61 



March 26. It was afterwards noted at Des Moines, Iowa, April 4 ; 

 Lanesboro, Minn., April 4; and Green Bay,, Wis., April 7. It has 

 been found breeding in northern Iowa by Mr. Preston, of Newton, 

 Iowa. In the fall of 1885 a large flock was seen at Saint Louis No- 

 vember 12. 



130. Merganser serrator (Linn.). [637.] Bed-breasted Merganser. 



A winter resident in southern Wisconsin, along Lake Michigan, 

 throughout the State of Illinois, and southward. Breeds from north- 

 ern Illinois and Minnesota northward. In 1884 it was only noticed in 

 migration at Heron Lake, Minn., where it arrived April 2. 



In the spring of 1885 a flock of about 200 was seen at Emporia, 

 Kans., March 7, and at Laporte City, Iowa, March 25. April 1 there 

 was a queried note from Lanesboro, Minn., and April 4 they reached 

 Heron Lake, Minn. They were taken also during spring migration at 

 Tampico, 111. 



131. Lophodytes cucullatns (Linn.). [638.] Hooded Merganser, 



In Illinois the Hooded Merganser is resident throughout the State 

 and breeds everywhere. In Kansas it is a common winter resident 

 and breeds very rarely. A few breed in Florida. In western Texas it 

 is common in winter. It is common and breeds in Wisconsin, Minne- 

 sota, Dakota, and Manitoba. 



In the spring of 1884 it reached Burlington, Iowa, March 15 ; La- 

 porte City, Iowa, March 17; Heron Lake, Minn., March 24; Green 

 Bay, Wis., March 28 ; and Eed Wing. Minn., April 4. It was known 

 once to remain throughout the winter at Lanesboro, Minn., in an open 

 part of the Boot river. 



In the fall of 1884 the first migrant appeared at Des Moines, Iowa, 

 October 24, and the last was seen November 17. It was given as a 

 very rare bird at San Angelo, Tex., where one was shot in 1834. 



In the spring of 1885 it was seen at Shawneetown, 111., February 27; 

 Heron Lake, Minn., April 4; Des Moines, Iowa, April 9; Emporia, 

 Kans., April 14; Hastings, Minn., April 13; Menoken, Dak., May 1. 

 A nest with twelve fresh eggs was found at Peoria, 111., April 20. At 

 Waverly, Miss., it is said to nest in March. In the fall of 1885 it was 

 last seen at Heron Lake, Minn., November 30. 



132. Anas boschas Linn. [601.] Mallard. 



The Mallard occurs in suitable places over the whole of the northern 

 hemisphere. It is the best known of the Mississippi Yalley Ducks, and 

 for this reason is here taken as their type. It is one of the most harcly 

 species, and is pretty sure to be found among the first that arrive in 

 spring. When notes have been sent in merely saying that "Ducks" 

 have been seen, they have been brought under this head, so that the 

 present discussion is not so much that of the Mallard in particular as 

 of Ducks in general. The Mallard breeds from Indiana and Iowa north- 

 ward, and a few breed as far south as Kansas. In winter they are usu- 



