378 Scott, Birds of the Gulf Coast of Florida. [October 



Fregata aquila. Man-o'-war Bird. — A resident species, but much 

 more abundant during the warmer months of the vear. Thej do not, so 

 far as I am aware, breed at any point north of Charlotte Harbor, nor at 

 that point. 



Wherever there is a salt water rookery, particulai-ly of Pelicans or Cor- 

 morants, these birds congregate in great numbers during the time the 

 young birds are being reared, and at this season act much as do the para- 

 sitic Gulls, stealing food from young and old birds. I have frequently 

 seen them preying on Gulls and Terns when fishing, just as the Jaegers 

 do. 



Merganser serrator. Red-breasted Merganser. — A common winter 

 resident at least as far south as the mouth of the Anclote River. Here 

 they arrive about the first of November and remain till late in February, 

 and a few are to be seen in March. They frequent almost exclusively 

 i-egions where oyster bars abound, especially such bars as are left bare or 

 nearly so by each receding tide. 



Lophodytes cucullatus. Hooded Merganser. — A common winter 

 resident, and some breed. Unlike M. serrator, these birds seem to prefer 

 the ponds of fresh water near the coast, and I have never seen one in the 

 Gulf, though back in the country a mile from the salt water they are 

 common. 



Anas boschas. Mallard. — The Mallard does not seem as abundant 

 at the several points visited on the Gulf Coast as it is on the East Coast, 

 according to authorities. In the region about Tarpon Springs, though 

 not rare, it is not nearly so abundant as some of its congeners. Here it 

 is a regular winter visitor. 



Anas fulvigula. Florida Duck. — Resident, but not at all common, in 

 the region about Tarpon Springs. At points on old Tampa Bay, I am in- 

 formed by Mr. Stuart of Tampa (who is well acquainted with the bird), 

 it is rather common and breeds. 



I met with the bird once only in the Charlotte Harbor region, on May 

 21, 1886, when a single pair were seen, and so close at hand that there 

 could be no mistake as to their identity. 



Anas americana. Baldpate. — In December, 1879, ^ took at the mouth 

 of the Withlacooche River an adult male of this species in full plumage. 

 This is the only record I have of its occurrence on the West Coast, where 

 it is apparently rare. 



Anas carolinensis. Green-winged Teal. — A not very common winter 

 visitor in Hillsboro County. Frequents only fresh water in the vicinity 

 of Tarpon Springs. At Panassoff kee Lake in the winter of 1875-76 this 

 bird was very abundant. 



Anas discors. Blue-winged Teal. — Rather more common in fall, 

 winter and spring than the last; this in the region about Tarpon Springs, 

 but at Panassoft'kee Lake the reverse was true. 



Dafila acuta. Pintail. — A not uncommon winter visitor, at least as far 

 south as Tampa Bay. I have records of its occurrence each winter that I 

 have spent in the vicinity of Tarpon Springs, and it was a common Duck 



