26 



130. Merganser serrator (Linnaeus) — Red-breasted Merganser. 



A rare migrant, but reported by one or more observers nearly 

 every season. Also seen early in spring and late in fall, breeding 

 northward. Bruner reports it as seen on the Platte river in mid-winter, 



131. *Lophodytes cucullatus (Linnaeus) — Hooded Merganser. 



A common migrant, breeding sparingly along the wooded streams 

 in the eastern part of the state and also reported to have bred at least 

 formerly in the timbered canyons of northern Nebraska. A young 

 one was taken by Swenk from a brood of six or seven following the 

 mother on the Blue river at Beatrice in July, 1900, and Bruner also 

 found young on a pond at West Point years ago. A brood of half- 

 grown young were seen at Lincoln Aug. 2, 1900, by J. S. Hunter. 

 Migrates in April and October. 



132. *Anas boschas Linnaeus — Mallard. 



An abundant migrant; coming very early in spring, usually before 

 .the first of March, lingering late in fall, and staying all winter where 

 there is open water. Breeds all over the state, more commonly than 

 elsewhere in the sand-hill region. In the collection of August Eiche 

 is a specimen undoubtedly a cross between this and the Black Duck, 

 and another of very large size apparently a cross between the Mallard 

 and some tame duck. 



133. Anas obscura Gmelin — Black Dtjck. 



An uncommon migrant, not known to breed in the state. It is an 

 abundant duck in eastern United States and Nebraska lies at the 

 westward limit of its range. Reported from Omaha, Lincoln, and 

 Cherry county. Migrates about the same time as the Mallard. All 

 specimens accessible are referable to this form and not to the next, 

 which has only recently been recognized, but it is possible that some 

 of the records refer to the latter. 



133a. Anas obscura rubiripes Brewster — Red-legged Black Duck. 



There is no definite record of this duck for the state, but Bruner 

 is inclined to believe, from notes made at the time, that the single 

 observation by himself of the Black Duck at West Point, a number 

 of years ago, should refer to this subspecies.] 



135. *Chaulelasmus streperus (Linnaeus) — Gadwall. 



A common migrant, seen from the middle of March to the middle 

 of April, and from the middle of October to the middle of November. 

 Also a frequent breeder about the lakes of the sand-hill region, nests and 

 young having been taken by Bruner in Holt county and by Wolcott 

 in Cherry county. 



136. Mareca penelope (Linnaeus) — European Widgeon. 



Of this European bird, of which stragglers have been taken from 

 time to time in various parts of this country, there is one valid record 

 for Nebraska, a single specimen having been taken by Bruner at West 

 Point years .ago. 



