Ill 



20 LAMELLIR08TRAL SWIMMERS — ANSERES. 



This Duck has been tamed and made to teed on barley ; but in California it is deemed 

 an inferior bird for the table. 



Colonel Grayson mentions meeting with it in Western IVIexico, near Mazatlan, 

 during the winter months. Mv. Uresser found it common throughout the winter in 

 Southwestern Texas and Northern Mexico. It occurs in several of the West India 

 Islands ; in Cuba, according to Dr. Gundlach ; and in Trinidad, on the authority ol 

 Leotaud. In the latter place it is a fn^iucnt but not a very regular visitant, arrivini,' 

 usually in Noveud)er, and departing iu April, generally in small flocks of five or six 

 individuals only. Its flesh is not of the flrst quality. 



Dr. Bryant states that this species is common during the winter in the Bahamas, 

 and that it is sometimes seen in immense flocks, acres in extent. 



Mr. Swinhoe includes it in his List of the Birds of Foriuosa, and met with it near 

 Amoy, in China. It was also observed in Japan by Mr. H. Whitely, who met with 

 it in May near Hakodadi. 



In Europe it is regarded as a decidedly northern species, not breeding south of 

 Lapland. Mr. Wheelwright found it very common at Quickiock, in the lowlands and 

 fell meadows. The eggs were said greatly to resemble those of the Pintail in coloi-, 

 but to be larger and thicker. In Iceland iMr. C. AV. Shepard found it on an island in 

 the Lake of My-vatn, in the northern part. Although a great many other Ducks were 

 breeding in and about this lake, only one other, the Harelda glacialis, occupied this 

 isliind. Most of the birds left their nests as soon as the boat touched the shore, b>it 

 a few remained, and would not leave until they were driven away. He found two 

 Ducks, one of them of this species, the other a Harelda, sitting on the same nest, which 

 contained several eggs of both species, very easily distinguished by the dift'erenccs 

 in their color, shape, and size. 



The Blue-bill is not uncommon in the fall, and also in the spring, near Calais, Me., 

 but it is not found there in tlie winter. It winters on the coast of Massachusetts in 

 mild seasons, and is '.'si)ecially common on the southern coast of Cape Cod. It is also 

 occasional during winter in Bermuda. 



Professor Kinnlien informs me that this species occurs on Lake Koskonong, Wis., 

 both in its spring and in its fall migrations. It is not common, and is more frequently 

 found in the lake than in the creek. 



Mr. J. A. Allen found it (juite common in the fall in the valley of Great Salt Lake. 



According to Giraud it is known to the hunters of Long Island as the " Broiid- 

 bill," and also as the '• Blue-bill." It arrives on the southern coast of that island 

 between the 10th and the 20th of Octobei', associating in large flocks. On its iirst 

 a|)pearance it is easily decoyed, but after having been frec^uently shot at it becomes 

 more shJ^ In the stormy weather it takes slielter in the coves, and is frequently 

 decoyed to within gunshot from the shore by having a dog trained to swim between 

 it and the land, and also by tlie rapid waving of a red handkerchief, the party keeping 

 concealed. It is supposed, from the impetuous manner in which the bird approaches, 

 that it is angered by this man(KUvre ; and the effect is said to be very amusing. The 

 Blue-bill remains on the coast of Long Island all the Avinter, unless compelled liy 

 the severity of the weather to seek a better sujiply of food elsewhere. Even when 

 the bays are frozen it may be killed at the " air (»|)enings." When wounded it avoids 

 pursuit by diving, and is celebrated for skulking under banks. But little advantiigi' 

 can be derived from the fact that the flock is a large one, if the hunter shows himself. 

 The birds all scatter, and it is rarely ])ossible to get even two in a range. Greater 

 havoc is made if the flock swims up to the luuiter when in ])osition. 



Birds of this species usually pass the nights on the flats in large flocks, seldom 



