20 LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS — ANSERES. 



This Duck has been tamed and made to feed on barley ; but in California it is deemed 

 an inferior bird for the table. 



Colonel Grayson mentions meeting with it in Western Mexico, near Mazatlan, 

 during the winter months. Mr. Dresser found it common throughout the winter in 

 Southwestern Texas and Northern Mexico. It occurs in several of the West India 

 Islands ; in Cuba, according to Dr. Gundlach ; and in Trinidad, on the authority of 

 Leotaud. In the latter place it is a frequent but not a very regular visitant, arriving 

 usually in November, and departing in April, generally in small flocks of five or six 

 individuals only. Its flesh is not of the first quality. 



Dr. Bryant states that this species is common during the winter in the Bahamas, 

 and that it is sometimes seen in immense flocks, acres in extent. 



Mr. Swinhoe includes it in his List of the Birds of Formosa, and met with it near 

 Amoy, in China. It was also observed in Japan by Mr. H. Whitely, who met with 

 it in May near Hakodadi. 



In Europe it is regarded as a decidedly northern species, not breeding south of 

 Lapland. Mr. Wheelwright found it very common at Quickiock, in the lowlands and 

 fell meadows. The eggs were said greatly to resemble those of the Pintail in color, 

 but to be larger and thicker. In Iceland Mr. C. W. Shepard found it on an island in 

 the Lake of My-vatn, in the northern part. Although a great many other Ducks were 

 breeding in and about this lake, only one other, the Harelda glacialis, occupied this 

 island. Most of the birds left their nests as soon as the boat touched the shore, but 

 a few remained, and would not leave until tliey were driven away. He found two 

 Ducks, one of them of this species, the other a Harelda, sitting on the same nest, which 

 contained several eggs of both species, very easily distinguished by the differences 

 in their color, shape, and size. 



The Blue-bill is not uncommon in the fall, and also in the spring, near Calais, Me., 

 but it is not found there in the winter. It winters on the coast of Massachusetts in 

 mild seasons, and is especially common on the southern coast of Cape Cod. It is also 

 occasional during winter in Bermuda. 



Professor Kixmlien informs me that this species occurs on Lake Koskonong, Wis., 

 both in its spring and in its fall migrations. It is not common, and is more frequently 

 found in the lake than in the creek. 



Mr. J. A. Allen found it quite common in the fall in the valley of Great Salt Lake. 



According to Giraud it is known to the hunters of Long Island as the "Broad- 

 bill," and also as the " Blue-bill." It arrives on the southern coast of that island 

 between the 10th and the 20th of October, associating in large flocks. On its first 

 appearance it is easily decoyed, but after having been frequently shot at it becomes 

 more shy. In the stormy weather it takes shelter in the coves, and is frequently 

 decoyed to within gunshot from the shore by having a dog trained to swim between 

 it and the land, and also by the rapid waving of a red handkerchief, the party keeping 

 concealed. It is supposed, from the impetuous manner in which the bird approaches, 

 that it is angered by this manoeuvre ; and the effect is said to be very amusing. The 

 l>lue-bill remains on the coast of Long Island all the winter, unless compelled by 

 the severity of the weather to seek a better supply of food elsewhere. Even when 

 the bays are frozen it may be killed at the '^ air openings." When wounded it avoids 

 pursuit by diving, and is celebrated for skulking under banks. But little advantage 

 can be derived from the fact that the flock is a large one, if the hunter shows himself. 

 The birds all scatter, and it is rarely possible to get even two in a range. Greater 

 havoc is made if the flock swims up to the hunter when in position. 



Birds of this species usually pass the nights on the flats in large flocks, seldom 



