1756 The Zoologist— July, 1869. 



Baldpate, or American Widgeon,* Mareca americana (Gmelin.) — 

 A common summer migrant, and when fat one of the best flavoured 

 of American ducks. The adult male of this species, which is called a 

 " cock widgeon " by the setlers, is, in summer plumage and fresh 

 killed, one of the handsomest ducks in Newfoundland. 



English Widgeon, M. penelope ? [Linn.) — Although only a 

 straggler to the continent of North America, it is not improbable that 

 this species occasionally occurs in Newfoundland, especially en route 

 from Greenland to the United States, whence most of the captures are 

 recorded. 



Scaup Duck, or Big Blackhead, Fulix marila (Linn.) — A very rare 

 straggler to the N.W. coast. 



American Scaup Duck, F. affinis [Eyton). — Occasionally shot in 

 spring or fall, but rarely seen at Cow Head. 



Ring-necked Duck, F. collaris [Donovan). — Equally rare with the 

 preceding species. 



Aylhya americana [Eyton] and A. vallisneria [JVilson) may reason- 

 ably be expected to occur in Newfoundland. 



American Golden Eye, Bucephala americana (i?o//.) — A very com- 

 mon summer migrant; one of the first to arrive in spring, and remains 

 until frozen out in the fall. Breeds in holes in trees, sometimes near 

 the ground, but very frequently fifteen or twenty feet high, and often 

 a considerable distance from water. The hole is generally made in a 

 rotten tree, and I think always by the bird itself: it is called the " pie 

 duck " by the settlers, and the young birds are considered good 

 eating. 



Buffel-headed Duck, or Butter Ball, B. albeola [Linn.) — Rare; 

 at least at Cow Head, where it is called the "Spirit duck." 



Harlequin Duck, Histrionicus torquatus [Linn.) — A common 

 summer migrant, and breeds on the borders of lakes and rivers flowing 

 into the sea, frequently many miles in the country, whence it brings 

 its young in July. The male of this species, which is called a " lord" 

 in Newfoundland, is decidedly the handsomest little duck inhabiting 

 those cold regions, and is a most expert diver. It seems extraordinary 



* A male Mareca which I obtaiued in Newfoundland diflfevs fnim type specimens 

 in being of an uniform dark brown on the back, without tiie ordinary transverse bars; 

 in its smaller size (6are/y 19 inches; wing 10; tarsus 1. 10); lej,'s and feet blue ; irides 

 white; culnien less convex ; and by having a lunad conspicuous white band on the 

 wings. Mr. G. R. Gray and Professor Ntwlon are unable to refer the specimen to 

 any other species than M. americana. — H. R. 



