THE AUK: 



A C^U A R T E R L Y JOURNAL OF 



ORNITHOLOGY. 



vol. xni. July, 1896. no. 3 



THE DUCKS OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY, MASSACHU- 

 SETTS. 



BY HERBERT K. JOB. 



Whatever may be the claims of other sections of New England, 

 it is certain that Plymouth County, Mass., especially the southern 

 half, is notably a favorite resort of the Ducks. Every one of the 

 twenty-eight species attributed to New England has been noted 

 within the last ten years. 



The topographical conditions are specially favorable for their 

 occurrence and capture. The county has an extended and varied 

 coast-line, with good feeding grounds. Of the latter there are 

 two specially notable, — Plymouth Bay on the east, and Buzzard's 

 Bay on the south. Another minor feeding ground is in the south- 

 west corner of Cape Cod Bay, where the townships of Plymouth 

 and Bourne adjoin, — the South Plymouth resort. A few miles 

 south of Plymouth Bay is a projection called Manomet Point, one 

 of the finest spots for sea shooting on the whole New England 

 coast. Vast hordes of ducks go by here in the autumn into Cape 

 Cod Bay. The number is less in the spring, as the greater body, 

 flying north, is deflected seaward by the convex side of Cape Cod, 

 while in the flight south they suddenly find themselves hemmed in 

 by the up-curving arm of the Cape. 



