THE AUK: 



A QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF 

 ORNITHOLOGY. 



Vol. XXVII. October, 1910. No. 4. 



THE CANVAS-BACK IN MASSACHUSETTS. 



BY S. PRESCOTT FAY. 



Until recent years during the fall migrations of ducks along the 

 coast of Massachusetts the Canvas-back (Marila valisineria) has 

 always been conspicuous by its absence, and in spite of the numer- 

 ous "gunning stands" on many of our larger ponds compara- 

 tively few of these ducks seem to have been killed. At most 

 places they are looked upon as rare stragglers, and because of their 

 market value it is with a sense of great satisfaction that one of 

 these ducks is taken. Owing to its infrequent occurrence up till 

 five years ago doubtless most of the specimens seen or killed were 

 reported, with the exception of course of a small percentage it 

 is reasonable to suppose escaped notice; but lately this has not 

 been the case. In one locality especially where I find the Canvas- 

 back has become reasonably plentiful a great many have been 

 killed and more seen that have not been publicly recorded. Of this 

 very little seems to be known. Recently I have been interested 

 in these records for the State and have found such as above de- 

 scribed to be the case on Martha's Vineyard island. The reason 

 for this state of affairs seems to be due to the fact that these ducks 

 have been killed by what we may call "gunners," — that is, men 

 who shoot for the mere sport of shooting, with no ornithological 

 interest. The last year or so I believe one or two ornithologists 

 have not been so careful in recording all occurrences, because 

 they felt it is not the rarity it used to be. This applies, however, 



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