ANATIN^ - THE DUCKS — FULIX. 



23 



than on Slave Lake, not arriving early, but being the last to depart. Large flo(!ks 

 were also seen on the Porcupine liiver. They collect in large bands as soon as the 

 young can fly ; and these flocks ar(! more numerous in the fall than in the sjiring. 



Jlr. Salvin found this J^uck exceedingly abundant on the Lake of Duenas during 

 the winter months ; and it was seen on Lake Atitlan as late as the month of May. 

 Colonel Cirayson found it in Western Mexico, in the neighborhood of :Mazatlan, during 

 the winter; and Dr. Heermann informed Mr. Dresser that it was common on the 

 coast of Texas during the whole of that season. 



Mr. Murray obtained it at Hudson's Bay, and Captain Blakiston also received 

 exanii)les from the same region. Mr. Ross found it abundant along the Mackenzie 

 Iviver, as far north as the Arctic Ocean. According to Mr. Hurdis it is occasionally 

 obtained in the Bermudas. 



Dr. Cooper found it less common on the Pacific coast than the itwriht, and he sug- 

 gests, as the probable explanation, that it is more partial to the interior than it is to 



Fenuilc (natural sise). 



ilie sea-coast. In Eastern Oregon Captain Bendiro found these Ducks common during 

 the migrations, and thinks a few breed in the higher valleys of the Blue IMountains, 

 where they remained into June. 



Mr. Getu'ge A. lioardman informs me that this species occurs both in the spring 

 iind in the fall in the neighborhood of Calais, and that it is by no means uncommon 

 there. It is also found on the coast of ^Massachusetts at tlie same times, but to what 

 extent is not certainly known. Its distinctness from the larger Black-head is not 

 generally recognized by hunters, nor always by taxidermists, Mr. Maynard regards 

 it as rare, and only found in its nugrations. 



Sfr. Giraud was one of tin; iirst to recognize it as a species distinct from the mar'i' ., 

 Jjalling it the " Lesser Scaup Duck." He states that it had long been known to the 

 Jay hunters, and by them was called the "Creek Broad-bill," from its habit of fre- 

 juenting the snuill streams ; while the FitUx vuirila is usually observed in the open 

 bays. The Scaup Duck is said be a very abundant species ; and during the autunm 



