ANATINyE — THE DUCKS — SOMATERIA. 



87 



this species was seen in great numbers in the North Georgian Islands, the birds 

 luiving their nests on the ground in tlie neighborhood of fresh-water ponds, and feed- 

 ing on the aquatic vegetation. 



Sir James C. lloss, also, in the Appendix to his work, says in reference to this 

 species : " Vast numbers of this beautiful Duck resort annually to the shores and 

 islands of the Arctic Kegions in the breeding-season, and have on many occasions 

 afforded a valuable and salutary supply of fresh provision to the crews of the ves- 

 sels employed on those seas. On our late voyage comparatively few were obta'.ned, 

 altliough seen in very great numbers. They do not retire far to the south dui-ing 

 the winter, but assemble in large flocks. The males by themselves and the females 

 with their young brood are often met with in the Atlantic Ocean, far distant from 

 any land, where the numerous crustaceans and other marine animals afford them 

 abundance of food." 



Mr. Dall found a single specimen of this species lying dead on the beach near the 

 Rapids on the Yukon. It is known to the Russians as the Pistrik. A series of eggs 

 from St. Michael's, of which the parent was not identified, appeared to belong to this 

 s[)ecies. Mr. Bannister did not meet with it, and regards it as being extremely un- 

 common in that region. Mr. Dall afterward observed this species among the winter 

 Ducks at Unalashka, Avhere it was somewhat abundant ; but he did not notice any in 

 the Shumagins. There seeuis to be no evidence of its occurrence on any portion of 

 tlic Avest of Oregon or California. 



]\Iiddendorff includes this species in his list of the birds found in the extreme 

 north of Siberia ; and Professor Newton states that it has been several times noticed 

 in Spitzbergen, as also by Loven in Ice Sound in 1857, by Sundevall in Bell Sound 

 the ensuing yeai", and by Nordenskjold, who killed two specimens on the northeast 

 coast in 1858; but the latter does not regard it as being of common occurrence, and 

 doubts if it breeds in that region. It has not been met Avith farther north than hit. 

 70° 14'. Dr. Malmgren shot one out from a small flock early in July in Safe Haven. 

 Another flock was observed by him in August on Horn Sound Islands. In the South- 

 oast Harbor, Bear Island, July 18, he also saw a very large flock, consisting of hun- 

 driids of Ducks and young drakes, Avith only one or tAvo old drakes among them ; but 

 they did not appear to have been breeding there. 



Mr. Gillett, in his account of the birds of Nova Zembla, mentions meeting Avith 

 tills Duck in MatthcAA's Strait on the Oth of August. There Avere several in a small 

 flock, all being apparently inmiaturo males ; but as their Avings Avere entirely desti- 

 tute of quill-feathers, they could not fly, but could dive in a Avoiulerful manner, so 

 that they "ould not be procured Avithout great difficulty. Von Heuglin also met with 

 this species in the same locality. 



According to Yarrell, the King Duck is very rare on the British coast. Mr. Bul- 

 lock found it breeding on l*apa Westray, one of the Orkney Islands, in the latter part 

 of June. There Avere six eggs, covered Avith the doAvn of tlie parent, the nest being 

 on a rock Avliich overhung the sea. An egg in Yarrell's collection is described as 

 being 2.50 inches long by 1.75 wiue, and of a pale green color. 



According to Vieillot. specimens of tliis Inrd have been taken in France. Pro- 

 fessor Nilsson states that it frequents the most northern jiarts of the Baltic, of 

 Denmark, and of NorAvay, and that a foAv breed in the Faroe Islands and in Iceland. 

 Some of these birds Avere seen by Audubon in his journey to Labrador ; but he did 

 not succeed in finding their nests. 



Mr. ;MarFarlane observed the King Duck breeding on the coast of the Arctic 

 Ocean, in the neighborhood of Franklin Bay ; and he Avrites that Avhcn on Island 



