620 EEPORT OF STATE GEOLOGIST. 



Nest, on ground among reeds and grass about marshy lakes and 

 ponds. Eggs, 6-12; color similar to foregoing species; 2.27 by 1.63. 



Tolerably common migrant; in the northern part of the State 

 it is common in the spring and fall. Mr. Eobert Eidgway notes 

 that it often passes the winter in the southern portion of Illinois. 

 (Birds of Illinois, Vol. II, p. 165.) The habits of these ducks are 

 substantially those of the last species. This and both the Scaup 

 Ducks are known as "Black-heads." 



March 8, 1879, a Eing-bill was killed by Mr. W. M. McCleery at 

 Brookville. In 1888 I noted it March 10, and the same year Mr. E. E. 

 Quick reported a male and female March 31. 



The earliest spring record of this species also comes from English 

 Lake, where it was taken February 27, 1892. In 1892 it was abundant 

 March 6. That year a cold wave came on in March, and on the 13th 

 the lakes were frozen over, and Eing-necks, Mallards and Pintails sat 

 in droves on the ice. (Deane.) 



At the same station the first was shot March 14, 1886, and March 6, 

 1887. In 1889 it was first noted there March 14, and was abundant 

 March 17. 



Thus it would appear they may be expected when the waters are 

 open, which may be late in February some years and the middle of 

 March others. 



They leave the latter part of April. The latest I know them to 

 have remained was May 11 (1890). This duck has been noted breed- 

 ing in the vicinity of Minneapolis, Minn., and its breeding range is 

 from that locality and Iowa northward, in the interior. It is rare in 

 Alaska. In the fall they sometimes reappear early in September. 

 Other years they are not common the latter part of that month. Thay 

 remain into November, sometimes quite late. Mr. Deane informs me 

 that a few were still at English Lake November 22, 1891, and Mr. 

 Charles L. Cass says they remained at Hillsdale, Mich., until Novem- 

 ber 26, 1894. 



