236 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis. 



All three species of the Scaup Ducks are known to local 

 hunters by the name of Blackjack, though this one is some- 

 times called Bluebill. 



Marila affinis (Eyton). Lesser Scaup Duck. 

 Abundant migrant. 



The common Blackjack ranks with the Mallard and Pintail 

 in point of numbers and has not noticeably decreased during 

 the past few years. A familiar sight on the Missouri River, 

 when the bulk of the birds are passing through on the north- 

 ward flight, is to see immense rafts of these ducks floating down 

 stream with the current busily engaged in their mating an- 

 tics. They have favorite stretches of water for these floats and 

 when they have arrived at the end of one where they com- 

 monly "use," the entire flock leaves the water and flies, some- 

 times miles, to the starting point to begin the float all over 

 again. During these times they are easy of approach though 

 they are becoming more wary of the motor-boat than for- 

 merly. 



This duck is not a very desirable table fowl but is slaughtered 

 in great numbers by the city hunters. 



It is often found in the company of other species but prefers 

 to flock with its own kind. It is to be found here all through 

 the migrating season in varying numbers, though never in mid- 

 winter, and is often seen in rather large flocks on the different 

 park lakes. Flocks rest for days on the lake in Penn Valley 

 taking no notice of the traffic but a few yards away. Flocks of 

 considerable size are often seen on the lakes in Swope Park. 



MaedliA collabis (Donovan). Ring-necked Duck. 

 Not uncommon migrant. 



This species precedes the other Scaup in the spring and is 

 often found with the early Redheads and Canvas-backs. It is 

 not as common as formerly but is regularly taken by the hunt- 

 ers. It is the least numerous of the Scaup. 



Clangula clangula AMERICANA Bouaparte. Golden-eye. 

 Rather rare migrant. 



This strikingly marked duck is now only dccasionally seen in 

 twos and threes on the Missouri River, where formerly it was 

 met with in migration in occasional flocks of dozens. The last 



