180 PINTAILS AND WIDGEONS. 



breeding plumage is described by Dr. Coues as follows: 

 " Crests short and ruffs scarcely apparent. Bill black, the 

 tornia of the upper mandible at base and most of the lower 

 mandible yellowish. Crown and occiput glossy greenish- 

 black; back of the neck the same, less intense, and the upper 

 parts generally the same, with grayish edgings of the 

 feathers. Wing-coverts and primaries uniform chocolate- 

 brown, the shafts of the latter black. Secondaries white, 

 mostly with black shafts and brownish tips. Lining of 

 wings and axillars white. A broad patch of silvery-ash on 

 the throat, extending around on sides of the head, whitening 

 along line of juncture with the black of the crown. Neck, 

 except the dorsal line, deep brownish-red, which extends 

 diluted some distance on the breast. Under parts silky 

 white, with a shade of silvery-ash, each feather having a 

 dark shaft-line and terminal spot, producing a peculiar 

 dappled appearance." To the far northwest there are also 

 the Eared Grebe and the Western Grebe. 



PINTAILS AND WIDGEONS. 



Before entering Lake Ontario, Johnson's Creek bends 

 northward, and again runs but a little north of westward, 

 thus entering obliquely, and forming a narrow point of land 

 between its right bank and the lake. This point is for the 

 most part well wooded, as is also a considerable part of 

 the opposite bank, thus making a fair retreat for water- 

 fowl in their migrations. Here the creek is pretty wide, and 

 its surface is smooth. As I sit on the bank, concealed in 

 the bushes, a flock of some dozen Ducks drops into the 

 stream a distance up, but near enough to be well studied 

 with the aid of a glass. They are Widgeons (Mareca amert- 

 cana) and Pintails (Dafila acuta). Both are beautiful species 

 of our fresh waters, and are frequently seen together, when 



