BIEDS OF NORTHEKN CANADA 317 



near the Fort, a few on the lower Anderson Eiver, and 

 in other parts of the forest sections, — these were always 

 depressions in the ground, lined with down, feathers, and 

 dry grasses, and placed contiguous to ponds or sheets of fresh 

 water, frequently amid clumps of small spruce or dwarf 

 willow, and fairly well concealed from view. The number of 

 eggs found in a nest varied ibetween five and eight. The eggs 

 are large and of a deep, rich, buff colour. The Ottawa 

 Museum does not possess a single egg, and but two skin 

 specimens, of the velvet duck ! 



166. Stjrf Scotee — Oidemia perspicillata (Linn.). 



Dr. Bell, of Ottawa, was the recipient of an example 

 killed at Lac du Brochet in the spring of 1891. I again 

 quote from the aforesaid paper : " The remarks made under 

 0. deglandi happen to be in almost every respect equally 

 applica;ble to the present species, the only noted difference 

 being that generally less hay and feathers were observed in 

 the composition of the nest, while only one of those found 

 contained as many as eight eggs, the usual number being 

 from five to seven. Both scoters were very abundant on 

 the sea-coast, especially the last mentioned." The Ottawa 

 Museimi holds two skin specimens, but no eggs, under this 

 heading ! 



167. Buddy Duck — Erismatura jamaicensis (Gmelin). 



Li previous Check Lists this duck was classified under 

 E. rubida. A male specimen was secured at Fort St. James, 

 Stuart's Lake, in the spring of 1889. Early in June, 1890, 

 two male birds were shot near Cumberland House, Sas- 

 katchewan, and another the following season. I am not 

 now quite sure that I ever observed it at Fort Chipewyan, 

 or farther north, and yet future investigation may establish 

 its presence in that remote northern region. 



Both scoters, as well as the ruddy duck, are entered 

 in Mr. B. R. Boss's Bird List. 



