86 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA. 
May 25th and 28th, 1893. Both nests were in hollows in the 
grass, were lined with down, and found near water. (azne.) 
This is about the first water-fowl to commence nesting. The 
date when the first eggs are laid varies from May 18th to 25th, 
according to the season. The eggs are placed ina depression on 
some tussock or among the grass and other vegetation beside a 
pool, usually where it is pretty well concealed. The eggs num- 
ber from six to twelve in a set.” Dhey are rather small} vand 
usually pale olive-green when fresh. The nest is lined with grass- 
stems and feathers. When the young are hatched the parent 
leads them to the adjacent pool, and they keep in the most 
secluded parts of the marsh until able to take wing. (JVelson.) 
Breeding in some numbers at Edmonton, Alberta, although no 
nests were taken ; two nests of this species were taken at Twelve- 
mile Lake, near Wood Mountain, Assa.,on June 5th, 1895; the nest 
in one case was made of the dried stems of Aleocharis palustris and 
lined with down. It contained ten eggs almost fresh. Another was 
taken amongst some sage-brush a little distance from the water. 
This nest held seven fresh eggs. A few nests of this species were 
taken on an island in Cypress Lake, south of the Cypress Hills, 
June 29th, 1895 ; the nests were in clumps of rye-grass (Elymus 
condensatus),and one female was shot as she rose from the nest. 
(Spreadborough.) This species breeds at St. Clair Flats and in 
fewer numbers at Rondeau, Lake Erie. (W. Saunders.) Quite 
abundant in the ‘‘ Barrens.” The nest was usually a small cavity 
or depression in the ground, lined with down, withered leaves, and 
afew feathers. It lays from six to eight eggs. It deserts the 
nest immediately the eggs are hatched and young and old take 
to the water. (Wacfarlane.) 
MUSEUM SPECIMENS. 
Four specimens taken in Toronto marsh by Mr.S. Herring,and 
at Kamloops, British Columbia, by Spreadborough. 
One fine set of eleven eggs taken at Twelve-mile Lake, Assa., 
and others taken at Rush Lake, Assa., by Mr. Raine. 
LIV. ATX Bore) 182s: 
144. Wood Duck. 
Aix sponsa (LINN.) BoNnaP. 1838. 
Rare. A few breed in Nova Scotia. (Downs.) A rare summer 
resident. Breedsin New Brunswick. (Chamberlain.) Stearns reports 
me 
