BIRDS OF ESSEX COUNTY. I 29 



46 [135] Chaulelasmus streperus (Linn.). 

 Gadwall ; Gray Duck. 



Rare transient visitor ; October 2 to November 1 . 



There is a male in the collection of the Peabody Academy, taken in Essex 

 County in 1868, by S. Jillson. In 1904, there was almost a "flight " of these 

 rare birds. Three were shot near Newburyport as follows : one on October 2d, 

 now in my collection ; one on October 23d, which I saw in the flesh ; and the 

 third on November 1st. Dr. J. C. Phillips shot one at Wenham Lake on 

 October 26th. It is interesting to note that in the same year six were taken at 

 one time, on October 29th, at the Middleboro Lakes in the southern part of 

 the State. 



Howe and Allen 1 record only two specimens for the State, taken at 

 Springfield, many years ago. 



It is to be remembered that this bird is practically unknown to gunners 

 here, and the term " Gray Duck " as used by them generally means Pintail, but 

 may mean almost any of the Ducks. 



47 [136] Mareca penelope (Linn.). 

 European Widgeon. 



Accidental visitor from Europe. 



There is in Mr. William Brewster's collection the head and one wing of an 

 adult male of this species, shot at Marblehead, on December 29th, 1900. Its 

 body had been plucked and eaten at a restaurant in Boston, but it is fortunate 

 that its distinctive head was saved to tell the tale and make its record. 



Howe and Allen 2 give one indefinite and one certain record for the State, 

 not mentioning this specimen. 



1 R. H. Howe, Jr., and G. M. Allen : The Birds of Massachusetts, p. 51, 1901. 



2 R. H. Howe, Jr., and G. M. Allen: The Birds of Massachusetts, p. 51, 1901. 



