ANATIN j; — THE DUCKS — FULIX. 



27 



vson 



also 



obtained it at Mazatlan in Western Mexico, and Mr. John Xantns on the Eio do 

 Coahuano in the same region. Mr. Dresser, in his journey from San Antonio to Eagle 

 Tass, in Western Texas, in December, shot one of this s])ecies on the Nueces Kiver, 

 and s!i\/ several others at the same time and plaee. 



This Duck occurs on the Tacific coast at least as far north as Vancouver Island, 



where it was taken by Mr. 11. Browne. Dr. Cooper mentions that a single specinu'u 



of this species was obtained near the Straits of Fuca by Dr. Kennerly, when with the 



Northwestern Houndary Expedition in 1857. It was shot September 14; and from its 



Si occurrence so early in tlie season in that latitude the inference may be drawn that it 



^ occasionally comes into California in the winter, unless only an accidental visitor to 



tlic Pacitic coast. Dr. Cooper does not regard it as common there, but states that it 



V may be found to the south as far as Mexico, and that it is usually seen in localities' 



similar to those in which the Blue-bill occurs. 



Mr. Georgt^ A. Boardman informs me that this Duck is seen every summer in the 

 vicinity of Calais, and that it breeds there. The same gentleman states in the " Natur- 

 alist " (\'. 121) that in the spring of 1870 he found several flocks of the Ring-neciked 

 Duck breeding on the river near Calais, and that in one instance he secured t' i old 

 birds and the young ducklings. In the summer of 187J: Mr. Boardman was so fortu- 

 nate as to meet with the nest and eggs of this species. The nest, containing eleven 

 V eggs, was placed among the reeds and thick grass on the banks of the St. Croix 

 IJiver, and was made of dry grasses, but without any down. 



This Duck is of not infrequent occurrence in Eastern Massachusetts, Avhere it is 



usually seen on the larger streams near their mouths ; but it has been taken in several 



instances in the ^lerrimack just below Haverhill. Mr. William Brewster shot a 



' spccinuMi near Belmont, Mass., November, 1867; and several other instances of its 



;. capture in this region are recorded. 



This Duck is mentioned by Giraud as of occasional occurrence on Long Island. 



, ])y the hunters of that locality it is generally considered as a hybrid, and is familiarly 



j-J known as the " Bastard Broad-bill." Along the sea-coast it is not abundant, but a 



• few of this species are observed almost every spring and autumn on the south shore 



■i'i,oi Long Island, and at Egg Harbor, New Jersey. On the streams of the interior it 



i is quite common during the winter. Mr. Giraud met with it on the Ohio in various 



; localities, and also on the Mississijjpi as far south as New Orleans. It associates with 



others of the same species in small flocks, and is usually observed flying but a short 



distance above the water. The largest flock INIr. Giraud ever noticed consisted of 



from nine to twelve individuals. These he saw at the mouth of the Licking Eiver. 



.'(They were not so plentiful in the vicinity of Cincinnati as they were farther down 



: hhe Ohio. 



A single specimen was obtained at Bermuda by Mr. Hurdis in November. It was 

 ft young bird in the plumage of the first season which had been taken alive, and an 

 .^tti'mpt was made to keep it. 



,'^! Itichardson states that this species breeds in all parts of the Fur Country, from 

 |hc 5(lth parallel to its most northern limits. Whether this is given on his own 

 Itnowledge or on the authority of others does not appear. There has been no farther 

 evidence confirmatory of his statement, which quite possibly is not correct. 



Audubon speaks of this Duck as being abundant on all the western waters during 

 the autumn and winter. It is also met with along our Atlantic coast, but by no means 

 ,:.Jn such numbers as in the interior. He says that its flesh is excellent, being fat, 

 nder, and juicy, and having none of the fishy flavor of those species which are in 

 lie habit of diving deep for their food. This Duck arrives m the region between 



