484 Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 



ducks are seen. For each of several years the first were noted as 

 follows : In 1899, the first flock was seen September 29. In 1900, 

 on September 3, two flocks seen flying south. In 1906, on Sep- 

 tember 11, they were said to be common at Lake Manitou, near 

 Rochester, and the next day a flock was seen at Maxinkuckee. In 

 1907, the first flock was seen September 23. In 1913, on Sep- 

 tember 4, two were seen flying from Lake Maxinkuckee toward 

 Lost Lake. Usually by the middle of October, sometimes the first, 

 they are abundant, although, in 1913, they were not yet very com- 

 mon at the end of October when our stay at the lake ended. 



In 1899, they were noted as scarce on October 12, but five days 

 later a large flock was seen at night, which was very foggy, on 

 shore at Long Point. They were believed to be mostly little blue- 

 bills. 



In 1900, a flock was noted October 16 and others on the 19th. 

 Two small flocks seen flying over on the 26th, and several others 

 were noted on the 28th, and again on the 29th when there was 

 much shooting. Our only October record for 1903 is one for the 

 15th to 29th, during which fortnight two market hunters camp- 

 ing on Long Point are said to have killed a great many ducks, 

 mostly little bluebills. They used blinds and decoys, a method of 

 pot hunting which should be made unlawful. It is said that these 

 pot hunters received $6 a dozen for the ducks they killed. 



In 1904, ducks were reported to be numerous as early as Octo- 

 ber 8, but there were not many on the 18th. On the 21st and 

 22d good-sized flocks were seen flying over. On the 25th there 

 were a good many birds on the lake and a cottager from Peru 

 was seen pursuing them in a motor boat; two days later he was 

 caught in the act and, pleading guilty on two counts, was fined 

 $72.00, including costs. On the 29th there were a good many 

 ducks on the lake, mostly little bluebills but some canvasbacks, 

 and there was a good deal of shooting. 



In 1906, a few were seen far out on the lake on October 9, 

 and on the 13th there was much shooting on the lake, unlawfully 

 continued long after sunset. We have no other note until October 

 28 when a flock was seen flying south. The next day there were 

 many on the lake and there was a good deal of shooting. On 

 the 30th they were common, two hunters getting 15. They were 

 plentiful on the 31st. 



In 1907, two or three flocks were seen on October 7, chiefly on 

 Lost Lake. Others were seen on the 13th, 14th and 15th. On the 

 19th there were thousands on the lake. Many were noted on the 

 21st, mostly little bluebills, whistlers, canvasbacks and redheads. 



