80 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA. 



marshes bordering fresh-water ponds on the Magdalen islands by- 

 Bishop. Although not a common bird in Labrador, Spread- 

 borough found it breeding there July 7th, 1896. In Quebec and 

 Ontario it still breeds in diminished numbers, but evidently its 

 chief breeding grounds are towards the Atlantic coast and Hudson 

 bay. A few stragglers reach Manitoba, but the writer never ob- 

 served any west of the Red River valley. Macfarlane obtained 

 the birds at the Anderson river, Mackenzie valley, but no eggs. 



Breeding Notes. — A few birds of this species were seen in the 

 northern part of Labrador, July 7th, 1896. On this date a nest was 

 taken, containing four eggs, nearly hatched. A few breeding on 

 the Missinabi river. Breeding in great numbers on both sides of 

 James bay. Indians destroy great numbers of young ducks in 

 July. Saw over 70 killed with sticks in one afternoon. {Spread- 

 borough.) The black duck builds generally on the ground at the 

 foot of a tree or low bush. The nest is composed of weeds and 

 grass, nicely lined with feathers, apparently from the breast of the 

 mother bird. The eggs are usually eight or nine in number, and 

 are of a pale, dirty-yellowish drab. A nest found near Ottawa, 

 Ont., on the 24th May, 1897, had eleven eggs in it. It was built 

 at the foot of a little pine tree about 20 yards from the water. 

 {G. R. White.) Breeds at Rice lake, south of Peterboro, Ontario. 

 {Rai?ie.) 



A very common species in the St. Lawrence valley, where it 

 breeds abundantly. I have seen young broods in the counties of 

 Leeds and Lanark in the month of June. This bird breeds early, 

 commencing to lay sometimes in April. I found a nest contain- 

 ing twelve eggs on the 24th May, 1897, under singular circum- 

 stances. Anxious to know whether the loon had again returned 

 to its breeding-ground in a small lake about fifteen miles from 

 Brockville, Ont., I went to the place and procured a boat. There, 

 sure enough, was the nest on the edge of a floating bog and clump 

 of flags, and whilst I was examining the nest and the two eggs in 

 it, out flew a black duck from amongst the last year's flags, not an 

 oar's length from the loon's nest. Feeling sure the eggs were there 

 I managed to reach the spot, though the bog was very shaky, and 

 saw the nest with the number of eggs mentioned. The place 

 where the nest was made was not exactly wet, as there was a mat- 

 ted foundation of dry weeds among which it was well concealed, 



