$l6 Roosevelt Wild Life Bulletin 



Black Duck. Anas rubripes Brewst. 



The Black Duck is the only species of duck at present known in 

 the Park in summer. It may be distinguished by the general black- 

 ish color, with white wing linings showing in flight. The bluish 

 speculum of the wing is difficult to see in the field, but the lack of 

 a white border as well as the general darker color will distinguish 

 it from a female Mallard, should that duck occur in the Park. 

 Ducks may be known from Herons when in flight by the out- 

 stretched neck. 



The Black Duck has not been found in the Park area itself, but 

 a flock of these birds was seen on the Allegheny River near Cold 

 Spring, July 15. It is likely to occur along the larger streams in 

 summer, and may nest somewhere in the area. 



The common note is a " quack " not noticeably different from 

 that of the domestic duck. It also makes a whistling noise with the 

 wings when in flight. 



The nest is hidden in tall grass or bushes on the ground, usually 

 near water. The eggs are dull greenish white or buff color and six 

 to twelve in number. 



Bald Eagle. Haliceetus leucocephalus (Linn.) 



This great bird is unmistakable in adult plumage. The blackish 

 brown body and wings, and pure white head and tail are easily made 

 out from a long distance. The Osprey, sometimes mistaken for it, 

 although really very different, has the white head marked with black 

 lines and lacks the white tail. Young birds are entirely blackish 

 brown and might be confused with the dark phases of some of 

 the larger hawks. 



A single adult bird of this species was seen along the Allegheny 

 River near the mouth of Wolf Run on August 2. Evidently the 

 same bird, for a feather was missing from the right wing in each 

 case, was seen near the mouth of Quaker Run on August 5. Others 

 reported seeing an Eagle in this vicinity, mainly along the river, but 

 two reports were from upper Quaker Run within the Park area, 

 where I did not see it personally. Whether the bird belongs to the 

 northern or southern race could not be determined, so I have left 

 the name binomial in form. 



The voice of the Eagle is not often heard. It is high-pitched and 

 shrill, several notes in quick succession, and is said to be different in 

 the two sexes. I have never- heard it except from a captive bird 

 whose sex was doubtful. 



The nest of this bird, a large mass of sticks, is placed in a tall 

 tree or on a cliff. If any should be found in the Park, it would 

 be in a tree, as there are no cliffs there. 



Birds of the Stream Thickets. In the more moist ground 

 that borders streams of the Park, vegetation is of a different char- 

 acter than elsewhere. Bird life in such places is correspondingly 

 different, some species occurring only in such areas and others 

 being more common there. 



