(^322 ) 



band crossing the secondaries and continues on tlie inner prima- 

 ries. Adult male with the forehead, crown, throat and upper part 

 of the fore-neck brownish-black ; sides of the head, neck and hind- 

 neck dark green ; lower portion of the neck all round, with the up- 

 per part of the breast purplish-black, rest of the lower parts white, 

 undulated with black toward the vent ; under tail-coverts black- 

 ish brown ; tail short, dark brown, margined and tipped with 

 lighter brown ; upper tail-coverts and rump blackish-brown, mid- 

 dle of the back undulated with black and white, fore part black j 

 wings brown, darker at the base and tips, speculum white, formed 

 by the band crossing the secondaries and inner primaries • scapulars 

 and inner secondaries undulated with black and white ; secondary- 

 coverts blackish-broAvn, undulated with white. Female with a 

 broad patch of white on the forehead ; head, neck and fore part of 

 the breast, umber brown ; upper parts blackish-brown ; abdomen 

 and lower portion of breast white ; scapulars faintly marked with 

 white. 



This common Duck is more generally known to our gunners by 

 the name of "Broad-Bill" or "Blue-bill." According to Wil- 

 loughby, it takes its name from a certain small kind of shell fish, 

 on which it feeds. — Wilson. It is met with along the whole ex- 

 tent of the Atlantic coast, and is a regular visitor along our western 

 lakes. It arrives among us from the 10th to the 20th of October, 

 associates in large flocks, and on its first appearance is easily de- 

 coyed, but after having been frequently shot at becomes more shy. 

 In stormy weather it takes shelter in the coves, and is frequently 

 decoyed within gun-shot from the shore by having a dog trained 

 for the purpose of swimming between it and the shore, as also by 

 quickly moving a red handkerchief every few seconds, keeping 

 your person concealed. This manoeuvre either charms or irritates 

 it ; I am inclined to think the latter, from the impetuous manner in 

 which it approaches. The scene is truly ludicrous. I have tried 

 this method with other species without success. It remains with 

 us in the winter until the severity of the weather compels it to 

 leave for a better supply of food. When passing over frozen bays 

 I have killed it at " air openings." When wounded, it avoid.s 

 pursuit by diving, and is famous for skulking under the banks. 



