AXATIN.E - THE DUCKS — MARECA. 523 



are described as being small, imicli elongated, generally larger at one end, and of a 

 pale sea-green color. 



According to Dr. Cooper, this species is one of the nio.st abundant fresh-water 

 Ducks found during the winter in California, and, being easily shot, is one of the 

 most common kinds in the market. It is, unlike the European species, very rarely 

 seen on salt water ; but, like the Teals, resorts to every little pool and swamp. It 

 is generally supposed to keep a sentinel on guard while feeding, but may be decoyed 

 within easy gunshot l)y imitating its notes. It has been found, during the summer, 

 among the Eocky Mountains, in latitude 42° N., and is said by Dr. Suckley to breed 

 among the inland lakes of Oregon. At that season it usually ranges from latitude 

 50° to 6S°. 



During the violent revolving gale which visited the Bermudas, Oct. 22, 1854 — as 

 Mr. Hurdis states — a large number of Ducks, including this species, took refuge in 

 the creeks and marshes of the islands, where several Bald-pates were shot by dif- 

 ferent persons and lirought to him for insiiection. In November of the same year 

 a single example — a female — was shot. These were the only ones taken on the 

 Islands during his residence there. 



From the full and interesting notes of the late ]\Ir. Eobert Kennicott relative to 

 this species we gather the following observations : A Bald-pate's nest was taken 

 near Fort Yukon, June 7, some thirty rods from the river, on high, dry ground, 

 among large spruces and poplars. This species always nests on high, dry ground, 

 among trees or bushes, at a considerable distance from water. The Dafila acuta 

 nests in somewhat similar situations — though not generally so far from water — and 

 sometimes in dry spots in grassy meadows. Spatula diq-xata breeds in the woods ; 

 Bucephala albeola in holes in trees ; Querquedula discors and Nettion carolinensis in 

 high, dry ground among trees ; Ful'vx, affinis and F. marUa in grassy edges of lakes, 

 in water, but never in deep water, unless the nest be on a tussock. JEthy'ia valUsneria 

 nests in rather deep water, among grass. Melanetta velcetuia and Pelioneita ■perspi- 

 cillata breed here — the former very abundantly — nesting among large spruces close 

 to the water. Thus it will be seen that the Eiver Ducks nest generally on dry land, 

 and the Sea Ducks in w.ater, or just on the edge of water. Melanetta nests the latest 

 of all the Ducks, and the Mallard the earliest. Mr. Kennicott adds that the Bald- 

 pate is generally known to the voyageiu-s throughout the Fur Countries by the name 

 of "Smoking-Duck," or by its Cree name of Xbmmipikhtwan, which signifies a 

 smoker ; and its soft, gentle whistle may be easily imagined to resemble the Cree 

 words. 



The Widgeon breeds rather abundantly throughout the whole of British America, 

 as far north as the Arctic Ocean, but only rarely in the extreme northern parts of 

 the United States, both east and west of the Eocky Mountains. In October and 

 April it visits in large numbers the rivers and marshes, as well as both sea-coasts, 

 of Northern United States, and is much sought by hunters, its flesh being excellent, 

 and the bird generally in good condition. It winters in the Southern States, jMexico, 

 and the West Indies. Though in winter the Widgeon collects in very large flocks, 

 it passes over the northern parts of the Mississippi Valley in small bands, and usually 

 arrives at the ]\Iackenzie and the Yukon in pairs, or in small parties of three or 

 four together. It reaches Slave Lake and the Yidson early in May, and begins to 

 nest about the middle of that month, though some do not do so till the early part 

 of June. It is rather more common west of the mountains than in the jMackenzie 

 Region, and considerable numbers are found in the breeding-season on Lake Winni- 

 peg, where several were obtained by i\Ir. Donald Gunu. In the north the Widgeon 



