NATURAL HISTORY. 417 



autumn visitant; passing through early in the spring, and returning in 

 the fall about the 1st of October. Yery common in the fall. 



185. Cygnus americanus, Sharpless. — American Swan, Winter 

 resident. Not common. Seen sometimes on the river, and frequently 

 exposed for sale in the market. 



186. Bernida canadensis, (Linn.,)Boie. — Canada Goose. Wild Goose. 

 Winter resident. Common, but seen most frequently in the air, 

 flying over. Arrive in fall just before the first approach of severe 

 weather. Found in market through the winter. 



187. Aims hoscJias^ (Linn.) — Mallard. Ver}' abundant winter resi- 

 dent. Found upon the Potomac and Anacostia rivers, and (more 

 rarely) upon creeks and ponds. 



188. Alias obscura, Gm. — Dusky Mallard. Black Mallard. Not 

 rare. Habits same as those of preceding. 



189. Dafila acuta, (Linn.,) Jenyns. — Pintail Duck. Sprig-tail. 

 Winter resident. Common. Found mostly along the margins of the 

 rivers, and sometimes inland. Arrive about the first of October. 



190. Nettion carolinensis, (Gm,,)Baird. — Green-winged Teal. Win- 

 ter resident. Abundant. Found chiefly along the marshes of the 

 Potomac and Anacostia. Arrives sooner than most of the ducks, 

 about the middle of September. 



191. Qnerqiiedula discors, (Linn.,) Steph. — Blue-winged Teal. Win- 

 ter resident. The most abundant of the ducks. Habits much as 

 those of preceding. 



192. Chauldasmus streperus, (Linn.,) Gray. — Gadwall. Winter 

 resident. Habits similar to those of the Mallard, with which it is 

 often found associated, but it is less numerous. 



193. Mareca americana, (Gm.,) Stephens. — Widgeon. Winter 

 resident. Arrives in the fall about the first of October, and departs 

 in spring during the month of April. Very abundant and not so 

 difficult of approach as are most of the ducks. 



194. Aix sponsa, (Linn.,) Boie. — Wood-duck. Summer Duck. 

 Permanent resident; but more abundant in winter, being seldom seen 

 in summer. Not very abundant at any time. 



195. FuUx marila, (Linn.,)Bd. — Greater Black-head Duck. Winter 

 resident. Not very abundant. Often exposed for sale in market, 

 but not much esteemed for food. 



196. Fulixaffi7iis, (Yorst.,) lid. — Lesser Black-head Duck. Winter 

 resident. Same as preceding. 



197. Fulix collaris, (Donovan,) Baird. — Ring-neck Duck. Winter 

 resident. Rare. Arrives in fall about the last week in September. 



198. Aythya americana, (Eyton,) Bon. — Red-head duck. Winter 

 resident. Very abundant. A common market duck, and frequently 

 oflered for sale as the canvas back. Found upon the ' ' flats ' ' of the 

 rivers, and occasionally on inland marshes. 



199. Aijthya vallisneria, (Wils.,)Bon. — Canvas-back duck. Winter 

 resident. At times exceedingly abundant. Highly prized by sports- 

 men and epicures. Habits much those of the preceding. 



200. Bucepliala americana, (Bon.,) Baird. — Golden-eye duck. Win- 

 ter resident. Rather abundant. Frequently seen in the market. 



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