576 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1917. 



stricted to those species known to occur in North America, as enumer- 

 ated in the check list of North American birds. Bordering the lake 

 on three sides is a tract of land sufficient in size to furnish retired 

 nesting places for the birds and suitable for their varied require- 

 ments — woods, thickets, open brushy areas, cane, and cat-tail 

 marshes. The whole tract is inclosed by a vermin-proof fence so 

 that the birds may nest and rear their young in safety. It is the 

 intention to show in this lake as many of the 67 species of North 

 American ducks, geese, and swans as possible, and a good beginning 

 has been made in collecting the birds. 



At the present time no less than 144 waterfowl are on exhibition 

 here, including the following species: 



Mallard (Anas platyrhynehos) . 



Red-legged black duck (.1. rubripcs). 



Black duck (A. r. tristis). 



Gadwall (Chanlelasnnis streperus). 



Widgeon (Mareca penelope). 



Baldpate (M. amcricana). 



Green-winged teal (Net Hon carolinense). 



Blue-winged teal (Querquedula diseora). 



Cinnamon teal (Q. cyanoptera) . 



Ruddy sheldrake (Casarca ferruginea). 



Pintail (Dafila acuta). 



Wood duck (Aix sponsa). 



Canvasback (Marila valisiw ria). 



Redhead (M. americana). 



Lesser scaup duck (.1/. affinis). 



Ring-necked duck (M. collaris). 



Snow goose {Chen hyperboreus). 



Greater snow goose (C. h. nivalis). 



Blue goose (C. cecrulescens) . 



Ross's goose (C. rossii). 



White-fronted goose (Anser albifrons). 



American white-fronted goose (.4. a. gambeli). 



Canada goose {Branta canadensis). 



Hutchins's goose (B. c. hutchinsii). 



Cackling goose (B. c. minima). 



Brant (Branta- bernicla glaucoyrtstra). 



Barnacle goose (B. lencoj)sis) . 



Black-bellied tree duck (Dcndrocygna autumnalis). 



Whistling swan (Olor columbianus). 



Trumpeter swan (0. buccinator) . 



EXOTIC WATERFOWL. 



Numerous interesting and beautiful exotic waterfowl are on exhi- 

 bition in the pelican pond, in the flight cage, and in special inclosures 

 in suitable places throughout the park. Specimens of the graceful 

 mute swan (Cygnus gibbus) enjoy the freedom of Rock Creek and 

 nest along its banks. The strange black swan of Australia (Chtno- 



