l66 DUCK SHOOTING. 



Dakota and Montana, though some of these may have 

 been those of the next species. Dr. Dall found it breed- 

 ing in Alaska, and it is supposed to breed generally 

 through northern North America, in the British pos- 

 sessions. 



The nest of the broad-bill is usually placed close to 

 the water; it is little more than a depression in the 

 ground, among the grass, lined perhaps with a few 

 spears of bright grass, and with down from the bird's 

 breast. The number of eggs is six or eight; they are 

 grayish-white in color, and when the mother leaves 

 them are usually covered by the down. 



The broad-bill is abundant in Long Island Sound 

 and on the Great South Bay, where it is shot in great 

 numbers from batteries. It reaches our coasts late in 

 October, and is usually found associated together in 

 considerable bodies, which, however, are likely to break 

 up into small flocks in rough and stormy weather. 



