Vol. II, Pt. I] GIFFORD— BIRDS OF THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS 11 



ponds and lakes in the elevated portions of some of the islands. 

 Only once were any seen on tidal water, and that was when a 

 pair alighted in a quiet cove about three miles west of Cape 

 Rose, Albemarle Island. Often they were noted sitting about 

 on small lava islets and rocks in the lagoons, standing on one 

 foot a good part of the time. 



The haunts of these ducks must vary, as the smaller lagoons 

 and ponds often dry up. In November, thirteen were encoun- 

 tered in a lagoon on South Seymour, where during the follow- 

 ing July only the dry bed of the lagoon was to be seen. Some- 

 times one or two ducks would be seen in a locality, while at a 

 later or an earlier visit they were more abundant — all this go- 

 ing to show that they must move about from place to place. 

 In fact, on several occasions they were observed in flight along 

 the coasts, usually, however, only one or two at a time. 



In a flock seen at South Seymour in November, males were 

 noted chasing each other, apparently in jealousy, and some- 

 times one would chase a female. Some low quacking is heard 

 during the mating season, and it was particularly noted at 

 Charles Island in February. 



The following remarks on the reproductive organs tend to 

 show a long breeding-season : 



October 5 and 6, Cormorant Bay, Charles Island. Two 

 males with swollen testes. 



November 6, Academy Bay, Indefatigable Island. A fe- 

 male with enlarged ovary. 



January 11, south Indefatigable. Four skinned, all but one 

 having enlarged genital organs. 



July 28, four miles northwest of Sullivan Bay, James Island. 

 Nine taken with large genital organs. 



We never found what was beyond doubt the nest of this 

 species. At Cormorant Bay on February 25, a single fresh 

 egg was found on the bare rock of a low lava-islet in the large 

 lagoon at that place. Stilts and flamingoes were nesting on 

 the same islet. 



Young in the down were observed only near Villamil, 

 Albemarle Island, in the salt lagoons about the cultivated low- 

 lands. On March 5 a parent bird was noted swimming with 

 three or four downy ducklings, and on the 6th several more 

 young were seen. Four days later a few were encountered in 



