510 Annals of the Carnkgie Museum. 



record for 1900. In the fall the first, a young male, was shot at Crystal 

 Point on November 8. A male in incomplete adult plumage was killed 

 over decoys in Horseshoe Pond the following day, and on November 

 12 two females were shot at Crystal Point. There were also examined 

 a few adults in the possession of a gunner who had shot them on Nov- 

 ember 17, which was the last date opportunity was afforded to record, 

 but in Mr. IJacon's notes mention is made of a freshly killed bird seen 

 by him on December 8 of the same year. Again in 1903, on a brief 

 visit to the Peninsula, the writer saw a single bird in possession of a 

 gunner, said to have been killed on December 7. All the specimens 

 preserved by us were excessively fat. 

 18. Merganser serrator. Red-breasted Merganser. 



With the single exception of the Desser Scaup Duck, the present spe- 

 cies, known to the local gunners as "Fish Duck," is the commonest 

 of the Aiuitidiv during the season of migration, both in si)ring and fall. 

 Although doubtless present previously, the first record in 1900 was 

 made March 27, and it was common throughout April and for a few 

 days in May, while a flock of stragglers was observed as late even as 

 May 25. Thus its period of migration at this place extended over 

 almost two months. Although single individuals and small' parties 

 were often met with, it was usually found in larger flocks on the bay, 

 being detected but once in the ponds. In the fall it was first noted on 

 October 17, soon becoming numerous, and thus continued up to the 

 time of our departure. At this season it was one of the few ducks that 

 frequented the lake proper, and there were occasions when a number 

 of flocks were visible at one time from the outside beach. It was also 

 one of the species which was readily decoyed, and was thus the source 

 of much annoyance to gunners who were in quest of more edible kinds. 

 As a diver it is most expert, and the writer has repeatedly seen an en- 

 tire flock while engaged in feeding disappear beneath the surface simul- 

 taneously. It is said to remain in the fall until the bay freezes over. 

 Mr. Bacon's notes on this merganser are interesting as tending to prove 

 that it occasionally remains through the summer to breed. He says : 

 " I have seen large flocks here as late as May 19 (1900), and on May 

 30, 1901, I saw a dozen birds. I have several times seen young mer- 

 gansers on the bay in July and August, and on one occasion (July 27, 

 1893) I shot one. All of these birds I am (juite certain were of this 

 species, although since I have regretted not having made the identifi- 

 cation more positive. On September 6, 1900, I killed an old bird of 



