^°'"f9i0^"] Wood and Tinker, Rarer Birds of Michigan. 131 



ever have been classed as a summer resident.^ Our earliest spring 

 record is April 8 (ISSS) and the latest April 20 (1899). Our only 

 fall record is the single bird noted by Mr. Wood, on a small pond 

 southeast of Ann Arbor, October 1, 1907. In 1908, the species 

 was recorded at Fourmile Lake on April 12 and in 1909 on March 27. 



Aix sponsa. Wood Duck. — Covert speaks of the species as a 

 "Summer resident, not rare." Subsequent records show that this 

 beautiful species, although not as common of late, has still been 

 able to withstand the persecution of gunners to such an extent that 

 a few pairs still breed in suitable localities along the Huron River. 

 Ourearhest spring record is February 17 (1890). On April 15, 1909, 

 a fine male was caught in a trap set for muskrats, and on April 

 25 a female with a brood of young was seen on the Huron River 

 not far from Ann Arbor. 



Marila coUaris. Ring-necked Duck. — In the ' Birds of Michi- 

 gan' Cook gives the species as a "Rather common migrant" but of 

 late years very little mention has been made of it in the literature. 

 In Michigan, as well as in Ohio, it seems to be a rather rare migrant. 

 Covert speaks of it as a "Common migrant in the County," but we 

 have only one authentic record for this vicinity, and that is an 

 adult male, taken on the Huron River near Geddes, March 20, 

 1909, by F. Novy. In the Museum are three specimens labelled, 

 "S. E. Mich.— coll. Dr. Sager, Nat. History Survey of 1837-8," 

 but it is not certain whether these were taken here or in adjacent 

 counties. 



Tympanuchus americanus. Pinnated Grouse. — This species 

 was formerly common near Ann Arbor but during the years 1880- 

 1890 became nearly extinct within the County. Of late, however, 

 owing to protective laws, it is on the increase, and may become 

 fairly abundant again. On April 4, 1909, the writers noted the 

 species at Fourmile Lake, where conditions are very favorable 

 for its continued increase. 



Asio flammeus. Short-eared Owx. — Covert gives the species 

 as "A very abundant resident," and Steere says, "Not rare at Ann 

 Arbor" (Cook's list). We have several records of the occurrence 

 of the species between December 1 and April, but only one for 

 the summer months. On June 24, 1907, a brood of four young just 

 able to fly was found in a big marsh in the old "drainage channel" 



