74 



167. Erismatura mbida (Wils.). [634.] Ruddy Duck. 



The Buddy Duck breeds over much of the Mississippi Valley, from 

 Texas to Minnesota, and winters from southern Illinois southward. 

 Dr. Watson recorded it from Ellis, Kans., in these words : "A variably 

 common transient visitor ; once a pair nested here." In the spring of 

 1884 the first was seen at Saint Louis February 26, and Vermillion, 

 Dak., March 28. It was seen at Caddo, Ind. Ter., during fall migra- 

 tion, but not in the spring. In the fall of 1884 the first was seen at 

 Emporia, Kans., October 24. 



In the spring of 1885 the only note received was the record of its 

 arrival at Emporia, Kans., April 18. In the fall of 1885 the last was 

 seen at Heron Lake, Minn., November 7. 



168. Nomonyx dominicus (Linn.). [635.] Masked Duck. 



A tropical American species, accidental in the United States ; one 

 specimen taken at Lake Koshkonong in Wisconsin (Kumlien). 



Chen cserulescens (Linn.). [590.] Blue Goose. 



Breeds on Hudson Bay ; migrates through the Mississippi Valley, 

 and winters along the Gulf coast, in mild winters extending up to 

 northern Mississippi and southern Illinois. During migration it was 

 noticed at Burlington, Iowa, where the bulk arrived March 20, 1884. 



169. Chen hyperborea (Pall.). [591a.] Lesser Snow Goose. 



Breeds in Alaska ; a regular migrant in the Mississippi Valley ; win- 

 ters abundantly on the Gulf of Mexico. In Kansas it is a common 

 migrant, and a few sometimes winter. In 1884 it was reported from 

 West DePere, Wis., and Alda, Eebr. In Tom Green and Concho coun- 

 ties, Tex., it is tolerably common during spring migration. 



It migrates early. In 1884 large flocks were seen at Pierce City, 

 Mo., by the last of January, and one flock had arrived at Saint Louis. 

 No more were recorded until after the "second winter." At Caddo, Ind. 

 Ter., it was first seen March 10. March 19 and March 20 it appeared at 

 Manhattan, Kans., and again came to Saint Louis. March 21 it reached 

 Vermillion, Dak., and four days later was at Huron, Dak. It was re- 

 ported from Menoken, Dak., April 12, and the next day at Larimore. 

 Farther east the bulk reached Burlington, Iowa, April 1, and the first 

 came to Storm Lake, Iowa, March 2o 1 the bulk following on the 14th, 

 which was the day that the last was seen at Saint Louis. 



In the fall of 1884 the first flock of Snow Geese was seen at Emporia, 

 Kans., October 20, after which date the species was common there. 



In the spring of 1885 it was noted from Kichmond, Kans., March 4 ; 

 Payette, Mo., March 10; Unadilla, ^Tebr., March 11; Linwood, Kebr., 

 March 25 ; Sioux City, Iowa, March 30; Huron, Dak., March 31; Grand 

 View, Dak., April 1; Fernwood, 111., April 4, and Two Bivers, Mani- 

 toba, April 14. In the fall of 1885 it returned to Argusville, Dak., 

 September 20 ; to Saint Louis, Mo., October 27, and to Bonham, Tex., 



