24 LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS — ANSERES. 



and the early part of spring it is quite common along the INIiddle Atlantic districts, 

 as well as on the streams in the interior. In its choice of food, in its migrations, 

 and in its breeding-range, its habits are presumed to be similar to those of the larger 

 species. It is said to be of accidental occurrence in Europe. 



Mr. Kennicott and Mr. MacFarlane both found it breeding in large numbers on 

 the Yukon River, and have furnished interesting notes as to the general character, 

 position, and locality of the nests. One of these, described by Mr. Kennicott, was 

 found, June 19, at Fort Yukon ; it was placed among grassy tussocks, surrounded by 

 water, at the edge of a lake. The nest of this species is never built literally in the 

 water, as is the case with the Canvas-back. This particular nest, as is usual with this 

 species, was made of dry grasses, the bottom two inches above the water, and it con- 

 tained nine eggs. Another nest was at the edge of a marsh, among long grass, and 

 contained but a single egg. This nest was very incomplete ; and Mr. Kennicott 

 remarks that in all the nests of this species which he has found, in which the num- 

 ber of eggs is not nearly completed, the nest is only partially made, and is, in fact, 

 only a pile of grass with the sides not built lip, and without any feathers or down. 

 A third nest with only two eggs, and incomplete, was found, June 18, upon and 

 between two tussocks of grass, on the edge of a large lake, and in from one to two 

 feet of water. 



A nest found by Mr. MacFarlane, June 23, was in the midst of a swamp, and was 

 a mere hole or depression in the centre of a tuft of grass ; it was lined on its sides 

 with a dark-colored down, and contained three eggs. Another, found in June, 1864, 

 Avas in a swampy tract on the borders of the wooded country, was made of a quantity 

 of down placed in the midst of a tuft of grassy turf, commonly called a tete de femme. 

 The female was snared on the nest ; and the eggs, six in number, contained partially 

 developed embryos. A third nest, taken July 14, contained eight eggs with embryos 

 well developed ; it was situated in a clump of willows in the midst of a swamp, and 

 close to a small lake, and was made of hay and down. Mr. MacFarlane also found 

 this Duck breeding in the neighborhood of Fort Anderson and on the Lower Ander- 

 son River. His notes, describing twelve nests taken in this region, indicate a general 

 uniformity in their situation and characteristics. The general number of eggs in a 

 nest was nine, and this appears to be the usual complement. In several instances 

 the male bird was found in company with liis mate, and in one instance was shot in 

 close proximity to the nest, even when the eggs contained embryos. 



A careful examination of Audubon's account of the habits of the Scaup Duck clearly 

 indicates that nearly all he says of it belongs in reality to this species ; and this 

 supposition is strengthened by the fact that he figures and describes the affinis rather 

 than the larger Black-head. He speaks of observing the Scaup Duck by the thousand 

 on the Ohio, the Missouri, and the Mississippi, from Pittsburg to ISTew Orleans, where 

 it occurred in such large bands that it was generally known as the " Flocking Fowl." 

 These Ducks were seldom seen close together, and rarely associated with birds of other 

 species. They seemed fond of large eddies below projecting points of land, fre- 

 (piently diving to a considerable distance in search of food. In such situations they 

 might easily be approached and shot ; and when danger was near they seemed to prefer 

 to escape by swimming and diving rather than by flight, and they rose with some 

 difficulty from the water. Audubon noted that these Ducks differed greatly in size, 

 but does not seem to have been led from this to suspect that they really belonged to 

 two distinct species. 



Professor Kumlien informs me that this Duck is quite common in Southern Wis- 

 (ionsiu both in the s])ring and in th(^ fall. Some of these birds are to be foimd on Lake 



