413 The Wilson Bulletin — No. 92 



dition to the breeding islands along the Louisiana coast west of 

 the Mississippi river, June -23d, 1915. 



The petrel, when observed, was about a mile off shore, paddling 

 the rough waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and about seven miles west 

 of Grand Isle. The stranger to the Pelican State circled the com- 

 mission's petrol boat " Opelousas " but, although efforts were made 

 by throwing lard on the waters to entice it close enough to be pho- 

 tographed, it finally flew out of sight, however not before the orni- 

 thologists had thoroughly studied it through binoculars for over 

 a quarter of an hour. 



Although, both Mr. Job and Mr. Arthur kept a close watch for 

 other specimens during the remaining five days of their trip no 

 other petrel were sighted, and the specimen they did see was ab- 

 solutely alone. 



NEW DUCK SPECIES BREEDING IN LOUISIANA. 



Since the establishment of the vast game and waterfowl preserves 

 in Louisiana along the Gulf of Mexico, particularly the State Game 

 Preserve and Marsh Island, it lias been observed that there has 

 been a marlied increase in the species of waterfowl and shore birds 

 that seek these marshes for breeding purposes. 



According to a late report made by Stanley Clisby Arthur, orni- 

 thologist of the Conservation Commission of Louisiana, to his su- 

 perior, President M. L. Alexander, four species of wild duck that 

 go to the northern tier of states for the rearing of their young have 

 remained on the protected areas of the southern state to perform 

 that function. 



The Wood duck (Aix spfmsa) ; the Florida duck {Anas fulvi- 

 gula), and in fevi^ numbers the Blue-winged teal (Querqiiedula (lis- 

 cors) have, until the spring of 1915, constituted the Louisiana list 

 of Anseres breeding within that state's borders. Observation and 

 investigation by Mr. Arthur of the breeding birds this spring, which 

 has only partially been completed, show that the Mallard (Anas 

 platyrliynchos) ; the Gadwall (Chaulelasmus streperits) ; and the 

 Bald-pate (Marcea americana) nested in few numbers on Marsh 

 Island. The conservation agent there noted that the height of the 

 breeding season was from April 1st to May 15th. Nesting was ob- 

 served as early as March 20th, however. 



On June 17th the commander of the Conservation Commission's 

 patrol boat " Louisiana " obsex'ved a flock of 28 Lesser Scaup (if a- 

 rlla affinis) ducklings swimming in the waters of Lake Borgne. The 

 little waterbirds were with the adult parents and a castnet was 

 used in an endeavor to capture some of them to nialie sure of iden- 

 tification. According to Captain Sandras' report the ducklings were 



