11 



NuMENius LONGiROSTRis. Has disappeared from this part of 

 the State, though a few probably visit other and unsettled por- 

 tions. 



Order — ANSERES. Family — ANATID.E. 



Bernicla Canadensis. Abounds largely, and occasionally 

 breeds in our State. A curious fact connected with the habits of 

 this bird, is the intelligence displayed in opening and keeping 

 open ponds and slues upon which ice has formed, or is forming. 

 A flock alights upon the thin ice and commences a jumping-up 

 process, at the same time giving hard blows with their wings. 

 When the ice has thus been sufficiently broken to admit them 

 into the water, there begins a splashing process, and this is con- 

 tinued at intervals, by individuals, during the night, preventing 

 ice from forming. Large flocks of this bird frequent our small 

 lakes and ponds during the fall, from whence they go out upon 

 the grain fields to feed. They are shot in considerable numbers 

 at this season. B. Hutchinsii. Rare. B. Brenta. Abun- 

 dant in all parts of the State, and large numbers breed here. 



Anser Bruchi. An occasional visitor. A, hyperboreus. 

 Frequently found in company with the B. Ca7iadensiSj sometimes 

 in separate flocks. Not very numerous. 



Cygnus Americanus. Rare. 



Anas boschas. Exceedingly abundant, and breeds here in 

 great numbers. A. obscura. Found in small numbers in our 

 rivers and lakes during the fall, especially those bordered by the 

 wild rice. Breeds in the State. 



Chaulelasmus strepera. The first observed in the State, 

 was procured by me in a recent excursion on Fox River. 



Mareca Americana. Abundant. 



Dafila acuta. Common. 



Aix spoNSA. Found here in great numbers ; nearly every 

 wooded stream abounding with them. In autumn they gather in 

 large flocks about the rice marshes, along the margins of our 

 rivers. 



QuERQUEDULA Carolinensis. Common. 



