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the winter of 1842; and Herr von Pelzeln mentions that there are specimens in the Vienna 

 Museum which were obtained on the Neusiedler Lake. Professor von Nordmann states that 

 he never met with it on the Black Sea ; and he expresses surprise at the statement made by 

 Menetries to the effect that a pair were obtained at Bakou, on the Caspian Sea. It has not 

 been met with on the African coast. 



To the eastward it is found right across the continent of Asia, where it breeds in the high 

 north, and migrates southward in the winter, at which season it is found on Lake Baikal ; and 

 Mr. Swinhoe says that Pere David received a specimen which was shot at Takoo, at the mouth 

 of the Peiho river, in China; and Mr. Whitely states (Ibis, 1867, p. 208) that several specimens 

 were obtained at Hakodadi in Japan, in January 1805, from native bird-catchers, and that it is 

 common in the harbour in the winter. 



It is found in the extreme north of Siberia. Von Middendorff first observed it on the 

 Boganida (70° N. lat.) on the 29th May ; but on the Taimyr river (74° N. lat.) it was seen on the 

 5th May. In the Stanowoi Mountains he saw a single male on the 8th May. Dr. Radde says 

 that it winters in large numbers on the Angara where that river flows out of the Lake Baikal, 

 and assumes the summer plumage there also. 



In the Nearctic Region, as in the Palaearctic, it breeds in the extreme north, and migrates 

 southward for the winter. It is said to be found right across the continent in the northern fur- 

 countries; and, judging from the myriads I have seen migrating southward, it must be very 

 numerous on the eastern side of the continent. I found it generally distributed and common 

 during winter on the coasts of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Maine ; and it is stated by 

 Dr. E. Coues to extend its range as far south as South Carolina. He also states that it is found 

 on the great lakes of North America. On the west side it is recorded by Mr. Bannister as 

 " very common at St. Michael's ;" and to this Mr. Dall adds that it is " an extremely common 

 Duck on the sea-coast, but very rare on the Yukon. One specimen was killed June 1st, 1868, 



at Nulato while the river was full of floating ice Breeds abundantly on every beach, in a 



very simple nest without any lining." There is, I may add, a specimen in the Leiden Museum 

 from the Aleutian Islands ; and Mr. H. W. Elliott writes (Orn. Pryb. Isl. no. 508) that it is 

 " common and resident in the Prybilov Islands, and breeds on the lakelets and sloughs of St. 

 Paul's in limited numbers." I have had opportunities of observing the present species (chiefly 

 during the winter season) on the north-east coasts of America, where it is at times very numerous. 

 I frequently spent a few days with the lighthouse-keeper at Point Lepreaux, in the Bay of Fundy, 

 and made a point of being there during the time the Ducks were on passage, when thousands of 

 the various species might be seen at once from the lighthouse, the present species being one of 

 the most numerous, and its clear call-note, which, when uttered by many Ducks at once, merged 

 into a sort of cackle, might be heard everywhere. The Indians, who frequented that portion of 

 the coast chiefly for the porpoise-fishery, call this bird with more truth than gallantry " Old 

 squaw," because, as one old hunter informed me, they were like a squaw, always chattering and 

 could not possibly hold their tongues for any length of time. I found this Duck a hardy sea- 

 frequenting species, frequently outside in hard weather, though, as a rule, during stormy and 

 hard weather they took shelter in the coves and small inlets. An excellent diver, it appears to 

 obtain its food chiefly under water, floating in with the tide, and every now and again diving in 



