ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB. 41 



a limit to its common occurrence in the eastern portion of its range. 

 On the west it extends to the Rocky Mountains, and between these 

 limits it has been recorded during the breeding-season from the Sas- 

 katchewan to the Arkansas (Coues) and to the city of Mexico (Nut- 

 tall). It is more closely confined to its favorite haunts than most 

 water-birds, and this may, in a measure, account for the little hith- 

 erto known regarding its habits. During the first two weeks of 

 May, the exact date varying with the season, this beautiful bird 

 first makes its appearance in Northeastern Illinois. Its arrival is 

 heralded by a few females, which arrive first, and are found singly 

 about the marshes. At this time the females have a peculiar harsh 

 note, which I have heard but a few times, and only from solitary 

 individuals before the arrival of the main body. 



A few days later small flocks, embracing both sexes, may be 

 found along the borders of grassy pools, or lying at midday on the 

 sunny side of some warm knoll in the marsh. As the breeding-sea- 

 son approaches they become more restless, flying from place to 

 place, and finally separate into small parties of two or three pairs. 

 About the middle of May their love-making commences, and is at 

 first indicated by the increasing solicitude they show for each 

 other's welfare. The appearance of a person in their vicinity at 

 this time is the signal for all the birds near to come circling about, 

 though generally not within easy gunshot. By a careful approach 

 one may now and then find a small party swimming about in some 

 secluded pool. The charming grace of movement exhibited at such 

 times, combined with their tasteful elegance of attire, form one of 

 the most pleasing sights one could witness, as they swim buoyantly 

 from side to side of the pool, gracefully nodding their heads ; now 

 pausing an instant to arrange a feather, or to daintily gather some 

 fragment of food, and now floating idly about, wafted by the slight 

 breeze which at intervals ripples the surface of the water. A more 

 common, but scarcely less pleasing sight is presented when, uncon- 

 scious of observation, they walk sedately along the border of the 

 water, never departing from their usual easy grace of movement. 

 Their food is generally found in such places, where the receding 

 water furnishes a bountiful supply. The only demonstrations I 

 have observed during the pairing-time consist of a kind of solemn 

 bowing of the head and body; but sometimes, with the head low- 

 ered and thrust forward, they will rvm back and forth in fi-ont of 

 the object of their regard ; or again a pair may often be seen to 



