76 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA. 
On May ath, 1894, at Medicine Hat, Assa., discovered a nest of 
this species on the bank of a creek. Nest, a hole in the sand, 
lined with dry grass, amongst rose-bushes. There were only two 
eggs ; on June 18th another nest was taken under the same con- 
ditions at Crane Lake ; this nest contained ten eggs. June 7th, 
1897, at Edmonton, Alberta, found a nest in a small clump of 
willows, about three hundred yards from water, the young had 
not left the nest and the old bird almost let me put my hand upon 
her before she left ; also found breeding at Sooke Lake, Vancou 
ver Island, in 1893. (Spreadborough.) A few pairs breed in the 
large marshes in western Ontario, especially at St. Clair Flats. 
(W. Saunders.) This is the earliest duck to breed. Breeding 
everywhere I have been in the Northwest Territories. (Dzppve.) 
Breeds throughout Manitoba, Assiniboia and Alberta. (azne.) 
Dall, at Nulato, Alaska, found a set of eight eggs of the Mal- 
lard laid on the rotten wood in the hollow top of a stump about 
six inches from the ground. They were concealed under a layer 
of leaves andfeathers. (JVe/son.) 
MUSEUM SPECIMENS. 
Five specimens taken at Toronto, Ont., Indian Head, Assa., 
Edmonton, Alberta; Revelstoke and Agassiz, British Columbia. 
We have eggs of this species taken in Manitoba, at Indian 
Head, Assa., at Edmonton, Alberta ; and on Vancouver Island. 
133. Black Duck. 
Anas obscura GMEL. 1788. 
This is the common wild duck of Newfoundland and the Mari- 
time Provinces. Found breeding in a marsh near Brackley Point, 
Prince Edward Island, in June, 1888, by the writer, and in the 
marshes bordering fresh-water ponds on the Magdalen Islands by 
Bishop. Although not a common bird in Labrador, Spread- 
borough found it breeding there July 7th, 1896. In Quebec and 
Ontario it still breeds in diminished numbers, but evidently its 
chief breeding-grounds are towards the Atlantic coast and Hud- 
son Bay. A few stragglers reach Manitoba, but the writer never 
observed any west of the Red River valley. Macfarlane obtained 
the birds at the Anderson River, Mackenzie valley, but no eggs. 
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