BY EDGAR A. MEARNS. 85 



when the train slowed up, before turning back from the Hudson, at 

 Spuyten Duyvil, the Ducks flew ahead. In order to get at the exact 

 distance and time, I wrote to the General Superintendent of the rail- 

 road, who kindly sent the following reply: "Referring to yours of 

 this date, relative to train, stops, and distances, Nov. 3, 1879: The 

 train alluded to left Garrisons at 7.52 A. M., Sing Sing 8.30 and Spuy- 

 ten Duyvil 8.58; and the distance between Sing Sing and Spuyten 

 Duyvil is 19 -^ miles." Signed, " J. M. Toucey, Gen'l Sup't." The 

 time, then, was exactly 28 minutes, and the distance 19.56 miles; this 

 makes their rate of flight 1 mile in 1.43 minutes, or rather more than 

 a mile in a minute and a half. 



Dimensions. Average measurements of three adult males : length, 

 23-00; stretch, 31-00; wing, 8-75; tail, 8-75; oilmen, 1- 12; gape, 1-77; 

 tarsus, 1-40; middle toe and claw, 2-20; middle toe alone, 1-95; claw, 

 34. 



191. (Edemia arnericana, Swainson and Richardson. AMERI- 

 CAN SCOTER. Very abundant during migrations. 



Dimensions Average measurements of three females : length, 

 1824; stretch, 32-00; wing, 8-13; tail, 3-55; culmen, 1-63. Measure- 

 ments of No. 796, $ ad., Hudson River, at Cornwall, October 9, 187%, 

 E. A. M. : length, 20-50; stretch,' 33-65; wing, 8-56; tail, 3-65. 



192. Melanetta velvetina, Cassin. AMERICAN VELVET SCO- 

 TER. Very abundant during spring and fall migrations ; occasionally 

 seen in winter. 



Dimensions. Average measurements of four adult males: length, 

 22-50; stretch, 39-50; wing, 10-80; tail, 4-00; culmen, 1-55; gape, 

 2-78; tarsus, 2-00; middle toe and claw, 3-25; middle toe alone, 2-90; 

 its claw, -40. Average measurements of two adult females : length, 

 21-00; stretch, 37-50; wing, 10-10; tail, 3-45; culmen, 1-55; gape, 

 2-G5 : tarsus, 1-55; middle toe and claw, 3-20; middle toe alone, 2-80; 

 its claw, -42. 



193. Pelionetta perspicillata, Linne. SURF DUCK; SKA 

 COOT. Abundant during spring and fall migrations. Arrives earlier 

 than the Velvet Duck, in autumn. 



Dimensions. Average measurements of two adult males : length, 

 20-10; stretch, 34-00; wing, 9-15; tail, 3-10; culmen, 1-53; gape, 2-58; 

 tarsus, 1-82; middle toe, 2-67; its claw, -40; middle toe. and claw, 

 3-00. 



194. Erismatura rubida, Wilson. RUDDY DUCK. An abun- 

 dant spring and fall migrant. In autumu the Ruddys are very gentle, 

 but expert clivers. 



Dimensions. Average measurements of three females : length 

 14-55; stretch, 22-00; wing, 5-40; tail, 2-50; culmen, 1-60; gape, 1-80. 



