48 



1-4. Aix sponsa (Linn.). 

 W(30D DUCK. SUMMER DUCK. 



Male: Crown, glistening green and purple; patch on throat, white; 

 beneath, white except throat and breast which are rich chestnut spotted 

 with white; back, bronzy-green, purple and velvety-black, mingled with 

 white; feet, orange; iris, red. 



Female: Head and neck, gray; throat and breast, yellowish-brown mot- 

 tled with gray or spotted with brown; back, dark brown; feet, yellowish- 

 dusky. Length, 18-20 inches. 



Common migrant but rare breeder, and becoming more rare. 

 Earliest arrival, April 1) ; departs in October. Raises one 

 brood. Eggs, 10-12, pale drab. Nest of feathers, etc., in a 

 hollow tree. Feeds on vegetable matter, mollusks, worms and 

 insects. Deserves most careful protection. 



15. Branta canadensis (Linn.). 



CANADA GOOSE. WILD GOOSE. 



Bill, feet, head and neck, black; chin and sides of head, white; above, 

 brownish-gray; beneath, paler. Length, :36-38 inches. 



Common in spring and fall, ilying over. Pearliest arrival 

 March 10 ; in the fall, usually seen in November. Occasion- 

 ally taken on the Connecticut and on the ponds around 

 Amherst. Note, a loud "honk." 



16. Branta bernicia (Linn.). 

 BRANT. 



Head, neck, throat and upper breast, black; sides of neck, speckled with 

 white; back, brownish-gray; lower breast, ashy-gray; belly, white. 

 Length, 26 inches. 



Accidental visitor. One taken near Northampton, April 11, 

 1903 (Jide Morris). 



17, Botaurus lentiginosus (Montag.). 

 BITTERN. STAKE-DRIVER. 



Everywhere varied with brownish tawny, white and black; a black patch 

 on side of neck. Length, 2-3 feet. . 



Not common, but a regular summer visitor ; formerly bred 



