Habits op the Old-S(^ua\v 117 



extended aeeoiiiit of the habits of the species inland seems to 

 have been -written, and it is in part to supply this deficiency 

 that tlie following notes are recorded. 



ENVIRONMENT. 



Jackson Park is noted for its beautiful chain of lagoons, 

 which bears a striking resemblance to a large river. Both 

 ends of the chain are connected with Lake j\Iieliigan. at the 

 connections being spanned by bridges. The lagoons in thi? 

 main are broad and fairly deep at the middle, l)ut become 

 very narrow in places, more especially at the several bridges. 

 Along the sides in shallow water are broad zones of the 

 crisped pondweed {Potamogeton crispns), a European plant, 

 not long in this region, but already exceedingly abundant and 

 vigorous. With this species occur a few less conspicuous 

 plants. Rocks have been thrown in about the edges in places. 

 The lake itself which borders the park on the east is shel- 

 tered much by a harbor and somewhat by piers built into it. 

 The plants, rocks and piers constitute a very favorable habitat 

 for immense swarms of silvery minnows (Notropis atJicri- 

 noidcs), which seem to be almost if not entirely the solo 

 source of food for the 01d-S(iuaw in this locality. 



OCCURRENCE AND ABUNDANCE. 



Where two or more birds are found together tliey do not 

 appear until severe weather sets in, and the lake is covered 

 more or less with ice, l)ut leaving several open places here and 

 there, especially about the piers, Avhere the birds are able 

 to obtain food. My earliest record is January 28, 1912, when 

 eleven were seen, and the latest February 27, 1913. when 

 four Avere seen. The occurrence of flocks and twos is cer- 

 tainly determined by the weather. Solitary individuals may 

 appear much earlier and remain much later. 'Sly earliest 

 record is December 14, 1913, and the latest :\Iay 6. 1912. 

 Another very late record is April 8, 1914. In two cases at 

 least these early or late birds appeared following a cold wave, 

 but they were associated with the Lesser Scaup, and in all 



