ANATIN^E — THE DUCKS — DAFILA. 513 



Mr. Salvin obtained it at Balize, and foiind it common throughout the winter in 

 the Lake of DueSas. It is given by Mr. E. Browne in liis List of the Birds of Van- 

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

 Salt Lake. Major "Wedderbm-n mentions the occurrence, in November, 1847, of 

 several specimens — all young birds — in Bermuda. 



According to Dr. 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 much like the Mallard, but not so 

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

 for the far north, where it breeds about the lakes in latitude 50°, 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 Kiver. 



It was found in winter near ]\Iazatlan, Western [Mexico, by (Jolonel Grayson, 

 where, during that season, it is common. It wa.s also found at Coahuana by Mr. 

 John Xantus. 



In Dakota, Idaho, and 3Iontana 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 ready to fly. 



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

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

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

 wan, and the Bed Eiver to Hudson's Bay. It was also met with on the Mackenzie 

 by Mr. Eoss. Dr. Eichardson found it frequenting chiefly the clear lakes of the 

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

 autumn only, in large numbers in the more southern wooded districts. 



The evidence of its almost universal presence in Asia, Europe, and Northern Africa 

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

 many authorities. Mr. Swinhoe found it both in Formosa and at Amoy. It was 

 found in Egypt by Mr. E. C. Taylor ; and Cajitain E. G. Shelley afterward met with 

 it in considerable numbers both in Egypt and in Nubia (" Ibis," 1871). It was no- 

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

 in Greece. Mr. H. Whitely mentions meeting with it at Hakodadi, in Japan. It 

 was also procured by the Perry Expedition on the Island of Niphon, near Yeddo. and 

 Middendorff found it abundant in Siberia, chiefly in the wooded regions. Mr. H. 

 Saunders records it as a not uncommon winter visitant in Spain. 



Mr. C. W. Shepard found it breeding in the vicinity of Lake M^-vatn, in the 

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

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

 in lava-streams that were overgrown with biishes and grass. 



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

 longer an abundant species. It is foiind 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 parts of Norway, up to and within the Polar Circle ; and some remain all 

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

 and Northern Eussia, in Poland, the northern parts of Germanj'^, Denmark, and other 

 countries. During its migrations it is found in every portion of Em-ope. 



VOL. I. — 65 



