

50 



THE COLLECTORS' MONTHLY. 



Breeds from the northern U. S. north- 

 ward, in the vicinity of water. Nest of 

 moss and leaves, lined with down from 

 the birds breast, placed on the ground 

 among- low bushes or grass. Eggs six to 

 twelve, Creamy, or greenish, and about 

 2^x1% inches. 



(48.) 131. Lophodytes cuenttatus. 

 Hooded Merganser. (638.) 



Head, neck, and upper parts black, 

 the head with a large compact crest. A 

 large patch on the side of the head, wing 

 bars and under parts, white. Length 18 

 inches. 



A rather common migrant. Frequents 

 fresh water ponds, and creeks. I have 

 seen them in flocks of a, dozen or more 

 individuals in a large pond near Sag 

 Harbor. "Dec. 24, 1880 I found a dead 

 male on the Sound shore. In Jan. 1881 

 I received a fine male from Patchogue. 

 The gunners on the south side call them 

 Wood Sheldrake" (Helme) I found this 

 species abundant in South Georgia (Mcin- 

 tosh Co.,) and breeding very early, as I 

 took a fully developed egg from a female 

 shot on Feby. 22d, 1889. Nest of leaves, 

 grasses, etc., lined with down from the 

 birds breast, placed in hollow trees. Eggs 

 from six to eighteen, very smooth, clear 

 white, and average about 2%xl% inches. 



(49.) 132. Anas boschas. 

 IVIallai-d. (601.) 



Head green. Breast bright chestnut. 

 Sides and under parts finely mottled with 

 gray and black. A white ring around 

 the neck. Tail whitish, its upper coverts 

 black, with a recurved tuft of feathers. 

 Speculum glossy purple. Length 23 in. 



A winter visitor of no great rarity. 

 Seen at intervals throughout, the winter. 

 Frequents fresh water ponds in the fall. 

 "Not common spring and autumu mi- 

 grant'' (Helme). Breeds inland, west- 

 ward and northward. Nest placed in 

 grass or low bushes near water. Eggs 

 greenish or drab, six to ten, and average 

 about 2%xl% inches. 



(50.) 133. Anas obscura. 

 Black Duck. (602.) 



Dusky brown throughout, with light 

 rufous edging to the feathers. Side of 

 head, throat and neck pale grayish brown 

 finely spotted with dusky. Speculum 

 glossy violet, surrounded by black. 

 Length 22 inches. 



An abundant winter resident, a few 

 pairs remaining to breed on Gardiners 

 Island, and rarely on Shelter Island. Nest 

 placed in thick grass or low bushes, on 

 the ground near water, composed of 

 grasses, weeds, etc., lined with down from 

 the birds breast. Eggs six to twelve, 

 creamy or grenish, and average 2%x2% in. 



(51.) 135. Anas strepera. 

 Oadwall. (604.) 



Sides of head and front of neck pale 

 brown, with spots of dusky. Breast and 

 lower neck all round, black, with narrow 

 half-circles of white, and ashy. Speculum 

 white, in front of it a large patch of black. 

 Sides dark brown, finely waved with 

 whitish. Beneath white. Length 22 in. 



A rare migrant. "Two shot at Mt. 

 Sinai Harbor, in the spring of 1879. 

 Usually seen in company with Black 

 Ducks" (Helme). Breeds inland and 

 westward. Nests on the ground in low 

 thick growth, near water. Nest of 

 grasses, lined with down and feathers. 

 Eggs six to twelve, creamy or clay color, 

 average about 2«l 1 / 4 inche s. 



(52.) 136. Anas ppnelope. 

 Widgeon. (606). 



Sides of head, and neck all around 

 chestnut red, spotted more or less with 

 black. Top of hea.d whitish. Back and 

 sides, brown, finely waved with white. 

 Wings and tail dark brown, the latter 

 with white edging. Beneath white. Un- 

 der tail coverts black. Length 19)4 in. 



A rare winter visitor, or straggler from 

 Europe. Said to have bred ou this side 

 of the Atlantic in the north. Nest on the 

 ground near water. Nest of grasses, 

 leaves, etc., lined with down and feathers 

 of the bird. Eggs six to eight, creamy 

 or buff, 2%xl% inches. 



