202 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF 



The merganser is very destructive at all times, but particularly in winter when 

 most of the streams and lakes are frozen over. They often congregate on small 

 streams or ponds that do not freeze on account of their uniform temperature. These 

 waters are invariably trout waters. During severe winters, this fish-duck sometimes 

 remains on Caledonia Creek for a month at a time. At such times it is very shy, 

 and it is almost impossible to get a shot at them, or keep them away from the stream. 

 Trout spawning beds are also tempting spots for the fish-duck to congregate and feed. 

 I have sometimes found red flannel flags placed on poles stuck in the bank along the 

 stream useful for scaring the ducks away. 



Loons. Dr. Warren examined the stomachs of sixteen loons, three of which were 

 the red-throated species, and found remains of fish in thirteen. Fall fish, suckers, 

 carp, catfish, and also a brook trout seven inches long were found in the stomachs of 

 loons killed in Pennsylvania. 



On the inland lakes of New York these birds subsist chiefly upon fish and destroy 

 a great many. In the counties of Chester, Delaware, Clinton and Lehigh, Pa., the 

 stomach contents of seven loons captured during the winter months consisted entirely 

 of fish-bones and scales. 



Loons are sometimes caught alive in pound nets set by the fishermen of the Great 

 Lakes, or on the sea coast. They are very dangerous to handle on account of the 

 strength and sharpness of their bill, and their savage disposition. 



Grebes. The grebe, known also as hell divers and waterwitches, feed upon fish, 

 frogs, aquatic insects, especially beetles and water plants. They nest in streams, lakes, 

 and ponds, usually building among reeds or rushes, and lay from six to eight eggs of 

 uniform color. They are distributed all over the world, and are everywhere known as 

 expert divers and swimmers, and generally destructive to fish. 



The horned or crested grebe lives principally upon small fish. These birds are so 

 exceedingly cautious and swift in their movements, that it is quite difficult to shoot 

 them, but by persistent watching it can be accomplished, as many duck shooters know. 

 One of the best ways to reduce their number is by taking their eggs from the 

 rudely constructed nests in the reeds and thickets close to the surface of the water. 

 The eggs of the horned grebe are greenish. 



Fish-hawk. The depredations of the fish-hawk are more frequent along the sea 

 coast than on inland waters, but the birds are often found along our large rivers and 

 over large lakes and ponds. They are usually solitary in spring and fall, but some- 

 times hunt in pairs and will remain about mill dams and fish ponds a few days at a 

 time if not driven away. 



I have known of their taking trout of one-half pound weight from my private 

 trout pounds. 



