1895] MARYLAND ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 261 



are having a fine time, as the streams are covered with Mal- 

 lards." On April 5, 1895, a pair were shot at Cumberland 

 (Zacharia Laney). 



Anas obscura (133). Black Duck. 



Common in tidewater Maryland during the gunning season, 

 quite a number remain during summer and breed. Numerous 

 in the vicinity of Baltimore from August 28 ('93, Fisher), to May 

 6 ('93, Gray). I observed this species in 1894, at Ocean City, as 

 follows : On June 5 a pair ; on the 6th a pair ; on the 7th 

 3, 2, 3, 1, 3, and also a pair with small young on Chin- 

 cateague Bay about two miles from shore, where it was so 

 rough I could not count the young. On the 10th my man at 

 last succeeded in finding a nest, but it only held the two half 

 shells of an egg, one inside the other. 



At Loch Raven, on April 7, ('95), I watched 20 birds 

 for some time, they were feeding in shallow water like tame 

 ducks, and while they kept in a close bunch, were mated, each 

 pair distinctly keeping together. 



Anas strepera (135). Gadwall. 



While a few no doubt winter with us, the species seems to be 

 fairly numerous in November, and again in; April; though it is 

 rather difficult to get statistics, our market gunners classing this 

 and the females of three or four other species as " gray ducks," 

 and our amateurs as "trash ducks." On November 22-3, 

 1894, about 20 were shot at Spry's Island. At Washington, 

 D. C., they are given as common from September to April 

 (Richmond). 



From the /Sun I take the following: " Williamsport, Md. 

 April 9, 1895. Wild ducks are plentiful along the Poto- 

 mac, above this place. From the old Sharpless warehouse up 

 to Big Pool, flocks of Gray Mallards abound. These, the 

 sportsmen say, are rare, and it is unusual to see so many of 

 them along the river." 



