514 



LAMELLIKOSTliAL SWIMMERS — ANSEllES. 



Ill general liabits it differs little fioiii the Mallard, but is found more commonly on 

 open water, and is more wary. Its slender antl graceful figure renders it conspicu- 

 ously easier in its movements. It swims high out of the water, and more in the 

 manner of a Swan. Its food is essentially the same as the Mallard's. According to 

 Jlontagu, its note is soft, ;iud it is less noisy than other fresh-water Ducks, being 

 rather a silent bird. It is said generally to breed later than the Mallard. 



According to Mr. Dresser, the nests found by him in l<'inland were mere dei)res- 

 sions in the soil, ofttni under the shelter of a bush, usually not far from the water, 

 and lined with small Hags and grass-bents. Within, down and feathers form a soft 

 bed, on which the eggs are deposited. These were from seven to nine iu number, 

 colored like tliose of tlii' Jlallard, but more elongated in shape, and smaller iu size. 

 The eggs obtained by Mr. Dresser in Finland average 2.00 by 1.50 inches. 



Mr. Hoardman informs me that this Duck 0(!curs in the vicinity of Calais iu the 

 fall, but is not found there in the spring. In Massachusetts it is not very common, 

 but is not at all rare, and is met with both in the spring and the fall. A fine male 

 was shot in Cambridge, Mass., in April, 1873, whi(;h had alighted in a pool of water 

 in a small yard near a dwelling, apparently unconscious of danger. 



In Long Island it is well known to hunters as the " Sprig-tail '' and the " Spindle- 

 tail." Although shy and timid, it is often brought within reach of the fowler's gun 

 by deiioys. When surprised by the hunter's rising to fire, the birds crowd close to- 

 gether, presenting what is called a "doublet;" and many fall by a single discharge. 

 Though not known to dive for its ft)od, it will attempt to escajjc in this way when 

 wounded. When finally couiiJcUed to rise to the surface, it will try to hide under 

 the bow of a boat, or will skulk in the grass of the marsh, often concealing itself so 

 well as to escape detection. Its flesh is always sweet, and highly esteemed. Mr. 

 N. B. Moore, who met with it in abundance in Florida, writes me that he has fre- 

 qut>ntly seen it, when in contiuement, j)lunge into the water to the depth of two feet, 

 when dressing its plumage. 



Mr. Bannister found it common on the small ponds on the Island of St. ^lichael's 

 and the adjacent mainland. Mr. Dall speaks of it as extremely common on all parts 

 of the Yukon, and on the marshes near the sea-coast. In the early spring, arriving 

 at Nulato about May 1, it is gregarious ; but about May 20, when it begins to 

 breed, it is generally found solitary or in pairs. Its nest is said to be usually in the 

 sedge, lined witli dry grass ; and when both parents are absent, the eggs are covered 

 with dry leaves and feathers. 



The Tin-tail is said to fly more swiftly than any other Duck, and is very hard to 

 shoot on the wing. It lays from six to ten, and even twelve, eggs. As soon as tlie 

 young are hatched, it withdraws from the river into the small creeks and rivulets, 

 where it remains until the Ducklings are fully able to fly. Then they all rejjair to 

 the great maishes, where, on tlie roots of the Enmsetum, they become exceedingly 

 fat. They all leave about the end of Sei)tember. This species was also obtained at 

 Sitka and at Kadiak by lUschoff. 



The following valuable notes relative to the summer distribution and breeding of 

 this Duck are abridged from the pajjcrs of my late esteemed friend, Kobert Kennicott : 

 In America the summer liome of the Pin-tail is within the Arctic regions, farther to 

 the northward than that of any other of our fresli-water Ducks, com])aratively few 

 breeding south of Great Slave Lake. In their spring migrations to the northward 

 they move in immense flocks, which only disperse upon their arrival at tlieir breeding- 

 grounds. A few reach that lake about May 1 ; but the main body arrive about a 

 week or so later, and mostly pass directly on across the lake to the northward. On 



