SUPPLEMENT TO BIRDS OF ESSEX COUNTY 



55 



twenty-five birds of this species came in to Chebacco Lake and were watched for 

 several minutes by Mr. Warren E. Freeman. An automobile startled them, and 

 as they flew, Mr. Freeman brought down five with a single-barrelled eight-gauge 

 gun. Dr. J. C. Phillips saw six Pintails at Clark's Pond, Ipswich, on Sep- 

 tember 6, 1914. 



I have watched the Pintail courting in partial confinement. The drake cocks 

 up his tail and extends and lowers his head until the bill almost or quite touches 

 the water, uttering at the same time a sliort 2vat it'at note. He then lifts his head 

 and elevates his breast like a horse backing, and presses his bill against his pure 

 white shirt-front. He frequently shakes his head nervously. At times the 

 motions are limited to an alternate lifting of the head and an elevation of the 

 stern. The duck in the meanwhile swims near uttering a rattling note and dab- 

 bing sidewise at the water in nervous trepidation. 



56 [144] Aix sponsa (Linn.). 



Wood Duck; "Summer Duck." 



Uncommon summer resident and transient visitor. March 20 to November 

 24 (IDecember). 



Eggs: May. 



A second December record for this duck is that of Damsell, at Amesbury, 

 for December 16, 1903. 



The Wood Duck has responded to the protection it now receives at all seasons, 

 and it appears not only to be holding its own but to be increasing in numbers in 

 Essex County. On August 2, 1916, Dr. J. C. Phillips saw a brood of eight young 

 at Wenham Lake, the first Wood Duck he had ever seen there. The courtship 

 I have described.^ 



57 [146] Marila americana (Eyt.). 



Redhead. 



Rare transient visitor, not uncommon at times in autumn. March 6 to April 

 3 ; October 4 to December 9. 



From 1905 to 1909 inclusive, 26 of these birds were shot at Dr. Phillips's 

 stand at Wenham Lake against 56 in the five years preceding. On October 12, 

 1915, five came in to decoys at Sagamore Pond, Ipswich, and four were shot by 

 the Goodale brothers. 



1 Townsend, C. W. Auk, vol. 33, pp. 15, 16, 1016. 



