ANATIN^E - THE DUCKS — FULIX. 23 



than on Slave Lake, not arriving early, but being the last to depart. Large flocks 

 were also seen on the Porcupine lliver. They collect in large bands as soon as the 

 young can fly ; and these flocks are more numerous in the fall than in the spring. 



Mr. Salvin found this Duck exceedingly abundant on the Lake of Duenas during 

 the winter months ; and it was seen on Lake Atitlan as late as the month of May. 

 Colonel Grayson found it in Western Mexico, in the neighborhood of Mazatlan, during 

 the winter; and Dr. Heermann informed Mr. Dresser that it was common on the 

 coast of Texas during the whole of that season. 



Mr. Murray obtained it at Hudson's Bay, and Captain Blakiston also received 

 examples from the same region. Mr. Eoss found it abundant along the Mackenzie 

 River, as far north as the Arctic Ocean. According to Mr. Hurdis it is occasionally 

 obtained in the Bermudas. 



Dr. Cooper found it less common on the Pacific coast than the marila, and he sug- 

 gests, as the probable explanation, that it is more partial to the interior than it is to 



the sea-coast. In Eastern Oregon Captain Bendire found these Ducks common during 

 the migrations, and thinks a few breed in the higher valleys of the Blue Mountains, 

 Avhere they remained into June. 



Mr. George A. Boardman informs me that this species occurs both in the spring 

 and in the fall in the neighl)orhood of Calais, and that it is by no means \incommon 

 there. It is also found on the coast of Massachusetts at the same times, but to what 

 extent is not certainly known. Its distinctness from the larger Black-head is not 

 generally recognized by hunters, nor always by taxidermists. Mr. Maynard regards 

 it as rare, and only found in its migrations. 



Mr. Giraud was one of the first to recognize it as a species distinct from the marila, 

 calling it the " Lesser Scaup Duck." He states that it had long been known to the 

 Bay hunters, and by them was called the " Creek Broad-bill," from its habit of fre- 

 qvienting the small streams ; while the Fidlx marila is usually observed in the open 

 bays. The Scaup Duck is said be a very abundant species ; and during the autumn 



