292 NINTH ANNUAL REPORT OP 



green heron, (Ardea virescens,) curlew, {Namejims longirostr'is,) sand- 

 pipers, (TrhigcE,) yellow-feet, {ToUmus vocifcrus,) smaller do., [T. jia- 

 vipes, (peet-weet,) (T. manihmus,) upland plover, {T. hartramn?) snipe, 

 [Scolapax wilsonii,) a few woodcock, {Sc. minor,) rail, (Rallus,) coot, 

 {Fulica americana,) horned grebe, {Podiccps comutus,) terus, {Sterna^ 

 several species,) goose, {Anscr canadensis,) brant, {A. bernicla,) loon, 

 [Cohjmbus glacialis,) Mergus merganser, M. cucullatus. Ducks of the fol- 

 lowing species, and doubtless others not identified : the golden-eye, 

 {Fidigula clangttla,) scaup duck, or blue-bill, {F. marila,) bufFel-head, 

 {F. albeola,) dusky duck, [Anus ohscura,) mallard, {A. bosckas,) summer 

 duck, [Amis sj)onsa,) and teal {A. discors and A. crecca). The ducks* 

 pass this point nearly in the order of the above enumeration, on their 

 way northward, the first appearing about the middle of April, and re- 

 turn nearly in an inverse order late in August and early in September. 

 A few indivichials of nearly all the above-mentioned species appear to 

 ibreed in this latitude, as does also occasionally the Canada goose. 

 Lingering for a few weeks about the rice-lakes in this vicinity, where 

 they acquire a fine condition and flavor, they continue their course to 

 the south in October and November, by the middle of which month the 

 last of the migratory tribes have disappeared ; and the grouse having 

 retired into the recesses of the forest, the raven, blue jay, and snow 

 bunting are left apparently the sole feathered inhabitants of this deso- 

 late region. 



The reptiles have scarcely been noted. Of serpents, the only species 

 seen are the common "garter snake," {Coluber sirtalis,) and a species 

 of adder. The rattle-snake, if ever met above the falls of St. Anthony, 

 must be very rare. Two are reported to have been killed at Sac 

 Rapids, about 50 miles south of this place. 



The Jish most abundant in the Mississippi at this point, and in the 

 neighboring streams and sm.all lakes, (which appear to be least scantily 

 supplied with them,) are the "glass-eye," Ohio "salmon," or pike 

 perch, {Luciopcrca americana,) lake bass, {Grystes ?iigrica,ns?) and 

 rock bass, {Centrarchus ceneus'?) or species much resembling them; 

 yellow perch, (Perca jiavescens,) of small size and somewhat rare ; a 

 large species of sun-fish, {Pomotis appendix,) pike weighing from one to 

 eight pounds, (Esox vittatus?) small cat-fish, {Pimelodus,) and a variety 

 of suckers, &c., {Ci/prhiidae). The gar-pike {Lepidoste^is) has never 

 been seen, nor are any of the salmonidae found in the streams falling 

 into the Mississippi north of the Falls of St. Anthony. A species of 

 whitefish, called by the Indians tulabie, (a Coregonus?) is taken, how- 

 ever, in some of the lakes nearer to the sources of this river. A large 

 pike, specifically distinct from that above mentioned, and weighing 

 from eight to forty pounds, is occasionally taken here, and more fre- 

 quently in the river Minnesota. Two specimens captured here 

 weighed, respectively, 18 or 20 pounds. The only one examined 

 seems to differ both from E. boreus and E. estor. 



The entomologist would find a wide field for research in this region. 

 Insect life here appears to compensate for its brevity by its astonishing 

 activity. During the short summer, the woods and prairies swarm 



*The canvass-back duck and red-head (F. valisneria and F. ferina) have never been ob- 

 served here, though both are frequently met at Fort Snelling. 



