105 



when the train slowed up, before turning back from the Hudson, at 

 Spuyten Duyvil, the Ducks flew ahead. In order to get at the exact 

 distance and time, I wrote to the General Superintendent of the rail- 

 road, who kindly sent the following reply: "Referring to yours of 

 this date, relative to train, stops, and distances, Nov. 3, 1879 : The 

 train alluded to left Garrisons at 7.52 A. M., Sing Sing 8.30 and Spuy- 

 ten Duyvil 8.58 ; and the distance between Sing Sing and Spuyten 

 Duyvil is 19-fi& miles." Signed, " J. M. Toucey, Gen'l Sup't." The 

 time, then, was exactly 28 minutes, and the distance 19.56 miles; this 

 makes their rate of flight 1 mile in 1.43 minutes, or rather more than 

 a mile in a minute and a half. 



Dimensions. Average measurements of three adult males : length, 

 23-00; stretch, 31-00; wing, 8-75; tail, 8-75; culmen, 112; gape, 1-77; 

 tarsus, 1-40; middle toe and claw, 2-20; middle toe alone, 1-95; claw, 

 34. 



191. CEdemia americana, Swainson and Richardson. AMERI- 

 CAN SCOTEK. Very abundant during migrations. 



Dimensions. Average measurements of three females : length, 

 18 24; stretch, 32-00; wing, 8-13; tail, 3-55; culmen, 1-63. Measure- 

 ments of No. 796, $ ad., Hudson River, at Cornwall, October 9, 1875, 

 E. A. M. : length, 20-50; stretch, 33-65; wing, 8-56; tail, 3-65. 



192. Melanetta velvetina, Cassin. AMERICAN VELVET Sco* 

 TER. Very abundant during spring and fall migrations ; occasionally 

 seen in winter. 



Dimensions. Average measurements of four adult males : length, 

 22-50; stretch, 39-50; wing, 10-80; tail, 4-00; culmen, 1-55; gape, 

 2-78; tarsus, 2-00; middle toe and claw, 3-2,5; middle toe alone, 2-90; 

 its claw, -40. Average measurements of two adult females : length, 

 21-00; stretch, 37-50; wing, 10-10; tail, 3-45; culmen, 1-55; gape, 

 2-65 : tarsus, 1-55; middle toe and claw, 3-20; middle toe alone, 2-80; 

 its claw, -42. 



193. Pelionetta perspicillata, Linne. SURF DUCK; SEA 

 COOT. Abundant during spring and fall migrations. Arrives earlier 

 than the Velvet Duck, in autumn. 



Dimensions. Average measurements of two adult males : length, 

 20-10; stretch, 34-00; wing, 9-15; tail, 3-10; culmen, 1-53; gape, 2-58; 

 tarsus, 1-82; middle toe, 2-67; its claw, '40; middle toe and claw, 

 3-00. 



194. Erismatura rubida, Wilson. RUDDY DUCK. An abun- 

 dant spring and fall migrant. In autumn the Ruddys are very gentle, 

 but expert divers. 



Dimensions. Average measurements of three females : length 

 14-55; stretch, 22/00; wing, 5.-4Q; tail; 2-50; culmen, 1-60; gape, 1-80- 



