144 



nest, which I was certain must be near. The dense grass, about three 

 feet high, proved an efl'ectual shield, however, and I was compelled to 

 depart without the coveted eggs. The middle of June, 1876, while 

 rowing among the numerous rice patches upon Grass Lake, in com- 

 pany with Mr. T. H. Douglas, a ruddy duck arose a short distance ia 

 advance and flew ofT in plain view, leaving no doubt as to the species, 

 as we both recognized it at sight. The only other record of the 

 occurrence of this species in the United States during the breeding 

 season is that of Dr. Coues, who, while connected with the Northern 

 Boundary Survey, found them breeding in numbers in Northern Da- 

 kota and Montana. ■* 



Genus Mergus Linn. 



286. M. merganser iwiH. Goosander. Very common migrant, 

 and a few remain about airholes in streams and ponds or upon Lake 

 Michigan, during the winter. I do not think this species remains to 

 breed, but it is barely possible it may in rare cases. Ai'rives the last 

 of October and departs the last of March and first of April. 



287. M. serrator iijm. Ekd-bkeasted MERGAisfSER. The rarest 

 species of the genus in this vicinity. Frequents small reedy lakes, 

 where it is a rare summer resident. Nests upon old muskrat houses. 

 The migrations are : in fall, from October first to the last of Novem- 

 ber; in spring, the last of March to the first of May. A very rare 

 winter resident. During the height of the migrations it is rather 

 common upon Lake Michigan in small flocks. 



288. M. eucuUatus Luin. Hooded Merganser. Very abundant 

 migrant. Common winter resident upon Lake Michigan. Breeds 

 sparingly throughout the state. Arrives the last of October and 

 remains until the first of April. The last of August, 1875, I found 

 several pairs of these birds with partly grown young upon some small 

 lakes in Union County, Southern Illinois. 



Family PELECANID^. 

 Genus Pelecanus Linn. 



289. P. trachyrhynehus Lath. White Pelican. At present 

 an exceedingly rare visitant during the migrations. Formerly they 

 were regular and rather common migrants. Still migrate along the 

 Mississippi Kiver. 



Family GRACULID.^. 

 Genus Graculus Linn. 



290. G. dilophus var. dilophus Sw. Double-crested Cor- 



