Vol I - 8 ^ 6 111 ] Job, Ducks of Plymouth Co., A/cm. 199 



Last, but not least, apart from others of considerable size, in 

 the town of Bridgewater, is Nippenickett Pond, about two miles 

 long, shallow, irregular, excellent feeding ground, and in every 

 way adapted to the purposes of the ' stand gunner.' One stand 

 secured over 200 ducks in the autumn of 1895. Ducks of at 

 least twenty species are taken here nearly every year. I am 

 much indebted to Mr. J. E. Bassett, who owns the above stand, 

 a careful and intelligent observer of the water-fowl, for statistics 

 of the occurrence of the various ducks in this pond, and for 

 many fine specimens in the flesh. From the abundance of ducks 

 in this pond, it might be surmised that it is located in some 

 special highway of migration, perhaps from Boston to Narra- 

 gansett Bays, it being nearly in the direct line. 



The influx of ducks in these ponds begins about the middle of 

 September with the Dusky Duck, and continues until the ice 

 forms, the whole of October being a period especially fruitful. 

 Many of the. Fuligulina? frequent the ponds during the last 

 half of the season. Large numbers of ducks pass over on 

 clear nights, often without stopping. On clear, cold days, with 

 heavy northwest wind, especially in October, great numbers of the 

 various Anatinae keep passing in large flocks. 



In the spring flight very little is seen of the Anatinae. They 

 evidently pass much more quickly than in autumn, as well as 

 more inland. Moreover, as they are not then decoyed and shot, 

 to any extent, it is next to impossible to observe them, flying as 

 they do by night, and being so exceedingly shy. 



A brief resume of the different species and their occurrence 

 will now be in order. 



Of all the Anatina?, the Dusky Duck (Anas obscurd) is by far 

 the most abundant. A number linger in winter on the coast. 

 Many of these late birds, probably a northern race, are very large 

 and finely plumaged, with deep red tarsi, and are popularly 

 regarded as a distinct species. Quite a few remain to breed in 

 the meadows and swamps adjoining the Taunton River and some 

 of the ponds. 



The Wood Duck (Aix sponsd) is. of course, very abundant, 

 frequenting the streams and smaller ponds, breeding in suitable 

 localities. 



