74: TnH A\'nsox Bulletin — No. 67. 



thousands are even iireseiit on any day. This siiecies may constitute 

 a tliird of all the ducks on some days. The Black Ducks flush from 

 their feediui? places in the s\Aamp vegetation readily. Indeed, it is 

 next to impossiltle to stalk them to within gun range. Tiiey rest on 

 the open waters of the bay. or well out in the lake, where great flocks 

 often blacken its surface. The first arrive about the first of March 

 and the bulk have gone north by the first of April, but a few gener- 

 ally linger even well into ]May. The first return about October 15, 

 and the numbers reach a maximum within two weeks. There are al- 

 most alwaj's considerable numbers present until cold weather in late 

 December or early Janiiary closes the marshes. In mild winters a 

 good many remain all winter. 



22. Chdulelasrnii.s stfepenis. — Gadwall. 



An examination of the bags of the hunters usually results in a few 

 specimens of this fast disappearing duck. It seems to be one of the 

 rarest of the ducks now, but I am told that not more than fifteen 

 years ago it was common. I have no reliable migration dates. 



23. Mareca (iniericaiia. — Baldpate. 



During the spring migrations of 1907, 1908,- and 1909. it was one of 

 the more common species of ducks at the Sandusky marshes, becom- 

 ing common on the 18th, 16th, and loth of March respectively, and 

 remaining so until May 6, 1907, and April 2, 1908. Of course it flies 

 out to the lake when hard pressed in the marshes, but the greatest 

 numbers have been found on the larger areas of open water in the 

 marshy regions east of the mouth of Black Channel. One need never 

 be in doubt about the identity of this species when the notes are once 

 learned. To Avindward of large flocks I have heard the mingled 

 notes of the flock at a distance of nearly a mile. On Mondays, when 

 the Ohio game laws forbid shooting, these ducks gather in com- 

 panies of hundreds on a certain stretch of open water in the marsh 

 and may there be seen courtins, iilaying and flghting. or tipping up 

 while feeding. 



The migrations begin with the second general migration wave — in 

 the second week of March generally — and the bulk are gone north 

 i)y the middle of April. Individuals and even small flocks may re- 

 main as late as May 20 (1907). Fall records are entirely wanting 

 from my books. Almost none of these ducks are found far from the 

 marshes, but when they are I have found them singly or in twos on 

 the small field ponds. 



21. IS'clliiii) Caroline II sin. — (Ireen-wiuged Teal. 



I have only three records, all of which are for the Oberlin Water 

 Works reservoir, as follows : March 29 and October IG, 1899. one 



