Vol. XIV"| McIlhenny, Louisiana Anseres, Paludicolce, etc. 285 



1897 



A LIST OF THE SPECIES OF ANSERES, PALUDICOL.F:, 



AND LIMICOL.^ OCCURRING IN THE 



STATE OF LOUISIANA. 



BY E. A. MCILHENNY. 



This list is based on personal observations, extending through 

 the past nine years. During that time I have observed our 

 birds throughout the entire lake and coast regions of Louisiana, 

 and all species included in this list have been taken. 



I have endeavored to give the local names used by the natives ; 

 most of them it will be observed are French or of French origin, 

 and the French names are the ones most in use. 



It is a curious fact that so many of the Shore Birds, whose 

 breeding grounds are in the Arctic regions, should be resident 

 here. By the middle of June they all attain their full plumage 

 and congregate in large numbers on the sand islands, where they 

 cover the flats and shallow bays in search of food. 



1. Merganser americanus. American Merganser. — Kno\vn as Bee 

 vSc/e f/e ;«e;- and Sea Sawbill. A common winter resident, found only in 

 salt water. 



2. Lophodytes cucuUatus. Hooded Merganser. — Known as ^ec ^Sr/e 

 and Cotton-liead. ^'ery common in winter ; resident in small numbers ; 

 breeds. 



3. Anas boschas. Mallard. — Known as Ca7iard Franeais z.\\diYxti\c\\ 

 Duck ; also as Green-head. A winter resident, and the best known duck 

 in Louisiana. On April 28, 1S96, I shot a male of this species that was 

 mated to a female Anas fulvigula maculosa, and collected the nest with 10 

 eggs. This is the only record I have of this duck's breeding in Louisiana. 



4. Anas fulvigula maculosa. Mottled Duck. — Known as Catiard 

 noir d'eie, and Summer Black Mallard. Resident ; common ; breeds. 



5. Anas obscura. Black Duck. — Known as Canard noir, and Black 

 Mallard. A common winter resident. 



6. Anas fulvigula. Florida Duck. — I took a pair of these ducks, with 

 their nest and 7 eggs, on June 3, 1S95, at Timbalier Island, on the south- 

 east coast of Louisiana. 



7. Anas strepera. Gadwall. — The Ca«(7r(/ ^/w, Gray-duck, or Red- 

 wing, as it is variously known, is a common winter resident. 



8. Anas americana. Baldpate. — Commonly known as Zan-zan, 

 from the noise it makes; also as Widgeon and Whistling Duck. A verv 



