eo 



LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS — ANSERES. 



occupied this island. Nearly all these birds forsook their nests as soon as the boat 

 touched the shore ; but a few v.ould not stir until actually driven away. Among the 

 latter were two Ducks — a Scaup and a Lony-tail ; theik- wore sitting together on the 

 same nest, in which were several eggs of the two species, readily distinguishable from 

 each other by their diiference in color, size, and shape. All the nests of the Long- 

 tailed Duck were tilled witli down, which appeared but little inferior to that of the 

 Eider. 



!Mr. Dall found this Duc-k extremely abundant on the sea-coast of Alaska. It was 

 very common in the fall of 1805 at St. Michaer,'-, where it was one of tlie last Ducks 

 to leave. It was, however, rare on the Yukon Kiver. A single si)ecimeu was killed, 

 June 1, 18()8, at Nulato, when the river was full of floating ice. Mr. Dall describes 

 this bird as being an expert diver, and hard to shoot, except on the wing. He noticed 

 it breeding abundantly on every beach, in a very simple nest Avithout any lining. 

 He also found it in large numbers resident in the Aleutian Islands, and exhibiting a 

 great variety in the colors of its jdumage ; the same thing was noticed on the V'ukon. 

 Although this Duck is mentioned by Dr. Newberry as being a rare visitor on the 

 coast of California, Dr. Cooper thinks that probably it is never met with there at 

 all. It is, however, quite common on the Columbia River in the winter, and probably 

 goes much farther south. Karely appearing on fresh water, it frequents the most 

 open bays, and feeds upon shelltish and marine i>lants. 



On Norton Sound, Alaska, according to Mr. Adams ("Ibis," 1878), it makes its lirst 

 appearance about the 7th of May, but by no means in large numbers, and generally 

 only in pairs. It breeds about the inland marshes, its nest resembling that of other 

 Sea-Ducks; the eggs b(-ng nine in number, and of a dark olive-green color. The 

 name of this bird in the Eski dialect is Ad-h'-fjiilc-lu-luk. 



Sir John Richardson speaks of finding this Duck abundant in the Arctic Sea, 

 associating witli tlie O'ulem'uv, remaining in the north as long as it can find open 

 water, and ivssembling in very large flocks previous to migrating. During its progress 

 south it halts both on the shores of Hudson's Ray and among the iidand lakes, and is 

 one of the last of the birds of passage to quit the Fur Countries. In the latter part 

 of August, when a thin crust of ice forms during the night on the Arctic Sea, the 

 female may often be seen breaking a way witli her wings for lier young brood. Tliis 

 bird is called by tlie Canadians the "Cacca-U'ce,^' and is by far the most noisy of all 

 the Ducks. 



Mr. Hearne, writing about a century ago, sjieaks of the birds of this species as 

 visiting Hudson's Ray in great nund)ers, and as extending their range from the sea- 

 coast to the remotest West. They were found in vast nndtitudes near Cumberland 

 House. At their first arrival they are excellent eating; but when they are moulting, 

 though very fat, they are generally so rank that few Ein-opeans can tolerate them. 



This species is very abvnidant during the winter oif the coast of Maine, and indeed 

 on all the New England sea-shore, and occurs in great luimbers in all the bays and 

 estuaries between Eastport ami Long Island. It leaves tlie northern ri'gions in large 

 flocks, which gradually separate into sniaUer parties, and in the course of tlu^ winter 

 arc distributed along the entire Atlantic region. It is a watchful and vigilant bird, 

 very diflicult of approach, and quite expert in diving, i)assing so rapidly under the 

 water that shooting it is almost imiiossible. It can be best approachec^ by sailing 

 down upon it or by gradually drifting among the flock in a boat unjiropelled by oars, 

 the oecu])ants keeping concealed. On the wing it is one of the swiftest of its trilie, 

 and one of those birds most ditticult to shoot. As a general thing its flesh is tough 

 and fishy. 



