 retired point of view. They flew mostly in pairs, and were 

 nearly all of the species I am now describing. I noticed 

 that they all made for a certain corner of a flooded field 

 which was nearly surrounded by a forest. They would fly 

 in grand circles around it and at a considerable height for 

 some time, and having thus thoroughly surveyed the 

 ground, would sail with down-curved wings till the great 

 momentum of their speed was broken, and then drop down 

 gradually, holding the body in an oblique position, and 

 flapping the wings forward just as a bird does in hovering, 

 thus alighting easily and gracefully. Being curious to 

 see the place of rendezvous, I crept stealthily around to 

 one side of it, but before I could get within gunshot the 

 Ducks rose e7i masse. There must have been many hun- 

 dreds, and the noise of their wings was like the roll of 

 thunder. I hid behind the fence, thinking they might 

 return; but these Ducks are very shy, and gave me no 



