American Game 233 



the best covers for these birds. Some ringnecked 

 pheasant have been introduced. These birds bred and 

 increased for a time, but, owing to insufficient protec- 

 tion, have been about exterminated. Woodcock, it is 

 thought, have increased recently. Wilson's snipe come 

 during the spring and fall migrations (April, and Sep- 

 tember and October) ; they may be found in consider- 

 able numbers in proper localities ; in spring inland, 

 and in autumn nearer the shore. Golden plover, known 

 locally as green-head, were formerly very abundant dur- 

 ing time of migration, late in August and early in Sep- 

 tember, the islands in Narragansett bay being their 

 favorite stopping-places. It is said that at the present 

 time the flights pass the shores far out at sea. A heavy 

 easterly gale occurring during the migrations brings a 

 few birds to the shore, but they do not stop in any 

 numbers, and very few have been killed of late years. 

 Black-bellied plover or beetle-head come along shore 

 in August and September in limited numbers. Brant 

 pass the coast in vast numbers during the spring and 

 fall migrations, but usually keep well out at sea ; a few 

 are killed each year in Narragansett bay, where they 

 formerly abounded. 



Reel-breasted merganser, common sheldrake, are 

 very plentiful. The American and hooded merganser 

 are rather rare. Goldeneyed duck, called whistler, old- 

 squaw, buffle-head or butter-ball, and greater scaup 

 duck, called widgeon, are plentiful in Narragansett bay. 

 Lesser scaup are not common. Black duck are quite 

 plentiful ; mallard and the pintail are rare ; common 

 eider duck are numerous in winter about Newport, Sea- 

 connet, and Narragansett Pier. American widgeon or 



