264 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [1895 



and allowed me to walk up opposite them. After observing 

 them through a field glass for some time, I flushed them with a 

 stone and they flew up stream a short distance. Following 

 them in full view, I again got opposite and sat down, they ap- 

 peared quite tame, and although my dogs paddled round in the 

 water near them, they did not fly until I again threw a stone 

 among them ; evidently they had just arrived from the north 

 and were tired out. 



At Hagerstown, during April ('80, Small), and at Cumber- 

 land (Shriver). 



Spatula clypeata (142). Shoveler. 



Quite a number of " Broadbills " are shot during our gun- 

 ning season, but they cannot be said to be common. I have no 

 characteristic dates. A pair were taken at Gimpowder River, 

 on March 27, ('95, Resler). Not uncommon at Washington 

 during winter (Richmond) ; at Cumberland (Shriver). 



Dafila acuta (143). Pintail. 



Common during fall and spring flights, I believe some stay 

 with VIS during mild winters. Mr. N. S. Bogle, of Eastern 

 Neck Island, writes me, that "a flock of 15 Sprigtails arrived 

 in Chester River, on September 13 ('93), these were the first 

 ducks." They are noted from that on to October 28 ('93). 

 On March 4 ('94, Fisher), about 20 were in a bunch on Bird 

 River, and several were taken on Choptank River on April 7 

 ('94). Loch Raven (Dukehart). 



Aix sponsa (144). Wood Duck. 



Sparingly resident, this species is numerous in spring and fall. 

 While usually seen " down the necks," single birds or pairs are 

 often flushed from pools on very small runs, the principal 

 attraction apparently being oak woods. Some years ago, in 

 May, on Hog Creek, a female and eight young were observed 

 (Fisher), and Mr. P. A. Bowen, writing from Aquasco, Prince 

 George's County says, " resident, there are now in this neigh- 



