24 



LAMELLIllOSTRAL SWIMMERS — ANSEUES. 



and the early part of spring it is quite common along the Middle Atlantic districts, 

 as well as on the streams in the interior. In its choice of food, in its migrations, 

 and in its breeding-range, its habits are presumed to be similar to those of the larger 

 species. It is said to be of accidental occurrence in Europe. 



Mr. Ivennicott and Mr. MacFarlane both found it breeding in large numbctrs on 

 tlie Yukon Kiver, and have furnished interesting notes as to the general character, 

 position, and locality of the nests. One of these, described by Mr. Kennicott, was 

 fomul, June 19, at Fort Yukon ; it was placed among grassy tussocks, surrounded by 

 water, at the edge of a lake. The nest of this species is never built literally in the 

 water, as is the case with the Canvas-back. This particular nest, as is usual witli this 

 species, Avas made of dry grasses, the bottom two inches above the water, and it con- 

 tained nine eggs. Another nest was at the edge of a marsh, among long grass, and 

 (contained but a single egg. This nest was very incomplete ; and Mr. Kennicott 

 remarks that in all the nests of this species which he has foinid, in which thc^ num- 

 ber of eggs is not nearly completed, the nest is only partially made, and is, in iacl. 

 only a pile of grass with the sides not built up, and without any feathers or down. 

 A third nest with only two eggs, and incomplete, was found, June 18, upon ami 

 b((tween two tussocks of grass, on the edge of a large lake, and in from one to tw" 

 feet of water. 



A nest found by Mr. MacFarlane, June 23, was in tlie midst of a swam]), and was 

 a mere hole or depression in the centre of a tuft of grass ; it was lined on its sides 

 with a dark-colored down, and contained three eggs. Another, found in June, 18(54, 

 was in a swampy tract on the borders of tlie wooded country, was made of a (pumtity 

 of down placed in the midst of a tuft of grassy turf, commonly called a tft(; defemmi: 

 The female was snared on the nest ; and the eggs, six in number, contained i)artially 

 develojjed embryos. A third nest, taken July 14, contained eight eggs with end)ry(is 

 well developed ; it was situated in a clump of willows in tlu! midst of a swamj), and 

 close to a small lake, and was nuide of hay and down. Mr. jMacFarlane also found 

 this Duck breeding in the neighborhood of Fort Anderson and on the Lower Ander- 

 son River. His notes, describing twelve nests taken in this region, indicate a gcmernl 

 uniformity in their situation and characteristics. The general number of eggs in a 

 nest was nine, and this appears to be the usual complement. In si'veral instances 

 the male bird was found in comi)any with his mate, and in one instance was shot in 

 close proximity to the nest, even when the eggs contained end)ryos. 



A careful examination of Audubon's account of the liabits of the Scaup Duck clearly 

 indicates that nearly all he says of it belongs in reality to this s])eeies ; and this 

 supposition is strengtheni'd by the fact that he figures and describes the ajfiiiis rather 

 than the larger Black-head. He sjjcaks of observing the S(^aup Duck by the thousand 

 on the Ohio, the Missouri, and the Mississii)})!, from Pittsburg to New Orleans, where 

 it occurred in such large bands that it was generally known as the " Flocking Fowl." 

 These Ducks were seldom seen close together, and rarely assoidated with birds of otlirr 

 species. They seemed fond of large eddies below projecting points of land, frc- 

 (piently diving to a considerable distance in search of food. In su(!h situations tluy 

 might easily be ajiproaclied and shot ; and when danger was near they seemed to ^jrelVr 

 to escape by swimming and diving rather than by flight, and they rose with sonu' 

 difficulty from the water. Audubon noted that these Ducks differed greatly in size, 

 but does not seem to have been led from this to suspect that they really belonged to 

 two distinct sjiecies. 



J^rofessor Kundien informs me that this Duck is quite common in Southern Wis- 

 consin both in the spring and in the fall. Some of thes(> birds arc to be found on Lake 





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