No.l.] M'CHESNEY ON BIEDS OF DAKOTA. 101 



Erismatura rubida, (Wils.) Bp. — Buddy Buck. 



Sexes are not alike in color. 



Remarkably distinguislied. from the other Sea Ducks (witli the exception of the St, 

 Domingo Duck) by the stiffened, narrow, tajiering tail-feathers (16-20 in number), ex- 

 posed to the base by reason of extreme shortness of the coverts ; bill broad, flattened, 

 the nail large, overhanging. The ^ in perfect plumage, Tvith the neck all round and 

 the upper parts brownish-red, the lower parts silky silvery-white watered with dusky, 

 the chin and sides of the head dead white, the crown and nape black, but not often 

 seen in this condition in the United States as generally observed, and the $ at all 

 times brown above, finely dotted and waved with dusky, paler and duller below, with 

 darker undulations and sometimes a slight tawny tinge, as also occurs on the sides of 

 the head; crown and nape dark brown ; bill dusky; under tail-coverts always Avhite. 

 Length 14-17 ; wing 5-6. 



A few specimens of tMs. Duck in full plumage have been taken here 

 during June. It is, however, rare, occurring only during the spring 

 migrations. 



The specimen measures as follows : 



No. 662, ,?, 20.00X15.25. 



Mergtjs jMERGANser, Linn. — Fishing DucJc. 



At any time from April 10 until October 30, this Duck can be seen in 

 the lakes and sloughs on the "Coteau des Prairies" in numbers. 



The flesh of this and the following Duck are not fit for the table, as 

 they feed to a great extent on fish. 



Mergtjs cucullatus, Linn. — Hooded Merganser. 



Is seen for about a week from Ai)ril 10, and then passes further north 

 to return about October 1 in small numbers 5 disappears October 30. 



The specimen measures as follows : 



No. 632, $ , 25.00 X 18.00. 

 PELECANID^. 

 Pelecanus trachyrhynchus, Lath. — White Pelican. 



Arrives April 20, and the greater majority pass north, but quite a 

 number spend the summer here. During the fall migrations it again 

 becomes quite common ; finally departs for the season October 30. 



PHALACEOCOEACID^. 

 Graculus dilophus, (Sw.) Gray. — Double-crested Cormorant. 



Is found in the larger lakes in this viciuity from April 18 until Octo- 

 ber 30, in considerable numbers ; breeds here. 



LAEID^. 

 Larus argentatus smithsonianus, Cones. — American Herring Gull. 



Arrives about the 8th of April, to remain until October 30 ; is com- 

 mon and breeds here. 



The specimens measure as foUows: 



No. 611, 9,51.25x20.75; wing 15.00; tail 6.25. Stomach loaded with worms. 

 No. 631, $, 50.50x21.08; wing 15.00; tail 6.00. 



