CATALOGUE OF CANADIAN BIRDS. gi 
We have never observed this species on the prairie west of Mani- 
toba or in the Rocky mountains, but after crossing the Coast range 
and descending to the lower Fraser, at Agassiz, we found it breeding. 
Fannin reports it abundant and breeding along the lower Fraser at 
Sumas, Chilliwack, and Burnaby lake; and Brooks says that an odd 
bird or two often remains all winter. Spreadborough saw two at 
Midway, B.C., and one on a smail pond in the woods at Penticton, 
mC 
This is another species that has an eastern and a western race that 
are not known to interbreed. 
BREEDING Notes.—For several years a pair used to breed in a 
soft-maple stub, about twenty feet from the ground, on the bank 
of a creek near Bracebridge, Ont. I never saw the nest, so cannot 
describe it, but have seen the old bird carry her young to the 
water in her bill. (Spreadborough.) This species builds in holes 
in trees and places where large branches have broken away. The 
nest is composed of dry grass and feathers. The eggs—six to twelve 
or more—are something between a buff and a pale green in colour. 
When the nest is built on a broken branch it is composed of dry 
sticks, grass and feathers. About the first of May is the time when 
they begin to lay at Ottawa, Ont. (G.R. White.) A few years ago 
this handsome duck was quite common in the latter part of summer 
in many creeks that run into the St. Lawrence. In these same 
localities now (1898) I scarcely see any birds. A few pairs breed 
every year at Estcott pond and elsewhere in the county of Leeds, 
and I have seen young birds in June, though I have never seen the 
nest. It also breeds sparingly in north Hastings co., Ont. Two or 
three broods were brought out this year (1906) at Moira lake near 
Madoc. (Rev. C. J. Young.) Regularly distributed throughout 
western Ontario. Breeds along marshesand rivers. (W. Saunders.) 
LIV. AYTHYA Bore. 1822. 
146. Redhead. Pochard. 
Aythya americana (EytT.) BatrpD. 1858. 
Rare migrant in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, and also rare 
on the coast of Labrador, none seen in the interior. Rather com- 
mon in the Gulf and River St. Lawrence, and, according to MclIl- 
wraith, often abundant in Ontario during the migrations. Saun- 
ders reports them breeding in the large marshes at Lake St. Clair. 
