80 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA. 
marshes bordering fresh-water ponds on the Magdalen islands by 
Bishop. Although not a common bird in Labrador, Spread- 
borough found it breeding there Ju'ty 7th, 1896. In Quebec and 
Ontario it still breeds in diminished numbers, but evidently its 
chief breeding grounds are towards the Atlantic coast and Hudson 
bay. A few stragglers reach Manitoba, but the writer never ob- 
served any west of the Red River valley. Macfarlane obtained 
the birds at the Anderson river, Mackenzie valley, but no eggs. 
BREEDING Notes.—A few birds of this species were seen in the 
northern part of Labrador, July 7th, 1896. On this date a nest was 
taken, containing four eggs, nearly hatched. A few breeding on 
the Missinabi river. Breeding in great numbers on both sides of 
James bay. Indians destroy great numbers of young ducks in 
July. Saw over 70 killed with sticks in one afternoon. (Spreaa- 
borough.) The black duck builds generally on the ground at the 
foot of a tree or low bush. The nest is composed of weeds and 
grass, nicely lined with feathers, apparently from the breast of the 
mother bird. The eggs are usually eight or nine in number, and 
are of a pale, dirty-yellowish drab. A nest found near Ottawa, 
Ont., on the 24th May, 1897, had eleven eggs init. It was built 
at the foot of a little pine tree about 20 yards from the water. 
(G. R. White.) Breeds at Rice lake, south of Peterboro, Ontario. 
( Raine.) 
«\ very common species in the St. Lawrence valley, where it 
breeds abundantly. I have seen young broods in the counties of 
Leeds and Lanark in the month of June. This bird breeds early, 
commencing to lay sometimes in April. I found a nest contain- 
ing twelve eggs on the 24th May, 1897, under singular circum- 
stances. Anxious to know whether the loon had again returned 
to its breeding-ground ina small lake about fifteen miles from 
Brockville, Ont., I went to the place and procured a boat. There, 
sure enough, was the nest on the edge of a floating bog and clump 
of flags, and whilst I was examining the nest and the two eggs in 
it, out flew a black duck from amongst the last year’s flags, not an 
oar’s length from the loon’s nest. Feeling sure the eggs were tnere, 
I managed to reach the spot, though the bog was very shaky,and 
saw the nest with the number of eggs mentioned. lhe place 
where the nest was made was not exactly wet, as there was a mat- 
ted foundation of dry weeds among which it was well concealed, 
