88 RECONNAISSANCE FROM CARROLL, MONTANA, 
RALLIDZ. 
119, FULICA AMERICANA, Gm. 
Coot; MUD-HEN. 
ANATIDZ. 
120. (?) CYGNUS BUCCINATOR, Rich. 
Abundant in Dakota. 
TRUMPETER SWAN. 
A single swan seen in flight at the Yellowstone Lake was probably of this species. It was 
taken on this water by Mr. Merriam in 1872. 
121. ANSER HYPERBORKEUS, Pall. 
SNow Goose. 
A flock of these birds were seen on the Yellowstone River near the lake; and the species was 
again observed in considerable numbers on the alkaline pools near the Missouri River in October. 
122, BRANTA CANADENSIS, (Linn.) Gray. 
CANADA GOOSE; COMMON WILD GOOSE. 
The common wild goose was seen in the greatest abundance on the Missouri River, and was 
numerous on the Yellowstone Lake as well. Early in July, while on the way from Bismarck to 
Carroll, we saw many broods of young, and, when coming down the river late in September, hardly 
an hour passed without our seeing one or more large flocks of these birds. The young goslings are 
pretty little things, and the devotion to them of the mother is interesting. Four was the smallest 
number seen in a brood, and nine the largest. On one occasion I saw what seemed to be a union 
of two families. The two females swam in advance side by side, while the ganders brought up the 
rear, and the nine young ones followed directly behind the females. 
When approached while in the water, the birds would gradually sink until nothing but the 
bill and upper part of the head appeared above the surface; the young would then disappear one 
after another, and last of all the old female would dive. The male always flew off to a safe 
distance before the diving commenced; but in no instance did I see the mother leave her brood. 
123. ANAS BOSCHAS, Linn. 
MALLARD. 
Abundant, breeding along the Missouri and on smaller streams in the mountains. 
124, DAFILA ACUTA, (Linn.) Bp. 
PIN-TAIL Duck. 
Observed in considerable numbers on the Yellowstone Lake. 
125, CIIAULELASMUS STREPERUS, (Linn.) Gray. 
GADWALL; GRAY Duck. 
Abundant on alkaline pools in Dakota; a female with a brood of newly-hatched young was 
seen on Box Elder. 
126. MARECA AMERICANA, (Gm.) Steph. 
AMERICAN WIDGEON. 
Abundant on many of the streams in Dakota and Montana. 
