1395] MARYLAND ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 261 
are having a fine time, as the streams are covered with Mal- 
lards.” On April 5, 1895, a pair were shot at Cumberland 
(Zacharia Laney). 
Anas obscura (133). Black Duck. 
Common in tidewater Maryland during the gunning season, 
quite a number remain during summer and breed. Numerous 
in the vicinity of Baltimore from August 28 (’93, Fisher), to May 
6 (93, Gray). I observed this species in 1894, at Ocean City, as 
follows: On June 5 a pair; on the 6th a pair; on the 7th 
3, 2, 3, 1, 3, and also a pair with small young on Chin- 
cateague Bay about two miles from shore, where it was so 
rough I could not count the young. On the 10th my man at 
last succeeded in finding a nest, but it only held the two half 
shells of an egg, one inside the other. 
At Loch Raven, on April 7, (95), I watched 20 birds 
for some time, they were feeding in shallow water like tame 
ducks, and while they kept in aclose bunch, were mated, each 
pair distinctly keeping together. 
Anas strepera (135). Gadwall. 
While a few no doubt winter with us, the species seems to be 
fairly numerous in November, and again in April; though it is 
rather difficult to get statistics, our market gunners classing this 
and the females of three or four other species as “ gray ducks,”’ 
and our amateurs as “trash ducks.” On November 22-3, 
1894, about 20 were shot at Spry’s Island. At Washington, 
D. C., they are given as common from September to April 
(Richmond). 
From the Sun I take the following: “Williamsport, Md. 
April 9, 1895. Wild ducks are plentiful along the Poto- 
mac, above this place. From the old Sharpless warehouse up 
to Big Pool, flocks of Gray Mallards abound. These, the 
sportsmen say, are rare, and it is unusual to see so many of 
them along the river.” 
