Todd : Birds of Erie and Presque Isle. 523 



noted in the ponds with other ducks, but the bay seemed to be their 

 favorite resort, and many were killed here over decoys, as well as shot 

 from a boat, they appearing less wild than most ducks. The first was 

 recorded March 23, and they may have come even earlier, (Mr. Bacon's 

 earliest record is March 11, 1899). Early in April the period of 

 greatest abundance was reached, and the last was noted on April 20. 

 In the autumnal movement they were not observed until November 5, 

 when cold weather had set in, but were common during the remainder 

 of our stay, being recorded almost daily up to Novembr 16, although 

 here, as probably also in the case of numerous other waterfowl, the 

 last date of record by no means approximated the real date of depart- 

 ure, since Mr. Bacon's latest date for this particular season was De- 

 cember 15, a month later, while a specimen in Mr. Sennett's col- 

 lection is labeled December 19, 1874. Another of Mr. Sennett's 

 specimens was taken October 31, 1875, which is the earliest fall 

 record available. Mr. Simpson recorded this duck during his visit 

 from April 24 to 27, 1902, this constituting the latest spring record. 



36. Harelda hyemalis. Long-tailed Duck. 



This is another duck of common occurrence in spring and fall, being 

 found usually in small parties, or in flocks of moderate size. They 

 were noted first on March 28 in the spring of 1900, becoming com- 

 mon during the first half of April, while single individuals were secured 

 as late even as May 5 and 18. Upon their return in the fall the 

 earliest record was made October 18, and by October 25 they had 

 reached the height of their abundance. Although all which were thus 

 recorded were seen on the bay, it is evident that this species must be 

 far more numerous on the waters of the open lake, miles off the shore. 

 Here the birds, in diving for their food, get entangled in the immense 

 gill-nets set by the fishermen, and perish by drowning. In lifting 

 the nets their bodies are removed, and as a rule thrown overboard, 

 being little esteemed as food, when they eventually drift to shore, to be 

 devoured by Crows and Bald Eagles. Many thousands are thus de- 

 stroyed annually, but, singularly enough, no other species of duck 

 seems to suffer similarly, unless it be the various species of Scoters, 

 but the proportion of these thus taken is inconsiderable. Such whole- 

 sale destruction as this involves has necessarily operated to reduce 

 their numbers materially. Eight or ten years ago these birds were a 

 pest to the fishermen of Lake Erie, particularly in the fall. Mr. 



