''°mo'."'] PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 259 



21. Phalacrocorax dilophus (Sw. ami Rich.). Double-crested Coriuoiaut. 

 A few seen off Miugan, but at Perce they were very abundant. 



2. Merganser americanus (Cass). American Mergauser. 

 One seen at Mingan. 



23. Anas obsciira (Gmel.). Black Duck. 



In Canada and I>lack Bays but few were seen, but they were quite 

 abundant at Mingan. 



24. Somateria dresseri Sbarpe. American Eiiler. 



At the Mingan Ishinds several large flocks of the young of this species 

 were met with. Accompanied by the old birds they would coast the 

 shores, but Avhen approached in a boat would swim rapidly out to sea, 

 aiul when overtaken, being unable to fly, would dive and scatter most 

 effectually. 



25. Oideniia deglandi Bonap. White-winged Scoter. 

 Several flocks were seen at the Mingan and Magdalen Islands. 



26. Branta canadensis (Linn.). Canada Goose. 

 A small flock was seen flying southward on August 11, at Mingan. 



27. Ardea herodias Linn. Great Blue Heron. 



The only herons seen on the cruise were two birds of this species, 

 which perched upon the edge of Perce Eock, 270 feet high, looked down 

 on us apparently conscious that they were safe from our guns. 



28. Crymophilus fulicarius (Linn.). Red Phalarope. 



Met with in great abundance between Cape Sable and Cape Cod on 

 August 30, usually feeding among the drift sea-weeds in the calm water 

 between the tide-rips. A small flock was also seen off Bonaveuture 

 Island on August 23. 



The abundance of this species off" Cape Sable at this time would prob- 

 able indicate their line of fall migration. The trend of the coast and 

 the abundance of food in the tide-rips caused by the tides of the Bay 

 of Fundy would furnish abundant reason why this graceful little bird 

 should brave the sea at such a distance from land. These birds are 

 known to the fishermen as sea-geese, a not inappropriate name, one 

 would think while watching them paddling- rapidly up the side of a 

 huge wave and gracefully flying over its crest just as the waters seemed 

 to engulf them. The dense mass of feathers on its breast seems to fit 

 it entirely for an ocean life, ami one doubts while viewing it among the 

 waves, as it rapidly and gracefully paddles auiong the sea-weeds seek- 

 ing its food, that there is anything snipe-like in its structure. 



