AXATIN.E — THE DUCKS — ARCTONETTA. 



71 



The Russian name for all Eiders is Pistrik, and this species is known as the " Small 

 Pistrik." 



A nest belonging to a bird of this species was discovered by Mr. Dall in the centre 

 of a small pool in a marsh, built on a tussock just above the surface of the water ; it 

 was oval, lined with dry grass, and contained two eggs, which were surrounded and 

 covered with down — evidently from 

 the breast of the parent. The eggs 

 were small as compared in size with 

 the bird, and of an olivaceous brown. 

 There were a number .of other Ducks 

 of this species breeding in the vicin- 

 ity, and also several of the Somateria 

 V-nigrum ; and some eggs were ob- 

 tained which, from their resemblance 

 to identified specimens, were probably 

 those of S. spectabilis, although the 

 parent was not fully identified. The 

 eye of this species, Mr. Dall adds, is 

 dark brown or hazel, and not blue, as 

 has been asserted. The fall plumage 

 of mule and female is nearly identical 

 — a dark brown with black pencillings ; 

 only the faintest indications of the 

 spring markings remaming. This bird 

 usually flies in flocks. The last one 

 killed in 1867 was obtained September 

 27 ; but some of these Ducks probably 

 remain a short time longer than this. 



Mr. Dall, in a later paper, states that 

 although no birds of this species were 

 actually killed at Unalashka, some were 

 observed on several occasions, and 

 were reported by the natives — who 



perfectly distinguish between the different kinds of Eiders. Those seen were very 

 shy, and but one or two individuals were observed at a time. This bird is a winter 

 visitant, migrating early in May to its breeding-grounds on Norton Sound. 



The late Mr. E. Adams, in his Notes on the Birds observed by him at Michalaski, 

 on Norton Sound, mentions procuring three specimens of this Duck, which he calls 

 the Blue-eyed — in the Eski dialect, Ong-66. They had been shot out of a flock 

 on the 28th of May. He does not seem to have met with this species on any other 

 occasion, and was unable to give any information as to its habits. 



Mr. Bannister speaks of it as moderately common near Fort St. Michael's, some 

 fifteen or eighteen individuals having been shot during the spring of 1866. This 

 species and the Somateria V-nigrum are said to arrive a little later than most of the 

 other Ducks and some of the Geese, making their appearance about the 6th of May. 

 In their habits the two species are apparently very much alike, and both breed in 

 that vicinity. This species is the more shy of the two, and on that account the more 

 difficult to observe. 



In July and August, during the moulting period, this bird is said to be unable 

 to fly. It is reported that on Stewart's Island, just west of St. Michael's Island, 



