536 



of the commonest ducks in the parts I visited. In the eastern Sajan mountains it was rather 

 rare. The first arrived at the Tarei Nor on the 28th of March, 1858, when I observed the first 

 flying from south to north ; and the next day large flocks passed down the river. From the 17th 

 of August the Pintails visited the harvested fields at night with Mallards, Shovellers, and 



Gadwalls On the 24th of September, 1855, I saw them on the market at Irkutsk, 



although the cold at night was six to eight degrees." Dr. Radde remarks that he often found 

 iron shot in the skins of those he procured, and thinks that in China they must shoot them with 

 this shot. He also states that at Kulussutajefsk a Cossack used to catch them with fish-hooks 

 baited with sheep's liver. 



Messrs. Dybowski and Parvex state that it occurs in Dauria " during migration;" and Mr. 

 Whitely obtained it near Hakodadi, in Northern Japan, during the autumn. In China it is 

 found during the winter season; and Mr. Swinhoe obtained it at Amoy, and on the island of 

 Formosa. In the Nearctic Region the range of the present species is very extensive, as it is met 

 with from British North America, throughout the United States, into Central America, and down 

 as far south as Costa Rica. On the east coast of America it is, according to Mr. Boardman, rare 

 in New Brunswick ; but I did not meet with it in that province. On the western side Messrs. 

 Dall and Bannister record it as " common on the small ponds on the Island of St. Michael's and 

 the adjacent mainland, and extremely common on all parts of Yukon, and on the marshes near 

 the seacoast. In the early spring, arriving about May 1st atNulato, it is gregarious; but as soon 

 as it commences to breed, about May 20th, or later, they are generally found solitary or in pairs. 

 Their nest is usually in the sedge, lined with dry grass, and, in the absence of both parents, is 

 covered with dry leaves and feathers. They fly more swiftly than any other duck, and are hard 

 to hit on the wing. They lay from six to ten, or even twelve eggs ; and as soon as the young are 

 hatched, they withdraw from the river into small creeks and rivulets, where they remain till the 

 ducklings are fully able to fly, when all repair to the great marshes, where, on the roots of the 

 horsetail (Equisetum), they grow so fat that they frequently cannot raise themselves from the 

 water. They leave for warmer latitudes about the end of September. This species is excellent 

 for the table. Also obtained at Sitka and Kadiak by Bischoff." Mr. Brown records it from 

 Vancouver's Island ; and Dr. Coues obtained it at Fort Yuma. It is likewise met with in the 

 interior of the continent. Captain Blakiston found it at the Forks of the Saskatchewan ; and it 

 has been recorded from various localities in the interior of the United States. In the winter 

 season it is met with in the Southern States. Mr. Allen states that on the St. John's river, in 

 Florida, it is not common, but that, according to Mr. Maynard, immense numbers are found on 

 Indian River, passing over in clouds for hours together. I found it quite common in Texas during 

 the winter season. Dr. Sclater records it from Jalapa, in Mexico ; Mr. Lawrence from Panama ; 

 Messrs. Sclater and Salvin as " seen at Belize in December, and common, during the winter, on 

 the Lake of Duenas, departing northward in March;" and Dr. A. von Frantzius states that it 

 occurs at Cartago, in Costa Rica. It is likewise met with on the Atlantic islands, according to 

 Dr. Gundlach common in Cuba from October to April ; and, according to Albrecht, it is also 

 found in Jamaica. 



In its habits the present species differs very little from the Mallard ; but it is more often met 

 with on large and open sheets of water, and is a much more shy and wary bird. On the 



