CJO BIRDS OF MASSACHUSETTS 



1 1 8. Branta leucopsis (Bechst.). BARNACLE GOOSE. 

 Accidental from the Old World. Although Audubon and 



Brewer refer to the occurrence of this bird in the State, the only 

 definite record is : North Chatham, one shot on November i, 1895, 

 and mounted by Mr. N. Vickary of Lynn. 1 



119. Branta bernicla (Linn.). BRANT. 



A rather uncommon spring and autumn migrant, occasionally 

 wintering. 



March 12 to May 10 (June 2) ; September 23 to Decem- 

 ber 12. (Winter). 



Cohasset : " Rather rare in fall." Essex County : " October, not abun- 

 dant." Ipswich: One instance. Nantucket : "Common." Springfield: 

 "Not common." Templeton : " Rare migrant." 



120. Branta nigricans (Lawr.). BLACK BRANT. 

 Accidental from the west. Although referred to by Brewer on 



Henshaw's authority, there is but one definite record : Chatham^ 

 one taken in the spring of 1883. 2 



121. Anas boscas Linn. MALLARD DUCK. 



An uncommon migrant and accidental winter resident, rare north 

 of Cape Cod. Its alleged breeding at Somerset and elsewhere 

 requires confirmation. 



April 12 ; October n to December 17 (January 3). 



Berkshire: " Rare transient visitant." Bristol County : "Uncommon 

 transient visitor, mostly to inland ponds.. It may winter." Cambridge : 

 [Occasional in fall on Fresh Pond.] Cohasset: "Occasional in fall.'* 

 Essex County: " Fall and Winter Rare." Ipswich: One instance. 

 November. Nantucket: " Not unusual." Springfield: "Rather com- 

 mon autumn visitor." Rare in spring. Wellesley : " Rather rare mi- 

 grant." 



122. Anas obscura Gmel. BLACK DUCK. 



It has long been known in a general way that two kinds of 

 Black Duck occur on our coast. So far, on account of the diffi- 

 culty of procuring breeding specimens, no separation has been 

 feasible. Of these two kinds the adults apparently are separable 



!Q. & O., Vol. XI, No. i, Jan., 1886, p. 16. 

 2 Cory ; Auk, Vol. I, No. i, Jan., 1884, p. 96. 



