ANATIX.E — THE DUCKS — DAFILA. 



618 



Mr. Salvin obtained it at Kalize, and found it common throu-rliout the winter in 

 the Lake of Diiefuis. It is given by Mr. 11. Browne in his ].ist of the 15ird.s of Van- 

 couver Island ; and Mr. J. A. Allen found it in abundance! in the valley of Great 

 Salt Lake. :>rajor Wedderburn mentions the occurrence, in November, 1847, of 

 several specimens — all young birds — in Bermuda. 



According to Ur. Cooper, the Pin-tail migrates in winter to the extreme southern 

 limits of California, being then numerous along the Colorado, and at San Diego. He 

 found it frequenting fresh-water ponds and inundated meadows, rarely appearing on 

 the salt water. Being one of the best for the table of all the wild Ducks, it is much 

 hunted ; and although very vigilant, great numbers are killed for the market. "When 

 associated with other species, it is the first to give the alarm. Unlike most writers, 

 Dr. Cooper speaks of it as very noisy, quacking mucli like the Mallard, but not so 

 loudly, diving but little, and feeding chief.y on vegetable food. In April it departs 

 for the far north, where it breeds about the lakes in latitude oO°, and farther north, 

 laying eight or nine bluish-green eggs. It returns southward in October, and winters 

 in large numbers in Puget Sound and on the Columbia Iviver. 



It was found in Avinter near ^razatlan. Western Mexico, by Colonel Grayson, 

 where, during that season, it is common. It was also found at Coahuana by ilr. 

 John Xantus. 



In Dakota, Idaho, and ;^[ontalu\ it is said to breed in all the reedy prairie sloughs, 

 and to be more abundant in that region than any other of the Ducks. By the 1st of 

 July nearly all the broods are hatched, and some of the young are nearly I'cady to fly. 



Dr. Walker met with this species on the coast of Greenland, near (xodthaab ; and 

 Professor Ecinhardt mentions it as accidental, but not rare, being found in North as 

 well as in South Greenland. Captain Blakiston found it inhabiting the Saskatche- 

 wan, and the Ked Eiver to lIudson'.s Bay. It Avas also met with on the Mackenzie 

 by Jlr. Eoss. Dr. Kichardson fimnd it frequenting chiefly the clear lakes of the 

 northern districts, and breeding in the Barren Grounds, being found, in spring and 

 autumn only, in large iniml)ers in the more .southern wooded districts. 



The evidence of its almost universal ])resencc in Asia. Europe, and Xorthern Africa 

 is very abuiulant, and so voluminous, that one is embarrassed in selecting from the 

 many authorities. Mr. Swinhoe found it both in Pormosa and at Amoy. It Avas 

 found in Egypt by ]\[r. E. C. Taylor; and Captain E. (i. Shelley afterward met Avith 

 it in considerable numbers both in Egyjjt aiul in Nubia (" Ibis,"' 1871). It Avas no- 

 ticed in the Sahara by ^Nfr. Tristram, and ilr. T. L. Powys found it common in winter 

 in Greece. Mi'. H. Whitely mentions nu'cting Avith it at Ilakodadi, in Jajjan. It 

 AA'as also procured by the Perry Expedition on the Island of Niphon, near Veddo. and 

 Middeiulorft' found it abundant in Sil)eria. chiefly in the Avooded regions. Mr. 11. 

 Saunders records it as a not uncommon Avintcr A'isitant in Spain. 



Mr. C. W. Shei)ard found it breeding in the vicinity of Lake ]\ly-vatn, hi the 

 northern part of Iceland. The birds were seen in considerable numbers ; but their 

 nests Avere not so easily found, being placed singly at some distance from the lake, 

 in lava-streams that Avere overgroAvn Avith bushes and grass. 



In Great Britain and Ireland, though occurring every Avinter, the Pin-tail is no 

 longer an abundant species. It is found mostly on the eastern coast of Scotland, and 

 in Ireland is a regular visitant, both on the coast and the inland waters. It breeds 

 in various ])arts of NorAvay, uj) to and within the Polar Circle ; and some remain all 

 winter on the southern coast. It also breeds throughout Sweden. Lapland, Finland, 

 and Northern Kussia, in Poland, the northern parts of Gennany. Denmark, and other 

 countries. During its migrations it is found in CA'ery portion of Europe. 



VOL. I. — Gii 



