THE OOLOGIST. 



95 



Defila acuta, Pintail, Sprigtail. Often 

 shot over decoys. 



Aix sponsa, Wood Duck, Summer 

 Dink. The only Duck that breeds 

 with us regularly. The male is the 

 most gaudy of all our Ducks. This 

 species is often called Acorn Duck, 

 and from its habit of nesting in hollow 

 trees is sometimes called Tree Duck. 

 It is found in the rnai'shes and on 

 streams bordered by woodland. 



Ay thy a americana, Redhead, Pochard. 

 Years ago when Bush and Gunpowder 

 Rivers were full of wild celery (Valis- 

 neria spiralis) we had splendid shoot- 

 ing, and the Redhead was abundant. 

 Of late years this grass has been killed 

 out and the Ducks have been scarce. 

 Still, on March 5, 1887, my uncle and I 

 shot ninety-eight in less thau three 

 hours. They sometimes stop on border of 

 inland water during migi'ation. Some 

 years ago about six hundred spent the 

 dav on Lake Roland, one of our water 

 supplies situated seven miles from the 

 city. 



Aythya vaJUsrieria, Canvas-back. 

 This, the huest of our Ducks, like the 

 preceeding species is gradually disap- 

 pearing from our rivers; its principal 

 food (V. spiralis) being almost entirely 

 goue. When feeding on this grass a 

 fine, delicate flavor is imparted to their 

 flesh and they bring a high price in 

 market, at times as high as $10 per pair. 



It is one of our best decoying Ducks. 

 If one makes up its mind to come to 

 the stools it is bound to get there. 



Aythya marila nearctica, American 

 Scaup Duck, Raft Duck, Shuffler, Bay 

 Blackhead, etc. The Blackhead is a 

 common Duck in our rivers and in 

 Chesapeake Bay. It decoys well and 

 is a good table Duck, but not so highly 

 esteemed as some of the other species 

 It often associates with the Redhead. 



Aythya affinis, Lesser Scaup Duck, 

 Little Blackhead, Creek Blackhead, etc. 

 Much smaller than the preceding 

 species. Decoys well. I have killed a 

 great many on Dundee Creek. 



Glaucionetta clangula americana, 

 American Golden-eye, Jingler,Whiffler T 

 Whistler. Common ;killed over decoys; 

 named Whistler from the sound made 

 by its wings while flying. Often while 

 in the blind half asleep I have been 

 aroused by the sound of their wings. 



Charitonetta albeola, BuiHe-head, 

 Butter-ball. Dipper. These li tie Ducks 

 are often found on inland lakes. I have 

 several times seen them on Lake Roland. 

 They are very difficult to shoot while 

 on the water as they dive at the flash 

 of the gun. For this reason some call 

 them "Hell Divers." 



Clangula hyemalis. Old -squaw, South 

 Southerly, Long-tailed Duck, etc. 

 Common and trashy; often shot over 

 decoys while watching for better game. 



Oidemvt americana, American Scoter. 

 This and the other Scoters are some- 

 times killed, but they are not fit for 

 the table. Often called Tarpots, Sea 

 Coots. 



Erismatura rubida, Ruddy Duck. The 

 Coot, as it is commonly called by our 

 gunners, is a flue little table Duck. It 

 does not often decoy, but will frequent- 

 ly swim into the stools. I have some- 

 times been shooting Ducks from the- 

 P. W. & B. rail road bridge over Gun- 

 powder River, during a perfectly calmi 

 day. when the surface of the water be- 

 low the bridge was covered with large 

 "rafts" of these little Ducks, -If a 

 bi^eeze would ruffle the water they 

 would arise siugty and in small flocks, 

 sometimes flying up the river and rais- 

 ing just enough to clear the bridge 

 they would pass within a few yards of 

 me with the velocity of an arrow. Un- 

 der such circumstances I once saw a 

 man shoot away two hundred shells 

 and only bag a single bird. 



Chen hyperborea, Lesser Snow Goose.' 

 Rare; I have only seen it on two oc- 

 casions, March 10, 1890 and in October, 

 1890. In the latter case I was. fishing 

 from the rail road bridge over Bear 

 Creek and a pair flew directly over me. 

 about forty yards high. 



