LAMELLIROSTRES ANSEliES ANATID^E. 103 



Jouy, we presume upon proper grounds, and we therefore give it a place 

 here, though we know nothing of the case. It is probably only known 

 here by specimens brought to market. [700] 



205. (18(>.) Bernicla canadensis (Linn.) Bote. Wild Goose. 



Winter visitant, arriving in the fall on the approach of cold weather. 

 Few probably now settle on the waters within the District, but it is no 

 uncommon sight to see files of Geese flying over, and they are found in 

 the markets and restaurants all through the winter. 1 702J 



20<». (1ST.) Anas boscas Linn. Mallard. 



Common winter resident. Mallards and Dusky Ducks are among the 

 species most numerously and continuously found in the markets and 

 restaurants. In these and similar cases, however, it must be remem- 

 bered that the traffic in water-fowl is an extensive and important 

 industry, great numbers of the edible kinds being shipped from the 

 regular hunting-grounds of the Chesapeake and other places along the 

 coast; so that the appearance of such birds in the markets is no proof 

 that they visit us of their own free will. The District waters are 

 altogether too near a great city to furnish eligible resorts for water- 

 fowl. Scarcely any of them are now to be considered abundant within 

 our actual limits, though the list here given is unquestionably repre- 

 sented regularly by more or fewer individuals (excepting the single 

 straggler, Mareca penclope). [707] 



207. (188.) Anas obscura Gm. Dusky Duck ; "Black Mallard." 

 With the preceding. See above. [70S] 



908. (189.) Dafila acuta (Linn. ) Jen. Pin-tail; Sprig-tail. 

 Common winter resident; arrives about the 1st of October. [710] 



Fig. 01.— Head of female Sprigtail, nat. size. 



209. (192.) Chaulelasmus streperus (Linn.) Gray. Gray Duck ; Gad wall. 

 Common winter resident. L ' H I 



210. ( — .) Mareca penelope (Linn.) Selby. European Widgeon. 

 According to our memoranda this European bird, only known in 



America as a straggler, was found in market by Mr. C. Drexler, in the 



