300 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. [Sept. 



Gadwall, or Grai/ Duck, Chaiilelasmus strepems (Linn,) — 

 Rare : does not breed on the island, but is occasionally killed 

 durino' its periodical migration. 



Baldpate, or American Widgeon,^ Mareca americana {Gmelin.) 

 — A common summer migrant, and when fat one of the best 

 flavoured of American ducks. The adult male of this species, 

 which is called a " Cock Widgeon " by the settlers, is, in summer 

 plumage and fresh killed, one of the handsomest ducks in 

 Newfoundland. 



English Widgeon^ M. Penelope ? (Linn.) — Although only a 

 straggler ta the continent of Morth America, it is not improbable 

 that this species occasionally occurs in Newfoundland, especially 

 en route from Greenland to the United States, whence most of the 

 captures are recorded. 



Scaup Duck, or Big Blackhead, Fulix marila (Linn.) — A very 

 rare struggler to the N. W. coast. 



American Scaup Duck, F. affinis, (Eyton). — Occasionally shot 

 in spring or fall, but rarely seen at Cow Head. 



Bing-necked Duck, F. collaris (Donovan). — Equally rare with 

 the preceding species. 



Aythya americana (Eyton) and A. vallisneria (Wilson) may 

 reasonably be expected to occur in Newfoundland. 



American Golden Eye, Bucephala americana (Bon.) — A very 

 common summer migrant ; one of the first to arrive in spring and 

 remains until frozen out in the fall. Breeds in holes in trees, 

 sometimes near the ground, but very frequently fifteen or twenty 

 feet high, and often a considerable distance from water. The 

 hole is generally made in a rotten tree, and I think always by the 

 bird itself: it is called the " pie duck" by the settlers, and the 

 young birds are considered good eating. 



Buff el-headed Duck, or Butter Ball, B. albeola (Linn.) — 

 Rare ; at least at Cow Head, where it is called the " Spirit 

 Duck." 



* A male Mareca which I obtained in Newfoundland differs from type 

 specimens in being of an uniform dark brown on the back, without the 

 ordinary tranverse bars; in its smaller size (barely 19 inches ; wing 10; 

 tarsus 1.10) ; legs and feet blue ; irides white ; culmen less convex ; 

 and by having a broad conspicuous white band on the wings. Mr. G. 

 R. Gray and Professor I^ewton are unable to refer the specimen to any 

 other species than M. americana, — H. E. 



