342 Field-Notes on the Birds of San Dominf/o. 



swimming about for some minutes, and then getting up and 

 flying in all directions^ affording us, after partially sheltering 

 the boat amongst the rushes, half an hour's excellent sport. 

 They were, however, difficult to recover, and we lost a great 

 number, for, if only a spark of life was left in them, they 

 dived and we saw them no more. Our bag that first day 

 was 74. They are very good eating. Oa these excursions I 

 found a pair of long fishing- waders invaluable. 



I did not meet with more than this species of Duck and 

 the Garganey [Querquedula discors), although the natives 

 told us there were several other sorts in this morass. Nearly 

 all those I shot of the present sort were immature, and I 

 was never quite satisfied as to the species. Owing to the 

 loss of the only two skins which I made, from the ravages 

 of white ants, in San Domingo, I am unable to establish its 

 identity. 



— 54. Querquedula discors. 

 (Cory, op. cit. p. 168.) 



Seen and shot several times in the Yuna swamp, but not 

 common. 



55. Pelecanus fuscus. 

 (Cory, op. cit. p. 172.) 



The first bird to be seen on entering Samana Bay, and the 

 last to be seen on leaving it. One morning I watched fully 

 600 of these great birds, after a gale from the east, diving 

 for fish at the head of the Bay. They breed in a large 

 colony on a rocky promontory and some islands, called the 

 " Pelican cays,'' on the south side of the Bay, but I was 

 never able to visit the place. 



56. Tachypetes aquilus. 

 (Cory, op. cit. p. 173.) 



I observed this rakish-looking bird, with its enormous 

 stretch of wing, several times in Samana Bay, usually at 

 a great height. 



I do not think it breeds in the Bay. 



57. 58. Of Gulls also I observed only one species, and only 



