442 Cahn, The Freezing of Cayuga Lake. [oct. 



4. Larus argentatus. Herring Gull — There was one flock of 

 forty-one Herring Gulls which spent six days within this limited area. 

 Contrary to their usual habits, these birds remained constantly on the ice, 

 and took to the air reluctantly when approached closely. One interesting 

 point was noted which showed the gulls to be hard pressed for food ; there 

 were great numbers of " Saw-bellies " (Pomolobus pseudoharengus) frozen 

 in the ice at a depth of from three to eight inches. Above those that were 

 nearest the surface, the ice was found to be pecked, showing where the 

 gulls had attempted to reach the fish. One bird was actually seen while 

 thus occupied. No deaths are recorded among the gulls, due, no doubt, 

 to the abundance of dead ducks upon the ice. 



5. Mergus americanus. Merganser. — A number of females were 

 encountered in the Inlet, and two pair were constantly seen in Fall Creek. 

 Thej^ appeared not to suffer at all for lack of food, and I often watched 

 them dive under the ice, and remain under for a period ranging from one 

 to two minutes. No dead were found. 



6. Anas rubripes. Black Duck. — During the first days of the 

 migration, quite a number of these birds were seen, but they were exceed- 

 ingly wild, and approach was impossible. A flock of approximately one 

 hundred inhabited the water hole at Ludlowville, but the moment they 

 were startled, they rose and flew over the ice, when they ht, and where 

 they remained for the most part until twiUght. At dusk they returned to 

 the hole. The Black Ducks did not suffer at all for want of food, as more 

 than once they were found in a field of Alfalfa, two miles from the lake. 

 No deaths are reported. 



7. Marila americana. Redhead. — Numerous flocks were encoun- 

 tered daily, but they were smaller in size than the flocks of the other species, 

 and more wary. Only one small flock of seven allowed me to approach 

 within forty feet of them before they took to wing, after which they rose 

 to a considerable height, and were soon lost in the distance. At another 

 time one of these birds was watched while standing within thirty feet of it, 

 as it swam around in the Inlet in company with a Bluebill and a Golden-eye. 

 This particular bird was a female, and of the three, was by far the most 

 hvely. It was she that led them up stream a few j^ards, and when they 

 finally rose, she took the lead. The Redheads probably suffered very 

 little, though why any particular species should suffer more or less than 

 another, would be difficult to say. Personally, I did not find a single dead 

 Redhead, but there are reports of two having been found. 



8. Marila valisineria. Canvas-back. — The Canvas-back was second 

 to the Bluebill in abundance. When found they were in small flocks of 

 from three to thirty, but over one hundred inhabited the Ludlowville pool. 

 The numerous flocks were small in size. Not a day passed but that upward 

 of fifty Canvas-backs were seen in flocks averaging ten or fifteen. These 

 ducks suffered, to all appearances, as much as any species on the lake. 

 A flock of twenty-two was approached to within thirty feet one afternoon 

 before they gave any heed, but finally they rose heavily and flew low over 



