82 BIRDS OF THE HUDSON HIGHLANDS ; 



that one was shot, several years since, on the Hudson River near 

 Newburgh, by a gunner, who brought it to the house of his aunt, for 

 sale. Another Swan was shot on one of the small lakes near High- 

 land Falls, on October 21, 1880. 



171. Chen hyperboreus, Pallas. SNOW GOOSE. A large 

 flock of Snow Geese settled upon the Hudson, near Cornwall, a year 

 or two ago ; they were too wild to allow the gunners to obtain a shot, 

 although Mr. "Josh" Ward endeavored to shoot a specimen for me. 



172. Bernicla canadensis, Linne. CANADA GOOSE. Abundant 

 during migrations. . 



173. Bernicla brenta, Pallas. BRANT. Occurs during migra- 

 tions. Mr. Stearns says (List of Birds In Vicinity of Fishkill-on- 

 the-Hudson, N. Y., 1880) that it is " not rare " in fall, at Fishkill, on 

 the Hudson. 



174. Anas boscas, Linne. MALLARD. Found during spring 

 and fall migrations. 



175. Anas obscura, Gmelin. BLACK DUCK. A very abundant 

 spring and fall migrant; less numerous in summer and winter; breeds. 



The Black Duck, although often seen in immense beds on the 

 Hudson River, is rather partial to small creeks, and inland ponds and 

 pools. It commonly feeds upon the salt marshes beside the river. 

 On 'land, its movements appear awkward, although it manages to 

 waddle over the humpy meadows with considerable celerity. At 

 such times a side view is very pleasing, although a posterior one is 

 most ludicrous. Its tail wiggles incessantly, while its body performs 

 a remarkable series of lateral oscillatory movements, especially when 

 walking over tussocks of grass. When alarmed it stretches its neck 

 to the full extent, and then squats amongst the hummocks, and re- 

 mains motionless. It swims very rapidly, and rises from the water 

 with great swiftness. When a flock of Dusky Ducks is about to a- 

 light, the birds circle around the intended spot, and then drop verti- 

 cally down from a considerable height, making a loud splash as they 

 strike the water. 



Dimensions. Average measurements of two adult males: length, 

 24-50; stretch, 38-50; wing, 11-00; tail, 4-35; culmen, 2-33; gape, 2-65 

 tarsus, 2-00 ; middle toe, 2-17 ; its claw, -44. 



176. Chaulelasmus streperus, Linne. GADWALL. A spring 

 and fall migrant. 



177. Daflla acuta, Linne. PINTAIL. Quite common during 

 migrations. 



178. Mareca americana, Gmelin. AMERICAN WIDGEON ; BALD- 

 PATE. A common species during migrations. 



Dimensions. Measurements of No. 888, $ ad. r Highland Falls, N. 

 Y., March 12,1876, E. A. M. : length, 20-25; stretch, 34-50; wing, 



