1911 J Phillips, Migration of Anatidce in Massachusetts. 19o 



aware, spending the night on fresh water. Some fifteen years ago I 

 shot several Whistlers about September 26 or 28, — the date was 

 lost; but for the ten years the earliest appearance is October 8, 

 1904. The number taken, 5 per cent of the total fowl, does not at 

 all represent the true abundance of this bird, as its natural shyness 

 and absolute disdain for live decoys make it one of the most difficult 

 birds to take from the shore. In the spring it is the first fowl to 

 cheer the desolate surface of the lake, gathering in little flocks 

 before the ice is out, and tracking regularly to salt water for several 

 weeks. % 



Buffle-head (Charitonetta albcola). A common late arrival at 

 the pond in small flocks of three to six, and often with Ruddy Ducks. 

 The earliest arrival is October 9, 1900; the latest arrival, November 

 4, 1904. From the 19th to the 25th of October is the ordinary date 

 of appearance. Forty-seven individuals have been taken, which 

 number does not represent their relative abundance, as they were 

 not always shot on account of their small size and inferior flesh. 



Old-squaw (Harelda hy emails). A rare duck in the ponds of 

 Massachusetts, and represented here by only four individuals. 

 Several others are noted as being seen. Occurred alone each time. 

 The earliest is October 20, 1902. 



Northern Eider (Somatcrla molllsslma borealls). Has *never 

 occurred to my knowledge in the ponds of eastern Massachusetts 

 except once at Furnace Pond, Pembroke, November 9, 1909. 

 Three were shot, one of which is in my collection. 



Scoters (Oldemla amerlcana, 0. persplclllata, and 0. deglandi). 

 Of these three ducks, the White-winged Scoter is by far the most 

 common in the pond, and represents about 4 per cent of the total 

 score. Large flocks of Scoters in migration are rarely seen at 

 Wenham. Such a flight was only once noted, October 9, 1900, 

 in a heavy northeast storm. Our point of observation is too far 

 west to see many of these fowl. 



Ruddy Duck (Erlsmatura jamalcensls) . The Ruddy Duck 

 represents 15 per cent of the total number of fowl taken. From 

 year to year there is a great variation in the number of these birds 

 seen. In 1905, 114 were taken, and 70 others recorded, while in 

 1907 only one was taken, and two others noted. The earliest date 

 is September 30, 1904. 



