520 Annals of the Carnegie Museum. 



32. Fuligula affinis. Lesser Scaup Duck. 



The Lesser Scaup is by far the commonest duck at Erie Bay, as 

 well as the one the migration of which in the spring covers, perhaps, 

 the longest period. No doubt a few always winter here ; at any rate 

 they appear just as soon as the ice breaks up. At the time of our 

 arrival in the spring of 1900 (March 23) they were already numerous, 

 and with the breaking up and final disappearance of the ice the flocks 

 were augmented by fresh accessions from the south. They were rarely 

 observed on the main lake, and only occasionally on the ponds, the bay 

 being their chosen haunt. Here they were found in flocks numbering 

 sometimes hundreds of individuals, often associated with other species 

 of sea-ducks, but always outnumbering them. These flocks were wild 

 and could not be approached in a boat within one hundred yards, but 

 refused to leave the bay, rising merely to settle in another jjart until 

 again disturbed. However, many were killed over decoys set out at 

 various points, even in the open bay during foggy weather, when a 

 boat could be anchored at the ])roi)er distance. A favorite feeding- 

 ground, to which the birds persisted in returning despite constant 

 persecution, lay between one hundred and three hundred yards, off the 

 mouth of Mill Creek, where the water was only a few feet deep. No 

 diminution in the abundance of the species was evident until late in 

 April, and many were observed through May, usually at or near the 

 spot just mentioned. Some specimens were shot to determine whether 

 these late staying individuals were " pensioners " or birds in normal 

 condition, but not enough were secured to warrant a final conclusion. 

 Thus a specimen taken May 7 was apparently a healthy, well-developed 

 bird, while one shot May 24 had been wounded earlier in the season. 

 Another secured May 10 had its breast plumage ragged and cut, and a 

 strongly smelling carcass ; it was doubtless a sick bird. The presence 

 of this duck thus late in the season is a regular occurrence every year, 

 as is evident from the statements of local gunners and from Mr. Bacon's 

 notes. He says : " I am certain that this species does not breed here, 

 but it occurs in numbers all through the spring and well into the sum- 

 mer months. Karly in June of every year there is always a fair-sized 

 flock feeding on the bay. Thus on June 21, 1901, I saw about fifty 

 birds, both males and females, in one flock, and on July 9, 1892, I 

 .saw a party of eight ; this latter date is, however, my latest summer 

 record." In further support of this statement may be recorded a 

 party of five seen by the writer on June 17, 1897, off the mouth of 



