19o Phillips, Migration of Anatidce in Massachusetts. [.April 



Ducks, and Whistlers; while a great many more Black Ducks 

 and geese are seen in migration. 



For instance, during the ten year period which we are considering 

 at Wenham, I find Ruddy Ducks mentioned only on three years: 

 one was taken in 1906; 2 in 1908, and five in 1909. 



Redheads: 2 in 1904, 9 in 1909. 



Whistlers are seldom seen or taken. 



The proportion of Black Ducks to the total bag is larger than at 

 W T enham. Spoonbills are noted on four occasions, five birds having 

 been taken. 



The terms Widgeon and Gray Ducks are used a great deal, 

 but as these names are applied to a variety of species, it is not safe 

 to lay too much stress upon them. 



Geese are seen in some numbers at Chebacco Lake, perhaps 

 three times as many as at W T enham. 



Brant have come to the pond on two occasions, November 9, 

 1905, and November 26, 1900. They have been noted in flight 

 several times. 



In order to try and get a clear idea regarding the part of the 

 country whence the Wenham flight ducks have come, a collection 

 of stomachs was made in 1909, representing 11 species by 66 speci- 

 mens. 



These were very kindly analyzed by Mr. McAtee and his report 

 is freely quoted below. Referring to the entire collection Mr. 

 McAttee says: "One remarkable fact about them is that of the 

 entire lot of 66, 22 were empty or nearly so. This is an unusual 

 proportion of empty stomachs .... However, many of the birds 

 must have had access to good feeding, as shown by the presence of 

 wild celery, Vallisneria spiralis, in 12, and several of the stomachs 

 were well filled .... The percentage of mineral matter for the 

 whole number of stomachs is 35.6, rather high, showing that on 

 the average the birds were not full fed. Most of them had access 

 to good fresh-water feeding grounds, the Black Duck, Widgeon, 

 Mallard, Ruddy, Goldeneye, and Canvasback getting buds and 

 rootstocks of wild celery. . . Most individuals of the above men- 

 tioned species, and of both Scaups and Blue-winged Teal and Mer- 

 ganser had secured their food in fresh water. The Geese, however, 

 one containing eel-grass and 8 an alga like the sea lettuce, Uha, came 



