750 



ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN. 



AMERICAN WIDGEON, OR BALDPATES: FEMALE. 



))l,-ict(l in numerous convenient jjositions about 

 the Park. .Tuncos with white-throated .song 



marshes of this section would furnish splendid 

 feeding grounds for migrating ducks — if it 

 were not for incessant persecution by both men 

 and dogs. For this reason, it is seldom, in- 

 deed, that wild birds spend much time there. 

 The mallard ducks so often seen flying over the 

 Zoological Park are members of the large flock 

 of semi-domesticated birds that inhabits the 

 Wild-Fowl Pond, opposite the Pheasant Aviary. 

 These birds make daily trips to neighboring 

 waters, and it is not remarkable that stragglers 

 from wild flocks should join them at night, on 

 their return to the home lakes. 



Fiach year, of late, wild wood ducks have 



and fox sparrows search the undergrowth for spent the fall and winter on the Wild-Fowl 

 such seeds as may have escaped their vigilant Pond. These excpiisite birds generally arrive in 



eyes on previous rounds. 



Red - polls, goldfinches 



and siskins frequent the 



birches and sweet gums, 



or even join the sparrows 



in their ground-hunting. 



It is an unusual winter 



when a few lurmit 



thrushes, robins and 



even catbirds, d o n o t < 



spend the season with 



us. This year a l;irgc 



flock of purple grackles 



has remained to swell 



I hrce specimens ar 



the ranks of the greedy 

 starlings. 



Fortunately, these species are no longer in 

 imminent danger of extermination by the hand 

 of man. Their only human enemy is the merci- 

 less Italian, who believes that every wild crea- 

 ture, however small, is his rightful prey. Gun 

 licenses and game wardens are the best means 

 for inhibiting this sort of slaughter, and each 

 year fewer caSes are brought to light. In this 

 warfare for the protection of the wild birds in 

 the northern end of New York City, the Zoo- 

 logical Society has taken a very active |)art, and 

 many a fine has resulted therefrom. 



It is the protection which the Zoological Park 

 offers to the much harassed wild-fowl that is of 

 the greatest interest and value. 



There is much open water in the northern sec- 

 tion of New York City. The ponds, rivers and 



WILD WOOD DUCKS 

 •cimens are shown in tl 



August or September, 

 and leave late in April. 

 During the past two 

 winters, four handsome 

 little drakes have con- 

 tested for the favor of 

 the single captive duck, 

 and one has remained to 

 keep her company 

 throughout the summer. 

 As might be expect- 

 ed, the most common of 

 our anserine visitors are 

 the black ducks. The 

 coming of fall always 

 brings a number of these birds, but during the 

 winter of 1910-1911 they have been unusually 

 numerous. A flock of about twenty-five has 

 divided its time between Lake Agassiz and the 

 Wild-Fowl Pond, mingling freely with the few 

 captive birds on each body of water. These 



BLACK DUCKS. 



