Birds of Indiana. 61^ 



with us are paired. Some, however, remain in flocks, and it is notice- 

 able that those are principally males and become very tame, permitting 

 one to approach at times within sixty yards. The following dates from 

 Mr. Deane will show how late they are found at English Lake: 



l.SSS. May 6. - Flocks of 200; May 20, a flock of 20; June '), Hock of 13. 



1890. May 4. — Saw many; May 11, many still remain. 



1801. May 10. — Ahnndant ; Hock of 200 on the Lake, on river mostly paired; 



May 31, Hock of 25. 

 1892. June (5. — Saw one "cripple. " 



This duck returns from its summer home late in September or early 

 in October. Mr. Deane notes the first at English Lake September 22, 

 1889, and in 1886 the last of the season was shot October 20. Usually 

 between these dates, it would appear, the bulk are noted. Often, how- 

 ever, its stay is lengthened into November; in fact, some years its 

 disappearance depends upon the closing of the streams by ice. In 

 1890 Ulrey and Wallace noted a specimen taken at Long Lake Novem- 

 ber 15, and in 1891 Mr. Deane reported the Kankakee Eiver at Eng- 

 lish Lake all open, December 21, and four Lesser Scaup Ducks shot, 

 and added, several flocks of these Scaup Ducks were observed Decem- 

 ber 19. From this it will not be unexpected to have them winter in 

 this State mild winters. This was formerly the most abundant duck 

 on our western rivers, and wintered along the lower Mississippi. There 

 it occurred in such flocks that Audubon said it was known as the 

 "Flocking Fowl." 



43. (150). '^ythya coUaris (Donov ). 



Ring-necked Duck. 

 Synonym, King-bill. 



Adult Male. — Head, neck, chest, undertail coverts and upper parts 

 black, the head with a violet-purple gloss and middle of neck with a 

 more or less distinct collar of chestnut; chin with a triangular white 

 spot; bill transversely banded with black; grayish-white and plumbe- 

 ous. Adnlt Female. — Top of head and back of neck, dark brown; rest of 

 head and neck paler, becoming nearly or quite white anteriorly and on 

 tliroat: cliest. sides and flanks deep fulvous brown; the speculum 

 bluish-gray, as in the male. Female much resembles female Redhead, 

 but is smaller. 



Length, 1.5. .50-18. 00; bi]l, 1.75-2.00; tarsus, 1.30-1.45; wing, 7.50. 



Range. — North America, breeding from Iowa, southern Wisconsin 

 and Maine northward. Winters from southern Illinois southward to 

 Guatemala and West Indies. 



