

Catalogue of the Birds of Connecticut 269 



* 



*234. Anser Hutchinsii ? Rich., Southern Goose, Stratford. 

 # 235. A. Canadensis, VieilL, Wild Goose, Stratford. 

 236. A. leucopsis, Becht, Barnacle Goose, Stonington. 

 *237. A. Bernicula, Bona., Brant Goose, Stratford. 

 *238. Anas clypeata, Linn., Shovel-bill Duck, Stratford. 

 *239. A. strepera, Linn., Grey Duck, or Gadwell, Stratford. 



240. A. acuta, Linn., Pheasant Duck, Stratford. 



241. A. boschaSj Linn., Mallard, Domestic Duck, Stratford. 



242. A. Americana, Gmelin, Widgeon, Stratford. 



# 243. A. moschata, Willoughby, Musk Duck, introduced, Strat- 



ford. 



*244. A. obscura, Gmelin, Black Duck, Stratford. 



# 245. A. sponsa, Linn., Wood Duck, Bride Duck, Stratford. 



246. A. discors, Linn., Blue-winged Teal, Stratford. 



247. A. crecca. Forster, Green-winged Teal, Stratford. 

 *248. Falligula mollissima, Bona., Eider Duck, Stratford. 



*234. Anser Hutchinsii, it is believed, is not unfrequently taken here in the 

 spring, and is called southern goose, because it does not winter here. 



*235. Hundreds of the common a wild geese" winter at the mouth of the 

 Housatonic, and so near my own dwelling, that I often with my telescope present 

 a distinct view of their eyes to my friends who call. Birds are said to be near 

 enough to shoot, when their eyes are visible to the sportsman. Many are killed 

 here merely for sale by gunners, who frequently send them to New York. 



*237. The brant is common here in winter; and at Stonington it is said by 

 sportsmen, that three kinds are found there, as I am informed by J. H. Trumbull, 

 Esq., of that borough, viz. the common or May brant, the blue brant, and the 

 speckled brant. These differences of plumage may possibly be occasioned by dif- 

 ferent ages of the same species, though I am not aware of such varieties, and 

 therefore am induced to believe the Anser leucopsis, or barnacle goose, to be one 

 of them. Nuttall says, the latter species are stragglers along the coasts of the 

 United States. 



*238. The shovel bill is a very rare bird here, though I have obtained two fine 

 male specimens this season. It is one of the most beautiful of the genus. 



*239. Flocks of the grey duck were here as early as August last season, and 

 were among the best of ducks for the table. 



*243. The musk duck, improperly called " Muscovy," were introduced from 

 Brazil, where they are found wild. The oil sacks at the root of the tail, ought 

 always to be removed before cooking, on account of the musky odor contained in 

 them. As they lay in trees, those who rear them ought to place old barrels in the 

 crotches of trees near home, for their use. 



*244. The black duck (obscura,) breeds here occasionally, and might be easily 



domesticated. 



*245. Four specimens of the summer duck were killed here this season, one of 



which I have. 



*248. One or two eider ducks were killed here two or three years since, by Mr. 



Lucius Curtis. 



