ANATINiE — THE DUCKS — ^.THYIA. 30 



and is particularly numerous on Lake Koskonong, in Southern Wisconsin. In March 

 I have seen the markets of Chicago well supplied with this Duck ; and although there 

 in no wise superior to the Mallard, the Pin-tail, the Teals, and other Ducks, yet 

 commanding twice the market-price of any other species. 



The Canvas-back extends its migrations to Florida, Louisiana and Texas. In New 

 Orleans it is called the Canard Cheval, and is much esteemed in that city for its 

 delicacy, though far inferior to birds of this species killed on the Cliesap«,'ake. It is 

 occasionally found in the markets of Charleston and Savannah ; but it is not there 

 esteemed so highly as are many other kinds. This Duck is also very abundant at 

 times near Galveston, Texas, where it feeds on the seeds of the wild oats, the wat<;r- 

 lily, and other plants, and is said to become delicious eating. 



Messrs. Lockhart and Kennicott have supplied interesting notes in relation to the 

 nesting of this Duck, which was found breeding on the Yukon in great numbers. 

 The eggs were from seven to ten in number, and incubation began about the middle 

 of June. 



In Eastern Oregon, in the neighborhood of Lake ^Malheur and Camp Harney, 

 Captain Bendire found this an abundant species during its migrations, and Vjreeding 

 in the higher mountain valleys of the Blue INIountains, where he found it nesting on 

 Bear Creek, at an altitude of six thousand feet. In the spring and fall it frequents 

 the shallow portions of the lakes in immense flocks ; but its flesh is not so well 

 flavored as at the east. 



The Canvas-back was found breeding at Fort Resolution, as well as on the Yukon 

 Eiver, by Mr. Kennicott ; on the Yukon also by Mr. J. Lockhart ; at Fort Simpson 

 by Mr. B. Ross ; at Fort Rae by Mr. L. Clarke ; at Fort Yukon by Mr. S. Jones ; 

 on Anderson River by Mr. MacFarlane ; at Nulato by ]\Ir. Dall ; at Sitka by Mr. 

 Bischoff ; and near the mouth of Frazer River by Mr. H. AV. Elliott. 



jVlr. Lockhart describes the nest of No. 27808 as being formed of rushes and grass, 

 in water, and built from the bottom, large and deep ; but less thickly lined with 

 down and feathers than the nests of Ducks usually are. It contained seven eggs. 

 All the nests found, with a single exception, resembled this one, and were similarly 

 situated. They are constructed gradually, as the Duck continues to lay, and are 

 entirely finished when incubation begins. The exception referred to was on the 

 ground in an open place, which had been left dry as the river fell ; the nest in this 

 case was at the foot of a few small willows, and about twenty yards from the water. 

 It was built of down and feathers, and had small sticks on the sides, but little or 

 nothing on the bottom. The feathers in the nest were gray, tipped with chestnut, 

 similar to those on the breast of the Canvas-back. This nest contained eight eggs. 



Mr. Kennicott describes nest No. 6669 as built from the ground, in water a foot 

 deep, in the grassy edge of a lake. The base was large, and formed of a pile of grass, 

 the nest proper being placed on top. The cavity was large, the sides Avell built up, 

 and thoroughly lined with dowii. For the construction of this large base the bird had 

 pulled up or broken off all the dry grass within a yard or two of the nest, thus leav- 

 ing it in a clear place. The shell of the egg is remarkably hard and brittle. From 

 the same nest was taken a second lot of eggs, the female having again made use of 

 it. When first found, in June, it was not complete ; as among all the Ducks the nest 

 is not finished until incubation begins. 



Eggs of this species from Fort Yukon (Smithsonian Institution, Nos. GOGO and 

 6660) are of a uniform pale grayish-green color. Four eggs have the following 

 measurements: 2.50 by 1.80 inches; 2.55 by 1.75; 2.60 by 1.80; 2.10 by 1.75. 



