238 PROCEEDINGS OP THE ACADEMY OF 



Bernicla Canadensis (L.) Boie. — Canada Goose. 

 Anser Canadensis, Aud., Birds Amer. vi. 178, pi. 376. 

 Bernicla Canadensis, Baird, Gen. Rep. 764. 



No Wild Geese were observed until the second week in August, when for 

 several days we saw them fly southward in small flocks, keeping at a great 

 height in the air, and always preserving a wedge-shape form. No specimens 

 were procured. 



Anas Boschas Linn. — Mallard. 

 Anas Boschas, Aud., Birds Amer. vi. 236, pi. 385. 

 Baird, Gen. Rep. 774. 

 Audubon, in his account of this Duck, says "On the western coast of Lab- 

 rador, none of the inhabitants we conversed with had ever seen the Mallard, 

 and in Newfoundland the people were equally unacquainted with it, the spe- 

 cies being in those countries replaced by the Black Duck, Anas fusca." 

 Although it is a rare species in Labrador, I ascertained its existence there 

 from a very fine pair off'ered for sale by one of the natives. In the interior of 

 the continent it goes as far north at least as Great Slave Lake, where it breeds 

 in considerable numbers. 



Anas OBSCPKA Gm. — Dusky Dack. "Black Duck." 

 Anas obsciira, Aud., Birds Amer. vi. 244, pi. 386. 

 Baird, Gen. Rep. 775. 

 The Dusky Duck is by far the most abundant of the Anaiince along the 

 coast of Labrador, where it breeds very plentifully. Though some times seen 

 along the rocky and barren islands that skirt the coast, it at all times shows 

 a decided preference for the ponds and streams of the interior. When the 

 females are incubating, and engaged in rearing their young, the males desert 

 them, and retire to secluded situations to renew their feathers. Some which 

 I shot on the 23d of July were at that time in deep moult, and entirely un- 

 able fto fly, though they made their way over the water with astonishing 

 celerity. I saw young nearly half grown on the 1st of August ; they were at 

 that time still led about by the parent, and were unable to fly. It is a re- 

 markably shy and watchful bird, so much so that it is only with great diffi- 

 culty it can be procured. It is much esteemed as an article of food, and is 

 known to the inhabitants as the " Black Duck." 



Nettion Carolinensis (Gm.) Baird. — Green-winged Teal. 

 Anas Carolinensis, Aud., Birds Amer, vi. 281, pi. 392. 

 Nettion Carolinensis, Baird, Gen. Rep. 777. 



Though the Green-winged Teal is a rare bird along the coast of Labrador, 

 yet Audubon is incorrect in saying that it is never found there. A specimen 

 which I saw in a collection of birds at Rigolet, proves its existence in that 

 country. It is abundant in the interior, breeding in the region around Great 

 Slave Lake. 



Nettion crecca (L.) Kaup. — English Teal. 

 Nettion crecca, Baird, Gen. Rep. 778. 



I was so fortunate as to procure a well characterized specimen of this Teal, 

 which, though a common bird in Europe, is only known in North America as 

 a rare straggler from that country. It is closely allied to the Green-winged 

 Teal, but is nevertheless perfectly distinct, the diflferences being readily appre- 

 ciable even without comparison. These consist in the entire absence of the 

 white crescent before the wing ; the more conspicuously colored elongated 

 scapulars, which are deep black and pure creamy white ; and the remarkable 

 distinctness of the white lines on the head. I learned nothing of its habits. 



[Aug. 



