ANATINiE — THE DUCKS — L(;PHODYTE.S. 123 



It is found in the neighborhood of Calais, Me., \vher(; it spends tiie summer, and 

 where it breeds in considerable numbers. Mr. George A. Boardman informs me that 

 he has repeatedly noticed it breeding in the neighborhood of the St. Croix Kiver, 

 where it always nests in the hollows of trees, lining the cavity with fine dry grasses, 

 leaves, and down ; the eggs are from five to eight in number. Several years ago, 

 Mr. Boardman's attention was called to a singular contest between a female Wood 

 Duck and a female of the Hooded Merganser for the possession of a hollow tree. 

 The two birds had been observed for several days contesting for the nest, neither 

 permitting the other to remain in peaceful occupancy. The nest was found to con- 

 tain eighteen fresh eggs, of which about a third belonged to the Merganser ; and as 

 the nest was lined with her own dark-colored down, it appeared probable that this 

 bird was the rightful owner of the premises. 



This species is quite common in the fall in Massachusetts. It comes in flocks, 

 and is at times abundant. Mr. William Brewster informs me that he has shot sev- 

 eral of these birds in each season, and that he has frequently seen as many as thirty 

 or forty in a single flock. It is a difficult bird to shoot, as it is very shy, and flies 

 rapidly. It is the swiftest in fliglit of the whole Duck family. On Long Island — 

 according to Giraud — this bird is known as the "Water Pheasant," and also as the 

 " Hairy-head ; " but it is rather rare on that coast. It is a very active diver, subsists 

 by fishing, and its flesh is not held in high esteem. 



Audubon describes this species as being conspicuous for the activity of its motions 

 and the rapidity of its flight, as well as for other habits which render it a pleasing 

 object to the student of nature. On the waters of the Western and Southern States 

 it is said to arrive from the north early in October, to be a most expert diver, and so 

 vigilant that at times it escapes even from the best percussion gun. Even on wing 

 it is not easily shot ; and when wounded, it cannot be secured without the aid of 

 a good dog. The young birds are carefully conveyed, one by one, to the water by 

 the mother in her bill, who is thenceforth devoted in her attentions to the care and 

 protection of her brood. 



According to Audubon's observations, this species breeds in Kentucky, and also 

 in Ohio and Indiana, and probably in other Western States. Dr. Bachman also found 

 evidence of its breeding even as far south as South Carolina. He informed Audubon 

 that on the 19th of April, 1838, he obtained an old female and her five young ones 

 on the Santee River, the young being about three Aveeks old. As he approached 

 them the female sank deep in the water, exhibiting only a small portion of her back 

 above the surface, and swimming, with neck outstretched, close to the surface of the 

 water. The young dived in various directions, in the manner of Grebes. On the fol- 

 lowing day Dr. Bachman met two other broods, each numbering five ; and a cypress- 

 tree was pointed out, in the hollow of Avhieh a pair had been breeding that season. 



The Hooded Merganser is common during the spring and fall on the lakes and 

 rivers of Southern Wisconsin, where, in the opinion of Professor Kumlien, some of 

 this species undoubtedly remain and breed. He has never succeeded in finding their 

 nests, but he has several times met with the young broods, and has shot a nimiber of 

 the birds when scarcely half grown. 



The notes of Dr. Berlandier show that this species during the winter months 

 inhabits the fresh-water marshes caused by the overflowing of the Eio Bravo del 

 Norte near Matamoras. 



Captain Bendire found this to be the most common of the three species of ^Fer- 

 ganser in Eastern Oregon. He could not ascertain positively whether it bred there, 

 but had no doubt that it did so. It was seen in larger numbers on the lakes than on 



